How is i7 2.2 GHz and 2.6 GHz CPUs on the MBP 2018 15" now?

[hajime]

Hi, as far as I recall, when the MBP 2018 first came out, some of you adviced going for the base model due to thermal throttling of higher end CPUs. Few months have passed. How is going with the i7 2.2GHz and 2.6GHz on the MBP 2018? From some reviews, am I correct that the 2.2GHz and 2.6GHz models perform almost the same but sometimes having 560X is better than 555X.

If I do not want noisy fan nor heat issues when doing productivity work, watching 4K videos on youtube and using it to drive an external 4K monitor? Which CPU and GPU do you recommend?

How much longer is the battery life under High Sierra, Mojave and Ubntu Linux when using the 555X vs. 560X and 2.6GHz vs. 2.2GHz? I am interested in 16GB RAM with 1TB SSD.

 

[G5isAlive]

You are asking for detailed usage comparisons of two different machines. Do you expect people to own both and hence speak with authority?

Most likely if you get answers, the will be from people:

1) own neither but have read the specs just like you.
2) have read reviews just like you.
3) own one or the other and will tell you why theirs is the right choice.

I fall into camp 3. I own the 2.6 ghz , 560 x version and have had zero problems with thermal throttling. At work I easily run two monitors in clamshell mode. On the road the battery seems fine. I figure if nothing else the 2.6 helps the resell value. At your configuration you are only talking a $200 price difference or less than 7%. You will quickly forget about that once you start using one. I suggest you buy the one you want.

 

[tehStickMan]

Under 100% load, the i7 2.6 and i9 perform about the same, due to throttling on the i9. Yes, even post-fix.

In single-threaded workloads or burst performance, they work as you expect - i9 is the best, then 2.6 i7, etc...

The 2.6 i7 with 560X is the best option that most people are getting.

 

[Naimfan]

If you will run the CPU and GPU at 100% 24/7, get the 2.2. If not, get the 2.6.

We have seen 2.6 versions throttle more when trying to run CPU/GPU at 100%, with the ironic result that the 2.2 provides more production.

 

[maflynn]

My 2.2 since the last supplemental update has been quite cool. I'm seeing on average 51c while doing light work, which includes being connected to an external monitor. I cannot speak to the 2.6 but for me, the base model has been rock solid. Kind of a rocky start no doubt but apple true to form rolled out updates and everything is working as expected.

If I do not want noisy fan nor heat issues when doing productivity work,

When I owned the Razer, the fans were noticable. I was somewhat successful in configuring windows to avoid the fan noice, but overall my MBP is much quieter then that machine.

 

[hajime]

My 2.2 since the last supplemental update has been quite cool. I'm seeing on average 51c while doing light work, which includes being connected to an external monitor. I cannot speak to the 2.6 but for me, the base model has been rock solid. Kind of a rocky start no doubt but apple true to form rolled out updates and everything is working as expected.


When I owned the Razer, the fans were noticable. I was somewhat successful in configuring windows to avoid the fan noice, but overall my MBP is much quieter then that machine.

I guess for people who has to buy the 2018 but don't like the keyboard, just get the cheapest model and when a new design comes out, sell it and get a new one and hope that the keyboard will be better.

 

[maflynn]

for people who has to buy the 2018 but don't like the keyboard, just get the cheapest model and when a new design comes out

Actually, I would advocate not buying any MBP for anyone who hates the keyboard. If someone simply hates the keyboard, I would say, don't waste your money buying a product that you hate. These machines are way too expensive to compromise on something that you'll be using every day.

As for the base model, I my needs are simple, and so that's why I buy that. I would recommend configuring the computer based on the requirements for which it will be used for. Why buy the low end, if you need the higher end GPU ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[hajime]

Actually, I would advocate not buying any MBP for anyone who hates the keyboard. If someone simply hates the keyboard, I would say, don't waste your money buying a product that you hate. These machines are way too expensive to compromise on something that you'll be using every day.

As for the base model, I my needs are simple, and so that's why I buy that. I would recommend configuring the computer based on the requirements for which it will be used for. Why buy the low end, if you need the higher end GPU ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I am setting up my Thinkpad. There is no comparison between the keyboard of the Thinkpad and that of the MBP2018. The one on the Thinkpad is even better than that of my MBP 2010 17". I am going to test the machine the next few days.

 

[maflynn]

I am setting up my Thinkpad. There is no comparison between the keyboard of the Thinkpad and that of the MBP2018. The one on the Thinkpad is even better than that of my MBP 2010 17". I am going to test the machine the next few days.

IBM made the best keyboards, bar none. Since they sold the computer line to Lenovo, they've kept up that great reputation.

 

[hizzle]

If I do not want noisy fan nor heat issues when doing productivity work...

My other concern at the moment is the kernel panics which seem to be associated with the T2 chipset. I'm in a similar boat, was debating between the processor speed options in the 2018 MBP 13", however am more afraid to plunge at the moment with the KP's. Buddy said he had 3 15" MBP's he exchanged through, all had significant/daily KP's, and so is back to using his 2017. This thread has more info too.

@hajime - are you concerned/worried about kernel panics with the current models? Or think the concern is overblown?