[doodly]

I'm looking for a new laptop to replace my G4 Mini in the office and my soon-to-be 6 year-old TiBook at home. I run a small web design firm, and don't really need a high-end machine right now: my graphics use is shrinking and optimizing images (using Fireworks), I do limited video stuff (iMovie DVDs for the grandparents), and write and code almost everything in TextMate (with a bit of Dreamweaver if necessary).
I'm looking to spend around $1500 and while a Core 2 Duo MacBook looks like it'll do everything I need and more, I'm torn by the thought of a refurb 15" Core Duo MB Pro for around the same price.
I'm likely to have this machine a long time, so I'm wondering if over the long-term (expandibility, build quality), would I be better off with the Pro?

[doodly]

(not to reply to myself, but I just remembered one thing that might be relevant) - I'll likely be using Parallels Workstation to run Windows for website testing. Should that make me lean towards the Pro, or doesn't it make much difference?

[braindoc]

How sensitive are you to the heat from a MBP. If the computer is going to sit on a desk or similar surface, I would recommend the CD MBP rather than a C2D MB. The nominal gain in CPU performance will not be offset by the dedicated graphics card, expansion port, other features. The graphics card performance advantage is more even more noticeable when I run Parallels.
I currently have a 2 MHz CD MB and I would have reservations recommending this computer to anyone until Apple redesign the casing, (from what I understand, it's not a question of if, but rather of when), which is the same as the current C2D MB.

[crapple]

I too was in this same quandry about a month ago. I ended up purchasing a refurbished CD 2.0 MPB from Apple Online. The computer arrived D.O.A. About a week later, I received a second refurb MPB. For about two weeks, all was well. Then came the attack of the Superdrive. Said Superdrive made enough noise while ripping a CD into Itunes that people were asking me to turn down my computer in class. The drive also became non responsive. So after sending in my 2nd MPB, they held the repair because of a serial mismatch which occured because the serial number was not changed from when the original owner sent it in. Long story short, I ended up getting a Non-refurb C2D MPB which has been flawless so far. I will say that my confidence has been shaken, especially of refurbs. Some people have had no problems though. There is also the pending availability of refurb C2D MPB'S as well. They are worth the wait.
Good Luck in your decision.
Cheers
Crapple

[Cheers]

I purchased an Apple Certified REFURBED 15.4" MacBook Pro 2.16 Ghz Core Duo, w/ 1 gig ram, 100 gig HD, 256 MB Vid card...
Upon recieving it I immediately called apple store back and asked for a full refund. Why?
Reasons:
- The laptop had considerable wear on it, the beautiful aluminum case was all scuffed up and had scratches. Looks like who ever owned it waited a while before sending their's back
- The bottom case where the push button is to release the lid looks like someone tried to pry it open with a ball point pen. it had blue ink. The previous person who had it must have not realized how to open the laptop
-The area near where your left wrists rests on the laptop was heavily scratched/scuffed up. It looks like someone wore a watch for extended typing sessions
-The grey plastic around the edge of the laptop case was showing lots of wear
-It had a weird fan hum to it
When I purchased it I had asked the rep over the phone at 1800myapple if it was comestically and functionally perfect. The rep said yes, so I bought it. It came and it was not the case. I called back 1800myapple and they told me the rep was wrong and that functionally it was 100% tested, but comestically there were no guarantees as to it's condition. I was not pleased. I asked if they were willing to replace the shell and chassis of the laptop as I like it's configuration, but was displeased with the condition. They said it would be impossible. I then said I would like a full refund.
Now I'm going to pick up a brand new 15.4" MBP Core2Duo 2.33 Ghz instead. I did not receive the so called MAC experience when I recieved the refurb. It came in a cardboard box. Opened software, and such...
My advice is to say your pennies and pick up a brand new one. It's not worth it to spend 2000 bucks on a scratched one. Sure you are saving 700 or so... but since i'm already in for 2000 I want one that isn't scratched. That is my take on it.

[MonaLisa]

I was also torn between a new MB and a refurb MBP and I purchased a refurb MBP core duo 2.0 for $1349, and it's perfect. No problems whatsoever. I upgraded the RAM myself, added Fancontrol 1.1, and it runs cool and flawlessly.
Earlier in the year, I purchased a refurb Mac Mini and had some trouble with it that required 2 trips to the Apple store and a new motherboard, which they covered. It's been fine ever since. I think the refurb products are usually fine, but once in a while a lemon gets through. Apple seems to always make good on the product, but it can take some time and phone calls to make it happen. If the price difference is worth the potential trouble depends on the person.
Anyway, I have several friends with MB machines and although they seem like a nice machine, I think the screen is too small for a lot of things that I need to do (code development and writing mostly) so I opted for the refurb MBP. I used a 12" PB for 2 years and loved the machine, but I don't think I'd go back to a small screen again after using the MBP for a week.

[mr.steevo]

Quote:

---

I currently have a 2 MHz CD MB and I would have reservations recommending this computer to anyone until Apple redesign the casing, (from what I understand, it's not a question of if, but rather of when), which is the same as the current C2D MB.

---

Hi,
I'll bite.
What's wrong with the casing?
And, I can't believe Apple is still selling a 2 Megahertz computer! Welcome to 1985 /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I have a 1Ghz iBook and my brother in law just sold his 1Ghz PowerBook. Although my 'book is newer than what he had, the casing is creaky and loose and feels cheap. Meanwhile his PB was still solid and tight. The plastic must come loose over time from the heat expansion whereas the PB appears to be fastened together. For me my next purchase will be a Pro version laptop over the consumer version, but that is just me.
s.