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i5 vs i7

if i just use my macbook for basic computational needs, what will the i7 do that the i5 cannot? for someone not too tech savvy, the numbers dont really mean much to me.

im looking to buy for the long term. my current macbook is from 2007 and i would like this 2011 model to last about the same lifespan.


appreciate the advice!
 
khadgar2k1 said:
if i just use my macbook for basic computational needs, what will the i7 do that the i5 cannot? for someone not too tech savvy, the numbers dont really mean much to me.

im looking to buy for the long term. my current macbook is from 2007 and i would like this 2011 model to last about the same lifespan.


appreciate the advice!
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Depends what you mean for basic computational needs, however from what I understand the i5 will do the job for you. I've ordered my i5 today and i believe I' ve made the right choice. My computational needs include some programming, surfing the web , listening to music, watching movies and some webdesign. If you have similar needs i don't see a reason for going with the extra horsepower . I hope i've helped you.
 
My choice for my new MBP was easy, I figured if I am going to upgrade, why not get something that won't need replacing in the next 12 months.

I got the i7, I put in a 750GB 7200RPM Seagate and 8GB of Elixir DDR3 in this puppy and it is humming along nicely.

If I need the speed increase before I can justify getting another, I will get an SSD, until then though, this is great!
 
Lunchb0x8 said:
My choice for my new MBP was easy, I figured if I am going to upgrade, why not get something that won't need replacing in the next 12 months.

I got the i7, I put in a 750GB 7200RPM Seagate and 8GB of Elixir DDR3 in this puppy and it is humming along nicely.

If I need the speed increase before I can justify getting another, I will get an SSD, until then though, this is great!
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This entirely depends on everyone's computational needs. And for sure buying an i5 does not mean that you will have to replace it in 12 months. If you feel that for your needs the i7 it's suitable then you made the correct choice :D
 
Lunchb0x8 said:
My choice for my new MBP was easy, I figured if I am going to upgrade, why not get something that won't need replacing in the next 12 months.
Click to expand...

Here's me being generalist: Most computing needs of most people can be met by computers that are more than a year old.
 
pullman said:
Here's me being generalist: Most computing needs of most people can be met by computers that are more than a year old.
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I totally agree with you friend. Actually through my experience I've learned that when people are going for a new computer tend to get amazed by the power of the processor the amount of ram the gpu. 99% of the people invest in a better computer that they actually need just because "they are going to need it in future". But none of them is thinking why I'should buy more than i need because i will use it in future? But in the future the same hardware they pay a fortune for it now , it will worth pennies.

That's the world of technology as i see it :)
 
sioannou said:
I totally agree with you friend. Actually through my experience I've learned that when people are going for a new computer tend to get amazed by the power of the processor the amount of ram the gpu. 99% of the people invest in a better computer that they actually need just because "they are going to need it in future". But none of them is thinking why I'should buy more than i need because i will use it in future? But in the future the same hardware they pay a fortune for it now , it will worth pennies.

That's the world of technology as i see it :)
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This is so true. Many people buy a computer with an i7 processor for the sake to be able to say they possess a computer with an i7.

All of the contemporary processors (i3, i5 and i7) can handle very tough tasks and are all capable of running every piece of contemporary software. My iMac i3 base is lightning fast when compared to all computers I used to have in the past.
 
Do the math,

Does a 10-15% increase in CPU speed warrant a 30% cost increase?

Apple is charging 300 dollars more for an i7 than an i5. I bet that i7 CPU costs less than 300, and you're just paying for an upgrade.
 
ramo said:
Do the math,

Does a 10-15% increase in CPU speed warrant a 30% cost increase?

Apple is charging 300 dollars more for an i7 than an i5. I bet that i7 CPU costs less than 300, and you're just paying for an upgrade.
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Going by pure CPU, it's more like a 30% increase based upon a 17% CPU increase (and the cache is better too). You also get a bit more HD space.

But if you need it, you need it. There are a couple of features that most won't care about, but some will.. that the i7 supports and the i5 does not.

Also look at the SSD offerings. If you're ordering with a 128GB SSD that mitigates part of the upgrade price ($50).
 
I'd say that if you're looking at the 13" i7 you might as well jump to the base 15". If you can't do that, save your money and get the i5. I just don't see the value in the i7 over the i5, and it's a substantial price increase. I can see the value in the base 15" over either 13" model--quad core processing and a larger screen, discrete graphics, etc.
 
brentsg said:
Going by pure CPU, it's more like a 30% increase based upon a 17% CPU increase (and the cache is better too). You also get a bit more HD space.

But if you need it, you need it. There are a couple of features that most won't care about, but some will.. that the i7 supports and the i5 does not.

Also look at the SSD offerings. If you're ordering with a 128GB SSD that mitigates part of the upgrade price ($50).
Click to expand...

You are looking at specs, I am looking at real world benchmarks.

Go look at Macworld benchmark and geekbench scores and compute the difference. Most are 10-15%, some are even less.
 
ramo said:
You are looking at specs, I am looking at real world benchmarks.

Go look at Macworld benchmark and geekbench scores and compute the difference. Most are 10-15%, some are even less.
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I don't care about Geekbench and the Macworld benchmarks. Those are meaningless to me. I'm in a holding pattern waiting for a good body of benchmarks that pertain directly to my work.

So yes, in the meantime I'm looking at straight clock speed. and that's what I stated.

However, this is certainly one of Apple's better upgrades. Compare this to the measly 100MHz bump on the quads, for $250.
 
brentsg said:
I don't care about Geekbench and the Macworld benchmarks. Those are meaningless to me. I'm in a holding pattern waiting for a good body of benchmarks that pertain directly to my work.

So yes, in the meantime I'm looking at straight clock speed. and that's what I stated.

However, this is certainly one of Apple's better upgrades. Compare this to the measly 100MHz bump on the quads, for $250.
Click to expand...

What is your work? There are more resources as to how the machines do in a respective field away from this site. No offence intended, I'm just curious. I found the info I needed to make my decision far away from MacRumors. :p
 
nostylez said:
It all depends on weather he plans to keep the notebook for long term and really use it for I guess you could say shelf life.

Why by a Ferarri the only reason you would buy one is if you got the money and if you by a Ferarri you know you got the money.

And no one ever uses the Ferarri for it's true horsepower, it's cause they can turn heads. :D
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You hit it on the head on all accounts; though I dislike the Ferarri analogy. Computers are not like cars when it comes to speed. Depending on what programs one uses, as they are updated they need more processing power. So it is a matter of just how long you want your tasks (lets say in Photoshop) to take when new versions come out.
 
Wesko said:
I had the exact same problem and bought an.... i7 today!
Extremely happy with it so far! I don't think you'll notice the increase in speed in everyday use very much though.. I don't know, it just felt the better choice over the i5!
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I will keep my mbp for a while so i chose the i7.It is extremely fast!!!
 
I bought the i7 13" yesterday. Why?
The i5 was sold out and I though I had really erned my first mac, so I went with the i7. :D
 
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