out with the old, in with the new...

Replaced my 2.16 Core 2 Duo MBP 128MB X1600 with a new 2.4 Core 2 Duo MBP with 256 8600GT.

First, the bad. Apple really makes it tough. Out of all of the parts they offer, I'd love to be able to better mix and match them better. It really seems like each of their offerings in the hardware space has a near fatal flaw.

I want a higher res 1680x1050 screen option on the 15". I just don't really want to have to go to a 17" to get better screen res. So, 1440x900 lives to see another year.

Also, I really think I would enjoy the 6MB cache on the 2.5GHz chip. My 2.4 chip only has 3MB cache. Using things like Vista on vmWare would probably benefit a lot from the cache, but, there's no way the $2499 MBP is worth the $500 price premium. Apple could have really stepped up here and made the 2.5GHz chip the base MBP chip. Intel only charges about $80 for the 2.5 over the 2.6. Use the 6MB cache chips to signify Pro and use the 3MB chips in the MacBooks.

Ok, rant over. Nothing new here, part of Apple's history is there frustrating control over hardware options.

The good.

The 2.4 MBP feels a little quicker, but, not earth shattering, and I won't be able to tell the difference in a couple of days.

The screen. Ok. Victory. The LED screen is significantly brighter than my year old LCD screen. This is pretty much the reason for the upgrade. Evenly lit, bright and they say a better color gamut. Side by side, the LED screen is a clear victor over my 1 year old LCD.

I like the cleaner keyboard layout. I never used the simulated numPad anyhow.

I'm back under warranty. Part of the reason I buy a new MBP every 12-18 months is to avoid shelling out for Apple Care.

Battery life. The LED MBP is brand new, but I'm seeing 4:30 on the bettery. My older MBP is around the 3:00 mark.

Heat. Incredible. The Penryn laptop is significantly cooler than the 2.16GHz model. Like half as hot or something. Not that I'm going to, but, you could use this laptop in bed on a comforter if you wanted to, and that was a little scary with the older model.

FSB is 800MHz up from 667MHz.

Ram is dirt cheap. I got a 4GB upgrade kit for $99 at Fry's. Runs Vista well under vmWare Fusion and great under Boot Camp. I do wish I had the 6MB cache, since office type stuff and virtualization are two areas I think it would help out with, but, the $2499 MBP is not worth the $500 premium.

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In conclusion, a minor upgrade in some ways, but I'm glad I did it. The battery life, the lower heat, and the fantastic screen will all be very nice on a day to day basis.

 

I have the same 2.16 ghz model as you. I also have had it a year and it seems to be an ok machine. Im thinking of upgrading as well, but won't until the next school year in hopes of a redesign of some sort.

You should update your signature.

 

Count, was your upgrade totally necessary? I would have waited for the next update... You are going to end up regretting it I fear...

 

Maybe I'm missing the logic here. You are avoiding something that costs $349 by paying for something that costs almost $2k?

 

The high resale value of Apple products tends to equalize it pretty well.

 

I'll buy another one. As long as I can keep the depreciation reasonable, I don't mind essentially renting the MBP for $60 month, give or take. Apple products are very easy to sell quickly for a decent price. One nice thing about their overly tight product control. Try to sell a Dell and an Apple on Craigslist and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Also, Apple rarely knocks a Rev A out of the park. After owning a 65nm and 45nm chip, there is no doubt that the MBA should have a 45nm chip and that would solve the heat and battery life issues of the MBA Rev A. Rev B MBA will almost certainly be the MBA to have after it transitions to 45nm. If the MBP is due for a "major" redesign, I can wait until Rev B of that major revision now.

Hopefully, the next MBP I buy has a quad core in it.

For ~ $500, I essentially got +1GB ram (better for vmWare Fusion + Vista), a better video card, a faster FSB, a slightly faster CPU with better power saving features and SSE4 instructions, better battery life, a much better screen and I re-upped my warranty. Not the _worst_ deal ever. Not the best. Not the worst. I really am feeling this LED screen though. It's hard to feel ripped off looking at it side by side with my older MBP LCD.

 

Throwing good money after bad?

I save $350 by not buying apple care. I can sell my MBP for $1500.

A new $1999 MBP is not so expensive now?

It's not perfect logic, but it works for me. I stay current on models (I skipped Santa Rosa), and I stay under warranty for the most part.

 

My 2.16GHz C2D was still very fast. I really wanted the LED screen I think, and on that I'm not disappointed.

If my brain won, I would have kept my 2.16GHz, but thank god we have hearts to help us make "bad" decisions.

 

I'm cheap and lazy. I spent $2000 on my last Windows desktop and have been using it for 4+ years.

I would have continued to use it even longer but the wireless network I work on is being converted to WPA2 encryption and my old wireless card no longer supported it.

Hence, the picking up of a new MBP.

I hope to use it for 4+ years before even considering another product. Although then again, with Apple products, I usually find I can't resist.

 

Yeah... I'd like to opt to sell the house and get an apt so I can keep up with Apple Junk But my wife opposes it heh

 

To be fair, I do make some money with my MBP, so, it's not like a total hobby or personal use computer.

 

How? If you don't mind me asking....

 

Video/multimedia production for corporations and for live events.

I did that full time for 10+ years. An nice accidental career for someone with a PolSci degree. So, when I complain about the cost of Apple products, I have to factor in they they had a lot to do with making what I do even possible.

To be a kid today with xmas once a year, my god... HD video and audio production masters by 11th grade... lolz

 

im happy with my 2.4 Penny too. you spent 100$ on 4gb of ram? Ram is much cheaper than that on newegg.com.

i got some CAS 4 2x2GB for 80$. other stuff is around 60-70$

its a good machine. I did have a 2.16 as well back in january 07. Comparing the two heat wise, they both still get hot. the penryn slightly cooler, but nothing huge as far as a cooler machine goes.