Is it worth it to bump up the new 15” MBP base model to the 2.5 or 2.8GHz versions?

[McPantsington]

The new 15” MBP base model comes with a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. But you have the option of bumping it up to the 2.5 or 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor versions.

I plan to use this computer primarily for Adobe programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Not any video editing or anything that’s rendering intensive. But the ability for casual gaming or watching movies every now and then would be nice.

So here’s my thinking. I’m already pretty sure that I don’t need the high end MBP. The AMD graphics is probably something that would be overkill for what I’m interested in. And because I don’t tend to store a lot of files of any sort on my computer, I think 256 GB flash storage should probably be fine.

But I’m still hung up on the 2.2, 2.5, or 2.8 GHz. If I keep everything else at the base model, will upgrading be noticeable? Do I even need 2.5 or 2.8 with what I plan to use this computer for?

Thanks, for your help.

 

[Xgm541]

No, for your uses, the money is probably better to be saved or spent on a larger SSD (for movies).

 

[yjchua95]

The new 15” MBP base model comes with a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. But you have the option of bumping it up to the 2.5 or 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor versions.

I plan to use this computer primarily for Adobe programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Not any video editing or anything that’s rendering intensive. But the ability for casual gaming or watching movies every now and then would be nice.

So here’s my thinking. I’m already pretty sure that I don’t need the high end MBP. The AMD graphics is probably something that would be overkill for what I’m interested in. And because I don’t tend to store a lot of files of any sort on my computer, I think 256 GB flash storage should probably be fine.

But I’m still hung up on the 2.2, 2.5, or 2.8 GHz. If I keep everything else at the base model, will upgrading be noticeable? Do I even need 2.5 or 2.8 with what I plan to use this computer for?

Thanks, for your help.

You don't.

 

[ayzee]

It would have a better resale value in future if you got the higher Ghz

 

[Xgm541]

It would have a better resale value in future if you got the higher Ghz

That's absolutely not true. Maxing out an apple product for resale value is only a good idea in terms of RAM. The same model with 2.5 ghz will sell at the same price as one with 2.8 ghz, give everything else is the same.

 

[mgdominguez]

I think it's relative. Where I live, bumping the base config to 2.5 increases the price ~5%, and when I googled around for the performance difference in benchmarks that matter to my use cases it's usually between 7% and 10% so for me that's a worthwhile update.

That's not the case for the 2.8 option. That adds ~23% to the base price, but the performance gains are more sedate, reaching ~20% only in a subset of the benchmarks I'm interested.

You could try searching for benchmarks on the apps you describe and see if the performance difference matters to you.

 

[wct097]

Precious few people would ever notice real-world differences between 2.5 and 2.8ghz in the same processor family.

 

[totten76]

Save the money, you wouldn't see the difference

 

[MBHockey]

Perused the benchmarks for 2.8 vs 2.5 and they were not convincing that it was worth the money (for me). I opted for the 1 TB SSD instead which is a much more worthwhile upgrade for my use.

 

[snaky69]

The new 15” MBP base model comes with a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. But you have the option of bumping it up to the 2.5 or 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor versions.

I plan to use this computer primarily for Adobe programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Not any video editing or anything that’s rendering intensive. But the ability for casual gaming or watching movies every now and then would be nice.

So here’s my thinking. I’m already pretty sure that I don’t need the high end MBP. The AMD graphics is probably something that would be overkill for what I’m interested in. And because I don’t tend to store a lot of files of any sort on my computer, I think 256 GB flash storage should probably be fine.

But I’m still hung up on the 2.2, 2.5, or 2.8 GHz. If I keep everything else at the base model, will upgrading be noticeable? Do I even need 2.5 or 2.8 with what I plan to use this computer for?

Thanks, for your help.

As far as computer upgrades go, a good rule of thumb to go by: if you have to ask, you don't need it.

 

[Kal-037]

With student discount or other discount = yeah... otherwise I say maybe not. I myself opted for it instead of the 1TB SSD as that was way too expensive, plus 512GB is plenty of space. I preferred to have the faster performance.
You can ask anyone all day if there's a difference but here's the truth: (It's up to you)
Fact is 2.8GHz IS faster than 2.5GHz,
but depending on if you want to spend the extra 180-200 for it, that is up to you. It's all just preference when deciding something like that.
I used this site to help me decide though... (it's the fifth fastest Mac out right now) #5 single core score #15 multicore score
https://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-benchmarks


K.

 

[capitanbuzo]

It would have a better resale value in future if you got the higher Ghz

Only higher resale because you paid more to begin with.

 

[placidity44]

I highly doubt you'd notice much of a difference if any. I wouldn't