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I am buying a MacBook. Is black worth the extra money?


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I am buying a MacBook. Is black worth the extra money?
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jbf13
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Join Date: Aug 2006
 
2006-08-21, 22:15

What do you guys think? For $200, 20GB and the awsome black color. What would you guys do?
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PB PM
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2006-08-21, 22:16

Unless you really want black, you can BTO the 2Ghz white one with a 80GB drive for $150 less.
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RowdyScot
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2006-08-21, 22:18

If you like the color that much and have the money, go for it and enjoy. You won't be disappointed
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Luca
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2006-08-21, 22:29

No.
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jbf13
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2006-08-21, 22:35

I love how the mod is just like


no.
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Luca
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2006-08-21, 22:47

Well, it isn't.

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jbf13
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2006-08-21, 22:55

Hmm... I dont know?? Thats why i am asking.
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PB PM
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2006-08-21, 22:56

If you want black get black, if you don't care, upgrade the white one.
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Windowsrookie
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2006-08-21, 22:57

Like black buy black. Like white buy white.
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torifile
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2006-08-21, 23:02

Well, the black is less likely to look dirty after using it for a few weeks. My white macbook is already looking a little grimy. Nothing that a little cleaning won't fix, but it is an advantage to the black.
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dark54555
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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2006-08-21, 23:03

yeah, I'll admit it looks cooler...just depends on whether you want to drop the cash.

I've seen arguements on both sides for which finish will look better for longer.
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jbf13
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2006-08-21, 23:05

I want the black bad but i can spend that 200 on other things. I dont know
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pilot1129
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2006-08-21, 23:07

Quote:
Originally Posted by torifile
Well, the black is less likely to look dirty after using it for a few weeks. My white macbook is already looking a little grimy. Nothing that a little cleaning won't fix, but it is an advantage to the black.
my exgirlfriend got this for her white macbook. works wonders and doesn't get dirty. plus, full lifetime replacement warranty
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Brad
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Join Date: May 2004
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2006-08-21, 23:11

Quote:
Originally Posted by torifile
Well, the black is less likely to look dirty after using it for a few weeks. My white macbook is already looking a little grimy. Nothing that a little cleaning won't fix, but it is an advantage to the black.
White things attract dark dirt; dark things attract light dirt. I know there's some famous rule named for this phenomena, but I cannot recall the name.
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hiltond
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2006-08-21, 23:20

The black looks badass. I'm cheap. If I wasn't cheap, I'd go with the black.
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pilot1129
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2006-08-21, 23:49

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad
White things attract dark dirt; dark things attract light dirt. I know there's some famous rule named for this phenomena, but I cannot recall the name.
Its the "You're fucked either way" theorum
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Kraetos
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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2006-08-22, 00:37

Quote:
Originally Posted by pilot1129
Its the "You're fucked either way" theorum


That theorem is never MIA, is it?
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Luca
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2006-08-22, 00:45

Well, come on. Everyone can agree that from an objective and practical standpoint, spending extra money for a black color scheme makes no sense at all. It's up to you. Personally I think it's a bad idea, not only because it costs more for no extra functionality, but also because it won't be reflected in the resale value either.

Think about it. Maybe you'll get a little more now for a black MacBook than a white one if you were to sell one, but I can't imagine Apple's going to keep charging extra for the black color forever. The next time the MacBook is updated, they'll probably just implement a color choice at no extra charge. You'll be able to choose which color you want independent of which configuration you get, just like with the iPod. And then poof goes any potential increase in resale value despite paying a higher price.

Like I said, though, it's up to you. I'd put color last on my list of priorities. If you really, really love how the black one looks AND buying one won't interfere with your ability to get other stuff, then why not? But I'd rather put the extra $200 towards something useful, like an external hard drive, keyboard, mouse, laptop stand, a quality bag, or even an external screen. And you absolutely shouldn't stretch your budget just to pay for a premium *COLOR* of all things.
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LaEsperanza
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Join Date: May 2006
 
2006-08-22, 01:16

Yeah, and now she can't take it outside because the combined glare from the screen AND the rest of the MB is like one of those silver things people used to hold up to tan with.

As far as the question goes: I have used both because I have owned both. For $300 from newegg.com, you can get a 2GB and 120GB upgrade. Although it is white and the color is not different, always remember resale. People will be looking at specs more than what color it is. While my BlackBook was cleaner, the white MB looked just as good. If you think that ColorWare is stupid, remember that you're essentially paying $150 for nothing.

Bottom line: theyre both going to be scratched on bottom and dirty on top in 6 months, do you want a MacBook that you can see it is dirty (and easily clean) or one that feels dirty but you can never see it?
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jbf13
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Join Date: Aug 2006
 
2006-08-22, 02:20

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luca
Well, come on. Everyone can agree that from an objective and practical standpoint, spending extra money for a black color scheme makes no sense at all. It's up to you. Personally I think it's a bad idea, not only because it costs more for no extra functionality, but also because it won't be reflected in the resale value either.

Think about it. Maybe you'll get a little more now for a black MacBook than a white one if you were to sell one, but I can't imagine Apple's going to keep charging extra for the black color forever. The next time the MacBook is updated, they'll probably just implement a color choice at no extra charge. You'll be able to choose which color you want independent of which configuration you get, just like with the iPod. And then poof goes any potential increase in resale value despite paying a higher price.

Like I said, though, it's up to you. I'd put color last on my list of priorities. If you really, really love how the black one looks AND buying one won't interfere with your ability to get other stuff, then why not? But I'd rather put the extra $200 towards something useful, like an external hard drive, keyboard, mouse, laptop stand, a quality bag, or even an external screen. And you absolutely shouldn't stretch your budget just to pay for a premium *COLOR* of all things.

There it is. Decided. I need an extenal hard drive and a case so white it is. And i can spend the 200 on thoes 2 items. Thanks!!

Last edited by jbf13 : 2006-08-22 at 13:07.
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Robo
Formerly Roboman, still
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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2006-08-22, 13:33

Personally, I like white more. Well, Idunno. As far as the notebook itself goes, the black looks really cool (I love the contrast of the Apple logo), but it would look really bad in my room. The only black think in my room is my dresser, and that's in my closet. Everything else is white, light, and bright.

and i guess i've known it all along / the truth is, you have to be soft to be strong
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nskk
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Join Date: Dec 2005
 
2006-08-23, 09:52

I like the white more. To me, it looks more like an apple. The black looks like a thinkpad.
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osa500
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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2006-08-26, 18:33

Seeing how my white one is staining, i wish i would have picked the black one.
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psmith2.0
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Join Date: May 2004
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2006-08-26, 19:47

I see the black MacBook simply becoming a choice (for no extra money; just like the black and white iPods cost the same) at some point. They've done this before: intro a new product with a "premium" variant that eventually (6-12 months?) simply becomes rolled into the product line and is simply a standard option.

All the Rev. A buyers and early adopters often get hosed on these particular deals.



Apple surely can't, in good conscience, continue to charge such a ridiculous amount for something as meaningless as a black shell. If it's truly that "special", then why aren't black 5G iPods and iPod nanos $50 more than the standard white ones?



They do it now simply because they can (people are still forking out the extra $200 for it)...but they'll tap that well in time and black will simply be a same-price choice (or dropped altogether).

It's Rev. A/intro PR, IMO. By MWSF, you'll be able to get a black MacBook for $1,299 (or $1,099), I think.
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Windowsrookie
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2006-08-26, 20:36

I could see them only offering Black on the High end MacBooks, but with no extra charge. This would make people who want black have to buy the High end.


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Koodari
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Join Date: Jun 2004
 
2006-08-26, 22:32

First they get the most they can from the market segment who buy the top model without thinking. At the same time, there are those who prefer black and are not hurting for cash so wiill pay extra. Then, when black becomes a standard option, some others will be suddenly interested because they "get $200 more value". Never mind these people didn't even consider actually paying $200 before... if the value to them really was $200, they would have.

The difference between the two situations is that in the first, their own subconscious is justifying a buy decision to them, and in the second, a no-buy decision.

I love psychology applied in sales.
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Maciej
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Join Date: May 2004
 
2006-08-26, 22:40

I think the feelings of awe at the black coloring passes. This might be a little anecdotal, but my friend with the black MacBook (who bought it on the day of release) recently commented that he wished he'd given the white color a chance, and I agree. I think the white case is very aesthetically appealing, to a greater degree than the black (if you can keep it clean).

If you are a slob, who enjoys eating at the computer, then you should consider the black as a sort of convenience fee, the dirt doesn't appear to show as clearly. I would normally agree with Brad about the black w/ white dirt, but it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal.

User formally known as Sh0eWax
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Grammar Police
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2006-08-27, 00:22

Quote:
Originally Posted by jbf13
What do you guys think? For $200, 20GB and the awesome black color. What would you guys do?

Hmm... I don't know?? Thats why I am asking.

I want the black bad but I can spend that $200 on other things. I dont know.

There it is. Decided. I need an external hard drive and a case, so white it is. And I can spend the $200 on those 2 items. Thanks!!
Enjoy your new MacBook. Spell check is awesome on it.
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fragmore
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Join Date: Aug 2006
 
2006-08-27, 09:58

Wait for the new Carbon Fiber.
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