MacBook Pro 15" Question

[jhaast]

Hey everyone,

I'm getting ready to go off to school and am feeling the need to update from my 2010 Macbook Pro:
2.66 GHZ intel core 2 duo
8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
10.8.4

Firstly, I was wondering what you guys think about upgrading in the first place. I know it's not completely necessary, but I think I'm ready for a bigger screen and do enjoy some gaming from time to time (which my current Pro is not as apt to do anymore, mainly due to the video card).

If I do upgrade, the choice would be between a virtually maxed out 15" Pro or the 15" retina Pro.

Any input is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[tgi]

Do you value the screen on the Retina?

Do you care about upgrading?

Do you need a built in optical drive?

Does being thinner/lighter matter?

 

[jhaast]

"Do you value the screen on the Retina?

Do you care about upgrading?

Do you need a built in optical drive?

Does being thinner/lighter matter?"

1. It'd be nice, but it's not integral whatsoever.
2. While not totally necessary, I do feel like upgrading/ changing it up.
3. Not really as most of what I do is online, except for burning CDs.
4. Not too much, but again, it would be something different and make traveling easier.

 

[saturnotaku]

Do you have an SSD in your machine right now? If not, upgrading to one can make an old system feel brand new.

 

[tgi]

"Do you value the screen on the Retina?

Do you care about upgrading?

Do you need a built in optical drive?

Does being thinner/lighter matter?"

1. It'd be nice, but it's not integral whatsoever.
2. While not totally necessary, I do feel like upgrading/ changing it up.
3. Not really as most of what I do is online, except for burning CDs.
4. Not too much, but again, it would be something different and make traveling easier.

A cMBP might be best for you. For #2, I meant is upgrading the internals important.

 

[glenthompson]

I'll toss in another recommendation for a SSD. My MBP boots in less than 15 seconds. Very cost effective upgrade.

 

[jhaast]

Do you have an SSD in your machine right now? If not, upgrading to one can make an old system feel brand new.

I don't, but I did think about that for a while.

----------

I'll toss in another recommendation for a SSD. My MBP boots in less than 15 seconds. Very cost effective upgrade.

I totally believe it, but a large part of getting an upgrade, for me at least, would be the new video card.

 

[Stetrain]

I would recommend the retina mostly because it's going to give you the bigger screen you want without adding any weight over your 13".

Apple has some good deals on refurbished retina models at times:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...-23ghz-quad-core-intel-i7-with-retina-display

If you do go with a non-retina model consider ordering it with an SSD or upgrading to an SSD yourself. That will really make it feel like a new machine compared to your old one.

 

[jhaast]

I would recommend the retina mostly because it's going to give you the bigger screen you want without adding any weight over your 13".

Apple has some good deals on refurbished retina models at times:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...-23ghz-quad-core-intel-i7-with-retina-display

If you do go with a non-retina model consider ordering it with an SSD or upgrading to an SSD yourself. That will really make it feel like a new machine compared to your old one.

Great. Thanks for the info