Which Macbook Pro to get? 128mb or 256mb VRAM?

So, with the release of the new Macbook Pros, my university has steeply discounted the older models. The discontinued 128mb 8600gt version is selling for $1399, while the old 256mb version is going for $1699. These days, the most graphic-intensive game that I play is WoW. The Macbook Pro is going to replace my desktop computer, which runs a 3.1ghz Pentium 4 and a 6600gt graphics card. I'm probably going to hook the laptop up to a 20" 1600x1200 dpi monitor through a DVI cable. For class, I'm still going to carry my little Dell xps m1210. Basically, this computer is just for fun so that I can re-acquaint myself with a MacOS.

So...is it worth paying extra for the 256mb version of the 8600gt? It's a $300 upgrade! Hard drive space and processor speed are irrelevant, since the former is cheaply upgraded and the latter doesn't make a difference (at least, not in this case). Does anyone think 128mb of VRAM will become obsolete for moderate gaming within the next 2 years? Will the 128mb be insufficient for 1600x1200 gameplay? My desktop's 6600gt and way old P4 manage to run WoW at 40fps @ 1600x1200...

 

I like having the newest model

 

Well, if you want to be better set for years to come, get the 256 MB version, but otherwise, the 128 MB 8600M GT will handle WoW fine .

 

I'm thinking that 256mb isn't going to make a difference in the future - the GPU will be the limiting factor. I bought a laptop with a Radeon 9600 128mb in 2004 and I really think that, by the time 128mb became the standard, the GPU was just way too outdated to run the games that required so much VRAM. Thoughts? GaH...the 128mb looks so attractive because it's the cheapest Apple I've seen that uses a decent video card.

BTW: any thoughts on whether the 8800m gt is as good as the radeon 2600 pro in the iMac?

 

will the 128mb version handle wow at that high a resolution on the external?

16x12 is a little more demanding than 1440x900

i was under the impression the 2600 is just a midrange card, if that.

i would think the 8800m would be about equal to the 2600 desktop card?

 

Well my desktop 3.1ghz P4 and 6600gt handles WoW @ 1600x1200. I get 40fps with everything set to 'high'.

 

Either card should be as good as a 6600 desktop. The real problem with the 8600M GT is that it's 128-bit, not that the memory is too low. The 256 MB card will be better than the 128 MB one, but benchmarks only show about a 10% difference. Both will handle WoW just fine, even at 1600x1200, I'm sure. I play WoW will all high settings and way more mods than I need at a constant 50 FPS, anywhere I go, at 1440x900.

 

And, of course, I'm sure that the 8600m gt outperforms the Macbook's x3100 by a mile...

 

Yes, by many miles.

 

nice prices btw. What college is that again?

 

Yes, very NICE prices...please inform us which college offers discounts like this

 

Hey All,

It's the University of Hawai'i. Unfortunately, you have to flash student ID to get in on the pricing. Also, the number on hand is limited. Here's the computer department's website: http://www.uhbooks.hawaii.edu/computers/

I bought the 128mb version today. There's about $70 in taxes. I looked @ Amazon.com and found that the 128mb version was the only real "deal" out of the available MBPs. After tax, I think Amazon's price on the old 2.4ghz is better than UH's price on the same machine. The old Macbooks, however, seem to be pretty attractive. I may pick one up to replace my mom's Rev.A Macbook (which will pass down to my dad and boot my old Ti Powerbook out of service).

$1400 for an Apple laptop...far cry from the $3500 I paid for my Ti Powerbook...