Looking at getting a 13" MacBook Pro, and am trying to decide which one to get...

2.4 GHz Core2Duo, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB HD

or

2.66 GHz Core2Duo, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB HD, which can be had for $260 more.

Is the performance bump between the 2.4 & 2.66 worth while for $215, knowing the 250 GB to 320 GB HD upgrade is a $45 upcharge?

Thoughts? Input?

And no, I don't want to wait for the rumored new model in a few months. I'm not liking what I'm hearing.

Lower speed model with 128GB SSD upgrade comes in $14 more than faster model. I'm using educational discount (as nearly anyone can), but similar otherwise. You're losing space, but likely gaining speed. Course you can do the SSD thing separately for cheaper.

I don't think the $260 is worth it. Buy a new hard drive separately, processor speed with that little difference is more trivial.

I almost always go for the faster processor...but then I end up pricing myself out of buying it. I don't think .16 GHz is going to make that much of a difference.

As a testament to the power of SSD, I just got an MBA 11.6" and it FEELS like the fastest computer I've ever owned. And of course, it's a 1.6ghz processor. I'd get the stripped down one with the smallest drive you can get, and upgrade the ram and hard drive yourself.

And no, I don't want to wait for the rumored new model in a few months. I'm not liking what I'm hearing.

BTW, what are you hearing?

dead people

BTW, what are you hearing?

SSD, no DVD drive, Light Peak, no FireWire.

light peak would rock, but I don't think it'll happen with this revision.

As a testament to the power of SSD, I just got an MBA 11.6" and it FEELS like the fastest computer I've ever owned. And of course, it's a 1.6ghz processor. I'd get the stripped down one with the smallest drive you can get, and upgrade the ram and hard drive yourself.

Totally agree with that. Already ordered an SSD for the Mac Pro.

I would not want one without a DVD compatible drive inside. I do want one with Blu-Ray that is backwards compatible with DVD. I just think leaving out the optical drive is a bad idea.

Thanks for the input everyone. I have to admit, the SSD suggestions were unexpected, and I'll definitely keep one in mind.

the SSD is the only thing to get. seriously.

The problem is that to get a reasonable amount of storage it's still prohibitively expensive for someone trying to shop the way that Ian is. The cheapest stock SSD option (128GB) is a $315 add and I don't think he wants to be tearing into his virgin macbook and swaping out the HD himself which would only save about $100 based on the last time I shopped SSDs.

I would not want one without a DVD compatible drive inside. I do want one with Blu-Ray that is backwards compatible with DVD. I just think leaving out the optical drive is a bad idea.

people said that about the floppy too...

Granted I also have an iMac, but I cannot remember the last time I used the DVD drive on my MacBook.

yah, I rip movies on my video server, I have a usb dvd when I need one, etc.

I never felt not having a DVD drive built-in was a serious limitation on my net book. With DVD sharing in OSx it is even less of a limitation on the MBA, and as Dan said, for those rare times, there are external drives. That said, I still have a floppy drive on the lab PC

Edited February 10, 201115 yr by morphsci

I don't watch too many blu-rays on my pc, but I sure do rip them for the entertainment in the main room. SSD has been a godsend that I've wished for since 1998. I bought the first 7200 rpm portable drive in 2003 from hitachi. The simple OCZ SSD in my pc is the greatest bottle neck eliminator to come to the computer in a decade in my opinion.

Well, if a built-in CD and DVD wasn't important to me then I'd have an Macbook Air instead of a Macbook Pro.

I'm liking all the excitement over these ssd drives. I'll have to make sure whenever I do buy a laptop that it has one. all I really need room for is an OS and Office anyway.

Kingston SSD for $75

And no, I don't want to wait for the rumored new model in a few months. I'm not liking what I'm hearing.

Now I understand. Interim Apple Chief Unveils New MacBook

Now I understand. Interim Apple Chief Unveils New MacBook

theonion is always funny, but that is one of the funniest articles I've read from them, right up there with the little girl who wants to be a tractor.

Edited February 11, 201115 yr by postjack

lol @ usb ports need to shaved every few days.

that reminds me i have to hack off my beard as well one of these days. it has grown too wild.

If you replace the HD yourself, what's the easiest way to get the contents of old HD to new HD, including the OS?

Edited February 12, 201115 yr by jvlgato