Hey all,
I am considering buying a 15" MacBook Pro in the sub-$2000 price range, pre-tax. I just spotted a few refurbs that have the anti-glare hi-res screen option with the i5-540m or the i7. The price difference is $170 between the two of them and they are identical computers in every other way than the processors.
I was wondering about a few things. First, is the performance increase all that great between the two? Is the i7 more like an i5 with higher clock speed?
Second, does the battery life take a major hit when the 620m is installed as opposed to the 540m? Is there a heat difference between the two?
And finally, are refurbs subject to the same applecare rules as a new computer (i.e. one year sign up period)?
Thanks.
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Chances are you don't need the i7 but I'll answer your question.
In benchmarks, the i7 620 is at best 10% faster than the fastest i5. The downside is that the i7 runs hotter: Macbook Pro helps Core i7 hit 100 Degrees - News - PC Authority
Of course in that link they were running a stress benchmark Cinebench, but it does run considerably warmer than an i5 even under normal usage or gaming.
And yes battery life will take a hit, but by how much, I don't know. I'm guessing at most 20%, at least 10%? Someone would have to correct me on that.
Don't know about Apple Care and refurbs, can't help you there -
Heat is one of my major pet peeves in many laptops. I can't deal with hot-running laptops as I am rarely at a desk during usage.
Thanks for the info.
Also, I was able to look up the refurb information and it says that they are subject to the same policies as new computers regarding apple care. You have a year from the date of sale to enroll in the program. -
Refurb is basically brand new. Minus the fancy box.
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H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw
I've been able to cook breakfast on 2 of them.
2 iBooks ( G3-700, G4-1.2)
3 MacBooks (2.4 Blk Macbook, 2.4 uMBP, current gen 13" 2.4) -
15" MBP Processor Comparison: i7-620m vs i5-540m
Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by E30kid, Jun 16, 2010.