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Non Unibody MBP still viable?

P

particlebeam

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 4, 2011
6
0
Are the last models of MBP before the unibody still able to keep up with most tasks as long as you give them sufficient RAM?

I need a 15" screen due to my eyes but am struggling to come up with enough for a unibody 15. Looking for other options to keep me in OSX.

Will the video cards be able to manage without lagging all the time?
 
I still use an Early 2008 MBP and I have zero lag or performance problems. They're still quite viable for the vast majority of users.
 
GGJstudios said:
I still use an Early 2008 MBP and I have zero lag or performance problems. They're still quite viable for the vast majority of users.
Click to expand...

Thanks that opens up more options. I was looking for a used unibody but people want far too much for their used laptops.
 
My boyfriend just bought a non unibody Macbook Pro and it seems to be chugging along just fine. It's not the speediest but it handles CS5 decently.
 
Using a Penryn MBP from 2008 to write this. It's still very good all of the everyday tasks I throw at it. The only thing really hurting these days is the battery which doesn't hold the same charge it once did, but that's an easy fix.
 
I have a late 2006 MBP, it's the first Core 2 Duo revision. It sucks at editing HD video, and the battery only lasts ~2 hours using the same sort of tests that rate the new macs at 7 hours...

Otherwise it still runs great. In fact, the only reason I'm thinking of upgrading it (it's going on 5 years old remember) is that the battery life sucks and work has been taking me to coffee shops and other electrically challenged places.

It even still works for casual gaming, and the occasional stint of WoW!

Also, do NOT get a non-unibody with an nVidia graphics card, as they are all time-bombs. Make sure you get one with an ATI card. Also, if you don't care about the newest software and only plan on using it for word/email/internet stuff, the Core Duos might be cheap now that Apple's not supporting them for Lion.
 
I'm using a 2008 Penryn MBP, and it is a fine little computer. I mostly use it for Photo editing (with an external display attached), running Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5 more than anything else. It can push pixels around in images from a full-frame DSLR without problems, so I'm quite happy with it. I really like its matte screen and dual Firewire ports. The only thing I find myself missing is the ability to expand the RAM beyond 4GB, but that desire is not strong enough to warrant the great expense of a whole new laptop.
 
Pballer110 said:
How much are you looking to spend? Thats one of the draws of apple computers, they keep good resale value.
Click to expand...

Not sure exactly how much I could part with...but I absolutely refuse to pay nearly new prices for used electronics...especially if they are out of warranty and have no eligibility to purchase extended coverage. Lot's of people ask way too much for laptops with no coverage or chance for coverage. Doesn't matter what brand it is...electronics fail and Apple's guts are not any more likely to keep working than any other brand. There are too many "disposable" IC parts that cost a ton to replace. Not like a watch you can clean or a bike you can tune up cheaply.
 
particlebeam said:
Are the last models of MBP before the unibody still able to keep up with most tasks as long as you give them sufficient RAM?

I need a 15" screen due to my eyes but am struggling to come up with enough for a unibody 15. Looking for other options to keep me in OSX.

Will the video cards be able to manage without lagging all the time?
Click to expand...

I am in school for architecture and I have friends that have the last update before the unibody. They got them maxed out spec wise, and although they don't handle the newest and most complex 3D rendering software, they are able to run Adobe CS4 just fine. For email, web browsing, dvd watching, and most games they are great computers. I dont know what your most tasks include. If they involve video encoding, photo editing, 3d drafting or the like, consider saving up your money. One warning, the original batteries have pretty much died on these computers, so you can either expect to keep it plugged in all the time or buy a new battery for $idk.
 
You didn't say what work you do on it?

I still use mine every day for video transcoding, photo editing and stuff. There's a lot better out there, especially now but it is no less capable than it was when new. Unless you are a gamer, I don't think hardware requirements have increased significantly if at all.
 
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