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Macbook Pro 15' (Retina 2012) vs Macbook Pro 15' (Late 2011)

Mac-Tech

Mac-Tech

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 4, 2012
214
0
Toronto, ON
Hello fellow Mac and non-Mac users,

I am doing a comparison to see which one I should buy. I would like to know what your opinions are between these two Mac Book Pro's. I would like to know the con's and pro's for each one. Which one would be a better fit for the long run? Please note price is not a concern.


Mac Book Pro (Retina 2012)
*15.4-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2880 by 1800 pixels
*2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
*16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
*768GB Flash Storage/SSD
*1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with GDDR5
*HDMI port, Two USB 3 ports, Two Thunderbolt ports, Headphone port, SDXC card slot


Pro's: Better resolution, Slim design, Bigger Storage, More Ram memory, Weighs less.

Con's: Can not upgrade Ram, No CD drive, No Gigabit Ethernet port, No Audio line out, No Battery indicator, No IR receiver.

or

Mac Book Pro (Late 2011)
*15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy (Hi-Res Glossy) 1440 by 900 pixels
*2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
*8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
*512GB Solid State Drive
*1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with GDDR5
*SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
*Two USB 3 ports, Thunderbolt port, Audio line in, Audio line out, SDXC card slot, Kensington lock slot, FireWire 800 port, Gigabit Ethernet port


Pro's: Upgradeable on Ram and SSD, Upgradeable on SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW), Gigabit Ethernet port, Battery Indicator, Audio line in, Audio line out, FireWire 800 port, IR receiver.

Con's: No Retina display, Weighs a little more, Small storage drive, Small Ram memory.

-=Mac-Tech=-
 
Last edited:
I must be missing something, because I haven't seen any mention of the refreshed models having an ODD
 
omgitswes said:
I must be missing something, because I haven't seen any mention of the refreshed models having an ODD
Click to expand...


Sorry this is an Apple USB SuperDrive to burn CD's or use it to install CD software applications (this is an external device. Not built in on the new Mac Book pro 2012)
 
I actually just now saw that lookign through the pictures.

That's pretty awesome! I have no reason to get a SB model now.

burn_dvds.jpg
 
I thought Apple dropped the ODD completely on the refreshed models. So I was contemplating just grabbing the older SB models instead.

But I see that it's still there now. I know the retina one doesn't have it at all though, that and combined with it's just 256gb is making me get the refreshed model instead of the retina one

Edit

Mac-Tech said:
Yes the Late 2011 Mac Book Pro does come with a CD drive but not the 2012 Mac Book Pro's.
Click to expand...

Wait now I'm confused again. I know the late 2011 ones do, but the MBP they introduced yesterday, the non retina ones. They don't come with an ODD?
 
omgitswes said:
I thought Apple dropped the ODD completely on the refreshed models. So I was contemplating just grabbing the older SB models instead.

But I see that it's still there now. I know the retina one doesn't have it at all though, that and combined with it's just 256gb is making me get the refreshed model instead of the retina one

Edit



Wait now I'm confused again. I know the late 2011 ones do, but the MBP they introduced yesterday, the non retina ones. They don't come with an ODD?
Click to expand...


The Retina 2012 Mac Book Pro does not come with the CD drive built in you would need to buy the external device Apple USB SuperDrive to burn CD's or install Windows 7. See the picture below:

Apple USB SuperDrive:
2nhq77k.jpg
 
Last edited:
Liquinn said:
So you could put 2x512gb ssds in the old macbook pros if you wanted to? I think this voids the warranty.
Click to expand...

Not sure..I dont see why it would void the warranty if you are putting in more storage space. As long as it is done by Apple certified store, or you can do it yourself.
 
Let me know the con's and pro's of these two Mac Book Pro's...I have listed a few that came up already...
 
an obvious con of the retina macbook is that you'll probably have to wait a while for apps to actually update to retina display UI (besides the few that WWDC mentioned were ready).

For example I don't use safari at all but its the only browser that can actually render text and such at retina display quality.
 
stevelam said:
an obvious con of the retina macbook is that you'll probably have to wait a while for apps to actually update to retina display UI (besides the few that WWDC mentioned were ready).

For example I don't use safari at all but its the only browser that can actually render text and such at retina display quality.
Click to expand...


That is true never even thought of that until now. Thanks....
 
Still waiting for the stores in Toronto, Canada to get these new Macbook Pro's in...I really need to test them out in person....
 
Mac-Tech said:
Hello fellow Mac and non-Mac users,

I am doing a comparison to see which one I should buy. I would like to know what your opinions are between these two Mac Book Pro's. I would like to know the con's and pro's for each one. Which one would be a better fit for the long run? Please note price is not a concern.


Mac Book Pro (Retina 2012)
*15.4-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2880 by 1800 pixels
*2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
*16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
*768GB Flash Storage
*1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with GDDR5
*HDMI port, Two USB 3 ports, Two Thunderbolt ports, Headphone port, SDXC card slot
*Apple USB SuperDrive (This is an external CD drive device. Not built in.)

Pro's: Better resolution, Slim design, Bigger Storage, More Ram memory, Weighs less.

Con's: Can not upgrade Ram or Flash storage, No CD drive, No Gigabit Ethernet port, No Audio line out, No Battery indicator, No IR receiver.

or

Mac Book Pro (Late 2011)
*15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy (Hi-Res Glossy) 1440 by 900 pixels
*2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
*8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
*512GB Solid State Drive
*1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with GDDR5
*SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
*Two USB 3 ports, Thunderbolt port, Audio line in, Audio line out, SDXC card slot, Kensington lock slot, FireWire 800 port, Gigabit Ethernet port


Pro's: Upgradeable on Ram and SSD, SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW), Gigabit Ethernet port, Battery Indicator, Audio line in, Audio line out, FireWire 800 port, IR receiver.

Con's: No Retina display, Weighs a little more, Small storage drive, Small Ram memory.

-=Mac-Tech=-
Click to expand...


You will be spending a lot more $$$$ for just a screen with the Retina. Buy one later when the prices on these things come way down. Or let other fools spend there money and buy the refurbs later =D

----------
stevelam said:
an obvious con of the retina macbook is that you'll probably have to wait a while for apps to actually update to retina display UI (besides the few that WWDC mentioned were ready).

For example I don't use safari at all but its the only browser that can actually render text and such at retina display quality.
Click to expand...

And that is going to be a while. Not worth the $$ now IMO.
 
skywalkerr69 said:
You will be spending a lot more $$$$ for just a screen with the Retina. Buy one later when the prices on these things come way down. Or let other fools spend there money and buy the refurbs later =D

----------



And that is going to be a while. Not worth the $$ now IMO.
Click to expand...


I have read so many reviews and now I feel undecided not sure which model to go with now? So many people who have the Retina Mac Book Pro's are saying there is no support for Retina on applications like Photoshop or Adobe Premier CS6 which I use most of the time...They also saying there is no sleep indicator on on the new MBP's. They are also saying the Mag2 connector is not good? What to do??
 
Mac-Tech said:
I have read so many reviews and now I feel undecided not sure which model to go with now? So many people who have the Retina Mac Book Pro's are saying there is no support for Retina on applications like Photoshop or Adobe Premier CS6 which I use most of the time...They also saying there is no sleep indicator on on the new MBP's. They are also saying the Mag2 connector is not good? What to do??
Click to expand...

Support for retina display will be coming fast and furious. Not a reason to pass on the rMBP.

No sleep indicator. I have none on my MBA and don't miss it. Lid closed? Screen black? if yes to either, it's asleep or off. Not an issue IMO.

Mag safe 2 not good? Says who. Different yes, No good? No.
 
I've been doing a similar comparison only with the new ivy bridge classic's compared to a next gen. I could get a "classic" mbp add ram and an SSD myself (16GB RAM, 256 SSD) but doing the comparison I'm only really saving $160. BUT!! I do get the extra ports and the option to replace the ODD with another drive or whatever I want so I'm still torn. I'm leaning towards a 2.6 i7 with 1680x1050 display.
 
Mac-Tech said:
I have read so many reviews and now I feel undecided not sure which model to go with now? So many people who have the Retina Mac Book Pro's are saying there is no support for Retina on applications like Photoshop or Adobe Premier CS6 which I use most of the time...They also saying there is no sleep indicator on on the new MBP's. They are also saying the Mag2 connector is not good? What to do??
Click to expand...

There will be support IN TIME. Why buy a Ferrari when you're waiting for roads to be built? I guess it looks cool in the garage.
 
lcseds said:
Support for retina display will be coming fast and furious. Not a reason to pass on the rMBP.

No sleep indicator. I have none on my MBA and don't miss it. Lid closed? Screen black? if yes to either, it's asleep or off. Not an issue IMO.

Mag safe 2 not good? Says who. Different yes, No good? No.
Click to expand...



Thanks this is good to know.

----------
bigdave914 said:
I've been doing a similar comparison only with the new ivy bridge classic's compared to a next gen. I could get a "classic" mbp add ram and an SSD myself (16GB RAM, 256 SSD) but doing the comparison I'm only really saving $160. BUT!! I do get the extra ports and the option to replace the ODD with another drive or whatever I want so I'm still torn. I'm leaning towards a 2.6 i7 with 1680x1050 display.
Click to expand...


See with my comparison up at the top. I am wondering if I should go with the LATE LATE model of Macbook Pro with the same specs as the Retina. The only thing stopping me from getting the late model is the Retina display that's all. Nothing else.
 
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