wondering the difference between macbook and macbook pro

[tornadochaser]

Good Morning everyone and Merry Christmas eve.

I am wondering if there is much difference between an early 2008 black macbook 2.4 ghz 2 gb ram and a 250 gb hd and an early 2008 macbook pro. really like the back lit keyboard but people told me that my macbook is basically the same specs as the early 2008 pro. just wondering what the difference is. my black macbook works totally awesome running 10.7.5 and it does have a brand new battery… just doesn't have the back lit keyboard and if i want to lay in bed using it i have to turn on a light to see keyboard.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

This is the Black Macbook and this is the comparable Macbook Pro. They are essentially the same processor and RAM. However, the Pro has a better graphics card, and sports a higher resolution on the larger 15" screen..

 

[tornadochaser]

it seems like they are basically the same machine. have to wonder if it is worth the trade i am looking at, trade my macbook that works perfect and has a new battery for the pro that has a totally dead battery and has quite a few scratches and dings on it. the trade would be my macbook plus $150.00

 

[Raz0rEdge]

What you get with the trade (up) is a larger 15" screen, but the rest of the cuts are the same. Now since you replaced the battery in you Black Macbook, you know how much that is going to cost you on the MBP.

Say that battery replacement runs you $100, you're now $250 into the "new" MBP that is still 5+ years old.

You might want to see if you can hold off for a newer Mac if you really are looking to upgrade..like something in the 2010 timeframe..

 

[tornadochaser]

I really do not need to upgrade, the macbook does everything i want it to do, and gets about 51/2 hours on a full charge. only thing is it doesn't have the back lit keyboard so it is a little hard to use laying in bed at 2 am without turning on a light

 

[MacInWin]

Get ye off to Wally World...Link.

 

[tornadochaser]

that could be a solution.

 

[pigoo3]

it seems like they are basically the same machine. have to wonder if it is worth the trade i am looking at, trade my macbook that works perfect and has a new battery for the pro that has a totally dead battery and has quite a few scratches and dings on it. the trade would be my macbook plus $150.00

I had/have a 2008 white MacBook just like your's (with 4gig of ram which made it run even better)...and I specifically pursued getting a MacBook Pro because I wanted the backlit keyboard. I got AWESOMELY lucky...and got a KILLER deal via Craig's List on an Early 2011 13" MBP...so it also came with a better cpu & gpu.

In your case...the 2008 MBP isn't going to be much difference in terms of performance from the 2008 MacBook...and the new/newer battery in the Macbook is certainly an important factor (especially if you use the computer unplugged quite a bit).

I think that if it wasn't for the newer battery...it would be an easier decision to go with the 2008 MBP. But you also need to consider how much a the larger 15" display is to you. Maybe you want it...and maybe you don't. It will certainly be heavier & a larger footprint...which may or may not be an issue for you from a portability standpoint.

I would also caution that the 2008 15" MBP has the "8600" dedicated graphics...which there were some widespread issues with (failing graphics hardware). The fact this 15" MBP is still running fine may mean that there isn't a problem...or it could mean something could happen any day.

I'm thinking that you may be better off skipping this deal. And that the USB light from Walmart could certainly be a temporary solution until you decide to get a newer MacBook Pro (with a backlit keyboard).

- Nick

p.s. I see that you're in Skokie. I happen to be in Wilmette at the moment. At my wife's parents for the holidays. Darn it's cold!!!

 

[chas_m]

The deal for the 2008 MacBook Pro is a bad deal. A 2009 or later MBP is much more obviously superior.

 

[pigoo3]

A 2009 or later MBP is much more obviously superior.

100% agree.

- Nick

 

[TattooedMac]

100% agree.

- Nick

And +2 here. 2 words come to mind. . .

Future Proof

 

[harryb2448]

The newer the better ~ if the goodies run to it a 2011 model will far outperform any model coming up to its sixth birthday!