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What's worthy: upgrade 2010 MBP or buy MBA?

bruleke

bruleke

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 26, 2009
444
6
127.0.0.1
Hello everyone

Currently, I have this machine:

Macbook Pro 2010
15,4"
2.4ghz i5
500gb Scorpio Black 7,200 rpm (I only use 120gb since 2010)
8gb RAM
256gb Nvidia

What I use it for:
-Office;
-Internet;
-Stockbroker;
-Watch TV series and movies in 720p.

Good machine for what I need, right?

The question, since I am not a computer expert, is: whats worty? (A) buy a SSD for my macbook Pro so it can run faster (although it supports the SATA II - 3gb/s - agains the SATA III - 6gb/s - in the macbook air) or (B) buy the newest Macbook Air (maybe 256gb, 1.8 i5, 4gb ram)?

I am afraid that I could not get used to the 13,3" screen since I am used to the 15,4".

Actually, this thread was to help me to answer this question: is it worth it to buy a MBA or to upgrade my 15,4 2010 MBP with a SSD?

And there's something more: I live in Brazil. Here, every Apple product costs me the double of what americans pay. The cheapest Retina 15,4 MBP costs 5,000 dollars in the Online Apple Store, just as an example.


Lets talk about numbers, so we can put things straight.

256gb SSD Vertex 4: 290 dollars
Macbook Air (i7 2.0ghz; 8gb; 256gb): 2,700 dollars
My own 2010 15,4" Macbook Pro (when I sell it): 1,500 dollars.

Can you help me here?

Thanks in advance
 
53x12

53x12

macrumors 68000
Feb 16, 2009
1,544
4
Does your MBP do everything you need it to do? If not, what can't it do that you wish it could do?
 
C

coldjeanzzz

macrumors 6502a
Nov 4, 2012
655
17
Sounds like you aren't having any actual problems with your current MBP. I would just put an SSD in there and it will make all the difference
 
K

kohlson

macrumors 68020
Apr 23, 2010
2,425
736
First, if you like your MBP 15, the Vertex 4 will be a great investment. I have one in a 13 MBP, and it made the machine better than new, and will extend the life of the system.

However, the 13 MBA has a better screen than the MBP, same number of pixels as the 15 MBP, just in a slightly smaller space. The new MBAs are great systems. Really it's all down to the money.
 
B

Boomhowler

macrumors 6502
Feb 23, 2008
324
19
The performance on gpu and cpu is comparable between the two so that wouldn't support to upgrade. The resolution is also the same but the air has a TN-panel which is a worse panel than what the pro has (even if it has higher pixel density the colors, viewing angles etc. are worse). Also, the Vertex 4, OCZ Vector and Samsung 840 Pro all are better than the stock ssd in the air so you have more to choose from.

and 15" or 13", which is better? Up to you.
 
2

2manyg

macrumors newbie
May 17, 2007
23
0
Northants, UK
I Had exactly the same machine which I use for audio production, I thought about upgrading, in the end I put in a 500Gb SSD, it flies, best upgrade i have ever done. I imagine I will be keeping it for at lest another 2-3 years now.
 
bruleke

bruleke

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 26, 2009
444
6
127.0.0.1
2manyg said:
I Had exactly the same machine which I use for audio production, I thought about upgrading, in the end I put in a 500Gb SSD, it flies, best upgrade i have ever done. I imagine I will be keeping it for at lest another 2-3 years now.
Click to expand...

Just to confirm: you had the same machine with a 7,200 rpm hard drive?
I'm not sure if it would be a huge jump from a 7,200 rpm to a SSD drive.
 
P

pitaya

macrumors member
Jun 17, 2012
34
0
I tried moving from a 2010 MBP to an air and switched back. The screen isn't as good, sure, but what really bothered me was the trackpad. I don't think I've ever seen it mentioned, but seems to me it's not as smooth as the one on the MBP, and it can't mechanically right click. Upgrade to an SSD. It'll make a big difference.
 
designs216

designs216

macrumors 65816
Oct 26, 2009
1,046
21
Down the rabbit hole
Keep the MBP and spring for the SSD. I'll cast my vote for the Crucial M4. I've installed the 256 and the 512, one of these in an '09 MBP. It really restores zoom and will allow me to keep the machine longer.
 
bruleke

bruleke

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 26, 2009
444
6
127.0.0.1
designs216 said:
Keep the MBP and spring for the SSD. I'll cast my vote for the Crucial M4. I've installed the 256 and the 512, one of these in an '09 MBP. It really restores zoom and will allow me to keep the machine longer.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but will it make really a HUGE difference considering that I have a Black Scorpio 500 gb 7,200 rpm?
 
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