Processor speed advice- thanks!!

This is our first foray into the Mac world so I'd appreciate some advice on equipping 2 machines:
1-a 13" MacBook Pro, primary use will be Internet and e-mail and manipulating music files. Will my husband really notice a difference/benefit between the basic 2.26 and the 2.53GHZ (and is it worth about $250 more)? If he uses it for video downloading will that make a difference?
2- a 15" MacBook Pro- here I'm debating between the 2.66 and 2.8. My daughter uses it for Office apps, PhotoShop, music, Internet and e-mail. Again, would video downloading make a difference?

I'd like to order them today or tomorrow, so any advice would be appreciated.

 

1. Your husband isn't going to notice a huge difference. And definitely not a $250 difference. :yes:

2. Neither is your daughter going to notice a difference. Maybe with Photoshop if she decides to batch convert 250 images at a time.

Today's processors have gone a long way since the 1990s. For most folks, the money is better off spent on steaks and maybe a nice coat.

 

CPU speed is normally way overrated. for most users, It's better to invest in more RAM and faster hard drives.

 

You'll notice more speed from added RAM than a faster CPU with what you are doing. I would consider upping the 13" to 4 GB. That should come standard on the 15" model.

 

That extra 250, gets a faster cpu capable of VT, 4gb of ram vs 2gb ( currently its 100 buy that RAM), 90gb more of space. So in reality they would be paying 150 for more HDD, and better CPU.

It Would be a no brainer if the HDD was a 320gb or higher by default.

 

But VT and 90GB will bring questionable gains for their use. So that just leaves the 2GB of RAM and a slightly faster CPU.

I say get the cheaper package and buy your own RAM.

 

Depends, the ram is user upgradable, same with the HDD, cpu is not.

I highly doubt they would need it, unless the husband is like my friend (7 firefox instances open, all with 1 tab, 1gb of ram and complaining firefox is slower then IE).

 

You won't need to upgrade the CPU.

 

This is just repeating what I said. Questionable gains.

 

In both instances the lower CPU speed is more than enough. IF you have money to add investing in either more ram or a SSD would be beneficial to you.

 

Just wanted to say thanks for the input!

 

What else is there to do?

I'm bored.

 

Doesn't the upper end Macbook give the backlit keyboard as well? For some that might be worth the extra, not in and of itself, but if you include the additional upgrades then that might (for some people) be the dealbreaker.

 

The whole Pro line has backlit keyboards now. I must say I will never go back to an unlit keyboard.