2.8 rMPB 13"??

[Ellen]

I realize that this is not a new question, but I would appreciate any advice!

I currently own an early 2011 MBP 15" (2.2 Ghz i7, 8 GB RAM), and am looking to buy a new laptop through my employer's purchase program (they pay for part of the cost).

I have been happy with the 15" and while I don't travel much and mainly use it at home, when I carry the laptop around it's bulky - even on my lap when I am working in my apt. I realize that the 15" rMPB is lighter but I've pretty much decided to get the 13" this time for portablility.

My question is - should I max it out? I feel like I'm downgrading and that's what is worrying me -- irrationally - since I'm not a gamer and don't do intensive graphics or video work. But the laptop needs to last 3 years. I was thinking of maxing the RAM since that's not upgradable - the question is should I go for the max processor too.

If anyone has this configuration I'd love hearing from you. Ellen

 

[Qaanol]

What is your usage like?

For the vast majority of people, the 2.4 / 8 / 256 model is far more powerful than they will ever make use of.

The relative gains of the processor upgrades are minuscule. If you don't make heavy use of multicore processing on your current machine, then you won't notice a speed change. If you do make heavy use of multicore processing, and if that is important to you, then you really ought to stick with a 15.4" machine.

Since you mention traveling, it is worth noting that the faster processors will (slightly) decrease battery life, and make the machine (again, slightly) hotter. So again, your best bet on the 13.3" is to stick with the base processor.

You already have 8GB RAM on your current machine. Do you get page outs? How much / how frequently? If you've never noticed a slow-down from lack of RAM, then 8GB is plenty.

You can figure out what SSD size you need on your own, I'm sure.

 

[durkkin]

Well the 2.4/8 13" is already an upgrade over your current system. Not only is the processor clocked higher, but it's a new model (Haswell vs. Sandy Bridge) so you'll see gains across the board. There is really no configuration of the current 13" rMBP that's a downgrade from what you have. Not to mention it's going to seem even faster due to the SSD.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks. I don't have problems now with 8MB RAM - I was thinking more of down the road since it's not upgradeable.

 

[durkkin]

Depending on your usage you may or may not need 16GB RAM in the next 3 years. If it's typical web browsing, word processing, etc. you might as well save the money. But if you do photo/video editing, run VMs or the like, then I would go for 16.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks. Besides web browising and the like I use Toast for audio burning etc. and access a VPN at work - don't know if that is RAM intensive.

 

[leman]

The 2.4GHz/8GB model will be more then enough for you for a least 3 years. If you want, max out the RAM (although I don't really see the point). However, upgrading the CPU is pretty much a waste of money.

 

[fskywalker]

Here goes another 8GB versus 16GB Ram argument

I recommend you max out the Ram since it is not upgradeable....

The 2.6 GHZ processor upgrade is supposed to be the best bang for the buck in the processor upgrades; that was the model I was looking to buy, but got an awsome deal for my 2.8/16/1TB 13" rMBP that could not let pass shortly after the machine was release.

So, I would favor (in order):

1- 16GB Ram upgrade
2- Bigger SSD (All 512GB are said to be Samsung, faster than Sandisk variants
found in smaller SSD sizes; the 1TB SSD is only by Samsung)
3- 2.6 GHZ processor upgrade
4- Even bigger SSD
5- 2.8 GHZ processor upgrade

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Thanks. Besides web browising and the like I use Toast for audio burning etc. and access a VPN at work - don't know if that is RAM intensive.

VPN shouldn't take much RAM, it's just another component on your network stack.

The only way to make Toast RAM intensive is if you tell it to burn a CD completely from RAM (to reduce possibility do coasters). Since you're only doing CDs, that will only use 650-740MB RAM so you'll have plenty of RAM left over, even in 8GB situations.

If you ever think you'd want to burn a dual layer DVD using Toast's RAM only option, then you'd need 16GB RAM.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks fskywalker.

I'm getting the 512GB hard drive - have 500 now and am not making a dent in it.

Will get the 16GB RAM.

Under my employer's subsidy program, I'm supposed to buy Applecare and a Superdrive, so when you add in the tax my share of the the 2.6 w/ the extra RAM is going to be about $1300. For the 2.8, I'd pay around $1500. So while it's $200 more I'm otherwise paying a lot less for the computer . Hence my dilemma!

 

[fskywalker]

Thanks fskywalker.

I'm getting the 512GB hard drive - have 500 now and am not making a dent in it.

Will get the 16GB RAM.

Under my employer's subsidy program, I'm supposed to buy Applecare and a Superdrive, so when you add in the tax my share of the the 2.6 w/ the extra RAM is going to be about $1300. For the 2.8, I'd pay around $1500. So while it's $200 more I'm otherwise paying a lot less for the computer . Hence my dilemma!

I paid for mine $2400 (2.8/16/1TB) and was an awsome deal at the time, the 2.8/16/512 for $1500 is an awsome ++++ deal , go for it!!!

 

[Ellen]

Ok, you convinced me! Thanks, Ellen

 

[accountforit]

I paid for mine $2400 (2.8/16/1TB) and was an awsome deal at the time, the 2.8/16/512 for $1500 is an awsome ++++ deal , go for it!!!

Except you will never notice a difference between the 2.6 and 2.8 ghz processor. That small bump is absolutely an Apple Inc. money grab. I don't care what your tasks are.

 

[Ellen]

Oh well! I guess I'm back to my state of confusion (until tomorrow when I sign off on the order...)

 

[Meister]

Under my employer's subsidy program, I'm supposed to buy Applecare and a Superdrive, so when you add in the tax my share of the the 2.6 w/ the extra RAM is going to be about $1300. For the 2.8, I'd pay around $1500. So while it's $200 more I'm otherwise paying a lot less for the computer . Hence my dilemma!

Its a nobrainer. Take the $1300 version. For the 2.6/16/512 thats a breathtakingly good deal.
i am jealous

Except you will never notice a difference between the 2.6 and 2.8 ghz processor. That small bump is absolutely an Apple Inc. money grab. I don't care what your tasks are.

He is right!
For you with your usage spending 200$ on that is wasting money.

 

[BoGyesz]

I was thinking about the same, i5 or i7, but I do play quite often with Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, latest Total War games, etc, so even a 10% increase in speed is better. I'm going to use the rMBP for 3-4 years, so it's better to max it out and I won't regret not doing it. i7 / 16 / 256

 

[yjchua95]

Thanks. I don't have problems now with 8MB RAM - I was thinking more of down the road since it's not upgradeable.

Go for 16GB of RAM. You only buy what you need if you plan to replace your Mac every 3 years.

Read this thread for more RAM data: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1686227/

 

[Ellen]

Thanks All.

I decided to max out the RAM and processor, and bump the SSD up to 512. May be overkill but this way I won't have second thoughts (and it's still less than what I spent on my current 15" Macbook Pro). Hopefully it won't take a long time to ship!

 

[fskywalker]

Thanks All.

I decided to max out the RAM and processor, and bump the SSD up to 512. May be overkill but this way I won't have second thoughts (and it's still less than what I spent on my current 15" Macbook Pro). Hopefully it won't take a long time to ship!

Good choice! Enjoy!