Need advice for a new MBP 15

Hi all,
I've been thinking about ordering a new MBP 15. But I cant decide which one I should go for.
So I need some advice base on my needed, I don't care much about how much I have to pay for since I tend to keep it for at least 4 years of college.
- I usually use laptop for regular purpose such as web browser, office software, sideshow... everything for a regular student
- Entertaining: I listen to music all the time, sometime I watch movie and do a litter bit photo shop, not much.
- Gaming: I love game, but my college life doesn't allow me to play very much. So few time a week, for couple hours I play Call of duty: Modern warfare 2 (black ops in this Nov ) Star craft 2, PES 10, NBA 11.
- And I want to keep this MBP for at least next 3-4 years.

I'm confusing between: i5 or i7; everything else is just basic but with the Hi res screen.

Another thing I want to ask about is: the Heat and Noise problem of the i7 MBP. Is it true, how is it?
And how about the i5, is it cooler and quiter?
I hate sitting in the library, using a laptop with a loud fan

Thank a lots guys

 

I would suggest the MBP 15 2.53GHz i5 as my candidate.

This is the mid model of the MBP 15 family and it would probably be most suitable if you would like it to last 4 years, do your school work, and entertainment work. This computer would be great for casual gaming too. I only suggested this above the 2.4GHz i5 because that computer will most likely be replaced next product line up. The 2.53GHz will probably exist still too.

If you really wanted to you could deck out for the 2.66GHz i7, but that is really if you need the power.

As for the HI-RES screens are only available at a Apple Store with the MBP 15 2.66GHz i7. So if you plan on getting it right away that is your only option. If you plan to wait for a lower trim custom ordered that shouldn't take too much longer.

My buddy has the 2.53 i5 and his MBP runs quietly with word processing, and internet surfing.

 

If I was you, I'd wait 'till Wednesday(20th) when Apple announces all its new products and updated products.

 

Yeah, me too. I hope Apple would let us know something about their new Macbook. But even they do have do have some, there will be not much.
I might order it online this or next weekend (for 1 year warranty from Apple, lol)

 

I'm not sure Is the i5 2.53 is worth to pay for or not. Since it doesn't improve the speed much, just about 3 or 5%.
Beside the great different between the i5 2.4 and the i7 2.66 is not only the processor speed, also the VGA card: 256Gb and 521Mb. Obviously, 521Mb is faster but how about the heat and noise?

 

The 512MB GPU isn't faster than the 256MB one. Memory size doesn't have much impact in most games as 256MB is more than sufficient for the relatively low bandwidth of the 128-bit bus width. Also, CPU upgrades are almost never worth it, especially from the retailers themselves, as they offer little to no benefit in real world situations.

 

I'm likely to buy a 15 in the next few days as well, and I would definitely get the 2.4ghz. the diff between 2.53 and 2.4 is near nothing and you won't even notice it in games. rather I'd opt to upgrade the screen to the 1680x1050 (high res), may even be worth looking at the anti-glare one. it will make a much bigger difference than the 2.4->2.53 or the 256MB -> to the 512MB.

 

Yeah there really isn't a big difference betwen the 2.4 and the 2.53.. just the processor speeds. Forgot to mention that I work in the IT department at my university and I service PC's and Mac's. I played around with the new i7 MacBook Pros, that we let students borrow for video editing. I just ran regular applications, some demanding ones too such as Adobe CS5, Final Cut, and for the most part they were as quiet as my last MBP 13; very quiet. I do not no of any noise problems from these computers... and I was in charge of configuring five of these MBP 15 with the i7's.

Also another difference, which shouldn't matter too much. The 2.4 and the 2.53 use a 60W power adapter while the i7 Models (and possibly the i5 MBP 17) use a 85.

 

that means the i7 = higher power consumption (duh), means I definitely would (and do) want an i5...

 

All right, so the Media event is over, it means there is no update for the Macbook Pro.
I'm gonna order the i5 2.53 + Hi res glossy screen this weekend. Thanks cdcohen and all of you guys a lots

 

nice! I guess all we got out of the waiting was the new iLife. but hey call it 40$ savings.

on Friday I'm going to buy the base model (decided I don't need the hi-res) + I'm thinking a OCZ Agility 2 90GB.

 

nice! I guess all we got out of the waiting was the new iLife. but hey call it 40$ savings.

on Friday I'm going to buy the base model (decided I don't need the hi-res) + I'm thinking a OCZ Agility 2 90GB.

 

Definitely go with the 2.53ghz i5 model with the hi-res screen. You get the most video memory and none of the heat and noise problems of the i7 and you won't notice a difference from the processors.

 

I was wrong, they do update the new i7 2.8 on MBP 15 and 17.
But so people say that the i7 Mac heats up even when you are doing nothing
That's not serious but not so good, and how could it be when you play game or others multimedia work