So when it comes down to it, I am on a tight budget and will probably need to replace my HUSBANDS computer. We have decided that we will go Mac- but it will be a while before I buy what I will need for the biz and we need his soon.

He is just a basic computer user, but I will probably use it a little until I get my Mac. So would we be okay just picking up the MacBook? I have made the mistake before of buying a "lower end" of a design line and have regreted it, but I hear that Apples don't fall in to that same catagory and everything is great! True??

Thanks all!
Beth

Go with the flo, go Pro. Seriously, I think the macbook is nice but it's not what you need. If you will do any editing you'll need the slightly bigger and better screen of the pro 15 or even 17. It also has faster processing, bigger internal hard drive and everything is just better, for a higher price but you won't regret it like you probably will if you get the smaller, less powerful and ultimately less useful macbook..just my 2c..

With those two facts, go ahead and get a Macbook. Update the RAM yourself to save money. And they JUST updated the Macbooks so it's the perfect time to buy that. Then save and get yourself a Macbook Pro-- you're going to need it when you do all of your editing on your machine. Not to mention, Pro's are due for an update.

GREAT site when getting ready to buy your Mac: Mac Buyer's Guide

I would always so go for pro, but then I'm a firm believer in buying the best you can afford, and if you can't afford it, don't get it! I would definitely recommend upgrading the RAM on whichever model you get, and also, big suggestion...use external hard drives.

Use the internal hard-drive solely for applications like Photoshop, Lightroom etc. Put all your photos on a separate hard drive which you can just plug in and get going. Make sure your husband has his own external HD too so that he can save any downloads, documents etc on to this. Storing everything on the computer's internal HD will just S-L-O-W it down, and this is not what you want when you're working on photos.

It sounds like your not gonna be using the computer to edit photos. I bought a macbook so it would be really easy to travel with. It fits on an airplane tray perfectly. The macbook is plenty fast. Get a macbook pro if you think you will be using it for editing. Just remember. You can get 2 macbooks for what 1 macbook pro costs.

A MacBook will suit your needs just fine and save some money. It will give your husband what he needs and it will give you a learning platform for the time when you are ready to get a Mac to edit with. Be sure to get Apple Care so you have coverage for 3 years on it. Upgrade to a minimum of 2 gig of RAM and you'll be pleased as can be.

When it is time for a workhorse machine then you will be looking for something a bit beefier than a MacBook... but I'll go so far to say that once you are ready for that, the MacBooks at that point will have equal computing power to the MacBook Pros of today.

Welcome to the good life!

Cheers,
Zack

I have a Macbook and love it, it is the perfect size for traveling and it is plenty fast enough. I have even edited with Lightroom and it always works great.

if you'll use for editing then go pro. macbooks are all glossy screen, in my opinion not the best for editing. but don't go in debt over it! just my 2 cents.