Which Macbook Pro ? I5 or I7

[jdsea]

I am a pro photographer working mostly with Lightroom and Photoshop.

I might upload 300-1000 images into Lightroom from a shoot.
My PS files average in the 70-400 meg range.

Stat wise, I don't see much difference in the 5 or 7 chip.

Any suggestions on which to purchase?

I'm looking at the 15" Pro.

Thanks,

JoeDavis

[spgift]

Just a bit of information, I read online that the MBP with the i7 CPU runs really hot. How hot? Well over 90 degrees and to the point where the testers had to turn the laptop on it's side in order for it to complete it tasks. Hearing this, I would stick with an i5....and as you said, you probably will not see much difference in performance between the i7 and i5 anyway, so why spend the extra $$$.

[badtzwang]

I agree with spgift on the point of heat. At this stage, most i7 laptops run WAY too hot. I'd stick with the i5. There isn't that much of a performance decrease and you'll be getting more battery.

[thorn1414]

Definately the i5, as spgift mentioned, the i7 is just way too hot!!! But the i7 will be a lot better if you have money to buy a nice cooling pad.

[hxkclan]

Not really that correct; I think you guys are mistaking the i7 720QM (quad core) which gets really hot in most notebook, and the i7 620M (dual core) which is in the macbook pro.

Power usage is about the same as the i5 versions for the i7 620m (also about the same with heat). It just seems the macbook pro does'nt do a great job of cooling it.

A faster processor may give you a little more performance. But i dont think thats necessary for you, since you mostly work with big files, probably an i5 in combination with an SSD drive, will give you the best overall performance.

[crazycanuk]

nope the i7 620 in my MBP is HOTTER than my HP 8740W with an 820qm

92C VS 70C

although you run the i5 in my 15" hard and it will almost hit 100 as well

[frozenpeas]

there is no mistaking. tests were run on a actual mac pro laptop and its temps hit over 100.

I would choose the i5 if it was me.

[kyubimark]

I would choose i7. Your going to regret it later on down the line.

[exi]

i5 with an SSD.