Which Macbook Pro to buy?

Hi guys! I will be purchasing a new Macbook pro tomorrow to be as my main machine and I am in a bit of a dilemma between the two 15" models, the 2.0Ghz and the 2.2Ghz.

I do realize that the 2.2Ghz will produce more power and better graphics but I am trying to spend as less as possible so I can get more extras like a bigger external HD and a Wacom tablet (there's a $400 difference between the 2 models).

My uses of the laptop would be mainly Web design (Adobe Suite), Web application development (PHP, MySQL etc..), a pretty small amount (but still) of gaming and of course I intend to hook up a 27" Apple Cinema display to it.

What do you guys think? would I be able to go for the 2.0Ghz or should I go for the 2.2Ghz?

Thank you very much for your help :D

asked Apr 29 '11 at 15:44

yeahmeknows
356●15●19●27

edited Apr 29 '11 at 15:46

4 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

I would go with the cheaper MacBook. That extra .2GHz truly will not matter. Nor will it ever justify that huge price increase.

answered Apr 29 '11 at 16:13

RH510
1.3k●16●24●43

Hi, @RH510, thank you for your comment! The real difference seems to be the graphics card rather than the .2Ghz, the thing is I am worried it will affect performance running an external 27" display with such a huge resolution of 2560x1400. What do you think?

(Apr 29 '11 at 16:23) yeahmeknows

@yeahmeknows Running at a high resolution will require a beefier graphics card yes. If running at that high of a resolution is essential, I would recommend the one with the better graphics card (I assume it is the more expensive one). The processor as I said won't make that much of a difference, but the graphics card certainly will.

(Apr 29 '11 at 16:32) RH510

I have got the first one you mentioned - it is superb :-) I would not go for the bigger one... But i do advice you to Get the hires screen. I also got the anti-glare one, which is good if you will use in daylight environment.

And: you can look forward to a pleasing experience! Amazingly much more quality feeling than my job-pc. Which is the new thinkpad w520 with more or less the same hardware setup (as close as you can get).

answered May 02 '11 at 06:07

Feyling
16●1

If Macbook Pros are the only laptops you can get for your current situation, I'd get the 2.2GHz version for the maximum graphics performance.

But if you don't mind going for other brands, you could get better configurations for lesser prices.

answered May 02 '11 at 08:40

Billy Aoki
3.7k●27●37●78

-1

400$ difference between the two models? My current laptop has 2.7 GHz and was less than 400$ friggin dollars. I dislike Macs due to there prices. I do not recommend a Macbook Pro at all for a main machine. Try Alienware. Same prices for 400x (exaggeration) better stats.

answered Apr 29 '11 at 16:10

Neakiaro
(suspended)

You did everything except answer his question. It's fine that you don't like Macs but at least try and answer his question.

(Apr 29 '11 at 16:12) RH510

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