Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Need help with deciding on MacBookPro

W

wunderbar911

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 21, 2012
7
0
Hi,
I'm undecided on which MacBookPro I should go for:

1) 2011 MacBook Pro (new) - $1576(tax included)
================================
2.2GHz Quad-core Intel i7
15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1440-by-900 resolution
4GB (2 x 2GB) of 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
500GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Intel HD Graphics 3000 and AMD Radeon HD 6750M

2) 2012 MacBook Pro (new) - $1860(tax included)
================================
2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1440-by-900 resolution
4GB 1600MHz memory
500GB 5400-rpm hard drive1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB of GDDR5 memory

3) 2012 MacBook Pro w/Retina (new) - $2266 (tax included)
=======================================
2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1440-by-900 resolution
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB flash storage1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory

Between option 1 and 2, is the USB 3.0, BT 4.0, IvyBridge and better video card worth the extra $284?

Between 2 and 3, is the Retina screen, extra RAM, SSD, and 1G video card worth extra $400?

I'm really concern about the repairability of the Retina version with non-upgradable RAM, HD, and parts in general.

I'm sure other ppl who have recently bought MBP here have gone through these questions themselves and hope to get your opinions.

Thanks!
 
Depending on your usage, Option 3 will be significantly higher performance than the other options, thanks to the SSD and increased RAM. I'm not sure the extra video memory makes much difference when using the laptop with the built-in screen, since there are so many more pixels to render. If you have the lid closed and are using an external monitor, then you'd effectively have extra video RAM available vs. the other models.

I don't personally see why anyone cares about the ability to repair the laptop themselves. The most I ever did on previous laptops was replace dying hard drives, which is less of an issue with SSDs than platter drives anyway. And I wouldn't hesitate to buy an iPod, iPhone, iPad, microwave, TV, projector, etc. that I couldn't repair myself either, but maybe that's just me.

You might regret being stuck at 8GB of RAM if you do Option 3, depending on your usage and how long you keep the laptop. The older MacBook Pros can have their memory upgraded down the line. Whatever you buy to begin with for the rMBP is what you're staying with.

----------

What do you use your computer for?
 
Yeah, I'm also leaning towards option 2 since it provides couple of features and possibly better resale value (I would really like a 15" Macbook Air without the Retina screen :D) Too bad that is not something they make at this point. Option 3 scares me with the potential cost to fix any problems after the 1 year warranty. Imagine always have to potentially replacing the mainboard when things attached to it goes wrong!
 
wunderbar911 said:
Yeah, I'm also leaning towards option 2 since it provides couple of features and possibly better resale value (I would really like a 15" Macbook Air without the Retina screen :D) Too bad that is not something they make at this point. Option 3 scares me with the potential cost to fix any problems after the 1 year warranty. Imagine always have to potentially replacing the mainboard when things attached to it goes wrong!
Click to expand...

I got a rmbp and you know you can get apple care to extend the warranty. Either one of them will be expensive to repair outside of warranty. Not like having the classic will be significantly cheaper repairing.

Hobestly, I'd opt for the retina over the classic but that's me the classic is still a great machine regardless.
 
I usually say "once you go retina, you cannot go back". Just be ready to hate most monitors and laptops after you get the retina because nothing will compare to it.

As for your question I would go with the Retina, I have one myself and love it. I went back and forth on the cMBP and the rMBP and picked the retina and after having it for a day, I knew I made the right choice. It's quieter (at least to me) and when playing games it doesn't have the same jet engine sound the old pros have.

Either way you go, you are getting a great computer.
 
njean777 said:
I usually say "once you go retina, you cannot go back". Just be ready to hate most monitors and laptops after you get the retina because nothing will compare to it.

As for your question I would go with the Retina, I have one myself and love it. I went back and forth on the cMBP and the rMBP and picked the retina and after having it for a day, I knew I made the right choice. It's quieter (at least to me) and when playing games it doesn't have the same jet engine sound the old pros have.

Either way you go, you are getting a great computer.
Click to expand...


I agree. The exact same thing happened to me too. Picks a retina up, expecting to return it and I could never part with it. It's amazing.


both machines are amazing. I was skeptical about the rMBP because of all the horror stories Ive read, but I decided to give it a try since I had 14 days to return it anyway.

Needless to say, Its amazing and I love it. I thankfully have 0 issues with mine thus far. I still think the cMBP is amazing too, especially if you get the High-Res 1680x1050 display.

I put it this way, I was going to get a base cMBP because of the price. Then after thinking, I realize after buying 16GB 1600MHz ram on newegg.com for $110 and the $90 screen upgrade (total $200), I could get the base rMBP with 16GB added ram for $180 and have better resolution.

Also, I didnt want the rMBP because I wanted to add a 2nd HDD in the optibay of the cMBP, but I decided a USB3.0 external HDD would be sufficient enough for my needs. After being on this rMBP, Im so glad I got it. Its amazing.

I had a 2011 High-End MBP w/ High-Res Screen and it was amazing, the rMBP is even more amazing to me. I never need an optical drive and if I do, I have an External Samsung USB DVD-Burner. The 25% reduction in size was nice, but not THAT dramatic if measured in inches, .96 to .71 is it?

I actually like that the USB ports on the rMBP are on opposite sides because I always found that when they are right next to each other (like on the cMBP) fitting two USB items in at once may be tricky or impossible.
 
Last edited:
depends what you're getting a laptop for... i'm personally going for the cMBP because I need a laptop for audio production first over fancy display. Not to mention the absurd amount of lag I get on a maxed out spec system(safari mainly)... my old macbook air seems more snappier
 
entraik said:
depends what you're getting a laptop for... i'm personally going for the cMBP because I need a laptop for audio production first over fancy display. Not to mention the absurd amount of lag I get on a maxed out spec system(safari mainly)... my old macbook air seems more snappier
Click to expand...

I dont experience any lag at 1440x900 hidpi or 1680x1050 hidpi
 
Thanks for all the feedback! I went it determined to get option 1 and walked out with the retina option 3!!! Hope I won't regret it. Btw if anyone is in the market for one I used my 10% staples coupon to get a Bette price. Coupon are good until Friday.:D
 
wunderbar911 said:
Thanks for all the feedback! I went it determined to get option 1 and walked out with the retina option 3!!! Hope I won't regret it. Btw if anyone is in the market for one I used my 10% staples coupon to get a Bette price. Coupon are good until Friday.:D
Click to expand...

You wont regret it! Congrats!
 
Thanks! I'm coming from pc all my life so I'm sure it will initially feel weird with osx. Actually once I started to think about the retina display + ssd drive +more ram it made the decision easier. The real kicker was the glossy screen. I just felt like it bothered me enough that I wanted atleast the AG but that would require custom built from apple and no real discount. At that point it was not much cheaper than the base RMBP. Must admit that I will have to live with 8gb ram but I'm not a heavy graphics user. Mainly for browsing, some photo editing, programming and office work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back