Refurbished Macbooks

[CptObvious]

I'll be going overseas for a year and was looking for a laptop to replace my Compaq, which has broken hinges. I was interested in getting the bottom-end Macbook, since I don't use computers for much anymore except Web, e-mail and word processing and just want something that looks dumbed down but cool.

Mac's got the previous Core Duo model refurbished for $800. Should I go with this or buy the new Core 2 Duo model for $1100? Also, can I replace the combo drive with the SuperDrive later if I need it?

Also, if anyone has experience bringing their computers to Korea and has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Thanks

 

[TheStu]

Alright, as far as upgrading the ComboDrive to a SuperDrive at a later date... that may be a little tricky. I have looked into it myself, and finally decided that even with the annoyances that come with it, an external really is the best way to go. They are generally faster and richer in features than laptop internal burners.

Really dont think that there is any reason for you to drop an additional $300 on the Core 2 unless it has some other things to bring to the table. I dont think that it has any extra RAM or larger HDD... so really you can't go wrong with the refurb.

 

[erikistired]

a few people on the mac rumors forums have bought refurbs and are quite happy with them. i'd probably go with the core duo and throw the extra money at ram. as far upgrading the drive, i'm fairly certain it's possible, just not cheap.

 

[TheStu]

fisher is right, something that i neglected to mention is the cost. unless you find the drive on ebay on the cheap, you are looking at $175 - 200 for the SuperDrive from an aftermarket vendor.

 

[gus6464]

yeah there really isn't that much of a difference between the old core duo macbooks and the c2d ones. They still have the same intel integrated graphics and everything else. I would go for the 800 macbook and spend 150 bucks on upgrading to 2gb ram as that will make a much better difference in OSX than the cpu. You can get some very nice gskill pc5400 ram which is what i have on mine for 150 bucks on newegg for 2-1gb sticks. I know some might say that 2gb might be overkill but I noticed a big difference in going from 1 to 2 gigs. Only thing that really will be different is that the new c2ds have wireless N instead of G but not really worth it imo.

 

[CptObvious]

Thanks for the advice. I'll go with the refurb.

 

[AmigaMan]

I think that's a pretty good deal. If you don't need the graphics and the CPU horsepower, that refurb will be great. I'd get 1GB of RAM if you tend to run multiple apps at once. It's also helpful for apps like iPhoto. I have 2GB in my MBP and it runs great.

 

[TheStu]

I have 1GB in my macbook, and after running it with 512, would not recommend it. Sure, you can run a few apps at once... but as soon as you run any serious PPC apps, or too many intel apps you are slow as molasses.

 

[CptObvious]

I have a 1GB stick of Crucial RAM that I can use on the Macbook. It looks like the stock RAM is 2x256 rather than 1x512, so I'll have 1.2GB. Maybe I'll buy another 1GB if prices drop a bit.

 

[TheStu]

Make sure that the RAM is DDR2-667 SO-DIMM

 

[gus6464]

This is the ram I currently have in my macbook:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231066

And now you can get 2 sticks for 110 bucks which is way better than the 160 I paid when i first got my macbook last year.

 

[TheStu]

I personally am waiting for the price on 2*1GB to drop a little closer to the $100 mark, then i'll upgrade my macbook.