Difference between rMBP 2.7 and 2.9 GHz processor

[SSD-GUY]

Yep, I'm definitely going to be doing a lot of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analysis, but most of the heavy lifting will be done by our lab's remote server. I'll be using the rMBP for data manipulation, which requires loading several 1GB files at a time. A Mac will be fine for my needs since most of my lab's computers are Macs, and people mostly have Airs and Pros as their supplemental personal computers.

Thanks for helping me to save $90 on the processor upgrade everyone. I do plan to get the 256GB SSD and max out the 16GB RAM because of the large files I'm working with, and future software requirements will inevitably rise. With the educational discount, state tax holiday, credit card bonus, and NIH fellowship, I should be able to get this rMBP for $700, maybe even $600 if the back-to-school promotion is a $100 store gift card. Cmon Apple, I'm still hoping for that BTS!

$700! That is a steal! That's like £450!!!

 

[glenthompson]

If the data is stored on the server, network bandwidth may be a limiting factor. If possible, connect via gigabit Ethernet instead of wireless. As to memory, I consider 16gb essential if running VMs. For most Mac apps it's not as needed.