Shopping for new MacBook Pro - is a 7200rpm HD worth $400 extra?

E

earache

Member
Hey all, shopping for a new MBP, have more or less decided on 15" over 17". Trying to be cost-effective within a flexible budget - IOW, I'm willing to spend a little if I'm getting much better bang-for-buck, but OTOH I don't mind saving a few hundred to put toward something else, either, if I'm not giving up too much.

I believe any MBP processor, i.e. Core Duo 2.-something GHz, will do fine for me.

Then I was thinking, do I need 512MB of VRAM (which steps up ~$2500)? From what I understand, if I were big into apps like Motion or Shake, 512MB would probably be the way to go, but I reckon 256MB will work fairly well for me now.

Finally, I understand that 7200rpm is better than 5400rpm for use in an editing suite, but I'm not sure how much better. What it comes down to right now is, I can get a 2.4Ghz/2GB RAM/160GB 5400rpm MBP for ~$1700, or I can get a 2.4GHz/2GB RAM/200GB 7200rpm MBP for ~$2100. Add about a hundred to either to bump up to 4GB RAM.

The main difference is the faster (and 25% larger) hard drive, for $400 more. The more expensive model has the latest Penryn processor, which from what I've read has basically the same performance as the previous version, but ~10% better battery life. OTOH, the $1700 model has a 1GB larger cache. I'm willing to call it a wash, processor-wise.

LONG STORY SHORT: I can get a base level MBP for $1700-1800 that I'll probably be fairly happy with. Is the better hard drive worth $400 more?
 
earache said:
Hey all, shopping for a new MBP, have more or less decided on 15" over 17". Trying to be cost-effective within a flexible budget - IOW, I'm willing to spend a little if I'm getting much better bang-for-buck, but OTOH I don't mind saving a few hundred to put toward something else, either, if I'm not giving up too much.

I believe any MBP processor, i.e. Core Duo 2.-something GHz, will do fine for me.

Then I was thinking, do I need 512MB of VRAM (which steps up ~$2500)? From what I understand, if I were big into apps like Motion or Shake, 512MB would probably be the way to go, but I reckon 256MB will work fairly well for me now.

Finally, I understand that 7200rpm is better than 5400rpm for use in an editing suite, but I'm not sure how much better. What it comes down to right now is, I can get a 2.4Ghz/2GB RAM/160GB 5400rpm MBP for ~$1700, or I can get a 2.4GHz/2GB RAM/200GB 7200rpm MBP for ~$2100. Add about a hundred to either to bump up to 4GB RAM.

The main difference is the faster (and 25% larger) hard drive, for $400 more. The more expensive model has the latest Penryn processor, which from what I've read has basically the same performance as the previous version, but ~10% better battery life. OTOH, the $1700 model has a 1GB larger cache. I'm willing to call it a wash, processor-wise.

LONG STORY SHORT: I can get a base level MBP for $1700-1800 that I'll probably be fairly happy with. Is the better hard drive worth $400 more?
Click to expand...

If you're comparing the "old" model against the "new" model I think you'll find that the new processor includes more than just lower power. Try to find some comparison tests. I bet a quick search will probably net you a nice comparison.

Anyway, if it turns out that you're convinced the newer processor isn't needed I would suggest purchasing a 7200 RPM drive as an upgrade/backup. These can be had for less than $100 and will allow you to have a spare backup clone. Very useful regardless of which laptop you purchase.

JohnG
 
Earache -

I definitely recommend the 7200rpm on the MBP. 5400rpm is too slow for reliable audio / video editing (avoid dropped frames, SBBOD...etc.). You should also consider budgeting for an external scratch drive. In a pinch you can edit off of the internal, but as a rule of thumb, your operating system drive should not contain your audio / video files.

As for the 'better' processor, all technology is obsolete once you buy it. If it were me and I was on a strict budget, I would just get what I needed, when I needed it. If i knew I was going to need the fastest and best for a project, I would get it...This is a very subjective topic. Best wishes.

J
 
Thanks guys. If 7200rpm vs 5400rpm is key in having a reliable editing platform, then I'll either try to swing the 7200rpm machine, or possibly get the cheaper one and swap out the drive. Of course I'm planning on getting an external scratch drive or two as projects come up.

(What's SBBOD?)

Eric
 
First, of all you shouldn't use the internal HDD for capture and editing. That should be accomplish with a separate bus FW drive or eSATA.

In that respect, 5400 rpm internal drive is fast enough for accessing apps.

Take the extra $400 and buy a G-Tech Mini RAID bus powered drive.
 
David S. said:
First, of all you shouldn't use the internal HDD for capture and editing. That should be accomplish with a separate bus FW drive or eSATA.

In that respect, 5400 rpm internal drive is fast enough for accessing apps.

Take the extra $400 and buy a G-Tech Mini RAID bus powered drive.
Click to expand...

I agree-

Also, if your shooting 24PA, the data rate is lower for editing, and for relatively simple editing jobs, my old powerbook G4 does just fine with 5400, (or is it 4500, I don't know).
 
David S. said:
First, of all you shouldn't use the internal HDD for capture and editing. That should be accomplish with a separate bus FW drive or eSATA.

In that respect, 5400 rpm internal drive is fast enough for accessing apps.

Take the extra $400 and buy a G-Tech Mini RAID bus powered drive.
Click to expand...

This is great advice. Follow it.
 
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