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Macbook: low-end vs. mid-end

R

rightlyso

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 29, 2008
43
0
In trying to decide between the low-end white macbook and the mid-end white book, here are the differences I've found and where I stand on them:

1 Gig vs. 2 Gig: Doesn't matter in the long run because I'll update to 4 Gig from third party supplier; although having only 1 Gig will force me to upgrade sooner.

120 Gig v. 160 Gig hard disk: doesn't matter because I'll be getting a third party 320 Gig disk.

Combo drive vs. super drive: Doesn't matter because I have an external DVD burner for those rare times when I need to burn DVDs.

2.1 Ghz v. 2.4 Ghz: In the short run, I doubt I'll see the difference, although in the long run the 2.4 Ghz might be a viable machine for a bit longer.

So I'm thinking I'd put $200 in my pocket and get the low-end machine.

Any thoughts?
 
well first

Does your 3rd party hardwares have insurance?

and whats the difference between customized macbook and the macbook if bought in apple store with the all the same specs?

if no insurance, i'm a little iffy on that, i would rather just buy it from the apple store if the price range isn't all that well. the only difference is the max capacity of the hard drive? not much difference.
 
The difference is price.

4 Gig from Crucial is $100 and dropping. Apple charges $200 to upgrade from 2 --> 4.

Name brand 320 Gig hard disk is under $100 and falling. Apple charges around $100 to upgrade from 160 Gig --> 250 Gig.

So that's my basic reason for getting the base memory and hard disk, and upgrading them later when I start hitting a performance ceiling.

Whether I should start with the very lowest or mid-level is still something I'm not too sure about.

As for warranty, I'm not concerned about the memory and the hard disk going bad since they're easy to replace, and I might not upgrade them until after Apple's 1-year US warranty has expired.


FuuFuu said:
well first

Does your 3rd party hardwares have insurance?

and whats the difference between customized macbook and the macbook if bought in apple store with the all the same specs?

if no insurance, i'm a little iffy on that, i would rather just buy it from the apple store if the price range isn't all that well. the only difference is the max capacity of the hard drive? not much difference.
Click to expand...
 
TSE said:
The midrange model will hold it's value a lot better in the longrun if you decide to sell it.
Click to expand...

That's probably true.

Would anyone actually notice a difference between 2.1 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz?
 
I know you said you have the external DVD burner, I'm in a similar boat.

But the more I thought about it, unless you're going to be carrying your burner everywhere you go with you, I think it's well worth the $200 over the course of the laptop's lifetime to have the built in feature. The other stuff (hard drive, memory, processor) is all bonus for me.

--rob
 
TSE said:
The midrange model will hold it's value a lot better in the longrun if you decide to sell it.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say a lot better because really you are only talking about a .3 Ghz difference. I think the upgrades play a much bigger role and contribute more to the resale value.


That being said, not having a DVD burner would probably detract from it. I'd probably get the higher end one..
 
Depends on how long you want to keep the machine and if you want to sell it afterwards, if so, then the white 2.4 model would better for you as it will hold up longer, but for now, it looks like the 2.1 will fit your needs
 
high end, definitely...

I bought the first macbook (1,83ghz core duo) in the low-end version, with the same reasons you come up with...

1. sometimes, on rare occasions, you will be happy you have the faster processor.

2. (more important) it keeps it's value better (I had to sell mine second hand, for MORE than 200$ LESS than the high end version, just because people kept asking me: is there a superdrive included?)

3. (most important) don't think that an external DVD writer can do anything your internal apple superdrive can do... I for instance had an iDVD project (made up from imovie), which I couldn't write on a DVD with an external 3rd party DVD player... the only option was to find another mac with a DVD writer AND imovie installed to get things done.

well that bothered me alot, since I had to finish the DVD by dawn the next day...

When you use your macbook for let's say 2 years, you will definitely come in the same position as I was: damn, I should have gone for it...
 
phakebrill said:
Apple really need to drop the combo and just offer a DVD superdrive. It really stinks
Click to expand...

Yeah, it is definitely ridiculous that they still include that in any of their models....

I'll always buy a mac, but their price points could be improved, and getting rid of the combo drive.
 
i would go for the mid-range simply for resale.

+.3 GHz, a Superdrive, and higher resale seems worth $200, to me at least.
 
Take a look at the refurb site, you will probably find a mid-range (2.2GHz Nov2007) model for cheaper than the (2.1GHz present) low-end model.

They have the same graphics card (X3100) but you get a faster processor and a superdrive.

You are going to upgrade the ram and HD anyway..so that doesn't matter.

this is what I did at least..very happy with it.:)
 
rightlyso said:
The difference is price.

4 Gig from Crucial is $100 and dropping. Apple charges $200 to upgrade from 2 --> 4.
Click to expand...

I am sorry can you send me a link?I must be skipping right over it but I can't find 4 gigs (2x2) for that price. The best I found was 79.99 on sale from best buy for a 2 GB module. Other then that I get about $100 for 2 GB at the cheapest some even over that not $100 for 4 GB
 
oacory said:
I am sorry can you send me a link?I must be skipping right over it but I can't find 4 gigs (2x2) for that price. The best I found was 79.99 on sale from best buy for a 2 GB module. Other then that I get about $100 for 2 GB at the cheapest some even over that not $100 for 4 GB
Click to expand...

Just go to Crucial and enter the computer that you have but here is an example.
 
emac82 said:
Yeah, it is definitely ridiculous that they still include that in any of their models....

I'll always buy a mac, but their price points could be improved, and getting rid of the combo drive.
Click to expand...

Someone on the forum claimed that the combo drive actually costs Apple more than the Superdrive, but they do it either (1) to differentiate the mid-range and justify its higher price or (2) because test centers demand a machine that doesn't burn DVDs. The first possibility seems much more likely.
 
No Mac for now

Sad to say, but my trip to Apple Store actually pursuaded me to stick with my Dell until it totally breaks apart.

Just having to wade through the throng of people to actually get to a white machine, and then waiting for someone to be done with their personal email (I can't believe they let them do that...one gal was doing research and furiously taking down notes, another guy was looking up neighborhood restaurants, yet another was jotting down driving directions), by the time I got to the machine I was very much disposed not to be impressed.

I was surprised to confirm (as TSE pointed out) that the Apple store will not configure a machine for you (other than memory, which I would never buy from them anyhow). So out the window goes the number 1 reason for getting it there and not at Amazon.

The iPod rebate thing is annoying; I like to buy things I want, not be influenced by what the vendor wants me to have. And it's not really free since I'd be paying sales tax on it. And I hate rebates in general. The $100 off a printer is even worse.

The 4 1/2-year old Dell laptop does the job and I see no reason to get rid of it yet.

Thanks for your insights!
 
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