Non-Retina MacBook Pro

[technano11]

I'm really interested to buy Non-Retina Macbook Pro. With less than 1 month to WWDC where it is highly likely for MacBooks to receive updates, do you think Apple will remove Non-Retina Ones?

As I have yet to save up enough to buy one ( Student ), I definitely would not want to miss the opportunity to buy the final model of MacBook which support upgrades.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

Even if Apple drops the non retina models, you will still be able to purchase them on the refurb site for a long time.

There are a bunch for sale right now that were originally released in June 2012. That's 2 years ago!

 

[saturnotaku]

New non-Retina models have been gone for months. The only way to get one is through the refurb store or second hand.

There are a bunch for sale right now that were originally released in June 2012. That's 2 years ago!

Those are all Retina models.

 

[jharvey71884]

Is your interest in purely because you can update them RAM wise.

 

[Patriks7]

New non-Retina models have been gone for months. The only way to get one is through the refurb store or second hand.



Those are all Retina models.

You can still get them new (the 13" at least): http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro

 

[g.t. rags]

the 13 inch are still available at most apple stores as well as best buy

 

[technano11]

Hopefully Apple still sells them after WWDC, I have yet to save up enough to get one!

 

[Eidorian]

Unless you really need that optical drive or the upgradable RAM get a Retina one refurbished.

 

[leman]

Apple has already essentially discontinued the non-retina model. The 13" one they sell is a previous-generation model. As such, I considered it to be absolutely overpriced given the alternatives. If you are considering a non-retina model, you should buy either a used or a refurbished one.

 

[old-wiz]

New non-Retina models have been gone for months. The only way to get one is through the refurb store or second hand.

I checked the apple store just now and they are still selling non-retina MBP with DVD drive and ship within 24 hours.

 

[Saint.Icon]

For reference, I just ordered a refurb 27" iMac for about the same price.

If you're getting a MacBook Pro, I'd strongly recommend a retina version. It'll be a far better machine for your money.

 

[ecschwarz]

I'll play devil's advocate - while the Retina MacBook Pros are obviously the future and have the most modern technology, if you are able to take advantage of some of the discounts (edu, refurb, etc.) on the non-Retina 13" Pro models, they're still being sold by Apple so support should be for awhile, still are plenty capable (other than the screen, SSD, and optical drive differences, they have a lot in common with the 13" rMBP that was sold until October), and are still offering similar technology as the Mac mini (same GPU, similar hardware).

That being said, the decision about a year ago was a little tougher. Now, I'd lean towards a rMBP or MBA, but the non-Retina models still have their place, especially if you can save some money. Finally, if you don't have the cash to get a loaded or higher-end rMBP up-front, the non-Retina model can be a good "starter" machine that you can later upgrade RAM and add an SSD. They're also very easy to repair most things on (I speak from being the go-to unauthorized repair person for a lot of friends and also being responsible for at least a couple of Mid-2009 and Mid-2010 models being in use for a bit longer). 🙂

 

[pattielipp]

I am a fan of the non retina MBP, in fact I purchased one about two months ago now. I did a lot of research until I finally decided to go this route but I am very happy I did. I wanted some expandability as I am a bit of a control freak at times and like Options...
I purchased a pristine example of a Mid 2012 MBP non retina for $700. It was the 2.5ghz I5 13"
It came with the standard 5400rpm 500gb HD and 4gb of ram.
Immediately after purchasing I upgraded the ram to 8gb(eventually will go full 16gb). Shortly after I purchased an SSD and an HD Caddy to replace the Disc drive. So, I now have a 500gb hd for media purposes, 256gb SSD for bootable and apps and 8gb of ram.

I was coming from a 2007 MacBook so I am/was not used to the Retina display so that didn't bother me at all. Similarly, I looked heavily at the MacBook Airs (planned to max it out on purchase), but I wouldn't pull the trigger and the specs I wanted just weren't there. My main uses are media consumption such as youtube, web surfing, movies, etc. But I do a fair amount of audio production, some HD Video editing(I also have a full custom windows desktop so the power wasn't to much a problem, although I still wanted to be able to "Play") and Server Administration at work. Also, Having only the HD4000 graphics weren't as big of a problem, mainly because of half of the pixels it has to push; likewise, If needed the power, Thunderbolt h.264 encoders are coming down in price if I need to do some hard core video editing and not have to rely on the GPU.