Buying Advice

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I am an incoming freshman in college and am amped up to buy my Macbook Pro. I need a new iPod but it seems that the iPod is going to get refreshed soon. So here is my dilemma, if I wait until October for Leopard, I do not get any of the free iPods, but by then there should be new iPods. But, I need a computer for college and I start in mid-September. I don't know if I should wait and just use my old clunky desktop or just buy now and get the older iPod and Tiger. Please advise.

Is the .2GHz, the extra 128MB of RAM on the video card, and the difference between 7200 RPM and 5400 RPM, worth the extra cost?

 

[Tegeril]

Sign up for the Student Developer program. Pay $99, get a $400 discount on the MBP. Get monthly shipments, one of which will include Leopard, I think?

Someone check my facts =)

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Does the Student Developer program get discounts on iPods? Or would I just use the student discount?

 

[TheStu]

There is no student discount on ipods anymore. They used to, but when they dropped the prices on the ipod videos, they got rid of the student discount.

 

[fyleow]

..

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Is the extra hardware boost with the .2GHz and the 128MB of RAM worth the extra money? How about the difference between 6400 and 7200 RPM, does it just increase heat without a significant boost in performance?

 

[secretanchitman]

holy crap, i asked the same question in my thread just below yours!

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Is the extra hardware boost with the .2GHz and the 128MB of RAM worth the extra money? How about the difference between 6400 and 7200 RPM, does it just increase heat without a significant boost in performance?

From what I have heard and read, a high capacity, high density 5400RPM drive will generally yield you the same performance as a lower capacity 7200 RPM drive. Think, 5400 160GB as compared to a 7200 100-120GB drive.

Unless you are going to be doing heavy gaming, or really really serious Aperture/Front Row Pro work then isn't too important to get the extra CPU or GPU.