Macbook Pro 13" i5 or i7

Question

Level 1

0 points

Macbook Pro 13" i5 or i7

Hi,

I'm considering buying a Macbook for my educational purposes. This laptop is going to be my main computer and I mainly use MATLAB and XCode (I'm a PhD student in Electrical Eng.). So, I expect the laptop runs these softwares smoothly.

At first I wanted to buy a MBA 13", but I ruled it out as I feel it is not powerful enough (please correct me if I am wrong).

Then I decided to buy a MBP 13" with Retina display as it is lighter and more portable comparing to to MBP 15". The only thing that I'm stuck with is the processor. The original MBP 13 comes with a Core i5 CPU and there is an option to upgrade it to Core i7 which costs an additional 200$. Both CPUs are dual core and it seems the only difference relies in the CPU clock (2.5GHz vs 2.9GHz) and L3 cache (3M vs 4M).

I would like to know whether deparint from i5 to i7 worth additional 200$.

Thanks for your help in advance.

MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted on Mar 30, 2013 11:43 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 30, 2013 11:47 AM in response to fnpz

If power is important for you, then get the i7. There is more than just a clock difference. The i7 has two physical and two virtual cores and can run 8 threads instead of just 4. This makes it 25-30% faster than the i5.

If you use MatLab put in the maximum memory because MatLab is a serious memory hog.

Reply

Answer 2

fnpz Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 30, 2013 11:51 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks for your information. Unless I am missing something, Both core i5 and i7 in MBP 13" are dual core and capable ot hyperthreading. So, I feel the only difference is CPU clock (and probably minor optimizations in i7). Please let me know if I am on wrong track.

Reply

Answer 3

Chamar

Level 4

2,169 points

Mar 30, 2013 11:55 AM in response to fnpz

Get the 13" non-retina model with the i7 processor and max out the memory at 16GB. You might also want to consider changing the disk for an SSD and put the original disk in the optical drive bay. This will give you a very fast machine with plenty of capacity.

I use mine to run Photoshop when I'm out and about.

Reply

Answer 4

fnpz Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:01 PM in response to Chamar

Thanks for the quick reply. non-retina model with i7 processor and an SSD is not a good chioce because MBP 13" with retinal display and i7 is only 90$ more expensive. In my opinion, 90$ worth to get a MBP with retina and 0.5kg lighter. Besides, the maximum possible RAM on 13" MBP (non-retinal or retina) is 8GB.

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:04 PM in response to fnpz

The i7 is a quad-core processor and can run 8 threads, not just 4. Check it out at Intel. If it were just a clock speed, then what is the point of making an i7 CPU? Think about it.

Oh, and by maximum memory I'm saying 16 GBs. Don't get a model that maxes at 8 GBs.

Reply

Answer 6

Chamar

Level 4

2,169 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:05 PM in response to fnpz

Besides, the maximum possible RAM on 13" MBP (non-retinal or retina) is 8GB.

Nope... I've got 16GB in mine

Reply

Answer 7

fnpz Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:12 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for the points.

MBP 13" with Retina has a dual-core i7 (not quad). MBP 15" comes with quad-core i7. That's exactly the point that makes me reluctant to go for an i7. Please check out this link: Macbook Pro

Also, I am pretty sure that the maximum memory that can be installed on MBP 13" is 8GBs (not 16GBs). I should go for a MBP 15" with retina to get more RAM which is both heavier and more expensive (and I can't afford).

Reply

Answer 8

fnpz Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:17 PM in response to Chamar

Chamar wrote:

Besides, the maximum possible RAM on 13" MBP (non-retinal or retina) is 8GB.

Nope... I've got 16GB in mine

Maybe, at that time, it was possible. Now, the website says: "Configurable to 8GBs", which means there is no option to increase to 16GB. Maybe it is just a market trick to push people to buy MBP with retina.

Thanks

Reply

Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:20 PM in response to fnpz

Then go for a 15" model and skip the Retina display. Although Apple rates it for 8 GBs, OWC says it will run 16 GBs. It will run cooler and longer without the Retina display. You can also choose a high-resolution, 1,680-by-1,050 glossy or anti-glare display that gives you 36 percent more pixels.

Reply

Answer 10

Chamar

Level 4

2,169 points

Mar 30, 2013 12:46 PM in response to fnpz

Both OWC and Crucial say the 13" non-retina MBP will support 16GB. Having looked at retina and non-retina models in my local Apple store I much prefer the non-retina models.

This is the system report from my late 2012 MBP.

The SSD is a worthwhile upgrade. System boots from cold in under 5 seconds and performs extremely well.

Reply

Answer 11

Mar 30, 2013 1:05 PM in response to fnpz

I'd skip on the Retina Display model as it can't be upgraded after it is purchased.

Agreeing with Chamar, upgrade to the dual-core i7 and max out the ram/equip it with an SSD and it will be perfect for your use. If it is in your budget, you can also get the 15 inch model which supports hyper-threading so you can get a quad core, and a graphics chip that isn't integrated to perform tasks. You will notice a big performance increase if you go that route.

cheers!

and good luck on finding your perfect MacBook Pro

😁

Reply

Answer 12

Jul 24, 2013 5:10 PM in response to Kappy

Sorry, but this is wrong; i7 comes in dual core for notebooks and quad core for desktops. In the MacBook Pro, both i5 and i7 are dual core. However, i7 has a faster clock, larger cache and thus has higher performance

Reply

Answer 13

Jul 25, 2013 8:37 AM in response to Taisir Eldos

nope. You are incorrect. The i7 is quad core on the 15' model.So that option is available. The i7 on the 13' is dual core I believe. Brent Elkins is right. Might as well get the 15' with the quad core i7 ;]

Reply

Answer 14

Jul 25, 2013 9:52 AM in response to nawtphamous

True only for MacBook Pro 15",but the talk is about MacBok Pro 13", it has never been quad core

Reply