Last request for shopping help...

[147798]

Need to update my 2009 MBP

Looking at an

• Apple refurb 13" mid-2012 MBP 2.9 i7. Basic apple warranty.

vs

• Reputable used dealer 15" mid-2011 MBP 2.4 i7. 90 day warranty
• (same dealer also has a 15" rMBP 2012 2.3 i7)

The 15" has better performance specs (I do a lot of photo editing).

My questions --

the refurb Apple 13" will have a smaller screen and lower specs but will likely be a newer machine (older design, but newer, more recently manufactured components with less use). I'd prefer the 15" screen, but this is an older machine with more use.​

Any known issues with the 15" MBP? Would you take the older machine with the bigger screen (I also do spreadsheets, so 15" would be nice) and faster specs, or err on the side of safety with the newer but smaller one?​

I'd like to get 3-4 years out this laptop.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

don't get the 2011 it has a known dgpu issue and will almost certainly fail.

Either of the 2012 is a good buy but for best photo editing you'll want the quad core in the 15 inch.

 

[ncm34]

Need to update my 2009 MBP

Looking at an

• Apple refurb 13" mid-2012 MBP 2.9 i7. Basic apple warranty.

vs

• Reputable used dealer 15" mid-2011 MBP 2.4 i7. 90 day warranty
• (same dealer also has a 15" rMBP 2012 2.3 i7)

The 15" has better performance specs (I do a lot of photo editing).

My questions --

the refurb Apple 13" will have a smaller screen and lower specs but will likely be a newer machine (older design, but newer, more recently manufactured components with less use). I'd prefer the 15" screen, but this is an older machine with more use.​

Any known issues with the 15" MBP? Would you take the older machine with the bigger screen (I also do spreadsheets, so 15" would be nice) and faster specs, or err on the side of safety with the newer but smaller one?​

I'd like to get 3-4 years out this laptop.

2011 15" - dedicated GPU failure. I'd steer clear.
2012 15" - some models have screen burn-in, hard to gauge until after you buy it and see for yourself.

What is your budget?

 

[MacInTO]

Get the Apple refurb 13" mid-2012 MBP 2.9 i7. It's a good machine and will work for what you want.

The 2011 is not a good choice as the others have stated have GPU failure issues also know as Radeongate.

For photo editing, I personally think images on the 13" screen at 1280x800 looks better than a 15" screen at 1440x900. If you want a larger screen, look for a high res 15" screen (1680x1050) or get a retina Mac.

 

[hallux]

2012 15" - some models have screen burn-in, hard to gauge until after you buy it and see for yourself.

Wasn't that only on the retina models? The non-retina 15" was still available in 2012 and didn't/doesn't have the burn-in issues of the retina or the dGPU issues of the 2011.

 

[nStyle]

Looks like there's about a $200 price difference between a 2011 and 2012 15", so I'm not sure why you wouldn't just go ahead and get the 2012 for the much better screen and SSD.

 

[MacInTO]

Wasn't that only on the retina models? The non-retina 15" was still available in 2012 and didn't/doesn't have the burn-in issues of the retina or the dGPU issues of the 2011.

I had a 15" 2012 retina and it had screen burn in. I got the screen replaced and it didn't happen again on the replacement.

If you go for a 2012 retina, you need to look out for this.

 

[hallux]

Looks like there's about a $200 price difference between a 2011 and 2012 15", so I'm not sure why you wouldn't just go ahead and get the 2012 for the much better screen and SSD.

Are you talking about the Retina? People need to remember that in 2012 there was Retina and non-Retina 15" MBP's. IMO, only a $200 increase for a 2012 Retina MBP over a 2011 is either a pretty good deal on the 2012 or overpriced on the 2011. I could see a $200 higher price on a non-Retina.

 

[nStyle]

Are you talking about the Retina? People need to remember that in 2012 there was Retina and non-Retina 15" MBP's. IMO, only a $200 increase for a 2012 Retina MBP over a 2011 is either a pretty good deal on the 2012 or overpriced on the 2011. I could see a $200 higher price on a non-Retina.

Ah, I wasn't aware there was still a non-retina in 2012. But yes, I meant the retina version.

Highly anecdotal, but my 15" 2012 rMBP was amazing. Even though I prefer the size of my 13", I still regret getting rid of it.

I'd still look for a rMBP though since it's not much more and if the screen is still good now then it should continue to be. For someone that edits photos frequently, it's well worth it.

 

[hallux]

Ah, I wasn't aware there was still a non-retina in 2012. But yes, I meant the retina version.

Yup, look at my signature

After feeling the size and weight of the Retina, I sometimes regret not getting that one. Then I remember that I upgraded the RAM and drive myself at a significant cost savings compared to what Apple wanted to do the same upgrades at the time of purchase and my wallet thanks me.