tbMBP and the LG 5K Monitor

[Porkchop Sandwich]

Please forgive my ignorance as it relates to the technical side of graphics, processors, et al.

Although I was initially waiting for the release of tbMBP rev II, and still may; a recent situation has me considering the acquisition of a new MBP a bit sooner than later.

I personally see the 15” as a better value overall however I do prefer the portability of the 13” selection. I’ve had a good number of MBP's at 13” - horsepower, or lack of, has never posed much of an issue for me but for the rare occasion that I create or modify videos. (I do see the potential for CAD/Modeling in the future, unlike the past)

In contrast to the past while using my 13” machines, I have now introduced a monitor for use w/the laptop..and want to keep it that way. I settled on the LG 5K because it’s just a killer monitor. I have no current “plan” to add a second monitor, but stranger things have happened, because that’s how I roll. (I currently use a mid 2014 rMBP 13" i7)

What advantage, if any, does the 15” hold over the 13” when it comes to driving this monitor?

*If I go 15”, I would likely select the 512gb w/Radeon 455. 13”? - not quite sure how I’d spec that but, so far as I am aware, there are no higher spec’d options in the graphics dept for the 13", so it’s moot.

Beyond graphics, are there any other advantages of the 15” vs 13” while using the LG 5K?

Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Please forgive my ignorance as it relates to the technical side of graphics, processors, et al.

Although I was initially waiting for the release of tbMBP rev II, and still may; a recent situation has me considering the acquisition of a new MBP a bit sooner than later.

I personally see the 15” as a better value overall however I do prefer the portability of the 13” selection. I’ve had a good number of MBP's at 13” - horsepower, or lack of, has never posed much of an issue for me but for the rare occasion that I create or modify videos. (I do see the potential for CAD/Modeling in the future, unlike the past)

In contrast to the past while using my 13” machines, I have now introduced a monitor for use w/the laptop..and want to keep it that way. I settled on the LG 5K because it’s just a killer monitor. I have no current “plan” to add a second monitor, but stranger things have happened, because that’s how I roll. (I currently use a mid 2014 rMBP 13" i7)

What advantage, if any, does the 15” hold over the 13” when it comes to driving this monitor?

*If I go 15”, I would likely select the 512gb w/Radeon 455. 13”? - not quite sure how I’d spec that but, so far as I am aware, there are no higher spec’d options in the graphics dept for the 13", so it’s moot.

Beyond graphics, are there any other advantages of the 15” vs 13” while using the LG 5K?

Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Not in terms of driving the 5K although the 13 inch can only drive one 5k the 15 inch can drive 2 that's about it really.

of course CAD and other 3D apps will benefit from better GPU and the quad core in the 15 inch as well.

 

[macjaffa]

if it's a choice between 15 or 13 get the 15. it's a total no brainer.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

macj - I totally hear you on that. As I said, without question the 15" represents a better value in my view..but that's the business owner in me talking. I have limited knowledge of the technical side of things but I am also a fairly astute individual. This forum, although chock full of banter with a few snowflakes aboard and a heavy dose of whining that comes w/it, has taught me quite a bit. One just has to have a good "interweb" filter intact, if you catch my drift..

Please, talk me out of a 13" - you're generosity for taking the time to do so would be met w/a heavy dose of gratitude.

*I will state this about myself, in general - I may not need it..but I sure get frustrated when I do and it's not there.

 

[Brookzy]

The 15" will certainly drive the 5K display more smoothly than the 13".

However, the 15" is significantly more expensive, heavier, larger, and is arguably less visually appealing with its weird proportions than the 13" - though of course this is totally a matter of personal taste.

If you value portability, the performance of the 15" is probably worth sacrificing in favour of the portability of the 13", which is still comfortably capable of editing the occasional video (but if you were editing frequently the 15" is the obvious choice).

If you value battery life, the 13" model is probably the way to go, despite both models having the same battery life on paper: opening an app that triggers the discrete Radeon graphics in the 15" will absolutely hammer the battery. But, despite popular opinion, all of today's MacBook Pros get industry-leading battery life.

If you do choose the 15", I would strongly recommend the upgrade to the 460 Radeon graphics. It is a very good value-for-money performance upgrade. If you don't want to buy online, many larger Apple Stores stock an upgraded model with the top processor, 1TB of storage, and the 460 graphics.

 

[macjaffa]

If you do choose the 15", I would strongly recommend the upgrade to the 460 Radeon graphics. It is a very good value-for-money performance upgrade. If you don't want to buy online, many larger Apple Stores stock an upgraded model with the top processor, 1TB of storage, and the 460 graphics.

that's what I got, 460 1TB 15" 460 is supposed to be 40% faster ?

I just think that ok, the 13" mbp is smaller but the 15 isn't exactly a behemoth either, it's more portable than my old 12.5" X series thinkpad. Sure get the 13", but the 15" is hardly any bigger, has better (higher res,bigger) screen, more power, more ports why would you not get it ? Depends how long you keeping it for, I'm moving here from a 2010 maxxed out 17" Mac book pro. So at least 5 years the difference in initial purchase price does not matter so much as actually having a better machine to use for the duration of that period of time.

I'm running the 5K LG screen as well. It's pretty damn sweet. If you get that screen, you should get the 15"

 

[Brookzy]

that's what I got, 460 1TB 15" 460 is supposed to be 40% faster ?

Yes it is a significant gain.

why would you not get it ?

Because it is significantly more expensive, like $1000+ more expensive depending on which two models you compare.

 

[macjaffa]

Yes it is a significant gain.


Because it is significantly more expensive, like $1000+ more expensive depending on which two models you compare.

I appreciate that, but my point is, if you are actually seriously deciding between the 2, then the extra price is very much worth it. Especially if you factor in the life time of the machine, $1000 dollar is $200 a year for a 5 year lifetime.

And, if the 1000$ really is a sticking point, still get the 15" but don't get the 5K screen . Get a cheaper screen either now, or in the future. With the mac laptops, it's always worth getting the best you can afford as you can upgrade a screen but can't really upgrade the laptop.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

Thank you gentlemen for the comments, much appreciated and believe me, it’s not falling on deaf ears.

Just to clarify, I already have the 5K and I’m currently using it with the aforementioned 13” 2014 MBP. Although I do not realize the full potential of the 5K and only realize 4K (as I understand it); the monitor runs smooth as silk with exception of Launchpad that is just a shade laggy. Frankly, that gets a resounding, “big whoop” from me. I suppose I’m one of the fortunate few that got a “good one” …I sympathize w/the folks who didn’t. The monitor really is fantastic IMO.

Anyhow, if I go 13”, I would likely select i7, 16 RAM, 512..this puts it well within striking distance of the 15” from a monetary standpoint..clearly, the 15” becomes much more sensible and represents a much greater value.

How does the i7 chip in the 13” stack up to the 2.9 i5 in real world performance? ..that’d knock off a coupla’ hundred.

Sure like the form factor of the 13”, but man, my brain is having a hard time reconciling it over the 15”.

I’d sure hate the fact that the extra weight of the 15 would hurt my arm whilst lugging it about, says the snowflake in me..(kidding of course).

 

[Brookzy]

Anyhow, if I go 13”, I would likely select i7, 16 RAM, 512..this puts it well within striking distance of the 15” from a monetary standpoint..clearly, the 15” becomes much more sensible and represents a much greater value.

I'm typing this on that exact specced machine right now. Money wise, it comes in at £2,399. But if you're in the market for a specced-out model, then an upgraded 15" would be £3,329 (2.9GHz/1TB/Radeon 460). A significant difference. (I'm not sure where you're from, but the currency is irrelevant for the purpose of relative comparison.)

How does the i7 chip in the 13” stack up to the 2.9 i5 in real world performance? ..that’d knock off a coupla’ hundred.

About 15-20% on raw benchmark scores.

I’d sure hate the fact that the extra weight of the 15 would hurt my arm whilst lugging it about, says the snowflake in me..(kidding of course).

If you carried it in a backpack all day, or use your laptops away from the desk a lot, the size and weight difference between the 13" and 15" is a serious consideration. But if you don't, then the difference is pretty insignificant.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

Thanks again for your comments and experience. I’m just outside of DC so we’re talking US currency. With the configurations I would select there is a $500.00 spread between the two (I would opt for the 460 as suggested).

13” - i7 3.3 dual - 512 -16 RAM & 15” - i7 2.9 quad -512 - 460

Beyond the power considerations, I guess everything else becomes subjective. Reading the thread about the 13” being laggy w/2 4K’s does concern me if in fact 1 5K nearly equates to 2 4K’s. Then I ask myself, how can that be, my 2014 13” drives the monitor just fine…drag, click, resize, etc..all just as smooth as can be. As stated, when I enter launchpad it shudders slightly but that’s the only hiccup so far as I’ve seen. (Have had the monitor approx 4 wks.) Is launchpad considered VR?

Thanks again, time to handle some machines me thinks.

I'm sure going to miss a nearly top tiered 13" MBP at around the 2K mark..it was a good run and a price point that didn't hurt my feelings. (I will not consider the nontb)