Buying new MBP this week. Advice needed.

rp2000

rp2000

rp2000

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Hi,

I'm going to be buying the middle spec (2.5ghz 15.4") MBP, online, this week. Decided to just get the basic spec of it and add on the 3 yr Applecare (58.75).

I noticed that I can change the HDD:

250GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm [+ £24.68]

I am not too fussed about the lost space if I go for the smaller, faster drive but don't know whether it would affect battery life etc?

Anyone ordered a MBP with the faster drive (or upgraded their own for that matter?)


rp2000
 
The battery use will be very minimal, usually +/-2W.

Although you wont notice the speed increase that much it will transfer files a lot quicker. Well worth the extra money though.
 
Justin said:
The battery use will be very minimal, usually +/-2W.

Although you wont notice the speed increase that much it will transfer files a lot quicker. Well worth the extra money though.
Click to expand...

I will be connecting it to my Gigabit LAN for file transfer so I guess I will appreciate the extra speed when copying files across it. At the moment my coreduo macmini copies files quite slowly over gigabit and I suspect it is because of its slow HDD (the files are being copied to a gigabit NAS with SATA drives in it so I know it is not at that end).


rp2000
 
Don't bother with that 58£ Applecare.

You get 3 years parts and labour, and 1 year phone support with all HE purchases.

The extra 58£ gives you an extra 2 years phone support.
 
EVH said:
Don't bother with that 58£ Applecare.

You get 3 years parts and labour, and 1 year phone support with all HE purchases.

The extra 58£ gives you an extra 2 years phone support.
Click to expand...

There was a guy who posted here the other day who works at Apple who clarified the warranty differences (else I was gonna post a question here regarding it). He says the 58 quid means they will come and collect it from you if there is a problem (as opposed to dropping off at a store).

I will try to find the post if I can.


rp2000
 
rp2000 said:
There was a guy who posted here the other day who works at Apple who clarified the warranty differences (else I was gonna post a question here regarding it). He says the 58 quid means they will come and collect it from you if there is a problem (as opposed to dropping off at a store).

I will try to find the post if I can.


rp2000
Click to expand...

I had my iMac collected last week (for repair), and I did not pay the extra £58.

I'd save the £58 or just use it to buy some software, seriously :)
 
If you buy the MBP from one of the Apple Retail stores, I have been unable to convince them to give me a 3 year warranty yet - they insist it's only 1 year even with the HE discount. They do still have the cheaper AppleCare so that's what I did when I bought one for a friend.
 
EVH said:
I had my iMac collected last week (for repair), and I did not pay the extra £58.

I'd save the £58 or just use it to buy some software, seriously :)
Click to expand...

If you are certain (I know you have bought many items using the HE discount). I am using it online and here is the wording under the apple care option:

applecare1.JPG

applecare2.JPG




rp2000
 
I am also interested in this...Also - Do you think the middle spec is worth the premium over the lowered spec MacBook Pro?
 
TheDean said:
I am also interested in this...Also - Do you think the middle spec is worth the premium over the lowered spec MacBook Pro?
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tbh, unless you get a discount, I don't think it is. they both have 2gb RAM. I don;t think you will miss the extra 256MB GPU RAM as it has been running fine on 128MB prior to the update.

Depends on your needs, but I reckon both 15.4 specs will run Tiger and or Vista admirably.


rp2000
 
rp2000 said:
tbh, unless you get a discount, I don't think it is. they both have 2gb RAM. I don;t think you will miss the extra 256MB GPU RAM as it has been running fine on 128MB prior to the update.

Depends on your needs, but I reckon both 15.4 specs will run Tiger and or Vista admirably.


rp2000
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Yeah - Even with the discount I'm still not sure it's worth the premium....We'll see. If I got one of my mates (who is still a student) to buy it, could he transfer all the warrenty stuff over to my name etc etc etc?
 
You'll probably notice an increase of noise and heat with the 7200rpm drive which may cause the noisy internal fan to run more. I suppose it depends what you're wanting to do with the mac.
 
Fingers crossed the noise doesn't annoy me then!!

Just plucked up the courage and ordered the middle spec MBP with the 7200rpm HDD and the apple remote added.

I took the mighty EVH's advice and didn't pay extra for the extended AppleCare.

So all in all it cost me £1189+VAT


rp2000
 
rp2000 said:
Fingers crossed the noise doesn't annoy me then!!

Just plucked up the courage and ordered the middle spec MBP with the 7200rpm HDD and the apple remote added.

I took the mighty EVH's advice and didn't pay extra for the extended AppleCare.

So all in all it cost me £1189+VAT


rp2000
Click to expand...


You're a brave one :) Let us know your impressions with photos etc etc etc once you get it
 
Sorry I didn't reply sooner rp2000

I am 100% about the coverage with HE purchases, you'll see when you get your email anyway.

This is a clip from my email, when I bought the following iMac on HE..

picture1gw4.png


Congratulations, and may you enjoy her :D

Welcome to the club!!
 
EVH said:
Sorry I didn't reply sooner rp2000

I am 100% about the coverage with HE purchases, you'll see when you get your email anyway.

This is a clip from my email, when I bought the following iMac on HE..

picture1gw4.png


Congratulations, and may you enjoy her :D

Welcome to the club!!
Click to expand...

Dead link?
 
TheDean said:
Dead link?
Click to expand...

It’s an Image..

So does this apply to Macbook Pro's as well? through the HE store. I didn't get the plan (extra 58£ thing) when I ordered my MBP last Tuesday because I was under the impression that this was the case... Well guess i'll find out on the 10/03 anyways :D

Thanks
XD-3

EDIT: EVH is the little thing in the 'top left' of your Sig meant to be a 'Master Chief' helmet?...
 
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robbiemc said:
You'll probably notice an increase of noise and heat with the 7200rpm drive which may cause the noisy internal fan to run more. I suppose it depends what you're wanting to do with the mac.
Click to expand...

Rubbish TBQFH.

Its 2W AT BEST, and Noise is 3Db IIRC.

Its no where near what the fans cool anyway, so even IF it was close, it still wouldn't change anything.

Spinning up is up to +2W more than a 5400.

Once its rotating at 7200RPM then the power usage is JUST to counteract the friction which is *slightly* more than it would be in a 5400RPM drive.

Seeking, etc, slightly more than a 5400RPM due to having the heads move quicker etc.

We're taking 1-2 mins battery life here, MAX.
 
Can I ask what information Apple needs to process your order once you access the HE section of the site? Do you need a student number / term time address / anything to actually prove you're a student (other than the fact you are accessing the website through a student network)?
 
TheDean said:
Can I ask what information Apple needs to process your order once you access the HE section of the site? Do you need a student number / term time address / anything to actually prove you're a student (other than the fact you are accessing the website through a student network)?
Click to expand...

Nothing.

I got mine by saying Im going to this uni in 10 months, I want this MBP, how much?

Got the discount, MBP + APE + AC = £1600 :D
 
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