by Bruce Tyson

Created on: April 14, 2010

Apple has updated its mobile computing lineup giving consumers update options when choosing between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. The criteria for choosing between models will primarily involve price and performance considerations.

= MacBook =

The MacBook continues to be a consumer oriented laptop computer, with affordability its primary selling point. Users of word processing, email, Web browsers, and similar applications will find that the MacBook has plenty of power, plus the prestige of toting around a Macintosh. Equipped with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM and a 250 GB hard drive, the base model MacBook is all most people will ever need.

= MacBook Pro =

Professional users are going to want to get the top of the line MacBook Pro. This model comes with the horsepower needed to run the productivity and creativity Mac users rely on like Adobe’s Creative Suite, QuarkXPress, etc. This model comes with several CPU options: a 2.66 GHz Core i7, a 2.53 GHz Core i5 or a 2.4 GHz Core i5, 4 GB of memory, and a 500 GB hard drive.

= The New 13” MacBook Pro =

New middle ground between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro is found in the 13” MacBook Pro. Lasting 10 hours on a single charge and equipped with a 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB of memory and a 2.66 GHz Core2 Duo processor, the 13” MacBook Pro offers a lot more power priced just above the MacBook.

= The Real Differences =

If you’re not impressed by the raw power differential between the MacBook’s Core 2 Duo and the MacBook Pro’s Core i5 or Core i7 processors, there are other differences between the two products that you should consider.

= Price =

Cost is one answer to the question. The MacBook sells for $999, a price that’s a bit higher than most PC laptops with the same specs. For an extra $199, buyers can get a MacBook Pro with a 13” screen. The 15” model goes for $1799 and the 17” version costs $2200.

= Screen Size =

MacBooks have a 13.3” widescreen 1280x800 display while the MacBook Pros have three sizes to choose from: 13”, 15”, and 17”

15.4” 1440x900 LCD screen. They are both good, but the MacBook Pro is backlit with LEDs, uses less power and has stays bright longer than the screen on the MacBook.

= Graphics =

Graphics processing in the MacBook is handled by a different chip than the one found in the MacBook Pro. The 13” MacBook Pro is equipped with and NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics processor while the 15” and 17” versions come with NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics unit.

The extra screen size and the superior processing power for applications and graphics make MacBook Pro the best choice for those requiring productivity from their laptop.

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