Upgrade from 2.3 rMBP to 2.7 worth it?

[drison]

I own a base model 2.3/8/256 Retina Macbook Pro but I'm constantly hitting up against the 8Gig memory limitation.

Does anyone have experience with both the base model and the higher end model and will I notice any performance boost other than the memory increase to go to 2.7/16/512?

 

[Weaselboy]

What kind of work do you do with the machine? Unless it is VERY CPU intensive, like video transcoding for example, you won't notice a difference in day to day usage.

 

[kensic]

not if you're just going to facebook all day. lol (but yea you get the point)

 

[drison]

What kind of work do you do with the machine? Unless it is VERY CPU intensive, like video transcoding for example, you won't notice a difference in day to day usage.

I code in Java, run multiple Linux vms, etc.

At any given time I have MS Office, Safari, Chrome, FF, TextMate, IntelliJ, 5-10 Terminal Tabs, Preview, Adium, iTunes, Mail, 2-3 Linux Vms in Fusion, iCal, etc, etc.

I think the memory is the biggest gain for me then, not the cpu.

 

[Weaselboy]

I code in Java, run multiple Linux vms, etc.

At any given time I have MS Office, Safari, Chrome, FF, TextMate, IntelliJ, 5-10 Terminal Tabs, Preview, Adium, iTunes, Mail, 2-3 Linux Vms in Fusion, iCal, etc, etc.

I think the memory is the biggest gain for me then, not the cpu.

I agree... you have a lot going on there that will chew up memory, but looks like relatively little that uses CPU cycles. With what you described, I don't think the CPU bump will make even one bit of difference.

 

[chrisrosemusic1]

If your RAM is limited you don't really have choice.

Also, the new rMBP 2.8 has better thermals and improved screens so you may see other improvements.

 

[drison]

If your RAM is limited you don't really have choice.

Also, the new rMBP 2.7 has better thermals and improved screens so you may see other improvements.

What about the refurb 2.7? Do you think it is the same model as the new 2013 refresh internally?

 

[Weaselboy]

What about the refurb 2.7? Do you think it is the same model as the new 2013 refresh internally?

There were some minor internal changes. Here is an article about it.

 

[chrisrosemusic1]

What about the refurb 2.7? Do you think it is the same model as the new 2013 refresh internally?

No, it won't be the same. Yes, changes are minor but none the less are changes to help with some original concerns.

I made a mistake - have since edited it to '2.8'

 

[drison]

No, it won't be the same. Yes, changes are minor but none the less are changes to help with some original concerns.

I made a mistake - have since edited it to '2.8'

Okay, do you think it's worth it to save the $400+ on the refurb?

 

[fskywalker]

What about a refurb 2.7 / 768 / 16 ?

Hi, don't know your budget, but just purchased a 2 month old 2.6 / 768 / 16 rMBP for $2650, so if you look patiently you may get a great deal. I have seen the same specs from Apple on their store (refurbished as well) for around $2700 so grab a bargain as this machines were around $3700 when launched.

 

[drison]

Hi, don't know your budget, but just purchased a 2 month old 2.7 / 768 / 16 rMBP for $2650, so if you look patiently you may get a great deal. I have seen the same specs from Apple on their store (refurbished as well) for around $2700 so grab a bargain as this machines were around $3700 when launched.

I snatched up the same but refurb for 2719. I'll have a base rMBP on the market in a few days.

 

[Robster3]

Funny how all the experts say doubling your ram won't make a difference with everyday use. I went from 8gb to 16 in a 09 27" imac and it speeded up everything, even web browsing.

Why wouldn't it be the same for a rMBP?

 

[drison]

Funny how all the experts say doubling your ram won't make a difference with everyday use. I went from 8gb to 16 in a 09 27" imac and it speeded up everything, even web browsing.

Why wouldn't it be the same for a rMBP?

Yeah, I think it will be a big difference. I notice it gets really slow when it starts paging out. I typically leave my machine on for weeks at a time. I only restart when an update requires it, so I end up with a lot getting paged out because a lack of free memory. The worst is when I'm trying to code and test something and the whole thing just hangs while it pages things in or out of memory.