Upgrade or not? need suggestions

[Xiang]

Hi all, I'm currently using the mid 2009 model macbook pro with 2.26 GHz core duo processor, 4GB memory and 120G hard disk.
My typical use of the computer is to run a VMWare Fusion virtual machine (windows 7), and typically open two Eclipse both on MacOS and Windows 7. I'm pretty sure that I need more RAM to smoothly run them... But what i'm not sure is whether upgrading to the 2011 model (mainly for CPU upgrade) will bring me significant performance boost... It seems VMWare Fusion is eating my cpu resource... It's very normal to use up 10% and going up and down, changing dramatically.

Now I have two options:
1. upgrade the currently model's RAM to 8GB, and HD to OWC SDD.
2. buy a new 2011 model and upgrade the RAM and HD.... which costs a lot more...

Not sure if i7 for the new model will bring performance boost....

Thanks!

 

[Tomorrow]

My typical use of the computer is to run a VMWare Fusion virtual machine (windows 7), and typically open two Eclipse both on MacOS and Windows 7. I'm pretty sure that I need more RAM to smoothly run them...

I'm not convinced...I run Windows through Fusion on a 2008 iMac with 4 Gb with no issues whatsoever.

 

[Xiang]

I'm not convinced...I run Windows through Fusion on a 2008 iMac with 4 Gb with no issues whatsoever.

How much RAM do u give for Windows 7? Does u CPU temp goes up when run Fusion? Thanks!

 

[Tomorrow]

How much RAM do u give for Windows 7? Does u CPU temp goes up when run Fusion? Thanks!

I only give 1 Gb to Windows. I haven't checked my CPU temps, but the fans don't ramp up any. It really doesn't seem to strain the system at all.

 

[MrRoyksopp]

Look at the benchmark tests, maybe that can help a little bit.