Low End Macbook pro vs High End Macbook Pro

Hi,

I am just wondering whether if the low end macbook pro's 256 mb video memory is enough If I were to hook the notebook to a huge 30' monitor? The reason I am asking is because my dad wants to buy a macbook pro but he is wondering whether if he should get the low end one or the high end one. He only uses it for email, word processing, picture viewing and web browsing, so I figured that the low end one should be enough. However he plans to hook his notebook up to an external monitor and he certainly don't want to buy the low end one and then find out that the 256 is not enough. Please help me out thank you.

Best
Jonas

 

1. Memory is a gimmick. The 8600m GT cannot effectively use 512 Mb of VRAM.
2. Outputting to a 2 inch HDTV requires the same power as outputting to a 200 inch HDTV.

 

Lithus wins this one Yea, there shouldn't be a difference at all. But im just curious why the 30' monitor if only for light usage?

 

How is the extra VRAM a gimmick?

 

i heard that the 8600GT is not fast enough to use all that memory so its technically a gimmick.
My dad uses his laptop for work (fashion design) and he needs that external display to look at high resolution pictures or something like that. He prolly wouldn't get a 30' display though, so want to be safe incase he does get a 30'.
Thanks for all the help though

 

Agree with Lithus, I hear the 8600 cannot fully utilize the full vram, thus resorting it to background texturing in games as a possible plus as someone a bit back had posted, not sure, but doubt it would really help. Quick question, when you say 30', ' = feet, "=inches, do you really have access to a 30 foot diag screen, or are you just talking about the inch one. I have to clarify this for it it was a 30' projection, I would have to request pics.

 

oh crap i am really sorry
i meant 30" inch hahaha sorry about that
I was thinking of the apple cinema display specifically

 

Still a great display, but I got all excited thinking there was this secret auditorium with a 30' display, in our theater we got a 16, and its hugeee.

 

256 is enough... i agree that the 512mb is a gimmick. though dont mind having it.

its nice having a big screen for any means... though i feel guilty for the electricity bill.

 

I don't, though I am embarrassed with the results of my extremely crude camera work.








@Jokkon: If your dad needs a monitor to view detailed, high-resolution pictures (and has better pictures to work with than mine LOL), the 30" ACD is pretty nice.

 

I had the same debate not too long ago (256 vs 512). I opted for the lower-spec MBP. I used the extra cash to upgrade the HDD to 250GB and may spend on the additional RAM (if I need it). The price diff wasn't worth the extra VRAM and processor speed bump.

 

Agreed, if I were to buy one of the latest MBP's I would definitely go for the lowest-end model.

 

i have the 2.2 ghz, 2 gig ram, 128 version. it does everything besides newer games just fine.

 

If its bragging rights heh then:

right side of the room, Mac Pro 2.8ghz 8 core (harpertown), 3TB HDD, 150gb Raptor 10k RPM (boot drive), 16gb TRANSINTL RAM, 30" ACD, Iphone (unlocked did it myself) 8gb, Macbook Pro 2.4ghz (Santa Rosa) 4gb RAM (crucial),Hitachi Travelstar 7k200.

left side of the room
*52" Sony bravia XBR4, yamaha v861/rotel rb-985rx, B&W(Bowers & Wilkins) 805s x2, B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) HTM4 (centerpiece).

my own home theatre chair with a nice cushy pillow =D

 

Dang JJ.... thats an awesome setup. Well, the desktop that is.

Only one seat for your personal theater? Guess the honey has to sit on the lap then eh?

 

Lol, yep or if a buddy comes over I can bring in another Poang chair from Ikea in from the living room. I put all my gadgets in that room since the room is so huge + the fact that room is far end of the house away from the neighbors since my house is the last house on the street.

 

Only posers leave the stickers on their TVs.

 

DAM, nice setup dude.

 

Agree with other posters that you will not be fully utilizing the 512mb vs. the 256mb GPU versions and you will not notice the difference. Gaming maybe but then there's a bottle-neck in the inherent design of the GPU (128mb membus).

 

When the 128 and 256mb versions came out, someone did a benchmark test, and it was only about a 10% gain. It will be even less between the 256 and 512, due to the card design not being able to fully take advantage of this extra VRAM. Go for the 256 and use the extra money to buy...I don't know, 15 minutes with Eliot Spitzer's prostitute.

 

Judging from the picture the vaseline sitting there may be his honey haha j/k.

 

The 512 version of the 8600 GT is gimmicky in that the 8600 GT is NOT a TRUE gaming card....and wasnt intended to be. Is the 256 extra video ram worth it? Depends on how much...for 50 bucks, sure, for 500 to get to the next top model? no.

If you want a 512mb card go with alienware and the 8800 GTX

 

Lol, hey I cant help it my lips chap all the time!