Buying a base 13" cMBP and upgrading - How much? It is worth it?

[iMacBoy]

Hi, I have been considering the rMBP (base 13") MBA (13") or the base 13" cMBP and then upgrading it with a SSD and moving the standard 500GB HDD to the ODD which is a nice option. This obviously means no retina display and heavier laptop etc... If I bought a refurbished 2012 cMBP from Apples refurb store when they have them in (they were on the UK one yesterday for £849) how much would it total out at for a nice SSD and say 8GB RAM etc

Or is it just the same and less hassle to perhaps go for the refurb retina (£1059)

It's such a hard decision!!! I would go with the base MBA but I would like 8GB of RAM, but there's none of that spec In the refurb.

Is there an alternative to MacMall but UK based?

Thanks

 

[technowar]

I can't say anything but thanks for introducing me to MacMall.

 

[MattSepeta]

Hi, I have been considering the rMBP (base 13") MBA (13") or the base 13" cMBP and then upgrading it with a SSD and moving the standard 500GB HDD to the ODD which is a nice option. This obviously means no retina display and heavier laptop etc... If I bought a refurbished 2012 cMBP from Apples refurb store when they have them in (they were on the UK one yesterday for £849) how much would it total out at for a nice SSD and say 8GB RAM etc

Or is it just the same and less hassle to perhaps go for the refurb retina (£1059)

It's such a hard decision!!! I would go with the base MBA but I would like 8GB of RAM, but there's none of that spec In the refurb.

Is there an alternative to MacMall but UK based?

Thanks

I was going to get the refurbished 13" RMBP but ended up finding a great deal on a used 13" 2011 cMBP 2.4ghz for $500. I maxed out the ram myself, added a 500GB Samsung 840, opti drive to a 750GB HDD. Cost my like $800, and the thing is awesome.

I just cant imagine not being able to add my own ram or my own industry standard drives. The "added weight" is hardly noticeable.

 

[mslide]

It's worth it if you really want the ability to use 2, standard sized drives, 16GB RAM, and have the extra ports. That's why I purchased a 13" cMBP last year instead of an air or retina. The extra weight is hardly noticeable.

 

[gnasher729]

Hi, I have been considering the rMBP (base 13") MBA (13") or the base 13" cMBP and then upgrading it with a SSD and moving the standard 500GB HDD to the ODD which is a nice option. This obviously means no retina display and heavier laptop etc... If I bought a refurbished 2012 cMBP from Apples refurb store when they have them in (they were on the UK one yesterday for £849) how much would it total out at for a nice SSD and say 8GB RAM etc.

Memory: www.crucial.com/uk
SSD: www.dabs.com

Probably plenty of other companies as well, but I've been quite happy with these.

But the real question is: Do you need / want more disk space than the rMBP gives you? If yes, you have no choice but _must_ buy the cMBP (2 TB is possible if you need it). If no, I would say that the rMBP is the better value with the better screen and much less weight.

 

[fortysomegeek]

The cMBP is a good deal. In fact, it is a great machine except for the screen.
I've gone through three of them already.

I got the late June 2012 with USB 3.0 and I also have a 2013 15" Retina Macbook Pro. If the screen was any better, I wouldn't even get the 15" Retina.

1280x800 is pretty low for the year 2013. I love the fact it could be upgradeable. Mine had 16GB for $80. I also have a 512GB ssd and a 1TB 7200 rpm drive in the cdrom bay. Upgraded, everything was by far less than what you can get with a Retina 13"

 

[crispytreat]

The cMBP is a good deal. In fact, it is a great machine except for the screen.
I've gone through three of them already.

I got the late June 2012 with USB 3.0 and I also have a 2013 15" Retina Macbook Pro. If the screen was any better, I wouldn't even get the 15" Retina.

1280x800 is pretty low for the year 2013. I love the fact it could be upgradeable. Mine had 16GB for $80. I also have a 512GB ssd and a 1TB 7200 rpm drive in the cdrom bay. Upgraded, everything was by far less than what you can get with a Retina 13"

I have the exact same machines. I loved my 13 but the screen was very lacking. I picked up the 15 rmbp and I am even happier.