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MacBook 15" Retina - 2012 v 2013 model

K

kultschar

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 26, 2010
817
94
For approx the same price ive found the following

2013 2.7Ghz 16GB RAM 15" Retina 512GB SSD

or

2012 2.7Ghz 16GB RAM 15" Retina 768GB SSD (80 dollars more)

As you can see only SSD specs are different however are 2013 version improved somewhat and a safer bet (screen etc)
 
i THINK 2013 models have better cooling. but if the 2012 model is a Samsung screen, either choice is fine.
 
it doesn't matter, I guess.
I just got 2012 rmbp 15" version.
I works like a charm!! No temperature problem, no IR problem even I got SJA1 screen,
 
I think the 2012 is 2.6GHz. But I say go with the 2012. Essentially the same price for a significant boost in SSD storage. cant beat that. I have the 1st gen LG screen and havent had the issue, (though Im staying under applecare just in case). Just make sure the 2012 is still under warranty
 
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There was a 2.7Ghz option in the 2012 models, it's the high end build-to-order CPU with the extra cache.

Are they both new in box? Are you buying from a reseller or via ebay etc?

If you are getting the 2012 model new or refurbished with a 1 year Apple warranty then that's probably the best deal. In that case if you do have any problems such as image retention then you can just take it to Apple.
 
The 2012 2.7Ghz is actually a better cpu as it has an additional 2MB of cache.
 
kultschar said:
They are both new sealed in boxes, however reading the small print maybe the 2012 is not a good idea due to his info on warranty

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Apple-M...36240323?pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item3cd2e4afc3
Click to expand...

I would stay away from that given that there is no Apple warranty. That's a red flag to me.

Have you checked out MacMall? They have some pretty good prices on 2012 models and they are an authorized reseller so you get a real Apple warranty:

http://www.macmall.com/n/Macbook-Pro-Retina-Display/macNavLinks-753
 
lagisibuk said:
agree with this, i got 15" 2012 retina too
Click to expand...

The 2012 seems to be a better deal for 2 main reasons: bigger SSD (upgrade from 512 to 768GB was like $400 at purchase) and faster cache (the 2.7 model for 2012 has a 8mb of L3 cache, versus the 2013 model, which is 6mb cache). In regards to the 6 month non-Apple Warranty, if you buy through a credit card like American Express they would double the warranty for free, so you would get 1 full year. You may also buy a third party warranty if want better warranty coverage.

So, for a $80 difference I would go for the 2012 model for sure.
 
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I'd go for the 2013 model. Sure the HD is a bit smaller but the resale will be much more and it won't be phased out as quick so will last you longer.
 
My preference is always for second gen hardware. They just seem to iron out more bugs after a year in the field.

That's not an exact science, that's for my piece of mind.
 
my only question is the 6 months warranty. Seller says they will handle it at apple authorized service but wouldn't that put the seller in a loss if at any point in time the logic board or ssd may fail?
 
dazlicous said:
I always thought the 2012 were 2.3, 2.6 etc and the Feb 2013 got the 100mhz speed bump
Click to expand...

It's been addressed, the 2.7 was CTO in 2012...has the faster, larger 8MB cache ala this year's 2.8GHz proc.

pancakedrawer said:
I'd go for the 2013 model. Sure the HD is a bit smaller but the resale will be much more and it won't be phased out as quick so will last you longer.
Click to expand...

They're the same computer. Identical...there aren't any changes other than a supposed update to the LG monitor (still with possible IR issues). Neither will be phased out faster than the other...the 2012 has a faster, larger cache and 50% more storage. IT will hold IT'S value...and in all likelihood sell for more down the road. That said...these are laptops. Not investments. If you're going to use it...re-sale should be a ways down the list. That said...as I mentioned, the higher storage and fact they're identical computers...The 2012 model IF you use a credit card (for warranty purchases) and IF the seller will share the serial # with you for verification through Apple when the purchase was made....this may give you the option to add your own AppleCare. Buy through B&H or Amazon and save a C Note.

$80 for 250GB more SSD storage is a Sweet deal!

J
 
you can't wait to buy the haswell generation??..i really think is around the corner..1 month to wait or 2 at max
 
akdj said:
It's been addressed, the 2.7 was CTO in 2012...has the faster, larger 8MB cache ala this year's 2.8GHz proc.



They're the same computer. Identical...there aren't any changes other than a supposed update to the LG monitor (still with possible IR issues). Neither will be phased out faster than the other...the 2012 has a faster, larger cache and 50% more storage. IT will hold IT'S value...and in all likelihood sell for more down the road. That said...these are laptops. Not investments. If you're going to use it...re-sale should be a ways down the list. That said...as I mentioned, the higher storage and fact they're identical computers...The 2012 model IF you use a credit card (for warranty purchases) and IF the seller will share the serial # with you for verification through Apple when the purchase was made....this may give you the option to add your own AppleCare. Buy through B&H or Amazon and save a C Note.

$80 for 250GB more SSD storage is a Sweet deal!

J
Click to expand...

Exactly ! :) The resale value of the 2013 model will not necessarly be more than the 2012 model. Specs wise, the 2012 2.7 Ghz, which as said above was Built To Order (BTO), which the bigger Solid State Drive is the better deal. I also agree getting the serial number from the seller, which we can provide without opening the box (should be labeled outside) can provide some level of assurance by contatcing Apple to inquire its status.
 
Seriously tempted by the 2012 but the whole warranty thing smells fishy and they have smudged out the serial number etc on the box label pics.

They dont seem like a scam company however is there a chance these are nicked goods? I cant imagine Apple doing deals with no warranty etc
 
kultschar said:
Seriously tempted by the 2012 but the whole warranty thing smells fishy and they have smudged out the serial number etc on the box label pics.

They dont seem like a scam company however is there a chance these are nicked goods? I cant imagine Apple doing deals with no warranty etc
Click to expand...

Many people covers the serial number when they sell products on Ebay, so that does not necessarily means something is wrong. Ask them to tell you over e-mail the serial number of the machine they are offering or a picture of the box WITHOUT covering the e-mail, just say you won't buy unless they provide this and that they guarantee they will ship that exact unit so that you don't get any surprises.
 
fskywalker said:
Many people covers the serial number when they sell products on Ebay, so that does not necessarily means something is wrong. Ask them to tell you over e-mail the serial number of the machine they are offering or a picture of the box WITHOUT covering the e-mail, just say you won't buy unless they provide this and that they guarantee they will ship that exact unit so that you don't get any surprises.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I might just do that! Though still strange that no warranty by Apple AT ALL on a sealed box

I guess the extra 2MB cache is not going to make a major diff user wise?
 
kultschar said:
Yeah I think I might just do that! Though still strange that no warranty by Apple AT ALL on a sealed box

I guess the extra 2MB cache is not going to make a major diff user wise?
Click to expand...

I don't think the extra 2mb is very significant on regular use, what makes me suggest the 2.7 2012 rMBP is the extra 256GB of SSD space. Even if you don't think need 768GB of space, for extra $80 that is a no brainer to me!
 
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In the end I decided the whole warranty thing was too fishy and risky, I managed to contact a purchaser of one of these "special offer" 768GB SSD Retinas and he said it was totally legit (brand new in box) but when he ran the serial number thru the Apple website etc it came back as expired hence I presume its old unopened stock. He said he was happy with the machine but honestly deep down was concerned if something goes wrong.

I ended up getting a 512gb SSD version (in the end $200 cheaper) which I know is 100% legit if I have any hardware issues. Peace of mind was an important factor in the end. Though it would have been nice to have an extra couple hundred GBs etc this notebook is for Audio Production, hence I doubt I will fill up the SSD as my sample libraries and recordings will be on an external drive and I will keep this clean and snappy with just apps and email

Now all I have to do is wait for it to arrive!!!! :)
 
kultschar said:
In the end I decided the whole warranty thing was too fishy and risky, I managed to contact a purchaser of one of these "special offer" 768GB SSD Retinas and he said it was totally legit (brand new in box) but when he ran the serial number thru the Apple website etc it came back as expired hence I presume its old unopened stock. He said he was happy with the machine but honestly deep down was concerned if something goes wrong.

I ended up getting a 512gb SSD version (in the end $200 cheaper) which I know is 100% legit if I have any hardware issues. Peace of mind was an important factor in the end. Though it would have been nice to have an extra couple hundred GBs etc this notebook is for Audio Production, hence I doubt I will fill up the SSD as my sample libraries and recordings will be on an external drive and I will keep this clean and snappy with just apps and email

Now all I have to do is wait for it to arrive!!!! :)
Click to expand...


Good for you, hope everything turns out to be good! :D
 
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