2012 13" uMBP i7 2.9 worth it for $1140?

[dmk1974]

I have a 2012 11" MBA 128 GB model at the moment, but saw online that my local Best Buy has an open box of the 2012 13" uMBP i7 2.9 for sale. With a RZ coupon I have and then plus tax, it will come out to $1140 out the door.

I know this model is only a dual-core i7, but with that extra speed and 8 GB RAM, I would plan to pop in a 128 GB Samsung 830 SSD that is currently on the shelf (had paid $70 for).

Since I very very rarely leave the house with my MacBoook, and considering the price of it, think this is worth picking up? Thanks!

 

[yusukeaoki]

Depends on what you do.
If you just surf the web and watch videos, that would be just a waste of money.
If you use heavy apps and do many video and photo editing, play heavy games, then get it.

If you dont do anything "intensive" Id rather buy the 27in TBD for you 11in Air.

 

[Xgm541]

You have an 11 inch MBA. Going to the 13 inch MBP makes no sense to me because typically users go for portability on one end, and power on the other (imac, 15 inch mbp, etc). You'd be making a small bump in power vs slight decrease in portability. This product will not make your life any easier, IMO.

 

[dmk1974]

My reason to consider this 13" uMBP is for more power and ease of upgrading RAM and to SSD. I would plan to sell my 11" MBA for probably about $850-$880.

The laptop will be used in the house 99% of the time (couch, kitchen table, bed, desk). When at my desk however, I will connect it to my 24" monitor and use a keyboard and trackpad while the laptop is in clamshell mode.

Primary app usage will be web browsing, email, MS office apps, light photo and video editing, very little gaming, and some CAD work. But to be honest, mostly web and office apps.

I also have a home server PC that holds all of our music, photos, and videos.

 

[yusukeaoki]

My reason to consider this 13" uMBP is for more power and ease of upgrading RAM and to SSD. I would plan to sell my 11" MBA for probably about $850-$880.

The laptop will be used in the house 99% of the time (couch, kitchen table, bed, desk). When at my desk however, I will connect it to my 24" monitor and use a keyboard and trackpad while the laptop is in clamshell mode.

Primary app usage will be web browsing, email, MS office apps, light photo and video editing, very little gaming, and some CAD work. But to be honest, mostly web and office apps.

I also have a home server PC that holds all of our music, photos, and videos.

Tbh, for what you do, MBA is enough.
But I do agree on the ease of changing parts.
MBA SSDs are expensive and RAM arent even upgradable.
I do feel like MBP is a bit over kill, but if you believe you need the power, go for it.

 

[dmk1974]

Thanks for the feedback. I also saw they have a base 13" uMBP with the i5 2.5 processor as an open box which would cost me a net of $925.

Is an i7 2.9 worth an extra $215 over an i5 2.5? I know the geekbench scores show about a 15% increase in speed, but I wonder if it's even noticeable for my usage.

 

[KPOM]

Thanks for the feedback. I also saw they have a base 13" uMBP with the i5 2.5 processor as an open box which would cost me a net of $925.

Is an i7 2.9 worth an extra $215 over an i5 2.5? I know the geekbench scores show about a 15% increase in speed, but I wonder if it's even noticeable for my usage.

For comparison, the 2.5GHz i5 in the base MBP is comparable to the 2.0GHz i7 that is available in the upgraded Air. The 2.9GHz i7 is a similar step up from the 2.5GHz. My guess is that it won't be that noticeable.

Individually, you'll notice a small difference between what you have and the 2.5GHz MBP, and a small difference between the 2.5GHz MBP and 2.9GHz MBP. Comparing the MBA to the upper end MBP might be a little more noticeable, but also pricier.

If the Air is suiting your needs right now, I'd stick with that. If you want to upgrade, I'd probably go with the base MBP that you saw for $925. Apple is selling the base 2012 Air for $849 in the refurb store right now, so the max that you'll get for yours is probably around $750. $175 isn't that bad for the extras you get with the base MBP. I'm not sure you'd notice $390 difference between the base Air and the 2.9GHz MBP.

 

[dmk1974]

For comparison, the 2.5GHz i5 in the base MBP is comparable to the 2.0GHz i7 that is available in the upgraded Air. The 2.9GHz i7 is a similar step up from the 2.5GHz. My guess is that it won't be that noticeable.

Individually, you'll notice a small difference between what you have and the 2.5GHz MBP, and a small difference between the 2.5GHz MBP and 2.9GHz MBP. Comparing the MBA to the upper end MBP might be a little more noticeable, but also pricier.

If the Air is suiting your needs right now, I'd stick with that. If you want to upgrade, I'd probably go with the base MBP that you saw for $925. Apple is selling the base 2012 Air for $849 in the refurb store right now, so the max that you'll get for yours is probably around $750. $175 isn't that bad for the extras you get with the base MBP. I'm not sure you'd notice $390 difference between the base Air and the 2.9GHz MBP.

The 11" MBA that I have is the 128 GB which sells for $929 in the refurb store. I figure I should be able to get $850-$880 on craigslist since brand new it's $1100 from Apple.

But looking at the refurb site, the i7 11" MBA for $1049 is also a consideration. Too bad it only comes with 4 GB RAM though.

 

[KPOM]

The 11" MBA that I have is the 128 GB which sells for $929 in the refurb store. I figure I should be able to get $850-$880 on craigslist since brand new it's $1100 from Apple.

But looking at the refurb site, the i7 11" MBA for $1049 is also a consideration. Too bad it only comes with 4 GB RAM though.

I misread and though you had the 64GB version. Anyway, I had the i7 2012 (the one that's $1399 in the refurb store). That's the one I replaced with the 13" rMBP after I lost it. If I hadn't gone with the 13" rMBP I might have replaced the i7 Air with the i5 Air.

 

[dmk1974]

I misread and though you had the 64GB version. Anyway, I had the i7 2012 (the one that's $1399 in the refurb store). That's the one I replaced with the 13" rMBP after I lost it. If I hadn't gone with the 13" rMBP I might have replaced the i7 Air with the i5 Air.

My signature is correct, but my original post I made the error stating it was the base 11" MBA. I just corrected it a little while ago.

 

[dmk1974]

Well, thanks to also the Best Buy 10% open box coupon that started today, I nabbed that base level i5 2.5 13" uMBP today for $825 out the door. Will be popping in one if my SSD drives shortly.

Just trying to decide...128 GB Samsung 830 or 256 GB Crucial M4?