Actually, all MacBooks and MacBook Pros come with built-in ethernet. Only the MacBook Air fails to include built-in ethernet.

That aside, what is the difference between the models?

MacBook Pro includes:

* FireWire 800
* 3 USB ports
* ExpressCard/34 slot for CardBus expansion
* Top processor speed of 2.5 GHz, where MacBooks have only 2.4 GHz
* 15" or 17" displays, where MacBooks have only 13"
* Come with a minimum of 200 GB storage
* Different keyboard (which I prefer over the MacBook's, but that's clearly subjective)
* External video output without purchasing an adaptor
* Radically better video card (the MacBook's video card has no dedicated VRAM and therefore uses your CPU's RAM, slowing down your machine)

Is the MacBook Pro worth $1k more? I think so. But that really depends on your needs. If you're doing audio & video work, I strongly recommend buying higher end equipment. But again, it's all depending on what you actually need.

The answer to that depends on your answer to: how often to intend to upgrade your machine to a better system?

Having worked with computers since '92 (and been around them since '82), I've noticed this:
1) when you pay more, you're considered "enterprise" or "professional" class and you get equipment that's been tested more thoroughly and will last longer
2) when you buy the cheaper stuff, you're considered "consumer" level, and that's what it's been designed for: frequent consumption.

IE: there is no such thing as a "cheap" computer - either you pay less up front and find that you have to upgrade more frequently, or you pay more upfront for something that lasts. Either way, over 10+ years, you'll be paying about the same. I go for the better quality, as the Mean Time Before Failure is typically longer, so you're not spinning your wheels with your machine in the shop as much.

As for screen size, go with faster 15" and buy a separate LCD screen. Especially if you'll be doing LS and iMovie at your desk, rather than curled up in a big comfy chair at your local coffee shop.

Size matters but the performance difference is noticeable.

I have a black MacBook that's approaching it's second birthday. It's about as powerful as the average G5 tower. It will do some heavy lifting here and there and in comparison to the iBooks it smokes the kielbasa.

But anything really video intensive (even playing back high def video files), or even processor intensive kind lags behind it's MacBook Pro brethren. The MacBook Pro is easily as powerful as the new iMacs -- which is to say, they can't match the Mac Pro for power and performance, but they'll skunk any G5 you can bring to the floor.

The reason I have the MacBook instead of the MB Pro tho, is because it is 13.3", compared to the Pro's 15" or 17" (and the construction is meant to take a lot of abuse getting put in and out of bags and hauled all over Manhattan, all day, every day).


The MacBook Air on the other hand is 13.3" as well, and half the weight (which is really tempting for my stiff shoulder), but it lacks guts. It performs at about the range of the top of the old PowerBook G4s. If you're coming from an iBook, it will still seem like an improvement to you, but if you've used any of the intel machines much, you'll feel dragged down.


For you specifically, the real question is how much travel time do you expect to put on this machine? Assuming you will be logging a lot of road time, for Logic & iMovie, I'd say definitely go with the Pro. You could make due with a MacBook -- i know people that do -- but you'll spend a lot less time rendering with the pro.

If you don't intend on taking the machine with you much, consider the iMac. You'd get the power of the pro (in a bigger screen) for the price of the macbook.

What do you mean "it doesn't come with ethernet"? All Macs have had one (some had two) standard ethernet ports for years now. As you mentioned, you get a bigger screen, dedicated video card, faster processor, metal case (instead of plastic), expandability (via an Express Card slot), Firewire 800 just off the top of my head. Here's a comparison link I found:
store.apple.com/us/browse/...ily/macbook

iPods were tweaked today. Rumor have it that the notebooks are due to be tweaked soon. Hope it helps