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MPB i5 vs. MPB i7 - worth the extra cash?

All right, thank you. Think i'm just gonna stick with it then. I just hope i'm gonna be satisfied with it :)
 
If your a person that will buy a new computer every 2 years get the low end model. If this is going to be a 6-7 year computer get the top of the line and enjoy it long term. Why buy something that is slower and hold on to it for 5 plus years. The i5 and i7 are not that far apart price wise.
 
MacNut said:
If your a person that will buy a new computer every 2 years get the low end model. If this is going to be a 6-7 year computer get the top of the line and enjoy it long term. Why buy something that is slower and hold on to it for 5 plus years. The i5 and i7 are not that far apart price wise.
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how far are they apart performance wise?
 
tim100 said:
how far are they apart performance wise?
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http://www.anandtech.com/show/3659/apples-15inch-core-i5-macbook-pro-the-one-to-get/3
Core i7 vs. Core i5 Performance Summary
The two Core i5 models Apple offers ship with a 2.40GHz or 2.53GHz processor, both with a 3MB L3 cache. The $2199 15-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 2.66GHz Core i7, with a full 4MB L3 cache. Compared to the entry level model that's an 11% increase in clock speed and a 33% increase in L3 cache.

While I don't believe there's much reason to go for the 2.53GHz over the 2.40GHz model (L3 cache size remains the same, clock speed goes up by a small amount), the Core i7 is actually pretty decent. For a 22% increase in total system cost you end up with 11 - 15% better performance in CPU bound applications. It actually even feels snappier in general use as well.

I'd still suggest opting for an SSD before considering any CPU upgrades, but if you're looking to keep your new MacBook Pro for a while the Core i7 is worth it.
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The i7 is faster, not a huge difference but there is a difference. If this will be a 6-7 year computer the i7 will be the better deal.
 
which one would you guys get if you will be using photoshop sometimes and pro tools? I have a mac pro desktop which would be my main computer. The only time I would use the macbook pro for pro tools would be if the desktop started to experience technical issues for some odd reason..

By default I'm upgrading to 8gb of ram and the 7200 hard drive. I assume that takes priority over the processor upgrade? Would you suggest the 15" i5 or the 15" i7?

Lastly, is upgrading the ram on a laptop similar to a desktop? I can upgrade my desktop with no issues as well as change the hard drives. Not sure if it is as simple with the macbook pro.

thanks in advance.
 
You won't be able to see ANY difference between the i5 and the i7 for watching movies, listening music and doing internet stuff even in 10 years so just get the i5 2.4 with HiRes with 7200rpm or Intel X25-M SSD if you don't mind using an external case for the 5400rpm drive.

The reason why you should take the 2.4Ghz is because the difference between the 2.4 and 2.53ghz will be even more unnoticeable than with the i7.
 
I was in the same dilema, and decided for the std 15" i5, because performance difference between i5 and i7 is minimun and I dont really need 512mb of dedicated video.
 
chikit said:
Stop faffin about and just buy the i5. You don't have high requirements, and you definitely won't be able to notice a difference between the two in processor speed. What you WILL notice is the 7200RPM HDD improvement and the Hi-Res screen. Its a no brainer. Now stop dilly dallying.
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to me it sounds like the exact opposite, it's no brainer that he wants the i7, obviously he wouldn't have made the thread otherwise. I say go for it.
 
In my view I would either do:
I5, Hi-Res, 4GB, lowest HDD
or,
I7, Hi-Res, 4GB, lowest HDD.

Then, when you have the money, or when you feel like the system is slowing down, upgrade to a SSD. The hard drive is the single biggest bottleneck in the system. It's also the easiest component to upgrade. Get the best system you can within your budget, then add a SSD down the road. That's what I would do. However, if you just want a middle of the road system, do the I5 setup you mentioned.

I realize this is three weeks after your OP, so I don't know if this even matters anymore.
 
bought the i7

Yeah, well I can tell you that it doesn't matter anymore :)
I bought the i7, 7200rpm HDD, Hi-Res glossy and i'm so happy with it :)
I decided just to buy i don't look back and so far i have no regrets.
It is a great machine, and i was lucky to get a flawless one ;) no yellow tint etc.
And to everyone who is wondering whether or not they should buy it, JUST DO IT! :D
 
djasterix said:
I was in the same dilema, and decided for the std 15" i5, because performance difference between i5 and i7 is minimun and I dont really need 512mb of dedicated video.
Click to expand...

thanks for your reply. If the performance is minimum then yeah I would probably roll with the 15" i5.
 
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