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MacBook Pro 13" 2.9GHz vs 2.6GHz retina?

T

twinsity

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 27, 2011
32
0
gonna grab a 13" macbook pro for on the run trying to keep it under 2000 any advice on what options I should roll with the 13" without retina I could get a 1tb hard drive the upgrades and stuff add up whats a good option???
probably use mostly for audio production Reason and Mpc studio basically ...
 
I personally think the i7 processor is worth it, though some will say it isn't. I have the retina 13", and I seem to have fewer lag problems, etc. than the people who have the i5.
 
twinsity said:
gonna grab a 13" macbook pro for on the run trying to keep it under 2000 any advice on what options I should roll with the 13" without retina I could get a 1tb hard drive the upgrades and stuff add up whats a good option???
probably use mostly for audio production Reason and Mpc studio basically ...
Click to expand...

macbook pro 13 with 2,9 is "dual core", but support HT
if you refer 2,6ghz for retina, it's mean 13" retina with "dual-core" and not support HT. CMIIW.

I'm vote for : 2,9 MBP

but why u dont get 15 retina with 2,4Ghz (but it's quad-core), u will find a significant performance for editing, rendering, production... and etc heavy load.
 
I got a older 17" I seen the 15" packed more of a punch but i really want a lightweight mobile sucker can you even get a 15 for under 2000
 
lagisibuk said:
macbook pro 13 with 2,9 is "dual core", but support HT
if you refer 2,6ghz for retina, it's mean 13" retina with "dual-core" and not support HT. CMIIW.

I'm vote for : 2,9 MBP

but why u dont get 15 retina with 2,4Ghz (but it's quad-core), u will find a significant performance for editing, rendering, production... and etc heavy load.
Click to expand...
The retina 2.6 supports Hyperthreading.
 
what if I get the retina and upgrade to 3.0ghz and i7.. how important is flash storage? if i do the upgrade and keep 256gb flash would this lil macbook pro get er done
 
If you've got $2k, the best buying will almost certainly be a rMBP upgraded to 512GB SSD. The only reasons to go a cMBP are: 1. if you generally use more than 8GB of RAM; 2. you need more than 512GB storage on the computer and you can't schlep an external HDD around; or 3. you use an optical drive a lot and need it built in.

SSDs make a huge difference to the speed of a computer and the rMBP's display is amazing.
 
I was thinking of going with the rmbp 13" with 512 flash storage and 3.0 i7
 
big difference if i keep the i5 2.6 and roll with 512 flash storage... is the i7 worth the upgrade ?
 
surroundfan said:
Unless you do lots of processor-intensive work, probably not.
Click to expand...

Not even then. If you are cpu bound on the i5, you will still probably be cpu bound on the i7. May as well jump to the 15". If refurbished 2012 variants are available, it's about the same price as the 13". The problem would be finding one of those with the 512.

B... said:
The retina 2.6 supports Hyperthreading.
Click to expand...

That statement is technically correct. The implication is incorrect. i5 notebook cpus still support hyperthreading. The only ones that have it disabled are quad i5s. Those are only available in desktop cpu variants eg LGA 1155 sockets. Every macbook pro cpu supports hyperthreading as do those used in the Airs.
 
Don't know how you use the mac, but with mine I don't feel the difference, I previously had a 2.9 i7 cMBP
 
thekev said:
Not even then. If you are cpu bound on the i5, you will still probably be cpu bound on the i7. May as well jump to the 15". If refurbished 2012 variants are available, it's about the same price as the 13". The problem would be finding one of those with the 512.



That statement is technically correct. The implication is incorrect. i5 notebook cpus still support hyperthreading. The only ones that have it disabled are quad i5s. Those are only available in desktop cpu variants eg LGA 1155 sockets. Every macbook pro cpu supports hyperthreading as do those used in the Airs.
Click to expand...

I realize that,but the poster I quoted had said only the i7 supports HT and the 2.6 does not. I chose to correct his mistake rather than to make a general statement.
 
Maybe ill lean towards this 15" retina 512 flash quad core refurbished joint ... Think this will hold me over for awhile I'm guessing ..
 
B... said:
I realize that,but the poster I quoted had said only the i7 supports HT and the 2.6 does not. I chose to correct his mistake rather than to make a general statement.
Click to expand...

Ohhhh sorry about that.
 
Thanks still on the fence.. I have a 09' 17 mbp and looking for something lighter to take on the go not sure what way to go.. Uggg
Hahaha thanks everyone tho
 
twinsity said:
Thanks still on the fence.. I have a 09' 17 mbp and looking for something lighter to take on the go not sure what way to go.. Uggg
Hahaha thanks everyone tho
Click to expand...

If you're coming from a 17" then the 15" retina should be a big improvement. The 15" retina is actually lighter than the non-retina 13".
 
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