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15" 2011 MacBook Pro Decision Dilemma

Prodo123

Prodo123

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
2,326
10
OK, I own a 12" laptop right now and it feels downright puny. I want a desktop replacement that I can lug around everywhere, and I settled on a 15" MacBook Pro. With the Sandy Bridge update today, there's only 2 options for me: the lower end and the higher end. I also know that a 0.2 Ghz boost isn't worth $400 of extra cash, but the 1GB AMD graphics might be. Nontheless, I still want the high-res glossy screen.

LOW END
2.0 Ghz SB Quad Core
AMD Radeon 6490M w/ 256MB GDDR5
500GB 5,400RPM HDD
4GB RAM
Intel HD graphics
Hi-res Glossy screen
TOTAL: $1,900

HIGH END
2.2 Ghz SB Quad Core
AMD Radeon 6750M w/ 1GB GDDR5
750GB 5,400RPM HDD
4GB RAM
Intel HD graphics
Hi-res Glossy screen
TOTAL: $2,300

So, my dilemma is, should I get the low-end or high-end 15" MacBook Pro? Also, should I get an aftermarket 8GB RAM kit?

I also have a Momentus XT that can be put into the MacBook Pro. I would want to stay away from SSD's, because the Momentus XT is pretty good already, and I don't want to dump money on it.

EDIT: What I'll use it for.
Word processing
Some Photoshop
Heavy media (many 1080p movies, 20GB iTunes music library)
Games
Music edit?
iMovie
Some video encoding
 
Last edited:
what kind of programs do you intend to run?

base model would do just fine, unless you gonna go balls out gaming.
 
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Games, what games?
If you intend to play games that will come out in the next 3 years, high end without a doubt. That 1GB will make a huge difference.

I've made up my mind for the high-end. My only dilemma is whether 128GB SSD is enough for my needs or whether I should take the base HDD and replace it with an after market 256GB SSD.
 
Yinmay said:
Games, what games?
If you intend to play games that will come out in the next 3 years, high end without a doubt. That 1GB will make a huge difference.

I've made up my mind for the high-end. My only dilemma is whether 128GB SSD is enough for my needs or whether I should take the base HDD and replace it with an after market 256GB SSD.
Click to expand...

Some light gaming, maybe Portal 2? Not much.
 
Go low end. Save the money and build yourself a wicked fast Desktop.

~750 bucks can get you a decent gaming desktop. It won't run crysis 2 on max settings or anything but it'll be upgradeable blow what the macbook pro can do out of the water.
 
deeesea said:
Go low end. Save the money and build yourself a wicked fast Desktop.

~750 bucks can get you a decent gaming desktop. It won't run crysis 2 on max settings or anything but it'll be upgradeable blow what the macbook pro can do out of the water.
Click to expand...

Like I said, I want a desktop replacement, not a gaming desktop.
 
Prodo123 said:
Like I said, I want a desktop replacement, not a gaming desktop.
Click to expand...
Unless you _absolutely_ have to have one now, do NOT buy.

Rumor has it that 2012 will bring a completely revamped MacBook Pro. We are overdue anyway, the Unibody design is old. The thermal management has never been good, so if you can wait do it.

If not, the new ones are not bad, just not that great, and very overpriced in the opinion of a long time Mac Laptop user / enthusiast.
 
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