MBP or New MBP?

Hi guys.
I'm looking for some opinions.
I know what I "should" do, but I'd like some input from those who may have real experience on both the just previous gen MBP and the new MBP.

I'm a long time Mac/Mactel user, as well as a long time Wintel user.
Currently, at work, I use an intel CPU MacPro for my desk machine, and a G5 desktop for editing. And, there are several Dell's running Vista with some XP machines.
On my desk I am running bootcamp and XP. Works fine.

Recently, I purchased an HP DV5t with P8400, 4GB ram, 250HD, N wireless,
9200M GS GPU, Hicap battery, 15.4" screen with 1680x1050.

Overall performance with simple games, office, skype, web browsing has been ok, in some aspects decent. I wouldn't say "wow", however.
The video performance on Skype has me concerned that something may be wrong. I have the latest drivers and all the updates. 2 other DV5T's I setup for my niece for school & my brother, have P7350 and onboard X4500 graphics.

The area that has me concerned is with video conferencing.
My video output is awful. I connect to the other 2 DV5T's w/onboard graphics, and their video looks as acceptable as a 1.3M onboard webcam can look. But, my video is slow, pixelated, and pretty unacceptable overall, and I have a "faster" processor with a system that has a dedicated GPU.
Even using simple software like "YouCam", my video is slow, and slower compared to the other DV5T's with less under the hood.

I can get a new previous gen MBP for about $1445 or a new MBP for about
$1865. The difference is a considerable $420, almost 30% more than the previous gen.
For the extra cost I get:
1066Mhz bus speed vs. 667Mhz
"P" 2.4Ghz vs. "T" 2.4Ghz (the "P" processors use less power)
250G HD vs. 200G HD
8600M GT GPU vs. 9600M GT GPU, both with 256MB memory.

Overall, not much of a difference. The cost difference should only be about $200 in my view.

What would I do with this laptop?
My original intent with the HP was to use it for basic surf/browsing, email, light gaming, and maybe even do some video/photo editing (light) to keep up with Premiere, as I use Final Cut Pro on my Mac's.
With a new MBP, I was thinking I would like to surf, email, light gaming, heavier video editing, audio recording (my own music), photo/graphics-photoshop.

I would like to make a MBP a replacement for my aging G4 desktop.
The MBP would cost at least double the cost of the DV5T I currently have.
I got a coupon deal and total was $833 taxed/shipped.
BTW, I can still return the DV5T.

For me, having dual OS platforms is a great benefit, as we use both at work along with software better suited to each platform.

My main question is; is the previous gen MBP pretty much just as good as the new one, given the costs?

Does the new MBP have a distinctly faster performance feel when you use it?

Does it feel as if temps are lower than before due to the new "P" processors
Overall thoughts, opinions, comments...?

Am I taking the right course by spending more for the MBP over the DV5T, and would it also be worth it to spend more for the new MBP over the prev. gen?

 

Personally, I would get the new (I did) because there is something unsettling about buying a discontinued product. The new MBP will not be redesigned again for quite a while.

I realize this isn't the substantive type of answer you were looking for, but hopefully it's worth something.

 

That's not the usual Mac user's response, Macs aren't supposed to be obsolete so soon like PCs. Macs typically last much longer than PCs because Macs have very good hardware that is usually 2-3 quarters ahead of what PC notebooks have.

My take is that never buy 1st gen new Macs, this goes for iPods, iPhones, and new Macs. There will be problems and it's just a hassle to get support.

Other than aesthetics and other niche features, the new Macbooks didn't offer any significant performance boost to previous gen. Battery life got worse due to the dual GPUs.

The new keyboard and touchpad is another subjectivity feature, you either love it or hate it.

The biggest problem right now for me, it the new glossy glass screen is way too reflective for me.

I also have a Gateway P-7811FX, it's glossy but it's not as reflective as the new Macbooks.

If you want serious performance, I use my Gateway as the main gaming and home theater Notebook, it's superb at both, HDMI, Nvidia 9800M GTS..

 

That is so bollocks.

 

Aye lol, one of the funnier things I have heard until now.
It's just all the same hardware in the inside, no?

 

Half on, half off. Macs have the same hardware, but OS X is tailored for select, standard hardware, so it is very efficient.

 

Yep exact same hardware being used by mid/high-range PC makers inside but the perceived value in the market seem fetch old Macs at a much higher price.

On another note, If you are looking for value, I would rather get 300 to 400 USD saving off the initial purchase of regular PC then recoup my investment later on when I sell my Mac two years later.

 

That is such an outdated stereotype. I ran a small Mac office in the 90's and I know that during the PPC days those machines were bulletproof. But ever since the intel switch then your statement simply isn't true. Current Macs do break down or die which is why AppleCare is so important.

And as for having advanced hardware? Are you kidding? Apple has been behind for the last year and even now the changes are more aesthetic than anything else. Try walking into a best buy look at what is offered in the $1000+ range. For $1300 Apple offers 2GB/160GB. But counterparts on the PC side not only has 4GB/320GB standard, but also have various features like GPS, HDMI, Blu-Ray, Firewire, SD slots, Discrete video cards and other things Apple "forgot" to add.


I love my Macbook but I just can't say that Apple is doing well in keeping their products up to date.

 

Completely agreed. In fact, Apple's hardware updates are usually 2 months behind the rest of the industry.

Charr has a much better grasp of why Apples may have better longevity. Though, as OS X gets more bloated, thats becoming less and less a factor as well.

 

Oh wow. Who said this is not going to turn into another "bash the Macs" thread?

 

I didn't mention anything about obsolescence. Hardware and software comparisons aside, I just said that I don't like buying last generation's design.

 

This last round has been quite a bit slower than the rest of the industry. The iMac was updated to an Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile quad-core before that processor was available elsewhere though. Another one was the CPU of the MacBook Air, much better than the regular ultraportable processors then, so bits here and there. I definitely hope Apple and Intel continue to work well together.