2012 MBP 15" or 2013 rMBP 13" or 2013 MBA 13"

[kukag]

With some thorough searching and a little haggling I can get any of the models below for about $1,000.

2012 MBP 15" 2.3GHz i7 - 4GB - 500GB HDD. (But upgradeable.)

or

2012/2013 rMBP 13" X.XGHz i5 - 4GB - 128Gb SSD.

or

2013 MBA 13" 1.3GHz i5 - 4GB - 256Gb SSD.

I wanted to hear opinions on what you would get if you had to make a decision. If I get the 2012, I'll definitely be upgrading to 16gb RAM and a SSD later on but for now my budget is about $1000. I am developer with occasional photoshop time, so I'm thinking for me I'd probably like the 15" more even though it's not retina but for the extra screen real estate, and of course being able to get in at $1,000 and upgrade later, which won't be an option with the 13". Anyway please let me know what you'd do and why, I would greatly appreciate the feedback!

Best,
George

 

[august49]

Happy with 2012 15" cMBP

I bought a refurb non retina 2012 cMBP earlier this year, upgraded it to 16GB and a 512 SSD. Runs like a bat out of @#$$. Price was right and I don't have any of those "issues" with the retina screen. I have a iPad3 with retina and don't see much difference between the screens.

I like the upgradability (it was easy) and Photoshop runs outstanding.

Go for the 15. You won't be sorry, and of course you can upgrade it later.

 

[kukag]

I bought a refurb non retina 2012 cMBP earlier this year, upgraded it to 16GB and a 512 SSD. Runs like a bat out of @#$$. Price was right and I don't have any of those "issues" with the retina screen. I have a iPad3 with retina and don't see much difference between the screens.

I like the upgradability (it was easy) and Photoshop runs outstanding.

Go for the 15. You won't be sorry, and of course you can upgrade it later.

A perfect answer, looks like I'll be grabbing the 2012 15" classic. Thanks for sharing, mind also sharing what ram and SSD you used? I think I'll use the 840 Evo its about $350 for 500gb and it has 500mbps read/writes.

Thanks again!

 

[august49]

I installed Crucial DDR3 1600 memory and a Samsung 840 EVO SSD. Got'em both from Newegg on special. Run the Crucial memory analyzer if you want to make sure.

EVO SSD is a bit cheaper than the Pro but performs just as well. Make sure you download the trim enabler to manage the SSD space. Check the SSD forum for the right one and for more information. It helped me alot.

I splurged and got 16GB memory and a 512 SSD.

Like big screen tv's, get a larger SSD than you think you need now.