i7 vs i5 CPU

[MBABuyer]

I am going to buy a 13" MBA ultimate from my local apple store if they have one in stock tomorrow.

My question is, if the highest level MBA they have for sale has the i5 and 256gb of memory, should I buy it. I am just wondering if the i7 vs the i5 will make a difference at all.

I am going to use the MBA for internet, iphoto, email, youtube, light video editing (imovie for fun), and NO hardcore gaming.

So, would I notice any difference?

 

[MRU]

Prob not in day to day usage.

 

[striker33]

The difference is 1MB L3 Cache, 100MHz base clock, and turbo boost wise its 2.3GHz in the i5 vs 2.7GHz in the i7.

Most people won't notice the difference tbh. Much like the 13" MBP update, I'd expect most people to boycott the i7 update.

 

[MRU]

It's actually 2.9 turbo boost on the i7

 

[vader_slri]

Actually it's 2.7GHz Turboboost on the i5 in the 13".

 

[MBABuyer]

What will the store carry, i5 or i7 in the maxed out (hopefully they will have it)?

 

[bp1000]

The turbo boost is 0.2ghz and the base clock is 0.1ghz for the i7. Plus 50mhz bus for the GPU and an extra 1mb L3 cache.

Gut feel is you won't notice this unless you are going to bench and look at the results.

This isn't like for like but i bought 2 laptops of the same make a few years ago, for the family. 1 was mine with a 0.2ghz faster cpu, 1mb extra cache and a faster bus. I notice no different in cpu tasks between each machine, nothing obvious day to day. The only noticeable difference was mine is running a faster HDD.

I'm glad i lean't that lesson, unless the clock speed is significantly higher i just dont think you will notice the difference. Especially when you have a nice OS and a v.fast SSD

 

[Flagg]

I got it because I may be doing things that tax it (WoW, video editing) and I'm never away from a plug for more than a couple hours max. If this doesn't apply to you (heck, really, maybe if it does), save the cash.

 

[lhagan]

What will the store carry, i5 or i7 in the maxed out (hopefully they will have it)?

Called my local store (Seattle) and they said they will have both the 11" and 13" in the 'ultimate' configuration - i7/256gb - available for sale at 1pm (Pacific time).

Didn't ask about the i5 models.

 

[OSMac]

Have any sites confirmed the specific CPU's inside and if all features are active?

All I can find is general i5 and i7 references. Would like to read some detail, surprised by the lack of it?