New MBP or beefier older generation?

[OmahaGTP]

Eh... really? I would imagine that the previous generation would be faster due to the bigger cache (6MB opposed to the newer 2.4's 2MB) and having 4GB of ram, no?

Is there ANY word on Apple producing the new models with matte screen? If that were the case, I'd shoot for a new 2.53 matte, no question, done deal.

I'm slightly leaning towards the previous generation (I'm actually typing on my family members right now ). I just can't seem to get used to the chickett's yet, but that could be because I haven't really spent time with an Apple system that has them.

Thanks for the responses guys, keep 'em comin'.

I don't know... I just bought a 'brand new' previous generation MBP. I recently got a little hands on time with someone I know's new unibody MBP, I have to admit, I was totally 'not' jealous. (Sorry if they are reading this )I definitely felt like I had made the right decision, great design on the unibody exterior though and the trackpad smoothness feels quite nice.

But to each their own. It's gonna be pretty darn sweet either way.

 

[melchior]

i think it should be clear by now that performance difference is negligible between the two. in terms of cpu and gpu and ram, they are very similar. the differences are in the cosmetics and in features. if you can save a bundle by getting a refurb, i would not hesitate. if you can get a good price on a unibody MBP, that's great too.

overseas there is no question, a refurb is better than any deal possible on a unibody MBP that's not stolen. in the states however, you can do quite well with ADC, education, ebay...

 

[suMMx]

i paid $1750 after rebate for my 2nd gen macbook pro after owning the first gen and i think it's worth the difference in price. Aesthetically i think it's leaps and bounds ahead of the first gen. If price is a huge factor i don't think it's that big of a deal either way but the new one is my preference, especially after the firmware update that stopped my mbp from not staying asleep after opening it

 

[Horst]

I chose the older 15"/ 2.5Ghz mainly for the matte screen, and the additional FW port and the more convenient display port.

The reason why I needed to buy an new MBP was that I dropped my old one, and those older cases are very weak, so I'd have loved to get a unibody, if it wasn't for the above reasons.