Good question. I do believe I'd have to pay a 10% restock fee. I'm going to the store today and I will double check.
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Aluminum Macbook 2.0GHz vs. 2.4GHz. Worth the upgrade?
- Thread starter wellsws
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Good question. I do believe I'd have to pay a 10% restock fee. I'm going to the store today and I will double check.
I got the 2.0Ghz today from amazon UK - its going back and changing for the 2.4Ghz - the backlit keyboard is a must - I thought it would be ok without it but boy was I wrong - its worth the extra £200 in the UK !! 
I dunno...
I could justify the jump from 2.0 to 2.4 less than I could going to the baseline MBP with the bigger screen, extra ports, etc., etc.
I've already doubled the ram to 4 gig, and was thinking about a 320 gig 7200 hd, but I think these would make more of a difference performance wise than the .4 jump in the processor.
I could justify the jump from 2.0 to 2.4 less than I could going to the baseline MBP with the bigger screen, extra ports, etc., etc.
I've already doubled the ram to 4 gig, and was thinking about a 320 gig 7200 hd, but I think these would make more of a difference performance wise than the .4 jump in the processor.
I don't see why having a backlit keyboard is a must. I haven't looked at my keyboard in years while typing and I am a just avg. at words per minute. If you really need the backlit keyboard i would say spend like 30 bucks and enroll in a keyboarding class.
Is there something i am missing and people absolutely need to look at the keyboard for certain things.
Is there something i am missing and people absolutely need to look at the keyboard for certain things.
possible use for backlit keyboard
Backlit keyboard might make it easier to surf for pron at night without waking the wife. You'd probably want one of those silicon protective covers for it as well...
Backlit keyboard might make it easier to surf for pron at night without waking the wife. You'd probably want one of those silicon protective covers for it as well...
idk..I have a macbook pro with a backlit keyboard and honestly I could live just fine without it. The light from the screen..even on the lowest brightness in a dark room is enough to see the keys enough to type on. The backlit keyboard is nice and differentiates macs from the rest of the industry..but its more of a nice perk that is tacked on than a reason to upgrade in my opinion.
I'm a good typist...
I'm a good typist and I don't look at the keys either...except when I need to use the characters above the numbers or maybe some shortcut combinations that I am just learning. In the dark or low light situation (airplane) it's a real bonus for the keys to light up. I'm glad it came with it.
I'm a good typist and I don't look at the keys either...except when I need to use the characters above the numbers or maybe some shortcut combinations that I am just learning. In the dark or low light situation (airplane) it's a real bonus for the keys to light up. I'm glad it came with it.
Wrong, you aren't paying for just the backlit keyboard.
You are paying for an extra 90gb hard drive space, 20% faster CPU, AND backlit keyboard. Some could justify the 2.4ghz for solely the first 2 factors.
exactly. someone has mentioned this before, but if you upgrade the hd on the 2.0 to match the 2.4, the difference really comes out to be about $150. 400mhz + backlit for $150? sure why not?
Picked up a 2.0 last night.
There was no way I could justify the extra cash for the 2.4. I have a 2 year old Macbook Pro and a gaming desktop I just built so I was looking for a more mobile machine.
Speccing out a Macbook for "performance" is silly. This is a baseline machine used for basic computing and I couldn't think of one task where my CPU would be the limiting factor in my performance.
I love the backlit keyboard on my MBP, but it wasn't worth the extra cash on this machine.
There was no way I could justify the extra cash for the 2.4. I have a 2 year old Macbook Pro and a gaming desktop I just built so I was looking for a more mobile machine.
Speccing out a Macbook for "performance" is silly. This is a baseline machine used for basic computing and I couldn't think of one task where my CPU would be the limiting factor in my performance.
I love the backlit keyboard on my MBP, but it wasn't worth the extra cash on this machine.
I only use my MacBook in the dark in bed at night - so having it at a skew-wiff angle makes typing 'different', so I'd definitely go for backlit if I was getting a new MacBook.
I just bought the 2.4. I needed the larger HDD, so I was only spending an extra $200 for the 400mhz and the backlit keyboard. I've never had a backlit keyboard and didn't really care much about having one, but now that I've been using it I really like it.
There shouldn't be a question in anyone's mind which one they want. If you have to question it then always get the top of the line, you can't go wrong.
Secondly, if you just want the backlit keyboard OR the hard disk upgrade OR the faster processor and are willing to pay the extra $300 just for one of those features then that's your own business. Nobody should make anyone feel bad about that. It's all about what's important to YOU, not if it's worth it or not.
That being said I went for the 2.4 model and certainly don't regret it.
Secondly, if you just want the backlit keyboard OR the hard disk upgrade OR the faster processor and are willing to pay the extra $300 just for one of those features then that's your own business. Nobody should make anyone feel bad about that. It's all about what's important to YOU, not if it's worth it or not.
That being said I went for the 2.4 model and certainly don't regret it.
I'm going to have this Macbook for at least a couple of years so I figured it was worth it to go for the 2.4. Having said that the extra hard disk space and the backlit keyboard are nice but I could have survived just fine without them. At the end of the day it was worth it simply because the machine I got is absolutely flawless with no issues.
Craziness!
Having learned my lesson now (twice, in fact), I am holding off completely on buying a new Macbook/MBP until next year.
I've got a late 2007 Macbook, and before that, a G4 Powerbook, which I both bought too close to their initial model releases, only to be humbled by new refreshes with better processors and hard drive space, and generally a price cut from their initial releases.
I just bought a 500GB hard drive and two RAM modules from Newegg for $200. I figure that should keep me sated until next year, when prices on these products will certainly be less! And let's not forget, Snow Leopard will come pre-installed on any new computer after its release. You just saved another $100 (or so) by waiting.
I know everybody's situation is different (so if you have no choice and can't wait, head on down to the Apple Store), but if I have learned anything from Apple in the many years I have used their (numerous) products, it's that waiting even 6 months can save you money, and even get you a better product!
Having learned my lesson now (twice, in fact), I am holding off completely on buying a new Macbook/MBP until next year.
I've got a late 2007 Macbook, and before that, a G4 Powerbook, which I both bought too close to their initial model releases, only to be humbled by new refreshes with better processors and hard drive space, and generally a price cut from their initial releases.
I just bought a 500GB hard drive and two RAM modules from Newegg for $200. I figure that should keep me sated until next year, when prices on these products will certainly be less! And let's not forget, Snow Leopard will come pre-installed on any new computer after its release. You just saved another $100 (or so) by waiting.
I know everybody's situation is different (so if you have no choice and can't wait, head on down to the Apple Store), but if I have learned anything from Apple in the many years I have used their (numerous) products, it's that waiting even 6 months can save you money, and even get you a better product!
If you think waiting puts you ahead of the game, I think you are mistaken. Granted, if you're considering buying a computer on a Monday knowing they're coming out with a refresh or new model the next day, yes, you should wait. Otherwise, for the most part, you're just chasing your tail.
If you buy a new model right when it comes out, yes, chances are there will be updates in 6 months. But if you wait to buy until the new model is 6 months old, another 6 months later there will either be another refresh, or another new model. It never ends. It's like trying to jump onto a moving merry-go-round. Eventually, you just jump and enjoy the ride.
From a resale standpoint... If you buy the last refresh of a model AFTER the new model comes out, you can get a decent machine at a decent price, but within a year or so it will already be old news in terms of resale value. I am first hand witness to this, as used 12" Powerbook prices plummeted after the release of the newest Macbooks. I lost over 50% on my Feb '06 12" PB, the very last incarnation, the fastest one they made, spec'd out to the max. Maybe most people don't care about resale value, but for me it's a factor in the price of every new computer.
The only real way to stay ahead of the game, in terms of resale value vs. keeping up with the latest tech, is to buy the last refresh of the old model right after a new model comes out, then sell it 6 months later while people still remember what it is, while its specs are still relevant, and while it's still in good shape. Of course, this means a new computer every 6 months, which few can afford, but many would love.
I don't think it puts you ahead of the game, I think it puts more money in your pocket.
It's true it's a merry go round, but I think if you're going to commit, might as well do it when anticipated new software (like 10.6) is packaged and hardware flaws are ironed out.
And regarding resale value (which generally finance my new computers), I totally feel you!
That's the model I'm going to get for the same reason! And I like the backlit keyboard, too!
I much prefer brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tarts
IT'S MY POP TART, AND MY RELIGION!
...well, after Buddhism.
I'll show you mine..
Hey, I've got a 2.0 with a ram and hd upgrade. Anyone with a stock 2.4 wanna trade xbench scores? Just to see?
Hey, I've got a 2.0 with a ram and hd upgrade. Anyone with a stock 2.4 wanna trade xbench scores? Just to see?
I got the 2ghz model and don't regret it. If I need a light, I'll go buy a laptop lamp for around 20 bucks that clips on the top of the screen.