How does this older Macbook stackup to the new model?

Hi,

I'm looking at getting a black macbook, the 2 models I am trying to compare are the new MB404LL/A against the older MB158LL/B. When comparing them the only thing I noticed was that the newer model has a larger hard drive (250GB vs 160GB), the 2.4Ghz processor vs the 2.2Ghz (Also a Penryn instead of a Santa Rosa), and will come with an updated 10.5.2 Leopard version instead of 10.5 - which doesn't matter because I would just update myself, just would save time.

I can get the MB158LL/B for only $1,200, no tax or shipping... but I can also get the newer MB404LL/A for $1,400, no tax or shipping. These upgrades don't seem to justify the extra cost, the processor gain seems like it would be minimal, and I don't need the extra storage... Was there anything else that was changed in the new model? $1,400 also seems high when you could get the new Macbook Pro for $1,800, so $1,200 would feel a little better in that regard.

One thing that concerns me is that I read somewhere that the black Macbooks used to be painted rather than black plastic - would this be the case with the MB158LL/B model?

The only other model I saw was a MB063LL/B, seems to be the same as the MB158LL/B, but has 1GB of memory instead of 2GB - it is also $1,200.

Thoughts people?

 

the only difference between the 2 is the bigger harddrive and better cpu
they are both based on the santa rosa platform. penryn i think is the code name of the new cpu, i think the old one is called merom

 

If the hard drive is bigger, and it has a better cpu, I would spend the extra 200

 

The penryn cpu will give you extra battery life and more performance...id spend that $200.

 

The hard drive is nicer, but you really won't see a difference in CPU performance, I think. The extra 200 MHz isn't much, and it actually has a slightly smaller L2 cache than the Santa Rosa model, I believe (3 MB vs. 4 MB).

Honestly, if you don't need the extra storage, get the older model, pocket the $200, and you'll be just fine.

 

While performance is similar, the Penryn MacBook will also have a better resale value if you decide to sell it.

 

I completey agree.

 

You are correct.

I say go for the Penryn.

 

Well, I mean, the processor has minimal improvements, nothing too significant, and its not like the previous Merom chip was terrible, its still awesome. And for $200, you can get a much larger external hard drive .

 

right on. up until the point where a new gen comes out, then its worth what its worth.

i just sold a 2.2 white macbook on ebay. guy got a great deal. 2.2/7k200/parallels/4gb ram for 1100$

i actually sold it twice on ebay, first guy didnt pay. the first auction was before the penryn release. and it sold for 1450$ then. really sucks, ebay is a joke.

 

For less than $200 you can buy a 320gig WD Scorpion HD off of newegg, and a cheap external 2.5inch USB case for the 160gig you pull out of it....alah time machine drive until it fills up.

The CPU is no real performance difference as others have said. The lower cache slows it down but it has a higher speed so its a wash.

The CPU is slightly cooler, so less fan, and smaller both equal longer battery life, but I think that is 10-20min max.

 

Thanks for the advice people. I think I like the 2.2 Macbook better, now I just need to decide between the Macbook and Dell M1330...