MacBook Pro 2011 15" 2.2 or 2.4 GHz? Dual-Screen Setup?

[BlackF]

Hi,

I'm planning to buy one of the current MacBook Pro 15", but I'm not sure if I should buy the 2.2 GHz low end version or the 2.4GHz high end version.

The 2.4 GHz version has a AMD Radeon HD6770M, but it's underclocked, so there should be no big difference to the HD6750M in 2.2 GHz model.

I think most of the time I will use the MacBook at home where it will be connected to a 24" monitor with a FullHD resolution (1920x1080) and maybe I will also use the MacBook display at the same time (dual screen).
I'm a computer science student and I will need the MacBook for developing software and so on. But I don't play many games.

So now my question:
Is the Radeon HD6750M in the low end model capable for a dual screen setup? Because it has only 512MB VRAM. Or should I better go for the high end version with 1GB of VRAM?

 

[macchiato2009]

get the 2.2 instead of the 2.4

and invest into a good SSD and take the anti glare option


because the gain from 2.2 and 2.4 is barely noticeable on a daily use, unless you have an intensive use like video editing, but still, no much gap

 

[BlackF]

get the 2.2 instead of the 2.4

and invest into a good SSD and take the anti glare option


because the gain from 2.2 and 2.4 is barely noticeable on a daily use, unless you have an intensive use like video editing, but still, no much gap

Thanks!
I would definetly take the anti glare display!

But are you sure that there won't be any problems with the HD6750M (512MB VRAM) when I use two displays?

 

[Medic278]

I agree get the 2.2 the difference will likely never be noticed by you. Also you shouldn't have a problem running two screens. I also concur that investing in an SSD is a good idea.

 

[BlackF]

Okay, so it even shouldn't be a problem if I want to play a game in fullHD resolution on the external monitor?

I don't know but buying a laptop nowadays with only 512MB of VRAM sounds a little bit strange/old, because even the cheap consumer laptops already have at least 1 GB. ;-)


Is the size of the VRAM important for Photoshop? Because I need it sometimes.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Is the Radeon HD6750M in the low end model capable for a dual screen setup? Because it has only 512MB VRAM. Or should I better go for the high end version with 1GB of VRAM?

The Radeon 9700M in my PowerBook G4 (64 MB VRAM, about 7 years old) was perfectly capable of running a dual-screen setup. This question has been moot with regard to every Mac capable of running a dual-screen (non-mirrored) set up. Apple wouldn't build the functionality into it if it couldn't do it.

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Okay, so it even shouldn't be a problem if I want to play a game in fullHD resolution on the external monitor?

If by "fullHD" you mean 1920x1080, then it depends on the game you want to play. Some of them will work fine, others won't. If you want to game, you'll want the high-end MBP (and you'll want to install Windows in BootCamp, as performance when booted into Windows is SIGNIFICANTLY better as far as gaming is concerned).

I don't know but buying a laptop nowadays with only 512MB of VRAM sounds a little bit strange/old, because even the cheap consumer laptops already have at least 1 GB. ;-)

It all depends on what you need.

Is the size of the VRAM important for Photoshop? Because I need it sometimes.

Photoshop has a few GPU-related features but it won't matter much one way or the other.

 

[BlackF]

The Radeon 9700M in my PowerBook G4 (64 MB VRAM, about 7 years old) was perfectly capable of running a dual-screen setup. This question has been moot with regard to every Mac capable of running a dual-screen (non-mirrored) set up. Apple wouldn't build the functionality into it if it couldn't do it.

Of course a dual screen setup was always possible. But I think the requirements for the latest Mac OS X version has changed during the last 7 years. ;-)

I've only asked the question about the dual screen setup with the Radeon HD6750M because I read a review on notebookcheck.net where they said the following:

Contrary to the entry-level model the more powerful model features 1 GB GDDR5 and not only 512 MB. This can definitely be advantageous in multi monitor configurations under Mac OS X.

Is there anyone who has a mulit-monitor configuration with a MacBook Pro?

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Of course a dual screen setup was always possible. But I think the requirements for the latest Mac OS X version has changed during the last 7 years. ;-)

So has the hardware

I've only asked the question about the dual screen setup with the Radeon HD6750M because I read a review on notebookcheck.net where they said...

A better GPU is always better in general. That's more or less the point that statement made. I'd like to know what, exactly, they're referring to. If they're referring to a 3 monitor setup via Thunderbolt (that would make more sense with the term "multi-monitor" vs "dual monitor") then I can see how a GPU with a larger VRAM size could definitely smooth things out.

Is there anyone who has a mulit-monitor configuration with a MacBook Pro?

Me! I run a 22" 1080p monitor (mDP to DVI) as well as the 13" MBP's monitor. I don't even have a dedicated GPU, but I don't experience any significant performance issues. Some of the system animations are slightly slower, but not enough to be noticeable unless you're looking for it. FCP, Photoshop, etc all run fine with 2 monitors. Games aren't an issue since they ignore the secondary monitor entirely.