I am confused on which MBP to get

I decided to get a Macbook Pro (for the most part), but I don't know which one I need.

I do know that I need either the 15" MBP or the 17" MBP for the dedicated graphics card. I also know I can't spend too much money ~ I'm hitting my budget maximums for a computer when I am getting a MBP.

Here is what my school recommends for MAC

Processor:
* MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Ram:
* 4 GB
Hard Drive:
* 320 GB, 7200 RPM
Graphics Card:
* Graphics Card w/ 512 MB

Now those stats are clearly for the 2009 MBP. The reason the stats are high are because its for engineering. I also don't know which MBP it will take to run starcraft 2 on Medium/High.

The problem is the $1999 MBP (student pricing) is really pushing my budget especially when I add in that anti-glare screen, I might have to go with a Windows at that point. I don't know if the base end MBP can run everything find because of the 330m vs 9600 GT and the core i5 vs. core 2 duo, even though the raw specs are lower then what is asked.

So is the base end fine....or do I need the high end? These are the stats recommended for anyone buying a MBP ~ if you go below too much you won't be able to complete all your assignments on the laptop and would have to use a university computer.

 

I think you should ask yourself if you want to be purchasing another computer before you graduate. If you go as high as you can, odds are you will be able to run everything for the next 3-5 years. If you skimp now, you could find you are unable to run some newer software 2-3 years from now.

If you look at your purchase as a long time investment, you might find the higher dollars easier to swallow.

My philosophy has always been to get as much horsepower as I can, then upgrade things like memory and hard drives myself (very easy, lots of instructions available on the web). You can save a TON that way, especially with Apple.

I would not go less than an i5 (and preferably i7), as this is relatively new technology with software just now being written to take full advantage of its' capabilitites. Obviously the highest graphics you can get is a no-brainer.

I had a MBP 15 that I loved but eventually passed on to my daughter. I never had any trouble building websites, editing photos, etc. I would think you would only need the 17" if you were doing detail work that you didn't think your eyes were up to on a 15" screen.

I fully understand budgeting, but I think this is one are you might not want to skimp on if you look at long term (4-6 years) use.

Just my .02.

bill

 

Could you get an iMac instead? Is portability a must?

Those are the highest specs that I've seen for college requirements.

Do they have lab systems that you can use for the high-end stuff?

 

Yeah they have lab support, these aren't the minimum requirements, they are the recommended requirements. It is engineering though so basically they look for workstation class/desktop replacement computers.

Lab support is extensive, and I'm getting a laptop so I can use it in my room, take it to class, etc.

They have iMacs in pretty much every dorm, there are plenty of iMacs in labs to use. The reason the spec requirements are so high is they are the specs to last for 3-4 years, and because lab support is extensive, they ask for people without the income to support it to just use the college computers. The thing is I would like to be able to say work in my room late at night, take my laptop to the library, coffee shop etc. Just for convenience I guess. But obviously I might need to decide if its worth the cash. The thing is labs have hours though and I sometimes procrastinate too much.

OSX is however extensively supported on campus, I think all the computers are iMacs dual booted with windows 7.

 

the difference between the $1799 2.4 core i5 and the 2.53 one is trivial unless they have some VERY, VERY badly coded software packages circa 2009 -- otherwise, this is just getting you to spend more college dollaz on apple products. the difference for heavy number crunching apps will be in mere seconds, at worst. get the $1799 2.4 core i5. heck, get an older penryn one. the difference will not matter, unless your grade magically depends on whether or not your cad package or whatever does its work 15% faster and saves you an extra 3 minutes.

edit: you can also find refurbs for $100-$150 less, if yer tryin' to spend less.

 

Well for me the prices are different as a student. It is $1699 for the base end and $1999 for the highest end (processor wise). Then I get a free Ipod Touch (or a $199 rebate of a 32 gb) and a free printer. Higher end is $300 more.

Is there a significant difference between the Core i7 and the base end core i5? I'm looking at the 256mb VRAM vs. 512 mb VRAM.

Well I don't think my grades will be affected by what laptop I have at all unless I really procrastinate and lock myself out of lab hours and stuff. Its just convenient to be able to run everything smoothly I guess.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to spend the extra cash, but I also don't want to be stuck with a laptop that won't make it all 4 years.

 

The Core i5 and i7 are the same generation of processors just clocked differently. They both will last the same 4 years.

If it was C2D vs i5, then the i5 will outlast it.

 

It's not like the i5 is going to be obsolete in a few years. The 330m has a better chance of being outdated by then.

 

Yeah I understand that, but I mean these are the specs they listed. So there must be a reason that they listed them that way.

The university supports Mac OSX, this is MAC specific specifications, Windows has different specification requirements.

Right now I'm just confused on why the university has the specifications in the way they do if the performance increase is minimal.

 

I'm guessing that you'll do just fine with any of the 15" or 17" MBPs. The performance differences just aren't that big from one end of the spectrum to the other.

 

Sounds good. On a less education related note, what about for Starcraft 2. I own an Xbox 360 so the only games I expect to be running are RTS games and specifically Starcraft 2.....would i be able to say jump from medium to high with the i7 and 512 MB Of VRAM.

 

No. The performance between the i5-520m and the i7-620m is actually not that big. Something like a 10% gain in performance. The additional V-Ram would help with texture loading. You could go from mid/high to high/ultra, but it wouldn't help with any of the other settings.

 

If you are on a budget, windows machine perform better for the same price, or look at macbook refurbished section. Refurbished Mac - Apple Store (U.S.)

 

What about Ebay, I see a top rated seller selling the lower end for $1710 and the higher end for $2050, and then you get 8% bing cashback on that.

With 8% cashback, its about $1584 or something, not too bad.

Yeah I know you can get a Windows laptop with like a quadcore i7 and a GTS 360m with GDRR5 memory that would destroy for $1399, BUT you get 1-2 hours of battery life.

I don't know a Windows laptop with 6-7 hours of battery life and a dedicated VRAM at the level of the 330m, sub $2grand.

 

VAIO Z Series PC | Sony | SonyStyle USA

The cons is ... it is a 13.1" machine.

 

This is the route that I am taking. I'm purchasing a refurb 15" MBP with an i5 540m and the hi-res anti-glare screen for somewhere in the range of $1850. The i7 doesn't seem to be worth $170.

 

Dude have you played with a sony z11 before? Im in love with the thing, 13'' I first thought would be too small but its not. Its much more portable than 15 and i actually prefer 13 over 15. The Z11 great thing about it is it already has $500 worth of SSD in it.