refurb pro or new macbook?

ecklesweb · ecklesweb #1 (**permalink**)

12-21-2008, 02:36 PM

Hi folks -

I'm looking for some advice on chosing a new laptop. I'm writing on a 6 or 7 year old iMac and we've just killed our 5 year old iBook.

I've got a budget of <$1400. The two choices that I'm agonizing between are a new Macbook 2.0 GHz w/ 4GB RAM (which with my higher ed discount comes in at $1389) and a refurbished Macbook Pro 2.4 GHz w/ 2 GB RAM ($1349). Most computationally intensive task we'll likely do is manage about 5000 pics in iphoto.

My instinct is to go for more RAM. My dad is of the opinion that the processor speed and other features make the pro worth sacrificing the RAM.

What are your thoughts?

Jay

TinyEric · TinyEric #2 (**permalink**)

12-21-2008, 02:41 PM

Personally, go for the new MacBook.

avtraino · avtraino #3 (**permalink**)

12-21-2008, 02:47 PM

I'd go for the refurb Macbook Pro.

It's better in every way imaginable: Bigger screen, faster processor, faster graphics card (to my knowledge), and you can always bump up the RAM later to match the Macbook at 4GB.

You may not need all the power now, but it will last longer.
The only downside will be a more "dated" machine and less trackpad functionality.

Please let us know your final choice

dabears34 · dabears34 #4 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 01:11 AM

I would go with the refurbished pro. It might be an older machine but its much more formidable than the base new macbook. Its not quite as flashy but It will last longer(most Likely).

torchy · torchy #5 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 02:14 AM

I had a similar choice two months ago ~ New MacBook or previous version MacBook Pro.
Bought the MacBook Pro and couldn't be happier. I'll double the Ram later .

Santino · Santino #6 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 05:56 AM

If the amount of ram is what making you choose the MB, i'd say go with the MBP. It has better specs and later on you can upgrade it to 4gb with ease, plus DDR2 prices gonna be dropping from time to time.

bobtomay · bobtomay #7 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 06:37 AM

Never buy a computer today based on the amount of RAM it has.

Just purchased 4GB Corsair CAS4 RAM for $35. Here is a Crucial 4GB kit for $37.

Want to upgrade the processor and video card in that MB - not possible.

ecklesweb · ecklesweb #8 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I am well convinced to go with the Pro. I appreciate the help!

Jay

Dylanyouto · Dylanyouto #9 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 03:50 PM

Not telling you to buy one or the other but I think upgrading the RAM on the Macbook Pro to 4gb would be under 100 dollars on crucial. So I wouldn't really be so much concerned about the RAM as to which machine you would rather work with and carry around. Try them both out and see which you like better.

Hope this helps

cwa107 · cwa107 #10 (**permalink**)

12-22-2008, 08:53 PM

NOTE: Thread moved to appropriate forum. Not just anything goes in Anything Goes

recon731 · recon731 #11 (**permalink**)

12-23-2008, 04:26 PM

4.0GB Kit (2.0GB+2.0GB) PC2-5300 DDR2 667... (53IM2DDR4GBK) at OWC

Never buy upgrade RAM through Apple. How ever much I stand behind them in their products, their upgrade prices are way over priced.

ecklesweb · ecklesweb #12 (**permalink**)

12-23-2008, 10:44 PM

Placed the order for the refurb'ed macbook pro. Thanks!

torchy #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 25, 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 758 Mac Specs: 13" MBA. 15" MBP. iPhone 4. 3G Pad 2.	12-22-2008, 02:14 AM I had a similar choice two months ago ~ New MacBook or previous version MacBook Pro. Bought the MacBook Pro and couldn't be happier. I'll double the Ram later . ~ 15" MacBook Pro. OSX 10.7 ~ 3G iPad 2 ~ Measure twice, cut once..
	QUOTE Thanks

Santino #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 30, 2008 Location: Argentina Posts: 224	12-22-2008, 05:56 AM If the amount of ram is what making you choose the MB, i'd say go with the MBP. It has better specs and later on you can upgrade it to 4gb with ease, plus DDR2 prices gonna be dropping from time to time. Intel iMac 24" 2.8Ghz / 4gb PowerBook G4 12" 1.33Ghz / 1.25gb 2Gb Black iPod Nano 1G Canon 30D, recently inherited!
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,828 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	12-22-2008, 06:37 AM Never buy a computer today based on the amount of RAM it has. Just purchased 4GB Corsair CAS4 RAM for $35. Here is a Crucial 4GB kit for $37. Want to upgrade the processor and video card in that MB - not possible. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month Last edited by bobtomay; 12-22-2008 at 06:43 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

cwa107 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,920 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	12-22-2008, 08:53 PM NOTE: Thread moved to appropriate forum. Not just anything goes in Anything Goes Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

recon731 #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 03, 2008 Posts: 78 Mac Specs: 27" 2.93Ghz i7 iMac 16GB, 15" 2.66 Ghz i7 MBP 8GB, 2.13Ghz MBA 4GB, iPhone4 32GB, iPad3G 32GB	12-23-2008, 04:26 PM 4.0GB Kit (2.0GB+2.0GB) PC2-5300 DDR2 667... (53IM2DDR4GBK) at OWC Never buy upgrade RAM through Apple. How ever much I stand behind them in their products, their upgrade prices are way over priced. Mac4Life (with a PC gaming rig as well)
	QUOTE Thanks

refurb pro or new macbook?

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ecklesweb #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 21, 2008 Posts: 3	12-21-2008, 02:36 PM Hi folks - I'm looking for some advice on chosing a new laptop. I'm writing on a 6 or 7 year old iMac and we've just killed our 5 year old iBook. I've got a budget of <$1400. The two choices that I'm agonizing between are a new Macbook 2.0 GHz w/ 4GB RAM (which with my higher ed discount comes in at $1389) and a refurbished Macbook Pro 2.4 GHz w/ 2 GB RAM ($1349). Most computationally intensive task we'll likely do is manage about 5000 pics in iphoto. My instinct is to go for more RAM. My dad is of the opinion that the processor speed and other features make the pro worth sacrificing the RAM. What are your thoughts? Jay
	QUOTE Thanks

TinyEric #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 13, 2008 Location: UK Posts: 107 Mac Specs: MacBook, iSight, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 2GB, 160GB HD.	12-21-2008, 02:41 PM Personally, go for the new MacBook.
	QUOTE Thanks

dabears34 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 410 Mac Specs: Macbook 2.4 GHZ, 2G Ram, 160 GB HD\| iPhone 4	12-22-2008, 01:11 AM I would go with the refurbished pro. It might be an older machine but its much more formidable than the base new macbook. Its not quite as flashy but It will last longer(most Likely).
	QUOTE Thanks

ecklesweb #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 21, 2008 Posts: 3	12-22-2008, 03:31 PM Thanks for the advice, everyone. I am well convinced to go with the Pro. I appreciate the help! Jay
	QUOTE Thanks

Dylanyouto #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 25, 2008 Posts: 120 Mac Specs: 2.4ghz MacBook Aluminum/ 16GB IPod Touch :D	12-22-2008, 03:50 PM Not telling you to buy one or the other but I think upgrading the RAM on the Macbook Pro to 4gb would be under 100 dollars on crucial. So I wouldn't really be so much concerned about the RAM as to which machine you would rather work with and carry around. Try them both out and see which you like better. Hope this helps
	QUOTE Thanks

ecklesweb #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 21, 2008 Posts: 3	12-23-2008, 10:44 PM Placed the order for the refurb'ed macbook pro. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

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