Would a 2.6 GHz i5 Dual Core or 2.2GHz i7 Quad Core be faster for light duty tasks

[Z3man]

Would a 2.6 GHz i5 Dual Core or 2.2GHz i7 Quad Core be faster for light duty tasks. Obviously the i7 processor is a lot more powerful but would there be any difference when just using it for light duty tasks.

My theory is that if the i5 is just doing light tasks it would be just using one of its cores running at 2.6GHz, and doing the same tasks with the i7 it would just be using one of its cores as well but running at 2.2GHz, so would the i5 be faster as it will be running at 2.6GHz rather than 2.2GHz on the i7.

Sorry if I'm talking absolute bollocks here, but its just something that crossed my mind while trying to choose between the base 13" rMBP and the 15" rMBP.

 

[Meister]

This completely depends on the apps you are using.
If they can utilize all 4 physical cores, than the quadcore will be faster.
If they can't, the dualcore will be faster.

"Light duty tasks" is to nebolous to answer your question.
You need to at the very least name the apps you are using.

 

[Z3man]

It would just be simple stuff like iPhoto, iTunes, email and web browsing. I am just trying to work out if by buying the 15" rMBP i might actually be buying a slower machine for what i am doing.

 

[Meister]

It would just be simple stuff like iPhoto, iTunes, email and web browsing. I am just trying to work out if by buying the 15" rMBP i might actually be buying a slower machine for what i am doing.

For these apps there will be no speed difference whatsoever.
Both are utter overkill for your usage.

 

[cbautis2]

Would a 2.6 GHz i5 Dual Core or 2.2GHz i7 Quad Core be faster for light duty tasks. Obviously the i7 processor is a lot more powerful but would there be any difference when just using it for light duty tasks.

My theory is that if the i5 is just doing light tasks it would be just using one of its cores running at 2.6GHz, and doing the same tasks with the i7 it would just be using one of its cores as well but running at 2.2GHz, so would the i5 be faster as it will be running at 2.6GHz rather than 2.2GHz on the i7.

Sorry if I'm talking absolute bollocks here, but its just something that crossed my mind while trying to choose between the base 13" rMBP and the 15" rMBP.

i7 will still be faster regardless of how many cores your app is using since the i7-4770HQ goes to 3.4 GHz when 1 core is loaded or 2 cores @ 3.3 GHz loaded. while i5-4288U only goes to 3.1 GHz when 1 core is loaded or 2.9 GHz for both cores when loaded. They go back to their stock speeds if thermal/power limits are exceeded.

 

[cbautis2]

It would just be simple stuff like iPhoto, iTunes, email and web browsing. I am just trying to work out if by buying the 15" rMBP i might actually be buying a slower machine for what i am doing.

Biggest bottleneck would be your internet speed here. I see no difference between my 2011 MBA and 2014 13" rmbp in terms of the tasks you mentioned.

 

[mtneer]

Deciding between a top speed of 180mph or 200mph won't make a difference if you live off a muddy dirt track where nothing moves faster than 15mph...

 

[Z3man]

Thanks for the info, seems there is nothing to worry about then, i just thought maybe by buying the i7 i might have been buying a slower machine but obviously not. The only real difference i will notice will be the screen size and a bigger hole in my pocket.

 

[Natzoo]

Get the 15", just for the screen size

 

[Z3man]

Get the 15", just for the screen size

I am very tempted too, just trying to justify it in my mind when i know fine well the 13" will do me.

 

[Natzoo]

Ive had the 13" rMBP for a week, didn't like it then got the 15" and loved it.

 

[shahin90]

I am very tempted too, just trying to justify it in my mind when i know fine well the 13" will do me.

Definitely consider the weight and the size of the 15 inch. It's much heavier than the 13 inch and the keyboard feels a little awkward I feel. I had the 15 inch for 2 years and replaced it for a 13 inch 2 weeks ago and love it.

I travel a lot and I carry my laptop with me, so your case might be different.

 

[Natzoo]

Definitely consider the weight and the size of the 15 inch. It's much heavier than the 13 inch and the keyboard feels a little awkward I feel. I had the 15 inch for 2 years and replaced it for a 13 inch 2 weeks ago and love it.

I travel a lot and I carry my laptop with me, so your case might be different.

Its not that heavy. So hears the history of my time with macs. I got the mid-2010 13" for school then that died in 2013 so i got the 13" retina, i wanted a bigger size since i go on it a lot for classes and its nice to have, so i got the base 15" and wanted a faster one so i got the one with 750m and its great.

 

[shahin90]

Its not that heavy. So hears the history of my time with macs. I got the mid-2010 13" for school then that died in 2013 so i got the 13" retina, i wanted a bigger size since i go on it a lot for classes and its nice to have, so i got the base 15" and wanted a faster one so i got the one with 750m and its great.

Different people have different uses and opinions about weight/size. I'm telling him my view so that he can compare and understand his needs.

Also, if you have external monitors at home/work the screen real state won't be a problem.

 

[Z3man]

It will be used 95% of the time on my sofa, so size and weight shouldn't be a problem. Its just a question of, do i need 15", would it be of much benefit too me, do i want to spend the extra £500 when a 13" would be fine.

But would 15" be better.

 

[redheeler]

Its not that heavy. So hears the history of my time with macs. I got the mid-2010 13" for school then that died in 2013 so i got the 13" retina, i wanted a bigger size since i go on it a lot for classes and its nice to have, so i got the base 15" and wanted a faster one so i got the one with 750m and its great.

As mentioned above it is purely a matter of preference. I chose a 13" over a 15" for similar uses. The added portability is quite nice.

It will be used 95% of the time on my sofa, so size and weight shouldn't be a problem. Its just a question of, do i need 15", would it be of much benefit too me, do i want to spend the extra £500 when a 13" would be fine.

But would 15" be better.

No one can answer that question for you. It's up to you to decide whether or not a larger screen is worth the extra cost based on what you do with it. Besides, you can always get one and return it if you find you want the other instead.

 

[snaky69]

It would just be simple stuff like iPhoto, iTunes, email and web browsing. I am just trying to work out if by buying the 15" rMBP i might actually be buying a slower machine for what i am doing.

You'd notice absolutely no speed difference between either doing such simple tasks.

 

[redheeler]

You'd notice absolutely no speed difference between either doing such simple tasks.

That's already been established. The question is now about screen size.

 

[Z3man]

Besides, you can always get one and return it if you find you want the other instead.

I think i might do that, i know what 13" is like as that is what i have now, so i might as well order a 15" and see if i like it, and see if its worth the extra £500.

Apple offer a 14 day no quibble return i believe, mind you i am sure it used to be 30 days. When i bought my current cMBP i originally ordered an Air but did not like it so returned it and got the cMBP. I have been very happy with it in the 3 years i have owned it, but i think its time for an upgrade and really want one with a retina screen.

I back up to a time machine, do you think it would be wise to keep my current cMBP until the new one arrives and make sure everything transfers ok to the new laptop, or would it be safe to sell my cMBP first, am i likely to have and difficulties.

 

[redheeler]

I back up to a time machine, do you think it would be wise to keep my current cMBP until the new one arrives and make sure everything transfers ok to the new laptop, or would it be safe to sell my cMBP first, am i likely to have and difficulties.

It would be wise to keep the old one until fully set up. Something unexpected could always happen, such as the backup drive failing during the transfer.

Enjoy your new rMBP.

 

[Z3man]

I have been having a think about this and i am going to go for the 13", can't really justify the extra £500 for the 15".

Just got one more question first though, would it be worth upgrading from the 2.6GHz processor to the 2.8GHz processor. The difference in price is only £68.00, but would it be worth it, would i notice any difference.

 

[redheeler]

Just got one more question first though, would it be worth upgrading from the 2.6GHz processor to the 2.8GHz processor. The difference in price is only £68.00, but would it be worth it, would i notice any difference.

I doubt there's a need, as already stated:

Both are utter overkill for your usage.

The tasks you mentioned can be easily done on a MBA with 1.4 i5.

 

[Z3man]

Had an Air before and returned it because of the poor quality screen they have, and the small text due to the odd resolution they have.

 

[redheeler]

Had an Air before and returned it because of the poor quality screen they have, and the small text due to the odd resolution they have.

I wasn't suggesting you get an Air, just using it for comparison purposes. I too agree the display is quite dated by today's standards and that won't be fixed until the retina ones come out this spring.

 

[Z3man]

I doubt there's a need, as already stated:


But we were talking about i5 dual core vs i7 quad core then. Now i am just asking about i5 dual core, I have been doing a bit of research and it seems the 2.8GHz is about 6-9% faster than the 2.6GHz processor. Not sure if thats worth the extra, might not be any difference in real world terms.