Is the 2010 13" Macbook Pro for $999 a good deal?

At first I wasn't very sure about the core 2 duo processor and the integrated GPU but after I put some thought into it I'm a little conflicted.

A i5 processor with turo boost and hyperthreading would be a huge leap above core 2 duo but isn't a highly clocked core 2 duo pretty comparable to a i3 processor? I can't image the performance would be THAT mind blowing.

Kind of the same deal for GPU the 320m seems perform very well for integrated and honestly, I don't really play games and when I do I don't mind playing on lower setting.

Your opinions would be greatly appreciate. Should I pull the trigger now or hold out and see if Apple puts in a i5 into the 13" models in winter?

 

Yes I think it is a very good deal. Sure it doesnt have the i3 in the macbook pros but it does have the faster penryn processors while having the powerful nvidia 320m (which is just a little slower than the previous generation 9600m gt card) which is a dedicated gpu on the bigger 15" and 17" macbook pros.

I'm guessing your picking one up from microcenter? Thats what I did.

 

Make no mistake about it, the i5 and c2d are not in the same league. That being said, for most tasks a c3d will be more than fine for you.

I mean, computers have been surfing the web and editing photos/videos long before the i series processors.

 

I never compared the i5's to the c2d's. I was looking more into i3's. I know the new architecture makes the i3's run faster but is it by a huge increment? I know most 13" won't have the i5's (unless it's "high end" or the ul variant) so if Apple does a winter update odds are the 13" MBP would get a i3 at best.

 

Yes, but if it got an i3 it would have to downgrade to an intel intergrated card, which is MUCH worse than the 320m. Thats why Apple stuck with the Core 2 Duo.

So, i3 and Intel GMA, or, Core2 and Nvidia 320m?

EDIT: BTW, I bought the 13" Macbook Pro about 2 weeks ago and I love it sooo much! I also love OS 10, and would never go back to Windows! Confusious say: "Once you go Mac, you never go back!"

 

I assumed they would have paired some kind of mediocre dedicated solution. Maybe a 310 or something. It's not like sub 15" notebooks haven't had switchable GPUs before.

 

I think Apple prefers to keep integrated cards in their 13" notebooks... I don't think they will ever move to dedicated as you just don't need it in a 13"... Despite the fact there would be some much heat!

 

The Vaio Z has a 330m and i7 cpu's and they cope with heat quite well.
They are more comfortable to use than any one of the Macbook Pro's (heat wise) and you can actually use it on your lap without worrying frying your crown jewels!

 

they have a raise up case with a lot of extra vents for airflow.. and they are using low voltage processors. Those are designs that cannot be added to the current MBP body style... so is not an option. When they finally redesign the case, it can be an option.

 

It doesn't really seem to matter what you put in the full aluminum body, it'll heat up like crazy externally because the whole chassis is essentially a giant heatsink.

Which is a good and a bad thing I guess. It dissipates heat and keep the guts cool, and scares potential burgers away in the fear that they will get 2nd degree burns while attempting to snatch it off your table.

But I'm getting a little off topic here.

What do you think guys? Pull the trigger or wait?

And do I need a new computer right now? Yes. Very soon.

 

I would buy it now. There will always be something new around the corner.
Technology changes so fast that there is no real point in waiting anymore unless you really need a i3 or i5 cpu in a 13" laptop from Apple.