Coreduo blackbook $1300 or Core2duo blackbook $1499?

[PDE]

I have a friend who wants to get a black macbook and asked me for advice. She will use it for iphoto, mail, wordprocessing, itunes etc - mainly basic stuff. She found a closeout blackbook locally for 1300 (with tax) or she could buy one online for 1499 - any advice? Is there any real performance difference between the two? Any other differences? Will the 64bit architecture make a difference in the near future?

I'm inclined to recommend getting the cheaper one, unless there are very real performance differences or something else (like the surface material) has changed....

Thanks

 

[adiosk8]

this could be answered easily just by reading or searching for this topic...but get the core 2 duo....64 bit support, draft N wireless, fixing of first gen problems, more ram and bigger hard drive standards....and the chip is faster....what more could you ask for on 200 bucks?

 

[chaslam]

I dont know if the Macbooks have pre-N chipsets do they?

Anyway, I would go for the C2D ones. Firstly they seem to run cooler, then have bigger HDDs and more RAM. Go for C2D.

 

[TequilaBoobs]

the markup for the new blackbook is much less, considering the 64 bit and the HD and RAM upgrades. Plus u get bragging rights, which is priceless.

 

[PDE]

this could be answered easily just by reading or searching for this topic...but get the core 2 duo....64 bit support, draft N wireless, fixing of first gen problems, more ram and bigger hard drive standards....and the chip is faster....what more could you ask for on 200 bucks?

I guess I was lazy...

Still, I'm not sure if 64 bit support, draft N wireless means much given that 32 bit OS and software will be around for many more years...more ram and HDD is ofof course always and if she has to buy more ram that will add $100 to the cost, making the difference only around $200....which IS still money that could be spent in other ways. It's easy to start thinking that we really NEED things that we don't need. I mean, after all, up until last year many of us were getting along on our G4 systems that were mucch much less powerful than even the lowest end macbook!

I guess the new motherboard and hopefully no RSS is worth a lot, but then again they seemed to have fixed that with the last bunch of Macbooks anyway.

I think I'll still suggest getting the newer one - thanks everybody for the input.

cheers,

 

[lord patton]

She found a closeout blackbook locally for 1300 (with tax) or she could buy one online for 1499 - any advice?

Will your online retailer charge tax? Apple does (amazon doesn't, and they normally have big rebates, too).

 

[PDE]

No, I recommended amazon as a place to buy since they have good price and even better return policies should need be. the local macbook cost 1200 excluding tax ($1300 with tax) and online the new one is 1499 with no tax and free shipping.

 

[pcguru83]

You can get a Core Duo BlackBook for much less than $1300. The Apple Store online is currently selling them for only $1099. Just go the the Apple Store page, and look for "Refurbished Macs" on the left hand side. Great deal. Most everyone I've talked to has had nothing but good things to say about Mac refurbs.

 

[xfiftyfour]

You can get a Core Duo BlackBook for much less than $1300. The Apple Store online is currently selling them for only $1099. Just go the the Apple Store page, and look for "Refurbished Macs" on the left hand side. Great deal. Most everyone I've talked to has had nothing but good things to say about Mac refurbs.

Second that. If you're going to buy a CoreDuo, don't pay $1300+.. buy online from Apple refurbs for $1099 + tax.. probably end up right around $1200. Best deal you'll find.

 

[docmar]

New blackbook core2duo's are on amazon for 1400 after rebate right now.

 

[cecildk9999]

If you do go for the refurb, I'd recommend popping some extra RAM in there. I think the biggest advantage of the newer models is the RAM boost they get; should keep all of those day-to-day uses moving smoothly. Still, the refurb+RAM will end up as less expensive overall: that's my 2 cents

 

[MUCKYFINGERS]

IMO to do basic stuff she only needs a core duo macbook. but if she's the nerdy type who won't be happy unless she has the best technology, tell her to get the higher end blackbook.