So with tax free weekend coming up, my parents have decided to buy me a new laptop for graduate school.....I just bought an HP about 18 months ago, and it just doesn't turn on anymore, so I think I've decided to just get a Mac.

Will I really see that much difference in the 2.1 vs the 2.4 GHz models? The 2.1 comes with 1G memory and the 2.4 comes with 2. I wont need the extra 40 gb in memory, and I really can't imagine needing the superdrive(doesn't that just mean I can burn dvds?) The difference is 200 bucks.

I'm not a gamer and will only really be using it for music, pictures, writing reports, etc etc.

And I can get an iPod touch for free

7/17/2008 4:59:53 PM

well if you don't need that extra power, buy the 2.1 ghz and update it to more ram.

7/17/2008 5:16:12 PM

yeah, 1gb is pretty low...i assume that apple laptops use standard ddr2 sodimm these days, so you can upgrade to a single 2gb chip for next to nothing and sell the 1gb to recoup some of the (albeit minor) cost

7/17/2008 5:19:09 PM

^I would go with 2 x2 gig chips so he can use dual channel

Crucial and Samsung have good ram for apple

7/17/2008 5:20:26 PM

Intel changed the cache size on the new procs to be 25% less than the old ones (3MB vs 4MB). If you can find a used or refurbished last gen Macbook (one of the 2.2Ghz ones), it'll probably do a lot of things faster than the new ones.

[Edited on July 17, 2008 at 5:29 PM. Reason : ]

7/17/2008 5:28:57 PM

yes but shit, its only $100 more for extra 1GB ram, 300MHz more processor, and more HD space...

how can you not go for the 2.4GHz white?

7/17/2008 6:21:12 PM

^ am i missing something? he said it was $200

and $200 is past the point where it'd be worthwhile, IMO...buying new RAM (even 4gb) would run ~$50, and a 250gb upgraded hard drive would be ~$75...so for that $200 he gets only a minimal increase in RAM and hard drive space, and less than he could have if he did it aftermarket (and i'm not even taking into consideration the ~$60-70 he could get back selling the original components via craigslist)

take the resale into consideration and he'd be paying a $135 premium for 300mhz (we'll ignore the fact that the RAM and hard drive upgrades are minimal), and that's not really worth it (though i didn't factor in the dvd burner)

*shrug*

7/17/2008 6:52:28 PM

^seconded

7/17/2008 6:54:30 PM

I bought the 2.1 GHz and upgraded to 2GB of RAM afterwards for ~$30.

Although, now that I'm looking at the website, mine came with the superdrive. So I guess they've refreshed the lineup since I got mine because I definitely got the "middle" one of the three.

Bottom line is unless you really want to burn DVDs, it's probably not worth it. For me, I knew I wanted a burner, and the bump in HDD space and processing power was just valuable enough to make it worth the extra $200.

7/17/2008 11:38:43 PM

^You can update the burner for about 40$

7/17/2008 11:52:35 PM

ok sorry it is $200, but damn guys... you get a free ipod touch which you can sell on ebay

7/18/2008 1:18:08 AM

umm go for the new one baby.

7/18/2008 3:28:57 AM

^^ do you only get the free ipod touch with the $200 upgrade? because if so, then yeah, that's what i'd do, as well...if you get it no matter what, i'd still go with the lower end model because aftermarket upgrades will be cheaper and better, still

7/18/2008 11:22:07 AM

free iPod Touch with bnay Mac computer purchase.

7/18/2008 12:07:50 PM

Some killer deals at the Apple Refurb Store that might make this a pointless discussion:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=44BD9AA1&nclm=CertifiedMac

[Edited on July 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM. Reason : no free iPod, of course]

7/18/2008 12:35:59 PM

has anyone ever purchased something from the Apple refurb store during the NC Tax free weekend? If so, did you have any problems?

7/18/2008 1:11:34 PM

I just wanted the fucking black macbook instead of the white. But the black one is $200 more because it has more memory....great. Its sad that I almost got the black one without giving a shit about the memory.

7/18/2008 1:48:48 PM

^^^no -- refurb price for the 2.1 ghz is only $50 cheaper than the student price on the new one....and with the new one you can get the ipod touch free

7/18/2008 2:37:45 PM

When I posted that there was one enormous deal. Apparently they just had one of them in stock.
It was a MBPro at a 30% discount. Something like 2100 down to 1500. Too late now, I guess.

7/18/2008 5:48:58 PM

If you're looking to get a new laptop but you have time to wait, I'd also suggest keeping an eye on the NCSU Bookstore -- they frequently have stock they need to get rid of when new models come out, and they usually cut the prices pretty heavily.

My MacBook Pro retailed for $2899 in September 2006 after the drive and memory upgrades, but got it from the bookstore for only $800 a few months later b/c they couldn't find anyone willing to buy it once the Oct 2006 models were released.

7/19/2008 7:19:25 PM

I'm wanting to get rid of mine actually if anyone is interested..

15/2.2/2X1GB/120-5400/128VRM are the basic specs

7/19/2008 7:23:25 PM

when are the new line of powerbooks/macbooks due out? later this fall? im gonna buy one then, but want to make sure i wait until the new ones come out. back in 2004 after i bought mine, a month later the new ones came out

7/19/2008 7:26:17 PM

Quote :

"My MacBook Pro retailed for $2899 in September 2006 after the drive and memory upgrades, but got it from the bookstore for only $800 a few months later b/c they couldn't find anyone willing to buy it once the Oct 2006 models were released."

I call complete BULLSHIT on paying $800 for any new Mac...they would have kept it and used it internally before losing their ass that much.

Receipt or GTFO!!!

7/19/2008 10:57:14 PM

^^^Why are you trying to get rid of it?

^^No one really knows till a few days before, I doubt it will be the fall

^called out!

[Edited on July 20, 2008 at 7:30 AM. Reason : ]

7/20/2008 7:28:43 AM

^ I'm running windows on it most of the time anyways for a lot of software we use at work so it's just not worth it--I'm wanting to switch to a X61 tablet. I honestly just didn't think to consider a tablet when I was ordering this computer (through work) and now that's what I want. As long as I get close to what I want to spend on the tablet out of this macbook pro then they'll pay the difference and I'll have what I want

7/20/2008 11:49:16 AM

New mac laptops are going to be released soon.

7/20/2008 2:52:42 PM

Quote :

"IROLA_BLUNT: call complete BULLSHIT on paying $800 for any new Mac...they would have kept it and used it internally before losing their ass that much. Receipt or GTFO!!!"

Quote :

"Description: CHECKCARD 0126 NCSU BOOKSTORE RALEIGH NC 24761977244138017008279 Posting Date: 01/30/2007 Amount: $859.68 Type: Check Card Account Number: CampusEdge checking-3858"

I was off by $60. If you really need me to find the receipt let me know, I'm sure I've got it in my file cabinet somewhere from when I got the topcover replaced. The Bookstore doesn't exactly have the luxury of taking a new-in-box MacBook Pro and using it internally

(and why the hell would I lie about the price in the middle of recommending someone else keep an eye on the Bookstore for a reduced-price MacBook?)

---

Quote :

"joe17669: when are the new line of powerbooks/macbooks due out? later this fall? im gonna buy one then, but want to make sure i wait until the new ones come out. back in 2004 after i bought mine, a month later the new ones came out "

Keep an eye on http://www.macrumors.com/ -- they've got a Buyers Guide on that site based on the timeline since the last update and any recent rumors 

7/20/2008 3:43:31 PM

Quote :

"was off by $60. If you really need me to find the receipt let me know, I'm sure I've got it in my file cabinet somewhere from when I got the topcover replaced. The Bookstore doesn't exactly have the luxury of taking a new-in-box MacBook Pro and using it internally"

I'm sure they don't have the "luxury" of taking a $2000 loss either...

As far as your copy of the checkcard purchase that proves nothing except that you spent $860 at the bookstore on 01/30/07. Whether or not you want to post your receipt is up to you...but I really don't believe that you got a $2900 laptop for $860 just because "they couldn't sell it b/c of the new models..." - there had to be another factor/reason.

7/20/2008 10:05:10 PM

Quote :

"I call complete BULLSHIT on paying $800 for any new Mac...they would have kept it and used it internally before losing their ass that much."

i used to work at the bookstore

they would do something like that just to get rid of the product. there are goofy rules about using inventory internally.

7/20/2008 11:45:02 PM

^Yep

And what they'd usually do is post sales flyers and have the apple rep send out emails to the mac user group on campus... then wait. Since they're state owned and chartered specifically to meet the needs of NCSU students/faculty/staff, they're barred from doing much advertising and can't just sell things on ebay. Most of the old stock items would sell after a relatively small markdown, but that particular macbook pro had been advertised as on sale for a few months. I forget why exactly nobody would go for it... I think it had something silly like a 4200rpm hdd.

7/23/2008 12:24:57 AM

http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/rumor_apples_secret_product_is_macbook_touch/

Home version of the iPod Touch is what it looks like to me.

7/23/2008 8:17:48 AM

something like this would be awesome..

http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/AppleTablet.html

7/23/2008 8:49:16 AM

You mean like this?

7/23/2008 9:23:14 AM

How hard is it to upgrade the RAM on my own?

7/23/2008 12:41:08 PM

simple...unscrew the RAM cover, pop out or pop in the RAM

7/23/2008 12:43:10 PM

On the Mac's I've had to add RAM to for people, you have to remove the battery, remove the thin metal collar from inside the battery cavity, and then you can pop the RAM out and replace it. It's really easy, but it's a little more hidden than on some laptops.

Still better than with the newer ThinkPads where they hide it under the palm rest.

7/24/2008 2:22:42 AM

so I got my first macbook today. I'm trying to set up file sharing on it with my Vista desktop. I can see the Vista shared files from the Macbook but I cannot see Macbook files from the Vista machine. I can see the macbook on my Vista machine but cannot get into the folders with any items in them.

Anybody got any ideas?

8/19/2008 11:49:32 PM

did you share any folders on the Mac?
System Preferences > Sharing > enable Filre Sharing > choose folders to share

8/20/2008 12:00:19 AM