Should I purchase the 2010 15" MBP or spend more for the 2011 version?

[neoking]

Hello guys, I am finally considering a MBP! Currently I have an HP ultrabook that is pretty good, just wished it could perform faster and not have random slow down times...

I was looking at the 2010 15" MBP with the i5 clocked at 2.53GHz, and the average sell price on Amazon or eBay used is $650-$850 (I don't mind used) depending on condition and if the user upgraded it or not. Right when I get it though, I will upgrade it to 8 GB of RAM if it doesn't already have it, not sure about SSD.

I am looking to keep this computer for a good 2-3 years, and I'm just wondering if it'll keep up to date that long. Should I invest a little more to get the 2011 version (with the i7 and Radeon 6490)? That will run me $900-$1150, which is not that bad considering how long I'll use it (most PC's I use for a year and I'm done).

This 2010 MBP seems like it would be a nice upgrade from my current HP laptop. Most of the things I do are browsing like YouTube or Netflix, video editing, programming (currently learning), and some graphic design here and there. Hopefully the 2010 one can handle all these things I throw at it. I have an external 24" 1080p monitor that I use with my current laptop, and I'm just wondering if this MBP could handle that with all these applications too.

Thanks in advance for all recommendations and help.

 

[Jaimi]

Hello guys, I am finally considering a MBP! Currently I have an HP ultrabook that is pretty good, just wished it could perform faster and not have random slow down times...

I was looking at the 2010 15" MBP with the i5 clocked at 2.53GHz, and the average sell price on Amazon or eBay used is $650-$850 (I don't mind used) depending on condition and if the user upgraded it or not. Right when I get it though, I will upgrade it to 8 GB of RAM if it doesn't already have it, not sure about SSD.

I am looking to keep this computer for a good 2-3 years, and I'm just wondering if it'll keep up to date that long. Should I invest a little more to get the 2011 version (with the i7 and Radeon 6490)? That will run me $900-$1150, which is not that bad considering how long I'll use it (most PC's I use for a year and I'm done).

This 2010 MBP seems like it would be a nice upgrade from my current HP laptop. Most of the things I do are browsing like YouTube or Netflix, video editing, programming (currently learning), and some graphic design here and there. Hopefully the 2010 one can handle all these things I throw at it. I have an external 24" 1080p monitor that I use with my current laptop, and I'm just wondering if this MBP could handle that with all these applications too.

Thanks in advance for all recommendations and help.

The 2011 is significantly faster than the 2010, has twice as many cores, and can take 16GB of RAM instead of 8. I would definitely get the 2011 over the 2010, it was an enormous jump in speed comparatively. I would suggest ponying up a bit more and getting the model with the 6750 instead of the 6490 though.

 

[davidlv]

The 2011 models can be divided into 2 groups the "early 2011" and the "later 2011" MBPs. Apple made some changes there, and if you can find one used the latter 2011 model is very good indeed. It has only 2 drawbacks compared with the current 2012 cMBP, USB 2 and the SATA III in the optical drive bay is not reliable, so if you use a caddy in the optibay, you have to use it for a HD or a SATA II 3Gbs SSD. SATA III 6Gbs drives must be installed in the HD bay.
Performance wise, the Sandy Bridge CPUs in the 2011 models are much better than the 2010 versions, and not so far behind the latter 2012 cMBP either. The graphics cards in the 2010 sucked, the 2011 models were very usable, and the 2012 were even better. So get the latest model you can afford.

 

[FastEddiebags]

I agree with david. Get the newest model you can afford. Although it seems like you do pretty basic things, the upgraded graphics card will still be nice.

 

[MrGimper]

I have an Early 2011 15" MacBook Pro with the Hi-Res glossy screen and 6750M with 1GB. Bought it as my first Mac at the end of 2011.

Love the screen, love the machine Even tho I also have a 2012 13" maxed-out Air, I still go back to the MBP.

I have put 16GB in it, put a Samsung 830 256GB SSD in the hard drive bay, and moved the original 750GB SATA II drive into the OptiBay.

I've configured a Homebrew Fusion Drive.

It's a great machine!

 

[neoking]

I have an Early 2011 15" MacBook Pro with the Hi-Res glossy screen and 6750M with 1GB. Bought it as my first Mac at the end of 2011.

Love the screen, love the machine Even tho I also have a 2012 13" maxed-out Air, I still go back to the MBP.

I have put 16GB in it, put a Samsung 830 256GB SSD in the hard drive bay, and moved the original 750GB SATA II drive into the OptiBay.

I've configured a Homebrew Fusion Drive.

It's a great machine!

Wow, thank you guys for the recommendations. I took a look at some Early and Late 2011 models, and while most are in my price range, I took a look at the upgraded 2012 Mac Mini. The thing is only $800, and it comes already with an i7! Add 4 more GBs of RAM, maybe add an SSD, and and I'll be good to go!

Would you guys recommend this more than the 2011 MBP?

 

[Starfyre]

Not much difference between the 2010 or the 2011. If you can get a new 2010, that would be the better deal. Whats the point of paying more for the 2011 when there is only a very slight difference?

 

[MrGimper]

Wow, thank you guys for the recommendations. I took a look at some Early and Late 2011 models, and while most are in my price range, I took a look at the upgraded 2012 Mac Mini. The thing is only $800, and it comes already with an i7! Add 4 more GBs of RAM, maybe add an SSD, and and I'll be good to go!

Would you guys recommend this more than the 2011 MBP?

Depends what you plan on using it for. You need a screen, keyboard, mouse etc for the mini. And lugging that lot about is a lot less portable than a MBP.