Which MBP 15" late 2008 or mid 2009?

[hosi]

Which MBP 15" would you get, late 2008 or mid 2009?

The first one (late 2008):
- is 150 euro ($210) cheaper
- 9600GT
- 2GB less RAM
- slightly slower CPU
- worse battery (?)

The card reader isn't important.

Any other differences I didn't mention?

Which one would you get?

 

[aleksandra.]

Which models exactly are you comparing (CPU, GPU)? It's possible to get a cheaper refurb with a better processor and more VRAM, but it depends on configuration.

The (?) next to battery means 2 hours of difference.

 

[xpovos]

If you're looking at only a $210 price difference, in my opinion the better battery is worth that much all by itself. I'm getting a real 5 - 7 hours on a single charge, depending on usage. It's like the battery just doesn't want to quit; sometimes I get impatient and think "when the hell is this thing gonna be ready to be plugged in again". It's one of those things Apple really did right.

As for the 9600M GT, I never used it in my last MBP because it made the notebook run hotter and drained the battery more quickly and---for my kind of usage---was completely unnecessary. Anyone doing anything really GPU-intensive will obviously want the discreet card, but I write code, use office software, that sort of stuff. The integrated 9400M is actually pretty impressive for an integrated solution.

 

[MacModMachine]

If you're looking at only a $210 price difference, in my opinion the better battery is worth that much all by itself. I'm getting a real 5 - 7 hours on a single charge, depending on usage. It's like the battery just doesn't want to quit; sometimes I get impatient and think "when the hell is this thing gonna be ready to be plugged in again". It's one of those things Apple really did right.

As for the 9600M GT, I never used it in my last MBP because it made the notebook run hotter and drained the battery more quickly and---for my kind of usage---was completely unnecessary. Anyone doing anything really GPU-intensive will obviously want the discreet card, but I write code, use office software, that sort of stuff. The integrated 9400M is actually pretty impressive for an integrated solution.

can you give me some timings on your battery life with 9400 m and 9600GT...also which spec 15" do you have.

thanks.

 

[hosi]

I compare the late 2008 2.4 and mid 2009 2.53 models, both with standard configuration.

@xpovos
How long (more or less) did the battery last in your previous MBP? Is it really such a huge difference compared to the latest model?

 

[hosi]

I have just noticed that the displays of mid 2009 models have "60% greater color gamut". Is it noticeable?

 

[Ferris23]

I have just noticed that the displays of mid 2009 models have "60% greater color gamut". Is it noticeable?

No, at least it wasn't to me. I exchanged my 13.3 new MBP for the previous 15" and saw no difference.

 

[cube]

March 2009

 

[niko85]

Sorry, but I don't get it. I've bought a 15" MBP in may 09. (unfortunately just before the release of the new MBP series)
2,66ghz, 4gb ram, 9600 GT 512mb.

when I check my serial number on apple homepage I see the late 2008 serie, but I think there was a change in march 2009, right?

Do I have the new display or the old one?

thanks for helping me

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

It depends on what you need it for, really.

If you need to run 3D apps or games, the 9600 would be important.
If you plan to use it mostly at home, the longer battery life isn't as vital.

I can't see a difference in color. I have the late 2008 MBP, and when I go to the apple store, the new MBPs on display look the same to me. Just make sure you calibrate the screen if you want the colors to "pop."

 

[cube]

Sorry, but I don't get it. I've bought a 15" MBP in may 09. (unfortunately just before the release of the new MBP series)
2,66ghz, 4gb ram, 9600 GT 512mb.

when I check my serial number on apple homepage I see the late 2008 serie, but I think there was a change in march 2009, right?

Do I have the new display or the old one?

thanks for helping me

The bump from March 2009 has the old screen but it should support 8 GiB, as opposed to the unofficial 6 GiB in the previous models.

 

[xpovos]

@xpovos
How long (more or less) did the battery last in your previous MBP? Is it really such a huge difference compared to the latest model?

My new one gets between 5 and 7.5 so far, depending on usage, screen brightness, etc.

My previous one got about 2.5 on the 9600 and about 3.5 on the 9400, on average.