[CDailey]

(first post here )

I'm looking at two MBP's and wondering which one I should really go for.

Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch Glossy Display, 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch glossy widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
512MB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory

$1449

Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory

$1599


I really prefer the glossy screen to the matte screen, specifically because of the "grainy" apperance of the matte screen. I suppose the matte screen would be tolerable as I didn't really notice it when I played with the MBP's at CompUSA, but after seeing photos I think I would have second thoughts after the purchase. The only game I plan to play on the MBP is World of Warcraft, and the 128MB PCIE X1600 graphics card can certainly handel that well (it's better than the Nvidia 6600gt I've got in this Windows machine). Hard drive space is not an issue because in this machine I've got a 200GB hdd as well has a 80GB and 120GB external. I think I've got an extra 80GB laying around here somewhere too. So I guess my question is, should I go for the matte screen + more ram + slightly faster CPU, or glossy with less ram and slightly slower CPU, but upgrade ram at a later date? I don't know what ram to use in a Mac (I've read that certain brands just don't work, or cause lock ups) or how easy it is to upgrade the MBP myself, so advice on that would be appreciated as well.

[iREZ]

if $150 isnt worth...

512mb more ram
20gb more hard drive space
and 128mb extra vram

then opt for the prior, but i personaly think that latter is the better buy for the dollar, especially if youre going to plan on upgrading to 2gb of ram.

[CDailey]

Well, I only planned to upgrade to 1GB, and like I said the hard drive space is not an issue since I've already got nearly 400GB of storage. I also only plan to play World of Warcraft on it, so the video card isn't really an issue either. I suppose it's really down to the slightly faster processor and the glossy vs matte screen.

[mduell]

I'd go for the second one so you don't have to toss the 512MB when you upgrade to 2GB.

But I'd want the glossy. Wait a few days to see what shows up at the store.

[iREZ]

well if youre gonna upgrade to 1gb then add $50 to lower priced mbp because of the eventual upgrade youd need to get it up to 1gb total. the vram wont make much of a difference when it comes to gaming. and 400gb is ok for in home use, but if youre on the go...i doubt you'd take along your extra drive along with you so the 20gb should be considered for your on the go use.

[CDailey]

The only time I'll be using the laptop away from home is when I'm in class at college (graphic design) or when I go to a friends house. Either way, I won't need the extra 20GB. I just can't justify spending an extra $150 for 512MB ram and 20GB hdd space. I think I'm going to go for the first one.

[TailsToo]

Always better to buy a better system, since you can't upgrade many of the components later.

[iREZ]

dude..its not a 150 bucks. youre going to have to spend 50 bucks on 512 ram to get the first system to 1gb. so the difference is only 100 bucks gives you a faster processor, 20gb more hd space (this could be its own windows partition without gettin in the way of your comfortable 80gb limit), 1gb ram stick so you could upgrade later without issue (getting rid of a 512 stick with the former system) and you have twice the vram...who knows what adobe has in stock for cs3.

i too am a design major (my last quarter, woot!!!) and have used my notebook on the go plenty of time. trust me, 100 bucks now isnt that big a deal in a few months time...you'll be glad you got the better system. but hey...thats just me. also, as a design student...matte would be the better way to go. sorry to be so pushy with my thoughts but it seems like youre set on the cheaper system and i want you to get home the idea of a better system.

[CDailey]

So the second system really is the better buy? I've been dead set on the glossy screen since I've read things about the "grainy-ness" of the matte screen. Is that really such a bad issue? I don't want pay $1700 to have a crappy looking screen.

EDIT: Well, I ordered the second system. It should be here on Wednesday or Thursday.