Is the .16GHz upgrade worth $80?

[andrewheard]

I could get the new 2.16GHz MacBook with the hard drive upgraded to 160GB by Apple for $1634CDN w/ tax or I could get the old model 2.0GHz MacBook with a 160GB HD (upgraded by myself) for $1553. I'd save $81 and I could put the 80GB HD that it comes with into an external case for backup. What is everyone's opinion on this?

Also, what brand of HD do the MacBooks come with? I'd be putting in a Western Digital as its cheap.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Get the newer MacBook because the price difference is so small.

 

[andrewheard]

Technically since I'd have to buy another backup drive with the new MacBook it makes the price difference a bit bigger. That's what's making this decision more difficult.

I'd also get an HP All-in-one printer for $29 (regular $99) if I bought the old model at Future Shop.

 

[seany916]

get the new one, get the speed bump, do less work

that .16 is noticeable

I have a 1.83 as well as a 2.16MBP. I can definitely notice a difference when running CPU intensive apps.

for $80, get the newer one.

 

[dukebound85]

get the new one, get the speed bump, do less work

that .16 is noticeable

I have a 1.83 as well as a 2.16MBP. I can definitely notice a difference when running CPU intensive apps.

for $80, get the newer one.

.16 i do not think will be a big factor in most situations. you are comparing a .33 difference though....

for normal stuff i bet you wont notice

 

[andrewheard]

get the new one, get the speed bump, do less work

that .16 is noticeable

I have a 1.83 as well as a 2.16MBP. I can definitely notice a difference when running CPU intensive apps.

for $80, get the newer one.

The 2.16 to 1.83 model is not only twice the speed decrease as 2.16 to 2.0, the 1.83 also only has 2MB cache.

 

[andrewheard]

I just noticed that new MacBook has an 8X SuperDrive vs. the 6X of the old model. Such a hard decision.

 

[seany916]

Wait, I have the 2.0. Sorry.

Still noticeable.

YMMV.

 

[polevault139]

The only reason I can see getting the newer one is if you want a SuperDrive if not then get the 1099 model and save even more money. I have a Combo Drive and cannot tell you the last time I felt the need to burn a DVD and even if i did I could just hook up an external burner.

 

[9Charms]

The new one has the "N" variety of airport card.

 

[eyebeaz]

IMO if those peripherals (printer, external) are important to you then get the older one. If not then get the new one.

 

[andrewag]

Get the newer one. What's $80?

 

[dukebound85]

Get the newer one. What's $80?

besides $80? but yea i agree get t he newer one if you can afford the 80

 

[cnybud]

Faced with the same decision i am thinking of getting the 2.0. Why? Because that is the one I wanted in the first place before i heard of the 2.16. Honestly you will NOT notice that much of a difference between the two with the exception that the Superdrive will be a smidgen faster. But hey it is your $80, my $80 is going towards a .mac subscription.

 

[andrewheard]

I decided that since I'm going to be using the MacBook for a long time, might as well buy the best I can now.

 

[gnasher729]

I could get the new 2.16GHz MacBook with the hard drive upgraded to 160GB by Apple for $1634CDN w/ tax or I could get the old model 2.0GHz MacBook with a 160GB HD (upgraded by myself) for $1553. I'd save $81 and I could put the 80GB HD that it comes with into an external case for backup. What is everyone's opinion on this?

Also, what brand of HD do the MacBooks come with? I'd be putting in a Western Digital as its cheap.

I would _always_ spend $80 on more RAM, not on more clock speed.

 

[JFreak]

that .16 is noticeable

No, it's not. But the L2 cache bump from 2MB to 4MB is very noticeable, so because they are now putting in bigger cache, I'd strongly recommend buying the new one despite saving some money.

 

[Abstract]

$80 is not a lot of money spent on a laptop that you'll keep for years.

Spend the extra $80. It sounds like you made that decision already, but to emphasize it even more, I'm repeating it.

 

[Willis]

for the sake of A$81, thats nothing... get the newer model. Remember, its another rev, has a few spec changes.

Also, the drives Apple use is Seagate

 

[daze]

Definitely get the newer version. I'm sure you can make the stretch to the $80 dollars. It's also a better bang for the buck.

 

[cube]

No, it's not. But the L2 cache bump from 2MB to 4MB is very noticeable, so because they are now putting in bigger cache, I'd strongly recommend buying the new one despite saving some money.

The previous Core 2 Duo macbooks @2 GHz or greater already have 4MiB L2.

 

[andrewheard]

I just bought the white 2.16GHz model with 160GB HD. I also ordered 2GB of RAM. Hopefully it is as easy to install as in the iMac. And what brand of HD can I expect in there?