i5 or i7?

[andrew086]

I am planning on purchasing a new MacBook Pro soon, but I was wondering if I should just go for the base model 15" or get the high end with the i7 and 512mb of vRAM. I was planning on using the computer for HD video editing and playing some Left 4 Dead when Steam comes out for Mac. Would the i5 and 256mb of vRAM work or should I go for the higher end?

 

[swish2351]

If you can afford it, DEFINITALLY go with the high end i7, get 7200rpm. It will make your HD video editing a LOT easier, and it will play games MUCH smoother without lagging.

 

[m85476585]

http://guides.macrumors.com/MacBook...7_and_the_Core_i5.3F__What_about_a_Core_2_Duo

 

[andrew086]

I have decided I don't really care which processor it is - but now I'm wondering if I should get 512mb vRAM or 256mb. I heard that the 9600m was only able to handle 256mb?? Will I notice a difference between 512mb and 256mb (or would it be worth $500)

 

[m85476585]

I have decided I don't really care which processor it is - but now I'm wondering if I should get 512mb vRAM or 256mb. I heard that the 9600m was only able to handle 256mb?? Will I notice a difference between 512mb and 256mb (or would it be worth $500)

Do you play games (in bootcamp) or do anything GPU-intensive? If not or if you don't know, you probably won't notice a difference. I'd say it's not worth the extra money (unless you have a good reason that you need it).