Updating from Early 2011 to rMBP 2014?

[bertie343]

With the new refurb models post on the Apple Store now, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on upgrading? I have an Early 2011 15" MBP right now (yes, I'm dealing with the more frequently occurring AMD graphics card issue) and am considering getting one of the refurb 2014 15" rMBP.

Does anyone have any recommendations, advice, do or don't do's? I want to make sure I'm making an informed decision before laying down $2k for an upgrade.

 

[MacInTO]

I'd wait for your current machine to die, unless you can sell it. The refurb store will only be getting more machines in the near future. They're down to four 15" MBPs at the moment. A month ago there were a dozen to choose from.

Since RAM is soldered on now, get the maximum. I'd also get the largest SSD that you can afford.

The 2013 2.3 is the best value at the moment. I have the 2012 2.7 model with 768 SSD and it's pretty fast also.

 

[cjmillsnun]

I'd wait for your current machine to die, unless you can sell it. The refurb store will only be getting more machines in the near future. They're down to four 15" MBPs at the moment. A month ago there were a dozen to choose from.

Since RAM is soldered on now, get the maximum. I'd also get the largest SSD that you can afford.

The 2013 2.3 is the best value at the moment. I have the 2012 2.7 model with 768 SSD and it's pretty fast also.

TBF all mid 2014 15" come with 16GB of RAM, but would agree on the SSD.

 

[bertie343]

I'd wait for your current machine to die, unless you can sell it. The refurb store will only be getting more machines in the near future. They're down to four 15" MBPs at the moment. A month ago there were a dozen to choose from.

Since RAM is soldered on now, get the maximum. I'd also get the largest SSD that you can afford.

The 2013 2.3 is the best value at the moment. I have the 2012 2.7 model with 768 SSD and it's pretty fast also.

What makes you say best value? Clock speed vs cost? Right now I have a 2.2 GHz i7 which I've been pretty happy with. I'm definitely going for 16GB of RAM (have 8GB now) and I upgraded this MBP's drive with a 512GB SSD so I would be going right for that (the several hundred $ more for a 1TB SSD is not worth it IMO).

Only reason I was looking at getting a mid 2014 is that it's the newest and it would take longer for it to fall out of date with subsequent upgrades (Can't use Handoff since I don't have Bluetooth LE 4.0 on this MBP).

 

[MacInTO]

What makes you say best value? Clock speed vs cost? Right now I have a 2.2 GHz i7 which I've been pretty happy with. I'm definitely going for 16GB of RAM (have 8GB now) and I upgraded this MBP's drive with a 512GB SSD so I would be going right for that (the several hundred $ more for a 1TB SSD is not worth it IMO).

Only reason I was looking at getting a mid 2014 is that it's the newest and it would take longer for it to fall out of date with subsequent upgrades (Can't use Handoff since I don't have Bluetooth LE 4.0 on this MBP).

Clock speed is one. The speed between the two machines isn't much (something like 4%), but there are some big differences. The 2013 and newer models use PCIe SSDs vs SATA in the 2012. They also have faster wireless (802.11ac). Either are good choices, but since the newer is cheaper, it's a better value.

 

[bertie343]

I'm sorry, newer is cheaper where? I'm seeing


Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display
Originally released July 2014
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM

512GB Flash Storage
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for $2099

and


Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display
Originally released October 2013
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
512GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for $1989

So besides the 0.2GHz difference, two cycle difference in age and $110 difference in price, is there any reason I should pick one over the other?

 

[MacInTO]

I'm sorry, newer is cheaper where? I'm seeing


Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display
Originally released July 2014
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM

512GB Flash Storage
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for $2099

and


Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display
Originally released October 2013
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
512GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for $1989

So besides the 0.2GHz difference, two cycle difference in age and $110 difference in price, is there any reason I should pick one over the other?

Hmm, I don't see the 2.5 model. Interesting.

The 2014 was only a processor bump over the late 2013, if I recall correctly. If you have an extra $100, the 2014 is good also.

 

[bertie343]

Look under 13" MBP They still haven't corrected the mistake yet.

And that's kind of what I was looking at, might as well go a bit newer. Never hurt.

 

[MacInTO]

LOL, good catch!

Yeah, I'd probably just get the 2014. I've spend $100 in worse ways!