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need help choosing a macbook

S

sr5878

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 5, 2007
772
0
hey guys,

my girlfriend will be a sophomore in college next year and is in desperate need for a new machine. the one she bought from the school ($2100) now retails for less than $500.... it's awful. and as a nerd, i can't let this stand.

i want her to get a macbook, but i want to find one she will notice a big leap in performance with. she's mosty IM/email/blogging with itunes running, school stuff (word processing) and an occasional high-load task. if i can get an older machine (ebay) for $730 (1.83gh cd, 60gb, 512mb, but upped to 2 once i get my 2x2gb for my srmbp) then i can save her some money. inversely, she really could spend $999 for a new one and the edu discount. there are also 2ghz core duos and 2ghz core 2 duos out there, all less than $950.

case in point, how much processor power will she need? 60gb is plenty for her docs and multimedia, and no matter what she's getting 2gb of memory from the machine i'm using now. is the leap huge between 1.83ghz cd > 2ghz cd > 2ghz c2d > 2.16ghz c2d? i want to get her something she can comfortably use for the next 2-3 years.

thanks a lot guys... input greatly appreciated :)
 
sr5878 said:
case in point, how much processor power will she need? 60gb is plenty for her docs and multimedia, and no matter what she's getting 2gb of memory from the machine i'm using now. is the leap huge between 1.83ghz cd > 2ghz cd > 2ghz c2d > 2.16ghz c2d? i want to get her something she can comfortably use for the next 2-3 years.
Click to expand...

For today's use, I'd say the 2.0Ghz C2D (sure the 1.8 would probably do the job, but you'd lose all your geek-cred if you went for the lowest option available), but if she's looking at keeping it for 3 years, god knows what we could be doing with our systems then, so I'd definitely be looking at the 2.16 or higher. I would highly recommend the Core 2 Duo over the Core Duo though, there was a fair jump in performance there.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Macbook-Core-Du...QQihZ010QQcategoryZ140064QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

im looking at this one now... keep in mind it will be upgraded to 2gb ram.

i think 2.16 c2d might be overdoing it and adding extra expense. does 160mhz really make a huge difference? i can understand the leap between cd and c2d. it looks like c2d macbooks go for over 1000 on amazon/ebay... if i cant find something cheaper, or if cd seems out of the question, maybe i'll just tell her to buy a new macbook. i suppose reselling the ipod nano will cover the tax at least.
 
I'd say get her the new bottom line Macbook. it's a great value and the 2.0Ghz C2D will kick some butt with 2Gb of ram and 80Gb of storage should be more than enough if what you say is true...

or you could e-bay it. But with the new Mac's under student discount you can get a nano ipod for free with a mail in rebate. Which is a great deal if she doesn't already have an ipod.
 
sr5878 said:
if i can get an older machine (ebay) for $730 (1.83gh cd, 60gb, 512mb, but upped to 2 once i get my 2x2gb for my srmbp) then i can save her some money. inversely, she really could spend $999 for a new one and the edu discount. there are also 2ghz core duos and 2ghz core 2 duos out there, all less than $950.
Click to expand...

Since she is in college, get the low MacBook and the free ipod...sell the ipod for 150 and it'll cost you around 850...

that's what i told my g/f and she is really thinking about it...she loves her 1.0 iBook, but she needs an update and i'm really pushing this deal since it's normally a 1100 machine (minus edu discount)..
 
i suppose.... honestly, her current machine is a load of **** and i dont know if i'll be able to sell it.


hp *model??
1.8ghz centrino
512mb ram
60gb hdd
xp pro

lags like ****, crashes like ****... the monitor closed/sleep button is so in the way that she's always sleeping her computer by mistake. it only gets 1024x768 on a 14" normal aspect ratio machine. the wireless sucks. i honestly pity her for paying $2100 for it in summer 2006. i told her not to... but now she's listening when i say to get a mac :) her school royally hosed her... i cant believe they got away with selling these to the incoming class last year.
 
she paid 2100 for a comp that's only worth 500 now not even a year ago? that's insane. I have a raggedy compaq that I bought for 500 a year ago and I can even get 300-350 for that. u probably can get more for that comp if u package it right. what kind is it specifically? anyway I agree w/the base new mb recommendation. buy the ipod and bring the price down more by selling it. u could always get a refurb c2d mb for like 900 straight up. they have the newest ones in there now too for 1049 in a whitebook. very worth it.
 
jayeskreezy said:
she paid 2100 for a comp that's only worth 500 now not even a year ago?
Click to expand...

i know. i searched the model on ebay (compaq nc6230) and i see it (not) selling on ebay for around 700-1000 brand new. her school hosed her... it's the only explanation.
 
Any of the current macbooks will last her longer than even your relationship with her.
 
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