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2.0 GHz vs. 2.2 GHz?

R

Ravens023

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 25, 2011
13
0
I'm getting a MBP for college, and I know that I want the 15" for sure, but what I don't know is 2.0 or 2.2 GHz. I'm not really sure what the differences are, and was wondering what others that know more would recommend.

I'll mainly just be using the computer for basic things; mostly Internet, iTunes, iPhoto, Photoshop, maybe iMovie, and to do school work. No gaming or anything major like that.
 
Consider more RAM and/or getting an SSD; you will experience a more streamline workflow with those upgrades more than the CPU boost.
 
While 2.0 versus 2.2 isn't as significant as a change, the better graphics processor option only comes with the 2.2 and 2.3. Those two have 1GB. Something to think about.
 
I do want to point out that on paper the difference between the 2.0GHz and 2.2GHz model seems small, but in practice the 2.2GHz model runs about 400MHz faster in many use cases (due to Turbo Boost); that's not to mention the 2.0GHz model does not support VT-d (for working with virtual machines) and does not support AES instructions for faster encryption. For the mainstream user, these don't really matter much, but I thought it'd be good to point these differences out instead of seeing the measly 200MHz clock difference on paper.

And as it's been pointed out the faster processor model also comes with a much faster dedicated GPU.

Nonetheless, from the activities you've listed, I think you would benefit more from upgrading other parts of your computer like an high-resolution screen, an SSD instead, more RAM, etc.
 
For the tasks you mentioned the 2.0 should be more than enough. Thats what i went for and used the exta $$ for a SSD and RAM upgrade. Couldn't be happier.
 
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