Differences between 2.2GHz and 2.5 GHz 13" Unibody Macbook Pro

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Level 1

86 points

Differences between 2.2GHz and 2.5 GHz 13" Unibody Macbook Pro

I am in the market for one of the new 13" Macbook Pros. I noticed that if I configure a 2.2 GHz Macbook Pro to 250GB HD and 4GB RAM it comes up to a little less than the 2.5GHz Macbook Pro with the same HD and RAM. Is there a big difference in the speed of the processor between 2.2 and 2.5?

I would like to get some advice on whether the extra $100 or so is worth it. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

MBP, iMac Al, iPhone, 10.5.x

Posted on Jun 10, 2009 1:04 PM

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Answer 1

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Jun 10, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Tyler Parker

In my view, there is not a significant difference in speed between the 2.2 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

Good luck!

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Answer 2

Jun 10, 2009 1:29 PM in response to Tyler Parker

I'd agree and say no, it's not worth it - it's a marginal speed bump. When I price it out, the 2.26 Ghz with 4 GB RAM and a 250 GB HDD comes out $150 less than the base 2.53 GHz model. If you're willing to spend the extra $150 anyway, I'd argue that you'll get more out of increasing the HDD to a 500 GB size (on a 2.26 GHz with 4 GB RAM) than bumping the CPU clock by 270 MHz.

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Answer 3

Tyler Parker Author

Level 1

86 points

Jun 10, 2009 1:31 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thats what I was thinking. A larger HD, Applecare, iWork. I am just not sure...

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Answer 4

Tyler Parker Author

Level 1

86 points

Jun 11, 2009 10:59 AM in response to Tyler Parker

I just called the Apple store and they said that the RAM would be able to be upgraded at the store. However, the HD wouldn't. Is there a reason for this? I thought that they could do stuff like this. I would really like the larger HD in addition to everything else but I am not sure I could do it on my own...

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Answer 5

Tyler Parker Author

Level 1

86 points

Jun 11, 2009 11:00 AM in response to Tyler Parker

Also, can someone point me to a crucial site or something that has the HD that the Macbook Pro would require? Thanks!

Tyler

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Answer 6

Tyler Parker Author

Level 1

86 points

Jun 11, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Tyler Parker

how about this?
http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Parts/500-GB-7200-RPM-Seagate-SATA-Hard-Drive-New/IF 107-071

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Answer 7

Big Joon

Level 1

57 points

Jun 11, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Tyler Parker

Yes, this one is one of the newer ones and will fit in the 13" MBP.

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Answer 8

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

Jun 11, 2009 12:50 PM in response to Tyler Parker

Tyler Parker wrote:
I just called the Apple store and they said that the RAM would be able to be upgraded at the store. However, the HD wouldn't. Is there a reason for this? I thought that they could do stuff like this. I would really like the larger HD in addition to everything else but I am not sure I could do it on my own...

They don't carry hard drives in stock, and they pretty much only do hard drive replacements for failed hard drives. Memory is easy and they'll do it for you.

I could only guess the biggest problem with hard drives is that many people would be asking for their old data being restored on new drives or that the personnel there do it. It's very time intensive. It might take me ten minutes to install a new drive and over an hour to clone the drive.

As for doing all this yourself - go for it. If you want a 250 GB drive (with the manufacturer's own warranty) and 4 GB, I believe I could do that for a little over $120. I'd also have the original HD and memory as a backup. If you're willing to spend a bit more, you can have a 7200 RPM drive which Apple doesn't even offer for the machine as a build to order option.

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Answer 9

Jun 11, 2009 4:52 PM in response to Tyler Parker

I have the 2007 non-unibody 15" MBP that is 2.2Ghz (Santa Rosa). I'm thinking about getting the new 13" 2.26. In terms of speed, I'm really not doing a huge upgrade, am I? It has 4GB of RAM where I currently have 2GB. Am I just better off getting a RAM upgrade on my current machine? The new machines have a faster bus and cache, but I don't know how much difference that would make compared to my current MBP. My graphics card is the GeForce 8600M GT. How much faster is the newer one?

Please advise...

Message was edited by: bluetooth

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Answer 10

Tyler Parker Author

Level 1

86 points

Jun 11, 2009 5:07 PM in response to bluetooth

This is actually what I traded exactly. I got my old Macbook Pro with the same specs as you to sell on ebay for 1100. I did include an original iphone but I dont think that it would have been much less if I wouldn't have. If you do get that much for it, you can upgrade to a brand new machine for a pretty cheap price.

For me, the speed of the processor is a small concern but the 4GB of RAM is a good thing plus the fact that I can upgrade the HD, free ipod (for students), etc...

Small price to pay.

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Answer 11

Jun 11, 2009 6:21 PM in response to Tyler Parker

Do you feel a bump in speed? Or does it feel about the same?

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Answer 12

Tyler Parker Author

Level 1

86 points

Jun 11, 2009 6:23 PM in response to bluetooth

Well I haven't gotten it yet. I think that I will find most of the speed in the RAM though.

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