Aluminum or plastic Macbook?

November 12, 2008 4:04 PM

New Aluminum Macbook (low end) or slightly cheaper, previous generation?

I am buying a Macbook this week, because my old laptop is beyond beyond. . .My choices are a new one, or, online a previous generation or refurb polycarbonate one. The new ones have a 2.0 gHZ processor, compared to a 2.4 gHZ processor. Does this make any difference?

Also, does the added graphics card really matter?

I am leaning towards getting a previous one (the black one) online, but I could go down and buy a new aluminum one in 10 minutes.

Does any one have any opinions they care to share?

Thanks.

posted by Danf to computers & internet (17 comments total)

What do you want to do with the machine?

I bought the new one (and quite like it) because of its better environmental report card, it's multi finger gesture business (which I quite like) and because I think it'll hold a higher resale value than the black one bought used or a new white one.
posted by Manhasset at 4:35 PM on November 12, 2008

Previous question.
posted by Manhasset at 4:41 PM on November 12, 2008

I've had an original MacBook since shortly after launch. Replaced it today with a MacBook Air (the original SSD one was £800 off on refurb store, and is lovely).

The new MacBook is leagues above the old in every way: the case is unquestionably better. The original plastic was robust enough, but creaky, scratchy, uncomfortable on the palms and a bit-cheap looking. The new one is solid as a rock. And you get the nice backlit keyboard.

The screen is also a lot better. Not as good as the MacBook pro, but a real step above the dingy original MB.

The graphics card will make a big difference. The original is a hunk of shit, frankly -- some games get 4fps, and now break 20fps on the new MB. Snow leopard is also going to take advantage of the GPU, so you want one as good as you can get.

I can't think of a single reason to get the original MB, except price. If you're comfortable with the cost of the new ones, get one of them. Absolutely.
posted by bonaldi at 4:46 PM on November 12, 2008

And you get the nice backlit keyboard.

Only true on the higher end one.
posted by Manhasset at 4:49 PM on November 12, 2008

I replaced my white MacBook with the low end aluminum.

I LOVE the trackpad and gesture capabilities. The upgraded graphics chip is a big plus. It's noticeably lighter. The screen is brighter. When I looked at the benchmarks, the extra .4 ghz didn't make enough difference to me to justify the cost. But if you want the backlit keyboard, you have to pay it.

If you can afford the new one, and don't need firewire, you will be much happier in the long run.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 5:15 PM on November 12, 2008

The new Macbook is a trillion times better than the previous generation, and the .4Ghz diff isn't that big a deal.

I'm just waiting for the new 24" displays to come out before I put my order in (for a Pro, but the diff between the consumer and pro is rather minimal).
posted by troy at 5:32 PM on November 12, 2008

I've replaced the palm rest on my previous generation macbook twice, the adapter cord once, and the polycarbonate is just scratched to pieces. I say the future is aluminum, young man.
posted by mecran01 at 5:45 PM on November 12, 2008

I think the new one will have a much longer life than the black one you are considering. the aluminum case is incredibly strong and all the components are the best available on the market. My white macbook has lasted a very long time, and i can only imagine how durable the new ones are. The only reservation i would have is in regards to the new trackpad issues. especially if you use photoshop.
posted by alitorbati at 7:09 PM on November 12, 2008

Thank you all, and thank you for the link, Manhasset. This was very helpful, and now I am leaning towards the 24gig aluminum.
posted by Danf at 7:31 PM on November 12, 2008

I sprung another $100 for a pre-glass-trackpad MacBook Pro that the store was clearing out, which in my mind has superior performance to the new glass-trackpad MacBook, along with a bigger screen and Firewire. The $100 was a no-brainer. Just another option to consider.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:32 PM on November 12, 2008

I can't think of a single reason to get the original MB, except price.

One reason to consider is if you hate glossy displays. You can't get a matte display on the new Macbooks. We spent 20 years trying to get rid of glare on computer screens, only to throw it all away in the last few years.
posted by knave at 8:42 PM on November 12, 2008

You couldn't get a matte display on the original MB either, sadly.
posted by bonaldi at 8:44 PM on November 12, 2008

what pisses me off is that the black mac book was priced like $200 more than the white one for the same machine
posted by swbarrett at 9:14 PM on November 12, 2008

One reason to consider is if you hate glossy displays. You can't get a matte display on the new Macbooks. We spent 20 years trying to get rid of glare on computer screens, only to throw it all away in the last few years.

I was under the impression that all the original MB's did not have the option for matte screens, only the MBP's did, which is one of the reasons I splurged a little and bought a 15" MBP.
posted by InsanePenguin at 9:59 PM on November 12, 2008

is that the black mac book was priced like $200 more than the white one for the same machine

actually it had a better hard drive so the color was costing more like $100. And yes, I refused to pay $100 for a color.
posted by troy at 10:50 PM on November 12, 2008

The *only* reason to hold off on the new MacBooks for a bit is to wait for Rev. B, in case there are problems with the original design (see the Rev. A TiBooks having the battery fall out, or the Rev A. 12" PowerBook G4s having the screws holding the screen in the frame back out from vibration.

The new case design is *very* strong. Multitouch gestures rock.

If you're really worried, get AppleCare. The one thing I suggest getting extended warranties on is notebooks, because they get far more physical stresses from being carried around. If yours is going to live on a desk, don't bother.
posted by eriko at 4:31 AM on November 13, 2008

The new aluminium fellas don't have firewire. If firewire is important to you, get the older machine.
posted by Cantdosleepy at 3:27 AM on November 14, 2008