Trading MBP 15 for MBP 13, bad decision?

[djrod]

Hi Guys

I used to need to carry the MacbookPro everywhere, but now I don't need to.

I was thinking on selling the MBP an buy a new iMac, but then i realise thay maybe in the future i will need a notebook again, and here i am again, sell one mac to buy another mac

My MBP is a 15 top end machine with 2,8 GHZ and SSD, i'm thinking now on selling the 15MBP , buy an Apple Cinema Display + Macbook Pro 15 2,53 GHZ + SSD + Wireless Keyboard, this way I can have a "Small Desktop" and a notebook for some ocasional getting out time.

Why not just buy the cinema display and keep the 15"? Because I am not a rich person , I can get some nice money from the 15, buy the 13 and use some of the extra cash on the acquisition of the Cinema Display.

What do you guys think, it's the 13 2,53GHZ MBP so much slower than the 15" 2,8GHZ? I do web design, so 0 video editing, 0 power hungry apps and 0 gaming. What about the sound and display, are worse than the 15 MBP?

Thanks!

 

[MacMini2009]

I see no reason why you need to trade your 15in Macbook Pro for a 13in Macbook Pro.

 

[djrod]

I see no reason why you need to trade your 15in Macbook Pro for a 13in Macbook Pro.

There are 2 reason:

a) My 15MBP is worth 2600EURO, according to macsale.net 1710 for selling it out, 13MBP costs 1200EURO, so I can get 500euro to expend on the Cinema that costs 700EURO.

b) Smaller than the 15MBP, less space an if I need to carry it out is going to be more comfortable.

 

[shambo]

You are in effect downgrading. I couldn't live with that decision, could you?

 

[vant]

Hi Guys

I used to need to carry the MacbookPro everywhere, but now I don't need to.

I was thinking on selling the MBP an buy a new iMac, but then i realise thay maybe in the future i will need a notebook again, and here i am again, sell one mac to buy another mac

My MBP is a 15 top end machine with 2,8 GHZ and SSD, i'm thinking now on selling the 15MBP , buy an Apple Cinema Display + Macbook Pro 15 2,53 GHZ + SSD + Wireless Keyboard, this way I can have a "Small Desktop" and a notebook for some ocasional getting out time.

Why not just buy the cinema display and keep the 15"? Because I am not a rich person , I can get some nice money from the 15, buy the 13 and use some of the extra cash on the acquisition of the Cinema Display.

What do you guys think, it's the 13 2,53GHZ MBP so much slower than the 15" 2,8GHZ? I do web design, so 0 video editing, 0 power hungry apps and 0 gaming. What about the sound and display, are worse than the 15 MBP?

Thanks!

I don't think you'd notice much difference in terms of speed. Did you ever turn on the 9600?

 

[djrod]

You are in effect downgrading. I couldn't live with that decision, could you?

That is correct, i'm downgrading, but how much, the smaller screen is not a down for me, it's even better for my interests.

My real concern, is the 2,53GHZ core 2 duo so much slower than the 2,8?, it's only 300mhz slower

 

[djrod]

I don't think you'd notice much difference in terms of speed. Did you ever turn on the 9600?

I turn on the 9600 just once.

I wanted to try one game, I spent 5 minutes with it ,I trashed the game and the 9600 was swithed off for good

 

[shambo]

That is correct, i'm downgrading, but how much, the smaller screen is not a down for me, it's even better for my interests.

My real concern, is the 2,53GHZ core 2 duo so much slower than the 2,8?, it's only 300mhz slower

Well you are looking at nearly a 10% drop in speed : (280-253)/280 = 9.64%

Not to mention the lose of dedicated graphics card, significantly smaller screen estate, less powerful speakers, and only 1 fan.


Alarm bells are ringing to me that say DON'T DO IT!!

 

[vant]

I turn on the 9600 just once.

I wanted to try one game, I spent 5 minutes with it ,I trashed the game and the 9600 was swithed off for good

You won't notice the .3GHz.

In fact, I'd recommend the 2.26GHz and upgrade to an SSD if it makes sense price-wise like it does in the US.

 

[vant]

Well you are looking at nearly a 10% drop in speed : (280-253)/280 = 9.64%

Not to mention the lose of dedicated graphics card, significantly smaller screen estate, less powerful speakers, and only 1 fan.


Alarm bells are ringing to me that say DON'T DO IT!!

He doesn't use the 9600, he doesn't need the screen, probably doesn't care about the ****** speakers in both, and a fan is moot.

 

[shambo]

He doesn't use the 9600, he doesn't need the screen, probably doesn't care about the ****** speakers in both, and a fan is moot.

Yet! Doesn't mean he never will.

But right now if he does need these in the future he is future-proofed in that he wouldn't need to upgrade to get them.

 

[GoCubsGo]

OP it's a wonderful decision that I seriously doubt you'll regret.

 

[vant]

Yet! Doesn't mean he never will.

But right now if he does need these in the future he is future-proofed in that he wouldn't need to upgrade to get them.

In that case, he should go for a 17". Maybe you should too.

 

[djrod]

He doesn't use the 9600, he doesn't need the screen, probably doesn't care about the ****** speakers in both, and a fan is moot.

I don't care about the speakers, actually.

I suppose that the 15 inch has an extra fan for the 9600GT.

Does not mean that the 13 is a loudy computer with just one fan that needs to rev high to keep the mac cool, right?

 

[shambo]

I don't care about the speakers, actually.

I suppose that the 15 inch has an extra fan for the 9600GT.

Does not mean that the 13 is a loudy computer with just one fan that needs to rev high to keep the mac cool, right?

This is a fact that I have tabled before that a 1 fan machine i.e the 13", will clearly run hotter than a 2 fan. Someone tried to counter the argument but their science was proven unfounded.

 

[vant]

I don't care about the speakers, actually.

I suppose that the 15 inch has an extra fan for the 9600GT.

Does not mean that the 13 is a loudy computer with just one fan that needs to rev high to keep the mac cool, right?

2.26 MBPs generally idle at 40-45C. Default fan speed is 2000RPM (inaudible) until you hit around 75-80c, then it jumps to around 2750RPM (almost inaudible). I've never had it go past 2750RPM despite my hard flash usage.

Playing with smcFanControl, I can start to notice the fan at 3k.

 

[djrod]

I Found some benchmarks:

 

[everestir14]

I can get some nice money from the 15, buy the 13 and use some of the extra cash on the acquisition of the Cinema Display.

 

[vant]

I Found some benchmarks:

Negligible. Quake frame rates were due to 9600.

 

[lilskaterpunk]

I think the MBP 13.3'' High end model is great. Size is perfect and if need a larger screen, I hook up through HDMI to my TV

Good luck on ur decision!

 

[justit]

b) Smaller than the 15MBP, less space an if I need to carry it out is going to be more comfortable.

four finger exposé solves that problem. I'd be happy with a 10" display.

 

[Gabriel GR]

If you don't use it and have other things to spend money on, sure. Don't listen to those that constantly need to have the most powerful machine. Get the job done and spend on your other hobbies.

 

[DaREdBaRoN]

The 13" will more than satisfy your needs. Since you never use the 9600 that won't be an issue and the .3 gHz difference is going to be negligible. Plus the cinema displays are awesome so the smaller screen size doesn't matter

 

[Demosthenes X]

Why not just buy a less expensive LCD? The ACD is nice and all, but you can get some very nice LCDs for a lot less money. I don't see the sense in downgrading your computer just so you can buy an ACD - keep your current system, and get a non-Apple monitor.

 

[Gabriel GR]

Why not just buy a less expensive LCD? The ACD is nice and all, but you can get some very nice LCDs for a lot less money. I don't see the sense in downgrading your computer just so you can buy an ACD - keep your current system, and get a non-Apple monitor.

I thought that the ACD was the screen to have as well. Until I saw some colleague's new Eizo 27" with display port. So comfortable for the eyes.