9400M VS. 9600GT for 15" MBP

[TopGear300]

The update is finally here!

I have been waiting to buy myself a laptop for college and I'm finally ready to hit the buy button. With these new lower prices I have decided on a 15" MBP!!

My question is should I go for the 2.53ghz or 2.66ghz configuration? Not really for the processor but for the video card? Is the 9400 noticeably slower? Is the 9600 that much better? How are these new mobile chips apple now seems to love throwing in just about all their machines haha.

Thank you very much for any input!

 

[Cuda]

The update is finally here!

I have been waiting to buy myself a laptop for college and I'm finally ready to hit the buy button. With these new lower prices I have decided on a 15" MBP!!

My question is should I go for the 2.53ghz or 2.66ghz configuration? Not really for the processor but for the video card? Is the 9400 noticeably slower? Is the 9600 that much better? How are these new mobile chips apple now seems to love throwing in just about all their machines haha.

Thank you very much for any input!

The 9600m is worth the upgrade, and will help give you longer use or better resale value.

If you game, it's a must, but it's more than just gaming, with OpenCL Apps of all kinds will start to use more and more GPU time.

While the 9400m is supported by OpenCL, the 9600m will be 2x faster or better at GPU calculation.

 

[TopGear300]

Thanks!

Resale value is a big thing i didn't think of! Although I will keep it for at least the 4 years I will be in school. What are some of the OpenCL apps? And I was going to mention I'm not the biggest gamer but I do now own the new sims 3 and love it haha!

 

[TopGear300]

Also.... how much more battery does the 9600 eat? Can it last maybe 6 hours?

 

[mac88]

You can never go wrong with the higher spec. machine. The real question is, what can you afford? If you can afford the more expensive then buy away. If not, enjoy the one you can.

 

[TopGear300]

In the newest revision of these MBPs, do you still have to restart every time you switch back and forth from the graphics card?

 

[J&JPolangin]

...the feature set of the "new" 13" MBP and the "new" base 15" MBP leaves much to be desired for the price point they still command IMHOP.

 

[eXan]

In the newest revision of these MBPs, do you still have to restart every time you switch back and forth from the graphics card?

Not sure if new models are able to change them on the fly, but it never required a restart - only a log-out.

 

[shadowmoses]

I would go for the base. Re-sale value is all relative you will make roughly the same loss on both models if you sell them on eBay in say 3 years time.

If you need the graphics get the higher model. If your just after the machine as a general usage device and a laptop that doubles as a nice media center then the base is perfect....

Shadow

 

[TopGear300]

I would go for the base. If your just after the machine as a general usage device and a laptop that doubles as a nice media center then the base is perfect....

Shadow

Yes I am now leaning towards that way. I would eventually upgrade the RAM and possibly HDD myself. Will both those void the warranty or can I do the RAM like in my iMac (2.4 Al )

 

[panzer06]

Yes I am now leaning towards that way. I would eventually upgrade the RAM and possibly HDD myself. Will both those void the warranty or can I do the RAM like in my iMac (2.4 Al )

Ram and hard disk upgrades do not void the warranty. The new items just won't be covered. The HDD replacement is easier on the previous uni and you can still get a great deal on the 2.53 as a refurb, more CPU cache, 9600, SATA 3.0, Expresscard slot, 4GB ram and 320GB HD for $1449.

You just can't beat that for a Mac value!

Cheers,

 

[stainlessliquid]

with OpenCL Apps of all kinds will start to use more and more GPU time.

I wouldnt bet on it, it wouldnt be surprising if OpenCL apps are even rarer than 64bit apps... which are super rare.

 

[TopGear300]

what are OpenCL apps? haha sorry

 

[Nasty Roo]

Ram and hard disk upgrades do not void the warranty. The new items just won't be covered. The HDD replacement is easier on the previous uni and you can still get a great deal on the 2.53 as a refurb, more CPU cache, 9600, SATA 3.0, Expresscard slot, 4GB ram and 320GB HD for $1449.

You just can't beat that for a Mac value!

Cheers,

Man that is a comparatively good deal. +1 for this idea, otherwise I'd opt for the base model.