[muffinmanXL]

Hi all, long time lurker - first time poster

I've had my G4 iBook for almost four years now and am looking to finally upgrade. My options at the moment are:

a refurbished
1.) 15.4" MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.0ghz, 512 MB RAM, 80GB, 4x SuperDrive for $1299
2.) 13.3" Macbook Core 2 Duo 2.0ghz, 1 GB RAM, 80GB, 6x SuperDrive for $999

OR

a new
3.) 13.3" Macbook Core 2 Duo 2.16ghz, 1 GB RAM, 120GB, 8x SuperDrive for $1199

How do the two/three laptops compare performance-wise? I've heard the Core 2 Duo Macbook will outperform the MacBook Pro Core Duo? Atm, I'm leaning towards the Pro for the larger screen but I'm worried I'm paying more for a machine that is inferior to the Core 2 Duo MacBook...

Thoughts? Advice (from someone who's had to make a similar decision)? Thanks in advance

[Sethro]

Well I would say that the new Core 2 Duo models are far superior to the older Core Duo models, from my own experience I can say that the older Core Duo models are known to heat up much faster that than than the revised Core 2 Duo's. If you must have the bigger screen size than go for the Macbook Pro, but if you don't mind sticking with the newer Macbook, I would seriously recommend that you go for a brand new Macbook Core 2 Duo rather than buy an older Macbook Pro, which may or many not have some problems like overheating, electric shock or damaged screens.

[macbuddha1]

Muffinman, definitely go with the Core 2 Duo if you can.

My wife just got a new Macbook, 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo. I ran XBench tests against my Macbook Pro, 2.0 GHz Core Duo, and her new little machine blew mine away! Even in graphics tests. Needless to say, my Macbook Pro went on eBay the next day! I am now debating between a new black Macbook or a new Macbook Pro myself.

[peeb]

What do you use it for? The older Pro's graphics card might help a lot with some things.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Sethro 

electric shock or damaged screens.

What are these two problems?

The first I assume refers to the fact that ALL metal-cased Apple laptops have current running through their outer skin WHEN NOT GROUNDED (using the grounded power extension cord). This affects every single laptop from the very first 400 MHz titanium Powerbook G4s to the very latest Crestline 2.4 GHz MacBook Pros and is not a "problem".

What's this about "damaged screens"?