I received my refurb (Brand New) MacBook 5,2 from Apple yesterday (2.13 ghz, 2GB, 160GB hdd) for an awesome price. It came with a bonus from Apple: 4GB ram not 2, and 250 GB hdd, not 160. In an act of cosmic good fortune it also came with the best display available for that modelthe LG 9C5F. It (obviously) also came with the 9400 video-256mb.
This "refurb" shipped with only 10.6.0 system disks. But is capable of running a 10.5.6 system, as that is what shipped with this machine originally.
On an external HDD I have clones of both my 10.5 system and my 10.6 system from my previous Macbooka 2.4 ghz "Blackbook" 2GB ram, MacBook 4,1. with the Intel X3100 video-144mb.
I partitioned the new MacBook's HDD, Installed a fresh install of 10.6.0, imported apps, settings, and data from external HDD with no issues. On the second partition I cloned my 10.5.8 system from my external clone of my old "blackbook" with no issues.
Both configurations (leo & SL) run extremely well on the new system. I can say with confidence that a Macbook5,2, 2.13 ghz runs vastly faster and more stable than a Macbook4,1 with the faster 2.4 ghz C2D. With the much, much better video in the 9400, the faster FSB and possibly the extra 2GB of ram having the slower CPU does not matter at all.
I need to retract most of my flaming of SL. With the latest upgrade of 10.6.2 and a new(ish) MacBook, things are running quite well. Although I have the 2 different systems on separate partitions on this new Macbook, 10.6.2 operates much quicker that the 10.5.8 system. Spaces, expose, anything video, simply opening windows in the Finderall much faster and smoother on the 10.6.2 system than the 10.5.8 systemagain, both on the same new MacBook 5,2.
The Blackbook is up on eBay. Funny thing, I will most likely sell it for more than I paid Apple for the brand new "refurbished" system I am loving!
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In a side note, I grabbed a couple of Mac Mini's 2.0ghz with the 9400 and 1GB of ram for $429 in the late evening from Apple's Online Store. With most of Apple's refurbished computers, when a new model comes out, even if just a small speed-bump as with the latest mini hardware upgrades, the now "old" new computers are pulled from the shelves, put in different packaging, and sold as refurbished, even though they are brand-spanking-new. These Mini's were $599 a few week ago, and now Apple sells them for $429 with a full year warranty which is able to be upgraded to 3 year coverage with Apple Care.
Also, these Mini's might have some unannounced upgrades, just like my new Macbook did. It is known fact that some refurbs, especially ones that are "old" brand new merchandise pulled from shelves, may actually ship with upgraded specs from the advertised base model. I guess it saves Apple money not downgrading the hardware to the minimum spec, if the machine happens to have higher spec hardware.
Those in the know, know what I am talking about...
It is funny how Apple sneaks a few hundred of these highly-desirable mac mini and macbook "refurbs" out in the middle of the night...most are scooped up in hours, or less.
This "refurb" shipped with only 10.6.0 system disks. But is capable of running a 10.5.6 system, as that is what shipped with this machine originally.
On an external HDD I have clones of both my 10.5 system and my 10.6 system from my previous Macbooka 2.4 ghz "Blackbook" 2GB ram, MacBook 4,1. with the Intel X3100 video-144mb.
I partitioned the new MacBook's HDD, Installed a fresh install of 10.6.0, imported apps, settings, and data from external HDD with no issues. On the second partition I cloned my 10.5.8 system from my external clone of my old "blackbook" with no issues.
Both configurations (leo & SL) run extremely well on the new system. I can say with confidence that a Macbook5,2, 2.13 ghz runs vastly faster and more stable than a Macbook4,1 with the faster 2.4 ghz C2D. With the much, much better video in the 9400, the faster FSB and possibly the extra 2GB of ram having the slower CPU does not matter at all.
I need to retract most of my flaming of SL. With the latest upgrade of 10.6.2 and a new(ish) MacBook, things are running quite well. Although I have the 2 different systems on separate partitions on this new Macbook, 10.6.2 operates much quicker that the 10.5.8 system. Spaces, expose, anything video, simply opening windows in the Finderall much faster and smoother on the 10.6.2 system than the 10.5.8 systemagain, both on the same new MacBook 5,2.
The Blackbook is up on eBay. Funny thing, I will most likely sell it for more than I paid Apple for the brand new "refurbished" system I am loving!
__________________________________________________
In a side note, I grabbed a couple of Mac Mini's 2.0ghz with the 9400 and 1GB of ram for $429 in the late evening from Apple's Online Store. With most of Apple's refurbished computers, when a new model comes out, even if just a small speed-bump as with the latest mini hardware upgrades, the now "old" new computers are pulled from the shelves, put in different packaging, and sold as refurbished, even though they are brand-spanking-new. These Mini's were $599 a few week ago, and now Apple sells them for $429 with a full year warranty which is able to be upgraded to 3 year coverage with Apple Care.
Also, these Mini's might have some unannounced upgrades, just like my new Macbook did. It is known fact that some refurbs, especially ones that are "old" brand new merchandise pulled from shelves, may actually ship with upgraded specs from the advertised base model. I guess it saves Apple money not downgrading the hardware to the minimum spec, if the machine happens to have higher spec hardware.
Those in the know, know what I am talking about...
It is funny how Apple sneaks a few hundred of these highly-desirable mac mini and macbook "refurbs" out in the middle of the night...most are scooped up in hours, or less.