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shopping help, please

bozz2006

bozz2006

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Aug 24, 2007
2,530
0
Minnesota
My early 2011 MBP had a logic board failure. I may fix it and give it to a family member. But am currently looking at getting a 15" rMBP (actually, already got one - but am still not set on THIS one yet).

Really what I'm wondering about is the value difference between this year's models and last years. The 2.3ghz 500GB - 16GB model is $2600. Apple currently has an old model refurb 2.7ghz - 768GB - 16GB for $2339. Is there any reason I should avoid the refurb and spend more on a lower-spec'd new model?
 
What is its intended uses.

I think the 2012 rMBP has the discrete GPU where as the low end 2013 only has the integrated GPU.

The 2013 model will have a faster CPU and faster iGPU (but no dGPU) so on graphic intensive stuff you may want the refurb.

Personally, if it were my, I'd get the new model because of the faster chipset and the battery improvements.
 
bozz2006 said:
Really what I'm wondering about is the value difference between this year's models and last years. The 2.3ghz 500GB - 16GB model is $2600. Apple currently has an old model refurb 2.7ghz - 768GB - 16GB for $2339. Is there any reason I should avoid the refurb and spend more on a lower-spec'd new model?
Click to expand...

There's more to a CPU and hard drive than its clock speed and capacity, respectively. Despite having a lower speed rating, the current model's processor is faster and more efficient. The storage is also much, much faster in the 2013 because it uses the PCI-Express interface, rather than Serial ATA. The graphics chips are pretty much a wash. The 750M is only mildly faster than the 650.

I would normally say the refurbished machines are the better value, but in the case of the two models you're specifically looking at, I would get the brand new one. If you can wait a little while, keep checking the refurbished section because there will most certainly be updated stock. A 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, 2.4-2.6 GHz Ivy Bridge rMBP would be $2000 or less, making it the more attractive choice.
 
very helpful; thank you! sounds like the efficiency of the system, and the increased "under the hood" speed of the 2013 rMBP architecture makes it a superior machine versus the 2012 rMBP?
 
and the next question -

I can keep the the 500GB I bought from Best Buy or buy the 1TB model from Apple for $250 more. Is that a no-brainer? I mean, I sold a REALLY nice guitar to buy this computer. Got the current-gen 16GB-500GB option from Best Buy for $2600 (which is what I sold the guitar for). For $2850 I can get the same model with 1TB. I don't have much money, but for $250 more, it seems like it makes sense to get 1TB. Right?......
 
bozz2006 said:
and the next question -

I can keep the the 500GB I bought from Best Buy or buy the 1TB model from Apple for $250 more. Is that a no-brainer? I mean, I sold a REALLY nice guitar to buy this computer. Got the current-gen 16GB-500GB option from Best Buy for $2600 (which is what I sold the guitar for). For $2850 I can get the same model with 1TB. I don't have much money, but for $250 more, it seems like it makes sense to get 1TB. Right?......
Click to expand...
It only makes sense if you actually need to carry that much data around with you at all times. Else you're just upgrading for the sake of upgrading.
 
bozz2006 said:
I hear you. My motivation would be resale though.
Click to expand...

Actually, from what I understand, the larger hard drive might hurt you in resale. There are posts on this site that seem to garner a lot of agreement that the "larger" configurations are harder to sell and value wise are lower in the secondary market. Based on that, unless you need the 1TB, 500GB is a strong machine.
 
Excellent insight and much appreciated. 1000gb would be nice; store a bunch of kids' movies. But wifi is everywhere and I have plex set up to stream, so looks like I'm sticking with what I've got.

P.S. - this new computer is pretty incredible!
 
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