Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

About to Pull the Trigger: 2010 AG 15" MBP or Mid 2011 Base 15" MBP?

MacsBestFriend

MacsBestFriend

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 6, 2008
574
0
upstate ny (purgatory)
Hey all, thanks again for the advice on my last thread. I'm about to buy the computer over at powermax.com, and I'm sort of stuck between two models.

My original plan was to get a 2 ghz i7 mid 2011 Macbook Pro, then put in a 128gb Samsung SSD where the superdrive is. In addition, I would get a Targus leather case and a drawing tablet. The final specs of the computer would be:

Mid 2011 Macbook Pro
2 Ghz Quad Core Second Gen Intel Core i7
4 Gb DDR3 Ram
500 Gb HDD
128 Gb SSD
AMD Radeon HD 6490M graphics processor with 256MB
15.4 Inch Glossy Widescreen Display
Facetime HD Camera
Ships with SL, Free upgrade to Lion (Or ships with Lion?)

However, if I look at the 2010 Macbook Pros on the website I could get a semi loaded computer. If I bought this one, I wouldn't get the ssd. I could still afford the case and possibly the tablet. The specs on this one would be:

Mid 2010 Macbook Pro
2.8 Ghz Dual Core First Gen Intel Core i7
4 Gb Ram
500 Gb HDD
Superdrive
Nvidia GeForce GT 330M with 512MB
15-inch Hi-Res Anti-Glare Widescreen Display
VGA Facetime Camera
Ships with SL, $30 Upgrade to Lion

And finally, I just checked the price on the NEW Late 2011 Macbook Pro. That would only run me $55 more than the Mid 2011 Model. I wouldn't be able to get the tablet, but I could still get the Targus case, the harddrive caddy, and the SSD. Specs:

Late 2011 Macbook Pro
2.2 Ghz Quad Core Second Gen Intel Core i7
4 Gb DDR3 RAM
500 Gb HDD
128 Gb Samsung SSD
AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR5
15 inch Glossy Display
Facetime HD Camera
Pre-installed with OSX Lion

I need the computer for multiple programs from the CS5 suite, as well as dual booting into Win7 for some of the code writing I do in Computer Science. I also use the Autodesk Suite extensively, switching between Autocad and Inventor. Additionally, battery life is a concern for me as I'm a student and try to get though the day on a single charge.

The most important thing to me is resale value, as I plan on upgrading after the redesign next year or whenever thats going down.

Thanks for everyone's help, i'll be sure to let everyone know which Mac I ordered later tonight!
 
The last one is the best. It's video card is actually good, unlike the other two. It's worth the extra $55.
 
Between the first two I woulda said the 2010, however once you throw in the third loaded 2011 I would have to pick that one. Especially cause of your desire of resale value.
 
Thanks for all of your input, everyone! I did in fact go with the late 2011 model, and was able to get a targus leather sleeve and case, the drawing tablet, and an ssd and harddrive caddy. I can't wait to get this monster, looking forward to a lot of productivity here!

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough money left over to get an enclosure for the superdrive. But I found a really awesome one that lets you keep the functionality of a slot loading drive and the aluminum look of the macbook pro. Pretty good price too, in fact. I'll pass the link along here if anyone is interested:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RFOJT6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1UCLUF7KW7AYG

I also went with the Intel 320 SSD, if anyone is interested. I know a lot of people are deciding between that and the Samsung 470, but chose the intel hoping it would be more reliable and they supposedly include some garbage collection in the firmware (Not to mention it was slightly cheeper). I heard you should update it though, does anyone know how to go about that?
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
1. Late 2011 MBP.
2. 2010 MBP.
3. Early 2011 MBP.

Save up more and buy the Late 2011 MBP with AG screen. Else go for the 2010 MBP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back