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15" 8GB or 16GB? Tax holiday weekend

C

curtoise

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 19, 2010
529
14
Ok finally I've decided to get the 15' (instead of 13') this weekend on the Florida tax break.

Currently I have a 13' Early 2011 with SSD and 16GB for web dev, photoshop and iMovie tasks, I'm wondering if I can get by with the 15' 8GB/SSD Late 2013 from the refurb store for $1500 or I'll need the $1999 for the extra 16GB to match my previous 2011 memory.

I think the higher end model for $2500 is too expensive and with dedicated graphics is out of the question as I do not game on PC and the extra video card will not do any good to me for web dev.

I'll love to same money but I do not want to go down in performance if 8GBn the 15' will not be enough as I was using 16GB on the early 2011.

Any input will be appreciated.
 
hmm... ...according to a quick google search, it seems that the limit is $750 for computers and accessories
 
curtoise said:
Ok finally I've decided to get the 15' (instead of 13') this weekend on the Florida tax break.

Currently I have a 13' Early 2011 with SSD and 16GB for web dev, photoshop and iMovie tasks, I'm wondering if I can get by with the 15' 8GB/SSD Late 2013 from the refurb store for $1500 or I'll need the $1999 for the extra 16GB to match my previous 2011 memory.

I think the higher end model for $2500 is too expensive and with dedicated graphics is out of the question as I do not game on PC and the extra video card will not do any good to me for web dev.

I'll love to same money but I do not want to go down in performance if 8GBn the 15' will not be enough as I was using 16GB on the early 2011.

Any input will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

All 15" rMBPs have 16GB of RAM. The 8GB 15" rMBP was discontinued a few days ago.
 
Thanks for all the answers, ye the tax break in Florida is for the first $750 and you'll paid tax on the rest.

I was looking at the 8GB model, iris card, 256SSD on the refurb store, it is a late 2013 for $1549.

The 16GB new model is tempting as it is always good to have that extra but I'm not sure if it is reasonable to spend $400 more and if the extra memory it is going to get a good use at all.
 
curtoise said:
Thanks for all the answers, ye the tax break in Florida is for the first $750 and you'll paid tax on the rest.

I was looking at the 8GB model, iris card, 256SSD on the refurb store, it is a late 2013 for $1549.

The 16GB new model is tempting as it is always good to have that extra but I'm not sure if it is reasonable to spend $400 more and if the extra memory it is going to get a good use at all.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't spend that much more on it. 200 or so and I'd say yes, but 400 plus? Not worth it. Memory management in new versions of OSX is phenomenal. Not to mention, the newer processor and PCIe SSD will make the entire machine faster.

In the end it's your decision, but I would vote no.
 
capathy21 said:
I wouldn't spend that much more on it. 200 or so and I'd say yes, but 400 plus? Not worth it. Memory management in new versions of OSX is phenomenal. Not to mention, the newer processor and PCIe SSD will make the entire machine faster.

In the end it's your decision, but I would vote no.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking too the only issue is that the 8GB is a late 2013 refurbished and the 16gb is the just updated one.

Refurbished = $1549

New = $1999

I've had a refurbished before and the fan stopped working and it was a nightmare to repair etc, I never had any issues with new ones but I could just be my bad luck.

That $400 difference is the only thing preventing me to purchase one right now.
 
curtoise said:
That's what I'm thinking too the only issue is that the 8GB is a late 2013 refurbished and the 16gb is the just updated one.

Refurbished = $1549

New = $1999

I've had a refurbished before and the fan stopped working and it was a nightmare to repair etc, I never had any issues with new ones but I could just be my bad luck.

That $400 difference is the only thing preventing me to purchase one right now.
Click to expand...

Chances are that refurb will actually be a new unit that they just can't sell as "new" due to the 2014 refreshes being released. From what many refurb purchasers report, most of the refurbs are indistinguishable from new units and often have fewer than 10 charge cycles. They come with the same one year warranty, and are eligible for AC.

I wouldn't let the refurb aspect be a deciding factor. If you believe the 8GB machine will suit your needs, go for it.

Look at the link below and tell us your number.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1756865/
 
capathy21 said:
Chances are that refurb will actually be a new unit that they just can't sell as "new" due to the 2014 refreshes being released. From what many refurb purchasers report, most of the refurbs are indistinguishable from new units and often have fewer than 10 charge cycles. They come with the same one year warranty, and are eligible for AC.

I wouldn't let the refurb aspect be a deciding factor. If you believe the 8GB machine will suit your needs, go for it.

Look at the link below and tell us your number.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1756865/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, I guess my score is 16-17, I'm doing al this with a 2011 13' and 16GB right now.
 
capathy21 said:
You will be more than fine with 8GB.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

curtoise said:
Thanks I believe that too bit they are recommending 16GB with a 17 score, I'm just find ing $400 a bit too much for 8GB ram upgrade to the latest model.
Click to expand...

That chart is just one opinion and not a hard rule you need to follow.

Unless you are working with HUGE Photoshop files or running a VM all the time, you do not need 16GB... particularly for $400 more. Give this a read.
 
Weaselboy said:
Exactly.



That chart is just one opinion and not a hard rule you need to follow.

Unless you are working with HUGE Photoshop files or running a VM all the time, you do not need 16GB... particularly for $400 more. Give this a read.
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll think I'll go for the late 2013 15' refurb with i7/8GB/256ssd, I'm wondering how much difference I'll notice from my 2011 13' 256 SSD 16GB.
 
curtoise said:
Thanks it will faster even if I've added a Samsung 840 Pro 256 SSD to the 2011?
Click to expand...

A little... if you launch a hog app like iPhoto with a large photo library you will notice it launches a bit faster due to the faster flash storage in the new machine. But it won't be the big change like when you went from a HDD to the SSD.
 
Weaselboy said:
A little... if you launch a hog app like iPhoto with a large photo library you will notice it launches a bit faster due to the faster flash storage in the new machine. But it won't be the big change like when you went from a HDD to the SSD.
Click to expand...

Thanks so basically a 2011 MBP with 16GB and a 256SSD will perform similar to a late 2013 15'? I just don;t want to make a fool of myself and spend $1500+ for a little to no increase in performance.
 
curtoise said:
Thanks so basically a 2011 MBP with 16GB and a 256SSD will perform similar to a late 2013 15'? I just don;t want to make a fool of myself and spend $1500+ for a little to no increase in performance.
Click to expand...

Just data to day browsing etc, I really don't think you will notice much difference in speeds. Now exporting a large video from iMovie and things like that that exercise the CPU more, I think you will see some improvement. This will be a fairly incremental speed bump IMO.

Still, if you have the money nothing wrong with having a new, shiny MacBook all covered by warranty. :)
 
Weaselboy said:
Just data to day browsing etc, I really don't think you will notice much difference in speeds. Now exporting a large video from iMovie and things like that that exercise the CPU more, I think you will see some improvement. This will be a fairly incremental speed bump IMO.

Still, if you have the money nothing wrong with having a new, shiny MacBook all covered by warranty. :)
Click to expand...

shiny and lighter :D

Apple refurb store just added new ones, I went i7 2.3 - 15'' 16GB/512SSD/ GT 750 2GB for $2000

The new refreshed model is just 2.5 vs 2.3 processor difference and $500 more, I think it is a good deal.
 
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