Macbook Pro Comparison Advice

eMacMan · Nov 20th, 2009, 10:19 AM

Before assuming the 17" screen is too dull go to System Preferences>Display>Colour and click the calibrate button. Run and save the sequence being sure that Gamma (contrast) is set to PC Standard (Mac Standard is the default) also be sure white point is set to "Native".

Benito · Nov 20th, 2009, 11:24 AM

I've sorry to hear about your brother, my sincere condolences.

MACinist · Nov 20th, 2009, 12:09 PM

Sorry to hear about your brother as well. All the best to you and your family.

As many pointed out, if you don't mind glossy like me, keep the unibody. There are so many little advantages:

- I find the Unibody seems to run less hot then the previous gen.
- Unibody design feels much more solid for obvious reasons.
- the Unibody lid closes easier - no lock mechanism on the screen so one less thing to break down the road.
- the older aluminum scratches and dents easier I find. So I would tend to believe that the unibody is a bit more durable.
- 15" is a good size. 17" is a specialty size. As far as resell value down the road, I'd tend to disagree; I think the 17" would depreciate more simply because that size is a niche market.
- Unibody has more RAM expandability (once the 4gb dimms come down in price)
- Not sure if that 17" model has an LED screen but the Unibody does.
- Better GPU on Unibody.
- Much easier to upgrade the Harddrive on the Unibody yourself without voiding warranty. The 17" has to be done by an authorized service centre.
- In general, the Unibody is a newer machine with a popular size. It will keep it's value longer then the 17".

Of course, you may want to also keep the "lesser" unit if you have sympathy for your cousin.

HowEver · Nov 20th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Sorry to hear about your brother.

You know, your cousin is family, so you could ask which one he wants. This is in memory of your brother, and there are many factors, like the 17" might be too large to carry around, etc. I'd work it out together.

fyrefly · Nov 20th, 2009, 01:31 PM

I also give my condolences for your loss.

	Quote:			Originally Posted by rgray
	I wouldn't focus too much on the glossy screen issue - like the last poster I was concerned when I bought my MBA but IMHO it is a non-issue.

The Glossy Screen on my MBA is not an issue at all, but when I got a UMBP the giant sheet of glass gave a whole new meaning to the term GLOSSY. It's night and day different, and I don't know how people deal with the machines.

I put a RadTech Matte Screen protector over it - not the best solution - but at least makes the machine much more usable, imho.

They're only about $25 shipped:
Reduce Glare on MacBook, iMac and Apple Cinema Displays with ClearCal Anti-Glare Film - RadTech Products

	Quote:			Originally Posted by rgray
	I find the 17"s to be a bit a monster unless you particularly need the screen real estate.

Agreed!

screature · Nov 20th, 2009, 01:31 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by HowEver
	Sorry to hear about your brother. You know, your cousin is family, so you could ask which one he wants. This is in memory of your brother, and there are many factors, like the 17" might be too large to carry around, etc. I'd work it out together.

Then what if they want the same one... personally I would not recommend going this route... The brother is closest and I think has every right to decide who gets what... the cousin should be happy with whatever he gets.

alienanxiety · Nov 20th, 2009, 03:42 PM

Thanks for all the well wishes.

There is no touchy issues about this with my cousin. He said he will probably sell the one that I don't keep anyway. I think I like the 15" a little more. Yes, the screen is glossy, but overall better image. But the keyboard feels way better to me on the unibody.

What would be a fair asking price for the 17" model? I told him around $1200. Is that too much? Too low?

rgray · Nov 20th, 2009, 04:53 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by alienanxiety
	What would be a fair asking price for the 17" model? I told him around $1200. Is that too much? Too low?

Mac2Sell - Guide to used Mac & iPod - Evaluation - Argus Mac, iPod, iPhone Occasion

Nov 20th, 2009, 10:19 AM	#11
eMacMan Honourable Citizen Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,963	Before assuming the 17" screen is too dull go to System Preferences>Display>Colour and click the calibrate button. Run and save the sequence being sure that Gamma (contrast) is set to PC Standard (Mac Standard is the default) also be sure white point is set to "Native". __________________ Do NOT Touch this computer!!! Touching this computer WILL cause irreversible brain damage.

Nov 20th, 2009, 12:09 PM	#13
MACinist Honourable Citizen Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Downtown T.O. Posts: 1,215	Sorry to hear about your brother as well. All the best to you and your family. As many pointed out, if you don't mind glossy like me, keep the unibody. There are so many little advantages: - I find the Unibody seems to run less hot then the previous gen. - Unibody design feels much more solid for obvious reasons. - the Unibody lid closes easier - no lock mechanism on the screen so one less thing to break down the road. - the older aluminum scratches and dents easier I find. So I would tend to believe that the unibody is a bit more durable. - 15" is a good size. 17" is a specialty size. As far as resell value down the road, I'd tend to disagree; I think the 17" would depreciate more simply because that size is a niche market. - Unibody has more RAM expandability (once the 4gb dimms come down in price) - Not sure if that 17" model has an LED screen but the Unibody does. - Better GPU on Unibody. - Much easier to upgrade the Harddrive on the Unibody yourself without voiding warranty. The 17" has to be done by an authorized service centre. - In general, the Unibody is a newer machine with a popular size. It will keep it's value longer then the 17". Of course, you may want to also keep the "lesser" unit if you have sympathy for your cousin. __________________  Macbook Pro 15-inch \| 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 \| 4GB RAM \| 128GB SSD \| OSX 10.6.3  iPhone 3GS 16GB (white)  2TB Dual-Band Time Capsule  Airport Express N

Nov 20th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#14
HowEver Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: GTEh Posts: 14,324	Sorry to hear about your brother. You know, your cousin is family, so you could ask which one he wants. This is in memory of your brother, and there are many factors, like the 17" might be too large to carry around, etc. I'd work it out together. __________________ ...

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Nov 20th, 2009, 11:24 AM	#12
Benito Full Citizen Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 572	I've sorry to hear about your brother, my sincere condolences.

Nov 20th, 2009, 03:42 PM	#17
alienanxiety New Neighbour Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	Thanks for all the well wishes. There is no touchy issues about this with my cousin. He said he will probably sell the one that I don't keep anyway. I think I like the 15" a little more. Yes, the screen is glossy, but overall better image. But the keyboard feels way better to me on the unibody. What would be a fair asking price for the 17" model? I told him around $1200. Is that too much? Too low?