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17" MBP Still good?

jakesaunders27

jakesaunders27

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 23, 2012
907
6
United Kingdom
Hi,
Currently have a 2012 MBA and it struggles to run things quite a lot what would the performance difference be like if i got a 2011 MBP 17? And put an SSD in?

Cheers
 
Well, it should be faster. It'll have a quad core sandy bridge i7, with hyper threading, you can put a SATA III SSD in it, much more screen real-estate, and a dedicated GPU (either a 6750 or a 6770 if you find the higher end one). It also supports up to 16GB of RAM.

So yes, there would be a performance difference for sure. I'd go for it. Though I have heard of some of the 2011 AMD GPU's failing here and there. I'm lucky enough to have my Mid 2007 with an 8600m still running.
 
BrettApple said:
Well, it should be faster. It'll have a quad core sandy bridge i7, with hyper threading, you can put a SATA III SSD in it, much more screen real-estate, and a dedicated GPU (either a 6750 or a 6770 if you find the higher end one). It also supports up to 16GB of RAM.

So yes, there would be a performance difference for sure. I'd go for it. Though I have heard of some of the 2011 AMD GPU's failing here and there.
Click to expand...

Excellent cheers man

----------

Also the 2011 17s came with Lion which means they would have had Launchpad but I don't see a 2011 with the key on the keyboard, very small thing but was just wondering
 
The Early 2011 models won't have one because Lion was released in July. I think some of the Late 2011 models have the key if they shipped with Lion on them.

I don't have anything other than 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 models, so I've never had the key. But I don't use launchpad anyway. I use gestures on the trackpad for most of the features, or screen corners on the non multitouch ones. And I mostly use spotlight to open apps that aren't on my dock. But it is interesting to note.
 
BrettApple said:
The Early 2011 models won't have one because Lion was released in July. I think some of the Late 2011 models have the key if they shipped with Lion on them.

I don't have anything other than 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 models, so I've never had the key. But I don't use launchpad anyway. I use gestures on the trackpad for most of the features, or screen corners on the non multitouch ones. And I mostly use spotlight to open apps that aren't on my dock. But it is interesting to note.
Click to expand...

Yeah cool, how would it compare to a baseline 13 inch retina with 16gb ram?
 
jondunford said:
geekbench says the rmbp 13 and 2011 17" have similar single core performance but obviously the 17 inch has twice as many

if this helps

what are you using it for?
Click to expand...

I would using it for music production with Logic and Pro Tools and some graphics work with photoshop and aperture.

So the 17 would be better for music but retina obviously better for graphics! I think though in a few years the 17 is going to be incredibly outdated still not sure :confused:
 
jakesaunders27 said:
I would using it for music production with Logic and Pro Tools and some graphics work with photoshop and aperture.

So the 17 would be better for music but retina obviously better for graphics! I think though in a few years the 17 is going to be incredibly outdated still not sure :confused:
Click to expand...

You want a powerful computer with a hi-res display that won't be too outdated in a few years time?

It sounds like the retina 15" would suit your needs well. You may be able to pick up a used 2012 model/refurb for a significant discount over a new 2013 one.

I do not own either (chugging away on a faithful C2D ;)) but I've heard that the performance difference between a 2012 rMBP15 and a 2013 one is not that a huge one so you probably won't be missing out on much by going 2012 over 2013.
 
My 17 Macbook Pro is still good and able to do the required tasks. So it was not necessary for me to get the new 15" Retina.
But i am glad to have bought it, because its pure fun to work with a machine this fast and quiet with a nearly perfect screen. :D
 
jakesaunders27 said:
I would using it for music production with Logic and Pro Tools and some graphics work with photoshop and aperture.

So the 17 would be better for music but retina obviously better for graphics! I think though in a few years the 17 is going to be incredibly outdated still not sure :confused:
Click to expand...

Its worth asking yourself whether you will be using an external screen. If not then for the uses you mention a 13" is a really really small screen to work on. Kind of like holding a dinner dance in a cupboard, possible, but always cramped. 15" is also too small really for continual use. The 17" however can function as a complete desktop replacement no external monitor needed.

If you are going to use an external display its an easy choice. If not then its a hard decision.

ps
I had a 15" and found it just too small. I now have the 17" and its just perfect. It seems to be the magical size where bigger would be nice but not needed and smaller would start impinging on the work space). When I have no choice but to buy a new system if the 17" has not risen again I would buy a 15" + external monitor.

pps
The 6770 (17" MBP) is generally faster than the 5100(13" rmbp) for actual gaming
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-6770M.43955.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Iris-Graphics-5100.91977.0.html
 
Last edited:
whitedragon101 said:
Its worth asking yourself whether you will be using an external screen. If not then for the uses you mention a 13" is a really really small screen to work on. Kind of like holding a dinner dance in a cupboard, possible, but always cramped. 15" is also too small really for continual use. The 17" however can function as a complete desktop replacement no external monitor needed.

If you are going to use an external display its an easy choice. If not then its a hard decision.

ps
I had a 15" and found it just too small. I now have the 17" and its just perfect. It seems to be the magical size where bigger would be nice but not needed and smaller would start impinging on the work space). When I have no choice but to buy a new system if the 17" has not risen again I would buy a 15" + external monitor.

pps
The 6770 (17" MBP) is generally faster than the 5100(13" rmbp) for actual gaming
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-6770M.43955.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Iris-Graphics-5100.91977.0.html
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the 15 rMBP just perfect screen size and I won't use an external screen as I have a Mac Pro so thanks for your help!
 
I have a maxed out BTO 17".

2.5Ghz Core i7 Sandy Bridge
16GB 1600Mhz DDR3 RAM
1 TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
17" Anti-glare Matte HiRes Display
1GB ATI Radeon HD6770M

Next up? BluRay is going in. Then going to start working on 802.11ac ;)

As far as performance, it's a freaking beast. After fixing the heatsink compound issue, my temps never stabilize over 88C, and the fans only kick up when doing a heavy compile, or FCPX rendering of 1080p HD video.
 
jakesaunders27 said:
I'm thinking the 15 rMBP just perfect screen size and I won't use an external screen as I have a Mac Pro so thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

I think that's an excellent machine, light, powerful, gorgeous screen - you cannot go wrong :D
 
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