Comparision C2D 2.66 in 2010 MBP to i5 2.3 in 2011 MBP

[Wicked1]

Ok, so thinking of getting the lower end 13" MBP with the i5 2.3, but just curious how much better this chip is compared to the 2010 13" MBP with the C2D 2.66, just using this machine for basic needs and importing DVD's into iTunes, then Decoding for Apple TV.

Is there a huge difference, because I can save almost $300 on a refurb 2010 13" C2D 2.66


Graphicly I would assume the 320M in the 2010 is better then the Intel HD3000 but I do not have enough to go on, they seem about the same speed though.

 

[davmcn]

Ok, so thinking of getting the lower end 13" MBP with the i5 2.3, but just curious how much better this chip is compared to the 2010 13" MBP with the C2D 2.66, just using this machine for basic needs and importing DVD's into iTunes, then Decoding for Apple TV.

Is there a huge difference, because I can save almost $300 on a refurb 2010 13" C2D 2.66


Graphicly I would assume the 320M in the 2010 is better then the Intel HD3000 but I do not have enough to go on, they seem about the same speed though.

The 2011 is going to better, it's a dual i5. I think overall, you should go with the newer model, and just future proof yourself, if money isn't an issue.

 

[altecXP]

For what you do I would just stick with the C2D unless it's starting to have some battery or hardware issues.

The i5 would be faster than the C2D, and the 3000 would be faster than the 320m in some cases, but to me its just not worth it for your needs.

 

[Mac-key]

if you got a Microcenter near you, you can get the i5 for 999

 

[ipodlover77]

everybody says to get the i5 to "future proof"

my advice, just stick it out with the one you have till you need the faster processor. there will always be something faster over the horizon. its better to save your money right now till you need the added power. who knows, by than you may even get the ones that are redesigned.

 

[kobyh15]

everybody says to get the i5 to "future proof"

my advice, just stick it out with the one you have till you need the faster processor. there will always be something faster over the horizon. its better to save your money right now till you need the added power. who knows, by than you may even get the ones that are redesigned.

The OP hasn't bought anything yet. Asking for advice on whether to buy a refurb 2010 or new 2011. My 2 cents is to buy the new machine. It's much faster that the 2010. That Core 2 Duo is going to start looking long in the tooth very quickly now that the new chips are out. Keep in mind that Apple does drop support for chips as they move forward with their OSes, the 2nd generation i series is going to last you much longer than the Core 2 Duo in that regard also. Obviously I don't know when or if Apple will ever drop support for the Core 2 Duo, but if you are going to keep the computer for a long time it's something to think about.

 

[alust2013]

The OP hasn't bought anything yet. Asking for advice on whether to buy a refurb 2010 or new 2011. My 2 cents is to buy the new machine. It's much faster that the 2010. That Core 2 Duo is going to start looking long in the tooth very quickly now that the new chips are out. Keep in mind that Apple does drop support for chips as they move forward with their OSes, the 2nd generation i series is going to last you much longer than the Core 2 Duo in that regard also. Obviously I don't know when or if Apple will ever drop support for the Core 2 Duo, but if you are going to keep the computer for a long time it's something to think about.

I'm going to disagree on a couple points. Core 2 Duo isn't going to look old unless the apps you use make it look old. The new computer will be faster in video encoding, but won't be amazingly faster for other stuff.

Also, by the time the Core 2 series is dropped from apple's support, the current models won't be far behind.

If you can stand your DVD imports being a little longer, I'd save the $300, but if you do a lot of it, and that time is very valuable, then the newer model will be worth it.

 

[kobyh15]

I'm going to disagree on a couple points. Core 2 Duo isn't going to look old unless the apps you use make it look old. The new computer will be faster in video encoding, but won't be amazingly faster for other stuff.

Also, by the time the Core 2 series is dropped from apple's support, the current models won't be far behind.

If you can stand your DVD imports being a little longer, I'd save the $300, but if you do a lot of it, and that time is very valuable, then the newer model will be worth it.

Fair enough. OP, where are you finding a refurb 2010 2.66 for $700 if you don't mind me asking? I did some browsing on Apple's website and all of their refurbs are $1000 or even more. I just think if you're going to spend the money you should get the most for it. In this case, I believe it's clearly the 2011 either through Microcenter for $999 or even MacMall for $1100 through AppleInsider. If you can find a refurb with a 1 year warranty for $700 then go for it, but I think $1000 for a second generation i5 is a great deal.

 

[alust2013]

Fair enough. OP, where are you finding a refurb 2010 2.66 for $700 if you don't mind me asking? I did some browsing on Apple's website and all of their refurbs are $1000 or even more. I just think if you're going to spend the money you should get the most for it. In this case, I believe it's clearly the 2011 either through Microcenter for $999 or even MacMall for $1100 through AppleInsider. If you can find a refurb with a 1 year warranty for $700 then go for it, but I think $1000 for a second generation i5 is a great deal.

That is true as well. If you've got a microcenter anywhere near you, the $999 deal is the best way to go.

 

[Wicked1]

Fair enough. OP, where are you finding a refurb 2010 2.66 for $700 if you don't mind me asking? I did some browsing on Apple's website and all of their refurbs are $1000 or even more. I just think if you're going to spend the money you should get the most for it. In this case, I believe it's clearly the 2011 either through Microcenter for $999 or even MacMall for $1100 through AppleInsider. If you can find a refurb with a 1 year warranty for $700 then go for it, but I think $1000 for a second generation i5 is a great deal.

Nope, I was looking at the 2010 13" C2D 2.66 refurb for $1019 or thru my sons school discount I can get the base 2011 i5 2.3 minus education discount for $1100. I will be decoding DVD's just once and I can live with the fact it will be slower, howevre I am more concerned that I would have to go out and buy Windows 7 which I am not interested in doing since I have Vista Ultimate already and I only use the boot camp partition to play some Windows Games I have, but not a big gamer, also I am concerned about how different the 320M is to the new intel HD3000.

The biggest upgrade factor for me from my 2009 uMB 2.4 with 4GB and 500GB is the fact the 2010 or 2011 has FW800 which I just switched to, and since TB is still very new, I would prefer to give it time to mature.

The thing I am really curious is what exactly is the differen between the 2010 with the C2D 2.66 and the 2011 2.3 i5, just how much better the newer one will perform. I will use this for all the basic functions, however I think the most CPU intensive thing I will do is to import DVD's into my HDD, then decode them to iTunes.

That being said, I am really up in the air since they are roughly the same price, but I no longer will buy the latest and greatest since it doesn't last long, as I had the 2008 MBP 15" with the 2.53 C2D etc and now it's only worth half and it is so out of date. I would rather stick to the lower end units since I am not a gamer and I really do not need dedicated GPU.

 

[kobyh15]

Here are some benchmarks.

http://www.macworld.com/article/157893/2011/02/2011macbookpro_benchmarks.html

http://lowendmac.com/musings/11mm/macbook-pro-benchmarks.html

I would highly recommend spending 90 bucks for the 2011. The performance increase will be well worth it. Using Handbrake to rip your DVDs should be a good bit less time using an i5. I just don't see a reason to spend $1000 towards last year's model to be honest when the i5 will be faster at everything. Even if it is a small amount faster, you'd be spending the same money for less when buying a C2D. Just doesn't make sense.