Opinions on new laptop

whiterebel

Hi all, I said I'd ask the knowledgeable ones on here, because my brain is fried. 12" PB going on nearly 5 years old is beginning to creak. I mostly use it for presentations etc hooked up to an Epson projector. Usual things on the road, surfing, watching DVDs, email etc, so I know the Mac book is suitable for all that. However, am going to Florida in August, and with the exchange rate it looked tempting for a MBP 15". The I got a flier which included an MBP (new) but last gen 2.2 15" for approx €1214 delivered.

What I have now is the following:

MB White 2.1 1GB PC World new or Apple refurb €849.00
MB White 2.4 white 2GB Apple refurb €1229
MB White 2.4 as above new in US 896.75 (+Vat)

MBP ex UK - 2.2 last gen brand new €1214.00
MBP ex UK - 2.4 last gen OPEN BOX, brand new €1375.
MBP Apple refurb latest gen 2.4 2GB 15" €1529
MBP ex USA brand new 24 as above €1379.98 (+VAT)

Can anyone please tell me what I should do? Apple refurb @ 1529 seems a winner when you add the VAT into consideration from the US. Would the 2.2 last gen be ok. I do video editing as well, so I'm figuring the MBP will help with the dedicated graphics card.

whiterebel

Sorry, should also say, I'm a bit dubious about an MB with the alleged Aluminium one supposedly around the corner. I don't buy first releases, so if it comes out between here and August it'll be an MBP.

jpfahy

In Florida, don't forget 6.5% sales tax

whiterebel

jpfahy wrote: »

In Florida, don't forget 6.5% sales tax

I thought it was 8.5% which I have factored in.

jpfahy

nah, 6.5%, was there in May, bought all around me in Apple Store , Florida Mall !

Ham'nd'egger

whiterebel wrote: »

Hi all, I said I'd ask the knowledgeable ones on here, because my brain is fried. 12" PB going on nearly 5 years old is beginning to creak. I mostly use it for presentations etc hooked up to an Epson projector. Usual things on the road, surfing, watching DVDs, email etc, so I know the Mac book is suitable for all that. However, am going to Florida in August, and with the exchange rate it looked tempting for a MBP 15". The I got a flier which included an MBP (new) but last gen 2.2 15" for approx €1214 delivered.

What I have now is the following:

MB White 2.1 1GB PC World new or Apple refurb €849.00
MB White 2.4 white 2GB Apple refurb €1229
MB White 2.4 as above new in US 896.75 (+Vat)

MBP ex UK - 2.2 last gen brand new €1214.00
MBP ex UK - 2.4 last gen OPEN BOX, brand new €1375.
MBP Apple refurb latest gen 2.4 2GB 15" €1529
MBP ex USA brand new 24 as above €1379.98 (+VAT)

Can anyone please tell me what I should do? Apple refurb @ 1529 seems a winner when you add the VAT into consideration from the US. Would the 2.2 last gen be ok. I do video editing as well, so I'm figuring the MBP will help with the dedicated graphics card.

If you are looking to edit video just for fun once in a while, a MB will suffice. If it is more heavy duty editing that you are looking to do, MBP is your ideal partner; the larger models again being equipped with a better graphics card option again. Personally speaking, the refurbished MB and MBP you refer to sounds like a good priced unit on the surface.

Given the higher risk of picking up an older spec Mac there, I would urge you to think twice about looking at PC World for any Apple product; it wasn't too long ago that they were selling off G 4 Mac Mini's! As an aside, I'd like to know how any retailer can make money on a MBP at such a low price, even if it is a older model.

whiterebel

Yes, I'm dubious of PC World too, but the spec seems to be the new one, not an old model from what I can make out. Unless its the last gen 2.16 with Superdrive etc, Should have checked that, but I'm almost certain it has a Combo drive, which is ok, as I have 3 DVD burners already.

The Minis they sold a while ago were Intel Core Duos and solos from what i can remember. Again, a generation back, but still great value at that. I know from previous history that Apple used to constantly drop them as a reseller due to the fact the staff completely ignored Macs, but when the first iMac came out the nearly begged Apple to supply them again. now its just back to the old ways again - get stock in, and ignore it.

whiterebel

Right, in light of no more opinions, took the plunge and went for the base Macbook from Apple using a friends employee discount of 17% which gives me €828 for the 2.1 macBook. Bung in 4GB Ram and laughing.

Thanks to those who replied.

johnk123

Very nice! Trust us, you wont regret the decision. Once you go mac, you never go back!!

Are you maxing out the ram yourself or buying it from apple pre-installed???

whiterebel

johnk123 wrote: »

Very nice! Trust us, you wont regret the decision. Once you go mac, you never go back!!

Are you maxing out the ram yourself or buying it from apple pre-installed???

I'm 14 years with Macs, just the choices were frying my brain. I desperately wanted the Pro, but can't justify the extra money (And boy did I try:P)

Trying to get onto Crucial at the moment to get 4GB and install myself. Crucial €90 delivered v €300 for Apple. Even at Employee discount they were charging €157.

johnk123

Ah great...... yeah, i wonder how much profit alone apple make from memory sales.

Crucial have a brilliant search tool so your guaranteed to get the right RAM too. I would only ever pay for a hard-drive upgrade when speccing a machine with apple. I wouldn't like to open up a brand new laptop to put in a HDD.

Ham'nd'egger

whiterebel wrote: »

I'm 14 years with Macs, just the choices were frying my brain. I desperately wanted the Pro, but can't justify the extra money (And boy did I try:P)

Trying to get onto Crucial at the moment to get 4GB and install myself. Crucial €90 delivered v €300 for Apple. Even at Employee discount they were charging €157.

Try Komplett.ie for RAM as well. I priced them recently for RAM for a mates MB and they were better on some sticks, may save you a few bob extra.

whiterebel

Hamndegger wrote: »

Try Komplett.ie for RAM as well. I priced them recently for RAM for a mates MB and they were better on some sticks, may save you a few bob extra.

Already ordered from Crucial for €90 delivered for 4GB. Am a bit dubious of Komplett since they announced closing most of their European branches, TBH.

Hotblack Desiato

johnk123 wrote: »

I would only ever pay for a hard-drive upgrade when speccing a machine with apple. I wouldn't like to open up a brand new laptop to put in a HDD.

On a MacBook it doesn't have to be opened up any more than it does to get at the RAM, the L-shaped cover behind the battery conceals both the HDD and the RAM slots. HDD is officially user-replaceable.

johnk123

ninja900 wrote: »

On a MacBook it doesn't have to be opened up any more than it does to get at the RAM, the L-shaped cover behind the battery conceals both the HDD and the RAM slots. HDD is officially user-replaceable.

Oh really, i never knew that. But for a laptop you would hardly need something OTT anyway. Thanks for some more usefull apple info to fill my mind with