Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Macbook 2.4 vs macbook Pro 2.4 and 2.5

M

mladenz

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 16, 2008
136
0
Oke guys, im in for buying a new macbook (pro) but i need some advice;

I have 3 options:

Macbook 2.4
Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
250GB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
$1,599.00

Macbook Pro 2.4
Intel Core 2 Duo
15-inch widescreen
2GB Memory
250GB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB
$1,999.00

Macbook Pro 2.5:
Intel Core 2 Duo
15-inch widescreen
4GB Memory
320GB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB
$2,499.00

I'm a graphic designer and that's what's my school is about too. I have my imac as my main computer, and will stay my main.

So what do you guys think is the best for me? Im not rich but im not poor either, just normal.
 
With the educational discount:

MacBook $949
MacBook Pro 2.4 $1,899
MacBook Pro 2.53 $2,299

I still prefer the MBP with the Firewire port for external hard drives, bigger screen, etc. Your priorities may be different.
 
ggjstudios said:
With the educational discount:

MacBook $949
MacBook Pro 2.4 $1,899
MacBook Pro 2.53 $2,299

I still prefer the MBP with the Firewire port for external hard drives, bigger screen, etc. Your priorities may be different.
Click to expand...

I do like the bigger screen and the firewire ofcourse but now im thinking about the macbookpro 2.4 and 2.5, is is worth it? Will there be a significant difference thats worth 400?
 
oh and i can also just buy 4gb and add them in the macbook pro right? Just like i did with my imac?
 
mladenz said:
I do like the bigger screen and the firewire ofcourse but now im thinking about the macbookpro 2.4 and 2.5, is is worth it? Will there be a significant difference thats worth 400?
Click to expand...
Half of the $500 difference in price between the 2.4 and 2.5 isn't the processor, but 2 vs 4GB RAM and a 250GB vs 320GB hard drive. The 2.4 has half as much graphics memory and L2 cache, but it's likely you wouldn't notice any measurable performance difference. RAM is more important.
 
mladenz said:
oh and i can also just buy 4gb and add them in the macbook pro right? Just like i did with my imac?
Click to expand...

If you aren't going to go with the 2.8 option and you will put in ram yourself, go with the base. An extra 100 Mhz isn't worth it and the VRAM doubling does nothing.
 
ggjstudios said:
Half of the $500 difference in price between the 2.4 and 2.5 isn't the processor, but 2 vs 4GB RAM and a 250GB vs 320GB hard drive. The 2.4 has half as much graphics memory and L2 cache, but it's likely you wouldn't notice any measurable performance difference. RAM is more important.
Click to expand...

I know that the 0.1 ghz wont have a difference but the ram and graphic card will. But will i be able to add the 4gb myself? Just like i did with my imac? And will there be a difference with the graphic card? Im not really a gamer, i only do photoshop and similar programs?


Fogtripper said:
MHO:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB134LL/A?fnode=home/specialdeals/mac#overview
While they last...
Click to expand...

Nah i waited for this thing 5 months now:p
 
mladenz said:
I know that the 0.1 ghz wont have a difference but the ram and graphic card will. But will i be able to add the 4gb myself? Just like i did with my imac? And will there be a difference with the graphic card? Im not really a gamer, i only do photoshop and similar programs?
Click to expand...

The extra VRAM in the card will do nothing, it has a 128 bit memory interface so it can only take advantage of up to 256MB. Any more is like giving a man who can work three machines three more. He won't go any quicker because he can only use three.

And yes, the RAM is fully user replaceable, just make sure you look at notebook RAM and not normal RAM. (Not saying you would, just trying to be clear. :D)
 
Coldwater said:
The extra VRAM in the card will do nothing, it has a 128 bit memory interface so it can only take advantage of up to 256MB. Any more is like giving a man who can work three machines three more. He won't go any quicker because he can only use three.

And yes, the RAM is fully user replaceable, just make sure you look at notebook RAM and not normal RAM. (Not saying you would, just trying to be clear. :D)
Click to expand...

Ghehehe, So i guess il go with the 2.4 and replace the 2gb for 4gb myself? That's the best think i can do, i think.
 
Coldwater said:
The extra VRAM in the card will do nothing, it has a 128 bit memory interface so it can only take advantage of up to 256MB. Any more is like giving a man who can work three machines three more. He won't go any quicker because he can only use three.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that the 9600M is designed for up to 1024MB of VRAM. Why would they build it that way if the extra VRAM over 256MB did absolutely nothing? I'm incredulous that they'd put VRAM on a card if it didn't do anything.

Also, won't the doubled L2 cache in the 2.53 GHz machine give a speed boost?
 
Is there a difference between the old macbook pro ram and the new macbook pro ram? Where can i get it for my new macbook pro?
 
mladenz said:
Is there a difference between the old macbook pro ram and the new macbook pro ram? Where can i get it for my new macbook pro?
Click to expand...
Yes, there's a difference.

You'll find answers to this and many other commonly asked questions under the Guides tab at the top of this page:

If you have questions that these sources doesn't cover, you can check to see if it has been answered in another thread by doing a Google search of the forums. I hope this helps!
 
mladenz said:
Is there a difference between the old macbook pro ram and the new macbook pro ram? Where can i get it for my new macbook pro?
Click to expand...

The last revision used DDR2 memory while the newer revision uses DDR3 memory. Just wait a few days and you'll see the various memory vendors update their websites to sell the new memory.
 
mladenz said:
So what do you guys think is the best for me? Im not rich but im not poor either, just normal.
Click to expand...
What the **** does that mean, "just normal"? You mean Middle Class?

If you're a designer then you should either be looking at a 17" MBP or a previous revision 15" MBP; glossy displays are shît for color reproduction.
 
wallaby said:
What the **** does that mean, "just normal"? You mean Middle Class?

If you're a designer then you should either be looking at a 17" MBP or a previous revision 15" MBP; glossy displays are shît for color reproduction.
Click to expand...

That means that i cant trow money away necessarily or else i would buy the topend right now wouldnt i? Im working on a imac glossy, cant see whats wrong with it.

EDIT: i see everyone complaining about the glossy, but whats so wrong with it? I have my imac now and have no problems with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back