13" MBP Processor Conundrum

[vestigo74]

I know there's been a million 13" threads created this week, but I can't see any that are relevant to this. If there are one or two, please forgive my missing them...

I'm buying a 13" MBP. I'm just trying to decide between the two processors.

I'll be using it for recording music from my Roland HD1 drum set, and I have a buddy who's going to buy the same MBP to use for recording his guitar, piano, etc etc. I'll be using the same MBP (plugged into a 24" screen) to do the mixing, editing, etc in GarageBand (for now, maybe Pro Tools later).

I'm not playing video games with it, or editing movies etc, so I'm not sure I need the 9600 chip. I know about Snow Leopard using the GPU, but I can cross that bridge in Sept if it's really that big of a performance jump. Having said that, if there's something else I'm missing about the 9600 chip, please let me know.

Back to the 13"... other than the difference between the two processors, the only other things are the RAM and HD. The HD is irrelevant, since I'll be putting a 500GB drive in - and the RAM would only cost me $100 to upgrade on my own if I got the lower processor.

So... (in Canadian prices)

13" @ 2.26GHz: $1399 + $100 (4GB RAM) + $130 (500GB HD) = $1629

vs

13" @ 2.53GHz: $1749 + $130 (500GB HD) = $1879

Difference: $250.

Question: For my identified use (audio recording, editing, converting, etc), would the processor jump from 2.26 to 2.53 be worth the extra $250? Keep in mind, there's no (that I know of) increase in bus speed or cache, just straight clockspeed.

Thanks. I've been wrestling with this all week. I've read lots of posts and threads and articles, but ultimately I guess I'm at the point where I just need some interactive advice from actual Mac users...

 

[spinnerlys]

You would gain 11% more CPU with the 2.53GHz model for 15% more currency.

Are you encoding and rendering a lot of times, were seconds or minutes to be gained by the 270MHz more CPU are essential to your work flow?

If not, the 2.26GHz model will do just fine, and as you said yourself can be upgraded as easily.

 

[DeusInvictus7]

Yeah, like spinnerlys said, if you can handle it being a few min/sec slower, then just go for the 2.26. However, if you are getting paid for your work or if you have the money, why not get the best you can afford?

 

[Ruahrc]

The price-to-increase figures are good to look at.

11% greater CPU speed for 15% more cost, it's not hugely disparate. So you're paying a little more money for a little more (but not quite as much, if you know what I mean) performance.

My previous mac I bought the "lower end" version, a 1.33GHz PBG4 vs the high end 1.5GHz. I don't think I ever really found a time when I found the slower speed lacking, and am not sure the extra speed would be gaining me much right now. That said, however, when I bought my new MBP 13" yesterday, I picked up the high end version. I guess I have a little more spending leeway this time around and I figured why not go for the higher spec.

Ruahrc