The backup can't (and shouldn't) be installed in the computer, but it is a very good idea to have one.
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Processor speed vs. RAM
- Thread starter nhcowboy1
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The backup can't (and shouldn't) be installed in the computer, but it is a very good idea to have one.
I think there was a bit too much enthusiasm expressed for SSD. If your son is doing any video editing, he needs HDD more than he needs SSD. The fact that you are on a budget means you might be better off ignoring SSD for now.
Let me share my latest experience...
I just went out and replaced my aging 5400 RPM HDD in my 2008 Macbook with a 500 Gig SSD Hybrid. it cost just over a hundred bucks, versus the thousand bucks you would have to pay for a pure SSD. The reviews over at Toms Hardware sing the praises of the Seagate Momentus XT drive. It's 7200 RPM, has 32 MB cache and has 4 GB of SSD. It is supposed to get "faster" as the files I use most often are copied to SSD. The SSD is only used for reading files and is only a copy of what is on the HDD. So far I'm very happy with the results and I found Apple's Time Machine to work flawlessly for me. Last night, I backed up 100 gig of stuff. Today I restored 100 gig of stuff and have close to 400 gig free where I once had about 40 gig free. I really like the way Time Machine brought everything back and my desktop looks just like it did before I started the upgrade. Not bad for an evening's work.
In your case, if you go for the newer machine, you can always grab either a full SSD or a hybrid SSD a year later but your son should get plenty of use out of the thing "as is". I reran my benchmarks and the geekbench crept up from 3199 to 3205 with the new drive. Yawn. I'm waiting on 4 Gig of RAM in the mail from Crucial. When it arrives, I expect my benchmark to go up a little more. Even if it only goes up a tiny bit I expect these tweaks to make my machine even more of a pleasure to use. (Most of geekbench is affected by cpu and there's nothing I can do about CPU).
If you decide to go for the older machine, you probably won't be sorry either. After all, I'm quite happy with my 2008 Macbook and I bet I can get another year or two out of this thing before I can't resist the "upgrade itch." If I manage to hold off that long, I might be able to save up for the high end 15 inch MBP.
My total out of pocket for 500 GB Hybrid SSD and 4 gig of ram (was 2) is under $200. Just keep in mind that I started in 2008 and might make it to 2012 with only a $200 upgrade 3 years in. If you start with the used machine, the time until you want to upgrade might be shorter and your options will be more limited. If you start with the used machine, you can get quite a lot of use out of it before considering some sort of upgrade.
Let me share my latest experience...
I just went out and replaced my aging 5400 RPM HDD in my 2008 Macbook with a 500 Gig SSD Hybrid. it cost just over a hundred bucks, versus the thousand bucks you would have to pay for a pure SSD. The reviews over at Toms Hardware sing the praises of the Seagate Momentus XT drive. It's 7200 RPM, has 32 MB cache and has 4 GB of SSD. It is supposed to get "faster" as the files I use most often are copied to SSD. The SSD is only used for reading files and is only a copy of what is on the HDD. So far I'm very happy with the results and I found Apple's Time Machine to work flawlessly for me. Last night, I backed up 100 gig of stuff. Today I restored 100 gig of stuff and have close to 400 gig free where I once had about 40 gig free. I really like the way Time Machine brought everything back and my desktop looks just like it did before I started the upgrade. Not bad for an evening's work.
In your case, if you go for the newer machine, you can always grab either a full SSD or a hybrid SSD a year later but your son should get plenty of use out of the thing "as is". I reran my benchmarks and the geekbench crept up from 3199 to 3205 with the new drive. Yawn. I'm waiting on 4 Gig of RAM in the mail from Crucial. When it arrives, I expect my benchmark to go up a little more. Even if it only goes up a tiny bit I expect these tweaks to make my machine even more of a pleasure to use. (Most of geekbench is affected by cpu and there's nothing I can do about CPU).
If you decide to go for the older machine, you probably won't be sorry either. After all, I'm quite happy with my 2008 Macbook and I bet I can get another year or two out of this thing before I can't resist the "upgrade itch." If I manage to hold off that long, I might be able to save up for the high end 15 inch MBP.
My total out of pocket for 500 GB Hybrid SSD and 4 gig of ram (was 2) is under $200. Just keep in mind that I started in 2008 and might make it to 2012 with only a $200 upgrade 3 years in. If you start with the used machine, the time until you want to upgrade might be shorter and your options will be more limited. If you start with the used machine, you can get quite a lot of use out of it before considering some sort of upgrade.
I'll go ahead and throw in my two cents. I have a late 2008 aluminum unibody MacBook, still bone stock (2.0 GHz C2D , 2 GB Ram, 160 GB HDD) and it still does not disappoint me in doing the same types of activities that you mentioned in the OP. So either option would be great.
That being said, I would go with the new i5. Let him use it as is for now and maybe you can upgrade stuff later on. Memory is only getting cheaper. I could take this MacBook all the way up to 8 GB now for under $100. I just haven't felt it is necessary.
That being said, I would go with the new i5. Let him use it as is for now and maybe you can upgrade stuff later on. Memory is only getting cheaper. I could take this MacBook all the way up to 8 GB now for under $100. I just haven't felt it is necessary.
Yep, I'm inclined to think the i5 is better also, if for no other reason than that it gives him 3 full years of Applecare. Despite the mixed views in this thread about paying for the warranty, I know my kid won't be able to afford to pay for service if anything goes wrong . . . and, living in a dorm, I'm thinking just about anything could go wrong.
And, of course, anything will be better than what he has now. I hadn't realized how little RAM he has in his iBook . . . it's no wonder he's looking forward to an upgrade!
And, of course, anything will be better than what he has now. I hadn't realized how little RAM he has in his iBook . . . it's no wonder he's looking forward to an upgrade!
The MBP with the i5 would be a new model, the one with Core 2 Duo would be the older model. If you are willing to buy the older model, go to www.apple.com/store, then look for "Special Deals/Refurbished Macs" and you will find the older model for less money with full warranty and everything; right now you can get one for $899. They all come with 4 GB of RAM, which is plenty for most people.
Should you find later that you want more RAM, you can order it for example from www.crucial.com for very little money. It is very easy to change yourself.
Cost me £1.99 at Homebase. I actually found the new MBP easier to open than the old MacBook.
Should you find later that you want more RAM, you can order it for example from www.crucial.com for very little money. It is very easy to change yourself.
Cost me £1.99 at Homebase. I actually found the new MBP easier to open than the old MacBook.
I just got done putting in my RAM. The #0 phillips comes with a standard set of jewelers' screwdrivers. I don't know about the screws on the unibody but I found the #0 phillips worked quite well on my whitebook.
With the RAM in and hybrid SSD my "average" geekbench scores now hover around 3300. About a 10 percent bump in geekbench score and of course I haven't touched the CPU. Boot time is awesome. Not iPad fast but roughly twice as fast as before. It's like having a new machine. Still I stand by what I said earlier, if you are buying a machine go for the best CPU spec and add upgrades (if you want them) later.
With the RAM in and hybrid SSD my "average" geekbench scores now hover around 3300. About a 10 percent bump in geekbench score and of course I haven't touched the CPU. Boot time is awesome. Not iPad fast but roughly twice as fast as before. It's like having a new machine. Still I stand by what I said earlier, if you are buying a machine go for the best CPU spec and add upgrades (if you want them) later.