New Macbook or Penryn Macbook Pro

So the following is the comparison I made:

Macbook Pro $1540 with AppleCare
2.4 gHz processor with 800 mHz frontside bus
2GB DDR2 RAM
15.4" matte screen and 1440x900 resolution
nVidia 8600M GT with 256MB RAM (about 1.5 times better than 9400M), but prone to failures
Backlit keyboard, but not the separated keys
200GB hard drive
Firewire 400 and 800

New Macbook $1432 with AppleCare
2.0 gHz processor with 1066 mHz frontside bus
2GB DDR3 RAM
13.3" glossy screen and 1280x800 resoultion
nVidia 9400M with shared memory
No backlit keyboard, but seperated keys
160GB hard drive
New Multitouch trackpad with no button
No Firewire


I am a student in college and waited this long for the update. What option would be best, considering that the Penryn MBP has a failing graphics card. I want this laptop to last over 4 years, so how should I proceed?

Thanks.

Oh and by the way, these prices are from my University Computer store. I seem to be leaning towards new Macbook due to styling, and MBP for specs. Still can't decide though...I need help.

disco2000 said:

I just ordered a refurb'd 2.4ghz 15.4" Macbook Pro, will Apple honor the 2 year warranty they placed on the GPU on a refurb model? Or do you think Apple ships all the refurbs with a new GPU?

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I'm pretty sure they will still honor it. They treat refurbs like new, except for the box it comes in.

It seems people are pretty split between the MB and old MBP, just like I am.
As a college student, I kind of think the smaller lighter 13" would be better, but I really like the specs of the MBP.

And which one do you think would last longer in this constantly updating laptop market, Penryn MBP or MB?

dougnewman said:

"Last longer" in what way?

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Well I mean I usually use computers until they die. The MBP is supposedly guaranteed to die sometime early due to GPU failures. Would this be an issue with a MBP I buy now, or should I just go with the recently updated graphics of the new MB?