Which MBP should get (same price)?

[dmk1974]

I'm locked into one of the MBP models at the Apple online refurb store. They are both $1529.

A.) Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz (mid-2009 model)
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB985LL/A?mco=MTA4MzI2Nzk

B.) i5 2.4 GHz (2010 model)
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC371LL/A?mco=MTgwOTc2ODA

Everything else as far as I can tell is identical (warranty, ram, hard drive, etc.). I'm just not sure which one has better bang for the same buck.

Thanks!

 

[spinnerlys]

The i5 is faster than the C2D and you also get a better GPU.

 

[dmk1974]

The i5 is faster than the C2D and you also get a better GPU.

Thanks. I had neglected to look at the GPU. So even at 2.4 GHz, the i5 is faster, correct?

I also see for the exact same money, I can get a nice 27" i5 iMac from that online store. Hmmmm....but I think I want the laptop though.

 

[AlphaDogg]

The i5 is faster than the C2D and you also get a better GPU.

+1. If you can get the i5, then go for it!

 

[miata]

I was also looking at those. B is a lot faster for things like video encoding. You also get the automatic CPU switching with B. B might also has slightly better battery life.

Check out this AnandTech Review for the details.

 

[Reelknead1]

i5 is the way to go. They can handle not only video editing better but also things like flash on an i5 is substantially less stressing then on a core2. My friends core2 2.66, while watching a youtube video 720p is running at 60% of his entire CPU. My i7 which is just a slightly faster clock speed i5 runs at 12-15% CPU. The battery life on the i5 is much better. I can get 9 hours out of mine if i'm careful and 5 to 6 just using it normally. He is lucky if he gets 6, in the best case.

 

[mulo]

The i5 is faster than the C2D and you also get a better GPU.

+2

 

[Blu101]

i5 all the way.

 

[dmk1974]

Thanks everyone for your replies...the i5 2.4 definitely wins out over the c2d 2.66.

I was browsing at Best Buy at lunch today looking over the models. NOW I am really on the fence...do I get that i5 2.4 MBP or the 27" i5 quad iMac?

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB953?mco=MTM3NDgzNjY

 

[NicoleRichie]

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i5 would be my choice.

 

[montblanc1]

the intel core i 5 wins all the way...

with turbo boost technology, the maximum speed of this cpu can reach even 2.93ghz, it's obviously faster than 2.66ghz core 2 cpu. Plus, it's more energy efficient, that's to say, when you do some light jobs such as internet and email, i 5 will automatically adjust its frequency while core 2 will still remain in 2.66ghz, which will drain your battery very quickly

 

[RT2020]

the intel core i 5 wins all the way...

with turbo boost technology, the maximum speed of this cpu can reach even 2.93ghz, it's obviously faster than 2.66ghz core 2 cpu. Plus, it's more energy efficient, that's to say, when you do some light jobs such as internet and email, i 5 will automatically adjust its frequency while core 2 will still remain in 2.66ghz, which will drain your battery very quickly

That's not correct, the Core2Duo also has throttling, so that the frequency and voltage are adjusted based on load. I believe there are six power 'steps' that the Core2Duo processor switches between.

Having said that... the i5 is the way to go.

 

[AdamRock]

Option B.

Duh.