As a Mac user, I often have people asking me about the difference between Apple’s Macbook and Macbook Pro computers.  While I’m quick to tell them that both are terrific machines, the £200 (or more) difference between the two dictates that we should look at each carefully.  The following is a breakdown of the Macbook and Macbook Pro and an analysis of which laptop may be right for you.

The original

First released in 2006, Apple’s so-called “budget” notebook is perhaps more appropriately regarded as the everyman’s machine.  With a 13” display and lightweight polycarbonate unibody enclosure, the Macbook is a highly portable laptop computer.  Additionally, its weight (4.7 lbs) makes it just a bit heavier than a Macbook Pro of the same size and significantly lighter than the 15 and 17-inch Pro models.  Of special note for the Macbook is the machine’s impressive battery life (10 hours) and relatively low price point.

The pro’s choice

It’s indisputable that the mightily impressive Apple Macbook Pro notebook costs 20% than its predecessor, so the question is whether it provides 20% more value.  The answer remains highly subjective.  Here’s what I find impressive about the Macbook Pro:

• While heavier than the standard Macbook, the 15 and 17-inch Pro models provide far greater screen real estate and resolution.  Though both machines deliver great visuals, the difference is still quite noticeable.
• Unlike the Macbook, the Macbook Pro comes with a special backlit keyboard.  This really comes in handy when working at night or in dark and dingy coffee shops.
• The Macbook Pro features a Firewire port and SD card slot, both of which are missing on the Macbook.  The Firewire in particular is of significance for those looking to connect a camcorder to their computer for easy upload of video.

And perhaps most importantly…

• A standard Macbook comes with 2 GB of RAM.  The Pro comes with 4 GB.  This not only means noticeably faster application speeds, but internet speed has been found to be quicker as well.

Summary

Choosing which machine to add to your computer workstation will largely come down to your individual budget.  While the techie in me wants to suggest the Macbook Pro without reservation, my conscience tells me better.  So which laptop is right for you?  If you’re an average computer user – that is, you use your laptop for word processing, listening to music, typing emails, and surfing the internet, then the standard Macbook has more than enough muscle for you.  If, on the other hand, you need a computer that can power through a great deal of video editing, music production, or late night gaming sessions, then you can’t do much better than a Macbook Pro.

How has your experience been with Apple’s ubiquitous notebooks?  Tell us in the comments below!

Did you know?

The Macbook is the best-selling Macintosh computer of all time.

-Jeff O.

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