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Should I buy newest macbook or previous gen for lots cheaper?

W

wingedvictory

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 16, 2007
2
0
So this week the logic board on my ibook g4 failed again but this time I am out of warranty. Thus I am out of a computer. I must buy a computer very soon and am looking at purchasing a new macbook. However I am unsure whether I should buy one of the newest ones (2.16, 1gb ram, 120gb hdd, 8x super) for the edu price of 1199 or the previous generation (2.0, 1gb ram, 80gb hdd, 6x superdrive) for edu price of 949 at the bookstore.

Any thoughts?

I generally use my computer for recreation purposes but also dabble in photoshop and final cut. No gpu needed, as motion is not a concern of mine.
 
Get refurb, best of both worlds -- better deal than your edu price

Blackbook refurb has C2D 2.0, 1gb, 120gb, surperdrive for $1049.
 
I'd say refurb also... you're still getting C2D, right?

The only question I'd have is how much the 80GB is going to be a barrier for you... Final Cut uses space pretty quickly, non?

On the other hand, the hard drive is very easy to upgrade if you need to do so -- and I think you can get a larger hard drive than the new one comes with, for the price difference between the two? Perhaps at some point you can purchase a 200GB+ 2.5" drive and enclosure, pull out the 80GB, and put it in the enclosure?
 
I would go for the 17" MBP. I saw those on apple's refurb section and the thought crossed my mind. but I already have enough computers.
 
Not to make this harder, but don't forget you can get a free ipod (with mail in rebate) if you go with the new one. Just a thought...;)
 
Yeah the ipod was a concern, but this isn't a refurb older macbook. At the university bookstore they have the older discounted stock and it seemed that you could still utilize the rebate as it was a new purchase. The only thing was they made you purchase applecare with the laptop. So it was listed as if you purchase a macbook and applecare you would get the speciality price on the macbook of 949. Applecare was 193 or something like that, and then you had the ability to get a printer and nano for free.
 
I would go refurb. If I had to do it again, I would have done the refurb way, buy a larger HD and replace it. AppleCare is always great. Seems to me you will get more for your money that way.

my 2 cents...

Enjoy whatever you get.:)
 
nichos said:
Not to make this harder, but don't forget you can get a free ipod (with mail in rebate) if you go with the new one. Just a thought...;)
Click to expand...

i agree with this. i'd get the older (but new) macbook. get the printer and the nano and sell them. you might be able to end up with a macbook for under $800.
 
i would buy off of macmall.com, u get a $100 mail in rebate discounts on xp or vista and they have a lot of choices. I would go with a 2.0ghz vs the 2.16ghz, i dont think you wil c much of a speed bumb.

my 2 cents
 
get the refurbs.


when apple has to compare the new revisions to the original Core Duo (not core 2 duo) macbook pros, you know that the difference is insignificant.

however, i just got mine last week.

the reasons for wanting it is the graphics card (i like games) and the high-res 1920x1200 screen
 
get the new macbook and sell the ipod mini to your friend. then its the same price ;)
 
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