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Set on the 13" but go i7?

L

lowonthe456

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 27, 2007
438
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I'm set on getting a 13" mbp. I'm wondering if the i7 upgrade is worth the dough...,slight clock speed increase yes, but it's still not quad core...

Is it worth it? Aside from clock speed, what makes the i7 better than the i5 when both are dual core?
 
Well I was faced with the same choice.
BB price matched the microcenter $999 price for the i5.
Beside that I didn't think the additional money was worth it in the 13 inch model.
The i7 does have some CPU instruction sets that the i5 doesn't.
In my humble non techie opinion $300 for hdd space and the i7 upgrade in the 13 is mostly profit for apple.
I put the $500 towards an iPad.
 
When I was looking to purchase my 2011 13" MBP, I had the same question. After thinking it out, I ultimately went with the Core i5. Fortunately, it was a good decision. I mostly do casual gaming, programming/developing for my Comp. Math classes, web browsing, and the usual school stuff, and am having ZERO problems. No stuttering, no freeze-ups, no nothing! I absolutely love the Core i5! Also, Micro Center is offering the Core i5 for $999, which a steal. All in all, I can honestly recommend the Core i5 over the Core i7.

Micro Center Link: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358117
*Add to cart to see the price ($999)
 
I did try both out today and the i7 felt a tiny bit quicker on dumb stuff, I guess I should have mentioned that
 
bruinsrme said:
$300 worth of quickness.
Click to expand...

+1

I think the real decision point is between the base 13" and the base 15". Since you're set on the 13", go with the base and upgrade the RAM and/or hard drive if you want to. I just don't see $300 of value in the 13" i7.

Good luck whatever you get!
 
lowonthe456 said:
I did try both out today and the i7 felt a tiny bit quicker on dumb stuff, I guess I should have mentioned that
Click to expand...

You could get the i5 and get an ssd drive and pay less than getting the i7. That's what I would do if you want to get a speed boost for the OS and apps.
 
Get a SSD drive instead of i7. if u see macbook air, their performance mostly get benefits from SSD despite outdated cpu.
 
myteeth said:
Get a SSD drive instead of i7. if u see macbook air, their performance mostly get benefits from SSD despite outdated cpu.
Click to expand...

I've considered that. But would also then need to pick up an external for iTunes (movies).... Is that how it's done? iTunes will be feeding my atv2 movies....either that or I get a time capsule and put my movies/iTunes on that (if that's even possible)

Or is going outside apple for a larger ssd the answer?
 
if u don't use dvd drive, u can take it out and put a second drive. check aftermarket products like optibay. i havent done it but it seems like a good option. anyone using this?
 
lowonthe456 said:
I've considered that. But would also then need to pick up an external for iTunes (movies).... Is that how it's done?

Or is going outside apple for a larger ssd the answer?
Click to expand...

How many movies will be locally stored on the mbp?
Considering most movies are about 2GB even 45 movies is <33% of the hdd capacity of the base.
I rip on a windows machine them on 2 different drives. Then once in a while simply deleted the local copies then transfer 10 to 15 movies to the laptop overnight.
 
myteeth said:
if u don't use dvd drive, u can take it out and put a second drive. check aftermarket products like optibay. i havent done it but it seems like a good option. anyone using this?
Click to expand...

I've looked into that...but I have over 100 movies to rip first. Can Optibay add a 2nd ssd?
 
id rather have the air over the mbp, and by looking what you're doing have you considered a new air? The new ones are supposed to be released very soon!
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...n_of_thunderbolt_macbook_airs_next_month.html

and since the new ones will have thunderbolt theres no real reason to worry about HD space because the external will transfer data so fast it wont matter. If you're not wanting an air because of space then worry no more! and if you're not buying an air due to the old processors then worry no more! if you're wanting a really good screen and a computer thats light very quick and an all around a bad ass computer.. well they will both work but the air is just so awesome!!!


Yeah, soooooooooooooo id say get the i7, but in an AIR :D
 
Naimfan said:
+1

I think the real decision point is between the base 13" and the base 15". Since you're set on the 13", go with the base and upgrade the RAM and/or hard drive if you want to. I just don't see $300 of value in the 13" i7.

Good luck whatever you get!
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I thought and myself bought the Bargain 13inch i5 base model and used the £ 300 sterling pounds towards an Samsung 2333HD TV/Monitor and bought an 1TB gig rugged external hard drive.
 
iMackPro said:
id rather have the air over the mbp, and by looking what you're doing have you considered a new air? The new ones are supposed to be released very soon!
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...n_of_thunderbolt_macbook_airs_next_month.html

and since the new ones will have thunderbolt theres no real reason to worry about HD space because the external will transfer data so fast it wont matter. If you're not wanting an air because of space then worry no more! and if you're not buying an air due to the old processors then worry no more! if you're wanting a really good screen and a computer thats light very quick and an all around a bad ass computer.. well they will both work but the air is just so awesome!!!


Yeah, soooooooooooooo id say get the i7, but in an AIR :D
Click to expand...

I've considered it, but I've not met anyone whose tried to use Ableton Live on a MBA. Though it's a hobby, it'd be the most taxing thing I would do...other than converting movies in handbrake.

But the MBA then brings with it another problem...storage. I only have like 18gbs of music, but I will have a terabyte of movies, where do I put those? I'll be serving them to an atv2

And yes, this will be my primary computer though yes I will have it hooked to a monitor as well...

Sell me on these points and I may bite
 
But the MBA then brings with it another problem...storage. I only have like 18gbs of music, but I will have a terabyte of movies, where do I put those? I'll be serving them to an atv2


Simple put all this on an external hard drive/drives
When i go on location i dont take my wardrobe but a suitcase/bag is easier!
 
That's good to know and adding low power sandy bridge and tb make it better. I wouldn't say a 13" MBA is out of the question, but I can't wait until June/July unfortunately. I'm def one who thinks the MBA is the future, maybe in a year or 2.

Does the i7 offer ANYTHING the i5 doesn't?

I can get the 13"mbp and overnighted for just under 1200 OTD from macconnection....
 
Last edited:
Does the i7 offer ANYTHING the i5 doesn't?

To be honest its about 10 seconds faster and I have never seen
an 13inch i7 in any of the Three stores around London (England)

And at all three stores each person told me to save my money
and buy the 13inch i5 base model
You can always pay £40 pounds more and upgrade the hard drive
but i went for the external option instead.
 
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