MacBook Pro Retina: base or high end ?

[Niko91]

Hi all!
I love the new MBPR, I find it fantastic.
Anyway, I'm a bit confused: base or high end?

I'll usually use MBPR for:
- studying: I'm studying foreign languages, such as Chinese
- using Photoshop: not so heavily, but I'll use it quite often
- games: I won't play games ALL THE TIME, but sometimes
- surf the net, etc. etc.

My only problem with the base model is the 256GB SSD. I don't know if it will be enough for me.
I don't mind the .3 of the processor.
Anyway, if I choose the base model I can buy "more" accessories, such as apple mouse, maybe AppleCare (in the high end, I think I'll buy that in the future) and I don't know what else.

Thank you.

 

[soulred12]

My only problem with the base model is the 256GB SSD. I don't know if it will be enough for me.

Keep in mind you can always buy an external HDD for MUCH less than the extra $600 it takes to go from the base model to the higher end (a portable external HDD with 1TB of space usually goes for about $100-$150 on Amazon). In fact, you could completely swap out the internal ssd for a 512 GB one for less than $600. (such as this) So, I don't think it's worth it if you're not really interested in the difference in processor.

 

[aaronw1986]

Keep in mind you can always buy an external HDD for MUCH less than the extra $600 it takes to go from the base model to the higher end (a portable external HDD with 1TB of space usually goes for about $100-$150 on Amazon). In fact, you could completely swap out the internal ssd for a 512 GB one for less than $600. (such as this) So, I don't think it's worth it if you're not really interested in the difference in processor.

You won't be able to swap out the SSD like that. There may very well be third party options like there were for the Air, but they cost more than just getting it now from Apple.

 

[danetello]

Keep in mind you can always buy an external HDD for MUCH less than the extra $600 it takes to go from the base model to the higher end (a portable external HDD with 1TB of space usually goes for about $100-$150 on Amazon). In fact, you could completely swap out the internal ssd for a 512 GB one for less than $600. (such as this) So, I don't think it's worth it if you're not really interested in the difference in processor.

The flash memory on the Retina MBP is soldered into the motherboard, like the MB air so not possible to replace yourself

 

[DFTU101]

If it's your main computer and you'll be using photoshop, some if those edits/files can be quite large. Also keep in mind, some Mac OS updates can be quite large (some close to a gig). I'd go for the 512 gb. Upgrading the SSD later (as it's soldered in) will be a pain and expensive.

 

[Moonjumper]

The 256GB SSD is the only reason not to go for the lower end model. It wouldn't be enough for me. I'm not sure for you, it depends on how many images you will deal with in Photoshop, and how big they tend to be.

 

[Niko91]

I don't really know.

The thing is that I hate the idea of carrying around an hard disk.
Why?
Well, if I forget that at home and I need something in it?

Usually I'm an "essential guy". In my computer there will be only the things I really need.

I hate that there are something like 500/600€ ( I'm italian ) of difference between the base and the high end.

 

[Niko91]

The choice is between these 2 ( I'll write all the things I'd buy ):

Macbook Pro Retina, base model, with 16GB ram
500GB external HD USB3.0
(Applecare? I don't know)
Antivirus (which one?)
Case for MBPR
Apple Superdrive
Adobe Photoshop CS6
Final Cut Pro X

or

Macbook Pro Retina high end model
Antivirus (which one?)
Case for MBPR
Apple Superdrive
Adobe Photoshop CS6
Final Cut Pro X

Total price difference: around 200 / 250€.