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2.16 Core 2 Duo vs the latest offerings
- Thread starter CMD is me
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It depends what you do. I believe the graphics card have quite a bit since then, if you have the Radeon X1600. I don't think its any ridiculous difference or anything. The processors are a bit faster, but how often do you use both cores 100% anyways? I wouldn't see any reason to upgrade...
UNLESS:
A. You have been offered a really great price
B. You feel your computer is too slow for your needs.
C. There is some feature you really want or need.
UNLESS:
A. You have been offered a really great price
B. You feel your computer is too slow for your needs.
C. There is some feature you really want or need.
You have Macbook Pro?
Unless you wanna do gaming there won't be much difference, but the 3d gfx card in the "Santa Rosa" and "Penryn" MBPs are quite a bit faster than the 2.16/2.33 ones.
In the actual numbers, there isn't much to see. In reality, there are some changes, depending on your budget that might be worthwhile: improved battery life/power consumption/better graphics card, etc. For me, however, the real-world performance is great on MBPs even as far back as the Core Duos. And I was relatively happy with older generation PC hardware before that. Upgrading in close succession always carries a premium.
All that to say, I really wouldn't mess with it, especially if your computer's been reliable for you and you're happy with how it's running.
All that to say, I really wouldn't mess with it, especially if your computer's been reliable for you and you're happy with how it's running.
I did exactly that just a month ago. Went from a 2.16ghz c2d MBP with 3gb ram to a 2.5ghz penryn MBP with 4gb ram.
The main reason I changed was I got a great price for my old MBP and I got the 2.5ghz for the price of 2.4ghz version which was a no-brainer for me.
My only real issue with the 2.16ghz version was the heat and fan noise. The fans sometimes came on just by surfing in safari. Other than that it was the greatest computer I had ever owned.
The real life difference between these two machines is to say the least quite substantial. In my experience using this new machine for the past 4 weeks I've seen speed gains in every aspect of my work. I use Aperture a lot, over 200.000 photos there currently and I've seen a real difference when Aperture is creating previews and processing RAW image files.
Photoshop launches faster and works faster. The filter process is a lot snappier.
I use a 24" monitor when I work also.
And did I mention how incredibly cool it runs compared to the 2.16ghz one? I was kind of shocked when I saw the numbers. Usually during a normal day of doing nothing but surfing; the old one used to run at 3000rpm (which I set myself due to heat) and it was usually at 57°C. Now when doing nothing on the new machine it runs at 2000rpm and 42°C.
But this is of course it may differ, this is only my two cents and experience with the two machines. Hope it helps you in your decision.
P.S. My friend and I bought the 2.16ghz machine at the same time and he is green with envy because of my new machine.
The main reason I changed was I got a great price for my old MBP and I got the 2.5ghz for the price of 2.4ghz version which was a no-brainer for me.
My only real issue with the 2.16ghz version was the heat and fan noise. The fans sometimes came on just by surfing in safari. Other than that it was the greatest computer I had ever owned.
The real life difference between these two machines is to say the least quite substantial. In my experience using this new machine for the past 4 weeks I've seen speed gains in every aspect of my work. I use Aperture a lot, over 200.000 photos there currently and I've seen a real difference when Aperture is creating previews and processing RAW image files.
Photoshop launches faster and works faster. The filter process is a lot snappier.
I use a 24" monitor when I work also.
And did I mention how incredibly cool it runs compared to the 2.16ghz one? I was kind of shocked when I saw the numbers. Usually during a normal day of doing nothing but surfing; the old one used to run at 3000rpm (which I set myself due to heat) and it was usually at 57°C. Now when doing nothing on the new machine it runs at 2000rpm and 42°C.
But this is of course it may differ, this is only my two cents and experience with the two machines. Hope it helps you in your decision.
P.S. My friend and I bought the 2.16ghz machine at the same time and he is green with envy because of my new machine.
i'm new and kinda blunt so here's the low down. it all depends on what you do with what you own. i have an 8 year old G4 that i've upgraded and still use on the regular. it's worked fine till i wanted to get in to hardcore video and photo editing (more for the video). i shopped for exactly what i needed and found it. if you just use it to watch porn, e-mail, do music (i run large programs on my tower still), or word processing, it's not worth. mac last forever if you treat it well.
Thanks for the replies. Up 'til a couple years ago I had a G4 PB and it was still a great machine.
I should have explained my usage... I'm a designer and use CS3 apps and iLife. I mostly use ID for work -- importing/editing many high-res PSD files, etc. I typically have 6-8 additional support apps open. When using ID I typically have 2-4 documents open, a PSD file or 2, etc. I don't do any gaming nor watch movies.
Basically I know someone who has a PC and wants a portable Mac. They asked if I wanted to sell mine for whatever they're going for so I can upgrade and show them how to use one.... so the cost would be whatever a new referb is less whatever the current value is for my 2.16 C2D.... obviously I don't know that either ; ) I'm otherwise quite thrilled with my MBP.
TraustiB -- heat is one reason I opted to sell my G5 for this MBP. My office was stinkin' hot in the summer. The G5 usually ran 130-150º and my office would be unbearable in the afternoon. The MBP is faster, quieter, cooler and a whole lot more portable. I also use a 23" Sony LCD.
I should have explained my usage... I'm a designer and use CS3 apps and iLife. I mostly use ID for work -- importing/editing many high-res PSD files, etc. I typically have 6-8 additional support apps open. When using ID I typically have 2-4 documents open, a PSD file or 2, etc. I don't do any gaming nor watch movies.
Basically I know someone who has a PC and wants a portable Mac. They asked if I wanted to sell mine for whatever they're going for so I can upgrade and show them how to use one.... so the cost would be whatever a new referb is less whatever the current value is for my 2.16 C2D.... obviously I don't know that either ; ) I'm otherwise quite thrilled with my MBP.
TraustiB -- heat is one reason I opted to sell my G5 for this MBP. My office was stinkin' hot in the summer. The G5 usually ran 130-150º and my office would be unbearable in the afternoon. The MBP is faster, quieter, cooler and a whole lot more portable. I also use a 23" Sony LCD.
Then heat is definately a concern.
Honestly.. I think you would love the new MBP. There are dozen of little subtle changes from the old models than you don't really notice until you really sit down with the machine yourself. For instance the LED screen is incredibly bright, sharp and its on instantaniously, although you might need to calibrate it to your specifications first. The multi-touch is a nice feature, albeit a bit useless atm until Apple add more applications with support for it (multiclutch is quite nice though). The keyboard is somehow a little different as with the trackpad, feels like its made out of different material, it's softer and much more smooth to touch and type. The slot-loading drive is quieter, less noise when putting in a CD and reading/writing.
These are a couple things I could think of. Give it some thought, are the new features worth it?
Honestly.. I think you would love the new MBP. There are dozen of little subtle changes from the old models than you don't really notice until you really sit down with the machine yourself. For instance the LED screen is incredibly bright, sharp and its on instantaniously, although you might need to calibrate it to your specifications first. The multi-touch is a nice feature, albeit a bit useless atm until Apple add more applications with support for it (multiclutch is quite nice though). The keyboard is somehow a little different as with the trackpad, feels like its made out of different material, it's softer and much more smooth to touch and type. The slot-loading drive is quieter, less noise when putting in a CD and reading/writing.
These are a couple things I could think of. Give it some thought, are the new features worth it?
Just my .02 is to wait to the next generation. I also own the 2.16 w/ 2gb of ram and the Radeon X1600. It will run photoshop, FCP, and whatnot fine till the new MBP comes. If anything hard drive while you wait. I upgraded my hard drive to the Hitachi 200 gb 7200 which was a big help over the old 120 5400.