Is 170 MHz and double the VRAM worth $320?

[johnbro23]

With education discount, I configured both models to have the following specs in common:

1.5 GB RAM (with 1GB for the lower end and 512MB for the higher end from crucial)
100 GB 7200 RPM drive
23" Display
AppleCare

The only difference is a 1.83 GHz vs. 2 GHz and 128MB VRAM vs. 256MB VRAM. The difference in price, with the extra crucial RAM taken into account, is $320. So what do you think... is it worth it?

 

[plinkoman]

With education discount, I configured both models to have the following specs in common:

1.5 GB RAM (with 1GB for the lower end and 512MB for the higher end from crucial)
100 GB 7200 RPM drive
23" Display
AppleCare

The only difference is a 1.83 GHz vs. 2 GHz and 128MB VRAM vs. 256MB VRAM. The difference in price, with the extra crucial RAM taken into account, is $320. So what do you think... is it worth it?

macbook pro i take it?

i'd go for it, those are two very important things that you can't upgrade later on, and it seems like you have some money to burn, so i say go for it.

 

[Atlasland]

The 170Hz probably isn't worth it. Double the VRAM may well be worth it, depending on what you'll be doing - gaming? graphical work?

And it also depends on how much money you have.

I personally have an iMac G5 Rev B, and if I had had the chance to upgrade from 128 to 256 MB I would have done it in a heartbeat.

 

[Koodauw]

I went with the base version. No need for the extra stuff personally, plus isn't the difference $500? at the edu store?

Although in theory you want to buy the top of the line in the non upgradeable stuff if possible.

 

[yoda13]

If I were buying for myself, I would buy the max spec 'book that I could afford for myself. I would always regret it later if I didn't.

 

[w8ing4intelmacs]

Here's my perspective.

A year from now, will I be able to sell the MBP 2.0 for $500 more than a MBP 1.83? From an end user perspective, there may be a few people who will notice a difference in the 256MB Video Memory, but down the road the higher memory will get you only slightly more money on eBay. Personally, I think Apple is charging you the full $300 for the 1GB sodimm.

If you don't care about the money, then get the 2.0. If you only have $2500 to spend, I'd rather get the 1.83 and spend the $500 on more memory, getting an external hard drive, an external dual layer SuperDrive, various notebook peripherals, a new case/sleeve (my Powerbook Booq case doesn't fit an MBP), ...

Of course, it does seem like there are more 2.0's in stock at different places. So the $500 might be worth it for instant or quicker gratification.

My 2 cents.