Here’s the rub.  Apple just announced the new Macbooks yesterday during their Spotlight event.  These new Macs are damn sexy!  Cut from a single piece of aluminum sporting a Nvidia chipset for better integrated graphics at the low end 13” machine.  As with every refresh, the frugal-minded will jump on the chance to find the clearance stock and refurbished units that Apple sells off of their website.  This generation is no different and here’s my problem: I’m a frugal-minded person, but I’m also someone that loves my gadgets new and shiny.  Which means I have a very hard decision: get a fancy new Macbook or buy a last gen 15” Macbook Pro for only $100 more. 

With that extra $100, you get a faster CPU, bigger screen, much better GPU but you give up the smaller portability (1 lbs heavier), no uni-body construction but with the Macbook Pro, it’s got the “look” still of a new Mac.  I’m seriously torn since I would have to get an Apple-care plan for this machine as well, albeit I can wait until later to buy that since it comes with a 1 year warranty being a refurbished unit.

I currently do not have a laptop of any platform.  I have been waiting since June to pick up a new laptop and right now feels like an extremely good time to take the plunge.  There’s also the issue of purchasing winter tires.  What do you choose?  Buy a Macbook Pro or buy winter tires?