<p>I'm going to get a 15 inch MacBook Pro for College this fall. I don't know if I should get the 2 ghz or 2.2 ghz because of the graphics. I have to money for either one, but if I don't need the 2.2 ghz, then I don't want to buy it. I will be running programs such as AutoCad (maybe I need the better graphics card for this) and other engineering programs. Should I get the 2.2 GHz since I will be running these programs? If I didn't get the 2.2 ghz, I would probably upgrade the ram to 8gb and maybe get a SSD. I know for sure I would get 8gb of ram. I'm not sure if I would get the SSD because it isn't that big of a drive (compared to 500 or 750 gb).
Thanks!</p>
<p>You don’t need the 2.2 ghz. 2.0 is fine. SSD would help you a lot more.</p>
<p>bumpity bump</p>
<p>You’re not going to notice a .2 GHz difference. Save your money and get the 2 GHz. If I’m correct, I believe autocad requires RAM. Also, no computer program is capable of using more than 2GB of RAM so the 8GB of RAM is a bit of overkill.</p>
<p>Shouldn’t 64-bit programs be able to take up well more than 2GB of RAM?</p>
<p>If the 2.2 Ghz has the 6750m as opposed to the 6490m and you are going to be playing games/running intense 3d programs on it, go for it. Otherwise an HD3000 would be enough power.</p>
<p>
Yes. For example, look at Adobe’s [url=<a href=“http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/404/kb404439.html]guidance[/url”>http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/404/kb404439.html]guidance[/url</a>] for allocating RAM to Photoshop. If you are running a 64-bit version of Photoshop on a 64-bit operating system (either Windows or Mac), then Adobe simply says that the “Maximum amount of RAM that Photoshop can use” = “As much RAM as you can fit in your computer.”</p>
<p>Limitations apply when using 32-bit software. For example, if you were using a 32-bit version of Windows 7, then Photoshop would max out at 1.7 GB of RAM.</p>
<p>But if you are getting a new MacBook Pro, then this should be a non-issue. The current Mac operating system (OS X 10.7 Lion) is 64-bit only. There is no choice between 32-bit and 64-bit versions, as there is in Windows XP, Vista, or 7.</p>
<p>If you are going to be spending a lot of time running programs like autocad or photoshop, why not invest in a desktop computer with a larger screen? Or get a large monitor and connect the laptop to it.</p>
<p>If you’re thinking on getting the SSD don’t worry about hard drive space. You don’t need much on your computer anyway. Can always get an external drive for things like movies.</p>
<p>So should I get the 2.2 GHz for the graphics card? I’m getting a laptop for college. I don’t want to have to go back to my room if I have an hour break and need to use my computer. I would just love to go to the library and use my MacBook Pro. I think I will invest in an SSD.</p>
<p>You only need a better graphics card if you are doing gaming (this does not include browser flash games or Facebook games).
So if you do not do much gaming, then increasing 2.0 to 2.2 GHz will be a waste of money.</p>
<p>But I will be using autocad which is 3D modeling. Will the better graphics card come in handy there?</p>
<p>Why not get a desktop and a netbook for cheaper than the macbook? Also, if you don’t want to go back to your room, just use a computer lab?</p>
<p>or get a 3ghz pc w/ 8gb ram and ssd for less money</p>
<p>I don’t want a PC, so please stop.</p>
<p>
At the university level, the 6490m should be able to handle AutoCAD software perfectly fine, maybe even the HD 3000.</p>
<p>Thank you! Finally an answer I was looking for. So there is no need to buy the higher end one? Or should I buy the higher end one if I want it to last four year? Is it even a good idea to keep a computer for four years?</p>
<p>Well, I’m not familiar with the level of complexity you would be using AutoCAD in a university. The 6490m can handle 3D, but the 6750m will be noticeably faster. Intel HD 3000 is of course out of the question for anything 3D. So, it is up to you if you think it’s worth the extra cost.
This will definitely last you four years, as long as you don’t suddenly develop an interest in video-editing/gaming/etc. I still have and use a 5-year old laptop. Granted, I can’t game on it (it wasn’t built for gaming) and it is a little sluggish, but I run Windows XP on it perfectly fine and it suits my needs.</p>
<p>What do yo mean the Intel HD 3000 is out of the question for 3D? I’m sorry, i don’t know much about graphics cards.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The 15" MacBook Pro actually has two graphics processors:</p>
<p>– an “integrated” Intel HD 3000 graphics GPU, which is built into the Intel i7 CPU itself, and which shares system memory with the CPU; and
– a “discrete” AMD Radeon HD 6490M or 6750M GPU, which is located on a separate graphics card with its own memory</p>
<hr>
<p>The Intel HD 3000 GPU is fine for basic computing purposes; it is less powerful than the Radeon GPU, but also uses less energy. So by default, the computer will use the Intel GPU. If you start to do something GPU-intensive, like games or 3D graphics, then the Radeon GPU will automatically kick in. </p>
<p>Many MacBooks (the 13" Pros and the 11" and 13" Airs) are limited to Intel HD 3000 GPUs; they don’t have room for a supplemental graphics card. These models would not be well suited for your purposes. But all 15" Pros have a supplemental Radeon GPU, so the limitations of the Intel GPU are a non-issue for you. </p>
<p>The issue for you is whether to stick with the base Radeon 6490M GPU, or upgrade to the Radeon 6750M GPU. But I don’t use AutoCAD and don’t have an answer for that.</p>