Refurbished 15.4" MBP- Which one?

[ckcsmommy]

Hello. I am getting ready to buy my first Mac and after reading a lot of reviews I've narrowed it down to a 15.4" MBP and am leaning toward an Apple refurbished product. My question to all of you is which would you choose? Basically I want to be sure I'm getting the best value for the money.

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB
Built-in iSight camera
Illuminated keyboard
$1,599
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=Nzk3MDMwNQ

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
320GB Hard Drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
SD card slot
Built-in 7-hour battery
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB
Illuminated keyboard
$1,699
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB985LL/A?mco=Nzk3MDMwNQ

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB
Built-in iSight camera
Illuminated keyboard
$1,699
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0G02LL/A?mco=Nzk3MDMwNQ

I'll be replacing an HP desktop and will be using the new computer mainly for photo editing, blogging, web surfing and the MS Office apps (for when I work from home). Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Genghis Khan]

The last one is by far the best value...

 

[scienide09]

Toss up. The last unit has more video RAM, but the middle unit comes with the built-in 7hr battery. What are you using the computer for?

BTW, your list is misleading, and I had to check the specs to confirm. You only show the GPU for middle unit, but all three of those come with the GeForce 9400M and the 9600M GT. I suggest you update the list in case others come here to chime in.

 

[MUrhino]

Apple Refurbished Products Reliable?

I've never purchased an Apple refurb product. Anyone purchase a refurb laptop or display from Apple with comments to quality would be greatly appreciated. The 24" LED ACD is going for $599 refurb - that's $200 less than the education discount and brings it in line with the new Dell U2410 IPS that everyone is talking about!

 

[mathlete123]

second or third

The second and third will have to fight it out; Which do you value more, 7 hour battery or extra graphics and proc.? If you arent doing serious editing, but want to be unplugged, maybe 2nd is better. Otherwise, def. 3rd

 

[AAPLaday]

Id choose the 3rd one no question unless you want the extra battery of the second. The graphics card on the 1st and 3rd has higher memory as well. Just something to look out for.

 

[asnozz]

not sure about this, but doesnt the 3rd only support 6gb ram, while the 2nd (2009) support 8gb?

 

[MacKiddyWiddy]

tbh i'd rather have the 2nd but the 3rd would be better, portability and more ram support, or pure power? thats the question