Is the 15-inch MBP with only integrated graphics bad choice?

[powerbook911]

I know these posts asking opinions on a particular model is probably annoying to some, but I'd sure appreciate some help.

I'm considering purchasing someone a 15-inch MBP that only has the 9400M. This machine after rebate is $1499 from Mac Connection, which makes it only $200 more than the high end 13. Yes, you only gain the screen on this configuration, but $1499 is an attractive price for a 15.

However is this model seen as a bit of an odd model, in that it only has integrated graphics?

The user would never play games, so it seems paying for the second graphics card would be unnecessary ? Whereas the benefit of the extra screen real estate, would be nice for them surely.

Opinion? Many thanks.

 

[angusslo]

if you need it today, buy it, unless you are planning on some games (like COD) it will do. but i would wait a week or four for next line- early 2010 which will come out jan-feb

 

[LesQQmorePewPew]

there was a post earlier here that had a comparison between the 9400m and the 9600m. the difference? minimal.

 

[scottness]

No games? No problem. I'd get it.

 

[Nano2k]

there was a post earlier here that had a comparison between the 9400m and the 9600m. the difference? minimal.

In gaming it will not be minimal the 9600 is a lot faster. If you are not going to game dont bother spending the extra money. I have a MBP 15 and I never use the 9600, mainly because the computer gets very hot even watching videos and I cant see any performance increase for non-gaming use.

I mean for the costs involved vs the performance, mobile gfx chipsets are a joke anyway. A lot slower than their desktop counterparts.

 

[NeuralControl]

As long as the user does not plan on gaming or doing intense work in Final Cut Pro, the base model 15 is a good choice. It's all a matter of preference. If the screen size is appealing to the buyer, I would say go for it.

 

[maflynn]

Bad choice for who? Someone who plays lots of games or needs to leverage the power of the 9600m? Yeah that might be considered a bad choice.

Overall, the 9400m is an excellent well performing GPU, even if its an integrated GPU. For the record I own a dual GPU 15" MBP and it stays on the integrated GPU 90 - 95% of the time. i noticed almost no difference between the two and why run on the discreet gpu, consuming more power and generating more heat when the integrated gpu works so well.

 

[powerbook911]

Sounds great. I really think in this case they'd never turn on the 9600, so might as well not pay the money and not have something else in there to break I suppose.

Glad to hear it's not an awful idea.

 

[Cliff3]

I happen to think it's an excellent choice, but then I bought one early last month and am biased. I use mine for mobile support for my photography hobby (Lightroom/Photoshop/Capture), VMWare, and the usual document processing, email and web surfing. I don't play games, nor do I do any 3D rendering. I ordered mine with the anti-glare option, and I upgraded it to 8GB of RAM. I posted a quick user review on cnet last week: link. I'm happy as a clam.

 

[Gabriel GR]

IMO there are far better options to spend it. I've had a GMA laptop and never needed anything more. So now, I am more than happy with the 9400.

 

[l.a.rossmann]

IMO any machine over $1000 without an expresscard or pcmcia card slot is a bad choice. Go vintage, silver keys, it is a much better value.

 

[rowsdower]

If I were going to by a 15, I would get the one without dedicated graphics. As others have said, it depends entirely on who is using it.

 

[Nickm4N]

I got the same and I must say, it is perfect. When you don't play games, you absolutely have no need for the 9600. I haven't come into a situation where I would need it.

I also play NFS MW on my 9400, works like a charm with very decent settings.