Hey. From the forum, found out that most of the macbook users using 2.0 MB instead of 1.83 MB. Should I get 1.83 MB or 2.0 MB? I'm still studying which a macbook is just something I want for the past 3 years and not a nessecity to me. Is 1.83 MB prefered than 2.0 MB? The question that I kept asking to myself for almost a month. Hope the PROS can help me to answer my question. Thanks so much.

This post has been edited by ronglovelynn: Apr 19 2007, 11:00 AM

Its Ghz, not MB.. Which refers to the processor speed. If you ask me I'll advise you to get the 2.0, cause processor is not something you can change in the future, so go with the best there is. Plus with the 2.0 you get 4MB L2 cache.

Dont forget u gonna get an additional 512 ram and super drive as well~!

Go for 2.0 C2D

2.0GHz
hottest selling model
u have superdrive more ram and more harddisk..

and for below $5.4k, it beats most of the offers out there for a 2.0 specs. that's 1 of the reasons that i'm switching from windows that are now mostly preloaded with vista, and costed the premium as part of the bundling.

go for 2.0GHz cause 2MB & 4MB L2 cache is totally different..

basically, the 2.0GHz white is currently the best deal, cos for the additional RM900, you get double the RAM, 20GB extra hard disk space, the DVD burner (SuperDrive) as well as the doubled cache memory.

i'm 1.83GHz user.
if you are kinda tight on budget, not doing much on DVD burning stuff, but can live with Combo drive, go for the 1.83GHz.
1.83GHz and 2.0GHz is not much different in Speed.

only, the advantages for 2GHz is that,
got 4MB L2 cache, superdrive, 1GB RAM and 20GB xtra HDD.

This post has been edited by hairol83: Apr 19 2007, 02:52 PM

Thanks guys! =)
Well, it's Ghz not MB. Oops.
And 2.0 Ghz provides extra RAM, 20GB extra hard disk space, DVD burner (SuperDrive) and doubled cache memory which 1.83Ghz don't.
But, like what hairol83 said, even though 2.0 Ghz provides those extra stuffs, 1.83 is not much differ from 2.0 in terms of speed. I'll definitely upgrade my RAM cause can't really survive without 1GB RAM nowadays i guess. Well, still haven't made up my mind yet. But definitely getting Mac. Cause sorry to say, I don't really like windows. But anyway, appreciate your time. Thanks! Considering now. =)

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Added on April 19, 2007, 3:09 pmWhat is the different between 2MB and 4MB L2 cache? Sorry, newb here.

This post has been edited by ronglovelynn: Apr 19 2007, 03:09 PM

Well, I have the first gen MBP 1.83 Ghz (the one with the noisy whining fan noise, got it repaired though) , and it's working just swell for me.

It really depends how much you are willing to afford for a Macbook. Although I think Black is cool, I would much prefer having extra cash for Ram which in my opinion is so important when you run multiple programs at once. Uping your ram from 1 gigs to 2 really makes a huge difference in the long run.

Well, if you can afford the extra RM900, then go for it. It is a good deal. But if you find yourself
strapped for cash, then just add some extra ram and you'll be fine. If you don't like it after awhile
you could always sell it on ebay. Apple products seem to retain alot of it's value after a year of usage. Sold my old iBook and I only loss about USD250 off the retail after one year of usage.

This post has been edited by Onso: Apr 19 2007, 04:12 PM

As a student, u need to look at ur budget. If ur budget's RM4k, the 1.83Ghz one is oredi a lil over ur budget but u probably be able to find the additional $. The additional RM900 is something u may or may not be able to afford.

I went for the 2.0GHz one because of the additional 2MB cache RAM. I also had a min requirement for RAM so I took all those into account and made my decision. I think I almost had to rob a bank to pay for mine *gulps*

Well, of course there's some financial problem. You know, which parents willing to pay that extra stuffs right? Ok maybe some parents do. Not in my case. Well, thanks for your info. Helps alot. By the way, how much is that "extra RAM"?

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Added on April 19, 2007, 7:01 pmYeah, budget is around 4.5k till 4.8k. Nothing more than 5k. But well, I don't mind spending that extra 900 bucks for that extra stuffs. But the question is whether it is useful to me or not. Cause most of the users using it for like art and design I believe. Which I'm not. So a basic one will do. But, almost everyone in the forum having a 2.0Ghz macbook. Jealous I guess. So, asking for some help to help me choose.

p/s : yep I'm fussy. ooppss ...

This post has been edited by ronglovelynn: Apr 19 2007, 07:03 PM

The extra boost in L2 cache would help out a lot for multi-tasking.

I 'm using 1.83 C2D now.. so far so good. I dun do much burining. still using the basic 512. if you are not doing much graphics or video .. it should work fine with you.

save the 900 for extra ram.

This post has been edited by rhesusv: Apr 19 2007, 09:38 PM

So the L2 cache is for multi tasking. Cool. Think I'm getting 1.83Ghz and upgrade it to 1GB of RAM. Thanks guys for your help.

Friend, why buy 1.83 and upgrade to 1GB Ram when the 2.0 already has 1GB Ram and much more?

i think u should bump into 2GB Ram
nowadays it will totally cost below than 450.

me struggling to buy another 1 stick 1GB module for my MacBook

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Added on April 19, 2007, 10:28 pmi think maybe he/she out of budget...

This post has been edited by hairol83: Apr 19 2007, 10:28 PM

Well, like what Hirol83 said, 5k is kinda out of my budget. 4.5k is just nice for me I guess. Thanks. =) And upgrading it to 1GB of RAM wont cost as much as getting the 2.0 Macbook I believe. So, getting it tomorrow. =) Thanks so much for the advise.

Hey Ronglovelynn,
Sorry to make things extra complicated for you.
The 1.83 Ghz Macbook comes with only 512MB (256MB x 2), so if you were to swap out for more Ram, you would want to get rid of one 256MB or both all together if you were going to add more. If price is an issue, normally you would get a single stick 1GB Ram and you would have an odd total of 1,256MB of memory.
SODIMM Ram stick are sold in large sizes in single sticks, but then they start to cost more and more the higher you go in gigabytes per stick.

And in my honest opinion 512MB of ram is really not large enough ANYTHING to run these days. It takes at least 2Gbs on my MBP and I still crave for more. Thank god for dual cores...seriously I'm a multi-tasking whore.

But then again, as for lack of extra HD space, you could always bring around those mini laptop size external HD, I'd recommend them cause they don't need an extra power cable +brick to lug around, just plugs right into the Firewire port (like thisLaCie).
The same goes with when you want to burn DVDs, just get an external drive. But if you could hold out long enough with CD-Rs, you could probably get an external Blu-Ray burner when it comes out and the price is right.

So yeah, sorry to add all these other things to add to the equation. It does make your decision process a little harder, but the more you know...

ronglovelynn,
Since your folks are getting the machine for you and have given you a budget, I think it's important you stick to it. Obviously, we all want the best specs but it's also important to know how much $ u have to spend.

Whatever it is, spend wisely. And, remember... $ doesn't drop from the sky

I choosed the 1.83 model over the 2.0 model. Why?

(1) How often will you ever need to burn DVDs when on the move? A nice luxury.. but not a nesscacity. Plus, external DVD burners burn at much faster speeds...

(2) If you don't play games or do intensive video/picture editing, you would never notice the difference in processing power.

(3) 900 bucks is quite a large sum. Could have been spent on maxing out the 2GB of RAM, and you'll have a little change to get ur macbook a palm area protector...

All i have to say, "Welcome to the Mac World!"

kwekeugene,
The write speed's quite impressive I must say - then again, I'm comparing it with my old ancient Fujitsu laptop so it's probably not a fair comparison.

Like you said, it really depends on usage and if it's merely meant for surfing the internet, checking emails and word processing, the 1.83GHz be good enough. Besides, there are many out there who's not using Core 2 Duo processors still and their system's functioning well

Sure hope you're enjoying your Mac

Of course I am. Just weird how everything in OSX is so...... simple

TS, finally decided ? Or did we make things a little more complicating

I think you made a wise choice of your budget too. As long as the HDD is able to store all your applications and documents, I think the HDD space is fair enough. Just get an external HDD if you are running out of HDD space and place it at home ready for your laptop as external HDD are plug and play. Extra money to boost up your RAM is definitely wise too.

r u sure u want a mac book is it because u want to carry it everywhere or do u want to just leave it at home.if u only want to play games on your com i sugest you dont buy a mac book but if u want it for buiness mac book is the 1 u should buy n take the 2 ghz its better even though it is a tiny bit more expensive

Guess you're right. I've a CD-RW at home. Didn't even touch it. Don't really play games. PS2 will do for me. And heard that white macbook get dirty easily. Get a palm area protector too. Thanks.

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Added on April 20, 2007, 3:04 pmYeah, I'm just gonna use my macbook for surfing, mails, words and maybe some GarageBand thingy cause it's kinda cool right? Anyone using that application?

And yeah, a lot people who's not using Core 2 Duo and still it performs up to standard. Thanks! =)

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Added on April 20, 2007, 3:06 pmKinda confusing though Not sure which one to get. But roughly I know which model I wanna get.

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Added on April 20, 2007, 3:08 pmExternal will do right? =) Those extra money for RAM like upgrade it to 2GB of RAM or something which is still cheaper getting the 2.0 model. Thanks.

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Added on April 20, 2007, 3:10 pmGoing to carry it everywhere I go but not for business. For studies. =) Cause leaving to aussie soon so, gonna prepare myself with "cheap" laptop before I leave. (Malaysia's macbook is cheaper than other countries I realise. Correct me if I'm wrong) Thanks!

This post has been edited by ronglovelynn: Apr 20 2007, 03:12 PM

ronglovelynn,
Just remember to install the fan cooler program when you get your MB - I had a friend who tells me her friends in Melbourne had to buy a fan specially to blow at their Macs during Summer due to the hot weather - but she too did mention that their notebooks are switched on 24/7 *g*

At least with a Mac you won't need to worry should anything go wrong - I'm sure there's an Apple retail outlet in the State you're planning to go. Btw, student discounts are available in Australia so u may want to check if it's cheaper to get it here or there - if the difference is a tiny weeny bit, it's best to get it here so u can get used to the Mac and install the necessary programs in it beforehand.

Can't advise much on GarageBand as I don't use it but I think for that, it'll probably help with higher RAM

If you are going to buy it to go overseas, like to aussie, get it over there. It's much cheaper buying it from an Official Apple store, plus your university could probably entitle you to a 10-15% student discount.

Oh cooler program? Not a cooler fan? Okay. Will install it before I leave. Thanks for your precious info. =)

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Added on April 20, 2007, 6:16 pmWell, Aussie selling at A$ 1749 for the 1.83Ghz model which is roughly around RM5k. Too expensive. That's without discount. With student discount will be A$ 1574.10 which is around RM 4.5k. STILL more expensive than Malaysia. Get in Malaysia. =) Thanks!

This post has been edited by ronglovelynn: Apr 20 2007, 06:16 PM

ronglovelynn,
Check out Macbook Laptop Cooler. In there, you will find links to 2 separate softwares which should help in reducing your MB's temperature.

Have fun with your Mac and since you're carrying it overseas, perhaps check with your insurance agent if you can get it insured, and buy the one that insures it internationally too - just in case

Thanks! Really appreciate your help. Just wondering, what do use for your mac? Anyway, thanks!

ronglovelynn,
The usual stuff a PC be sufficient for *g* - emails, surfing, Office, etc. I haven't had the chance/time to learn Adobe yet but it's one of the reasons I decided to get a Mac. Also, the stability & minimal virus threats.

The 1 thing I don't quite like about it is the uhm.. weight! but I bought my Mac knowing about the additional weight so there's really nothing to complain about *g*. Oh, another thing - remember to check for the usual 'stated' problems that occurs with a MB/MBP whichever you're getting so you aren't inconvenienced to going back to the shop over and over again

Oh the weight? Is it that heavy? It's 2.3kg if I'm not mistaken. Well others is like more than that I believe. I don't mind the weight though. Fine with it. Oh by the way, I don't really get your last sentence. "remember to check for the usual 'stated' problems that occurs with a MB". As in check before I bring it home?

Oh yeah! I went to one of the dealer this afternoon and asked the price for the RAM. He told me that KVR RAM is cheaper than KTA RAM and asked me to go for it but it'll bring some problem(s) if you "stress" the RAM. Any ideas? Thanks! =)