Macbook Pro or Macbook Pro or Hookers and Booze?

[davester]

I'm contemplating replacing my trusty 15" PB G4 1.25 with a 15" Macbook Pro. This is my main machine, used for everything from managing/enhancing photos, adobe illustrator drawings, websurfing, etc. I don't need a top of the line machine, but since I seldom buy a new machine (the current one was purchased in 2003 to replace my beige G3) it has to be something fairly future proof. It seems to me that there are two logical choices:

Refurb dual core i5 4/320

New quad-core i7 4/500

I can get the i7 for about $300* more than the i5. Is the 30% faster processor, 180 gb extra space, powerjolt, and a wide angle eyesight cam worth the extra $$ or should I go and buy myself powertools and beer with that $300?

*Note that the cost is deductible as a business expense so we're really talking about an after tax difference of about $230

[Paul F.]

Option 4

Spend $300 on hookers, booze, and/or power tools now, put the rest into a CD, suffer along with the G4, and a year from today, pick up that i7 Macbook Pro as "last years" model in the Refurb Store for $400 less than you'd spend on it today.

(IF it was me, I'd probably buy the i5 and get a quick hummer from a bargain hooker.... but that's just me...)

[Anthony]

Looking forward to the sage advice about to be bestowed upon this thread...

[davester]

Paul F. wrote:
Option 4

Spend $300 on hookers, booze, and/or power tools now, put the rest into a CD, suffer along with the G4, and a year from today, pick up that i7 Macbook Pro as "last years" model in the Refurb Store for $400 less than you'd spend on it today.

But that's what I did last year and it's next year now!

[Paul F.]

See! Get last years model i5 at a deep discount!

:-)

[edgarbc1]

i'd go for the i7
$230 aint much over a long anticipated lifespan

(same justification goes into an iphone purchase.. the price of
the phone is peanuts over the term of the 2-year contract w ATT or Verizon)

[MikeF]

Enroll in one class at the community college. Buy the i7 with the education discount.

[Wailer]

Since your needs are relatively limited, I'd recommend a C2D macbook in the $450 range or a C2D MBP in the $600 range. If you don't need a notebook, look for a $300 C2D imac.

I think that'll be the best "value" for a) something proven that b) still has 2 or 3 years of good life. It'll be a huge upgrade from your G4.

If you needed an i5, I wouldn't hesitate to get a new MBP (well, at least I'd wait until the GPU glitches are fixed) but it doesn't really sound like you can take advantage of all that power now or in the imminent future.

[space-time]

MikeF wrote:
Enroll in one class at the community college. Buy the i7 with the education discount.

POMTL, what is the discount, $50?

[cbelt3]

Get the better MB, enhance your earnings, then you can afford MORE hookers & Booze ! It's a win-win !

Not to mention you'll be able to afford the healthcare costs for the resultant cirrhosis and STD's !