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whoathere · Dec 2, 2006, 02:02 PM

Well, Christmas is coming and I'm getting the g/f a MacBook. When the C2D came out, I was excited that it came out. But, now I see how cheap the Core Duo MacBook Refurbs are... I am eligible for a student discount, but for the same MacBook, only with the Core Duo, it's still $200 cheaper. Basically what I'm wondering is if it's worth the extra $200 for the C2D. She is basically just going to be using it for school, nothing to intense or anything. Also, I'm wondering if going with the refurb is a good idea? Thanks for any input you guys can give me.

xtal · Dec 2, 2006, 04:52 PM

I'm actually in the same boat as you (education discount and all). I'm about 90% decided on a refurb. For what I need the machine for, the slight bump in processor speed won't help much.

If I were you, I'd get her the refurb. The same warranty applies, so it's no big deal really.

techtrucker · Dec 2, 2006, 05:04 PM

I've had a number of refurbs and have had excellent luck. And my current Core Duo MacBook is serving me well, and I use it for some heavy duty work. Sounds like she doesn't need the C2D, either save the $$ or use it for a cool bag or peripheral!

stefanicotine · Dec 2, 2006, 08:22 PM

I agree with what everyone else is saying. You won't notice a big enough difference to justify $200. One thing you should keep in mind, however, is that with each weekly release the MacBooks are getting more stable and reliable. Make sure any refurb you get is past week 35, if you can.

whoathere · Dec 3, 2006, 02:30 AM

Yea, I figured it would come down to the refurb, I was just trying to get some input from people with more knowledge. Plus, in getting her the refurb, I'm able to get my 20" C2D iMac alot sooner!!! Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciated it.

How can I check to see what week the refurb Macbook is?

QuadG5Man · Dec 3, 2006, 03:41 AM

1 gig of ram would be good for her if you get a refurb with 512 megs. So that might be an extra expense.

webb3201 · Dec 3, 2006, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by QuadG5Man

1 gig of ram would be good for her if you get a refurb with 512 megs. So that might be an extra expense.

After years of working in a QA group for another manufacturer, I am a huge fan of refurbs. You actually get a machine that was touched by human hands and tested. Normal production runs dont get that.

I grabbed a refurb black 2.0 cd and could not be happier. Machine is immaculate. It looks and acts exactly like the version the wife bought last week new with edu. discount. I dont notice a difference in the speed of the two processors as of yet (only been using the c2d for two days).

k

whoathere · Dec 3, 2006, 03:35 PM

Yea, about the RAM... I'm not sure if I wanna tear it apart to do it myself, unless its easy, and won't void the warranty or anything... Either way, if I want to upgrade the RAM, do I just take it to the Apple Store and have them do it, or do I have to ship it off? Plus, I'm thinking I'm gonna go with the 2.0 with the Superdrive, it's only $50 more, and IMO it's definitely worth the $50. Maybe I'll just stick with the 512 at first and if I think it needs the extra 512, I could get it done at a later date...

Z4cane · Dec 3, 2006, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by whoathere

Yea, about the RAM... I'm not sure if I wanna tear it apart to do it myself, unless its easy, and won't void the warranty or anything... Either way, if I want to upgrade the RAM, do I just take it to the Apple Store and have them do it, or do I have to ship it off? Plus, I'm thinking I'm gonna go with the 2.0 with the Superdrive, it's only $50 more, and IMO it's definitely worth the $50. Maybe I'll just stick with the 512 at first and if I think it needs the extra 512, I could get it done at a later date...

Upgrading the RAM is one of the easiest things to do. It's a 5 minute job... tops. All you have to do is remove the battery, three little philips head screws, and that's it. E.A.S.Y.

whoathere · Dec 3, 2006, 03:47 PM

It wont void warranty or anything either will it? Also, does the 512 come by way of 1x512, 2x256 modules?

Z4cane · Dec 3, 2006, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by whoathere

It wont void warranty or anything either will it? Also, does the 512 come by way of 1x512, 2x256 modules?

1. No, it won't void the warranty
2. Not sure, but I think it's 1X512

TerryJ · Dec 3, 2006, 03:52 PM

The 512 models come with 2 X 256 installed.

webb3201 · Dec 3, 2006, 08:54 PM

Ram is super easy on these boxes. You pull out the battery, loosen a
frame around the battery compartment and access the ram slots. You
will complete it in about 3 minutes even with nervous hands! Search
google video for the how tos.

k

whoathere · Dec 4, 2006, 01:25 PM

Thanks to everyone, I just checked out a video on Google, and it seems like a breeze. Now all I have to do is order the Macbook! Thanks again, I'm sure I'll have more questions too, just can't think of any right now.

TheoCryst · Dec 4, 2006, 01:32 PM

Just a quick note, if you do decide to upgrade her machine to a gig of memory, make sure you get 2x512MB sticks. The GMA950 video performs much better if it has matching memory to draw from. In many cases, 2x512MB will outperform 1x1GB+1x256MB.

whoathere · Dec 4, 2006, 03:04 PM

gotcha, thanks for the info... just ordered it a few minutes ago. Got the 2.0 with the superdrive.

peterauch21 · Dec 4, 2006, 05:04 PM

Congrats on the purchase! I'm sure she'll be a happy girl. And I can attest to the fact that 1.25 doesnt work as well as matched pairs.

whoathere · Dec 6, 2006, 11:58 AM

Well, should be here today. Fedex says around 4:30 is the delivery time. I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it (to the tune of Jessie Spano from Saved by the Bell, of course). I'm thinkin that I might do the upgrade to 1 gig right away, it seems like its pretty inexpensive. What do I do with the stock 2x256? I doubt that anyone would by them, or would someone? What other machines can they be used in?

deeper · Dec 6, 2006, 12:11 PM

I think OWC (macsales.com) has a buyback program, although they don't give you much for 256's. There ram prices aren't bad.

frankthetank966 · Dec 6, 2006, 12:46 PM

You do not get a student discount with the refurbs. I would get the CD2 because the CD has problems with heating, hard drive, power management.... Supossively Apple has fixed the problems via firmware updates however some issues still exist. The CD2 is more reliable from what I have heard. Plus it is not as expensive as the CD was. You get a better chip, and you get 80 GB automatically .

whoathere · Dec 6, 2006, 07:08 PM

Well, she came in today. It's in great condition, only 2 small things I have noticed, been tinkering for about a half hour now. The grey piece tat srounds the keyboard and trackpad, has two small areas where it is raised up a little bit. I know everyone loves pictures, so I'll get some up, maybe later today, probably not until tomorrow, I gotta keep this thing hidden from her for a couple weeks now...

whoathere · Dec 25, 2006, 03:11 PM

Well, the girlfriend opened her up today and was absolutely shocked. We started playing with it, and then I had a complete shock come up. Apple sent me the 2.0ghz Intel Core Duo, which I ordered, with the Superdrive, which I also ordered. I looked and then noticed it had 1GB of Ram, which I did not order, it also has the 80GB HDD, they sent me the more expensive macbook, but hey, I'm not complaining. This thing is so sweet.