2012 15" RMBP -> 2017 12"MB

[J273]

Hi all,

Im currently using a 2012 RMBP which is fine but its getting old now and I really fancy a 12" MacBook for its portability. I originally had an 11" MacBook Air back in 2011 before the RMBP which I loved for its size.

My current machine specs are:

I mainly only use my machine for web browsing these days and listening to Spotify with a little photo editing.

My MBP I have docked to a dell 30" monitor which I run at its native 2560 x 1600 through DisplayPort. If I was to get the MacBook and a dock allowing me to connect it to the monitor would it be able to power the monitor at its native res? or do you think I would notice slow downs pushing that many pixels?

Also from my current spec MBP is the M3 / i5 MacBook a downgrade do you think?

Any advice would be great

Thanks

 

[Freyqq]

I think you should consider the Macbook Pro 13" without touch bar for your needs. It's still smaller than what you have now. The Macbook has a USB 3.1 gen 1 port, and I think the Apple adapter only supports HDMI with a max res of 1920x1200. So, that extra port on the MBP could run a mini-displayport adapter for your monitor.

 

[maerz001]

Sure the m CPU with 7.5w is a downgrade to a quad core 45w. But for ur task u wouldn't feel a difference as long as u do light photoshop

 

[sufs]

Like you, I went from an 2011 11" MBA to an 2012 15" rMBP. I exchanged that for the first gen 12" rMB two years ago, and am going to get a new 12" once the next update cycle hits. I could never go back to the 15" because the 12" combines the portability of the 11", with a retina screen and fanless design. The speed of my 2 year old 12" is ok, and is currently powering a 4k display just OK. I am however looking forward to speed improvements in the next generation.

 

[J273]

That's good to hear. My 11" MBA powered the 30" panel just fine.

Next question is the i5 worth it over the m3? I'm sure I've read there's very little in it and it's not worth it.

What Res is your 4k panel at?

 

[maerz001]

That's good to hear. My 11" MBA powered the 30" panel just fine.

Next question is the i5 worth it over the m3? I'm sure I've read there's very little in it and it's not worth it.

What Res is your 4k panel at?

Nope. Only if u need 512GB

The resolution of 4K is 4K

 

[sufs]

That's good to hear. My 11" MBA powered the 30" panel just fine.

Next question is the i5 worth it over the m3? I'm sure I've read there's very little in it and it's not worth it.

What Res is your 4k panel at?

Its "standard" 4k resolution. The monitor is the LG 27ud88, which enables me to connect just one cable and power the computer while driving the screen. Its a match made in heaven.

I would argue that the speed bump you get from any upgrade on any mac is generally NOT worth it, unless it really is. Granted, I don't do professional media production all day long like generation YouTube (which apparently is the only professional thing people can think of doing on a mac), but I do code quite a lot on it and run some pretty big Excel and Matlab models on it just fine.

 

[Kierikka]

Like you, I went from an 2011 11" MBA to an 2012 15" rMBP. I exchanged that for the first gen 12" rMB two years ago, and am going to get a new 12" once the next update cycle hits. I could never go back to the 15" because the 12" combines the portability of the 11", with a retina screen and fanless design. The speed of my 2 year old 12" is ok, and is currently powering a 4k display just OK. I am however looking forward to speed improvements in the next generation.

I have also gone the same way but from an MBA 13" 2011 to rMBP 15" 2012 and a rMB 12" 2015. I still have the 15" for video editing but will trade both the 12" and 15" when the next rMB come. For everything else I use the 12" and I love it. The size and the screen is just wonderful. It is so small that I can have it with me almost always and it is easy to hide in the car.
For my photo edits I use Pixelmator and since last night Pixelmator Pro that works great on the 12".

I can recommend the 12" for you. But try it at a store first, some feels that the computer is to small.
I do not have it connected to a screen, only use it as is so cant help you on that.

 

[magbarn]

I do not recommend the rMB 12 for external hookups for 4K resolution. When you do this, the USB is downgraded to USB 2.0 speeds as there isn't enough bandwidth on the USB C connector. It will work at 30hz while keeping USB 3.0 speeds, but the mouse pointer and screen movement will be choppy. Hopefully the 2018 model will either finally upgrade the single port to TB3 or a USB C port on each side. Suggest the non-TB rMBP 13 instead for just a little more coin and much possibilities due to the extra TB3 ports

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

I do not recommend the rMB 12 for external hookups for 4K resolution. When you do this, the USB is downgraded to USB 2.0 speeds as there isn't enough bandwidth on the USB C connector. It will work at 30hz while keeping USB 3.0 speeds, but the mouse pointer and screen movement will be choppy. Hopefully the 2018 model will either finally upgrade the single port to TB3 or a USB C port on each side. Suggest the non-TB rMBP 13 instead for just a little more coin and much possibilities due to the extra TB3 ports

NOt with he 2017 version. i have both the 2015 and 2017, 2017 pumps full 4k into the LG untrafine full speed without chop. 2017 rMB is a fantastic device and I adore it everyday. its a game changer if you travel a lot like I do. I hold it from plane to plane with 3 fingers and open it up instead of using my phone. this version is so nice i intend to use the 2017 for the next 5 years and in 5 years ill get another 12 inch

 

[magbarn]

NOt with he 2017 version. i have both the 2015 and 2017, 2017 pumps full 4k into the LG untrafine full speed without chop. 2017 rMB is a fantastic device and I adore it everyday. its a game changer if you travel a lot like I do. I hold it from plane to plane with 3 fingers and open it up instead of using my phone. this version is so nice i intend to use the 2017 for the next 5 years and in 5 years ill get another 12 inch

I’ve got the 2015 2016 and 2017 rMB’s on hand and none have been able to output 4K at 60hz while providing usb 3.0 speeds at the same time. What special usb C Hub are you using that allows this? I’d like to try it.

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

I’ve got the 2015 2016 and 2017 rMB’s on hand and none have been able to output 4K at 60hz while providing usb 3.0 speeds at the same time. What special usb C Hub are you using that allows this? I’d like to try it.

I'm using the LG untrafine 4k monitor which is actual 4k. I used to use an apple dongle to run a 34 inch untrawide 4k Dell via HDMI but that performance with the 2015 was not super smooth and the resolution was good but not excellent. The LG changed this when paired with the 2017 MacBook. I would say that the monitor is prettier than the MacBook screen. I do a lot of work stuff so im in love with sharp detailed letters and this kind of ugly LG monitor gives me what i like. Also it powers the MacBook with the single USB-c.