another i5 vs i7 dilemma (13 inch)

[skypd12]

So I am finally upgrading my late 2013 15" MBPr to the new 2018 13". My current 15" has a 2 GHz i7, 16 GB, and 256 SSD. It still runs well, but i mainly want to upgrade for better portability, speed, and fingerprint reader.

I don't really do video editing or gaming (just occasional photoshop / illustrator) but i do run Windows (via parallels) and and i usually have TONS of apps/windows/browser tabs running at the same time. I often work plugged into a Dell P2415Q 4K monitor as well.

I am definitely getting the 16 GB with a 512 SSD but I can't decide between the i5 and the i7. The price difference is $230 (education discount). I've read that for most people the i5 is the better choice because the speed bump is marginal, but since i run the VM and heavy multitask, and because i tend to keep my laptops for a long time, do you think the i7 will be worth the extra $?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[matt_k]

I find it very strange that there is educational discount for CPU but not for SSD. I personally don't think i7 is worth it, however if you plan to run Windows I'd consider 1TB.

 

[Orien]

The CPU is unlikely to be worth the extra $$$.

 

[automan98]

So I am finally upgrading my late 2013 15" MBPr to the new 2018 13". My current 15" has a 2 GHz i7, 16 GB, and 256 SSD. It still runs well, but i mainly want to upgrade for better portability, speed, and fingerprint reader.

I don't really do video editing or gaming (just occasional photoshop / illustrator) but i do run Windows (via parallels) and and i usually have TONS of apps/windows/browser tabs running at the same time. I often work plugged into a Dell P2415Q 4K monitor as well.

I am definitely getting the 16 GB with a 512 SSD but I can't decide between the i5 and the i7. The price difference is $230 (education discount). I've read that for most people the i5 is the better choice because the speed bump is marginal, but since i run the VM and heavy multitask, and because i tend to keep my laptops for a long time, do you think the i7 will be worth the extra $?

Thanks for any advice!

I’ve been going through the same decision making process. From everything I’ve seen, going with the i7 is not worth the price difference.

 

[Nozuka]

I'm using my machine pretty much the same way OP does and i've never had CPU performance problems.
Using the base spec 2012 15'' MBPR

Which is why i also ordered the base CPU for the 13''. Didn't arrive yet though.

My limiting factor was the RAM (only 8GB) and SSD (only 256GB)

 

[skypd12]

Thanks for the input.

As far as considering 1TB, my current machine has 256 and it still has 70 gb free after 5 years, so i figured the 512 should be plenty. With that said i currently run windows 7. I've never been a fan of Windows 8 + so i will likely re-install 7, but someday i may be forced to get current with it...

 

[jiangning]

Really depends on how much the additional $230 matters to you... I just got the 2.7 yesterday. I just had the same debate in my head a few days ago and I will tell you what I thought.

I'd say the performance gain per se is definitely not worth $230. It's not that the additional $230 will give you night-and-day difference, or keep your computer live 1-2 years longer. Both CPU options will do fine after 4 years. Just like any tech product, the higher end you goes, the marginal 'performance per dollar' drops significantly. So if $230 means a lot to you, then don't upgrade.

But, to justify the $230:
1. Even though it throttles (mine does), i7 will give you better performance in everyday tasks. $230 is <10% of total price, and the CPU performance gain should be >10% in most cases.

2. In my case, I wanted the 2.2/16GB/1TB but the 2.7/16/1 is stocked in Apple Store so I don't have to wait 2 weeks, and the exchange will be much easier in case there's an issue with it. So I get the computer sooner and I'm happy. (Doesn't apply in your case as your spec needs to be BTO anyway).

3. I also keep computers for a long time. My last one was 2012 15''. So to justify the additional cost, just divide $230 by 5~6 years, and the surcharge isn't too ridiculous per year.

I hope my reply doesn't make you more confused .

 

[mikethebigo]

Just like the poster above, one of the biggest reasons for the i7 for was the stores stock that model (i7/16/1TB). I actually have an i5/16/512 on BTO order as well and I'm going to pick between them. FWIW, the i7 does have a larger L3 cache and also a faster clocked GPU, which pulls out a few more frames in GPU benchmarks.

I'm starting to like the idea of the i7. The Mac is still giving me 10 hours of battery, and I am seeing brief bursts of turbo speeds to the advertised 4.3 ghz. It's 10% faster CPU and GPU, and honestly if that means just a few less frame drops in MacOS animations and things like it, it will still help the system feel nicer to use.