2011 MBP performance question:

I'm split between getting the 2.0 and 2.2ghz model.

Performance wise, which would be best for photoshop and other photo related applications:

2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
8GB 1333MHz (would upgrade after buying)
500GB 5400-rpm1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5

and

2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz
750GB 5400-rpm1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB GDDR5

 

I'd say go with the 2.0 GHz option and use the saved cash to upgrade the memory and hard-drive. Those are the real bottlenecks these days in hardware.

 

Well lets speak via a pure hardware comparison.

Your talking about the 2620qm vrs the 2720qm. The difference between these processors is pretty large. While Apple doesn't say it, the 2720 will support high frequency memory then 1333mhz. As soon as we get them into my store, we are gonna see if we can put some 1600mhz ram sticks. From other systems, it seems that there is a good increase in performance.

Even the 2.3ghz on the MBP is a pretty big leap in pure benchmarking.

http://www.geekosystem.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/macbook-pro-benchmark.jpeg

ooh btw do you play Eve online? cause thats the picture MM uses (the one in your avatar)

 

hmm... still thinking.

Nope I don't play Eve online What is it? lol

 

Some things to keep in mind...

I'm pretty sure the 2720 only supports 2 2GB sticks totaling 4GB of DDR-1600.

The 2630 is faster than the previous generations extreme processor (i7-940XM) at almost all tasks, assuming no overclocking.

The 2630 doesn't support new AES instructions or vt-d for virtualization.

In my opinion, going from 4 to 8 GB of RAM or a 7200 rpm HD may make a bigger difference in normal day to day stuff than the processor increase. However, if you are doing things that are CPU intensive then the story changes. The 2720 turbos up to 3.3 as opposed to 2.8 for the 2630, which is a pretty decent sized boost. Either way, its a pretty big jump over the last generation.

 

I'd go with option 2, remember, you can't upgrade your video card or processor in a Macbook.

 

I also subscribe to this reasoning.
I don't think you will find 8 GB does much of anything for you, unless you are running many multiple apps simultaneously, or manipulating huge files. And if & when you do need it, it can be easily upgraded less expensively as your need arises. On the HDD, the cost is impacted in your favor to wait on its need. The processor/GPU advantage will payoff at each juncture of your upgrading, and even when you eventually pass it on through resale value.

 

This is what I do whenever I buy a new computer: I buy the most that I can afford and worry about small upgrades (RAM and hard drive) after the fact as they are so inexpensive (when you do them yourself) compared to the overall cost of the actual computer. That is why I went with the 13" Core i7 MacBook Pro. $1500 was my absolute maximum budget. I could have gone with the 13" Core i5 MBP with larger factory installed RAM and a bigger factory installed hard drive but I decided to spend the extra money to get the most notebook I could get from Apple and then worry about the upgrades (going to 8GB of RAM, which I already have in my 13" MBP, was only $85).

 

If your budget allows, try to get the 17" MBP. It comes with the 2.2ghz stock and you can't beat the res for working in photoshop.

 

I considered it, but I want a 15".

 

I can dig it. I originally wanted the 15, but with a hi res glossy and the 1gb card. Factoring in my edu discount and the 15in upgrades, it was a logical step for me to look at the 17. I compared the actual size in store and ended up being only 100 more and I'm very happy I chose it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Thanks for your input
I had a 17" and a 13" computer over the past 3 years and I'm over the sizes.