I've been saving up for an Apple Macbook Pro for a while, but since I'm just a student without a steady job it has been very tough (I currently have about $450 saved up, which is very far from the $1700 price of a refurbished low-end Macbook Pro). Anyway, my question is this: should I buy a Macbook instead when I have the money (which will be pretty soon because I have a full-time job now) or should I keep saving for a Macbook Pro? the main reason I'd want a Macbook Pro is because of the extra graphics power and bigger screen (not to mention it looks a lot nicer)—I find my 1280x1024 and 1440x900 monitors somewhat cramped (it feels like I'm working inside a small box) and so 1280x800 has got to be a b*tch. Also, I do graphic design in Photoshop etc. (and CS4 is going to be GPU-accelerated) and I do recording etc from my 16 channel firewire mixer. Would you people say that the Macbook would suit me anyway despite its lower performance and smaller screen? Or would I best wait for a Macbook Pro? (The Macbook that I'd buy is $1099 refurbished, because I need a Superdrive)

The MacBook Pro is 1440x900...

In all honesty I'd probably suggest going for the Pro, the regular MacBook may not be quite powerful enough to meet your needs...

The MacBook's integrated graphics is honestly its crippling factor, aside from that the two machines can compete almost straight on for performance...

Have you given any thought to Apple Finance, it might let you get the Mac you want sooner! There is a link at the bottom right of the Apple Store website.

Wait for Centrino 2, Centrino will be cheaper.

$1700 for a refurbished laptop?? Wow. I didn't realise that they were so expensive.

If you can afford it, definitely go with the Pro as the MacBook has pretty mediocre specs.

That isn't how Apple works. When a new upgrade comes out it replaces the previous model as the same price-point about 99% of the time.



The nice thing about Apple Refurbished Products are that they are TRUELY brought back to factory specs, cleaned, and carry the same 1-year warranty just like a brand new Mac INCLUDING it's ability to be extended to the 3-year AppleCare.

You are getting a better than new product for cheaper than buying new.

how is it better than new?

I think she may have been saying that because its cheaper then new its better even though its practically the same product.

Also, the Apple site has low end MBPs for like $1299.

Nope, she's referring to the fact that the refurbished machines are checked for problems by a real person, instead of coming off manufacturing and straight into a box

I think so also. I am wondering however if you can buy refurbished MB or MBP at the store of if you have to buy on their website

Refurbished Pricing is only available through store.apple.com, not at retail locations.

thanks for the answer Cara

My pleasure.

(To be honest, some Apple Stores do have a monthly 'Firesale' however they are unpredictable and do not always carry the products people are looking for. Additionally prices do not match those of the Online Apple Store.)

Ok just a think on refurb systems. My aunts school works a lot with apple so shes know a few people there. One of them is in the refurb area. The website very often does not what is truely in stock or they are there for a very short time. Becuase of just how good their refurb systems are with the employee discounts they go out almost as fast as they go in. So if you are going to buy a refurb you have to buy it when you see it or risk it not being there the next day.

I just got myself a MacBook Pro, and the spec is ridiculously hot!

I got it on a 3 year rental - and after 2 years, I can upgrade to the latest MacBook Pro technology for the same price. Fantastic.