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Aluminum Macbook 2.0GHz vs. 2.4GHz. Worth the upgrade?

Obama said:
Good question. I do believe I'd have to pay a 10% restock fee. I'm going to the store today and I will double check.
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Did you do this yet? Did you have to pay the restocking fee? Can you say something is "wrong" and say "well can I swap it out and just upgrade?"
 
XBench for Macbook (5,1) 2.0 with 4GB RAM 320GB 7200RPM HD

I'm faster than this 2.4 :) https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/581465/ At least until the machine is upgraded. :p

Results 142.70
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.5.5 (9F2114)
Physical RAM 4096 MB
Model MacBook5,1
Drive Type WDC WD3200BEKT-22F3T0
CPU Test 128.03
GCD Loop 226.32 11.93 Mops/sec
Floating Point Basic 108.36 2.57 Gflop/sec
vecLib FFT 87.63 2.89 Gflop/sec
Floating Point Library 161.67 28.15 Mops/sec
Thread Test 265.08
Computation 351.80 7.13 Mops/sec, 4 threads
Lock Contention 212.66 9.15 Mlocks/sec, 4 threads
Memory Test 167.35
System 184.07
Allocate 217.92 800.28 Kalloc/sec
Fill 158.23 7693.50 MB/sec
Copy 185.55 3832.41 MB/sec
Stream 153.41
Copy 143.66 2967.32 MB/sec
Scale 144.64 2988.19 MB/sec
Add 161.59 3442.13 MB/sec
Triad 166.37 3559.02 MB/sec
Quartz Graphics Test 159.07
Line 143.49 9.55 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 186.89 55.80 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 152.67 12.44 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 150.10 3.79 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 169.46 10.60 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 131.75
Spinning Squares 131.75 167.14 frames/sec
User Interface Test 280.17
Elements 280.17 1.29 Krefresh/sec
Disk Test 71.17
Sequential 110.66
Uncached Write 125.68 77.16 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 122.07 69.07 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 76.93 22.51 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 142.89 71.81 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 52.46
Uncached Write 19.03 2.01 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 158.54 50.75 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 92.20 0.65 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 152.83 28.36 MB/sec [256K blocks]
 
2.0 v 2.4

I've been debating this also.

I believe I will be going for the 2.4 Macbook. It will be my first Mac since my first Mac when I was a kid about 15 years ago.
 
I'll be picking up a 2.0 the first week in November. It's not a question of can I justify the extra $300, I can't afford it. Buying everything cash now.
 
2.4 or 2 + iPod Touch?

Okay, to throw a screw in the works
2.4 MB or 2.0 MB, using the extra money to buy a iPod touch to use as PDA, iPod, etc.?

Usually I would go top-end, but I think I would use the iPod touch quite a bit.

I'll use the computer mainly for general word processing, internet, but I'm a geologist and occasionally use it for more powerful things like GIS and statistics and stuff.

Thoughts?
 
The 2,0GHz MacBook is really fast, too. Sure the 2,4GHz is faster, but it's only so by 20%. (Hrm... that's actually quite a lot, now that I see that percentage.) But the 'lower end' MacBook will be plenty for what you'll need it for. Having said that, the backlit keyboard is really nice...
 
finnigan123 said:
Okay, to throw a screw in the works
2.4 MB or 2.0 MB, using the extra money to buy a iPod touch to use as PDA, iPod, etc.?

Usually I would go top-end, but I think I would use the iPod touch quite a bit.

I'll use the computer mainly for general word processing, internet, but I'm a geologist and occasionally use it for more powerful things like GIS and statistics and stuff.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'd say 2.0+touch
Sacrificing the backlit keyboard and abit of HDD for another whole device makes perfect sense to me.
 
yet another alternative

I wouldn't let the touch be the final determination...you can find touches on craigslist for a nice discount if you live anywhere near a metropolitan area.

Either the 2.0 or the 2.4 would be a valid choice. I had a 2.0, upped the ram, etc, and put in a 7200 rpm hard drive. It was pretty zippy.

I had problems with the display on it, and I traded it in for a 2.4, and they transplanted my extra ram in it. The 2.4 seemed about as fast as my upgraded 2.0, and I was able to take the hard drive back and recoup some of my cash for the faster model.

I'd suggest getting a 2.4 for its price and feature set. And, to be honest, the backlit keyboard is pretty frakkin cool. It is a macbook pro mini, and the true successor to the 12" powerbook.

Getting a 2.0 and eventually getting a faster hard drive off of ebay or something is an option as well. It is astoundingly simple, compared with other Macs.

Whichever one you get, you may want to unbox it in the store to make sure that the keys aren't slanted, or that the display is adequate to your purposes (Take a tim burton movie on DVD with you, or fire up the apple keynote. Being able to differentiate steve job's turtleneck from the black background was my litmus test.)

For my purposes, I really couldn't justify the extra money for the pro. I don't do final cut, or even heavy photoshop. The pro has a bigger screen, and a couple of extra ports (and maybe has a slightly better screen, emphasis on maybe and slightly), but I'm quite happy with my shiny MB. Good luck!
 
I'm getting the 2.0. I know how to touch type, hdd uprades are cheap, and if I need extra computing power I have the rig in my sig.
 
MacLadybug said:
All my stuff has 2.4 Ghz right now with 2x2GB Ram. I could definitely notice a difference. I bought online, it's cheaper than going to the store and having them put it in. In the store they take out the 2 - 1GB, replace them with 2 - 2GB and give you the singles back. Online they just build it so you don't pay the extra for the 2 singles. found that out the hard way.
Click to expand...

Where did you buy? Thanks.
Think I'll go 2.4 and 4mb.
 
I bought the 2.4 ghz for the bigger hd and more speed. The backlit keyboard didn't even factor into my decision but it is very handy since I am always working in the dark. As others have said RAM and HD much easier to upgrade on a laptop then the cpu is
 
OK I need some clarification. Whats wrong with the keys being slanted slightly? Mine are hardly noticeable but slanted and I dont have a problem with it. This seems to be a major complaint. I opted for the 2.0 and I love it. It had to do with the extra 300 but Im satisfied. Works much better and faster than my 2001 Dell Latitude L400 that fried.
 
An odd case of wanting to downgrade... Got the 2.4, but I don't think I really need it. Sure the backlit keyboard is nice, but IS also somewhat gimmicky IMO - but this is highly personal. Performance difference is minimal - you won't notice it during general use. Not worth the premium IMO.

Edit: That's not to say I'm not happy with my purchase... My machine has been flawless (none of the commonly mentioned problems ... so far), but if was to do it all over again, I don't think I would have paid the extra $300.
 
Piaget said:
An odd case of wanting to downgrade... Got the 2.4, but I don't think I really need it. Sure the backlit keyboard is nice, but IS also somewhat gimmicky IMO - but this is highly personal. Performance difference is minimal - you won't notice it during general use. Not worth the premium IMO.

Edit: That's not to say I'm not happy with my purchase... My machine has been flawless (none of the commonly mentioned problems ... so far), but if was to do it all over again, I don't think I would have paid the extra $300.
Click to expand...

I just got the 2.0 as a gift yesterday. I opened it and want the backlit keyboard...

Do you want to swap? I also have AppleCare.
 
I would go with the 2.0 Ghz. Although the 2.4 Ghz is faster, it's not faster by a huge margin. This is even more true considering the OP's needs. The 2.0 Ghz model will still be a very good machine and fast in 3 years. I would save the $300 difference to either pay for AppleCare or to put towards another computer in 3 years.

I had the first generation 1.83 Ghz MacBook for two years. Apple replaced it with a 2.4 Ghz (white). To be honest, nothing really changed. I did not notice any difference because my needs are similar to the OP's. Typing an essay or an e-mail does not require a lot of CPU power.

The backlit keyboard does not add anything in my case since I touch type and almost never look at my keyboard when typing.

That being said, the ultimate decision is the OP's to make. Only the OP will know what it's best for him (or her?).
 
I definitely think so. This is an expensive ass computer, and it had better be nice. Put it this way, would you rather get something that's fantastic or something that's the best of the best. I'd just save some more and get it so your computer can be absolutely perfect. :]
 
I think its silly to base a $300 decision on a keyboard that you can see in the dark. I, like millions of other people, do not look at the keyboard when typing. If this is a problem for you, download one of those Mavis Beacon type programs and learn your way around a qwerty, then enjoy the 300 bucks.
 
What if the laptop is our only computer? I don't use a desktop as I require bringing my laptop for work and don't see the need for two computers as I will have a external monitor.

Will the 2.0 still be adequate?
 
I just love when some of the posters try to justify the lack of need for the backlit keyboard by saying, "I can touch type" or "It's Gimmicky" or "The screen is bright enough to cast light on the keyboard so I don't need a backlit keyboard".

All of those above are excuses, personally I can touch type just fine however I won't buy another Mac notebook without a backlit keyboard. Why? Because of those pesky little F keys or all of those punctuations, back/forward slashes, symbols over the number keys and volume keys that even the most astute typist have a hard time learning by touch. $300.00 for a 400Mhz faster processor, larger HDD and backlit keyboard isn't a whole lot money.

I wish my iMac had a backlit keyboard.
 
HLdan said:
I just love when some of the posters try to justify the lack of need for the backlit keyboard by saying, "I can touch type" or "It's Gimmicky" or "The screen is bright enough to cast light on the keyboard so I don't need a backlit keyboard".

All of those above are excuses, personally I can touch type just fine however I won't buy another Mac notebook without a backlit keyboard. Why? Because of those pesky little F keys or all of those punctuations, back/forward slashes, symbols over the number keys and volume keys that even the most astute typist have a hard time learning by touch. $300.00 for a 400Mhz faster processor, larger HDD and backlit keyboard isn't a whole lot money.

I wish my iMac had a backlit keyboard.
Click to expand...

I think you have to think more outside the keyboard per say. Those who are truly being productive on their computers will have lights on as they'll be needing to look at books or papers on their desk. The backlit keyboard only becomes useful if you're typing in severely low light conditions. But how many people do you know truly do real productive work in the dark?

If you're surfing porn, the backlit keyboard won't make too much of a difference. :D
 
In Canada the difference in models is $350 which imo is $50 to much. Anyways, I'm thinking of upgrading for the 9400M and going to get the 2.0GHz model. Seriously, spending $350 more gets me what?

- 400MHz speed bump for the cpu, to small of a speed bump.
- Backlit Keyboard, don't need as I don't have to look at my keyboard to type.
- 250GB HDD. I can buy a 320GB HDD for $97CDN+ tax.

I don't see the point in going for the 2.4GHz model. Now, where is the best place to buy 4GB of DDR3 ram in Canada? I checked Newegg.ca but they don't have paired ones, I would have to buy the 2GB sticks separate and they each cost $82.99 o_O.
 
treadstone77 said:
What if the laptop is our only computer? I don't use a desktop as I require bringing my laptop for work and don't see the need for two computers as I will have a external monitor.

Will the 2.0 still be adequate?
Click to expand...

Yes, it will. 99.99% of my computer time is on my MacBook connected to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.
 
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