12-17-2008, 07:41 PM

Currently I have an HP laptop, which is decent to me. I have had a couple problems with it freezing and locking up a lot, and its only a few months old. I payed 700 for it and its got decent specs for the price.

I am perfectly fine with keeping my laptop as it has treated me pretty well, but my parents are looking for a new computer and they really like mine. I offered to give them my laptop, if they bought off me and my mom suggested about 400-450$ for it.

I thought about it and after the holidays come, I am considering doing this and picking up a macbook. Now I will be on a limited budget and everything so most likely ether way, I won't be able to pick up a "new" macbook. I will however be buying something with a warranty left.

Now my question to everyone is, for someone who does mild video editing, projects for school and browse the internet. Should I shell out the money for the newer macbook aluminum? I like the newer macbooks looks and feel and everything, but I am not sure if it would be worth the extra coin to have the nicer looking laptop.

What do you guys think?

12-17-2008, 08:03 PM

Well you could always use that money to finance your purchase of a used Aluminum MB.

If you just do light video editing, doing it on the older Generation White MB is pretty much the same as it would be on the new MBs. Just that you will be missing a firewire port.

The older and new MB still have to share Memory with the video card. However the newer MB does have a better video card. That's the only real reason why I would get the new MB. Everything else is marginal faster than the MB that I have now. All the other stuff is mostly cosmetic.

12-18-2008, 04:04 PM

If I upgraded the ram on the older macbook, would it be able to compare to the newer MBs with the better graphics card?

12-18-2008, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jester2893

If I upgraded the ram on the older macbook, would it be able to compare to the newer MBs with the better graphics card?

The new aluminum MacBook uses a faster nVidia graphics chipset which also accommodates more memory. That increases its graphic capability and graphic speed to 10X that of the previous generation MacBook.

Also, the newer aluminum MacBook has a faster front end BUS and uses faster memory (DDR3).

If gaming and graphic applications are primarily what you intend to use the machine for, then get the newer aluminum MacBook. Increasing the system memory on an older MacBook to the maximum 4 GB will not bring it up to par as far as speed goes with the newer model.

The latest issue of Mac World has some very good comparisons of both machines. You can read the reviews on line at: Apple, Mac, iPod and iPhone News, Reviews, Help and Tips | Macworld

The only cons, IMO for the newer machines are the higher cost and the lack of a firewire port.

Regards.

12-18-2008, 07:30 PM

I've got one of the new Unibody MacBooks and absolutely love it! It's fast, it runs much cooler than my Black MacBook, and the glass trackpad is amazing!!

If you can afford it, I'd definitely recommend the new MacBook....specifically the 2.4ghz because of the backlit keyboard.

12-19-2008, 11:27 AM

I just picked my aluminum macbook up, it is insane. I used to have the alum. powerbook G4 back in the day when that was awesome, but this new computer makes me remember why I love Apple so much. I just got off from a Lenovo T61 before that I had a X61 for a bit, they don't compare to Apples at all... Everything works in with eachother, and there are never any problems! What more can you want.. ? :-p

01-28-2009, 01:55 PM

I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy a white MB or an aluminum one. My only thought is the lack of a firewire in the aluminum. I have one idea to fix this but it's only hypothetical. If anyone knows if this would fix it or not, please tell me. I have a 500gb mybook external HD. It has 2 firewire ports on the back. If I plugged the HD into the USB port would I then be able to plug my camera into the firewire port and import?

01-28-2009, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by sdelahunt

I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy a white MB or an aluminum one. My only thought is the lack of a firewire in the aluminum. I have one idea to fix this but it's only hypothetical. If anyone knows if this would fix it or not, please tell me. I have a 500gb mybook external HD. It has 2 firewire ports on the back. If I plugged the HD into the USB port would I then be able to plug my camera into the firewire port and import?

Nope. The extra firewire jack is for to allow you to "daisy chain" multiple firewire devices. It won't act as a convertor from USB to firewire

01-28-2009, 05:59 PM

Man, I'm really in love with how these babies look...I can only hope I can scrape together the funds to buy one within the next few weeks. From all that I've read, I would definitely suggest a new aluminum Macbook.

01-29-2009, 12:11 PM

I, too, am thinking of getting a new MacBook and have been considering the Aluminium 2.0GHz over the White 2.0GHz.

I know people are very enthusiastic about the 2.4GHz Illuminated keyboard but I don't think I could justify spending that much more when all I would need is the standard MB. I am a student into photography, short video editing and need office etc for uni work. I've never had to use a fireport so that's not important, i think.

For the same price as the A'ium MB 2GB ROM 160GB HD you can get the White MB with 4GB DDR2 250GB HD (according to Apple website). The size of the hard-drive doesn't interest me too much cus you can get really large external HD for dirt cheap these days but the extra RAM tempts me. Would it be worth getting over the 2GB DDR3?

My heart's set on the Al'ium MB because it looks the part and all the hipe surrounding it, unless I can be strongely convinced the White MB is better value for money. I would love any advice on the matter.

01-29-2009, 01:22 PM

Get the AL for structural integrity. Less joints= less creaking + no cracking. However, AL is more expensive than Poly Carbonate so if you were to dent it, expect to pay more for a case. Another plus on the AL is that if you dont like it, you could turn around and sell it easier than the white one. OH, the trackpad is the greatest thing ever. I get frustrated now when I have to use another trackpad. It's amazing. GO AL!