15" MBP: 9400M vs 9600M

[vinlar]

With the WWDC behind us, I'm about to pull the trigger on a 15" MBP. I am struggling to make up my mind between the entry level 15" model and the model with the 256MB 9600M GT chip. Can anyone speak to the benefits, if any, that the 9600M GT would offer for pedestrian tasks like iLife, iTunes, iChat, DVD Player and Safari?

 

I have a hand built PC for gaming, so I'm not overly concerned about maximizing fps in games. I'm inclined to go with the 9400M model if that is adequate for the uses I listed above.

 

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

[StormPCs]

With the WWDC behind us, I'm about to pull the trigger on a 15" MBP. I am struggling to make up my mind between the entry level 15" model and the model with the 256MB 9600M GT chip. Can anyone speak to the benefits, if any, that the 9600M GT would offer for pedestrian tasks like iLife, iTunes, iChat, DVD Player and Safari?

 

I have a hand built PC for gaming, so I'm not overly concerned about maximizing fps in games. I'm inclined to go with the 9400M model if that is adequate for the uses I listed above.

 

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

The 9600GT is a much faster videocard but also hell on the battery. For your use the 9400M is an amazing card. It can actually game pretty well too at the resolution your laptop will run without an external monitor. 9400M is the way to go in a laptop.

[vinlar]

Thanks for the feedback StormPCs. I'll flip through the standard photo load at the Apple Store on both models to make sure there isn't lag or sluggishness in iPhoto. After that I'm ready to rock.

 

Count me as one of the folks that was converted to Apple via OSx86. First ipods, then an Apple TV, then an Airport Extreme, then ipod touches, then the Mac Box Set (a must have for 'legit' OSx86 users) and now a 15" MBP. I'm stoked!