Apple's new MacBooks: Worth the upgrade?

Published October 16, 2008

Apple's latest notebook updates have the tech world on fire, but are these upgrades worth your money or will you get a better deal by hitting the Apple Store's refurb bin? We compare the new models to their refurbished counterparts to find out. (Apple's availability of refurbs varies. We used recent prices that may not be in stock right now.)

	Apple MacBook (white)	Apple MacBook

Price	$849*	$1,299
Weight	5 pounds	4.5 pounds
Width (at thickest)	1.08"	0.95"
Screen	13.3" 1280x800 widescreen LCD with LED backlight	13.3" 1280x800 widescreen LCD with LED backlight (glossy)
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1GHz dual-core processor with 800MHz front side bus	Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz dual-core processor with 1066MHz front side bus
Memory	1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM	2GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM
Hard Drive	120GB 5400 rpm HDD	160GB 5400 rpm HDD
Video Card	Intel GMA X3100 with VGA output	Nvidia GeForce 9400M with Mini DisplayPort
Optical Drive	8x DVD burner	8x DVD burner
Wireless Networking	802.11g	802.11n

Pros: With faster memory, better graphics, and a faster front side bus, the new MacBook is proving its no slouch. The new system also ditches its trackpad buttons for a new, Multi-Touch trackpad that supports two-finger scrolling, three-finger swipes, and four-finger swipes.

Cons: Unfortunately, the new MacBook will only come with glossy displays. Although glossy screens help colors pop (particularly when watching movies), they're also prone to glare, especially when used under direct sunlight. Oddly, the MacBook's CPU has taken a small step backwards from 2.1GHz to 2GHz (albeit with a 1066MHz front side bus). However, our main gripe is with the MacBook's new Mini DisplayPort, which gives it the power to drive displays with resolutions up to 2560x1600, but also requires the need for dongles/adapters that will drive up the price of the overall system. Good move for Apple, expensive move for consumers.

Buy: Though it's $350 pricier than a refurbished version of its predecessor, the new MacBook packs enough cosmetic and internal updates to warrant an upgrade.

	Apple MacBook Air	Apple MacBook Air

Price	$1,349*	$1,799
Weight	3.0 pounds	3.0 pounds
Width (at thickest)	0.76"	0.76"
Screen	13.3" 1280x800 widescreen LCD with LED backlight	13.3" 1280x800 widescreen LCD with LED backlight
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz dual-core processor with 800MHz front side bus	Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz dual-core processor with 1066MHz front side bus
Memory	2GB DDR2 667MHz RAM	2GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM
Hard Drive	80GB 4200 rpm HDD	120GB 4200 rpm HDD
Video Card	Intel GMA X3100 with mini DVI output	Nvidia GeForce 9400M with Mini DisplayPort
Optical Drive	(none)	(none)
Wireless Networking	802.11n	802.11n

^{*Clearance price.}

Pros: In addition to DDR3 memory and a bigger hard drive, the MacBook Air also got infused with a new GeForce 9400M processor, which should give this svelte laptop some added graphics power.

Cons: Unfortunately, the system's biggest upgrade (the graphics processor) means you'll have to use Apple's proprietary Mini DisplayPort to connect your system to external monitors. In addition, the new MacBook Air still packs just one USB port.

Pass: Upgrades are always welcome, but Apple's ultraportable didn't receive enough of them to justify the $450 difference between a refurb and this new model.

	Apple 15" MacBook Pro	Apple 15" MacBook Pro

Price	$1,349*	$1,999
Weight	5.4 pounds	5.5 pounds
Width (at thickest)	1"	0.95"
Screen	15.4" 1440x900 widescreen LCD with LED backlight	15.4" 1440x900 widescreen LCD with LED backlight (glossy)
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz dual-core processor with 800MHz front side bus	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz dual-core processor with 1066MHz front side bus
Memory	1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM	2GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM
Hard Drive	200GB 5400 rpm HDD	250GB 5400 rpm HDD
Video Card	Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT with dual-link DVI output	Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT + Nvidia GeForce 9400M with mini DisplayPort
Optical Drive	8x DVD burner	8x DVD burner
Wireless Networking	802.11n	802.11n

^{*Clearance price.}

Pros: With two GPUs (the GeForce 9400M acts the base graphics processor while the 9600M GT acts as the dedicated graphics card), the new MacBook Pro is packing a lot of video processing power. Plus, you should feel the speed from the faster FSB.

Cons: Unfortunately, the MacBook Pro's DVI port is now replaced with a Mini DisplayPort, so whereas before you could directly connect to a DVI monitor, now you must purchase an adapter that costs as much as $99. In addition, the faster video card will reduce battery life. Finally, the thought of having all our ports on one side makes us queasy, in that one over-sized USB drive could potentially block other ports on our laptop.

Buy: Apple's portable powerhouse got a handful of new upgrades, yet the base model is priced the same as its predecessor. If your current system is starting to show its age, this new notebook should make for a nice upgrade, both cosmetically and performance-wise. However, it's $650 more than a very nice refurbished MacBook. $650 buys you a 42" LCD TV, a well-equipped PC laptop, an iPhone 3G with several months of service plus a Verizon phone to use when the iPhone gets no signal ....

Louis Ramirez is dealnews' Features Editor.

DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).

Apple's new MacBooks: Worth the upgrade?

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