Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AML225

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 11, 2010
192
1
If you customize your higher spec 15.4" MBP you have the option to bump the processor from a 2.2GHz to a 2.3GHz for $250. As far as I can tell from Apple's website the only difference is the clock speed. Is there something more to justify this steep price difference?
 
If you customize your higher spec 15.4" MBP you have the option to bump the processor from a 2.2GHz to a 2.3GHz for $250. As far as I can tell from Apple's website the only difference is the clock speed. Is there something more to justify this steep price difference?

I too am wondering the same thing. It doesn't make sense to me. Unless it's Apple hinting at their future pricing plan... $250 per 0.1 GHz processing power!
 
No, it is what it is. It's madness. People use the term future proof when they justify the expense, but you will never notice the difference. Spend the money on a 7200rpm drive or an SSD. that's where you will see the performance increase. Oh, and lots and lots of ram.
 
Oh I didn't consider it for 1 second. I was just curious.
 
If you customize your higher spec 15.4" MBP you have the option to bump the processor from a 2.2GHz to a 2.3GHz for $250. As far as I can tell from Apple's website the only difference is the clock speed. Is there something more to justify this steep price difference?

Intel's price is about $250ish more for the 2.3 over the 2.2, so Apple did the same thing.

Eh, I lied, It's about $190 difference from Intel, but Apple still doesn't make a ton from the upgrade.
 
I too am wondering the same thing. It doesn't make sense to me. Unless it's Apple hinting at their future pricing plan... $250 per 0.1 GHz processing power!

Intel prices the 2.3Ghz process $190 higher than the 2.2Ghz processor. Apple makes a nice $60 (or more) profit from the upgrade.

Also, it is not 'just' 0.1ghz, you also get the full 8MB l2 cache instead of 6mb in the 2.2ghz.
 
Not worth $250 in my opinion, but there are more differences than just the clock speed. The 2.2 is the i7-2720 and the 2.3 is the i7-2820, which adds 100MHz clock speed, 8MB cache (vs 6MB), and a higher max frequency in turbo mode. Also, higher max per core used. The 3.3/3.4GHz turbo mode is only when using a single core - the more cores you use the less "turbo" you get. Basically, the 2820 maintains a higher speed with more cores on.
 
what's the performance difference between a 6MB L3 and 8MB L3 when u use MBP for game, Aftereffects CS5, and Final Cut Pro


help, i don't want to waste money on a useless processor
 
2.3 is the only CPU option if you want to walk out of an Apple store with a hi res 15".

I wanted the convenience of walking into a store and walking out with a laptop. The $250 was irrelevant to me.
 
2.3 is the only CPU option if you want to walk out of an Apple store with a hi res 15".

I wanted the convenience of walking into a store and walking out with a laptop. The $250 was irrelevant to me.

I did it that way as well. Would have preferred it if I could have gotten the 2.2 at the store with hi res but they don't carry it.
 
2.3 is the only CPU option if you want to walk out of an Apple store with a hi res 15".

I wanted the convenience of walking into a store and walking out with a laptop. The $250 was irrelevant to me.

omg u can get a custom MBP at apple store?

i cannot, must buy base. even tho i have money, they don't sell it

or because they're apple reseller? not store?
 
omg u can get a custom MBP at apple store?

i cannot, must buy base. even tho i have money, they don't sell it

or because they're apple reseller? not store?

I was gonna ask same thing. I've only bought base models, never asked/knew about BTO in-store. Can you get SSDs in store too?

I wouldn't have to pay tax at my Apple Store but I would if I ordered online, that's why I care :)
 
It's just the cost of the upgrade from Intel's perspective ... plus the additional cache.
 
I was gonna ask same thing. I've only bought base models, never asked/knew about BTO in-store. Can you get SSDs in store too?

I wouldn't have to pay tax at my Apple Store but I would if I ordered online, that's why I care :)

yeah, i would like for store to sell BTO opts.

maybe reseller is not authorized to sell BTO?

btw the 128GB SSD cost 100$, it's the cheapest SSD i've ever seen.
 
yeah, i would like for store to sell BTO opts.

maybe reseller is not authorized to sell BTO?

btw the 128GB SSD cost 100$, it's the cheapest SSD i've ever seen.

The apple store has the base and ultimate configuration basically. Others probably just don't like to stock the slower selling ones.
 
The apple store has the base and ultimate configuration basically. Others probably just don't like to stock the slower selling ones.

but in a RESELLER store?

there's a few i've known


Reseller
Premium Reseller
Store [apple 100%]
Online


and i'm guessing you can only have the ultimate at the store/online, not those 2 different stores
 
Not worth $250 in my opinion, but there are more differences than just the clock speed. The 2.2 is the i7-2720 and the 2.3 is the i7-2820, which adds 100MHz clock speed, 8MB cache (vs 6MB), and a higher max frequency in turbo mode. Also, higher max per core used. The 3.3/3.4GHz turbo mode is only when using a single core - the more cores you use the less "turbo" you get. Basically, the 2820 maintains a higher speed with more cores on.
If its cooled properly.

I agree with you 100%. I would just like to point out the TurboBoost functions in relation to the temperature of the laptop. Inadequate cooling=less TurboBoost.

The 2011 MPBs have notoriously bad cooling (get very hot) and so this difference will be noticed even less.
 
I walked in the day of release wanting a 17" anti-glare, 750GB, 4GB RAM and I got it. It happened to come with the 2.3GHz i7. At that time, it was unknown how much faster it was going to be and I didn't care.

Right now the 2.3 GHz is about 3-5% faster at encoding on Handbreak, and Runs cooler. It might be faster at other CPU intensive processes in the future.

Eventually, I'll put in an SSD. I bumped the RAM to 8GB to run Win 7/Parallels smoothly.
 
but in a RESELLER store?

there's a few i've known


Reseller
Premium Reseller
Store [apple 100%]
Online


and i'm guessing you can only have the ultimate at the store/online, not those 2 different stores

Like I said, others (resellers) probably just don't like to stock the slower selling stuff, since they already sell in smaller volume than the apple store itself. There's nothing holding them back from selling the higher end stuff, they just typically don't. Apple still makes their money either way.
 
remove the backplate, and place the computer in cooling table :p

keep cool and not overheat


or just live in canada and use your computer outdoor
 
omg u can get a custom MBP at apple store?

i cannot, must buy base. even tho i have money, they don't sell it

or because they're apple reseller? not store?

You can get a 15" hi res, anti-glare, 2.3, 4 gig, whatever hd it is, in the store. It's not BTO. It's what they have as the non-base option. Resellers like Tekserve or B&H have more options but I have to buy direct from Apple to get the EPP.

This has been discussed before in at least 5 other threads.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.