Refurb or Newest MBP?

jbachandouris · Apr 14, 2010

I have found a refurb MBP for $929. 2.26GHz, 2GB, 160GB HD, 13.3". 7 hr battery life. (I will upgrade the memory so add $100 to price)

The newest is $1199. 2.46GHz, 4GB, 250GB HD, TEN hour battery life.

Price difference-about $180.

This will be my first Mac. No real reason to buy one except that I am bored with Windows and want something new (the battery life and beautiful display are my biggest draws).

So, what do you think? Are the increased specs really worth the $180?

mdfuller · Apr 14, 2010

Depends. Do you need them? Lame response I know, but how could we answer your question if we have NO idea what you will be doing with the thing?

jbachandouris · Apr 14, 2010

mdfuller said:
Depends. Do you need them? Lame response I know, but how could we answer your question if we have NO idea what you will be doing with the thing?

Of course I don't need them!

Since I have never owned a Mac, I don't know what hardware specs I would need to 'future-proof' it.

Is 2GB enough or should I immediately upgrade to 4GB (only $100). As for HD size, my wife and I are sharing a PC laptop and combined we use 111GB, BUT Macs seem to be easier to do some things. Maybe I will use my digital camera more and the picture organization is way better.

MYmacROX · Apr 14, 2010

Processor-wise, no. To go from 2GB to GB of RAM will set ya back almost $100. And as you mentioned, the HDD will be a $100. So, now you have something to work with....

jbachandouris · Apr 14, 2010

MYmacROX said:
Processor-wise, no. To go from 2GB to GB of RAM will set ya back almost $100. And as you mentioned, the HDD will be a $100. So, now you have something to work with....

So....do you recommend the older MBP with a 4GB upgrade? Or should I just buy the new one so that it will have the latest specs?

quin · Apr 14, 2010

You should keep in mind when order from Apple, that you would have to pay tax on the refurbished one. I ordered my refurb through Apple. It's free shipping but tax added another $70 to the cost. $999+$70=$1069. I could have had a brand new one from a couple of on-line mail order place with free shipping and no tax at $1120 to $1140. My savings for getting a refurb was $50-$70. Not much. Also, if you're going to buy a refurb MBP with a core2duo, you might as well buy a new one with C2Duo, since resellers would tend to lower the price to sell off their stocks of now older C2Duo MBP

Apple 13.3" MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, SuperDrive - Aluminum unibody MB990LL/A

jbachandouris · Apr 14, 2010

quin said:
You should keep in mind when order from Apple, that you would have to pay tax on the refurbished one. I ordered my refurb through Apple. It's free shipping but tax added another $70 to the cost. $999+$70=$1069. I could have had a brand new one from a couple of on-line mail order place with free shipping and no tax at $1120 to $1140. My savings for getting a refurb was $50-$70. Not much. Also, if you're going to buy a refurb MBP with a core2duo, you might as well buy a new one with C2Duo, since resellers would tend to lower the price to sell off their stocks of now older C2Duo MBP

Apple 13.3" MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, SuperDrive - Aluminum unibody MB990LL/A

I have taken tax into account. What I failed to mention is that I will be using the Apple Credit Card-no interest for a full year.

Chud · Apr 14, 2010

jbachandouris said:
I have taken tax into account. What I failed to mention is that I will be using the Apple Credit Card-no interest for a full year.

Just make sure you pay it off within that year or you'll be socked with all of the interest from day one.

foxj66 · Apr 14, 2010

Also are you a student? because you will get a 100 off of the new one if you are.

jbachandouris · Apr 15, 2010

foxj66 said:
Also are you a student? because you will get a 100 off of the new one if you are.

No, unfortunately not a student.

tjmac · Apr 15, 2010

MYmacROX said:
Processor-wise, no. To go from 2GB to GB of RAM will set ya back almost $100. And as you mentioned, the HDD will be a $100. So, now you have something to work with....

I agree. It will be about $200 to add the extra 2MB and upgrade the hard drive.
In addition, consider how much you travel with your laptop. If it is a lot, the extra battery life may be worth it to you.

jbachandouris · Apr 15, 2010

tjmac said:
I agree. It will be about $200 to add the extra 2MB and upgrade the hard drive.
In addition, consider how much you travel with your laptop. If it is a lot, the extra battery life may be worth it to you.

I may just end up with the refurb. Number 1, I don't really travel and number 2, I have never had a Mac before, so who's to say if I need the extra memory/HD space. I am tech-inclined, so I can change them when and if needed.