View Full Version : Wait for Macbook refresh?
I am switching to Mac. I now use a PC and can do surfing, email and word processing.
I pastor a small church and I want to do the above. I also want to get a .mac account and set up a simple web site for the church, have a blog site and set up mailing list for different groups. I want to purchase an ipod for music and podcast, I want to purchase a digital camera and put church pictures on the .mac site and play with garage band a little. I assume I will want to upgrade to Leopard. I am 54 and all of this will be new to me except surfing and email.
My Question:To do the above and grow into learning new things about the computer should I wait for the 64 bit chip to be in the Macbook or will the current mid-level white Macbook take me through the next three years and be plenty of computer for me.
I thank you for your help.
Rod
ironlung
2006-08-31, 20:41
Rod, the current macbook setup should be more than plenty for you. Just be sure to upgrade RAM. If you are tech savy enough or know some one who is, I would recommend on not buying RAM from apple but from some other company such as crucial or OWC (macsales.com). Apple charges way too much for additional RAM.
The 64 bit chip will be of little use to you. Hope this helps.
Hey Rod, I have to echo ironlung. I have a MacBook 2GHz and it does more than we really need it too. I originally had 1GB or RAM in it and just had to spring for the 2GB from OWC ($217 vs. Apple $450). I just upgraded ours today and it makes all the difference. If you need to maintain XP functions then Parallels will serve you fine while have all you have listed. I also use the .Mac account and love it too.
Remember the general rule: If you need it now, then get it. If you can wait, then wait. Personally, if you can wait for a little bit for OS 10.5 to come out it might be worth it to hold out. You can still get the .Mac and camera and such, just won't get the discount on .Mac.
Rod, the current macbook setup should be more than plenty for you. Just be sure to upgrade RAM. If you are tech savy enough or know some one who is, I would recommend on not buying RAM from apple but from some other company such as crucial or OWC (macsales.com). Apple charges way too much for additional RAM.
The 64 bit chip will be of little use to you. Hope this helps.
Where will someone see a benefit from a 64 bit processor?
Windowsrookie
2006-08-31, 21:42
Unless you need 16GB of ram, 64bit is useless. :)
Care to explain? Or are seemingly useless comments as far as you go?
Windowsrookie
2006-08-31, 22:14
Care to explain? Or are seemingly useless comments as far as you go?
Oh no you didn't.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit
windowsrookie has completely missed the point..
Unless you need 16GB of ram, 64bit is useless. :)
A common misconception is that 64-bit architectures are no better than 32-bit architectures unless the computer has more than 4 GB of memory. This is not entirely true...
From the very article he links to. Read a little further and you'll get the info you need.
Oh no you didn't.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit
Bitch.
Stop trying to talk big. That just comes off as stupid and immature.
1. Posting a link to a wikipedia entry is a poor explanation.
2. Your link does not support your claim that increased memory is the only advantage.
Windowsrookie
2006-08-31, 22:28
I thought the only advantages were support for more RAM, and the CPU can execute 64-bit instructions (Vs. 32-bit).
Windowsrookie
2006-08-31, 22:35
windowsrookie has completely missed the point..
A common misconception is that 64-bit architectures are no better than 32-bit architectures unless the computer has more than 4 GB of memory. This is not entirely true...
From the very article he links to. Read a little further and you'll get the info you need.
I said unless he needs 16GB of RAM, a 64bit processor is useless for him. I didn't say that 64-bit architectures are no better than 32-bit architectures unless the computer has more than 4 GB of memory.
I said unless he needs 16GB of RAM, a 64bit processor is useless for him.
And you are wrong wrong wrong wrong. Period. Go learn about computers, please.
64 bit processors can deal with maths more effeciently, as well as dealing with larger numbers on chip.
A very simple example for you..
By using 32 bits your processor can represent numbers from 0 to 4,294,967,295 while a 64-bit machine can represent numbers from 0 to 18,446,744,073,709,551,615. Obviously this means your computer can do math with larger numbers, and be more efficient with smaller numbers.
They can also access more data, and deal with larger app and data structures than a 32 bit chip.
They also generally use newer technology on the silicon, which makes them faster generically.
Windowsrookie
2006-08-31, 22:44
But as I said, unless he needs 16GB of RAM for blogging. He doesn't need a 64-bit CPU.
But as I said, unless he needs 16GB of RAM for blogging. He doesn't need a 64-bit CPU.
Then why didn't you say that and actually qualify your advice, instead of sounding like an asshat and making a fatuous statement. You weren't even answering Rod, you were trynig to be smart with macleod.
And I think macleod's response to you was quite telling of how your behaviour comes accross.
Stop trying to move the goal posts. You got caught talking crap. End of story.
Such language...
Am I going to have to separate you two?
;)
Such language...
Am I going to have to separate you two?
;)
THHHHRRRRR :p ;)
*runs away*
Hi Rod - welcome to AppleNova.
The current MacBook will, in fact, meet your needs quite well for at least 3 years, especially if you max out the RAM.
The only apps that will take advantage of 64 bit in that time period will be high-end, professional-level apps that would likely cost more than the MacBook itself.
Waiting for 64 bit would gain you little (if any) value for what you will use it for, and you would lose months of happy, fun, productive computer use in the meantime.
Windowsrookie
2006-09-01, 10:25
Then why didn't you say that and actually qualify your advice, instead of sounding like an asshat and making a fatuous statement. You weren't even answering Rod, you were trynig to be smart with macleod.
Look, he asked if he would need a 64-bit CPU. I said he wouldn't need it unless he needs a ton of RAM. So I answered his question.
Jeese, sit down have a drink. I apologize for answering his question. macleod didn't even say anything in this thread until AFTER I posted that answer.
And there is no need to call me an asshat, if anything you guys are all being asshats.
My post:
Where will someone see a benefit from a 64 bit processor?
was the one that you answered with that post:
Unless you need 16GB of ram, 64bit is useless. :)
just pointing it out WR...
Windowsrookie
2006-09-01, 10:33
Ahhh, this is getting confusing. Back on topic!
:)
Rod, the current macbook setup should be more than plenty for you. Just be sure to upgrade RAM. If you are tech savy enough or know some one who is, I would recommend on not buying RAM from apple but from some other company such as crucial or OWC (macsales.com). Apple charges way too much for additional RAM.
The 64 bit chip will be of little use to you. Hope this helps.
But that 20-40% additional performance sure would be nice! My guess is they increase the ram to 1gb on everything across the board on all products, and keep the price the same rather than drop the price and keep 512 in there.
1 GB across the board would be a good upgrade if they kept the price at the current levels. They would probably do it in two sticks though! :(
Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for your help. Some good guidance here.
Sincerely
Rod
Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for your help. Some good guidance here.
Sincerely
Rod
Ok, so are ya getting it now or later?
turtle2472
Your advice along with several others was very helpful.
My plan is to go to Atlanta Monday and look at the computers.
I have a friend who has built some PC's, I think he can help me with the extra ram.
I will buy after the Paris event whatever happens.
Thanks
Rod
1 GB across the board would be a good upgrade if they kept the price at the current levels. They would probably do it in two sticks though! :(
Agreed. They definitely would.
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