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Need help choosing MacBook Pro Processor

LoveToMacRumors

LoveToMacRumors

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Feb 15, 2015
2,695
2,926
Canada
Hi guys, I'm a graphic design student

In the 13in Macbook Pro Early 2015 model, you can adjust the processor to a i7, if I want to do that, do i HAVE to buy online or they have the version at the apple store?
 
xban said:
Hi guys, I'm a graphic design student

In the 13in Macbook Pro Early 2015 model, you can adjust the processor to a i7, if I want to do that, do i HAVE to buy online or they have the version at the apple store?
Click to expand...

Stores have various options, but don't offer 'built to order'. If the choice you're making is an extra and not one of the 'base' models you will only be able to order it online. You can have it delivered to different places other than your home or university if needs be, and Apple also offer their hassle free return if you change your mind.
 
chrisrosemusic1 said:
Stores have various options, but don't offer 'built to order'. If the choice you're making is an extra and not one of the 'base' models you will only be able to order it online. You can have it delivered to different places other than your home or university if needs be, and Apple also offer their hassle free return if you change your mind.
Click to expand...

I have another question:

I just found out that the 2.9GHz i5 and 16GB RAM cost the same as 3.1GHz i7 and 8 GB RAM

Which one is better?
 
Meister said:
Better for what?
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I'm a graphic design student, so watching some p0rn, just kidding.


Photo editing, rarely video editing, I have a high perfomance PC for that
web surfing
videos

ALSO THERES A 80% CHANCE I INSTALL BOOTCAMP SO KEEP THAT IN MIND
 
xban said:
I'm a graphic design student, so watching some p0rn, ...
Click to expand...
Get an iPad for porn. The screen is easy to clean and no spunk can slip between the keys.

----------
xban said:
Photo editing, rarely video editing, I have a high perfomance PC for that
web surfing
videos
Click to expand...
The upgrades for the 13" are not worth it. Get an 15" if in doubt.

----------
xban said:
ALSO THERES A 80% CHANCE I INSTALL BOOTCAMP SO KEEP THAT IN MIND
Click to expand...
I would say the chance of bootcamp succesfully installing windows is about 50/50.
 
I read that the i7 upgrade on the MPB isn't worth it since the performance gains are very minimal. My specs are below.
 
My understanding is that as both the i5 and i7 in the 13" models are dual core the difference in performance is minimal and not worth the extra cost. Of course if you get the 15" with the quad core i7 it's a different story. That said for your needs the even the i5 2.7Ghz should be just fine. Also 8GB of RAM would be fine for your purposes. Personally I'm looking at getting the 13" with the i5 2.9Ghz only because I want the 512GB SSD and that is the only option for that size SSD.
 
16GB > i7....your computer will be handle more applications, rather than just being slightly quicker
 
it's a 90% chance that you will never use 16 GB of RAM and there will not be a noticeable-to-the-eye difference between i7 and i5. Just buy AppleCare+ and Office 365 with the 512 SSD 8GB RAM and i5 processor and you should be all set to go.
 
ZBoater said:
If you value having the fastest possible laptop, then it is worth every penny.
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No it's not. That's a ridiculous way of looking at it. It's a waste of money paying for something which is more then you need. There is no point in having the highest specs possible and as a result spending more money when you're not going to use that extra performance and power. Total waste of money. I can easily afford the highest spec 15" model available but I have no intention of buying it as it would be overkill for my uses.
 
Mr.C said:
No it's not. That's a ridiculous way of looking at it. It's a waste of money paying for something which is more then you need. There is no point in having the highest specs possible and as a result spending more money when you're not going to use that extra performance and power. Total waste of money. I can easily afford the highest spec 15" model available but I have no intention of buying it as it would be overkill for my uses.
Click to expand...

I just don't get it. For YOU it might be a waste of money. Why are you wanting to impose on everyone else your concept of financial worth? Has it occurred to you that other people value speed and performance more than they value an extra few hundred dollars??? Why are you assuming that extra performance is not going to be used?

It may be overkill for YOUR use. Great. But, like I said, if you placed a higher value on having the best possible performing laptop of whatever particular model you chose, and of course if you can afford it, then it will be worth it.

Geez. Not everyone is out to save a buck you know.
 
ZBoater said:
I just don't get it. For YOU it might be a waste of money. Why are you wanting to impose on everyone else your concept of financial worth? Has it occurred to you that other people value speed and performance more than they value an extra few hundred dollars??? Why are you assuming that extra performance is not going to be used?

It may be overkill for YOUR use. Great. But, like I said, if you placed a higher value on having the best possible performing laptop of whatever particular model you chose, and of course if you can afford it, then it will be worth it.

Geez. Not everyone is out to save a buck you know.
Click to expand...

You're the one telling people in more then one thread to get more then they need giving poor advice to them. Just because you're happy to spend more money then you need to and don't see it as a waste doesn't mean it's not for others. I think it's you who have trouble with value not me.
 
Mr.C said:
You're the one telling people in more then one thread to get more then they need giving poor advice to them. Just because you're happy to spend more money then you need to and don't see it as a waste doesn't mean it's not for others. I think it's you who have trouble with value not me.
Click to expand...

Poor advice for you. I have been crystal clear. I have NEVER given advice to someone telling them they NEED the fastest/loaded up version. But I always tell people to buy as much as they can afford, as no one has ever complained about having too much RAM or too fast a computer. And these MacBooks are not exactly upgradable, so you are stuck with what you decide.

How exactly do you know what I need I wonder? :confused:

I work for my money and I am not a millionaire. But I value speed and capability, and do not want to be left wondering "gee, if I only had gotten that extra SSD space" or "gee, if I had gotten that faster computer". For ME, that is worth it. I am sorry it is not worth it for YOU.
 
I personally won't NEED the specs I just bought, besides the SSD potentially (i7/16/512). However the way I look at it, I like to try new things and constantly learn. So in the event that I DO need that extra performance, at least I know it's there. It's about personal preference, if you feel comfortable knowing something will be adequate for your daily needs then go for it. Or if you're like me and like to experiment and learn new stuff then the upgrades are worth it (providing you can afford it, don't pay if you'll be left short !)

I look at it as a future investment :)
 
You shouldn't make people feel bad if they want to get the i7. Though personally I'd go for 16GB RAM rather than a processor upgrade.
 
chrisrosemusic1 said:
Hyper threading offered by the i7 is only useful when the software actually supports it.

For me, the i5 and 16GB RAM is the better option.
Click to expand...

Concur. Besides, the performance delta between the 2.9GHz i5 and 3.1GHz i7 is only around 2-3% (just look at Geekbench scores for this) since they both have the same core & thread count.

Besides, the i5 in the 13" is also hyper threaded. Both the dual core i5s and i7s in the 13" have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Meanwhile, the 15"s have a quad core i7 with 4 cores and 8 threads.
 
xban said:
I have another question:

I just found out that the 2.9GHz i5 and 16GB RAM cost the same as 3.1GHz i7 and 8 GB RAM

Which one is better?
Click to expand...

I would go with more RAM in this instance, both CPUs have the same iGPU option, and graphics editing won't really see any real advantage with a 200mhz bump, but RAM will be an issue with some of the more complex graphics editing. Core i7 Hyperthreading is cool and can provide a performance boost, and it is used by OS X but it will not be particularly noticeable in most applications. Ultimately you are looking at either doubling the RAM allowing for more complex tasks to be worked on/completed together, or what will under best case scenarios be an 8% performance boost from the CPU.
 
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