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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > 1st Gen. MBP vs. New Macbook

1st Gen. MBP vs. New Macbook
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drewcifer
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Dec 31, 2008, 06:36 AM
 
I'm an architecture student currently using a first generation Macbook Pro and I am considering upgrading to the 2.4ghz Macbook. I do work in Photoshop and 3D rendering programs.

My current computer has a 2.16ghz core duo, 2GB ram, 7200rpm drive, and ATI Radeon X1600 256MB VRAM

The plan is to sell my current computer to purchase a 2.4ghz macbook. At some point down the road I would up the ram to 4GB and install a 7200rpm drive. How much of a performance increase can I expect from this new machine? What areas will I see improvements in? Am I sacrificing anything by making this change other than the larger screen? What about graphics performance? Is this a worthwhile upgrade?

Being a college student I'm strapped for cash (otherwise I would just upgrade to a new MBP) but I can probably swing a 2.4 Macbook after selling my current machine on ebay. The new macbooks are obviously superior from a design perspective but I'm just wondering how significant the difference is performance-wise.

Your responses are much appreciated.
     
Maflynn
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Dec 31, 2008, 09:01 AM
 
Here's a set of benchmarks from MacWorld that seems to answer your questions.

Going from a MBP to a MB generally means a step back in terms of performance but the differences between the two models (2.4 MB and 2.4 MBP) are razor thin, with the following exception: The GPU on the MBP is faster (as a discreet GPU vs. an integrated one will be). However if you don't play games or use software that leverages the GPU then the MB will suffice (except for CS4, photoshop was more dependent on processor speed/power and gpu power)

Screen size and quality is another issue you need to mull over, a 13" display to do photoshop work may be a little too cramped unless you attach a monitor to it. Additionally there's been complaints that the MB's display panel is inferior to the MBP's, that is colors are washed out and viewing angle is diminished.

Finally the lack of FireWire may (or may not) be an issue.

Is it worth the upgrade? Only you can answer that, but I'd say that being a cash strapped student, it may be better for you hold on to your MBP and wait till you have more money or a need to upgrade.
~Mike
     
drewcifer  (op)
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Dec 31, 2008, 12:30 PM
 
Actually, I'm interested in comparing my first generation macbook pro machine with current generation macbooks. I don't think that website mentions the older mbp's.
Macbook Pro 15" (fully spec'd out)

...waiting for 6g ipods.
     
drewcifer  (op)
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Jan 1, 2009, 01:34 AM
 
cmon help me out here guys i know you all are experts on this stuff.
Macbook Pro 15" (fully spec'd out)

...waiting for 6g ipods.
     
Simon
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Jan 1, 2009, 04:45 AM
 
You already have the answers. The new 2.4 GHz MB will definitely be faster than your old MBP for everything, but GPU-dependent tasks. The MB screen is not as good as the screen on the MBP, but the new LED-backlit screens are better (instant on, even backlighting) than the older CCFL types like your old MBP has. You will be losing FW capability with the new MB.

Make sure to get 4 GB RAM ASAP for best performance.
     
clockworkwar
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Jan 1, 2009, 12:26 PM
 
I am also an architecture student and debating whether to purchase a MB, I think as I have to get a train to the uni every day for me a macbook seems better then I will hook it up to a monitor at home.
     
driven
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Jan 1, 2009, 03:15 PM
 
I am pondering this question. What would each of YOU do in this situation:

Buy a refirb 2.4 or 2.5 Ghz MacBook Pro (Old style) or a brand new 2.4 Ghz MacBook?
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Simon
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Jan 1, 2009, 03:21 PM
 
I would decide first if I want a MBP or a MB. I you want a MBP but can't afford it, then go for the refurb. But there's no reason to get a refurb MBP if you actually prefer a MB.

Personally, I'm fine with the 15" size and I want the extra performance, expansion, and screen quality so I'd get the MBP. But not a refurb. One of the cool new unibody MBPs.
     
driven
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Jan 1, 2009, 03:27 PM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
I would decide first if I want a MBP or a MB. I you want a MBP but can't afford it, then go for the refurb. But there's no reason to get a refurb MBP if you actually prefer a MB.

Personally, I'm fine with the 15" size and I want the extra performance, expansion, and screen quality so I'd get the MBP. But not a refurb. One of the cool new unibody MBPs.
I prefer the MBP, but with the economy being what it is I'm trying to keep costs down. Since the refurb MBP is about the same price as the MB it makes a reasonable question.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Simon
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Jan 1, 2009, 03:39 PM
 
Well if you prefer the MBP and a refurb MBP is no more expensive than a MB, why the heck not go with a refurb?
     
driven
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Jan 1, 2009, 03:41 PM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
Well if you prefer the MBP and a refurb MBP is no more expensive than a MB, why the heck not go with a refurb?
Older generation vs. new generation laptops.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
clockworkwar
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Jan 1, 2009, 03:43 PM
 
I like the small form factor of the MB. It's upto personal taste.
     
Simon
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Jan 1, 2009, 05:28 PM
 
Originally Posted by driven View Post
Older generation vs. new generation laptops.
Both are current tech. So why should that be of any concern if you clearly prefer one over the other?
     
mduell
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Jan 1, 2009, 06:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
You already have the answers. The new 2.4 GHz MB will definitely be faster than your old MBP for everything, but GPU-dependent tasks.
When is 9300M not faster than X1600?
     
Simon
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Jan 1, 2009, 06:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by mduell View Post
When is 9300M not faster than X1600?
9300M... Huh?

The MBPs X1600 will outpace the MB's 9400M at tasks involving VRAM and bandwidth.
     
exca1ibur
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Jan 1, 2009, 06:34 PM
 
     
drewcifer  (op)
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Jan 1, 2009, 08:41 PM
 
OK looking at those benchmarks it seems that my current graphics processor is slightly better.

SO i can expect a new MB to be better performance-wise in all areas except for a slight graphics disadvantage? Hmm, I could also consider a refurb mbp.
Macbook Pro 15" (fully spec'd out)

...waiting for 6g ipods.
     
drewcifer  (op)
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Jan 1, 2009, 08:45 PM
 
could someone please explain the hardware/performance differences between the refurb MBPs being offered and the new unibody MBPs?
Macbook Pro 15" (fully spec'd out)

...waiting for 6g ipods.
     
Cloud
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Jan 1, 2009, 10:02 PM
 
I am also an architecture student and I just bought myself the new MBP with the 2.8ghz processor 4GB of RAM and the 512MB graphics card.

i havent fully tested out the performance of this computer with all the programs freshly installed on it, however i have had no problems shuffling through all the other programs i keep on at once. and keep in mind this is on the lower performance configurations i have setup using the 9400 GeForce setup as well as the longer battery life option compared to the powerful graphics.

i think youll be fine, just take the plunge and buy the mbp, youll really enjoy it.
     
Simon
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Jan 2, 2009, 04:53 AM
 
Originally Posted by drewcifer View Post
SO i can expect a new MB to be better performance-wise in all areas except for a slight graphics disadvantage? Hmm, I could also consider a refurb mbp.
I think you are asking the wrong questions. There's another thread where we were debating a similar issue.

You should first ask yourself what you want: MBP or MB. Do you want smaller, lighter, more battery life OR do you want bigger/better screen, more graphics performance, more expansion?

Once you know the answer to that question you either get a new MB or (if you're on a tight budget) a refurb MBP for roughly the same amount of money.

The new unibodies offer new features and great new looks, but in terms of raw performance they're no huge step forward (apart from maybe X3100 vs. 9400M). Buying a refurb now is not buying outdated tech. It's a smart way for people who could only afford a MB to get the MBP they prefer.

But first of all, people need to find out — apart from the money issue — which one they want/need/prefer.
( Last edited by Simon; Jan 2, 2009 at 05:19 AM. )
     
mduell
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Jan 2, 2009, 03:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
The MBPs X1600 will outpace the MB's 9400M at tasks involving VRAM and bandwidth.
9400M has more bandwidth (21GBps) available than X1600 Mobility (6.5GBps) and 945PM (10GBps) combined.

9300M is the same graphics core as used in the 9400M chipset.
     
driven
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Jan 2, 2009, 03:52 PM
 
How does the 9400 chipset in the new MacBooks compare with the ATI Radeon 9700s in the old MBP?
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Simon
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Jan 2, 2009, 06:22 PM
 
The MBP never had a 9700. They started out with the Radeon Mobility X1600 and then moved on to the GeForce 8600M.

The rev B, C, and D 15" Al PowerBooks used a Radeon 9700 back in 2004-2005. It doesn't stand a chance against the 9400M.
     
drewcifer  (op)
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Jan 2, 2009, 07:57 PM
 
thanks for the advice simon. i think i'll most likely be going with a refurb MBP. I definitely would prefer a MBP and Im sure it will blow my current machine out of the water. Also, I should be able to make it fit the budget.
Macbook Pro 15" (fully spec'd out)

...waiting for 6g ipods.
     
jsnowbordr47
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Jan 3, 2009, 12:07 AM
 
The graphics of the new MB will be at a slight disadvantage compared to the chip in your Gen 1 MBP. However, the CPU should more than make up for that slight disadvantage. The Gen 1 Macbook Pro uses Intel Core Duo Processors, a 32bit processor, the New Macbook uses Intel Core 2 Duo Processors, 64bit processors that are clocked much higher than the Gen 1 system you have.

I don't know about your 3d programs, but Adobe CS3/CS4 are optimized for 64bit processors.
     
kw14
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Jan 3, 2009, 02:42 AM
 
I had an early 13" ibook. I love everything about it except for the screen size when I had to do real work. When I was coding with multiple source files and when I was manipulating images, I felt claustrophobic. It got a lot better when I moved to a 15" screen. Then I got spoiled with a 17" MBP and a 30" cinema display. Now I am back to a 15" MBP. Unless the computer is mainly home use (email, iTunes, etc.), I cannot see going to the 13 inch.

Since you are an architecture student, I would suggest playing with some of your drawings on the 13" at the Apple store first before making your decision. I don't know if an iMac may be an option for you.
     
Simon
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Jan 3, 2009, 05:40 AM
 
Originally Posted by jsnowbordr47 View Post
I don't know about your 3d programs, but Adobe CS3/CS4 are optimized for 64bit processors.
Not on the Mac they aren't.
     
Simon
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Jan 3, 2009, 05:44 AM
 
Originally Posted by drewcifer View Post
thanks for the advice simon. i think i'll most likely be going with a refurb MBP. I definitely would prefer a MBP and Im sure it will blow my current machine out of the water. Also, I should be able to make it fit the budget.
That sounds like a good plan. If you prefer the MBP but are on a MB budget, you should definitely check the refurb section.

As I already advertised a while ago, you can find some excellent deals there. Some are there only a short while, but reappear later. It's a good idea to check frequently till they have exactly what you're looking for. My favorite's the 2.5 GHz 15" MBP (Early 2008, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, 8xSD, 8600M/512MB) for $1499. That's the previous high-end 15" MBP for the price of today's high-end MB.
     
driven
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Jan 3, 2009, 11:45 AM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
The MBP never had a 9700. They started out with the Radeon Mobility X1600 and then moved on to the GeForce 8600M.

The rev B, C, and D 15" Al PowerBooks used a Radeon 9700 back in 2004-2005. It doesn't stand a chance against the 9400M.
Sorry ... my mistake. What was *I* thinking? LOL

How does the 8600M (with dedicated memory) compare with the 9400M?
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Simon
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Jan 3, 2009, 11:58 AM
 
     
driven
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Jan 3, 2009, 12:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
Thank you for the links to that EXCELLENT web-site. Much appreciated.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
   
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