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    $2.2k MBP 2.53 (Refurb) vs. $1.8k MBP 2.4

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by vengeful Poet, Jan 26, 2009.

  1. vengeful Poet

    vengeful Poet Newbie

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    Greetings. Not sure if I should've posted this in the "What Notebook Should I Buy?" forum or not... thought that, since this concerns Macs, it'd be more appropriate here. Please be gentle: I've built desktops but I'm new to buying laptops (since building my own laptop would be futile).

    Anyways, I've finally come up with enough change to buy the laptop of my dreams and I won't settle for anything less than a new unibody Macbook Pro. I'm a college student that does heavy Photoshop and Indesign work, website design, tons of writing, and I'll be venturing into recording music and video fairly soon. I am not a stranger to OSX and I really admire the quality of Macs in general (I'm typing this on my girlfriend's beaten and cracked White MacBook--what a trooper this thing has been). My philosophy is that the aluminum unibody is glorious and that I shall need the MBP's larger/better screen and its beefy processor.

    I'm trying to decide between the two nicest deals I've seen so far: Abe's of Maine's $1795 (no tax, free shipping) 2.4GHz MBP and Apple's own $2149 refurbished 2.53GHz MBP.

    I would link to the Abe's of Maine site but the laptop was just backordered today.

    There's other places offering similar stuff (eBay and the somewhat sketchy CompuDirect). Think they're safe? Or is the refurbished 2.53GHz MBP a better deal/choice for someone like me?

    Thanks.
     
    vengeful Poet, Jan 26, 2009
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  2. Euquility

    Euquility Notebook Deity

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    I dont think you will need the 2.53GHz processor and a $400 premium seems steep for such a small upgrade
     
    Euquility, Jan 26, 2009
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  3. vengeful Poet

    vengeful Poet Newbie

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    There's the fact that I'd only purchase the 2.53GHz model after its been refurbished, making it almost as much as what the standard MBP is from Apple.
     
    vengeful Poet, Jan 26, 2009
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  4. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    There is no way that a $400 upgrade to a processor that is 0.13GHz faster and an upgrade to a REFURBISHED/USED laptop is even reasonable.

    Do not drink the Kool-aid! :p
     
    Greg, Jan 26, 2009
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  5. jonhapimp

    jonhapimp Notebook Virtuoso

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    get the 1.8k version yeah 400 is a ridiculous difference
     
    jonhapimp, Jan 26, 2009
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  6. slash X

    slash X Notebook Geek

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    Either will work well for you. Let your pocket book speak for your purchase if that helps.

    I always like new products. Don't know why I am skittish about refurbs, but I am just the same.

    The refurb has several things going for it that the lower end unit does not.
    1. bigger hard drive
    2. Larger L2 cache
    3. faster processor (not by much)
    This was worth the extra money to me (but that's just my take on it)
     
    slash X, Jan 26, 2009
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  7. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    dont forget to mention 512mb for the 9600GT vs 256 mb for the low end 9600GT
     
    StrongerThanAll, Jan 27, 2009
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  8. TH3D4RKKN!GH7

    TH3D4RKKN!GH7 Notebook Consultant

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    Well if the 512MB 9600GT is a must I say throw in an extra 200 and get a new 2.53GHZ MBP its like 2299.99 I think after the student discount, you should get one since you are in college.
     
    TH3D4RKKN!GH7, Jan 27, 2009
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  9. vengeful Poet

    vengeful Poet Newbie

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    Well, I decided to go with the 2.4GHz. Got it for $50 less than what I was going to pay for it from an eBay store... bought the $12 insurance, crossing my fingers, et cetera. I'm happy.
     
    vengeful Poet, Jan 27, 2009
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  10. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    Congratulations! That's a good choice, as the 2.53 isn't that much different.
     
    Colton, Jan 27, 2009
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  11. vengeful Poet

    vengeful Poet Newbie

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    Just got my MBP today (and currently typing this on it). It is glorious. Thanks everyone for the help.
     
    vengeful Poet, Jan 30, 2009
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  12. slash X

    slash X Notebook Geek

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    Glad to see you received the MBP ---- Enjoy !
     
    slash X, Jan 30, 2009
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