MacBook Pro - Does Processor Speed Matter?

shaps6 · shaps6 #1 (**permalink**)

06-08-2009, 08:13 PM

Hey all,

I'm new here, so first I'd like to say "hi."

I'm looking to buy a new Macbook Pro and was wondering whether or not I should get the one with the 2.53 GHz processor or spring for the 2.66 GHz processor.

I'm planning on using Logic on the machine and will probably upgrade to a larger HD and 8GB of RAM. Will I notice a difference if I take the 2.53 over the 2.66 or vice versa?

Thanks,

Eddie

cwa107 · cwa107 #2 (**permalink**)

06-08-2009, 09:26 PM

Doubtful. You're talking a difference of 130MHz. That amounts to almost nothing in the real world. Now, if you were rendering 3D animation and an extra 15 seconds of rendering time was worth the price difference, that would be one thing, but for those of us that do every day computing, it's negligible at best.

D3v1L80Y · D3v1L80Y #3 (**permalink**)

06-08-2009, 09:43 PM

When using Logic, your RAM will make a much bigger impact.

vansmith · vansmith #4 (**permalink**)

06-08-2009, 09:59 PM

Note that 8GB of RAM is also going to be very expensive. You would probably be okay with less RAM but to be fair, I don't use Logic.

shaps6 · shaps6 #5 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 12:07 AM

Thanks for the replies, guys. Really helpful.

Will RAM really be all that expensive? I realize that apple's charging 900, but they always charge too much. I could have sworn that I saw a pack of two 4GB RAM chips on new egg for around $90? Was I looking at the wrong thing?

CrimsonRequiem · CrimsonRequiem #6 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaps6

Thanks for the replies, guys. Really helpful.

Will RAM really be all that expensive? I realize that apple's charging 900, but they always charge too much. I could have sworn that I saw a pack of two 4GB RAM chips on new egg for around $90? Was I looking at the wrong thing?

From the prices here, I would say yeah you were looking at the wrong thing.

Strukt · Strukt #7 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 02:20 AM

I have been using logic for a while, Logic Express that is. And as D3v1L80Y tells you RAM is the most important part for getting logic to run smoothly...

If I knew I was going to use the computer mainly for logic and I had to choose between the 2.53 GHz and2 the 2.66 one. Or choose RAM, I would have taken more RAM any day ...

vansmith · vansmith #8 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaps6

Thanks for the replies, guys. Really helpful.

Will RAM really be all that expensive? I realize that apple's charging 900, but they always charge too much. I could have sworn that I saw a pack of two 4GB RAM chips on new egg for around $90? Was I looking at the wrong thing?

I agree with CrimsonRequiem. According to Apple, the system requirements for Pro are 2GB of RAM. My take is that you should be fine with 4GB but as I said earlier, I don't use Logic.

bobtomay · bobtomay #9 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaps6

Thanks for the replies, guys. Really helpful.

Will RAM really be all that expensive? I realize that apple's charging 900, but they always charge too much. I could have sworn that I saw a pack of two 4GB RAM chips on new egg for around $90? Was I looking at the wrong thing?

Yep, you were. All the unibodies use DDR3, so you're looking at around $7-800 even 3rd party for 2 x 4GB.

B&O · B&O #10 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 10:03 AM

I have friends that run logic pro on a 2.5GHz with 4GB (DDR2) without an issue. He uses it everyday for about 5 hours and it doesn't even blink.

cwa107 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,917 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	06-08-2009, 09:26 PM Doubtful. You're talking a difference of 130MHz. That amounts to almost nothing in the real world. Now, if you were rendering 3D animation and an extra 15 seconds of rendering time was worth the price difference, that would be one thing, but for those of us that do every day computing, it's negligible at best. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,309 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	06-08-2009, 09:59 PM Note that 8GB of RAM is also going to be very expensive. You would probably be okay with less RAM but to be fair, I don't use Logic. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

Strukt #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 14, 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 360 Mac Specs: rMBP 15" / 2.6GHz / 16GB / 512GB	06-09-2009, 02:20 AM I have been using logic for a while, Logic Express that is. And as D3v1L80Y tells you RAM is the most important part for getting logic to run smoothly... If I knew I was going to use the computer mainly for logic and I had to choose between the 2.53 GHz and2 the 2.66 one. Or choose RAM, I would have taken more RAM any day ... My Blog: Apple Laptops
	QUOTE Thanks

B&O #10 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2007 Location: Brit in Tokyo. Posts: 745 Mac Specs: MBP i7, Mac Mini & iPhone 3G.	06-09-2009, 10:03 AM I have friends that run logic pro on a 2.5GHz with 4GB (DDR2) without an issue. He uses it everyday for about 5 hours and it doesn't even blink. MacBook Pro 2.66Ghz i7. Mac Mini 2.26Ghz C2D iPhone 3G 16GB iPad 3G 64GB Check out my flickr
	QUOTE Thanks

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shaps6 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 08, 2009 Posts: 3	06-08-2009, 08:13 PM Hey all, I'm new here, so first I'd like to say "hi." I'm looking to buy a new Macbook Pro and was wondering whether or not I should get the one with the 2.53 GHz processor or spring for the 2.66 GHz processor. I'm planning on using Logic on the machine and will probably upgrade to a larger HD and 8GB of RAM. Will I notice a difference if I take the 2.53 over the 2.66 or vice versa? Thanks, Eddie
	QUOTE Thanks

shaps6 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 08, 2009 Posts: 3	06-09-2009, 12:07 AM Thanks for the replies, guys. Really helpful. Will RAM really be all that expensive? I realize that apple's charging 900, but they always charge too much. I could have sworn that I saw a pack of two 4GB RAM chips on new egg for around $90? Was I looking at the wrong thing?
	QUOTE Thanks

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