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15" MBP - i5 or i7?
- Thread starter StellaBlue
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So Stellablue, what do you think you're going to get? Baseline i5 2.4 ghz with Hi res glossy? Im in the exact same boat as you...
As am I.
Well, I settled on the i5, anyway. I may find myself a sucker for the slight increase in processor speed.
As for SSD, I'm not comfortable putting one in myself. The RAM I will upgrade myself, but that's about it. I don't know much about SSD. Can anyone direct me to an easy-to-read thread about that, please?
Thanks,
J
As for SSD, I'm not comfortable putting one in myself. The RAM I will upgrade myself, but that's about it. I don't know much about SSD. Can anyone direct me to an easy-to-read thread about that, please?
Thanks,
J
So Stellablue, what do you think you're going to get? Baseline i5 2.4 ghz with Hi res glossy? Im in the exact same boat as you...
this is what I did. saved the $$ from going 2.4ghz, and upgraded the hard drive to the momentus xt... Thats the way to go imo. SSD are just toooooo expensive for me at the moment.
Like in other threads, if you have the money, then go for the i7. Im not telling that as the i7 model owner (but i own one), but as a user. I would be satisfied with the i5, but since the Greece dropped the Euro down, i7 models were on stock with lower prices, than more selling i5 models, actually, there were about 150 dollar difference between lowest i5 vs basic i7....
back to the point, if you play games, you need to have 512MB video RAM. since most games let you play only on medium textures with 256MB VRAM... but, on CPU side, on many occasions, you will get about 20% increase in performance, the 266MHz difference, higher Turbo Boost and also another 1MB L3 cache will do the job. Actually, it is a acceptable increase in price compared to performance increase. BUT, if you owned C2D, you will notice huge boost even in daily tasks like Safari, Flash blayback (2.33C2D vs 2.66 i7, 90% vs 40% 1080p youtube video playback and smooth as silk!), its all about CPU core architecture, than frequency, then go for the i5 if you just want to upgrade... the 20% difference wont be a big deal after 3 years...
I have basic 1440x900 glossy screen, since there is a big problem to get the user options in my country, also it will cost me about 300 dollars more (damn you Euro!). But i saw one, its nice and clean, but more heavy on eyes during longer work, you need to focus more, because everything is smaller, i prefer the 1440x900 option, is great for 15" notebook, and i would buy it anyway, even if the high res option will be easier to get.
back to the point, if you play games, you need to have 512MB video RAM. since most games let you play only on medium textures with 256MB VRAM... but, on CPU side, on many occasions, you will get about 20% increase in performance, the 266MHz difference, higher Turbo Boost and also another 1MB L3 cache will do the job. Actually, it is a acceptable increase in price compared to performance increase. BUT, if you owned C2D, you will notice huge boost even in daily tasks like Safari, Flash blayback (2.33C2D vs 2.66 i7, 90% vs 40% 1080p youtube video playback and smooth as silk!), its all about CPU core architecture, than frequency, then go for the i5 if you just want to upgrade... the 20% difference wont be a big deal after 3 years...
I have basic 1440x900 glossy screen, since there is a big problem to get the user options in my country, also it will cost me about 300 dollars more (damn you Euro!). But i saw one, its nice and clean, but more heavy on eyes during longer work, you need to focus more, because everything is smaller, i prefer the 1440x900 option, is great for 15" notebook, and i would buy it anyway, even if the high res option will be easier to get.
I personally have the HR AG screen, and I cannot emphasize enough how much of a difference it makes compared to the normal res, glossy that I came from. The screen is surprisingly bright, and the resolution makes multitasking effortless. I don't think I can go back to glossy..but I will see. I love being able to have a movie playing on one side, and a document open for editing on the other.
I just came from a local apple store where I spoke at length to a helpful and knowledgeable salesman,
He suggested that for my needs the i5 2.4 would be great. He suggested upgrading to the 7200rpm hard drive.
Although he said I won't see much difference between the 2.4 and 2.53, I'm still considering it. The 2.53 booted a few seconds faster, and he did agree that in a few years, the 2.4 may start to slow down a few months earlier than the 2.53 will.
I'd really love the i7 but I don't think I want (not need) want it badly enough to spend the extra dough. I will, however, get the anti-glare screen!
J
(will buy in August and post back to let y'all know)
He suggested that for my needs the i5 2.4 would be great. He suggested upgrading to the 7200rpm hard drive.
Although he said I won't see much difference between the 2.4 and 2.53, I'm still considering it. The 2.53 booted a few seconds faster, and he did agree that in a few years, the 2.4 may start to slow down a few months earlier than the 2.53 will.
I'd really love the i7 but I don't think I want (not need) want it badly enough to spend the extra dough. I will, however, get the anti-glare screen!
J
(will buy in August and post back to let y'all know)
You'll only reboot your MacBook a few times a year after a software update
Sorry, but that's total BS.
well then I understand the opinion that the 2.4 is fine for me, but I still have a hard time buying the "low end" of the 15" line if you know what I mean. Computers improve so so so quickly that I would hate to be more outdated than necessary when the time comes... Know what I mean, or do y'all think I'm nuts?
Thanks,
Jason
Thanks,
Jason
I had the same problem, IMO forget benchmarks, go straight for the base i5 I really don't think getting old will be a problem , probably you will change it before that just because Apple will make a new Pro faster and prettier
Wife gave me the green light (she recently got a promotion). Got the 15" i7 with a 7200 rpm hard drive!