Hi MacRumors, I have a quick question. I currently own a Macbook Pro 13 inch Early 2011 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, with 4GB of RAM and Intel HD 3000 Graphics. I am looking at possibly upgrading to the new Retina Macbook Pro 13 inch with 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, with 8GB of RAM, and 256 GB SSD. My question is would it be worth the upgrade from an early 2011 to late 2013? After selling my Macbook Pro I currently have, I would need to spend about $600 out of pocket. Would I notice a improvements? I do mostly university work (word, excel, web, ect) and do like to game a little on my computer. Would the Intel Iris Pro graphics allow me to play newer games better? Thanks in advance for any help!
USB 3, double RAM, better GPU, better screen, better battery life, and PCIe storage for $600 I say its worth it. Up to you though. PS- 13" Retina only has Iris graphics (5100) not Iris Pro (5200)
I'm in the exact same dilemma. I went to try out the new rMBPs today, the screen itself is amazing. Just need to decide whether I can justify it performance wise.
You could add a SSD to your current machine and get greatly improved performance. It won't be as fast as a new one but you will save a few bucks.
I actually do have already a 128 GB SSD installed. I installed an optic bay into my system. Unfortunately, the main hard drive space does not work anymore. I don't know if its the cable or the logic board but no matter what HD I put into the main HD area it is not recognized. Because of this, I am only running off of the optic bay on the SSD.
If no HD or SSD works in the main drive bay, then it sounds like you have a faulty MacBook Pro. If everything was working properly and you already have the SSD, I'd be inclined to suggest a RAM upgrade. But since it appears to need repair - perhaps just a SATA cable, but maybe more - then the answer should be clear. If you can get a new 2013 rMBP to replace your faulty early 2011 cMBP, for $600, then I'd take that option.
If I am going to get a new one I would get the rmbp because of the retina screen that I would really love. I already tried replacing the SATA Cable and that didn't fix it . So that leads me to think there is something wrong with the logic board for the main HD space. Thanks for your help!
I also have a 2011 MBP but I am in doubt whether I should upgrade, but was thinking of upgrading to non retina MBP 2013 is worth the upgrade? the difference from HD 3000 to HD 4000 is too big? rMBP not want because I do not like the idea of having the RAM soldered and to update the HDD is very expensive. I do not think insurance and could not make future upgrades.