I am looking to purchase the new aluminum Macbook within the next few days my problem is which model to chose I would be doing basic Photoshop work with a tablet nothing to intense could the 2.0 handle this? Or should I go for the 2.4? Any help would be appreciated
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Advice needed 2.0 GHz Macbook or 2.4
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When it comes to photoshop, RAM is much more important than a marginally faster CPU. If you buy the 2.0, you could upgrade the RAM with the money you save and still have $50 to boot. I'm not 100% on this, but I think the 2.4Ghz might be slightly better for gaming.
The only other difference is lack of a backlit keyboard.
It all depends on what you need, what you want, and how much money you have (like most things in life).
The only other difference is lack of a backlit keyboard.
It all depends on what you need, what you want, and how much money you have (like most things in life).
I chose the 2.4 because the backlit keyboard is a must for when i'm surfing the web late at night and don't want to have too many lights on in the house disturbing everyone else. The slightly faster processor is nice to have as well.
choose the 2.4
Easily... pick the 2.4
the $300 difference gets you
- backlit keyboard - may not think much of it but once you have it, it's hard not to have it
- Faster processor - with the new DDR3 ram, this 2.4 screams, especially if/when you upgrade 4Gb ram. I notice that it's quicker right of the bat with processing photos from my camera or iphone. noticeably faster than my 2.2 MBP
- larger HD - you can never have enough HD space - 250Gb is a nice size even if you don't upgrade.
i got mine and within a day, added 4Gb + 500Gb drive
My rule, always buy the most computer you can afford at the time you needed it.
Good luck!
Easily... pick the 2.4
the $300 difference gets you
- backlit keyboard - may not think much of it but once you have it, it's hard not to have it
- Faster processor - with the new DDR3 ram, this 2.4 screams, especially if/when you upgrade 4Gb ram. I notice that it's quicker right of the bat with processing photos from my camera or iphone. noticeably faster than my 2.2 MBP
- larger HD - you can never have enough HD space - 250Gb is a nice size even if you don't upgrade.
i got mine and within a day, added 4Gb + 500Gb drive
My rule, always buy the most computer you can afford at the time you needed it.
Good luck!
The 2.0 is the sweet spot as far as price and it will do what you want it to do. IMO the new 2.4 isn't worth the additional $300, because for only $150 more ($1749 at MacMall and MacConnection--no tax also for most) you can get the new 2.4 Macbook Pro and the additional processor speed and backlit keys isn't worth the additional money IMO (you can upgrade the HD for less than $100 for a real good one--very cheap upgrade).
Whatever you choose will be awesome though.
Whatever you choose will be awesome though.
As I posted in another thread ---
But for the OP, I say go for the 2.0. Depending on what you need it for, the extra cash just won't be worth the difference, IMO.
Things that take 0.01% longer to do (CPU)
Space you may not use (HDD)
possibly unnecessary function (keyboard)
Is that worth the extra $$$ to you?
But for the OP, I say go for the 2.0. Depending on what you need it for, the extra cash just won't be worth the difference, IMO.
Things that take 0.01% longer to do (CPU)
Space you may not use (HDD)
possibly unnecessary function (keyboard)
Is that worth the extra $$$ to you?
Thanks for all the quick replies I was planning on doing the 4gig ram upgrade and 500gig hardrive right away if I went with the 2.0
If I went with the 2.4 I would have to wait a little bit to do the upgrade
.one side note there a any 1 terabyte drives available?
No TB drives available yet in this form factor at this point.
If you are going to upgrade the RAM soon, it's better to order it with 4GB ram. Third party RAM is not that much cheaper, and apparently many are reporting problems with non-Apple RAM.
There is nothing that the 2.4 can do and the 2.0 cannot, except typing in the dark. The 2.0 may be a little bit slower, but surely, it can do everything that the 2.4 can.
EDIT: (to clarify for MacJenn)
Apple RAM = RAM that supplied by Apple, installed in CTO MBs (No, they are not Apple-branded).
Third party RAM = RAM you buy from vendors other than Apple, you install it yourself after you receive your MB.
If you are going to upgrade the RAM soon, it's better to order it with 4GB ram. Third party RAM is not that much cheaper, and apparently many are reporting problems with non-Apple RAM.
There is nothing that the 2.4 can do and the 2.0 cannot, except typing in the dark. The 2.0 may be a little bit slower, but surely, it can do everything that the 2.4 can.
EDIT: (to clarify for MacJenn)
Apple RAM = RAM that supplied by Apple, installed in CTO MBs (No, they are not Apple-branded).
Third party RAM = RAM you buy from vendors other than Apple, you install it yourself after you receive your MB.
Then he would need to buy the new Macbook Pro if he wants the best, mate.
Also to the other poster. There is no such thing as Apple RAM. They use a variety of manufacturers like they do for other parts (ex: screen)
The biggest thing you have to remember is the backlit keyboard. I just downgraded from my macbook pro to the macbook. The screen does not bother me. But the thing that bothered me was the backlit keyboard. I was going to save the money, but I went for the 2.4 as I already had 4 gigs of ram from my macbook pro. So I have a 2.4 with 4 gigs of ram which is a perfect sweet spot for me.
its really all in what you have for pockets. The 2.0 makes alot of sense as the performance is very similar to the 2.4, you're just missing out on the backlit kb and larger hard drive....if the backlit keyboard is not important to you and the 160GB is enough space, then the additional $300 doesnt make much sense and upgrading the 2.0 to 4GB RAM would do you a little more good economically.
Or, if you can get by with 2 gigs for now, wait for the price of third party ram to come down further. DDR2 ram is dirt cheap right now...
I'm thinkin about the 2.4 vs. 2.0 comparison as well now (I found out the 2.4 can be had for 1400 at macconnection.) The extra HD space would be nice, but one selling point is that I may use it to do some dj-ing and the backlit keyboard might be nice for that (although I'm a touch-typist.)
Is the extra 400mhz really worth the extra money as well? A mere 3 small changes for a big upgrade in price...
Is the extra 400mhz really worth the extra money as well? A mere 3 small changes for a big upgrade in price...