Need help in choosing Macbook Pro 15

After nearly buying a T400 for my home-office, I've decided to succumb to the appeal of the 15-inch Macbook Pro.

I'm deciding between the entry-level model (2.53GHz, 250GB, integrated graphics) and the midrange one (2.66GHz, 320GB, dual graphics).

I don't anticipate doing any gaming on the laptop. However, I will be installing Windows 7 64-bit and using it extensively for mostly office applications, as well as occasional medium/heavy engineering computations. I also expect to do occasional home video editing on OS-X.

Can someone guide if the extra $300 for the midrange model would buy me significantly better performance on Windows 7 and video editing?

Secondly, what is the better solution between Parallels and Fusion (from a standpoint of performance, battery life, etc.) to run Windows 7 64 bit on a macbook pro 15"? Is it fair to say that other than the convenience factor, both are inferior to boot camp in terms of performance?

Thanks for reading and responding!

 

Will you be using applications like AutoCAD?

 

Good question. It's unlikely that I will be using Autocad or other 3D design programs. I expect using chemical process design programs that involve numerical calculations, but not as intense as 3D rendering etc.

 

You are exactly in the same boat as me. I was about to fully commit to a t400 (2.53, ATI, WXGA+ LED) but I keep coming back to the macbook pro. The thing that really turns me away is the 9 cell that sticks out so much and oddly windows. I have always avoided apple but after the troubles I've been having... it might be the time. Yet still have windows in bootcamp for small tasks or for emergencies.

I'm pretty much set on the 15" 2.66 because it has the 9600, I will use it for some gaming and 3D rendering programs.... but if you don't do much or any of that, the 9400 (2.53 model) would be sufficient enough for you. You should be fine with the base model in my honest opinion. The 9400 is one of the best integrated cards out there.

Not sure about which virtual software is better, but from the decent amount of material I've read, they both have different advantages and drawbacks. Supposedly new versions are coming out anyway sometime, don't ask me when. I also plan to install W7 64bit. I'm going to try it out with bootcamp first and if for some reason it doesn't work the way I want, I will look further into the virtual software.

Hope this helps, I like seeing threads involving the pros and t400... and hearing other peoples inputs and opinions.

 

How about Lenovo Y Series Ideapad
Specs wise very similar to the MBP but uses the newer generation G130M GT.
Pricewise a lot cheaper, if you want to save some hard cash this is an option.
I think the Y series comes with 2 types of discrete graphics G110M and G130M which is comparable (or better) to 9400M G and 9600M GT

 

Y series is def a nice notebook... I don't know about the OP but I prefer more than 3.5hr of battery life.