Macbook Core Duo vs Core 2 Duo

[ChineseGuy]

Update 7-30-07

So I finally got my macbook back from the repair center. I got everything covered under warranty. They replaced a bunch of parts.

Top case w/ keyboard assembly...
New heatsink with fan
new inverter
realignment for dvd assembly
bottom case assembly
two different logic boards

Yay! Now it's all fixed... My brightness control works, the whining is not as noticeable.. I think its because I am younger than the tech or something, cause I had my boss try to listen for it, and he couldn't. It's like those high pitch silent cell phone ring tones thing.

With all these parts replaced... It's REALLY worth my $700. My memory from Newegg came in last week, I just got to install it now.. 2GB baby, for only $50 AR.

Today is a good day.



--------------------------


Option 1:
White MacBook 2.0GHz Core Duo
2GB RAM
OS 10.4.10
80GB Hard Drive
Super Drive
Price: $925 (might be able to get it down to $875 or $900)


Option 2:
White MacBook 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM (2x512)
OS 10.4.10
80GB Hard Drive
Combo Drive
Price: $750 (might be able to get lower still... after I look at it)

I found two guys on craigslist that is selling their Macbook, I contacted both of them. But I don't know if I should go with Option 1 (which has more memory, and a super drive, but older processor) or go with the cheaper one (which has a lower price tag, less memory, no dvd-rw and a faster processor)

Any comments or advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[TheStu]

Well, if you really think that you will need the DVDBurner, then you can get a replacement for around $80 or so. You would have to open up the laptop (not that hard) to put in the new drive (obviously) but you would have yourself a SuperDrive that I think is even faster than the one on the Core Duo.

As far as the RAM issue goes, 1GB is enough for OS X even with heavy multi-tasking (I have 1GB, so I would know) but you would want to upgrade that to 2GB eventually, especially if you intend to run Windows in a VM and that runs you about $80 as well for a 2GB kit on Newegg. So right now the price is about the same, but the Core 2 will be slightly faster (apparently much faster under certain tasks) however Core 2 does bring 64bit to the table which is helpful in Vista and in Leopard.

 

[Oil]

Get option 2. If you need more ram, buy a 2GB kit from Newegg like TheStu suggested and if you need an dvd burner, get an external one. Core 2 Duo is roughly 10% faster than Core Duo at the same speed and a little cooler which is needed because my 2ghz Core Duo can get very hot

 

[ChineseGuy]

Where can I find a replacement superdrive for $80 that fit a 13 inch Macbook? I was searching around for this, and wasn't able to find anything cheaper than like $169.

 

[dmw16]

Ive seen externals on Ebay for about $80.

 

[TheStu]

There is a specific drive you are looking for. Don't search for SuperDrive, instead, look for the Pioneer K06-DVR (maybe it is DVR-K06). It is OS X compatible, and should fit in the MacBook (not sure if there is a height requirement). Or, like other suggested, get an external. I picked one up for around $90 maybe 6 months ago, and it has been working like a champ, I sometimes have wished that I had an internal burner though just for convenience sake.

 

[ChineseGuy]

The K06-DVR are 12.8mm tall... I think the 13" Macbook needs a 9.5mm tall drive... Which is where i got the $169 price from. I am currently running on an iBook G4, with 1.5GB of ram, and I agree that I probably wont be needing 2GB on the new mac. But it will come in handy when I do VM. Seems like everybody is convincing me to get the $750 price tag That's probably what I'll do. I could possibly get an enclosure, and pop in a spare dvd-rw ide drive from my desktop.

 

[dmw16]

I had a similar quandry yesterday. I ended up getting a new C2D macbook yesterday. I decided that if I need a DVD writer I can get one down the road. I've seen $80-$90 externals. And if they can run without a power brick (any like that?) then it's all good. Plus an external can go on any computer - might be handy.

 

[TheStu]

I think if you get a firewire enclosure for the drive (run you about $30 on newegg after some quick searching) then it may not require you to use the power line since you can pull a lot of power off the Firewire port. I think that most all of them include AC adapters for when hooked up over USB, but don't quote me on that. The only one I could find on there that had only firewire also had an AC Adapter with it, so maybe that theory is shot.

 

[ChineseGuy]

Well, I just bought the $750 laptop from the guy... Actually I talked it down to $700, and I wont have to worry about the DVD-RW anymore, the seller listed combo drive on craigslist. But when I was meeting with him, I messed around with the laptop, and there it is, under system profiler, it shows that it supports writing dvd! (the model number off the box is MA700LL/A) The only thing I found wrong with it... on the right hand corner at the bottom, the skin for macbook kinda peeled off, doesn't seem like it would peel anymore than it has. Whatever, its only cosmetic, at this price, I can look pass that.

 

[TheStu]

That really is a great price for what you got, enjoy your new mac!

 

[ChineseGuy]

Hmm... i just got everything transfered over from my iBook, and for some reason the brightness control is not working. Not sure why... I hit the f1/f2 key, and the onscreen popup will response, but my brightness is not changing. Is this a known issue? Or should I call AppleCare to get this covered under warranty.

 

[TheStu]

I have never run into this issue before myself... is it a clean install of OS X?

 

[ChineseGuy]

Yea, I just restored from the CD... I don't recall testing the brightness feature when I got it... so I dont know if it ever worked prior to the clean install. The maximum brightness is hurting my eyes, and I cannot turn it down. I have to wear sunglasses! Any suggestions?

the volume control still does the popup thin when i hit f3-f5, and it still changes my volume..

but the brightness control is changing the popup, just not the brightness. really weird.

 

[Wolfpup]

Hope this isn't why they were selling it...

 

[ChineseGuy]

Hmm, also got this whining sound coming from below my keyboard... around the area of [tab][caps lock] [W] ... I just called applecare, and the guy issued me a case number, gonna see if i can bring it in to a local service center.

 

[ChineseGuy]

Update

 

[Wolfpup]

Glad it's working! Enjoy!