Hi, everyone,
I have a MacBook 2,1, bought 3 years ago, that I've loved. Recently, though, it feels like it's falling behind...takes a lot of work to stream videos, run anything flash...and some newer games I'd like to play are just out of its reach. It's been out of space forever...80GB hard drive...all my media is already external
. I got this for grad school and it's served its purpose admirably, but I feel it's time to move on.
I don't have a TON of money to work with, so here are my options currently (with a max budget around $1500):
1) Hang onto this machine (with Snow Leopard) for another year or two and upgrade what I can. I don't know much about this, so I'd have NO idea what to buy. I've read the guides and I think I could get a new hard drive and up to 2GB memory (currently at 1). While all of this would be worlds above what I've got, I still don't know if this can keep pace with newer games, since it could already barely handle games of three years ago. I'm also stuck with the graphics card, right? Which is another big thing with games/video. I'd also like to take advantage of BootCamp but really don't know if my comp can handle Windows + Windows games. To top it off, my AppleCare plan expired yesterday, and I used it enough to be pretty wary of investing further in a laptop that's not covered.
2) Wait for the rumored refresh and get a MBP (13 in). I love laptops and even the lower end would be a giant boost over what I have. BUT if it's media and gaming that are driving me to a new computer, I wonder if this is the best value, since I'm really paying more for the portability. This was much more important in grad school (and it's what I prefer) but it's not necessary. And I wonder if it would run games as efficiently as a desktop, since this is the big concern with my current comp. Would probably sell my MacBook if I could get anything for it, since I really don't have use for two laptops.
*3) Get an iMac (better 21 in). Moving back to a desktop would be an adjustment BUT I'd get more for my money, and with wireless keyboard and mouse I wouldn't be locked into a standard setup necessarily. Since this would really be a media center it should really be a desktop anyway. I would keep my MacBook for anything MSOffice related, for internet browsing, for travel, etc., as long as it lasts. I'd see the desktop as a long-term purchase, too, and wouldn't look to trade up for several years.
If it makes a difference I'll probably be buying a refurb...if I get a desktop, I'm considering bypassing AppleCare (but am wary of doing so).
So, the ultimate question...is it worth upgrading to hold off a new purchase? I don't really know what my machine is capable of, and what stuff to get if I give it a go. I'm leaning toward the iMac instead. Any advice/insight would be appreciated!
I have a MacBook 2,1, bought 3 years ago, that I've loved. Recently, though, it feels like it's falling behind...takes a lot of work to stream videos, run anything flash...and some newer games I'd like to play are just out of its reach. It's been out of space forever...80GB hard drive...all my media is already external
. I got this for grad school and it's served its purpose admirably, but I feel it's time to move on. I don't have a TON of money to work with, so here are my options currently (with a max budget around $1500):
1) Hang onto this machine (with Snow Leopard) for another year or two and upgrade what I can. I don't know much about this, so I'd have NO idea what to buy. I've read the guides and I think I could get a new hard drive and up to 2GB memory (currently at 1). While all of this would be worlds above what I've got, I still don't know if this can keep pace with newer games, since it could already barely handle games of three years ago. I'm also stuck with the graphics card, right? Which is another big thing with games/video. I'd also like to take advantage of BootCamp but really don't know if my comp can handle Windows + Windows games. To top it off, my AppleCare plan expired yesterday, and I used it enough to be pretty wary of investing further in a laptop that's not covered.
2) Wait for the rumored refresh and get a MBP (13 in). I love laptops and even the lower end would be a giant boost over what I have. BUT if it's media and gaming that are driving me to a new computer, I wonder if this is the best value, since I'm really paying more for the portability. This was much more important in grad school (and it's what I prefer) but it's not necessary. And I wonder if it would run games as efficiently as a desktop, since this is the big concern with my current comp. Would probably sell my MacBook if I could get anything for it, since I really don't have use for two laptops.
*3) Get an iMac (better 21 in). Moving back to a desktop would be an adjustment BUT I'd get more for my money, and with wireless keyboard and mouse I wouldn't be locked into a standard setup necessarily. Since this would really be a media center it should really be a desktop anyway. I would keep my MacBook for anything MSOffice related, for internet browsing, for travel, etc., as long as it lasts. I'd see the desktop as a long-term purchase, too, and wouldn't look to trade up for several years.
If it makes a difference I'll probably be buying a refurb...if I get a desktop, I'm considering bypassing AppleCare (but am wary of doing so).
So, the ultimate question...is it worth upgrading to hold off a new purchase? I don't really know what my machine is capable of, and what stuff to get if I give it a go. I'm leaning toward the iMac instead. Any advice/insight would be appreciated!
