MacBook purchase advice - MacNerds ahoy.

[slip]

Greetings Chaps. I've made the rather rash decision to not even consider a Windows based laptop, fuck you Bill. Won't be doing anything flash. No video editing, no games, just word processing, email, porn, and watch a DVD now and then.

1. What are these prices like?
2. Is the 2nd option worth the extra $150 for DVD burning I won't use, 40gig HDD space I probably won't fill (I have 80gig on my PC now) and the SuperDrive over ComboDrive?
3. Will there be operating speed ramifications with a fullish HDD compared to Windows?
4. What the hell is a Superdrive and a Combodrive?
5. Is www.zerothree.com.au safe/good/etc?
6. How much cooler will I be?

Thank you. Specs below.

Apple Macbook 2.1Ghz Core 2 Duo Combo Drive - 2Gb RAM
Features 2Gb RAM (2 x 1Gb - expandable to 4Gb),
120Gb SATA HDD (upgradeable to 250Gb),
13" Glossy Widescreen LED TFT Display,
24 x Combo Drive (DVD-ROM / CD-RW),
Intel GMA X3100 graphics with 144Mb shared Video RAM,
2 x USB2, 1 x Firewire 400, Gigabit Ethernet, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth. Weight 2.31 Kg
ZeroThree Price $1549 inc GST


MacBook Core 2 Duo (Superdrive 2.2Ghz) White

FACTORY STANDARD MB403X/A Apple Macbook 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo Superdrive
Apple Macbook Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz.
Features 2Gb RAM (2 x 1Gb - expandable to 4Gb),
160Gb SATA HDD (upgradeable to 250Gb),
13" Glossy Widescreen TFT LED Display,
8 x DL DVD+/-RW and CD-RW,
Intel GMA X3100 graphics with 144Mb shared Video RAM,
2 x USB2, 1 x Firewire 400, Gigabit Ethernet, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth. Weight 2.31 Kg
ZeroThree Price $1691 inc GS

Impulse buy pending....

 

[brisneyland]

Don't be a tightarse, get the superdrive model. If only for the resale value.

 

[faith_rider]

Superdrive model is definitely worth it, for the extra HD space as well...trust me you will one day need it. I was in your spot a while ago and am glad I decided to spend the extra dosh and go superdrive model.

Apple online with a education discount is usually the cheapest you will get it.

Great choice, the newest MacBooks are seriously kick arse...

 

[sockman]

Apple Macbook 2.1Ghz Core 2 Duo Combo Drive - 2Gb RAM
Features 2Gb RAM (2 x 1Gb - expandable to 4Gb),
120Gb SATA HDD (upgradeable to 250Gb),
13" Glossy Widescreen LED TFT Display,
24 x Combo Drive (DVD-ROM / CD-RW),
Intel GMA X3100 graphics with 144Mb shared Video RAM,
2 x USB2, 1 x Firewire 400, Gigabit Ethernet, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth. Weight 2.31 Kg
ZeroThree Price $1549 inc GST

Im typing from one of those right now... It pwns! Word of advoce, if you or someone in the family is a uni student or a teacher you can get a hefty discount so maybe the higher model is worth it...(think roughly 1549 for the better model...)

 

[slip]

Thanks guys. I'll pimp out and use the Education discount, got plenty of links in that area.

 

[indica]

Thanks guys. I'll pimp out and use the Education discount, got plenty of links in that area.

Don't get extra HD and Ram until after, example Apple Ram for my G5 is about $800 for 2x1 gig, after market fully compatible is only about $150.

Macs just work.
I have a 250 gig hd, with only 60 left and have had no performance issues at all.
Ive had this for 2.5 years and its only crashed once....

 

[Le Matelot]

I've made the rather rash decision to not even consider a Windows based laptop.

Bloody good idea

No video editing...

That will last until you see how easy it is to do on a Mac with the built-in software.

Is the 2nd option worth the extra $150 for DVD burning I won't use, 40gig HDD space I probably won't fill (I have 80gig on my PC now) and the SuperDrive over ComboDrive?

YES. Its worth it - especially the superdrive. You're also getting a speed increase with that model (about 10%).

40GB you won't fill? I'm looking forward to when you put up a post here to eat those words (He says, clicking away with two 1 TB drives on the desktop and a 300GB portable tucked away in the briefcase for on-the-road.) And, in case you're wondering, I don't do video's either

Will there be operating speed ramifications with a fullish HDD compared to Windows.

I have noticed something of a slowdown when your HD gets above 95% capacity. I can't comment on how this compares to a windows slowdown. This seems to be application dependent. For example, it seems to affects Photoshop and the Microsoft products, but haven't noticed any effect on Filemaker.

What the hell is a Superdrive and a Combodrive?

Superdrive will burn DVDs and CDs, Combodrive will burn CDs but only read DVDs.

How much cooler will I be?

Incredibly

Impulse buy pending....

Give in to your impulses.

But seriously, CORC has used Macs for admin and race timing since 2002. The only problem we have had is when a dodgy generator took out an external power supply. None of our Macs has ever crashed. If you saw the treatment they get, not to mention the odd bit of dust, mud and sweat, you would wonder why Apple don't make an advertisement out of it.

3 Macs did the entire rego, timing and live results at the Scott4Hr last year, with another 10 "loan" ones doing the online interactive results at the race.

 

[slip]

Pimper model ordered + ipod deal as well. Costing me $50net for an 8gig nano with this offer they have going.

Now to just grow my hair and start drinking coffee.....

 

[Pebble]

Good one!

I got myself a IMac a few months ago, definitely the best decision ever! I do have an ipod nano 8gig as well (hubby got it for me as a prezzy before I got the imac), so even though I already had an IRiver that I was happy with; I've learned to like the Ipod, but yet to sinc it to the Mac Just get an arm band, great for riding.

 

[nizai]

*pangs of jealousy from teh mac nerd*

Im thinking I might upgrade to a macBook soon myself. Still got the old G3 iBook

My desktop has a bit of grunt at least, a dual 1.3Ghz G4, but its struggling with H264 HD videos that are cropping up on the net nowadays.

N