15" MBP a few pre-purchase questions

[entatlrg]

Will the 2.9ghz be noticeably faster than the 2.66? Which would you choose?

For the HD's, which one to choose? The 320gb 5400 is proven and known to run cool and quiet, the 720rpm is an option as is the 256SSD drive-still quite expensive. I'm almost tempted to opt for the 320gb HD for now and in the future buy an even larger SSD when the prices come down? Good idea?

Thanks

 

[jav6454]

Will the 2.9ghz be noticeably faster than the 2.66? Which would you choose?

For the HD's, which one to choose? The 320gb 5400 is proven and known to run cool and quiet, the 720rpm is an option as is the 256SSD drive-still quite expensive. I'm almost tempted to opt for the 320gb HD for now and in the future buy an even larger SSD when the prices come down? Good idea?

Thanks

2.93 GHz won't be noticeably faster, as the bottleneck in every Mac is not the CPU or RAM, but the old spinning HDD. So, buying a faster CPU won't be beneficial, unless you video encode a lot, then yes. Also, the higher end CPU is only good for day-to-day stuff if you purchase the SSD.

SSDs are going to get cheaper with time. No need for one now and if you really want performance a 7200rpm drive should do.

Now, since you asked, what would I pick. I'd choose 2.93 GHz in a heartbeat and with time, I'd swap in a new SSD and then finish upping the RAM to 8GB.

What the hell, go with the 2.93 GHz model, its the most future proof there is and can be updated in almost everyway.

 

[schalkse]

Yep, buy the 2.93. Futurewise the best. Even how small the difference is between the 2.6 and the 2.93.... it's a difference.
If you are a long time user like me (am on my sixth year using my PB) it could mean wanting to buy one sooner cause it feels more sluggish.

 

[m85476585]

The 2.93 is only 10% faster, and only for CPU-bound applications like video editing. If that's worth $300 to you, then get the 2.93, otherwise get the 2.66.

 

[rhythmac]

buy the basic mac book pro and upgrade the HD yourself - 500Gb @7200rpm
and upgrade the ram

 

[ViciousShadow21]

like ppl have said video encoding is the only thing that you will need the faster cpu for.

as far as hard drives go just get the cheapest option you can from apple then put your own in.

 

[Scottsdale]

I would save the money from that upgrade for the CPU and use the money to buy an Intel SSD. That upgrade will make a HUGELY NOTICEABLE difference in speed whereas the CPU upgrade wouldn't.

Good luck with your new Mac!

 

[appleguy123]

Will the 2.9ghz be noticeably faster than the 2.66? Which would you choose?

For the HD's, which one to choose? The 320gb 5400 is proven and known to run cool and quiet, the 720rpm is an option as is the 256SSD drive-still quite expensive. I'm almost tempted to opt for the 320gb HD for now and in the future buy an even larger SSD when the prices come down? Good idea?

Thanks

also think of this, you will eventually want to sell, and if you have a 2.93 vs 2.66 and 7200rpm vs 5400 which is the consumer likly to choose if nothing else get the 2.93 and upgrade the hdd to sdd of faster hdd and it will increase the resale value

 

[midanekMBP]

I had the 15" 2.66 (stock MBP) for three days and it was fast but I was hoping for more. Abt electronics ordered me a 2.93, 320gb 7200 told me to use my 2.6 until the new one came in. Two days later they called and my order was in. I paid the $300 bucks and haven't looked back. I notice a big difference especially in CS4 Apps. Good luck with your choice.

 

[SPEEDwithJJ]

also think of this, you will eventually want to sell, and if you have a 2.93 vs 2.66 and 7200rpm vs 5400 which is the consumer likly to choose if nothing else get the 2.93 and upgrade the hdd to sdd of faster hdd and it will increase the resale value

Yes, it will increase the resale value but remember that you would have paid a lot more in the 1st place, so that extra resale value sort of "even out" when you sell the MBP in the future.

 

[Bill Gates]

also think of this, you will eventually want to sell, and if you have a 2.93 vs 2.66 and 7200rpm vs 5400 which is the consumer likly to choose if nothing else get the 2.93 and upgrade the hdd to sdd of faster hdd and it will increase the resale value

You do realize that the chance of the resale value being $300 more is slim, to none, right?

 

[JCastro]

If you need optimal performance then go with the 2.93. If that is not absolutely what you need and you want to save some money then drop down a step or two. I would not upgrade the RAM or HDD through Apple. you can get it much cheaper through over stores like OWC and/Crucial.