Graduation Decision: New Macbook 2.0ghz or Black Macbook 08' 2.4ghz

Hey guys - I'm a longtime lurker of this forum and now come here to post about a HUGE decision I have to make and need some help.

I'm graduating college in 3 weeks and my Dad told me my Dell laptop has to be replaced (very true, had it for 5 years) and wants to get me a new one for my graduation. Initially, I wanted an HP but have fell in love with Macs recently and now know I want one.

I am now in between the NEW Macbook 2.0ghz or the Early 2008 Macbook (Black) with 2.4 ghz.

They can be found here:

(Nevermind I can't post a link)

What I want from my Notebook:

I'm going to be a college graduate and I will be using it mainly for internet, word, excel, photoshop and maybe some video editing with FCP

No games at all. I am just worried about buying an older technology when the new one is out. I LOVE the black look, but I am also worried about the durability since it's plastic and I want this for 2-3 years.

The black one, new is $1199 at the Apple Store. Is it possible to upgrade the RAM on this? Link --- from the "Clearence" at the Apple Store.

Basically, I'm on the fence big time.

Any advice? I'm purchasing this week.

THANKS!

 

I would go the new Alu macbook. Its lighter, and despite the slightly slower cpu, its will perform just as well if not better. Plus you get the bonus of a much better gpu, which will add to performance in apps like photoshop, and when snow leopard comes you should also benefit.
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http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=321772

 

I would go with Alu macbooks.

 

The new one, without a doubt..

 

the new one

 

I'd consider the BlackBook.

From the needs you listed, the 9400M isn't going to make much of a difference (if at all) over the X3100. Also, the extra processing power might be more beneficial in the long run.

Plus, you also like the black design.

 

Photoshop and video editing can both be GPU accelerated so I'd recommend the Alu book.

Plus the Alu book comes with a LED screen. It's not the best but is it brighter than the old Macbook's screen.

The very easy hard drive upgrade is another bonus.

 

mac os "snow leopard" will feature GPU acceleration,so 9400m makes sense.

 

New one without a doubt. Y would you get the old one??

 

Crap! The clearance black macbook WAS $1299. I would have bought that if it was $1199 like it is now.

 

Probably not the new one because you graduated and you wont bring it around anymore. Of course, I personally would go for the new one because it looks better and lighter

 

get the aluminum one. you'll get better performance in photoshop cs4 and the next version of mac OS.

 

New one hands down.

 

Think I saw a refurb in there yesterday for $1099

 

Wow! Everyone said the new one except one poster.

I went to the Mac store and have made my decision. Although I love the look of the Blackbook, the sturdiness and durability is a huge factor for me as well as good performence with SnowLeopard when it comes out.

One more question as I'm ready to purchase.


Should I upgrade the RAM to 4 GB or Hard Drive to 250 GB? I can only do one, and I need to choose only one.

Thank you

B72

 

I would go the RAM. The reason being
1) the price offered by apple on the RAM upgrade is currently "ok" in comparison to 3rd party dealers
2) The hdd is super easy to upgrade yourself, but the RAM is more tricky.
3) Hard drives are much much cheaper from 3rd party stores. So buy one in a few months and use the old drive for backups or what ever.

 

I would upgrade everything the third party way. If you order the stock 2 gb of ram from apple, and you get 4 gigs from a third party, you can sell the 2 gigs that came with the macbook and that would get some of your money back. Same with the hdd or you could use the 160 gig as a backup.

 

In theory yes, in reality 1GB DDR3 RAM sticks are in very low demand on the second hand market.

 

Unibody Macbook looks much more sturdy then the plastic Blackbook. I'm pretty sure it will stand better against the usual wear and tear then the old Macbooks.

 

Good point, Philflow

 

I disagree with this argument. If you send it in for service, they would need you to place the ORIGINAL RAM back into the machine. Thus they can ensure that any issues regarding the computer did not originate from the third part RAM. Thus you would need to keep it either way, which is completely pointless. I would agree with you on other aspects but to be honest 4GB of DDR3 laptop memory costs around 150. Apple's upgrade route from 2GB to 4GB for the 2.4 (not sure about the other one) model is 150.

 

Shouldn't the repair depot have their own known to be working "Apple certified" RAM and HDD in case they receive a notebook where the user rightfully has replaced the parts?