PBase

What is good for a keen amateur like myself

... AND ... will it also work on my macbook as well ?

I have seen the spyder2 express and the spyder 3 pro and not sure as there is $400 difference and someone said the version 2 was fully automated and you couldn't tweak with the settings.

I use the Spyder2 Express and it does an excellent job - easy to use and good results.

You are right when you say that the results cannot be tweaked but in practice this is not a problem provided you return your monitor to its factory defaults prior to the first calibration, and leave it that way.

I have used the Spyder2 Express with both an older CRT monitor and a new LCD (Samsung 226BW) without any problems. Unless you are a professional photographer / graphic artist and work with dual monitors then the additional money for the pro version is probably not worth it.

Hope this helps.