Which comb is better? dualCore i5+SSD or quadCore i7+7200rpm

[bayernjuven]

I am thinking about getting my first mac and have a budget around 2k-2.2k. I am wondering whether I should go with MBP 13 with SSD or MBP 15 for a i7 CPU.

Which upgrade will give me more performance boost, SSD or quad-core CPU with larger L3 cache?

MBP 13: 2.3G Dual-core i5 3MB L3 cache + 4GB DDR3 + 256GB SSD +Apple care= $2098. (I wish 13 has an option for 7200rpm HD).

MBP 15: 2.0G Quad-core i7 6MB L3 cache + 4GB DDR3 + 500GB 7200rpm HD +Apple care= $2248.

I do a lot of programming, some video playback, but very little gaming. I also plan to use VM for Win7. The size and weight of both 13 and 15 are OK to me.

 

[Maximilian]

Dual + SSD

 

[Mopetar]

I am thinking about getting my first mac and have a budget around 2k-2.2k. I am wondering whether I should go with MBP 13 with SSD or MBP 15 for a i7 CPU.

Which upgrade will give me more performance boost, SSD or quad-core CPU with larger L3 cache?

MBP 13: 2.3G Dual-core i5 3MB L3 cache + 4GB DDR3 + 256GB SSD +Apple care= $2098. (I wish 13 has an option for 7200rpm HD).

MBP 15: 2.0G Quad-core i7 6MB L3 cache + 4GB DDR3 + 500GB 7200rpm HD +Apple care= $2248.

I do a lot of programming, some video playback, but very little gaming. I also plan to use VM for Win7. The size and weight of both 13 and 15 are OK to me.

If you're going to be running Windows in a VM through your Mac, the extra processor cores will be more helpful. The SSD would definitely make the system feel more snappy, but you can always buy one later on when the prices fall. Additional memory will also help improve VM performance, especially if you're doing a lot of heavy lifting with other programs while running the VM.

One other alternative is to get the 17" model that has an ExpressCard slot. You can get a 40 GB SSD drive for that to use as your boot and app drive to get many of the same benefits as using an SSD. Unfortunately, this is probably more than you want to spend.

 

[bayernjuven]

I don't think I can afford a 17 model...

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Which comb is better? dualCore i5+SSD or quadCore i7+7200rpm

I don't think you can comb your hair with either of those.

The MBP 13 is a better value for your use.

 

[M1A]

If I may ask why ask if you cannot afford it?

 

[dguy6789]

I honestly think there is zero reason what so ever for anyone who doesn't have unlimited money to buy an SSD today. They are still at least a year away from being anywhere near a price that their performance justifies. I won't settle for installing windows on the SSD and games on a much bigger slow drive. All or nothing.

 

[Mopetar]

I honestly think there is zero reason what so ever for anyone who doesn't have unlimited money to buy an SSD today. They are still at least a year away from being anywhere near a price that their performance justifies. I won't settle for installing windows on the SSD and games on a much bigger slow drive. All or nothing.

Honestly, from a general use point of view, upgrading to an SSD is going to make a more noticeable impact than any other upgrade. If you're mostly gaming, dropping $500 on a graphics card will probably do more for you, but once you have an SSD, you'll never want to go back.

 

[bryanW1995]

I honestly think there is zero reason what so ever for anyone who doesn't have unlimited money to buy an SSD today. They are still at least a year away from being anywhere near a price that their performance justifies. I won't settle for installing windows on the SSD and games on a much bigger slow drive. All or nothing.

lots of quality ssd's in the 40gb and under range can be had for ~ $100. If you really want to go crazy you can grab one of those + a $50 SSDBOOST and for $150 you will get a huge boost to performance. It's funny, but I very rarely run into an ssd owner who wishes he would have saved the money, and every time I use my x3350 for something I'm reminded of why I love my new rig so much.

 

[Blitz KriegeR]

Honestly, from a general use point of view, upgrading to an SSD is going to make a more noticeable impact than any other upgrade. If you're mostly gaming, dropping $500 on a graphics card will probably do more for you, but once you have an SSD, you'll never want to go back.

Indeed.

 

[bayernjuven]

lots of quality ssd's in the 40gb and under range can be had for ~ $100. If you really want to go crazy you can grab one of those + a $50 SSDBOOST and for $150 you will get a huge boost to performance. It's funny, but I very rarely run into an ssd owner who wishes he would have saved the money, and every time I use my x3350 for something I'm reminded of why I love my new rig so much.

Apple could have added a smaller SSD for the OS and keep using large HD for the storage of other files...