I use duo-monitor for my Autodesk work and media designs.
1680x1050 + 1920 x 1080
Once I plug in my HDMI, it utilize the NVIDIA GPU automatically. (gfxCardStatus.app)
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Beware: the Core i7 is probably not worth it this time
- Thread starter Nuak
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I use duo-monitor for my Autodesk work and media designs.
1680x1050 + 1920 x 1080
Once I plug in my HDMI, it utilize the NVIDIA GPU automatically. (gfxCardStatus.app)
Benchmarking Results Comparison (Geekbench)
I would look at real benchmark scores like the Geekbench tests comparing the 2.4GHz i5 to the 2.66GHz i7. The Geekbench tests show that the i7 is clearly much faster.
I have pulled off the top Geekbench score for the 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz i5 MacBook Pro, and the 2.66GHz i7 MacBook Pro. Here is how the floating point and integer scores stacked up for the 3 models:
Integer:
2.4GHz Core i5 : 5688
2.53GHz Core i5: 5914
2.66GHz Core i7: 6442
Floating Point:
2.4GHz Core i5 : 8169
2.53GHz Core i5: 8558
2.66GHz Core i7: 9445
You can see the Geekbench results pages here (These are the top scores posted on Geekbench for each of the 15" 2010 models of each processor speed):
2.4GHz Core i5:
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/265404
2.53GHz Core i5:
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/288059
2.66GHz Core i7:
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/260315
This is the URL to the comparison chart to see all posted scores on the chart and how they stack up (you can clearly see the 2.66GHz i7 has an edge on the i5, it's visibly in a league of its own):
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/chart/show/288059
I would look at real benchmark scores like the Geekbench tests comparing the 2.4GHz i5 to the 2.66GHz i7. The Geekbench tests show that the i7 is clearly much faster.
I have pulled off the top Geekbench score for the 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz i5 MacBook Pro, and the 2.66GHz i7 MacBook Pro. Here is how the floating point and integer scores stacked up for the 3 models:
Integer:
2.4GHz Core i5 : 5688
2.53GHz Core i5: 5914
2.66GHz Core i7: 6442
Floating Point:
2.4GHz Core i5 : 8169
2.53GHz Core i5: 8558
2.66GHz Core i7: 9445
You can see the Geekbench results pages here (These are the top scores posted on Geekbench for each of the 15" 2010 models of each processor speed):
2.4GHz Core i5:
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/265404
2.53GHz Core i5:
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/288059
2.66GHz Core i7:
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/260315
This is the URL to the comparison chart to see all posted scores on the chart and how they stack up (you can clearly see the 2.66GHz i7 has an edge on the i5, it's visibly in a league of its own):
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/chart/show/288059
Wow. Impressive. And that's a different benchmarking chart than the one shown to begin this thread:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Intel-Core-i3-i5-i7-Processors-Arrandale.25085.0.html
I'm not doubting that the i7 is generally faster than the i5 but in this case a slightly faster processor doesn't necessarily mean better overall system performance, and it depends greatly on what you're going to mainly use the computer for.
I think a lot of people get oversold on systems that quite frankly they don't need, or won't ever come close to maximizing it's full capabilities. That's great if money is no object, and if so then "hell yeah" get the higher end model if you can afford it. Otherwise, if you can achieve a very similar performance in a marginally "lower-end" system (i.e. i5 2.4GHz vs. i7) for a lesser cost why would you pay more than you actually have to?!
That's good to know, thanks!
Also, does anyone know how upgrading the internal harddisk for the MacBook Pro's by yourself affects your Apple Warranty agreement? Are you still covered (either before or after the upgrade) even if you buy an Apple Care plan?
D. Need more info.
Depends on the model. If it's the first "powerbook" style of MBP with the silver keys then, you can replace it, but technically it isn't a user replacable part and if you break something in the process, Apple won't fix it.
If its the newer Unibody Macbook Pro with the black keys, you can replace it all you want.
Hang on to the original for security reasons and to give AAPL one less thing to care about when working on your machine.
Yeah, I was mainly concerned with the unibody MBP's as I'm planning to pick up one of those soon. I asked about it earlier because I keep hearing/reading how if you change those model's factory installed HDD yourself then it voids your Apple warranty, so are you certain that's not the case? I can't seem to find confirmation of it on Apple's website, go figure
Hello,
I've been reading this thread and have found all this information incredibly useful. I've decided to switch over to the MBP after being a PC user all my life. I'm going to be graduating from college soon and I want a laptop that is reliable, fast, and will last me for 4-5 years (in terms of performance and functional ability). Sadly, I have not made up my mind on investing in a Macbook Book Pro 15in, i5 - 2.4 or i7 - 2.66 .
I understand for individuals whom use intensive high end programs for editing (video, 3D graphics etc) i7 is the way to go. However, I understand that the i7 will be great for longevity in terms of keeping up with future technology and newer requirements.
What I plan on using this laptop for is really for basic school use now, future business use (microsoft business, some photo editing (Adobe), web design). However, I'd also like to use it for gaming - for new higher end games (Call of Duty, Starcraft II, WoW).
I've been reading that i5 and i7 really has no difference besides a 10-12% boost in performance. I guess I'm looking for a "bang for my buck" and knowing that this laptop will be able to last me and do decently well for future games or future programs. I guess my question is if the extra cost of $400 justifiable for buying the i7 instead of the i5? For what and how I will be using the MBP, and how I want it to keep up with current and future technology and programs 3-4 years down the line?
Suggestions and opinions would be greatly appreciated!
I've been reading this thread and have found all this information incredibly useful. I've decided to switch over to the MBP after being a PC user all my life. I'm going to be graduating from college soon and I want a laptop that is reliable, fast, and will last me for 4-5 years (in terms of performance and functional ability). Sadly, I have not made up my mind on investing in a Macbook Book Pro 15in, i5 - 2.4 or i7 - 2.66 .
I understand for individuals whom use intensive high end programs for editing (video, 3D graphics etc) i7 is the way to go. However, I understand that the i7 will be great for longevity in terms of keeping up with future technology and newer requirements.
What I plan on using this laptop for is really for basic school use now, future business use (microsoft business, some photo editing (Adobe), web design). However, I'd also like to use it for gaming - for new higher end games (Call of Duty, Starcraft II, WoW).
I've been reading that i5 and i7 really has no difference besides a 10-12% boost in performance. I guess I'm looking for a "bang for my buck" and knowing that this laptop will be able to last me and do decently well for future games or future programs. I guess my question is if the extra cost of $400 justifiable for buying the i7 instead of the i5? For what and how I will be using the MBP, and how I want it to keep up with current and future technology and programs 3-4 years down the line?
Suggestions and opinions would be greatly appreciated!
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I had a 2.66 but it was too hot and I took it back. I then bought a refurbed core i5 2.4 and with the limited apps I run I cant see one real time difference other than I got it for $1600 and its cooler temp wise. I saved over 500 and it works just as good. Im not a business so if I have to wait an extra minute or two when running handbrake ,etc who cares. Save your money the i5 is the sweet spot and best bang for your buck!
The only 2 games that I really notice the 256 mb VRAM limit is GTA IV and Napoleon Total War ( but i'm not sure if the 330m has enough power to play this game on high anyway. The game prevents any GPU with 256 to go past medium setting ) For all other games, the i5 is just as good as the i7. I don't game on an external monitor though, only on the AG screen. I got a desktop if I want to game on a big 30" screen
The best bang for your buck is the 2.4 ghz i5. If you're into gaming that bad, I suppose an upgrade to 512 mb won't be a bad choice if you got the money. But you'll also be sacrificing battery life if you choose the i7 MBP which was the big dealbreaker for me
( However, I'm not a gamer to be honest. I just play sometimes in the weekend if I'm bored )
Seriously, nowadays the longevity argument doesnt hold as much water as it used to a few years ago. Tech changes so much every few months now that in 3 years the i5 AND i7 will be out of date. You may garner an additional 100 or so bucks if you sell it but you are still forking out near 500 bucks or more for it now. I can guarantee you will not get the same amount for it when you sell it as you over paid for it today. Also the i7 will not last longer or improve processing with compatible software in a few years time, that the i5 wont be able to handle either, especially since the i7 apple uses is still only two cores. quad i7 is another story. Save your money a dual core i7 wont benefit that much on the longevity argument.
Thanks for the replies so far! I actually went to the main page for MacRumors buyer's guide and looked at the MBP. It said:
"* The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro received a new build-to-order option for a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor on October 20th, 2010. The new option does not constitute a full update to the MacBook Pro line, but does suggest that a more substantial update to the full MacBook Pro lineup is not imminent."
With that said, would it be wise to me to wait until the new cycle begins? If so when does that usually happen?
I actually am convinced that the i5 is probably a better buy in terms of performance to price. However, I do wish it would offer 512 VRAM instead of 256. Hopefully that becomes an option in the next cycle.
"* The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro received a new build-to-order option for a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor on October 20th, 2010. The new option does not constitute a full update to the MacBook Pro line, but does suggest that a more substantial update to the full MacBook Pro lineup is not imminent."
With that said, would it be wise to me to wait until the new cycle begins? If so when does that usually happen?
I actually am convinced that the i5 is probably a better buy in terms of performance to price. However, I do wish it would offer 512 VRAM instead of 256. Hopefully that becomes an option in the next cycle.
vRam?
Guys please stop talking about vRam when you are talking about the amount of graphics ram! It's gRam not vRam! vRam is a contraction of ram voltage! (used mainly by overclockers)!
Have you got any idea how complicating it is to read vRam expressed in bytes?
Thank you,
Guys please stop talking about vRam when you are talking about the amount of graphics ram! It's gRam not vRam! vRam is a contraction of ram voltage! (used mainly by overclockers)!
Have you got any idea how complicating it is to read vRam expressed in bytes?
Thank you,
I love the way mine performs for the size, so I don't think I'd ever get rid of it because it was too hot.
But...I can certainly testify that when using the high performance video for extended periods, the underside gets quite hot, to the point that you will get a bit of a surprise when you pick it up after a while and almost burn yourself.
Quite hot!
And I cannot figure out from looking at it and feeling all around it just where the air goes when the fans kick up. It makes a lot of noise, and you can tell it's trying like hell to cool, but I cannot figure out where the air all goes.
I'd say that depends completely on whether or not you can live with what you are using now...for, say, another eight months.
I don't know about you, but I'd find it hard to wait if I'd already decided that Apple was the way that I wanted to move.
And I don't know what it is that you are doing and project doing with a MacBook Pro, but, just for the record, I enjoy my iMac and use it quite a bit more than I use the MacBook.
Maybe that's just me, of course.
Guys please stop talking about vRam when you are talking about the amount of graphics ram! It's gRam not vRam! vRam is a contraction of ram voltage! (used mainly by overclockers)!
Have you got any idea how complicating it is to read vRam expressed in bytes?
Thank you,
what have you been smoking?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRAM
or here an example of Apples use:
http://support.apple.com/kb/sp100
btw: the language use of overclockkers, jailbreakers, unlockers, hackers is usually not the standard
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Guys please stop talking about vRam when you are talking about the amount of graphics ram! It's gRam not vRam! vRam is a contraction of ram voltage! (used mainly by overclockers)!
Have you got any idea how complicating it is to read vRam expressed in bytes?
Thank you,
I have never once heard the term gram, I've only heard it be used as vram or gddr-- which is a specialized ddr used for gpus with higher throughput/clock etc.
As it stands, vram is pretty standard use.
Reading about Sandy Bridge possibly being included in the refresh cycle added to my delay/hesitation. Especially when I read somewhere that Sandy Bridge average/standard CPU will outperform any higher performing i7 core. However, with apple's history on taking its time to implement newer technology, especially one to be released in the 4th quarter - I don't see Sandy Bridge being added until the summer of 2011 for MBPs.
Which then goes on to your point, if I had to wait 8 months - I'd probably act now. Then again I'm actually going to buy my MacBook Pro in January - hopefully Apple might reveal more information in two months to what direction the MBP line is going towards.
One of friends currently posting in this thread: "I'm not going to stop posting until all of the i7 people admit they made a financial mistake".
I lol'd.
(ridiculous...but I laughed)
I lol'd.
(ridiculous...but I laughed)
my i7 is humming along nicely. It's great if you can get the EDU discount. Even better if you can got it for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
If you look at machines that go all the way with the quad core and the faster GPU, for example the high-end Toshiba Qosmio line for instance, you are looking at a lot more weight, and, short battery life, making it more of a luggable than a laptop. The MBP 17" is about as far as most would like to go weight-wise, and with good battery life to boot. I think Apple got this part right for a lot of people.
i agree with you, the mbp does have good power to battery life ratio. thats one of the reasons which sold me on me. i have one of those vaios and i get around a hour and half battery life.
i dont quite remember what i was thinking when i purchased it but i do remember wanting to watch my blurays on the road. my sony is as powerful as my older custom desktop and im running modern games on high with it BUT i didnt get it for that, at least not intentional.
i needed a laptop to be a laptop. i have my desktop for games and again, i really wasnt thinking about battery when i purchased my sony so i entered the market for another laptop sooner than i would have liked. the sony performs very well but it now sits on my desk plugged in all day.