Slower processor, more ram vs. faster processor, less ram

Faster processor with less RAM. Only because you can then take that savings and buy 8GB of aftermarket RAM and upgrade yourself for a lot less than the what Apple's upgrade would cost.

 

Get the 2.6. 4GB of ram is more than plenty for 90% of everyday users. it even does me just fine doing audio recording and editing.

You can upgrade to 8GB of RAM later on for around $100. But you'll never be able to upgrade your CPU.

 

both
what good is a faster processor if there isn't enough/the right data in ram for it to access. what good is more ram if the processor cant keep up anyway.

do as below

oh and with your usage i would highly recommend a 15"

 

I have to disagree here. The 2.66 is an extra $300, which is a huge ripoff for a negligible gain. Get the 2.4, then upgrade the RAM aftermarket. That will be far more of a performance improvement than a small CPU clock bump.

 

I agree with your thinking, and I'd use the same logic for my own purchase. But the OP basically said he wants A, or B. There was no C option (C being the 2.4 stock).

So given those 2 options, I'd get the 2.6 and upgrade RAM later.

 

agree with those who suggest the 2.4 with 4 gigs of ram.

 

I know it's too late, but I've gotta give +1 to the 2.4 over the 2.6. The price difference between the two is robbery.

 

Most def go with 2.4
Apple wants an extra $300 for only .22 speed increase, which you will not notice.
Save that money and go buy 8GB of ram - you'll see a way better performance gain.

 

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3

 

one more for "C" ... 2.4 and then buy the Ram elsewhere.

the .22 bump is not worth much.

 

If you don't need a 13" MBP now, I'd wait for the refresh sometime early next year. I'm after one too, but I'm waiting until then. That way you can get something better than the 2.66 C2D for cheaper But if you need it, buy it now. As for which option, I would agree, don't bother with 2.66gHz, not worth the premium. 8GB RAM sounds like a good upgrade for your uses, and it's a good thing the prices for DDR3 RAM prices are so low right now!

 

I had this same debate a few months back... one of my friends actually ended up giving me a 160gb intel x25-m SSD that he won at an intel event, so when i went to go buy my macbook the only difference was the 2.4ghz vs 2.66ghz (since the 320gb HDD vs 500gb HDD was no longer an issue) and i found the 300$ price difference to be outrageous.

Get the 2.4ghz option, go buy some ram on the side for like $100, use the other $200 to buy yourself applecare, or an apple TV or something

 

personally if you want to spend money on something (either or) it would have to be an SSD. i know its not what you are asking (and to answer you question i would go with the faster processor) but if you want to spend some more money or something, get the base model 2.4 Ghz + 4GB ram and upgrade the HDD to an SSD, you will experience far more better and and faster performance on the SSD (am i correct?)

 

I would suggest ordering the 2.4 with it's standard amount of ram. Then, I'd upgrade it to 8GB yourself since ram prices are very low presently. A commodity item, the prices can rise quickly should conditions change.

I've got lots of experience with SSD's, I'd suggest waiting at least six months before going that route. Their still too expensive for the capacity and the controller development is still on the rise. In fact I'd wait a year, by then they will be much less expensive, and better quality overall.

 

I agree. Then, with the ~200$ you saved, start saving up for an SSD. Then you'll have a computer faster than what the 2.66 w/ 8GB of RAM would had of ever gotten you, and probably for less money as well.

That's what I'm doing.

 

Do you live close to a MicroCenter store?

 

if you live near microcenter, you can use the money you save from the MBP to upgrade to SSD.

 

Go buy a Dell.

 

Apple refurb 13" 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo ($1,019)
8 GB aftermarket RAM ($100-13)
SSD 120 GB drive aftermarket
OWC on-the-go FW800 external enclosure for HDD if you don't already have something.