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Hello! I really need help deciding between two similarly spec'd used MacBook Pros.
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Yeah, it's fairly annoying, the whole RAM deal.Great catch
I was unaware of that. Well, I do know it's that way for the RAM.
But honestly only OWC so far (and probably ever) offers a replacement aside apple.
I'm almost 100% certain the next 13" retina iteration will have a slim-profile HDD installed, with proprietary connector nonetheless.
Great catch
I was unaware of that. Well, I do know it's that way for the RAM.
My understanding is that you can replace the SSD in a rMBP, but you have to utilize some sort of a OWC workaround propriety drive. In my opinion, that doesn't really constitute as being user replaceable. If you can't pick up any of the standard SSD drives off of Amazon and put them in, it isn't user replaceable (in my humble opinion of course
).With that said, do you think I would do alright with the 2nd setup originally mentioned that comes with the 7200rpm drive? I'm coming from a windows laptop that has an SSD + 7200rpm so I am used to the SSD speed. Am I going to hate a Macbook with 7200rpm? Or will it not be *that bad*? I like your idea of getting a 2012 MBP but from what I'm seeing I will be spending closer to $2000 to get what I want which is about $500 over my budget..
For now, yeah (although I hate to say it, but there's still a big difference between the Nvidia and AMD GPUs). It really depends on how long you expect your computer to be running at top notch standards, too. A 2012 model will most likely last you much longer.
Have you thought of the possibility of selling your Apple monitor, buying a cheaper one, and using that money to upgrade to a 2012 model? I'm probably a bit biased because I ordered a 2012 model, but I'm sure another member can also vouch for the difference between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, the Nvidia vs the AMD, etc.
Also, I've never used a SSD, so I really don't know what I'm missing. But I can tell you I've never had performance issues with any of my normal HDDs.
And like I said, SSDs will only get cheaper in time. Upgrading down the road is always there as a possibility.
I still don't get it: why would you even consider the second setup if you can get a first setup with a much faster SSD for the same price? This is really a no-brainer. As I previously said, there is no difference CPU-wise and the GPU difference between the two is only marginal and likely not of any interest to a non-gamer anyway.
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It makes sense now ^^ Believe me, once you try an SSD, you won't be able to work with a HDD again. SSD means instant response. There is simply no delay. Stuff happens as you click it. This is a HUGE usability improvement.
Would I be affected by the gpu in 3d applications such as cinema 4d or 3dsmax? What about aftere effects and Final Cut Pro? I still might go buy that one, but I am on the lookout for a used 2012 model that has decent specs for a good deal. So is the consensus that the new 2012 gpu at 512mb would outperform a 6750m at 1gb? Just making sure. Thanks a lot for all of your help, it's greatly appreciated. If you guys are ever in town you're more that welcome to come by for a beer
Would I be affected by the gpu in 3d applications such as cinema 4d or 3dsmax? What about aftere effects and Final Cut Pro? I still might go buy that one, but I am on the lookout for a used 2012 model that has decent specs for a good deal. So is the consensus that the new 2012 gpu at 512mb would outperform a 6750m at 1gb? Just making sure. Thanks a lot for all of your help, it's greatly appreciated. If you guys are ever in town you're more that welcome to come by for a beer
The GPU would most definitely play a role in 3D applications. It will also play a role in video editing.
Also, the Nvidia 2012 GPU will outperform the 6750M, even though it has 1GB. However, you can get the Nvidia one with 1GB VRAM, too.
Benchmark tests for the AMD card: Here.
Benchmark tests for the Nvidia card: Here.
As you can see, the Nvidia is *MUCH* better.
The only difference you are likely to notice between the two is the SSD, the CPUs, GPUs, and RAM differences are so small as to be insignificant (unless you are running multiple VMs - RAM - or the latest games at high settings - GPU). The CPU differences are absolutely insignificant.
IMO both are overpriced by $250 or so, but the Early 2011 is less so because of the SSD (which now costs about $300-$350).
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IMO both are overpriced by $250 or so, but the Early 2011 is less so because of the SSD (which now costs about $300-$350).
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Go with the SSD one. 512 GB SSD is huge and would run you a lot of money to buy another one to put in the MBP without it.
I don't see any reason not to get that one
I don't see any reason not to get that one
If you need PowerPC/Rosetta support then go for the Early 2011. Also what's the resolution of the Late model? The Early is 1680x1050 but the Late may only be 1440x900.
You really think so? Man, I would gladly pay $1250 for one of these machines, but I haven't seen any for sale for the past 2 weeks that I have been looking that have fallen in to that price range. I've literally missed work because I've spent such an exorbitant amount of time scouring eBay and my local Craigslist looking for my new laptop. $1500 seems to be about what people are paying for MBP's like this, however I do see the point that if I spend about $400 more I might be able to get a 2012 model. Even still the 2012 models im seeing at that price aren't incredibly impressive spec-wise. I agree with your price opinion but I am just not seeing any for sale, and people on eBay are paying more for these things which IMO is artificially driving the prices up.
I did buy a used Cinema display. Well, refurb from Apple. $829 + tax. I can't find a 2012 model Macbook for a very good deal (but I am looking). The cheapest refurb 2012 model is $1869 + tax and has a slow hard drive and only 8gb of ram. So I'd have to tack on a bunch of money right off the bat (I wouldnt buy upgrades from Apple). All that I've seen on Craigslist or eBay have 5400rpm drives and I don't want to spend the money upgrading immediately if I'd be spending $1700 on the computer. And I dont think I could live with a 5400rpm. But I guess these are my issues; It would probably be smarter to buy one of these machines for the long run -- I should probably just fork out the cash.
To be honest difference between 7200 and 5400 isn't all you should be looking at...
I just removed a 7200RPM drive from my girlfriends computer which gets around 60mb/s on black magic disk speed tester.
I replaced it with a 5400RPM Scorpio Blue and it scores 90mb/s on the same test.
the 1TB incarnation of Scorpio Blue outperforms even some 7200rpm drives.
It very much depends on the drive.
SSDs can also range from 250mb/s up to 550mb/s. Some only have read rated at 550mb/s and write at 250mb/s. some both.
I just removed a 7200RPM drive from my girlfriends computer which gets around 60mb/s on black magic disk speed tester.
I replaced it with a 5400RPM Scorpio Blue and it scores 90mb/s on the same test.
the 1TB incarnation of Scorpio Blue outperforms even some 7200rpm drives.
It very much depends on the drive.
SSDs can also range from 250mb/s up to 550mb/s. Some only have read rated at 550mb/s and write at 250mb/s. some both.
Good point.. Im just coming from an SSD so I dont really know how id feel about a 5400rpm 2012 model. That said, I am ready to buy one if it's a decent deal and upgrade it later. I actually found a 2012 2.6ghz with 16gb of RAM and 1gb 650m card for a really good deal, but because its been dropped and has some serious damage at the front left corner. The price I could get this for is about the same as a 2011 model. The dent scares me... so the search continues I suppose.
the dent is annoying as it gets... move on. Can't you stretch your budget a little? 2012 mbps seem significantly better.
830$ is ****ing alot for a screen
I still don't have a single apple display. Honestly I only have one 22" display. I'm cheap.
There is a used 24" cinema going for 500euros I'm throwing my eyes on. But the truth is I could get a 24" dell UltraSharp for half that, or 27" UltraSharp for about the same money... Kinda seems silly to shell out on an old display 24" just because its apple.
the dent is annoying as it gets... move on. Can't you stretch your budget a little? 2012 mbps seem significantly better.
830$ is ****ing alot for a screen
I still don't have a single apple display. Honestly I only have one 22" display. I'm cheap.
There is a used 24" cinema going for 500euros I'm throwing my eyes on. But the truth is I could get a 24" dell UltraSharp for half that, or 27" UltraSharp for about the same money... Kinda seems silly to shell out on an old display 24" just because its apple.
I had a Dell u2412m that I sold yesterday-- I wasn't a fan of it compared to Apple monitors. I'm a web designer so I like the screen real estate and enjoy the Apple displays for my work. The Apple display I bought actually isn't a Cinema, it's the new 27" Thunderbolt display. I'm going to spend $1,700 maybe fudge it a little bit.. Looking for the best deal. I still might buy a 2011 model and up it to 16gb of ram and throw in an SSD. We'll see
Yeah, I'd like one too... But they're so damned expensive, and I just shelled out for a fully-blown rMBP (except SSD), just don't know how to justify paying the same cash for 24" over a 27".
It annoys me a lot that I can't set brightness via keyboard on other displays, it's a real nuisance... The brightness controls on those monitors suck to start with.
I highly recommend going for the 2012 model if you can wait a little though. Or the 2nd one and another SSD down the line, keeping the HDD for cheap storage.
I ended up getting this 2012 model. Not the best deal in the world, but I've reviewed all of the sold listings on eBay and these go anywhere between 1550 and 1750. Got mine for 1600 but I need to buy an 85w charger for 50 bucks. Nice that it has the AppleCare until 2015, sucks that it only has the 5400rpm drive. Thanks for the help and advice everyone. I'm sure ill be more active around the forum.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...3416877&ssPageName=STRK:MERWX:ACTPNL:LNLK:ITM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...3416877&ssPageName=STRK:MERWX:ACTPNL:LNLK:ITM
eBay prices for these things are definitely a little rich compared to what I've seen on CL, but what you see on CL depends on your area. I live in a major university center with 3 huge universities within 30 minutes and several smaller ones, as well as a tech industry. You may wish to expand your CL search a little if you can. Just for reference, I paid $900 for an early 2011 with slightly lower spec (on the dGPU) & a retail copy of Win 7, then upgraded. Works great with the ATD, even with my more limited dGPU.
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I'm jealous... In my area sellers ask $1500 for early 2011 models and get offended when you offer them less