Refurbished 2010 MBP or New 2011 MBP?

[seedman76]

I'm looking to purchase a 13" MBP. Apple has reburbished 2010 models on their website. Here's the specs:
Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Originally released April 2010
13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB (2 x 2GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
250GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
1 yr. warranty
$929

A new basic 13" MBP specs are:
13-inch: 2.3 GHz
2.3GHz dual-core
Intel Core i5
4GB 1333MHz
320GB 5400-rpm1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
1 yr. warranty
$1200

Price difference: $271
What I'll use it for: mainly e-mail, internet, photo management, nothing graphic/processor intensive, no gaming

Questions:
1. Will I notice any difference b/t Intel Core 2 Duo processor vs. Intel i5?
2. Are there software differences b/t 2010 vs. 2011 model?
3. Are there hardware differences (i.e. #USB ports, SD slot, camera, etc.)?
4. Any other major differences? (HD size doesn't matter to me as either are adequate)

Thanks!

 

[xxBURT0Nxx]

Questions:
1. Will I notice any difference b/t Intel Core 2 Duo processor vs. Intel i5?
2. Are there software differences b/t 2010 vs. 2011 model?
3. Are there hardware differences (i.e. #USB ports, SD slot, camera, etc.)?
4. Any other major differences? (HD size doesn't matter to me as either are adequate)

1. Probably not right now if you are just surfing the web and doing e-mail, but the c2d processors were considered pretty old last year, the new i5 will last you a lot longer than the old c2d if you plan on keeping the laptop for a good while.
2. No
3. Yeah the new macbook pros come with mDP/Thunderbolt, the older macbook pros only have mini display port, no Thunderbolt. Also the new macbook pros have "HD" facetime cameras... The old one also has nvidia 320m graphics, the new ones only have Intel HD3000, but it shouldn't really be a difference for you.
4.Pretty much just what was stated above... the newer one will be more "future proof" but you have to decide if that's worth the price difference to you as you are using it for the most basic tasks and won't tax your system very much.

 

[mac8867]

Questions:
1. Will I notice any difference b/t Intel Core 2 Duo processor vs. Intel i5?
2. Are there software differences b/t 2010 vs. 2011 model?
3. Are there hardware differences (i.e. #USB ports, SD slot, camera, etc.)?
4. Any other major differences? (HD size doesn't matter to me as either are adequate)

Thanks!

If the $271 is not material to you, get the 2011. With that said, the 2010 refub is a fantastic machine and well worth the money/savings.

For your questions:
1. No, for what you are planning, you will not notice a difference
2. No, no software differences (beyond drivers)
3. Yes, the 2011 has a faster hard drive port, but same hard drive. It also has the new lightning/thunderbolt thinga-ma-jiggy
4. Nope... just the i5/i7 processors (sandy bridge), which realistically will not affect you.

 

[phpmaven]

If you order the new one from Amazon, it's only $1,139.99 with no tax.
You'll pay tax with Apple, so it will end up being around $1,000.00

For $139 more, getting the updated MacBook Pro becomes a no brainer.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MC700LL-13-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002QQ8H8I/

 

[xxBURT0Nxx]

If you order the new one from Amazon, it's only $1,139.99 with no tax.
You'll pay tax with Apple, so it will end up being around $1,000.00

For $139 more, getting the updated MacBook Pro becomes a no brainer.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MC700LL-13-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002QQ8H8I/

agreed... macmall even has it a few cents cheaper than amazon plus free shipping, a free printer, and $50 off parallels

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Pro/product~dpno~8300855~pdp.gdchhbi

 

[donklaus]

Or, if you are close to a MicroCenter...

... still $200 off on the base 13" MBPs - 2011 models. That's how I got mind, so with sales tax just under $1000 for the latest model. A good deal, since mine is solely for mobile use and occasional mirroring of my desktop-based projects.

 

[xxBURT0Nxx]

... still $200 off on the base 13" MBPs - 2011 models. That's how I got mind, so with sales tax just under $1000 for the latest model. A good deal, since mine is solely for mobile use and occasional mirroring of my desktop-based projects.

Yeah only problem is it's going to be pretty rare to find the new refurbished ones, and when they do go up they sell out pretty quick. If you can get one, great, but it may involve lots of waiting.

 

[phpmaven]

agreed... macmall even has it a few cents cheaper than amazon plus free shipping, a free printer, and $50 off parallels

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Pro/product~dpno~8300855~pdp.gdchhbi

A free printer is nice, although I see it's free after 2 mail in rebates. I rather be boiled in oil or get a root canal than have to deal with rebates. I notice that they give you a $10 discount if you call in the order. That's weird since most online retailers (I happen to be one) would much rather not have people call as it actually costs more in the long run to have to take orders over the phone.

 

[xxBURT0Nxx]

A free printer is nice, although I see it's free after 2 mail in rebates. I rather be boiled in oil or get a root canal than have to deal with rebates. I notice that they give you a $10 discount if you call in the order. That's weird since most online retailers (I happen to be one) would much rather not have people call as it actually costs more in the long run to have to take orders over the phone.

yeah, i'm not a fan of rebates either, but even with apples back to school program you have to deal with rebates.

It was more of an FYI, macmall has it too and will give you this other stuff if interested.

 

[FOX160]

New one because last years 2010 13inch was constantly slated
as being under powered and should never be a MBPro.

Even the basic 13inch 2011 model is near as fast has the top end
2010 version MBPro.