Is superdrive worth extra money?

I'm not very technical and would like to surprise my daugther with a mcabook for graduation (and she isn't either.) I can get both the entry level and the mid level for $200 off retail this weekend. I think the entry level specs would be fine for my daughter; however, I am wondering whether I should go with the mid-level due to the Superdive. She doesn't burn DVDs now (only CDs) but I don't know whether she would if gi9ven the option. Your advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance. (I also know many woul say wait until June, but she is fine with her classic iPod which she bought shortly before the touch came out--so having the latest and greatest is not high on her priority list.)

 

Well, if she probably won't be using the DVD burner, then the base model MacBook sounds fine! Although, its better to have it and not need it most of the time, than not to have it when you do need it .

 

A year ago I was content without a DVD burner, and now that I have one, I've got a stack of blank CDs that haven't been touched in months, and an almost empty spindle of blank DVDs.

I'd say go for the mid-level book with a super drive. It will at least make the usable life of the MacBook last another few years.

 

if she'll use it then sure. but she can always get an external for cheaper, like 60$ and she'd have one.

I say get the base model, and if she needs one in the future, point her to newegg.com. its not worth 200$ just for the burner if thats all you want.

but you have to consider, you also get:

300mhz more per core (not really earthshattering must have)
40GB of HD space (might be useful, but probably not)
and 1gb MORE ram.

that all to me is worth it, but then again, i need the dvdrw drive.

if she doesnt, i say stick with something cheaper.

 

I think the OP should get his daughter the Superdrive model. You don't have to be burning DVD's for movies only. His daughter may have a huge project that she may need to be backed up or several small programs or projects and it would be a lot more space saving to burn them to a DVD rather than a bunch of CD's or even a backup hard drive.
A backup hard drive is nice but it won't be easy to carry around all the time unless it's a portable drive and that's still extra weight in her purse or book bag.

 

I have nothing to add to what has been said; I'd just like to say that it's a disgrace that Apple still ships computers with Combo drives.

 

ABSOLUTELY go for the DVD drive. She is going to be a college student and you want the notebook to last her a good amount of time, and it will save her hassles in the future if she needs to burn to DVD discs. Definitely worth it. Technology is moving so fast, before you know it the conventional CD will be outdated. I burn music cds all the time, now I never burn them to CDs but to DVDs.

Please inform us of your ultimate decision .

 

Superdrive is definitely worth it, not to mention all the other extras you will get over the entry level Macbook.

 

Conventional cds already are outdated----and so will the dvd be, in a couple of years.

 

I believe ya. I wouldn't consider CDs to really be outdated as yet... many many people still use em... Not obsolete at the moment. But yeah, I feel ya.

 

I would say for $200 it is definitely worth the upgrade. Remember as others have said you get more than just the SuperDrive. You also get more RAM more hard drive space and a better processor. Also, as another mentioned, the SuperDrive is for more than burning movies, it also makes a great backup device.

 

Thanks for all the advice. After weeks of toiling over which OS would be better, which "brand" is best, purchasing a Dell M1330 and cancelling it, pondering whether I should buy refurbished, trying to decide which Macbook I should get, then toiling over whether to wait until a back-to-school promotion or for a rumored re-design, I pulled the trigger and bought the MB403LL. I figured there was no need to wait until the iPod special since the store I got it from was selling it for $1099 rather than the typical $1199 with the Educational discount and that we would explain to our daughter that if she wants to wait for a possible redesign, we can return it and wait. (My guess is she will say, heck no, it matches my white iPod classic.) Again, thanks for the advice.

 

congrats....great choice. its worth 200$ for all that extra stuff.

Ram- 50$
processor bump- 50$
dvd burning-50$
extra HD space- maybe 50$

works out well.

 

IMO, no, it's not worth it.

my two years owning a macbook, I burned exactly 1 dvd.

superdrive is a waste of money.

 

And what have we learned today, children? Subjectivity is a wonderful thing?

 

Well, I've burned more than one DVD . It definitely saved me once, I had to burn a few video DVDs of a video project I did, and no burner but my MacBook. Lucky for me I had a SuperDrive!

 

Well, on these forums there are even people who advocate that paying more for less functionality is perfectly fine, even commendable, if you don't really need the extra functionality.

At least, it's somewhat reasonable for someone to say that one should pay less for less.

 

I resemble that remark... I've thrown over $800 into my 800MHz P3 based laptop.

But my laptop can beat up your laptop Also has a powerful GPS system built in, and a touch screen

 

^ I had a certain "airy" product in mind; not your Toughbook!

 

I know, but it almost fit the bill

The Air has it's place, but for most people, they aren't the place.

 

i think the air is quite suitable for most people. they just need an external drive for DVDs, no big deal there.

i almost bought the air, but it was pretty underpowered vs the similar priced MBP, so i went pro again.

 

get the superdrive, you dont know when it might comes in handy.