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Which one is the best given their similar prices?

N

nahuahcr

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 2, 2010
6
0
Hello, I am relatively new to Macs. I currently have a MacBook:
13.3
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
250GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
$1558.00 (june 2009)

I'm looking to buy another notebook, a MacBook Pro, for faster web surfing, better skype video calls, faster downloading of photos, songs, video clips, and simple word processing. Which of the following do you think is the best for me? Specifically, does the SSD really make a difference in speed and lesson heat emanating from the notebook? I can't afford to do the SSD in the 15.0 category. Should I upgrade from 4G of RAM to 8G instead? Thanks.

13.3
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
256GB solid-state drive
$2074.00

or

15.0
2.4GHz Intel Core i5
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
$1969.00

or

15.0
2.53GHz Intel Core i5
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
$2029.00

or

15.0
2.66GHz Intel Core i7
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
$2134.00
 
Sounds like you need a faster Internet connection to me. FiOS? Comcast 50 Meg? Qwest Work@Home ?

Btw mods don't like bumping.
 
you won't need to buy a super expensive upgraded laptop,
none of the stuff you do really puts that much strain on the computer and wouldn't require all of that junk.

honestly, i'd just recommend picking a size and either going with a refurb, clearance, or used one of the last core2duo model. Since they've updated, people drop price. And they're still great computers. (i'd personally go with used, on craigslist; cheaper.
but some people are against doing that.)
 
I agree with the recommendation for faster Internet. I don't see a faster computer helping you significantly with any of that. Maybe a slightly faster screen refresh or load time but that's about it. Bandwidth looks to be the issue here.
 
What kind of internet connection do you have if you need a better laptop for faster internet?
My current pc could handle the tasks you want (and its OLD).

But if your Macbook is the limiting factor I certainly would go with the best 15" laptop. However, I doubt it will make any difference.

An SSD could improve performance, but all you can get out of your network is 1 gigabit anyway, so I wouldn't do it.
If you move those files around a lot it will help however.
 
Thanks for the responses. I have TWC turbo broadband internet connection. So, are you guys saying processor speed and memory won't make a difference? I thought otherwise. I am definitely buying one of the three options. I just want to know which is the best and not necessarily just for my needs.

Thanks.
 
15.0
2.66GHz Intel Core i7
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
$2134.00


You can always later update the Ram, the Hard Drive.

But you can never update the CPU,Video or the Screen.
 
so one person said #1, another #3, another #4, and a fourth said 27 i5. I guess it really doesn't matter then? Just want programs to open up fast, no buffering when watching video clips, fast web browsing with multiple tabs open, and the computer not to get too hot.
 
All you need to do is buy an SSD. No need for a new computer. Buffering is attributed to your internet speed and your laptop is already as fast as the new low-end 13" (same C2D P8600 2.4GHz CPU).
 
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