Would a Macbook or Macbook Pro be right for my family of 9?

Question

Main Questions that need to be answered:
What are the main differences between a macbook and a macbook pro?
Which would suit my family of 9 people (2 parents, 7 kids) better?
Also, how much memory would we need?

Background Info:
-Thinking about buying either a macbook or macbook pro to go along with our dell desktop and our dell laptop
-9 total people will be using it alongside our pc desktop and our pc laptop
-Trying to stick as close as possible to $1500 or a little more
-Primary uses: Facebook/Myspace, surfing the net, online games, email, watching videos on and offline, typing documents, storing photos, videos and music

Answer 1

You didn't mention the ages of the kids. If they are young, and have a tendency to have dirty hands, skip the white MacBook and go for the entry level MacBook pro. It's stay cleaner and is tougher.

Get a larger hard drive if you think there will be a lot of music or videos on it. The 2 GB of ram it comes with is fine for most anything you'll be doing.

I'd suggest having separate log ins for each person with just you and your spouse having admin privileges. That way the kids can't install software (some of which is illegal or fake) on the MacBook . Also you can limit the applications you want some of them to use, for instance you can block iChat for the younger ones. The older ones will be happy to keep their music to themselves and know that no one will trash their stuff. Wise decision to get a Mac, enjoy a computer with no released viruses in the last 3 years.

Answer 2

Personally, I think macbooks are overpriced and overrated. A PC laptop such as Dell can do much more than a macbook for half the price.



Also, with that many people using the computer, portability is probably not going to be an issue because most likely the computer is staying in one spot (I assume). So whynot buy a desktop that is more powerful and durable, while cost much much less?



I just don't see the reasoning to go with a macbook in the first place. Also macbooks don't do online games well.

Answer 3

The only differences between the Macbook and Macbook Pros are a slight difference in processor and battery type. But why get a Mac for a family of 9? That's a huge waste of money. Macbooks are WAY overpriced. Any Best Buy sales associate will tell you that, and they know exactly what they're talking about. I would suggest 4gb of RAM in a computer.

Answer 4

if i had to choose ( for a family of nine) between the macbook and macbook pro, then i would go for the macbook pro, but at least the 13" 2.53Ghz one. i mean the macbook(white) and aliminum( 2.26Ghz) ones are great for running all the applications you mentioned, but when the users become more, in your case nine people, i would suggest the more powerful one. But in saying that, to go to the 2.53Ghz one you're looking at a jump in the price too.



My suggestion would be to buy a 20" imac, it's obviously not portable like macbook/pro. but in my opinion it would be more suitable in your particular situation. it doesn't take up much space. it's a big screen already so you won't need a monitor, it's easier to watch videos on ( big screen). eg, if the kids want to watch something at the same time, they don't have to struggle to watch it( 7 people sitting around a 13" screen can't be too comfortable.



and the imac is perfectly capable of handling all the programs you mentioned.

Answer 5

a macbook pro is designed for high performance on the move, video and audio editors for example, for your needs the normal macbook would be perfect, don't worry too much about the memory as if you have a large family who has large amounts of music movies pictures, etc you can always just buy an external hard drive

Answer 6

for 9 people i say you will need more computers