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eddie2369 · Jul 17, 2006, 07:58 AM

Hi,
New member here deciding which macbook pro version to get. I would rather to wait after the expo, but I would have to get it over here in HK before I go back to the UK, which is pretty soon, and sooo much cheaper.

I would use it mainly for photoshop work or other photography programs.

Anyone have any good suggestion?

Many Thank in advance!

hemant · Jul 17, 2006, 09:44 AM

If its cheaper get the 2.16, even if the 2 GHz is sufficient for you. You'll always have an itch for the slightly faster processor at a later time. Like me I got the 1.86 machine in March and now it feels as though its already obsolete.

RevEvs · Jul 17, 2006, 02:50 PM

If I am correct the 2.16 has more video ram, something yu cant upgrade at a later date, also it has just a single 1gig stick, not a single 512. so less RAM to get rid off.

The 2.16 is the way to go!

wowway1 · Jul 17, 2006, 04:19 PM

Rev, you are incorrect according to what the rep at the apple store told me. regardless of models, the MBPs have a pair of sticks, not a single, regardless of configuration. The 512MB models have 2x256, the 1GB have 2x512. I wanted to buy a 512mb upgrade for my base 2.0 model but was told I'd have to buy a pair of 512 sticks to do so.

If you or anyone else knows different please let me know, because I'm getting ready to buy a 2gb upgrade thinking I'll have to buy a full gig just to go up to 1gb.

luvaboi217 · Jul 17, 2006, 04:30 PM

my 2.0 macbook pro came with 1 512 stick stock.

wowway1 · Jul 17, 2006, 04:40 PM

Yes, I take back what I said above. Running profiler shows I have 1 stick of 512. Stupid salespeople. Oh well, I'm still going to pickup a pair of 1gb modules.

mduell · Jul 17, 2006, 06:36 PM

$2/Mhz is ridiculous... get the 2.0.

Cadaver · Jul 17, 2006, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by wowway1

Rev, you are incorrect according to what the rep at the apple store told me. regardless of models, the MBPs have a pair of sticks, not a single, regardless of configuration. The 512MB models have 2x256, the 1GB have 2x512. I wanted to buy a 512mb upgrade for my base 2.0 model but was told I'd have to buy a pair of 512 sticks to do so.

If you or anyone else knows different please let me know, because I'm getting ready to buy a 2gb upgrade thinking I'll have to buy a full gig just to go up to 1gb.

Check the Apple online store for the current specs, but my machine (2.16GHz, 256MB VRAM, 100GB 7200 rpm drive, 1GB RAM "MacBook Pro Ultimate" - purchased from at my local Apple store before Apple dropped the 1.8GHz model) came with a single 1GB stick. Bought one more from Crucial to bump it up to two matched 1GB modules.

eddie2369 · Jul 17, 2006, 09:18 PM

thanks for the advices..however if I'm guna upgrade the 2.0GHz memory and disk space size, then I might as well get the 2.16 right? but is the difference in speed really noticible?

Frugle · Jul 17, 2006, 09:21 PM

I got the 2.16 because of the 256MB vRAM mainly. the extra 20GB of HD space ( I NEEDED that.. I wish I had gotten the 120) and the dual channel 1GB of ram.

I believe the comes with two is only for above 512... if you get 512, its one stick, but if you get 1GB, it can be 2x512, 2GB is 2x1GB.

you do, however, have the BTO option to get a single 1GB stick.

The difference 160MHz makes is not noticeable.. but the difference 256MB of dedicated vRAM (am I correct in assuming all 256mb is dedicated?) and the dual channel 1GB will be very noticable.

Jason · Jul 18, 2006, 03:51 AM

I would suggest getting the 2.0GHz and then putting in 2GB of ram and a bigger hard drive if you need one, or put the saved money towards an external hard drive!

wowway1 · Jul 18, 2006, 08:31 AM

I don't see how the 2.16ghz model is worth the extra $500. For that kind of money you can throw 2gb RAM in the stock model, get a way bigger internal or external hard drive than 100gb. The remaining differences are .16ghz in processor and the extra 128mb of vram. I guess if you are a hard-core gamer that extra vram would help, but I'm still running a 128mb video card in my gaming machine with little issues.

iREZ · Jul 18, 2006, 12:02 PM

i had my choice of going with a 2.16 model or saving some dough and going with the 2.0 model. i chose the latter and i will be maxing out my ram and adding another external hard drive, yeah i have a couple, to my collection for backup of sensitive material. i dont see any benefits of going with the 2.16 model unless you need the gpu punch, but then again...i only see 256 edging out 128 in gaming but who knows where the OS goes from here (i remember jobs mentioning that soon the OS will put more emphasis on the gpu seeing how the strength of them is hardly used unless you game).