06-18-2009, 09:32 PM

Hi there,

I'm considering buying a 2nd-hand mb pro, mostly for Modul8 (vjing), Final Cut, AfterEffects, Photoshop, Illustrator.
Which of these for better performance - about the same price - esp Graphics cards + how the other specs would affect...

and are the 8600s dodgy?

# Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.2GHz Processor (T7500)
# Nividia GeForce 8600M - 128MB Graphics Card
# 4GB RAM (DDR2)
# Brand New 320GB Hard Drive

VS

# Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.33GHz Processor (T7600)
# ATI Radeon X1600 - 256MB Graphics Card
# 3GB RAM (DDR2)
# Brand New 250GB Hard Drive
(bit cheaper)

?

......
also this looks better but I'll only sacrifice on storage if LOADS better - is it?

# Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.4GHz Processor (T8300)
# Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT - 256MB Graphics Card
# 3GB RAM (DDR2)
# 160GB Hard Drive


THANKS LOTS

06-18-2009, 09:41 PM

You can buy a 500 GB HD to put in any of them for less than $100, so don't worry too much about the storage. In fact, you can get a 500 GB HD from newegg plus an external enclosure for your old drive for less than $110, and you have 500 GB of storage in your Mac plus a nice 160GB USB external drive for backup or whatever.

I'd go for the 3rd option and upgrade the HD. The 8600M GT card is a good bit faster than the ATI X1600

06-18-2009, 09:58 PM

that's great thanks Nathan
you wouldn't say the 8600s are overly problematic then?
thanks

06-18-2009, 10:03 PM

The first 2 would be almost identical machines.
The 8600 is the better video card but only has half the memory while the 2.33 is the faster processor.

The third machine is the better of the three - LOADS better? - How many dollars more are you talking about? $100 - Yes; $300 - Not imho.

Between the 3, think I'd go with the ATI card.
Partially because I'm biased, as I have that machine and at 2 1/2 yrs old, it's still going strong and I'd place it in the rank of the 2nd best computer I've ever owned. (And that's been more than a few since my first one in '82.)
Partially because there are issues with the NVidia card that affected those manufactured from May '07 to Sep '08. Apple has extended the warranty on the video to three years from date of original purchase - but that sounds like a pitr to me.

With the programs you want to use - the 4GB machine could be a better choice. Not sure it would give you all that much better performance vs 3 GB though. The 2.33 machine can only use 3 GB max. I have put 4 GB in mine under the perception that it will still use dual channel. Whether it actually does or not - ??

If any of those are over $1000 from a 3rd party seller, personally I would decline and start watching Apple for a refurbished unit for not much more cash. Just saw someone else get a great refurb for $1449 a few days ago and you'll have the Apple warranty on it for a year. Check out this machine another member got here.

06-18-2009, 10:22 PM

thanks that's really helpful

1,£820, 2,£730, 3,£800 (UK) 3rd party "warranty" - needs investigating..

number 2.. sounds pretty reliable (if I can put up with a usb dongle for wireless which it needs apparently!)

but I will def check out the Mac refurbs, that's a good plan indeed

thanks very much

06-19-2009, 07:23 AM

It does not need a usb dongle for wireless. It was one of the first machines with wireless n and we had to pay $10 (or some ridiculous petty amount that I forget now) to enable it.

Apple did have issues with the drivers for that wireless card, but it has been fully stable now since 10.5.2.

At those prices, I'd throw out the 1st one and go with #2 or 3.

Apple UK refurbs has the 2.53, 4GB, 320GB, the dual video cards (9400 & 9600) with 512MB at £1079.

I have never been enthused with purchasing used computers. Unless the difference in price is an issue with your finances - that refurb is a much better machine. From the CPU, 1066 bus, DDR3 RAM, to the video card - that is a good step up from either of the other 2 and you'll have a 1 yr warranty from Apple.

06-19-2009, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by bobtomay

It does not need a usb dongle for wireless. It was one of the first machines with wireless n and we had to pay $10 (or some ridiculous petty amount that I forget now) to enable it.

haahahah

$1.99

06-19-2009, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by nZa

haahahah

$1.99

lol - yeah, I knew it was some amount that wasn't worth trying to keep in the old memory cells