Wavering over MBP

So I just got a new laptop, HP dv9000t, and it's great with the exception of Vista. Now after 2 weeks of ownership, I've gotten tired of it and am looking for something new. I think I'm ready to jump to a Mac (since I realized that I don't really do Windows-specific stuff anymore).

I REALLY want to get a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook because of the resolution and video card but they're just so darn expensive! My current laptop is worth $1250 right now and I'm still within the 30 day window of returning it. Do you think there's any reasonably cheap way to get a MBP? I don't care about refurbished (it looks like Apple took their refurb MBPs down, I don't know why) so can anyone help me?

 

Well refurbs go in and out of stock, and Apple restocks the online refurb store every few days. I'd check regularly, but not before returning that other laptop. You can get the 2.16GHz MBP model for $1600 refurbished, which I think is a great deal. Or, you can step up to the 2.33GHz for $2000. Either way, it's roughly 20% off.

 

You can also get a student discount. If you're a developer, check into the ADC memberships. Maybe you can get your company to pay for a membership and get a discount through that.
If your in education, you can also get a discount.

Otherwise, refurbs. I've heard great things about refurbs from Apple. And as with any laptop, get the extended warranty. Just keep in mind you can't replace the HDD on the MBP (without voiding warranty and going through some trouble) and you can't really customize the refurbs as far as I know.

good luck.

 

I agree that is a very good deal

 

The refurbs will show up again, just keep checking daily and be ready to pounce when they do. What exactly about Vista do you not like so much that you want to get rid of it?

 

It's not that I don't like Vista, but yesterday I just had an epiphany about dealing with it's problems. My old dv4000 ran Vista like a champ, but my new dv9000t just seems to struggle with it. I'm just ready to try something new.

 

You sure you can get them for $1600 and they're available? I've got until the 26th of this month to return my dv9000t, so I want to make sure before I return it. I don't want to be stranded without a computer for an extended period of time.

 

Yes, they're $1599 (before tax) and shipping is free. The catch is the same as you'd expect: being so low-priced, they're very hot. Apple usually restocks the refurb store in the morning, and most products are gone by early afternoon the same day. Check every morning if you can; that will maximize your chances of being able to hop on a deal when it comes.

Oh, and I guarantee it will be in stock several times before the 26th, so no worries.

 

Here's the Google cache from yesterday: http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...urbished+macbook+pro&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us

The $1349 MBP looks mighty attractive.

 

It's a Core Duo laptop, and I don't know if you've heard of all the problems those laptops have had. I'd just spend the $1599 and get a C2D model.

 

Considering that ends up being around $1700, and the fact that I am not the one purchasing it (my dad is), I'm not sure there's much reason to spend so much on CPU power I will rarely use. Here's the specs for the refurb I'm probably going to get:

Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
512MB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera
Front Row and Apple Remote
$1299

So any tips on using OSX? I've never really spent an extended amount of time with it. My only real experience with a Mac was my friend's old iBook G4 about a year ago.

 

HRm... you'll want to upgrade the RAM to 2 GB, or at least 1 GB. 512... is not enough.
I'd also take a look at getting an external HDD. 80 gigs won't last long, especially if you use bootcamp.

 

As long as I get the MBP itself, upgrades can come later.

 

Yeah, but remember, the HDD is not easy to upgrade and voids the warranty. It really is a ***** to get to. And there is the possibilty you'll damage something while taking it apart (I mean, really, you have to completely disasemble the MBP to remove the HDD).

The ram is easy though. Just need those really tiny screw drivers. Like, the eye glass ones. Size 0 I think.

yeah, and the C2D version would be worth getting. Less problems, plus the have FW800 and a DL DVD burner. I'd try to help your pops pay for it by throwing in some money.

 

One thing is that the cheapest C2D MacBook Pro is $1700 after taxes refurbished. I can't honestly say that I need to spend $1700, especially since I'm going to be studying half the time. I've never burned a DL DVD before, and none of my peripherals use Firewire.

And I will probably have to throw cash at this anyway!

Anyway, I'll just be happy to get something that works. I always secretly wanted a Mac. Now I can get one!

 

If you're a college enrolled student then you should look into the 20% ADC student developer discount. For the $100 its money well spent because you'll be saving 20%. Coupled with the education discount, you could get the lowest new configuration for $1460, thats what i did.

If you aren't in college then I truly am sorry.

 

Honestly, maybe you should look at a C2D Macbook then. hollownail is right though; the C2D models have had far less problems than the CD versions. Problems with the CD include:

- Overheating (to the point of lockups and instability)
- Desaturation of the notebook exterior due to heat
- Exploding/melting/fried batteries

The overheating is the real concern here, because I believe the other problems were fixed (for the most part) in later revisions of the CD MBP. However, since you're ordering a refurb, it may turn out that you receive an earlier revision. This isn't hard to believe, since those problems would definitely warrant a return and refund from the original buyer.

With the C2D version, which does cost a bit more, you'll get the assurance that those problems are completely fixed and you get some more perks, such as FW800, DL DVD burner, 1GB RAM, and a bigger HDD. Not to mention, the C2D is faster than CD, even at the same clockspeed, thanks to an increase in L2 cache size.

 

The ADC does not stack with the student discount. They use 2 different stores.
At least, that was the experience I had with it.

But the discount on my MBP was the with the ADC and educational discount (only upgraded the HDD on my unit). The ADC does not provide discount on everything that the student discount does. Again, this was how it was when I looked back in sept/oct.

All those problems were fixed. The batteries were recalled. Overheating was fixed over summer with a logic board change and change of applicaiton of thermal grease. I think the SMC updates also helped.
I've never seen or heard about desaturation of notebook exterior.
But it's col you're getting a new machine though. grats on that.

 

Get Quicksilver asap - super coolness.

 

I have a CD 17" macbook pro and have no problems.....its was manufactured in August 06 i believe...

 

Yep. Now all that's left is to return my dv9000t.