Macbook Pro 13" late 2011 vs. refurb 15" 2011

[googs185]

Which is a better buy, the 13" with the 2.8ghz dual core that was just released or the early 2011 15" model with the 2.0ghz quad core: http://store.apple.com/us_edu_120796/product/FC721LL/A

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! Also, the price is exactly the same with the education discount.

 

[Icy1007]

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The 15" would be better. If you don't mind the increase in size and weight (+ ~1lb), get the 15".

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Depends on your computational needs, but power-wise, the 15" beats the 13".

 

[googs185]

Depends on your computational needs, but power-wise, the 15" beats the 13".

How about for the processing speed. Is 2.0ghz quad core a lot faster than 2.8 ghz dual core? Will the 13" be able to run a program like virtual dj without any lagging?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

How about for the processing speed. Is 2.0ghz quad core a lot faster than 2.8 ghz dual core? Will the 13" be able to run a program like virtual dj without any lagging?

Look here for a reference, the 15" is still faster. But Virtual DJ does even run on my 2009 MBP without lagging.

 

[Icy1007]

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I'd get the 15" because of the quad-core. More cores > Higher clock speed.

 

[skasol]

Like everyone else has said it depends on your needs. If you need something small the 13". I prefer a bigger screen and love my 15" quad core.

Good luck.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.402612,-118.465529

 

[googs185]

Ok great. I'd like to also mention I will mainly be using this for basic computing like downloading music, running Virtual DJ for my gigs, and using garage band for recording. If I'm not going to be doing gaming or intensive video editing, will the 13" dual core be better since the ghz are higher? I was reading that not all programs utilize all cores and sometimes the dual core is faster because of the higher frequency. Thanks!

 

[leo.andres.21]

If you are not intending on gaming or any video processing, then the 13" is the better choice hands down. Quad core 2.0 on the 15" and 2.8 Dual Core performance have really minor differences, and a little extra portability is always welcome I supposed

 

[googs185]

What type of video processing? If I were to run videos while I DJ, will the 13" suffice? The price of the two is the same, I was just wondering what the big difference is between the 2.0ghz quad core and the 2.8ghz dual core. Will one or the other stay relevant longer? I don't want to have to buy a new one anytime soon. I'm not a big gamer and I might do some light video editing of home made snowboarding videos and stuff like that but nothing professional. But for the same price on the refurb 15 and the new 13, what would you go with?

 

[Naimfan]

Just get the refurb 15". Faster, better, stronger, etc.