Need some help to upgrade from a 2010 MBP

[mikeshep]

Hi! I want to upgrade from my 2010 MBP Core Duo 2 13" to a faster newer MBP. i use this for audio editing and mono recording when on the road. Current machine has a 128G SSD and is on its second battery..and seems 'taxed' easily when doing intensive recording and editing as I use multiple apps at once. Fans seem to kick in a lot more than they used to. Not good for quiet recording spaces...among other things.

I'm trying to decide between a 2012 i5 or i7 machine with a 2g or faster processor…OR...a
2015 model.

I'd need at least 128 and preferably larger SSD, and ideally at least 16gb.
I need at least 2 USB 3 ports AND A TB port. The FW port on the 2012s is nice but not crucial

So far I see some good deals in the $500 ballpark for 2012s. Besides the smaller form factor what would be the major advantage in a 2015 over a 2012? and isn't the 2015 limited as far as upgrade-ability vs 2012?

Would a 2012 be radically better than a 2010, going from the intel core 2 duo to the i5 or i7 processor… ANd if so, any major difference between the i7 versus an i5?

I like to go for used or refurb Mac deals and would like to stay well under 1k if possible.

Thanks for reading, and for any thoughts/advice! Greatly appreciate your time and help!

Mike

 

[leman]

Besides the smaller form factor what would be the major advantage in a 2015 over a 2012?

I assume that by "2012 model" you mean the non-retina model? Well, the major advantage of the 2015 retina over the 2012 non-retina would be a better display as well as improved performance.

and isn't the 2015 limited as far as upgrade-ability vs 2012?

Depends on what you mean by upgradeability. With 2015, you won't be able to change the storage or RAM specs after you purchased it. With 2012, you won't be able to match the 2015 specs, no matter what you put in (of course, you can get more storage). So you need to decide, whether you want to spend less money and have the option or extending the storage later on, or whether you want to skip this option and get better specs

Would a 2012 be radically better than a 2010, going from the intel core 2 duo to the i5 or i7 processor…

Yes, it would

ANd if so, any major difference between the i7 versus an i5?

No

 

[mikeshep]

I assume that by "2012 model" you mean the non-retina model? Well, the major advantage of the 2015 retina over the 2012 non-retina would be a better display as well as improved performance.

Depends on what you mean by upgradeability. With 2015, you won't be able to change the storage or RAM specs after you purchased it. With 2012, you won't be able to match the 2015 specs, no matter what you put in (of course, you can get more storage). So you need to decide, whether you want to spend less money and have the option or extending the storage later on, or whether you want to skip this option and get better specs

Yes, it would

No

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I assume that by "2012 model" you mean the non-retina model? Well, the major advantage of the 2015 retina over the 2012 non-retina would be a better display as well as improved performance.
With 2012, you won't be able to match the 2015 specs, no matter what you put in - So you need to decide, whether you want to spend less money and have the option or extending the storage later on, or whether you want to skip this option and get better specs

Thanks! Yes I do mean a non-retina 2012. Display is not an issue for me which leaves the performance question. So in a nutshell, for my specific audio production purposes, which will likely not change dramatically, what is the most notable and significant performance improvement of a 2015 retina over, say, for example a 16g RAM 2012 i5 with 2.50 processor and SSD ?

Would it be as much of a difference as that of upgrading from a 2010 Core 2 Duo processor to an i5?

Sorry for the elementary questions - haven't been in the market for quite a few years and just looking to get the 'cliff notes' answers to such things and narrow down the choices to consider... Thanks again!

 

[leman]

So in a nutshell, for my specific audio production purposes, which will likely not change dramatically, what is the most notable and significant performance improvement of a 2015 retina over, say, for example a 16g RAM 2012 i5 with 2.50 processor and SSD ?

I am afraid I cannot answer this question. You'd have to benchmark your specific use.

Would it be as much of a difference as that of upgrading from a 2010 Core 2 Duo processor to an i5?

Not that much, no.

 

[mikeshep]

I am afraid I cannot answer this question. You'd have to benchmark your specific use.

Hi, Now that I look up the benchmark data from EveryMac.com and compare just a few 2012 i5/i7 to the 2015s, it would appear there is an enormous difference in processing speed/power. I think I'm leaning
in the direction of the 2015 for a bit more $ based on what I'm seeing so far! Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

It doesn't make sense to "upgrade" from a 2010 model to a 2012.

Get a 2015. It's "the last" production model with USB-a ports and thunderbolt2.

That -is- "a big enough jump forward" to last you for a while...

 

[mikeshep]

It doesn't make sense to "upgrade" from a 2010 model to a 2012. Get a 2015. It's "the last" production model with USB-a ports and thunderbolt2.
That -is- "a big enough jump forward" to last you for a while...

Hi and thanks! I'm glad you think that, since I bought a used 15-inch 2015, i7 MBP yesterday...
As you point out, I like having the USB-a ports and TB2 - all rather necessary for pro audio work.

Said to have about 60 battery cycles on it and i thought that was ok for about $1125.

I think it's a wiser choice...and will probably make me want to upgrade my main Studio Mini...
a 2012 i7.. but might just modify that sometime, if there are some options for this.

Anyway, thanks for your feedback! Much appreciated!

 

[Jim165]

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