How much mac should I buy?

Question

I'm a long time PC user but want to buy my first Macbook. I want the mobility of a laptop, but do not want it too big, i.e. 17". When I pretend to buy one online I just get overwhelmed. I would like to buy a very basic set up and then add things as I go or need them. I want to use this for photo editing, video editing and maybe someday music creation. I am wanting to add programs like photoshop and possibly XP and other programs.

Could anybody advise me on what is the most basic set up I could buy and add to? Like I don't know if laptops can add RPMs, memory, hard drive and other essentials after purchase. Since I want to work with websites as well, would a 13" be too small? Does mac make a GREAT 13" model that can do everything I've suggested and allow me to grow with it? I have a little money to spend, but I don't want to go overboard on too much RAM, Memory or hard drive or screen size if I don't really need it or will never fill it up in my life time!

Thanks!

sorry, after reading what everybody said I realized i forgot that i want to be able to watch movies, burn dvds, back up, copy and all that jazz. I saw a 6x vs 8x DVD "thingy", is it that much different? thanks for bearing with my ignorance here...

Answer 1

Hi Suzanne.

You are making a really smart choice! I would go to the Apple Store nearest you to pick up and touch the laptops in person. The workers are always really nice there, and they can help you answer your questions. I think you would be fine with any iBook, even the smallest size screen. I have the medium size PowerBook, and I like the size a lot. But I had the smallest iBook previously, and that was definitely more portable. FYI - You can always hook it up to a desktop screen in the future if you really desire the bigger screen. But I am a graphic designer, and I don't generally feel like I need a bigger screen.

Hope that helps!!!

Answer 2

I was in the same situation a little while ago so i hope i can help. In the face of performance tbh there isnt a bad mac atm however the smaller white macbooks lack screen size in my opinion. So i personally whent for a 15"mac book pro, Which i can honestly say is whay better then a pc it has honestly converted me to the mac side! they run really fast and i have had no problemes.Also programs like photoshop are awsome on a mac because they are designed round macs. Because i was goin from a pc i bought microsoft office for it which is different obviously but i feel runs really well.

So in my opinion although the 15" mac bookpro is more expensive it is still really portable but a big enough screen to work on :D. If it helps at all i found the move from a pc to a mac really easy it was almost like a second nature lol

Let me no how it goes and what u decide if you what anymore help u are welcome to email me.

Answer 3

You can never have too much RAM, hard drive space, or a too big screen, or a too fast CPU. Also you cannot out XP on a Mac, it is not a program, it is an operating system.

Buy the biggest, most powerful Mac you can afford and you will grow into it. All laptops are very expensive to 'add bits to'.

Answer 4

well it sounds like the macbook would be good. it does all that stuf without installing anything else. i also thought the 13.3" scren would be 2 small, but i think its a perfect size, its also widescreen so u have just as much screen real estate as a regular 15" laptop. yes u can upgrade ram, and hard drive on it. start with 1gb of ram and if its running a little slow u can always upgrade 2 more.