Buying a MacBook

[mikefly]

Hi all,

After much consideration, I´ve decided to buy a MacBook... here are my questions..

1) Is the core2 duo line much improved -- i.e. improved compatibility with intel / less problems etc.

I understand that the core2 duo is about 10% faster than core duo.. apple employees have suggested that buying an end of life at $1200 (CAD) rather than core2duo at $1350 (CAD) is a worthwhile choice.. do y.all agree?

And what about buying a used Macbook (core duo) for around $1100.. (no tax)

in all cases I´m refering to the 2.0 ghz -- I like the dvd burner and additional ram / HD .. (1 gig / 80 gig)

sorry for the incoherence of this message -- writing from Nicaragua so that I will have a decision made by the time I get home!

thanks for your help,

Mike

 

[mashinhead]

Hi all,

After much consideration, I´ve decided to buy a MacBook... here are my questions..

1) Is the core2 duo line much improved -- i.e. improved compatibility with intel / less problems etc.

I understand that the core2 duo is about 10% faster than core duo.. apple employees have suggested that buying an end of life at $1200 (CAD) rather than core2duo at $1350 (CAD) is a worthwhile choice.. do y.all agree?

And what about buying a used Macbook (core duo) for around $1100.. (no tax)

in all cases I´m refering to the 2.0 ghz -- I like the dvd burner and additional ram / HD .. (1 gig / 80 gig)

sorry for the incoherence of this message -- writing from Nicaragua so that I will have a decision made by the time I get home!

thanks for your help,

Mike

i say get a refurb, they are really great values now. From what i've read there really is a very margin, almost neglible, or not noticible, speed difference between the c2d and the core cduo. my vote is for refurb core duo.

 

[polevault139]

If I'm not mistaken I think that the Core Duo is not 64 bit. The Core 2 Duo on the other hand is 64 bit. The Core Duo has only 2 MB L2 Cache while the Core 2 Duo has 4MB L2 Cache. Unless these factors alter your decision a refurb CD Macbook sounds good. But with Leopard coming around you will be able to take advantage of the 64 bit capabilities.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[tundotcom]

Definitely check out refurbs as was previously suggested. You could get a C2D within your price range.

 

[mikefly]

Thanks..

Heya... noticed looking through the board about Leopard.. to be honest, I don´t know what this is..

Also, I´ve been putting off this purchase for a long time -- I need a computer, and can´t put it off any longer..

Seems to be mixed messages in the above posts (still appreciated!) .. Core duo is not a ´true´ 64 bit.. but I suspect that won´t matter much to me - except for resale.

And.. if I´m buying refurb - it´s to save some extra cash, rather than spend it!

Mike

 

[flopticalcube]

Leopard is the new version of the Mac OS (Version 10.5). Its release is imminent (next few months, at most). If you buy now, you get Tiger (10.4.8). It will probably cost about C$150 to upgrade to Leopard, if and when you want to. When Apple upgraded the CPU in the MacBook, they upped the standard RAM and hard disk size and added a wifi card that is capable of being upgraded to 802.11n instead of the older 802.11g cards found in the core duo machines. This may or may not be imprtant to you.

Both machines are capable of running XP or Vista. The Windows drivers will cost you US$30 for Tiger, but will come free with Leopard.

64bit is not important for many years yet and I would not make it a factor in your decision. If you buy refurbed, you get a 1 year warranty and I think that is worth it for a notebook. I also think that Applecare (2 more years of warranty) is worth it at CAD$299.

 

[maui-time]

Mikefly

I was also in the same boat. I was watching the refurb CD MBs flow through the Apple store for a couple of weeks. Then around the middle of Jan, I started to see MBP C2D 15" for $1350 or so. Also started to see C2D MBs show up.

I bit the bullet with a refurb C2D 2GHz white w/1G RAM on the 17th of Jan. It arrived on the 25th. Everything works perfectly.

Mostly I wanted the C2D for the larger cache, slight speed and power efficiency, and mainly for the rumored 802.11N chipset. The C2D I grabbed also had the extra 512M of ram so I don't plan to upgrade that unless I really have to.

But the CD 2GHz w/512M at $899 was really tempting!!

>>aloha<<

 

[netdog]

64-bit would be the main advantage. 64-bit apps and Leopard should take advantage of the C2D's capabilities, so don't save a few dollars now but regret it later. Go for the C2D.

 

[Cybergypsy]

Just bought a new 2.0 Macbook... for 1278.00 shipped.....Yea

 

[aurajun]

just bought one...

Yeah, I just bought a brand new black MB C2D w/ 1 gig RAM. And I gotta say its amazing. I've only heard the fans come on once and after that its dead silent. Its amazing. I say get one of C2D.

 

[tivoboy]

Just bought one

I just bought from amazon, 1050$ shipped, after a 150$ off coupon and their rebate.

Got here with free shipping, in 2 days, I haven't opened it yet.

does anyone have a link to a good startup thread.

 

[richard4339]

does anyone have a link to a good startup thread.

http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Beginner's_Guide

 

[tivoboy]

thanks

Thanks, I know this guide and have a couple macs,
just wondering if there were any macbook specific threads, like where to get the FAN utility, what you unistall, how to deal with fan noise, etc.?
maximize battery life?

 

[butaro]

One good tip i found out on my own kinda was if you are not really doing anything and your fans are loud, go to applications->utilities-> activity monitor and see if anything is taking 50%+ of the cpu, if this is something you quit or are not using then close it or force quit it and your fans should go down to nothing.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

Thanks, I know this guide and have a couple macs,
just wondering if there were any macbook specific threads, like where to get the FAN utility, what you unistall, how to deal with fan noise, etc.?
maximize battery life?

use one of the two search features here

 

[Cybergypsy]

Guys what was the APP to remove unwanted software programs....

 

[Scarlet Fever]

Guys what was the APP to remove unwanted software programs....

theres one called AppZapper which works a treat