Macbook Pro 15" early 2011 vs 13" mid 2012?

[steepnicki]

Hello everyone. I have a dilemma about choice model of MacBook Pro. The maximum amount I can spend is approx. £600. I'm thinking about two specific models, namely - MacBook Pro 8.2 - i7-2635QM / 4GB RAM / 500GB HDD / 6490M / 15" or MacBook Pro 9.1 - i5-3210M / 4GB RAM / 500GB HDD / 13". Mac will be used at home of course, but also in college - programming (java applications on OS X + Windows and other cross-platform applications) + design in Photoshop (design web pages etc.). I don't hide that I prefer the 2011 version with the 15" "screen and i7 processor, but if the gap between them will be substantial, I'm willing to give up about size of the screen. The only thing that worries me is information which I read about these models. Namely, apparently there are some problems with GPU. Is it applies to a large percentage of these models? Maybe I shouldn't be worried about this because the shop from which I'm going to buy a MacBook provides 12 months guarantee to every Mac but I want to be sure. I just want to save my time. That's why I need advice - whether it is better to choose version with an older SB i7 processor (4 cores, 8 threads) and 15" screen or newer versions with i5 (2 cores, 4 threads) and 13" screen. I will be very grateful for any suggestions. Regards.

 

[JTToft]

As far as pure performance, the 2011 quad-core i7 will run rings around the 2012 dual-core i5.
Indeed, the slowest 2011 15" machine is still faster than the fastest 2015 13" in terms of pure CPU performance.
But whether you'll need all that performance is another matter.

Unfortunately, the GPU issues are rather widespread, but Apple has an extended repair programme to cover it until Feb 2016.

 

[steepnicki]

Thank you for answer. Do you have any suggestions about maybe other model? If not then I'll buy 2011 15" and I'll hard test it. If there have any problems with the GPU then I'll go to the Apple Store and surrender it to repair program. Cheers.

 

[JTToft]

Thank you for answer. Do you have any suggestions about maybe other model? If not then I'll buy 2011 15" and I'll hard test it. If there have any problems with the GPU then I'll go to the Apple Store and surrender it to repair program. Cheers.

- If you're wanting a cMBP (meaning non-Retina), the 2012 models are all very solid. No known GPU issues, USB 3, and Bluetooth 4.0.

You could also look into a 2011 13". The 13" models don't have discrete GPUs, so they aren't susceptible to the GPU issues.

 

[srshaw]

First I'd heard about the GPU problem. Interestingly my first MBP had video issues straight from the box, its replacement has been flawless since August 2011. I have th 15in MBP and have been really pleased so far.

 

[aaroninoh]

Don't buy one. You will regret it. The issues aren't limited to one logic board replacement - it is a continual issue. Once February 2016 comes around you will not have any support and it will fail again. I made the mistake of buying an early 2011 15" and am going to resell and get rid of it. It had the graphics card replaced before I bought it and it went bad after 6 months.

 

[steepnicki]

After the comments got a bit scared to be honest. I lean toward the MacBook Pro 9.1 - i7-3520M / 8GB RAM / 750GB HDD / 13 ". The only thing that worries me is the size of the screen. Tell me whether 13" is much smaller than 15 "? So really I mean the amount space on the screen when working with graphics programs (PS, etc.). from what I read it, this version 9.1 has a resolution of 1280x800 which is obviously not too comfortable for this type of work. Another thing is that the i7-3520M has 2 cores and 4 threads, and previous proposals have 4 cores and 8 threads. Now completely do not know which version to choose: D.

 

[JTToft]

The only thing that worries me is the size of the screen. Tell me whether 13" is much smaller than 15 "? So really I mean the amount space on the screen when working with graphics programs (PS, etc.).

- Well, it's 2 inches smaller (or 2.1 inches, strictly). Resolution wise it's about 20 % smaller, assuming the 15" standard resolution of 1440x900.

Perhaps consider getting an external monitor if you're worried about screen real estate?

 

[steepnicki]

Well like I told I can give up about the screen size . How you said I can connect external monitor if I'll need larger screen. Now I can buy - MacBook Pro 9,2 / i5-3210M / 4GB Ram / 500GB HDD / 13" or MacBook Pro 8,1 - i7-2640M / 4GB Ram / 750GB HDD / 13" or Apple MacBook Pro 8,1 - i7-2620M / 4GB Ram / 500GB HDD / 13". Which should I choose my experts ?

 

[JTToft]

Well like I told I can give up about the screen size . How you said I can connect external monitor if I'll need larger screen. Now I can buy - MacBook Pro 9,2 / i5-3210M / 4GB Ram / 500GB HDD / 13" or MacBook Pro 8,1 - i7-2640M / 4GB Ram / 750GB HDD / 13" or Apple MacBook Pro 8,1 - i7-2620M / 4GB Ram / 500GB HDD / 13". Which should I choose my experts ?

- Assuming similar prices, definitely the 9.2. The 2012 models are superior to the 2011 models in every way.