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The "Should I Get 2.0 or 2.4" Thread to End All "Should I Get 2.0 or 2.4" Threads

2.0

Username: Zazoh
Machine: 2.0 GHz Aluminum Macbook(will upgrade to 4gb of ram)

Reasoning: First Mac, if you don't count the Apple IIC. I'm a Windows / Linux power user. If this stuff sticks I will get a powerbook at some point. Desktops no longer suit my lifestyle, I can't dedicate hours to sit in a specific room. With a laptop, I can be in the Kitchen and Living room and stay connected. I'm a developer and big-time photography buff.

Verdict: I've owned various computers since 1982 and this one seems the best so far, including the 17-inch Dell studio I just gave to my wife. Screen size is not an issue as the computer is usually about 18 inches from my face.
 
Oh hot damn. I was somewhat fearing this, but I ran out of space in the first post for opinions 'n such. So...

Step 4, Part 2: User Experience

Username: SPEEDwithJJ
Machine: 2.0GHz Aluminum Macbook
Reasoning: Bought it to be a backup system to my Sony Vaio notebook. It is also bought because I wanted to try out & get myself familiarize with the Mac OS X operating system. Chose the base Alu MB because it is sturdy & also the cheapest Apple MB that is made of aluminum. This thing is a beauty & everything is great, except the screen. I also regret not getting the 2.4GHz model just for the backlit keyboard.
Verdict: Got this MB at the end of March. Now, I found out that Apple have supposedly started to use a higher grade screen in the MB. I'm not too pleased about that but unfortunately, I'm already pass the return date that I'm entitled to so I'm SOL. I will sell this MB after I'm done with my exams in 2 weeks & once it is sold, I'll be trying my luck & buying a 2.4GHz Alu MB to replace it.

Username: Zazoh
Machine: 2.0 GHz Aluminum Macbook(will upgrade to 4gb of ram)
Reasoning: First Mac, if you don't count the Apple IIC. I'm a Windows / Linux power user. If this stuff sticks I will get a powerbook at some point. Desktops no longer suit my lifestyle, I can't dedicate hours to sit in a specific room. With a laptop, I can be in the Kitchen and Living room and stay connected. I'm a developer and big-time photography buff.
Verdict: I've owned various computers since 1982 and this one seems the best so far, including the 17-inch Dell studio I just gave to my wife. Screen size is not an issue as the computer is usually about 18 inches from my face.
 
*reserving this post for a potential Part 3 so it doesn't end up at the end of the topic*

Actually, to mods 'n such: If there is any way to edit the posting time on posts so you could move this post and part 2 to directly after the first post I would GREATLY appreciate it for the sake of ease-of-reading.
 
Wow, many thanks for the positive response everyone! Hopefully this will continue to gather opinions 'n such to help out buyers.

Part of me is somewhat tempted to make an extremely comprehensive Mac buying guide site, including things like this for every computer, and then tips on where to buy them, refurbs, etc. In addition, I could only really do it for the Macbook (and MBP since it would kinda apply to both), but I could do an upgrade tips type thing.

But that all kinda hinges on if I ever feel enough gusto to do so, haha.

funkdis said:
.... So should i get the 2.0 or 2.4? :D
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2.4. Definitely. :p

SPEEDwithJJ said:
Apple is already shipping out "MBP-like" quality screens with the latest MBs according to the following thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/694320/
Click to expand...

This is VERY interesting... Thanks for the tip. I'll reserve judgment until we can get some sort of comparison between someone with a new and old screen.

harry20larry said:
Also: add to the comparison between the white and alu the trackpad, because it does make a huge difference
Click to expand...

Very true! It's one of the few things that slipped my mind, thanks for the tip.

Germwise said:
What if your are buying refurb?

Then its a 200 dollar difference.

chip upgrade, bigger HD and backlit keys for 200... Doesn't sound like too bad of a deal to me.

but then again, I like shiny things
Click to expand...

Refurbs are just as shiny as new ones, haha. Apple's refurb quality control is excellent. I would ALWAYS buy my computers refurbished, except for two things:
1. I tend to get them right after they come out :)P)
2. When I order them through my university's bookstore, they new machines are only about $40 than the refurbs, and ordering it through them includes certain perks (for example, if the computer needs to be sent in for repair, I get a loaner from the school).
 
Knolly said:
Wow, many thanks for the positive response everyone! Hopefully this will continue to gather opinions 'n such to help out buyers.

Part of me is somewhat tempted to make an extremely comprehensive Mac buying guide site, including things like this for every computer, and then tips on where to buy them, refurbs, etc. In addition, I could only really do it for the Macbook (and MBP since it would kinda apply to both), but I could do an upgrade tips type thing.

But that all kinda hinges on if I ever feel enough gusto to do so, haha.
Click to expand...
I would like it if you made a very thorough guide, along with contributions from others, they would be very useful. Maybe you could make one on iWork, add it as a download(I think its possible), and people can contribute and edit. I wish iWork.com still was up, it was my highlight from the keynote....

Knolly said:
This is VERY interesting... Thanks for the tip. I'll reserve judgment until we can get some sort of comparison between someone with a new and old screen.
Click to expand...
I was interested too, but the definitive test is seeing it side-by-side with the old MB screen and the 15" MBP screen. We could all see how it stacks up against the old MB, and how far behind it is from the pro products. I'm still waiting for better unibody prices though:D


Knolly said:
Very true! It's one of the few things that slipped my mind, thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...
I love the new trackpad... silky:D


Knolly said:
Refurbs are just as shiny as new ones, haha. Apple's refurb quality control is excellent. I would ALWAYS buy my computers refurbished, except for two things:
1. I tend to get them right after they come out :)P)
2. When I order them through my university's bookstore, they new machines are only about $40 than the refurbs, and ordering it through them includes certain perks (for example, if the computer needs to be sent in for repair, I get a loaner from the school).
Click to expand...
Whoa, good perks! Even $249 applecare doesn't get you a loaner if your system is sent off for an issue. I'm looking at refurbs myself though, making the better screen extremely unlikely.:(

Thanks for this great guide!
SG :apple:
 
Knolly what university do you go to? My student discount as a grad student of the Ohio state university on a 2.0 mb is 50 dollars.
 
Username: Lostanddamned
Machine: 2.4 GHz Aluminum Macbook

Reasoning: First Macbook, have wanted one for several years and was hypnotised by the unibody design, but never really commited to it, had sorted a student discount and 0% apr for first six months deal, with a saving plan to gather together the £929 needed to buy the 2.0ghz alu macbook, but needed my Dad (who has a job, rather than just being a student) to sort out the finance. He showed up and decided to make the (roughly £195) jump to the 2.4ghz a Christmas present, which was an (awesome) shock.

Verdict: This is only the second laptop I have ever owned but it is literally miles ahead of my previous one, which was woefully underpowered (a £300 windows special...) and has been endlessly useful for taking notes in lectures, as well as properly organising music, films and photos at last, I literally couldn't live without it now - I didn't take my PC home last holiday and managing with just the laptop. I'm now looking at solutions to make it my only computer. I love it, it does everything I need perfectly.
 
Thank you for this thread! My mind has been made up-- 2.0 ghz macbook. :) Unless there's a really good deal on a refurbished one, I want that awesome new box. lol...

Edit: I have a 5+ year old powerbook G4. I prefer to use my computer until it dies. (Or in this case, until there's WAY better technology.) :)
 
Germwise said:
Knolly what university do you go to? My student discount as a grad student of the Ohio state university on a 2.0 mb is 50 dollars.
Click to expand...

Same as my school. The Apple deals at my school s**ks. :(

2.0GHz Alu MB (MB466LL/A) - $1,249
2.4GHz Alu MB (MB467LL/A) - $1,499
AppleCare (MB587LL/A) - $183

All the above prices are before 8.25% taxes. :( Worse of all, there's no MB + AppleCare price combo. :mad:
 
2.4ghz

Username: Foucault
Machine: 2.4GHz Aluminum Macbook
Reasoning: I've had my 17" MBP for three years and love it! I am a DJ, and I needed a smaller and lighter computer that was powerful enough to run Ableton and/or M-Audio's Torq without it freezing up on me in a middle of a live set. I was trying to decide between the Air, MB 2.0, or MB 2.4. I opted for the MB 2.4 primarily due to the larger HDD, and backlit keyboard (makes it easy to see the keys in a dark nightclub).
Verdict: Used it for the first time this weekend, and it performed with flying colors. No performance issues, even though the HDD was almost full of music. It's very fast, although I am still getting used to the glossy screen, it's something I can deal with.
 
What about the "I just spilt apple juice on my MacBook and now it doesn't want to works" thread to end all "I just spilt apple juice on my MacBook and now it doesn't want to works" threads?

All joking aside, this is a nice thread. I completely agree with all of the points that you make.
 

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Username: Tomacwhite
Machine: 2.4GHz Aluminium Macbook
Reasoning:
I went for the 2.4ghz for a number of reasons:
- The hard drive, although easily switchable, comes bigger as standard with the 2.4 (bought from an Apple Store) which makes life just a little bit easier.
- I am going to be shooting photos in RAW soon so playing around with those in Lightroom might be a little bit eaiser with the slightly quicker chip
- Both my girlfriend and I liked the idea of the backlit keyboard. She thought it was pretty (aww) and I thought it might be handy at night.
- I like watching video in HD res so I thought I might be future proofing myself a little better with the slightly quicker chip. I paid the price for this with my iBook, where I chose that over the 12" Powerbook, and a few months later 480p videos (captured footage from videogames, I work in the industry) wouldn't play properly on it. I don't want that problem again.

Basically these are not super important reasons, but I was happy to pay the extra, but didn't want to go for the 15" 'Pro as I like the compact size of the Macbook.


Verdict Probably the best computer I have ever bought, period. The build quality is rock solid, the screen although occasionally glossy is really lovely, the multitouch pad is incredible and overall its just a beautiful, fantastic computer and I could not be happier. In fact, I want another one so both my lady and I don't have to share! It's awesome.
 
Username: xraydoc
Machine: 2.4GHz unibody MacBook (upgraded to 4GB RAM)
Reasoning:
1) Upgrading from 2.2GHz black MacBook (handed down to my wife), so wanted the new machine to be at least a bit faster than the previous machine.
2) Backlit keyboard. Coming from a black MacBook, I knew the black keys with white printing was hard to see in the dark; even the light from the screen didn't quite light the keyboard enough to be clearly visible.
 
one subtle difference I'd like to ask about

First off, I love this thread. Best guide to picking a MacBook I've read. It's easy to read and understand and technical enough without getting too technical. Love it.

That said, I want to ask about a difference between the 2.0uMB and 2.4uMB that I read about or someone told me about, can't remember the details.

I think I heard that despite having the same integrated GPU, that the 2.4 can dedicate more (double) of the computers RAM to the GPU than the 2.0 can, thereby effectively giving the computer twice the VRAM. So...

1. Does anyone know if this is correct or not?
and
2. Can anyone offer an opinion on how big a performance difference this will result in when running graphics intensive apps? (I'm thinking CS4, FCS2, iWeb etc.)

thanks.
 
Username: chrislaw
Machine: 2.0 GHz Aluminum Macbook
Reasoning: I'm a recent switcher and the entry level is all that I as a college student really needed. I picked the UMB over the white b/c of asthetics, I liked the ease of upgrading memory and HD myself with the UMB over the white. The trackpad seemed like something i would like. I basically use it for music, surfing, school work and light gaming.
Verdict: I am in love with it. With the exception of what seems like an unbearably short battery life, everything else has blown me away. I absolutely love the trackpad. I don't know how i ever got along without it. I don't think the screen glare is as bad as I often hear about. I would like the backlit keyboard, i don't need it but it seems neat (not $300 neat though). It is the perfect size for a student, I find the size to be perfect. The aluminum gets tons of compliments as well.
 
I think I should add an "I love this thread" to this thread. Seriously thinking about getting a MacBook to replace my iMac, and will be keeping an eye on this thread. Thanks!
 
mikejtl said:
First off, I love this thread. Best guide to picking a MacBook I've read. It's easy to read and understand and technical enough without getting too technical. Love it.

That said, I want to ask about a difference between the 2.0uMB and 2.4uMB that I read about or someone told me about, can't remember the details.

I think I heard that despite having the same integrated GPU, that the 2.4 can dedicate more (double) of the computers RAM to the GPU than the 2.0 can, thereby effectively giving the computer twice the VRAM. So...

1. Does anyone know if this is correct or not?
and
2. Can anyone offer an opinion on how big a performance difference this will result in when running graphics intensive apps? (I'm thinking CS4, FCS2, iWeb etc.)

thanks.
Click to expand...

I don't believe this is true. From what I've read, both systems use up to 256 mb of main system memory for video memory, regardless of the processor. If you max out the processor, however, you'll notice a slight increase in the speed of video work and the like. However, I'd say that there are other factors that influence performance more than the processor difference, including max RAM and the speed of the hard drive.
 
Username:<<
Machine: 2.0 GHz Aluminum Macbook
Reasoning: Didn't see a need for the 2.4 GHz version, since I don't need the backlit keyboard. I upgraded the HD and the ram and all of that done still came me quite a bit cheaper than getting the 2.4 GHz, with only 2 gb ram. Even without any upgrades, the machine handles photoshop / aperture / final cut well, and the speed is definitely satisfying. It suits my needs perfectly - it's not overkill nor underpowered, I'd recommend the entry level macbook to most casual - semi-pro users, unless you absolutely cannot do without the backlit keyboard. I concur with some others who said the 2.4 GHz model is a slightly worse value for money, of course that depends on how much you're ready to pay for a slightly faster processor and a backlit keyboard, but me personally I'd recommed upgrading the ram on the 2.0 if you want that extra speed bump - it's a lot cheaper and you'll notice a measurable speed bump (ca. 1-3 seconds off application loading times).
Verdict: Good deal for the money, I'm extremely happy with it. What I like best about it is it's relatively long battery life (4 1/2 hours, usually), and the fact that the battery, HD and ram are so easily user replaceable.
 
This is a great thread and as the whitebook gets updated, the info should be updated to keep this info handy for new buyers.
 
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