Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Now that I'm working 90% in the office, I want a bigger screen laptop so I can have nice real estate even if I'm away from my external monitor. It just makes me more productive.
iAgree™!

I could've gotten the 15" rMBP because they have the same "resolution" of 1920x1200, but because of issues I've been reading (also witnessed and tried it in person), it discouraged me from getting one. Still waiting for the Haswell and Mavericks launch, hoping that it will erase all the current rMBP issues.
I doubt that.
 
If the 17" (which generation!?) supports Snow Leopard and/or Mavericks, then i would say a 17" (Sandy Bridge) is a good idea. I have two 17" MBPs. One Mid-2009 and one Early-2011. Video encoding via x264, Xcode, LLVM, some small games, Safari, Firefox, Photoshop, and much more-no problem. Here is a 4K video decoding test:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=17505776#post17505776

All things considered, I'd go Late 2011 only, as it will last you the longest time.
 
are the cpu's in that late 2011 17" with the boost technology too ? and if so what's the boost of i7 2.4 in that laptop ? if it has no boost is it a disadvantage over the other models ?
 
are the cpu's in that late 2011 17" with the boost technology too ? and if so what's the boost of i7 2.4 in that laptop ? if it has no boost is it a disadvantage over the other models ?

Here you go brother http://support.apple.com/kb/sp646

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.4-17-late-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

Boost started even before Sandy Bridge afaik.

Cheers,
Greg
 
Last edited:
are the cpu's in that late 2011 17" with the boost technology too?
Yes.

See also:
http://ark.intel.com/products/53474/
(2.4 GHz, Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.5 GHz)
and
http://ark.intel.com/products/53476/
(2.5 GHz, Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.6 GHz)

They support Turbo Boost 2.0, which means that the processor can increase the frequency for more than one core, if the processor has sufficient cooling. Turbo Boost 1.0 supports only one core.

Turbo Boost 2.0 (in this case 4 Ivy Bridge cores) real world examples:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=17239601#post17239601
and
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=17243603#post17243603
 
I personally would feel very limited by the rMBP. The amount of adapters I would have to buy would make me feel like I'm running a MacBook Air, not a pro $2K laptop. Not to mention this would raise the overall price of already ridiculously expensive computer(Not saying the rMBP isn't worth it, but some people on this forum seem to act like everyone on here has $2K lying around)

I've contemplated the rMBP several times, but just can't see myself with it right now. Of the people I know that do have rMBPs, they all complained of screen issues.

I would totally choose the 17in over the rMBP. Nowadays, the biggest bottleneck of modern computers is the HDD. CPUs have evolved minimally at best. Plop an Ssd in the 17in and you wouldn't notice the difference. Looking strictly at MBPs, it's only the previous gen.

There's also a difference between usable space vs resolution space. My ipad theoretcally has more screen real estate(higher resolution in the ipad) than my MBP or even a 27in iMac, but I have far more usable space on the Macs. Same thing on the rMBP, it may have 2880x1800, but its unusable at that resolution and 1920x1200 is barely on a 15in display. 1920x1200 on a 17in is amazing.
 
I personally would feel very limited by the rMBP. The amount of adapters I would have to buy would make me feel like I'm running a MacBook Air, not a pro $2K laptop. Not to mention this would raise the overall price of already ridiculously expensive computer(Not saying the rMBP isn't worth it, but some people on this forum seem to act like everyone on here has $2K lying around)

I am totally puzzled by this post. It simply does not make any sense. First of all, a refurb rMBP is SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER than an equivalent refurb 17" + DIY upgrades. Second, you need EXACTLY the same adapters for both, save for the ethernet one. The 17" does not have a card reader or USB3. Plus, the rMBP has a HDMI output, so it can be connected to many displays without any adapters at all.



----------

Rmbp - the issues how will that affect me dunno will that piss me off probably yes.

From my experience, most of the 'issues' are subjective. I never noticed any substantial lag (save for resize performance in some marginal apps) - all applications I use for my work perform flawlessly. So yeah, maybe you will find some issues, and maybe you won't.

Cmbp 15 - best choice so far can get max spec excluding hdd and ram plus british keyboard. And that will let me sell it for more or less same price id buy it for.

I would be careful with that. Given that the cMBP will probably be discontinued within the next few years, it is entirely possible that it will go down in price rapidly... or it might actually get more expensive.

I read that 6970 is probable better than 650. I dont play a lot but would like to enjoy it from time to time.

Yep, its a much better card. The 650m is still able to play games though. Note that rMBP is slightly better at gaming than the cMBP as its GPU is factory overclocked.
 
I am totally puzzled by this post. It simply does not make any sense. First of all, a refurb rMBP is SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER than an equivalent refurb 17" + DIY upgrades. Second, you need EXACTLY the same adapters for both, save for the ethernet one. The 17" does not have a card reader or USB3. Plus, the rMBP has a HDMI output, so it can be connected to many displays without any adapters at all.

I never used USB2.0 that much to miss 3.0 even more... though I see your point here and the fact that there's no card reader is bizzare...

From my experience, most of the 'issues' are subjective. I never noticed any substantial lag (save for resize performance in some marginal apps) - all applications I use for my work perform flawlessly. So yeah, maybe you will find some issues, and maybe you won't.
Are these issues occuring when using lower resolutions ? (which I didn't know you could run on rMBP) As people seem to be using the 1900x whatever.

I would be careful with that. Given that the cMBP will probably be discontinued within the next few years, it is entirely possible that it will go down in price rapidly... or it might actually get more expensive.
Generally speaking I want to get back to imac at some point and perhaps get a refurb 13" or even 15" but not right now. So I don't think I'd keep my laptop before apple care runs out.

Yep, its a much better card. The 650m is still able to play games though. Note that rMBP is slightly better at gaming than the cMBP as its GPU is factory overclocked.
Except the 17" has 6770m which Im not sure how compares to 650m.

This choosing is driving me CRAZZZZEEEY.... :D
 
Except the 17" has 6770m which Im not sure how compares to 650m.

Well, this one is easy. The 650m is at least 20% faster than the 6770m in benchmarks, and that's very conservatively speaking
 
Well, this one is easy. The 650m is at least 20% faster than the 6770m in benchmarks, and that's very conservatively speaking

In terms of playing WoW not sure if that will make such a big diff...
 
I am totally puzzled by this post. It simply does not make any sense. First of all, a refurb rMBP is SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER than an equivalent refurb 17" + DIY upgrades. Second, you need EXACTLY the same adapters for both, save for the ethernet one. The 17" does not have a card reader or USB3. Plus, the rMBP has a HDMI output, so it can be connected to many displays without any adapters at all.

The 17" carries a premium over the 15" - always has.

I, for one, happily pay that premium. Installed 16GB of DDR3-1600Mhz and a 250GB SSD, added a Thunderbolt external enclosure, and I'm *very* happy with the system.

I think that's why many don't understand the 17" - there is a level of work where the price is not the issue - the quality and capability is worth whatever price you pay. My BTO system was over $3k new - and worth every penny!
 
The 17" carries a premium over the 15" - always has.

...

I think that's why many don't understand the 17" - there is a level of work where the price is not the issue - the quality and capability is worth whatever price you pay. My BTO system was over $3k new - and worth every penny!

If you think that owning a bigger laptop increases your productivity - fair enough. I am still rather sceptical about it. Of course, it is a very subjective thing. Again, in my case, the 17" won't increase my productivity a bit, but it would clearly make my life more difficult due to its size/weight.
 
If you think that owning a bigger laptop increases your productivity - fair enough. I am still rather sceptical about it. Of course, it is a very subjective thing. Again, in my case, the 17" won't increase my productivity a bit, but it would clearly make my life more difficult due to its size/weight.

Absolutely! There are those that do not require the extra real estate - it's just those of us that DO need it are kind of up a creek.
 
Absolutely! There are those that do not require the extra real estate - it's just those of us that DO need it are kind of up a creek.

Just a clarification: the rMBP offers the same real screen estate (actually more if your app is smart enough to take full advantage of the resolution). As in - you can fit the same amount of things with the same (or better) detail on the rMBP screen than on the 17" screen. What you are talking about is visibility/perceptibility (don't really know how to call this thing actually). At 1920x1200 resolution, the 12pt text looks like typographic 9-10pt. Is it to small? I don't know.
 
Got the 17" for just around 1700$ with 16gb 1600 memory and speck case plus the card reader that goes into the xpress slot. So I guess not to bad deal afer all. Given that next year me and wife are going to US to visit friends.

I have warranty till the end of October but now I'm after applecare plan - anyone knows of some good deals on that - can be from the US shop.

And what SSD should I put in it ? 120 or 240 GB ?

Cheerio.
 
+100 everyone

I really love our 17" MBP community here lately, there is some fine solidarity happening and great discussions.

Thank you.

*Happiest FanGURL ever.*
 
I was gonna recommend the Retina, but I see the OP made his choice already.

Oh well.
 
OS installed on my old little drive. On Wednesday however - behold:

Samsung 256GB SSD
and 1TB WD Blue in caddy as storage... Fly baby fly !

Would you say its worth spending that bit extra on applecare ?
 
OS installed on my old little drive. On Wednesday however - behold:

Samsung 256GB SSD
and 1TB WD Blue in caddy as storage... Fly baby fly !

Would you say its worth spending that bit extra on applecare ?

Absolutely!

My experience:


----------

Just a clarification: the rMBP offers the same real screen estate (actually more if your app is smart enough to take full advantage of the resolution). As in - you can fit the same amount of things with the same (or better) detail on the rMBP screen than on the 17" screen. What you are talking about is visibility/perceptibility (don't really know how to call this thing actually). At 1920x1200 resolution, the 12pt text looks like typographic 9-10pt. Is it to small? I don't know.

It is - for me. From the 2' or so I sit back from the MBP while working, it's too damn hard to see anything without that extra couple of inches of screen.

A 17" 1920x1200 will always be easier than a 15" 'effective' 1920x1200.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.