Macbook Pro 15" on Apple Store Page

[baypharm]

The lowest priced MBP 15" is a 2.4 MHZ processor for $1999. Then the price jumps to $2499 for a 2.5 MHZ processor.

What is the difference between the two - why is there such a big jump in price?

All help appreciated.

 

[bartelby]

The 2.5 has s bigger HD and a different graphics card.

 

[J@ffa]

The 2.5GHz* model has a 250GB hard drive rather than 200GB, and 512MB of RAM on the graphics card rather than 256MB.

*Having the 2.5GHz model also means you're cooler than people with 2.4GHz.

 

[Watabou]

It also has a much bigger cache size. 6MB to be exact while the 2.4GHz one has 3MB.

 

[Me1000]

the faster proc also has more cache.

and as said, a more BA graphics card, and larger HDD!

 

[squeeks]

the faster proc also has more cache.

and as said, a more BA graphics card, and larger HDD!

what is a BA graphics card?

 

[cmm26red]

The 2.5 has s bigger HD and a different graphics card.

The 2.5 GHz has the exact same graphics card as the 2.4 GHz, except with twice the amount of onboard memory (256mb vs 512mb). Given the fact that the 8600GT has a 128 bit interface to the memory, the performance gains are marginal since the interface presents a bottleneck with this card.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

I'll answer the second question. Apple loves money.

P.S. The difference between the two models in terms of raw power is less than 10%, you decide whether that's worth over 20% more money.

 

[Scott6666]

Plus you can get the larger hard drive for only $50 if you BTO.

So you're paying $450 for
* 256MB of video ram that the card may not even be fast enough to properly use.
* .1 GHz clock speed (4% faster)
* 3MB of L2 cache (worth approx 8-10% speed difference so I've read).

I'd do the base + hard drive upgrade.

 

[Scott6666]

what is a BA graphics card?

BA = bad ass?

 

[Me1000]

BA = bad ass?

haha, yes!

 

[baypharm]

I'll answer the second question. Apple loves money.

P.S. The difference between the two models in terms of raw power is less than 10%, you decide whether that's worth over 20% more money.

Thanks for your help and everyone elses. I will take the responses to mean it is more hype than horsepower. Thanks again!

 

[andrewdale]

The 2.5GHz* model has a 250GB hard drive rather than 200GB, and 512MB of RAM on the graphics card rather than 256MB.

*Having the 2.5GHz model also means you're cooler than people with 2.4GHz.

Yes. I particularly agree with the asterisk down there at the bottom.

So, I'm cooler?

Yes.

But in all seriousness. The larger cache is what sold me on it.