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

Please help me: About to Return 2013 Macbook pro 13" Retina for 2012 15" Retina

P

phillyfan9090

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 31, 2013
63
0
I bought the 13" Macbook Pro Retina 2013 with 2.6 GHz, 256 GB SSD.
However after using it the past few days, I find the laptop to be too small for my likings and am having buyers remorse.
I will be in college so I thought portability would be huge, but the 15" screen size is just perfect.
The 2012 15" 2.3 GHz MBP retina is only 1599 on Refurbished Apple Store.
Can someone help assure me that I am making the right choice, or maybe not? I just hope that there isnt a drawback from buying an earlier model (2012 vs 2013), and that battery and performance wont be worse

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated if I should return 13" 2012 rMBP and get 2012 15" base model. Need to decide within the hour
 
Screen size is largely a factor of personal preference, so no one can answer that for you. Only you know what works best for your situation.
 
I went from a 13" MBP to a 15" because I needed more screen real estate then what the 13" MBP was providing.

If you're already thinking its too small, and think the 15" is perfect then get it. The mobility difference between the two laptops is minor.
 
Agreed. Go for the 15". The difference between 2013 and 2012 rMBP isn't enough to trump your size needs and preference. You'll thank yourself for quite a while.
 
The 15'' rMBP is very portable so you shouldn't really feel that much of a difference, weight wise. And there is no point in keeping a laptop that you're having buyer's remorse over, take the 13'' rMBP back to the Apple store and order a 15'' rMBP and be happy. :)
 
There is almost no difference between the 2012 and 2013, battery and performance won't be an issue. The 15-inch has more capability due to the quad-core CPU, but one won't really be any faster than the other if you don't do anything intensive.

Screen size is a matter of personal preference.
 
Disagree with the mobility of the 15" - it's too bulky IMO. You *will* notice the difference. Seriously, Keep the 13" and get a 27" external. Stop chasing 2 extra inches.

Note: Queuing all the Gorilla-armers who have 15" MBP's and put them in their hip pockets.
 
Krazy Bill said:
Disagree with the mobility of the 15" - it's too bulky IMO. You *will* notice the difference. Seriously, Keep the 13" and get a 27" external. Stop chasing 2 extra inches.

Note: Queuing all the Gorilla-armers who have 15" MBP's and put them in their hip pockets.
Click to expand...

Im sure I will notice a difference, but the 13" seems just too small. and the performance just isnt there from what ive read (compared to the 15"). for 1 extra lb. i think quad core would be worth it. and I would get an external monitor, but then Ill still have a dual core that wont do as well with gaming

----------

what online website sells the cheapest 15" retina macbook pros? I would use the Apple refurbished but their shipping takes too long.. macmall is pretty much same price as student discount from apple. Ebays too sketchy. Where else do you recommend. I was hoping to get it under 1800$ if possible
 
I have used 10", 15" and 17" before.
And I know the screen size and weight are important especially in school.
It's a huge different even it's only 2" larger (13" and 15")
If you think 13" is too small then buy 15"

I'm using rmbp 15".. and I LOVE IT!
 
dragonjinse said:
I have used 10", 15" and 17" before.
And I know the screen size and weight are important especially in school.
It's a huge different even it's only 2" larger (13" and 15")
If you think 13" is too small then buy 15"

I'm using rmbp 15".. and I LOVE IT!
Click to expand...

15" isnt too heavy right?
 
im never had a laptop before (besides this 13" retina that im returning).. i think this is a great weight but i want a bigger screen. and if i can get a 15" retina refurbished for the same price as the 13", i should go for it right? 1 more pound could be a little annoying but the specs of the 15" i think will compensate. agree/disagree?
 
phillyfan9090 said:
Im sure I will notice a difference, but the 13" seems just too small. and the performance just isnt there from what ive read (compared to the 15"). for 1 extra lb. i think quad core would be worth it. and I would get an external monitor, but then Ill still have a dual core that wont do as well with gaming

----------

what online website sells the cheapest 15" retina macbook pros? I would use the Apple refurbished but their shipping takes too long.. macmall is pretty much same price as student discount from apple. Ebays too sketchy. Where else do you recommend. I was hoping to get it under 1800$ if possible
Click to expand...

The shipping takes too long? It should ship out of Pennsylvania and is pretty quick.
 
Nismo73 said:
The shipping takes too long? It should ship out of Pennsylvania and is pretty quick.
Click to expand...

I did end up purchasing the 15" 2012 refurbished retina.. The reason why I think it takes too long is.. it takes 1-5 business days to get out of Apple, then another 2-3 days to ship through Fedex. and i paid 15$ for the expedited 2-3 days. i have to wait until middle of next week to get it and in todays world 5+ business days is a lot, especially when ill be going without a laptop in school for a week
 
phillyfan9090 said:
Im sure I will notice a difference, but the 13" seems just too small. and the performance just isnt there from what ive read (compared to the 15"). for 1 extra lb.
Click to expand...

You must be joking! You are basing your judgments on what you've read and not on what you've felt with your 13" rMBP?

Do not desire you neighbor's Mac...
 
phillyfan9090 said:
and the 2012 15" will be a lot faster than the 2013 13" right?
Click to expand...

Yes! Both in CPU and GPU related tasks.

Krazy Bill said:
Disagree with the mobility of the 15" - it's too bulky IMO. You *will* notice the difference. Seriously, Keep the 13" and get a 27" external. Stop chasing 2 extra inches.

Note: Queuing all the Gorilla-armers who have 15" MBP's and put them in their hip pockets.
Click to expand...

Wow....seriously? How old are you? These 15" rMBPs are 4 pounds! That doesn't take 'Gorilla arms' to carry and I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone put even a 13" in their 'hip pockets'. Perhaps you're confusing smart phones for computers?
I ask how old you are because as a 42 year old, I've owned and carried laptops twice, three times as heavy as the current rMBP (in college) with less than 10% of the power and really ugly screens and battery life.

If you're having a tough time with the 15, I'd suggest a trip to the gym? Maybe?

sofianito said:
You must be joking! You are basing your judgments on what you've read and not on what you've felt with your 13" rMBP?

Do not desire you neighbor's Mac...
Click to expand...

I'm assuming he's based his decision on both. If you read his OP....he's already got a 13" so he knows how it 'feels' and what he's read (research is always good), he's correct. Who cares what the neighbor is or isn't using. His decision based on power and size is absolutely spot on. And at the same price? No brainer!

phillyfan9090 said:
I did end up purchasing the 15" 2012 refurbished retina.. The reason why I think it takes too long is.. it takes 1-5 business days to get out of Apple, then another 2-3 days to ship through Fedex. and i paid 15$ for the expedited 2-3 days. i have to wait until middle of next week to get it and in todays world 5+ business days is a lot, especially when ill be going without a laptop in school for a week
Click to expand...

You made the right choice. Congrats on your new rig. Those 5 days will fly (it'll probably be quicker, you may even see it by this weekend). It's going to be worth the wait regardless. You're going to adore your new laptop. It's a monster in disguise:)

J
 
akdj said:
Yes! Both in CPU and GPU related tasks.



Wow....seriously? How old are you? These 15" rMBPs are 4 pounds! That doesn't take 'Gorilla arms' to carry and I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone put even a 13" in their 'hip pockets'. Perhaps you're confusing smart phones for computers?
I ask how old you are because as a 42 year old, I've owned and carried laptops twice, three times as heavy as the current rMBP (in college) with less than 10% of the power and really ugly screens and battery life.

If you're having a tough time with the 15, I'd suggest a trip to the gym? Maybe?



I'm assuming he's based his decision on both. If you read his OP....he's already got a 13" so he knows how it 'feels' and what he's read (research is always good), he's correct. Who cares what the neighbor is or isn't using. His decision based on power and size is absolutely spot on. And at the same price? No brainer!



You made the right choice. Congrats on your new rig. Those 5 days will fly (it'll probably be quicker, you may even see it by this weekend). It's going to be worth the wait regardless. You're going to adore your new laptop. It's a monster in disguise:)

J
Click to expand...

haha thank you! your help is greatly appreciated. i just want the macbook to come already!
 
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