2006 White Macbook vs Newest Laptops

[leRiCl]

I have a 3 year old 2006 white macbook (June). (The low-end one with 1 gb ram and a GMA950.) It has been a really good computer for me. I used for my school work and now my university work (I need it unix). I also play warcraft 3 on this machine regularly (And this machine is not enough if you're playing on a big map Dota is fine though. ).

The battery has also died around a year ago. should've gotten Apple Care. The up arrow key died last month, because I spilled water on it.

I'm going to consider getting a new mac laptop. (guess it'll be the MBP its cheaper than what I bought this macbook for...)

But how does MacBook (Pro) computers fare compared to the 2006 low end macbook? I'd like to wait till a new computer that is at least twice as fast for the same or less price before I actually replace this. So how fast are the newest laptops, in the same price range ($900-$1500)?

I didn't upgrade to the newer white macbooks primarily because they looked the same. Also, back then I read some articles about how they were (only) 27% faster. But what about now? Will the Nvidia graphics card make performance better with Snow Leopard?

And , given its dead battery and dead up arrow key, the 1gb ram, 60gb hard disk, and the GMA950, would it be worth my time to sell it on Ebay? if so, how much do you think this can fetch?

I'm looking at the 160 gb Macbook Pro as a possible replacement. I don't really mind hard disk space because I've already gotten a portable hard disk for this macbook.

How fast really are the newest laptops compared to this 2006 macbook? (E.g in terms of launch times of applications with a dozen applications open. and graphics card performance, and games I can now play beside wc3)

Thanks alot.

 

[eXan]

I have a 3 year old 2006 white macbook (June). (The low-end one with 1 gb ram and a GMA950.) It has been a really good computer for me. I used for my school work and now my university work (I need it unix). I also play warcraft 3 on this machine regularly (And this machine is not enough if you're playing on a big map Dota is fine though. ).

The battery has also died around a year ago. should've gotten Apple Care. The up arrow key died last month, because I spilled water on it.

I'm going to consider getting a new mac laptop. (guess it'll be the MBP its cheaper than what I bought this macbook for...)

But how does MacBook (Pro) computers fare compared to the 2006 low end macbook? I'd like to wait till a new computer that is at least twice as fast for the same or less price before I actually replace this. So how fast are the newest laptops, in the same price range ($900-$1500)?

I didn't upgrade to the newer white macbooks primarily because they looked the same. Also, back then I read some articles about how they were (only) 27% faster. But what about now? Will the Nvidia graphics card make performance better with Snow Leopard?

And , given its dead battery and dead up arrow key, the 1gb ram, 60gb hard disk, and the GMA950, would it be worth my time to sell it on Ebay? if so, how much do you think this can fetch?

I'm looking at the 160 gb Macbook Pro as a possible replacement. I don't really mind hard disk space because I've already gotten a portable hard disk for this macbook.

How fast really are the newest laptops compared to this 2006 macbook? (E.g in terms of launch times of applications with a dozen applications open. and graphics card performance, and games I can now play beside wc3)

Thanks alot.

Since you said June, I assume you have a Core Duo. Lets get started

1. CPU

Considering the modern models have way faster FSB and RAM, the 2.26 GHz CPU in the current low-end MBP should be roughly 2 times faster than 1.83 CPU in yours. Give or take a few % depending on a task.

2. Graphics

This is where you'll find the new one to be unspeakably superior to yours. The GeForce 9400 not only supports waaay more games (i.e. games work). And the performance is roughly 5-7 times faster. You can search around Youtube for videos of MacBooks with 9400 running various modern games - I'm sure you'll be impressed.

3. Everything else

Without doubt, new MBP is packed with useful features your Core Duo didn't even dream of. Sleek and sturdy aluminium body, keyboard backlight, awesome battery, better LED screen, glass trackpad - all in a lighter thinner body.

Go ahead and buy it!

 

[GfulDedFan]

As a proud owner of a first gen (white 2.0) and an aluminum 2.4 MB pre-Pro, I just want to add that the newer ones are somewhat faster and certainly beautiful. I upgraded my Core Duo over the years and it currently has 2GB of RAM and a 160GB 7200 rpm HDD. I really can't say that it's double the speed or performance but it is considerably faster and I feel more confident heading into the next OS and beyond. I use my MacBook for work and I need reliability. As a rule of thumb, I've designated 3 years as a computers life. My retired white first gen is possibly going to replace my daughters 12" PB as she enters grad school this fall. -GDF

 

[morrisman1]

get an aluminium. They are much better quality than what the white ones are. If you do buy a white one get a refurb, that way it has had a proper quality control check. The unibodies dont seem to have such a chance of being imperfect when new.


Speed will be much faster as already covered. Graphics = massive improvement, you can play crysis if you want. LED backlight = massive improvement and means you can actually see the screen in brightly lit rooms. the white has a terrible backlight.

 

[dbowlin17]

if you were happy with your polycarb, you can just go get another one. with 160 hd, 2gb ram, thats all i would ever need. but i do light work. it all depends on what you want. mbp looks nice. has the new trackpad and great battery, but it also depends on how much you want to spend. the nice 13 mbp (2nd one, higher end 13) its 1500, 1.5 times the cost of the white macbook. its up to you, but if it were me, i might also look for a used or refurb unibody macbook, or get a polycarb macbook.

 

[leRiCl]

I'll highly likely be getting the higher end mac book pro, after all, its roughly the same price as this macbook I'd gotten 3 years ago (Counting inflation (pay rises )). Thanks guys