help w/ new MBP Retina

[thievesarmy]

Looking for some advice on my next work laptop.

I currently have an early 2013 MBP Retina 15" that I got right when they came out. It was fully loaded w/ top of the line specs for the time, I think. 2.7 Ghz quad-core i7. I would have liked to get the 13" screen for a slightly smaller & lighter size convenience, but when I got it it was the only config they offered that had 16 GB of RAM and that was the most important factor for me.

Soon after they started offering 16 GB RAM on the 13" models and now I have the option to switch to the current model. Unfortunately I wouldn't be getting the top of the line one, it would be the middle config w/ 16GB of RAM and 2.7 Ghz dual-core i5. 256 GB flash memory and Intel iris 6100 graphics.

I had planned on upgrading but then I realized that the Transcend Jet Drive is not offered on this newer model, so I'd be stuck w/ the 256 of internal storage which seems kinda weak to me. I'm wondering if it's even worth it to get the 13" or if I should just stick with my old one. What do you guys think?

 

[kohlson]

Some of the features are form factors - big screens are nicer to look at. Others help you do work - more cores, memory, and GPU can accommodate more demanding work flows and apps. Hard to know what to recommend without know what you're using it for. Also, macsales (OWC) may be able to provide a larger SSD when you need it.

 

[thievesarmy]

Some of the features are form factors - big screens are nicer to look at. Others help you do work - more cores, memory, and GPU can accommodate more demanding work flows and apps. Hard to know what to recommend without know what you're using it for. Also, macsales (OWC) may be able to provide a larger SSD when you need it.

I don't really need the larger screen, in fact I'd prefer the smaller one. I do like that I can expand / swap out the memory on the 15" I have, and if I can do that with the 13" I would probably go with that one no question. I thought Transcend was the only company that did that though - I hadn't heard of macsales before. Really the most important thing for me is RAM but I guess I'm good there either way.

 

[CoastalOR]

OP: The new Retina MacBook Pros have the RAM soldered in, so there is no swap out for different RAM configurations later. You have to get the RAM you want/need at the time of laptop purchase.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

You don't say what you use the computer for, it is impossible to give you any advice without knowing what you need the machine for.