Which MacBook Pro for Archicad?

[Anonymous]

15” certainly, but I remain the doubt between the following configurations (I hope to buy a refurbished MBP because I'd like to downgrade to Mac OS X 10.6):

- MBP 2.0Ghz (Radeon 6490M with 256 Mb GDDR5) with high resolution screen (antiglare, but is not a priority), 8Gb of RAM, HD 500Gb 7200 rpm;
- MBP 2.2Ghz (Radeon 6750M with 1Gb GDDR5), HD 500Gb 7200 rpm for the remainder like base configuration;
- MBP 2.2Ghz (Radeon 6750M with 512Mb GDDR5), like base configuration (as last possibility)

Please didn't suggest 2.2 upgraded like the 2.0, 2.4 or other solutions; already the configurations above in the moment are slightly over budget (but I'll make a little sacrifice). Prevailing use is ArchiCAD 15, in second equally, Artlantis and VectorWorks (only 2D).

[Laszlo Nagy]

I would use the configuration with the higher amount of RAM (you will need it, if not now, then 1-2 years from now, 4 GB is not much, GS recommends 4 GB just for ArchiCAD) and the higher resolution (1680x1050 gives you much more space than 1440x900). A 7200 rpm drive is also better (although it consumers more power).

[Ralph Wessel]

borgo1971 wrote:
15” certainly, but I remain the doubt between the following configurations (I hope to buy a refurbished MBP because I'd like to downgrade to Mac OS X 10.6):

I agree with Laszlo - more RAM will make a big difference, especially if you intend to do a lot of rendering.

Why do you want to stick with 10.6 - are you still relying on some old PPC software?

[Anonymous]

Ralph wrote:
agree with Laszlo - more RAM will make a big difference, especially if you intend to do a lot of rendering.

Why do you want to stick with 10.6 - are you still relying on some old PPC software?

Exactly. I think to remain with 10.6 as long as possible... and this mean until Archicad it will force me to upgrade.
For the choose my doubt is: RAM is useful even today, but can be easily expanded in future (if indispensable), but graphic card ad vram not. 256Mb are what Archicad requires today (even I can use it with my MBP with 128Mb), but I guess it can be a problem in future.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with the higher end. I have one with 8gb and it runs beautifully. I have but the 7200 hard drive, but have you seen ones running the SSD's? they are super fast!

[Anonymous]

sdb wrote:
I'd go with the higher end.

I've taken it. Refurbished, 2.2GHz with Hi-Res matte display... and I'm waiting for 8GB of ram ordered by Crucial store. Hope work will pay it...

[Anonymous]

great move! 😉

The matte screen is fantastic to, that the one thing I wish had have done. Especially when doing fine detail things or reading.