[TheMightyMouse]

I have recently decided to switch to the MacSide and I narrowed my quest down to one of the 15" MacBook Pros.

I will be editing a few hundred (possibly a thousand or two at times) photos at once, for stop motion videos mostly. I will be using Final Cut Express. I imagine I will want to have FCE, garageband, iChat, and Safari all open at once. (I tend to multitask) I am unsure if the slight change in processor will make the $500 difference... or a big enough difference for the money. The 2.66GHz model also has a slightly better graphics card and 4GB of ram by default. Does anyone have a similar situation in which they can share their thoughts?

Thanks!

[Brien]

I just went ahead and got the faster one. You can't upgrade the processor, and even a tiny % increase was worth it for me.

You get double the cache, double the RAM, double the VRAM, and 70GB more space. I'd say it's worth it.

[TheMightyMouse]

I am leaning towards getting the better one, as you said.. the processor can't be upgraded so I might just get the better one instead of regreting more power.

[Simon]

The CPU and the GPU/VRAM can't be upgraded later so in your case that's a good reason to go for the better model. If in the end it all comes down to money just get a refurb. They don't have the 2.66 GHz model yet, but that will no doubt change within a few weeks.

Other options are these refurbs:
15", 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, 9600M/512, $2299
15", 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD (7200 rpm), 9600M/512, $2349
15", 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 9600M/512, $2799

Personally I find the 2.8 GHz refurb for $2299 an awesome deal.

[angelmb]

Note that with the 2.66 model you can get up to 8 GB RAM instead of 4 GB RAM, which would make a difference.

You can always send them your MBP RAM to get a rebate.