Help on MacBook Pro configuration

[dcaccount]

Hello,

I am about to purchase a MacBook Pro. I am a bit doubtful about the CPU, i5 or i7?

Please note that I rarely use CAD programs; mostly I use word processors, internet, games, sometimes I do video editing ( family videos, nothing important), hear music, so multimedia applications.

Nevertheless I would like to make the proper investment and buy a top performing machine that is not becoming outdated in few months.

What shall I do in your opinion, shall I stick with the i5 or better upgrade to the i7?

Please advise.

Thanks you so much, Daniele

 

[orangezorki]

It sounds like you're looking at the 13", so all the CPUs are dual core with hyper threading - there won't be a massive amount of speed difference between any of them, and no option will allow you to do things you can't with the base processor, they'll just do them a little faster. The real difference comes in the 15" where there are quad-core chips, and a better integrated or dedicated GPU, but that comes at the cost of size and money.

Your post suggests that you should focus on multitasking. For you then it would make more sense to get more RAM (at least 8GB). When you run out of 'real' memory, things get very slow very quickly. And only you know of your storage needs, but have a look at your music and photo libraries, think how quickly they grow, and work from there.

David

 

[dcaccount]

It sounds like you're looking at the 13", so all the CPUs are dual core with hyper threading - there won't be a massive amount of speed difference between any of them, and no option will allow you to do things you can't with the base processor, they'll just do them a little faster. The real difference comes in the 15" where there are quad-core chips, and a better integrated or dedicated GPU, but that comes at the cost of size and money.

Your post suggests that you should focus on multitasking. For you then it would make more sense to get more RAM (at least 8GB). When you run out of 'real' memory, things get very slow very quickly. And only you know of your storage needs, but have a look at your music and photo libraries, think how quickly they grow, and work from there.

David

Thanks David for your reply.

You got it right, I was thinking of 13" and I need it for multitasking including at least one windows virtual machine.

Needless to say I will go for 8gb ram and 512 gb disk.

My last question is, "is the above said machine a good choice for my needs, will I be satisfied or better concentrate on something else?"

Thanks a lot,

Daniele

 

[orangezorki]

Difficult to say.

What can be said for sure is that the maxed out 15" is the most future proof machine that Apple sell at the moment. But of course there are those pesky issues of cost and size.

If you are running VMs regularly, along with loads of apps and not restarting that often, I suggest that the 16GB RAM should be next on your shopping list. After all, if you run out of RAM, your only option is a new machine with soldered memory on all new MacBooks.

Ultimately, Apple have made their name on never truly making a bargain basement computer. Any current Mac will be a very capable machine for a few years at the very least. In my experience, it is a rare for any mac I have owned to become obsolete or break down before the itch to get something new strikes.

David

 

[raptor402]

Hey,

As David rightly recommended, you should really consider 16GB RAM if you plan to keep this for 4+ years. Nevertheless, 8GB should be the bare minimum. As for the CPU, if you're getting the 512GB SSD, you'll have to go for the 2.6 GHz i5. Personally, I don't think that the i7 is worth the extra $200. So I would recommend the top model with optional 16GB RAM.

I hope this helps. Do share what you end up buying.

Regards
Raptor