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MBP 13" 2.4ghz + 8GB RAM + SSD = Worth it?

I

iczer34

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 24, 2008
4
0
Hey Guys....

I'm sure this topic may have been beaten to death (and yes, I did a search) but what are your guys' thoughts on the following:

Macbook Pro 13" 2.4GHz C2D + 8GB RAM + 80GB SSD

Would that type of set-up be optimal to perform tasks such as, VMware (Win 7), Aperture 3, Adobe Lightroom 3, Final Cut Pro --- of course not all at once and my photo/video libraries will be stored on an EXT HDD.

I like the smaller form factor of the 13" MBP...but am weary of the old C2D vs. say the i5 on the 15" MBP.

BTW - i'm currently using a late 2007 15" MBP 2.4GHz C2D, 320GB HDD, 4GB RAM.

Thoughts? TIA!! :)
 
iczer34 said:
Hey Guys....

I'm sure this topic may have been beaten to death (and yes, I did a search) but what are your guys' thoughts on the following:

Macbook Pro 13" 2.4GHz C2D + 8GB RAM + 80GB SSD

Would that type of set-up be optimal to perform tasks such as, VMware (Win 7), Aperture 3, Adobe Lightroom 3, Final Cut Pro --- of course not all at once and my photo/video libraries will be stored on an EXT HDD.

I like the smaller form factor of the 13" MBP...but am weary of the old C2D vs. say the i5 on the 15" MBP.

BTW - i'm currently using a late 2007 15" MBP 2.4GHz C2D, 320GB HDD, 4GB RAM.

Thoughts? TIA!! :)
Click to expand...

Aperture 3 and Final Cut Studio are heavy loads. Definitely go for the i5/i7. You need the extra performance.
 
Yeah I agree if you're going to upgrade up to 8 gigs of RAM and an SSD, you might as well go up to the 15' and get the i7 processor. Its what I did and I haven't looked back since :)
 
thecarrot said:
Yeah I agree if you're going to upgrade up to 8 gigs of RAM and an SSD, you might as well go up to the 15' and get the i7 processor. Its what I did and I haven't looked back since :)
Click to expand...

my thoughts exactly - if you got the money for the RAM and especially a SSD - drop that extra cash in a more powerful processor. All the RAM in the world, and a SSD won't help you render, export or compress video any quicker for the most part.

Go with the i7
 
Thanks for the responses guys.

The main reason I'm able to spring for 8GB RAM and SSD is because I'm getting a killer deal on a MBP 13". The total cost of doing so will still be a few hundred less than a 15" i5.

My current MBP is already running the aforementioned apps, it's not super slow but it's slightly noticeable and gets the job done. So I guess my real question is, would a MBP 13" C2D 2.4GHz + 8GB RAM + SSD worth upgrading over my old MBP?
 
iczer34 said:
Thanks for the responses guys.

The main reason I'm able to spring for 8GB RAM and SSD is because I'm getting a killer deal on a MBP 13". The total cost of doing so will still be a few hundred less than a 15" i5.

My current MBP is already running the aforementioned apps, it's not super slow but it's slightly noticeable and gets the job done. So I guess my real question is, would a MBP 13" C2D 2.4GHz + 8GB RAM + SSD worth upgrading over my old MBP?
Click to expand...


Uhh... whats your old MBP?
 
iczer34 said:
Thanks for the responses guys.

The main reason I'm able to spring for 8GB RAM and SSD is because I'm getting a killer deal on a MBP 13". The total cost of doing so will still be a few hundred less than a 15" i5.

My current MBP is already running the aforementioned apps, it's not super slow but it's slightly noticeable and gets the job done. So I guess my real question is, would a MBP 13" C2D 2.4GHz + 8GB RAM + SSD worth upgrading over my old MBP?
Click to expand...

No, you would be much better off just popping a SSD in you current computer if you wish. It makes no sense to upgrade to a computer w/ about the same speed processor wise. 4gb RAM is plenty. just upgrade to nice ssd from either intel or owc. that will net you a real speed increase. or like others said, upgrade to i7.
 
I have been beaten to death for not recommending 8GB RAM upgrade and putting an expensive SSD into a 13" MBP.

If you need performance, forget the C2D - the i5 and i7 will suit your tasks better, even with less RAM and a 7200rpm HDD.
 
Bigger Screen Trumps

I agree. SSD is a much better performance benefit than the extra 4GB that's not often used. And for the programs he wants to run, there is no doubt that a bigger screen and faster processer are more important than the 'killer deal' on a 13"


kernkraft said:
I have been beaten to death for not recommending 8GB RAM upgrade and putting an expensive SSD into a 13" MBP.

If you need performance, forget the C2D - the i5 and i7 will suit your tasks better, even with less RAM and a 7200rpm HDD.
Click to expand...
 
8gb and a SSD in a MBP13 C2D 1200x800 laptop? that is like putting jetfuel and F1 tires on a daihatsu cuore.

You can pimp it up with anything you want but at the end of the day the engine just doesn't go any faster and it will only seat two adults side by side comfortably ... if at all.
 
ram upgrade won't make much of a difference, SSD would though, startup/seek times would be greatly improved no matter what processor
 
aeboi said:
ram upgrade won't make much of a difference, SSD would though, startup/seek times would be greatly improved no matter what processor
Click to expand...

True, but if you buy the 13" in the first place your stuck with a CPU thats many years old at this point, and you can never upgrade it. Get a machine with the i5/i7 and buy the SSD somewhere down the line...
 
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