Refurb MBP or New MB?

[MacVault]

Just looking for advice... Should I buy...

• Refurbished (Apple Store) MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
• 15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
• 1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
• 100GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
• Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
• Built-in iSight Camera
• Front Row and Apple Remote
• Your price: $1,399.00
• Free Shipping

Or ...

• Brand New (MacMall) 13.3" MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz White 1GB/80GB/SD
• Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz
• 1GB DDR2
• 80GB SATA/100
• Intel GMA 950 graphics 64MB
• 13.3" TFT 1280x800
• SuperDrive(DVD+-R/CD-RW)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 802.11g WLAN
• Bluetooth
• Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
• Parallels Desktop
• Final Cut Express HD
• $1,325 (after rebates)
• Free Shipping

Any comments?

 

[mick4394]

I'd wait for Apple to put up more refurbed Macbooks. They start at $799.00. Cut your costs even more.

 

[Zimmy]

I am in the same situation as you, but on the uk store, i would like a C2D macbook pro, but a more realistic money conscious me has a choice between a C2D macbook or a CD macbook pro.

So confused.. lol

Zeem

 

[BigPrince]

C2d at the very least IMO. I know Apple refurbs are generally good, but theres just something about buying it new that I like. I dunno, maybe I am a snob. I just like knowing what my computer has been through.

 

[MacVault]

I'd wait for Apple to put up more refurbed Macbooks. They start at $799.00. Cut your costs even more.

But I definitely want the Super Drive model, so it would be $899 at least, and then if I want Parallels, Final Cut Express HD, and 1GB ram it would be...

$899
$299
$79
$150 (RAM)

Total: $1427

 

[MacVault]

C2d at the very least IMO. I know Apple refurbs are generally good, but theres just something about buying it new that I like. I dunno, maybe I am a snob. I just like knowing what my computer has been through.

Is having C2D more important than a real GPU as in the MBP?

 

[BigPrince]

Well, for my needs and uses I rather have a quicker, more up to date processor then nice graphics card. For several years I had a 8mb graphic card while people were using 64-onwards and I was satisfied with my 8mb. I have seen the Macbooks intgetrated graphics and IMO its not a tragic situation, and if your going to be using it for gaming, then your buying the wrong computer anyway, although I know that games do run good on my iMac g5 in my opinion. I think that the C2D with its 64 bit processing capabilities might come in more handy then a dedicated GPU for the future. Apple is not going to release eye candy features in Leopard that won't be compatible with a dedicated graphics chip, or at least I hope not. However, for speed, it might make Leopard run better and with less issues. Other's might tell you otherwise, but this is how I feel.

EDIT: You can always upgrade RAM in the future.


*hypotheically* If I had 2 macbooks side by side with tiger on them. One CD with dedicated graphics. One C2D with integrated graphics.


Ripple effect from dashborad: I doubt I could catch the difference of the ripples

Genie Effect: Again, doubt there would be a terrible difference

Rendering effects in iLife: C2D would probably be faster

Games: The CD with dedicated graphics would be better.

Loading programs: C2D

So you gotta balance with your needs. I think there are more needs for C2D then dedicated graphics.