How long does the MBP last? I'm considering buying a new one

[61132]

Well I've been doing some handbrake encoding lately, and it really is taking forever. I know it's a laptop and all, but I just don't think this MBP is cutting it anymore. It's a 2.16 Intel Core Duo with 1GB ram. The screen is beginning to dim too (this was before the LED screens came out). I also want to get the 17 inch model this time, maybe with a glossy high res screen (still on the fence on glossy, but we all know thats a old topic now, lol).

I looked at my emails when I bought it, May 06. I'll still keep this one, maybe for a small media server type setup. How long are you guys going before buying new MBP's? I was hoping to wait out until a new design comes out, but it doesn't look like thats happening anytime soon.

 

[Techguy172]

Upgrading your ram will help slightly, but They last as long as you make them last Generally the only reason we get a new computer is because we want better upgraded software. and the hardware has been upgraded, Honestly yours isn't that old I would keep it if were you. But whatever your money.

 

[61132]

Yea, I had upgraded the ram earlier, but one of the modules just went bad. I guess the major things making me want to buy a new one are the increased screen size, LED screen, and more ram that I can install, and of course increased overall speed.

 

[aaronw1986]

I'd say get a quad core mac pro if you can. It would suite you better for encoding. Then you would not have 2 MBP's but one of each.

 

[heatmiser]

I wouldn't recommend buying another laptop if you truly need a performance boost; a desktop will give you the best performance while costing the least amount of money.

 

[61132]

Hmm, that is an idea. I wouldn't even need a keyboard, mouse, or monitor (except for setup) because I have remote desktop.

I just priced out the MP with these options.
-2.8ghz Quad Core (8 core)
2GB ram, I can upgrade ram cheaper than Apple's ram.
single 320gb Hard Drive
standard video card
two superdrives.

I think that would work out really well, it's priced at $2949, while the MBP was over 3. Options, options, hahaha. It would work as an awesome media server too Rip all my movies with handbrake and add hard drives as I need them, and sync that with my appletv. I wonder how quick it would be with handbrake encodes? Currently I'm at 15-20FPS and about an hour/hour and a half for a 45 minute TV show.

I never really thought about the MP as an option, I figured it was probably well out of my price range (you can option that thing up the ying yang $$$) With something this nice, I may be using the MBP only to take to work.