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+--- Thread: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? (/showthread.php?tid=69228)
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - BigGuynRusty - 12-28-2008
Black Landlord wrote:
Thanks! I'd be interested in any citations or links you have detailing the prevalence of the Seagate hard drive failures, and which models used them. Also, what are they replacing them with, and how do those hold up to being squeezed while the heads are moving?
Black Landlord wrote:I asked first!
Apple will never admit this publicly (nor most plastic macbook owners) but the redesign was not fueled by cosmetic concerns-- the plastic macbook housing is just not able to provide adequate protection to the internals, and is actually the main reason for the preponderance of hard drive failures.
But, just to whet your appetite, and maybe to get you to actually answer my question, here is a little tidbit of info.:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-9823370-37.html
BGnR
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - Gareth - 12-28-2008
I went with a last gen 2.5 because I prefer the flexibility of also having a FW400 port and there's no significant increase in processor speed (unless you can afford the 2.8).
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - Grumpyguy - 12-28-2008
Price. Take a look around, I picked up a last gen MacBook Pro 2.4 for $1299 from ClubMac on Friday. The same model was in the Apple refurb bin for $1349.
I think MacMall and Club Mac raised their prices, but I'm thinking you might call them and ask for the $1299 price.
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - RAMd®d - 12-28-2008
The Macbooks are larger and thinner than the iBooks, so I'm not surprised that they might not be quite as solid.
Yet that doesn't *feel* to be the case (npi) to me when comparing my iBook to my MacBook. As of yet, I get *no* hinge squeaking. But that's something that could change.
I also wonder how much it costs for Apple to manufacture an AlBook compared to a MacBook. It must cost more I would *think*, but I have no idea. And still, the price of the AlBooks didn't increase (did it?).
And though the performance of them is only as fast (or slower depending on who tests them) as the previous MBs, they feel terrific. Very solid, jewel like.
I still want one.
My luck with Hitachi drives has been great,; Seagates not so much.
Anecdotal only.
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - hal - 12-29-2008
How many fujitsu fans do we have here?
Cause most of the laptops are shipping with fujitsu drives these days.
So is everyone gonna buy fujitsu now?
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - what4 - 12-29-2008
I also bought the last gen 2.4 MBP, because I have some firewire-only devices I'm not ready to give up.
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - sekker - 12-29-2008
The new MBP has the revised, no-button, glass trackpad.
The new MBP has two better video cards.
As mentioned, the new MBP has an easier hard drive upgrade path.
otherwise, the new MBP has one fewer firewire ports (no FW400).
Looks to me like a relatively minor update - in fact, unless you are gaming, the speed increase is modest.
I do not believe this refresh was for current MBP owners, but for powerbook G4 owners and switchers. The updated form factor should last them awhile.
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - Black Landlord - 12-29-2008
BigGuynRusty wrote:
[quote=Black Landlord]
Thanks! I'd be interested in any citations or links you have detailing the prevalence of the Seagate hard drive failures, and which models used them. Also, what are they replacing them with, and how do those hold up to being squeezed while the heads are moving?
Black Landlord wrote:I asked first!
Apple will never admit this publicly (nor most plastic macbook owners) but the redesign was not fueled by cosmetic concerns-- the plastic macbook housing is just not able to provide adequate protection to the internals, and is actually the main reason for the preponderance of hard drive failures.
But, just to whet your appetite, and maybe to get you to actually answer my question, here is a little tidbit of info.:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-9823370-37.html
BGnR
Thanks for proving my point.
[quote BGnR's linked article]
Apple is investigating whether or not faulty Seagate hard drives are to blame for data loss on some MacBooks.
Retrodata, a U.K. data recovery firm, reported earlier this year that certain 2.5-inch Seagate drives used in MacBooks had a manufacturing flaw that causes the drive heads to scratch the surface of the drive and cause major problems.
===Exactly=== what would happen if you squeezed a hard drive while the heads were moving.
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - Black Landlord - 12-29-2008
RAMd®d wrote:
The Macbooks are larger and thinner than the iBooks, so I'm not surprised that they might not be quite as solid.
Yet that doesn't *feel* to be the case (npi) to me when comparing my iBook to my MacBook. As of yet, I get *no* hinge squeaking. But that's something that could change.
I also wonder how much it costs for Apple to manufacture an AlBook compared to a MacBook. It must cost more I would *think*, but I have no idea. And still, the price of the AlBooks didn't increase (did it?).
And though the performance of them is only as fast (or slower depending on who tests them) as the previous MBs, they feel terrific. Very solid, jewel like.
I still want one.
My luck with Hitachi drives has been great,; Seagates not so much.
Anecdotal only.
Not hinge squeaking. More like creaking from several places where the plastic housing is joined to itself simultaneously. All coming from the lid. I'll have to spend some time next time I'm around some macbooks and see if others feel more solid.
The plastic in the iBooks was stiffer-- pretty sure they used Lexan, and maybe switched to a different plastic for the macbooks.
Re: any reason to go for a new unibody mbp over a refurb last gen model? - vision63 - 12-29-2008
The hard drive failed in mine last summer. That's one confirmed.