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Would buying a Core 2 Duo MBP really be that outdated?
- Thread starter Kyle-S
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NewEgg usually has a recertified MSI 9500GT on fire sale for $25-30 after rebate.
Otherwise Fry's/Microcenter slash the G210/GT220 prices on a weekly basis.
I agree. If you have a desktop, go buy a video card and quit complaining that the intel integrated graphics won't run the sims. This is possibly the worst reason I have ever heard of for buying a new laptop much less a MacBook with a two generation old video card.
If you don't need it, then it doens't hurt to wait since the update will be here in the short-medium term.
However, it's usually fool-hardy to play the waiting game when it comes to computers/electronics. There is always, always, always a 'better' deal, spec, what-have-you coming down the pipeline. If the current MBP meets your needs and you are comfortable paying for the Apple name, then pull the trigger now. I would check the refurb store though, you'll get a moderate discount and full warranty support.
The honest-to-God reality is that the i5/i7 refresh isn't going to change the world. It'll be faster, maybe even noticeably so, but the current lineup of MBPs aren't slow and they run OS X beautifully.
If you have no reason to buy a new one yet then don't. Like previous posters have talked about get yourself a cheap video card and you'll already see a world of difference
WHOA! That wasn't the problem, I have a dead MacBook, the Dell is my dads, and I got the problem resolved anyways, thanks to Eidorion.
Plus, I use my MacBook to edit videos in the Final Cut Studio, but I love Sims and obviously I know I don't need a 2k+ laptop for sims...
This forum is filled with jerks, at least Eidorion helped me and wasn't just like wow you're dumb just buy sommething else... I'm in Med school not a computer something or other... Not everyone is a jerk, a lot seem to be nice, but come on I don't need someone's two cents where it is not even close to relavent.
Go back and reread your posts. You seem to have the most issues with the Sims according to the messages you posted.
Furthermore you never once brought up Final Cut even in your first post. Your thread can be summarized as should I buy a new macbook or wait, and currently my desktop pc is crashing while running the sims. This is why I, like two or three other posts, suggested buying a new video card.
Obviously if your desktop will do everything else you need it for now except play the sims, you should upgrade your video card. If you want a new macbook pro, you might as well wait for the update. If the next generation 13" gets discrete graphics, it should be able to run the sims much better than the current models.
I am not sure what Eidorion said that was so much more helpful though. You should be able to find any mid range nvidia or ati video card which will perform well while running the sims.
http://slickdeals.net/forums/sdsear...ms=1&mode=forum&search=ati+nvidia&showposts=0
Look for a good deal
I would recommend keeping your eyes on your local CraigsList for a good deal. I got a one week old 13" MBP from a local guy who had buyer's remorse for $920, there is another one for sale today that is 3 months old for $950. The newer MBP will certainly be quite a bit more expensive and harder to find used (for a while at least).
I would recommend keeping your eyes on your local CraigsList for a good deal. I got a one week old 13" MBP from a local guy who had buyer's remorse for $920, there is another one for sale today that is 3 months old for $950. The newer MBP will certainly be quite a bit more expensive and harder to find used (for a while at least).
The core 2 duo models will be outdated (of course since its older tech now) but not outdated in terms of usage.
Arrandale will be at best 20% faster in overall speeds and remember that its at best.
The current mbp models will be able to do the same thing as the Arrandale released macbook pros but the GPU that is supplied with the Arrandale could be significantly faster than the current 9600m gt cards. This would be useful for someone who does 3d rendering or heavy gaming but in overall functioning speed its almost the same under OSX.
From what I've read about Arrandales, the battery life will be about the same as the current core 2 duo models but overall speeds will be 20% faster at best.
Arrandale will be at best 20% faster in overall speeds and remember that its at best.
The current mbp models will be able to do the same thing as the Arrandale released macbook pros but the GPU that is supplied with the Arrandale could be significantly faster than the current 9600m gt cards. This would be useful for someone who does 3d rendering or heavy gaming but in overall functioning speed its almost the same under OSX.
From what I've read about Arrandales, the battery life will be about the same as the current core 2 duo models but overall speeds will be 20% faster at best.
Just wait until the i7s are released and just drive over to a local Apple store to buy the current core 2 duo macbook pros for an instant $500 off.
I remember I did this with the preunibody models. The 15" high end model was $2299 and once the unibody macbook pros were released the very next day that same $2299 machine was being sold brand new at the Apple store for $1799.
Everyone assumes that the new ones will have discrete graphics - I'm not so sure, instead of base models having 9400M, you could be looking at the Intel 4500 which is NOT better than the current 9400M. I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the low-end 15" and all 13" Core i MBPs being saddled with the Intel IGP instead.
The only reason you should buy that machine at this point is if you get a killer deal. If you find one for $900, look elsewhere. I've picked up and resold(profit) several in the past few weeks for ~$600, so there are definitely deals to be had if you have time.
I would wait. And THEN I would consider the new ones, refurbished ones from Apple, the current generation from Amazon and other retailers; and even the used route. With Apple, you can still buy an AppleCare within the first year, if you need a peace of mind.
If you buy new, get a trustworthy higher education student or lecturer and ask, whether they would be entitled to an extended warranty on top of the discount. In the UK, it is currently 14% (I think I've had 15, but that was Russel Group), and so many people do not know that even if you do not buy AC, as a student you are entitled to 3 years' warranty, but there is no phone support. They don't have to transfer AppleCare, if you decide that you need one. Bought at the time of purchase, they are really cheap, but as I explained, it only gives you the phone support as an extra. Also, the Back to School promo is a pretty good deal. If you are willing to part with the iPod Touch or the cash, that might motivate a student well enough to help you out.
If you buy new, get a trustworthy higher education student or lecturer and ask, whether they would be entitled to an extended warranty on top of the discount. In the UK, it is currently 14% (I think I've had 15, but that was Russel Group), and so many people do not know that even if you do not buy AC, as a student you are entitled to 3 years' warranty, but there is no phone support. They don't have to transfer AppleCare, if you decide that you need one. Bought at the time of purchase, they are really cheap, but as I explained, it only gives you the phone support as an extra. Also, the Back to School promo is a pretty good deal. If you are willing to part with the iPod Touch or the cash, that might motivate a student well enough to help you out.
Well the current speculation is that the integrated graphics with the new iCore line is really horrible. So horrible in graphic performance that the older (that is the current C2D generation) MBP would perform better than the newer (that is iCore generation) MBP. So yes, you would get a speed bump of maybe 20% and maybe less heat/longer battery life at the expense that you're new MBP has poorer graphic performance if you're stuck on just integrated graphics.
However, Nvidia's new Optima tech looks pretty good on paper. If they integrate that with the new MBP then you get the best of both worlds (increase in CPU power and increase graphics from discrete graphics while still having a long battery life) as the Optima tech allows for the usage of discrete graphics without the need to reboot.
Granted Apple could completely go in a different direction, we won't know till Apple tells us.
Given the iPad's pending release, I would venture to say it's unlikely that Apple will update the MBP till the mid summer, possibly even later than that since normally, Apple runs some sort of buy a Mac because you're going to school promotion in the early Fall. And since an iCore change is fairly significant, I don't think Apple would do one of those "silent" updates without those big announcements that we've seen in the past.
Is spending the Apple premium worth the older technology? Depends on each person, but I think a lot of folks would agree that it seems irresponsible to spend such a premium over older technology. However, as other posters have mentioned, technology is a funny thing, the next greatest thing is always around the corner. Waiting doesn't really help. Assess your current needs and wants then make a decision. It's not like Apple is going to tell you what their plans are beforehand.
I doubt you'll find a 13" aluminum uni-body Macbook Pro that is one week old for $600. I think $900 is a very good used price for a model that sells new for $1199. Micro Center was selling them for $999 a few weeks ago and with sales tax it would have cost about $1075, so a savings of $175 for a brand new MBP, that's a good deal in my book.
I haven't heard/read this speculation yet, but regardless it is false. The IGP that is bundled with the Core i series chips is better than the 9400m. Not a whole lot better, but definitely not a step back.