Refurb MacBook Unibody vs MacBook Pro

So I'm definitely getting a 13" Macbook or Macbook Pro. Apple has some great prices on refurbs so that's probably the route I'll be going however I'm having trouble discerning the difference between the 13" Aluminum Unibody standard macbook and the 13" Unibody Macbook Pro. From what I've read they both have the upgraded screen, they're obviously both unibody, both have the large button-less trackpad, and both have the 9400m. They even have the same dimensions and the only difference I can see between the images is a slightly different case bevel (also the firewire and sd card ports, both are useless to me).

Unfortunately, none of the Apple stores or BestBuys in the area have a non-pro unibody 13" Macbook for me to actually handle and compare. So, basically, what makes the pro version with the slower cpu and smaller hard drive at the same price point worth it?

Thanks for your time,
Mike

 

The screens are actually not the same: the MBP has an improved color gamut, which is a noticeable if not striking improvement (I actually upgraded from the "old" unibody to a MPB a few weeks ago). Also claimed battery life is much better with the newer machine, although I don't know how much it really means in practice. Apple says the new batteries are good for 1000 charges whereas the old ones tended to poop out at 300-400 full charge cycles.

Finally on the older MacBook only the high-line model features the backlit keyboard, whereas all the current MBPs have it.

Only you can say how much these differences are worth to you.

 

Oh, thanks for the heads up. The battery thing I knew about but I thought the aluminum unibodies already had the upgraded screens. That is probably worth the price difference to me.

Thanks,
Mike

 

One other minor thing to consider that was an issue for me.

The UMB has a user-replaceable battery which is fine but, because of this, Apple's case design is a little different between the two.

The MBs have a battery-cover panel and IMO it is flimsy as hell. On three units I've seen that panel warp just enough to create a seam with the main panel that you can feel by touch. In contrast, the MBPs have a single panel design that has no seams, much less flimsy and definitely less prone to the warping issues, which is significantly better IMO. Of course this comes at a price which is a non-user-replaceable battery.

 

As an owner of a Unibody MacBook, I can say that the battery cover isn't as flimsy as people would have you believe. I've had mine since last December and haven't noticed any warp or deformation at all.

Also, with regards to people saying the screen on the Unibody MacBook isn't that great, I'd have to say they're incredibly anal. My boyfriend has the new 13" MacBook Pro and sitting side by side with identical settings to mine, there is not a huge difference. Yes there is a difference, but again, not as big an issue as people would have you believe.

 

As Khris said, not everyone has or will have this issue. For instance, my wife's MB is fine. A uMB of mine and a 15" MBP, as well as a friend’s uMB all developed the issue. Maybe I was just unlucky. And frankly, a lot of people may not really care about it. But I think Apple was right on more than one level in redesigning the bottom panel to a one-piece.

 

Here are the differences between the 13" MBP and the 13" MB

Battery life
Better Screen
Backlit keyboard standard
Lower price (when bought new)

 

The first two are pretty subjective, and you forgot SD Card Reader and Firewire.

 

True. It does have SD/Firewire, but it also loses Express slot.

Battery is not subjective. It has a new battery tech and does last longer. As for the screen, that can be a subjective viewing experience, but the new 13" mbp does have a different LCD.

 

the 15 did... I thought the 13 UB MB never had express card

 

Wrong again. 13" Unibody MacBook does NOT have an Express Card Slot. Clearly you have no idea what you're talking about.

Yes, battery is subjective because everyone's usage is different and real world numbers will NEVER equal those published by Apple or any other manufacturer.

Although the new 13" Unibody MacBook Pro does have a different screen, it is also purely subjective as to whether or not it's "better".

 

Chill out, I got mixed up between the 13" and 15" mbp. I was mistaken, the 15" was the one that lost express card slot. In any case neither have express card slot and just have SD slot now.

Only the 17" mbp has both.

Uh, the new 13" MBP DOES have new battery tech and a different screen. "Clearly you have no idea what you're talking about."

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3580&p=1

 

the new battery is not subjectively different than the old one.

the new batteries are *not* user replaceable. they are also rated for many more lifetime cycles and approximately 40% longer runtime (which will be true regardless of how you use it). These are objective measurements (ie. your personal perspectives, beliefs, and opinions have no bearing on these measurements).

The screen being "better" is subjective until you can quantify exactly what it is that makes a screen "good" and figure out how the change in color gamut affects our notion of "good" in an lcd screen. My personal opinion is that the new screens are a bit better than the older ones, but they are all fine.

 

I never disputed that the new 13" MPB has a new battery. Not only do you not know what you're talking about, you don't bother to read either.

Chill out!

 

Unfortunately, no. Just the Express Card; no SD slot.

 

You're right.

You mention the battery being subjective, then you mention the screen being different and subjective.

You never disputed the mbp having a new battery, but you didn't mention it either. Why would you mention one thing but not the other? From that I assume you knew nothing about Apple's new battery tech and you try to pass it off as "Well I never said this, blah blah blah"

The new MBP's does get better battery life than the old MBP's. That is not subjective.

 

Wow... lots of passion in the thread. Thanks for the input, I think the screen and the panel-less unibody sold me on the Pro.

 

Your reading skills have improved!! Bravo!

Why must I be so specific? You're looking for reasons to support your own mistakes to try make yourself look like less of a fool. Keep trying, maybe you'll succeed.

I'd like to draw your attention to the first three letters of the word I've highlighted in bold.

 

Again, there is no reason for you to mention one thing being only subjective, then the other being both subjective and different.

Only until after I displayed a link proving you wrong, you end up saying "Well I never said this or whatever"

And quite honestly, I think you're making yourself look like the fool for trying to attack me personally instead of having an actual debate. It just shows that this discussion have become pointless from your continuous rants.

Because of this, I am no longer replying to this thread. You may continue with any more impending insults, as you feel like it makes you the bigger person. No wonder threads get locked up, Sheesh!

 

No where did you prove me wrong. You pointed out that I only said the battery was "subjective" and not "subjective and different" like the display, so exactly how did you providing your little link, make me wrong in my statement? Seriously, think about what you're saying!

There's nothing to debate. You're trying to tell me that I'm wrong, when I'm not. Get over it. If anyone has made errors it's you, not me.

First you forgot to include the SD Reader and Firewire ports when comparing the 13" Unibody MB and 13" Unibody MBP. Strike one. Then you say that it loses the Express Card slot......which it never had to begin with. Strike two. Then you say the 17" MBP has both Express Card slot and SD card. Strike three! You're OUT!

Don't let the door hit ya slick.

 

Khris wins. Flawless victory.