2.4GHZ i5 vs 2.8GHZ C2D

[Aara-chan]

So I'm looking into buying a refurbished Macbook Pro. Is the bigger, older processor better than the newer, smaller one?

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core i5, $1529
Originally released April 2010
15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display (1440 x 900 pixel)
4GB (2 x 2GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
320GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory

VERSUS

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo $1719
Originally released mid 2009
15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
SD Card Slot
Built-in 7-hour battery
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB
Illuminated keyboard

I'm a graphic design student, so I'm mostly going to be using Adobe products.

 

[Hellhammer]

The new i5 is definitely better.

 

[Fubar1977]

Depends what you plan to do with it but, yes, the i5 is certainly faster if you need the speed.
Whether you notice really depends on what you do, your Adobe stuff should feel the benefit.

Going to 8GB ram would also give you a big boost if you regularly handle large images etc.
That said, for general computer use, web browsing, youtube, normal apps etc, a slower machine fitted with an SSD will often feel faster than one with seemingly better specs.

 

[Blu101]

Is the bigger, older processor better than the newer, smaller one?

No. The Core i5 is better than the older C2D.

Plus you also get an updated graphics card (with the Core i5).

And in this case - you also save $$.

 

[xdbuix]

dont buy yet. The refresh is about to come soon, and there are rumors of potential price drops.

 

[foulmouthedleon]

^^^ What dude said. Unless you need to buy it now, in which case go for the i5. And with the money you save over the 2.8 - get a SSD.

 

[farmermac]

You can switch the graphics on the i5 on the fly too. No need to sign out everytime.