Value in High end vs Low end MBP C2D

[fred_garvin]

I'm comparing the two MBP models and the upgrades to the 2499 model don't seem like much value for $500. If that model had the 160 Gig hard drive, I'd go for it, but with a stick of ram being $175, that's $325 for just a tiny CPU boost and some vram.

I don't game much at all on the notebook. Is there any need to the extra vram?

For Leopard effects, ala Time Machine?
For driving a 30" monitor? (I know both will, but will the low end MBP drive that monitor poorly/slowly)

I am a programmer. Only video/graphics I do is in iLife.

 

[daneoni]

I'm comparing the two MBP models and the upgrades to the 2499 model don't seem like much value for $500. If that model had the 160 Gig hard drive, I'd go for it, but with a stick of ram being $175, that's $325 for just a tiny CPU boost and some vram.

I don't game much at all on the notebook. Is there any need to the extra vram?

For Leopard effects, ala Time Machine?
For driving a 30" monitor? (I know both will, but will the low end MBP drive that monitor poorly/slowly)

I am a programmer. Only video/graphics I do is in iLife.

Low end will suit you fine. The extra VRAM comes in handy when driving a display AND playing games on it as well. Aperture also does better with extra VRAM. Otherwise nothing major.

 

[Lovesong]

Hey Fred-
Given what you do, chances are that you probably will never have use for the higher-end GPU. Unless you're really into gaming, or, as me, into image analysis (large tiff stacks), you won't need it. Get the lower-end MBP, and, if you need it later on, get another stick of RAM from Crucial. You won't notice a difference in it driving a 30".

 

[tekmoe]

bought the low-end. will use the $500 i saved to buy more RAM and other goodies. more vram and .17ghz just doesn't cut it.

 

[The Shady]

Hey fred. I am a developer/student. I bought the low end with the 160GB HDD. I'll throw in a gig of RAM in a month or two. I don't game much, but when I do, the 128MB should be more than good enoough for me. I say go for the low end and spend the diffrence on RAM and a good case. Cheers

 

[ZildjianKX]

Hey fred. I am a developer/student. I bought the low end with the 160GB HDD. I'll throw in a gig of RAM in a month or two. I don't game much, but when I do, the 128MB should be more than good enoough for me. I say go for the low end and spend the diffrence on RAM and a good case. Cheers

I totally agree with you. Definitely a good idea

 

[fred_garvin]

Hey fred. I am a developer/student. I bought the low end with the 160GB HDD. I'll throw in a gig of RAM in a month or two. I don't game much, but when I do, the 128MB should be more than good enoough for me. I say go for the low end and spend the diffrence on RAM and a good case. Cheers

Unfortunately, without a student discount, I can't justify buying direct from Apple and doing a CTO.

If I buy from Amazon or MacConnection:

No Sales Tax, save ~$150
Mail in Rebate, $150
3% Amazon CC rebate or free Parallels ($60 - $75 value).

http://www.pcprices.net/macbookpro.shtml

So that $100 HD upgrade comes in at $460 instead. (MacConnection even stocks the glossy as a stock model for people who want that.)

OWC offers a rebate when you buy a new HD and send them the swapped out (Brand new) Apple HD. If only the new MBP had the easy swap hard drives that the MB has.

 

[TaylorB]

If I have the lower end MacBook Pro with 1.5GB of RAM do you guys think it will play Second Life (the game) well on a 30" ACD? I've been wanting to get one but this information has really started to scare me.

 

[Clydefrog]

hard to say, it should the extra ram in the high-end card will help, but only by a maybe 5-10 FPS maybe