Back in 2006, I purchased a black Macbook Core Duo (2ghz, 2gb ram), the laptop still runs great, but another older computer has died and I am considering purchasing the new Al Macbook (the 2.4 ghz model) and moving this one down the food chain. Aside from the graphics upgrade which will be night and day, how big of an upgrade would this new laptop be? Would Snow Leopard perform significantly better on the Core 2, of will I not see any real performance gains until the i7 (which may not reach the non-pro Macbook for at least a year). Would I be getting a significantly better machine, or I am simply throwing my money away?
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Macbook CoreDuo to Al Core 2 Duo Upgrade?
- Thread starter shamrock1213
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Substantial.
Snow Leopard's impact on the cpu will be minimal. However, it should improve performance for apps that can use OpenCL.
You will get a 64-bit system. You'll double your SATA hard drive performance (3 gbps vs. 1.5 gbps), improved bus speed, improved RAM, and a better display.
Everything as mentioned above. And the new mac books with the Core 2 will have around 50% performance increase. Its an overall system upgrade for you. I mean if your old computer is broken, send the mac down the food chain and get the new one. You will not be disappointed!
Yes, significant
Faster graphics (5x) and more graphics memory
Faster HD (2x)
Faster RAM and more capacity (1.5-2x)
Faster Processor and more cache (1.25-2x)
Backlit keyboard (highly addictive)
Much brighter and slightly better screen
ITs not night and day for routine use but the new MB feels snappier than my old Black MB. If you are a power user and push the old MB's limits the new MB has much higher limits (for instance ripping DVD's).
Faster graphics (5x) and more graphics memory
Faster HD (2x)
Faster RAM and more capacity (1.5-2x)
Faster Processor and more cache (1.25-2x)
Backlit keyboard (highly addictive)
Much brighter and slightly better screen
ITs not night and day for routine use but the new MB feels snappier than my old Black MB. If you are a power user and push the old MB's limits the new MB has much higher limits (for instance ripping DVD's).
If you truly need it now, get it now. If you can wait, then wait. I'd try to wait until summer when a lot of people are saying that 10.6 will be released.
I would wait since you have a working computer.
Another thought: Consider the $999 version (white) to economize. Many of the features that you will take advantage of with the aluminum are present in the white one as well plus:
Firewire
Cheaper RAM upgrade
If you own mini-DVI adapter, it still can be used
Again, these are just my opinions and I'm speaking from a first gen ownership level like you are.
Another thought: Consider the $999 version (white) to economize. Many of the features that you will take advantage of with the aluminum are present in the white one as well plus:
Firewire
Cheaper RAM upgrade
If you own mini-DVI adapter, it still can be used
Again, these are just my opinions and I'm speaking from a first gen ownership level like you are.