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Sodium Chloride

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 11, 2017
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Is there any noticeable difference of performance between the MacBook 12” 2017 entry vs maxed out model
Entry level: 1.2 GHz Dual Core m3, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
Maxed Out: 1.4 GHz Dual Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

Currently, I can get the entry level from BestBuy for just $899

This laptop would primarily be used to accompany my iPad Pro 12.9” 2nd generation. Mainly full version of Microsoft Office, Matlab, Mathematica and other productivity software. I would use my iPad for everything else.
 
My quick take on this:

i7 not worth the extra simply for processing speed.
If you need 512GB you have to get the i5 or i7
16GB RAM important if you use VMs.
 
Is there any noticeable difference of performance between the MacBook 12” 2017 entry vs maxed out model
Entry level: 1.2 GHz Dual Core m3, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
Maxed Out: 1.4 GHz Dual Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

Currently, I can get the entry level from BestBuy for just $899

This laptop would primarily be used to accompany my iPad Pro 12.9” 2nd generation. Mainly full version of Microsoft Office, Matlab, Mathematica and other productivity software. I would use my iPad for everything else.
[doublepost=1559030412][/doublepost]I owned the 1.3 i5 8 gb ram 512 gb ssd. I have since replaced it with the 1.4 i7 16gb 512 gb ssd. I can tell you that the performance difference between the two is very noticeable. I suspect this is due to the 16gb ram, but perhaps is also from the 1.4 i7.

Just my thoughts!
 
There is noticeable performance between entry and the top model. The burst speed on the i7 will help a lot on daily use. It will only throttle if you're doing a heavy task that requires constant computation.
But if you're buying Macbook, you're not buying it for video editing anyway.
 
[doublepost=1559030412][/doublepost]I owned the 1.3 i5 8 gb ram 512 gb ssd. I have since replaced it with the 1.4 i7 16gb 512 gb ssd. I can tell you that the performance difference between the two is very noticeable. I suspect this is due to the 16gb ram, but perhaps is also from the 1.4 i7.

Just my thoughts!

Are they both 2017 models? What apps do you use in which you noticed the difference?
 
Are they both 2017 models? What apps do you use in which you noticed the difference?

I would be interested in detail too. I don’t think more RAM will speed anything up unless you’re doing tasks which are really using it. I haven’t seen my memory pressure go out of green yet.

PS from Photios’ signature they are both 2017 models.
 
I would be interested in detail too. I don’t think more RAM will speed anything up unless you’re doing tasks which are really using it. I haven’t seen my memory pressure go out of green yet.

PS from Photios’ signature they are both 2017 models.

I have not done any qualitative testing. Right out of the gate, so to speak, the 1.4/16 just boots faster and seems more responsive all around. Seriously, very noticeable.
 
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With FileVault on, the 2015 mid-tier model also felt significantly more responsive than the 2017 entry model. Black Magic showed a massive slowdown in numbers for disk access. I eventually decided to turn off FileVault to make it feel decent (and have slight buyer’s remorse since - had better opted for mid-tier model again).
 
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