Help to choose b/w lower and top spec MBP

Hi all,

I'm nearly about the purchase the C2D MBP after waiting for so long, and now it's come up that I don't know whether to get the lowest spec MBP and use that money to upgrade the hard drive and ram (and maybe I nice laptop backpack) or go for the top spec 15.4" model.

I'm an occasional gamer, mainly playing for fun, and I don't do much graphics work, so I'm thinking that maybe the top spec one isn't for me (since the only real difference would be the v-ram). But equally, I may feel regret after buying the lower spec model and realising I may miss the 256MB ram. Games I'd be interested in playing would be mainly Battlefield 2, and the other FPS multiplayer games.

The more I think about it the more confused I am, and one thing that has come to mind is that maybe I should get the lower spec model and when DX10 graphics are put into MBP's then I could sell it off and get a newer one, in this case which would be better to have (ie. which would depreciate less?).

Thanks a lot if you can help.
Renesis

 

Since you want to game on it, I would vote for the higher specd model. That extra Vram might come in handy, because the GPUs in the MBPs are underclocked, and BF2 is pretty demanding game. It will hold its value better as well, since it has much higher specs, but don't expect anything too wonderful on resale.

 

I was under the impression that the newer C2D MBP's were not under clocked. I think occasional gamer is a bit wrong actually, it should be casual gaming like maybe a bit after work and more on the weekend.

I know this has been asked many many times (with no definitive answer given), but is there much of a difference between the 128MB and 256MB X1600 in actual gameplay?

 

Ah, well you very well could be right. I don't keep up with the latest on the MBP, so I very well could be wrong, I'll let someone else help you there.

As for actual gameplay, that is hard to answer. Some games it will show, and some might not. It depends on how intense it is, and how much ram you have to compensate for it. The 128mb won't be as powerful as the 256mb version of course, but will still be quite a bit more powerful than the x1400/Go 7400. Sorry I can't help any further, but Macs aren't my area of expertise.

 

Thanks anyway, I guess if I don't keep my hopes to high I won't be dissappointed whichever way I go. Hoepfulyl someone else will have further to add.

 

The C2D MBP GPU is clocked like other manufacturers, it scores a near 4000 mark in 3dmark05. So it should be better than last time. Get the higher end versions since the vram is not upgradeable.

 

But has anyone used 3D mark to compare between the two cards?

 

If I'm not mistaken the base model, 2.16GHz T7400, 1GB RAM, 120GB HDD, and 128MB X1600 gets about 3700 in 3DMark05 using stock drivers. The 2.33GHz T7600, 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD, and 256MB X1600 gets about 3900 in 3DMark05 using stock drivers. Now using optimized drivers, getting more RAM, and changing to a 160GB HDD can probably bump the base model's score by more than 100 points, but of course you could similarly improve the higher model too. In any case, a 200 point difference isn't significant in most cases. It's only if you run in higher resolutions (native or higher) and/or with high AA/AF effects which eat up memory that there will be a difference, but then you are also going to run up against limitations in the GPU's own ability to handle those higher settings.

Personally, I feel that the base configuration is great value for its price. It's really too bad that Apple didn't through in the 160GB for the price of the higher end 15.4" configuration. The higher-end would then be much more attractive. Maybe Apple will be so nice to do that in time for Christmas?

 

Thanks for your reply, I think I'll go for the base model based on your information since the price difference doesn't really justify the difference in performance. In any case upgrading to 2GB of ram and the 160GB hard drive upgrade would be a wise use of the extra money I've saved?

 

I definitely think upgrading to the 160GB direct from Apple is worth the money since doing it yourself later will void the warranty. Also the 160GB hard drive is a Hitachi PMR model which is nearly the fastest 5400rpm HDD available (Seagate is faster in for web servers) so it will provide a performance boost in addition to additional space over the standard 120GB HDD. The standard 120GB can actually be either a Fujitsu model which is (relatively) very slow or a Hitachi PMR model, but the 160GB model is still faster.

The RAM is also a worthwhile upgrade, but you might consider buying it yourself from a third party and installing it yourself (which isn't that difficult and won't void you warranty) since Apple overcharges for their RAM.

 

Ok thanks a lot, when my ADC discount clears through I'll order one.

 

Actually the prices for RAM upgrades on the C2D Macbook Pros are quite reasonable, surprisingly enough - as you say, Apple has a reputation for overcharging for RAM, so I don't know what happened

 

Well it might be a Canadian thing then. They're charging $210 to go from 1GB to 2GB, and I can get the same from third parties for $140. Decent Kingston stuff too or $130 for Kingmax.

 

Hmm, you're right - nevermind, I think I got the numbers mixed up. Ah well

 

So Kingston ram should work? It's a bit cheaper than some of the guaranteed stuff from the resellers.

 

Well I've just placed my order for the lower spec model, and followed your advice and put the money into the ram and hard disk. In Australia there was a roughly $30 difference between generic and Apple, so went with Apple to avoid the hassle (although I doubt there was any).

Thanks again for all your advice and comments.