Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Which is a better deal - buying today/tomorrow![vote]

BETTER DEAL

  • mbp 15" 2011

    Votes: 7 41.2%

  • mbp 17" 2011

    Votes: 10 58.8%
  • Total voters
    17
G

gochi

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 31, 2011
289
1
Hello macxperts! :apple:

I want to buy one of these, but I don't know the better deal between the two. I like both and have no preference really.

a) Macbook Pro 15"-
early 2011, 2.2ghz/1gb 6750/8GB ram
ANTIGLARE
Magic Trackpad
$900

b) Macbook Pro 17"
early 2011, 2.2ghz/1gb 6750
16gb RAM
500 GB SAMSUNG 840 SSD
$1300

Which is the better deal?
 
The SSD alone is like $300. Take that out of the equation and you have a $100 price difference for 1920x1200 and twice the RAM - assuming you would make use of the 17 inch form factor, that is a fantastic machine.

Of course, both are good deals.
 
Most here are no experts including myself. But the power of the hive is very strong! So the answer you seek will come clear very soon. Last year I was in your shoes, should I try out IOS on a used inexpensive this or that. I wants a Big screen all that stuff. Long story short I ended up with a rMBP 15.
I initially wanted a 17, but they are not available. I love my 15 for the size, it perfect for light travel but the screen it big and sharp!
So I pick up a MBAir for the wife last week, i'm in love all over again. The Air is a very nice fast and solid machine. Long story just to say they 17 is great but its a desktop, way to heavy to toss in the backpack daily. SSD big plus. $900 for a used 15 good price.
So I would offer this suggestion. Save a couple more months and get the 13 MBAir! It will do most everything you need, travels well, latest processor, excellent batter life. 8+ hours real world. No worries about a used device or broken device in the future. So as the apple credo goes "More is not always better!" (paraphrased a lot)
 
zipur said:
Most here are no experts including myself. But the power of the hive is very strong! So the answer you seek will come clear very soon. Last year I was in your shoes, should I try out IOS on a used inexpensive this or that. I wants a Big screen all that stuff. Long story short I ended up with a rMBP 15.
I initially wanted a 17, but they are not available. I love my 15 for the size, it perfect for light travel but the screen it big and sharp!
So I pick up a MBAir for the wife last week, i'm in love all over again. The Air is a very nice fast and solid machine. Long story just to say they 17 is great but its a desktop, way to heavy to toss in the backpack daily. SSD big plus. $900 for a used 15 good price.
So I would offer this suggestion. Save a couple more months and get the 13 MBAir! It will do most everything you need, travels well, latest processor, excellent batter life. 8+ hours real world. No worries about a used device or broken device in the future. So as the apple credo goes "More is not always better!" (paraphrased a lot)
Click to expand...

thanks for your insight.

but is the air capable of playing games and/or photoshop.
 
17" will be faster due to SSD and 16gb RAM and you won't have to upgrade this one down the road.

I'm also guessing you get 1920x1200 resolution on the 17"?
 
Voodoofreak said:
17" will be faster due to SSD and 16gb RAM and you won't have to upgrade this one down the road.

I'm also guessing you get 1920x1200 resolution on the 17"?
Click to expand...

yes.

but i can upgrade to 16gb ram for $50, by selling the two 4gb sticks (not sure if i even really need 16gigs).

i think ssd prices will drop.
 
Of the two, I'd go with the 15. If you don't need the extra screen space the 17 offers, you can buy a 500gb SSD + the RAM on eBay or Amazon and it'll come out to about the same price as the 17 would set you back. The 15 doesn't have the 1080p resolution, but it's smaller and weighs less.
 
the power difference isnt really a big deal to me.

i am looking at value.
 
My advice though would be to save a bit more and get a refurbished/used 15" Retina. You can get the base model from eBay or Amazon for 1400-1500.

If gaming is your focus, it'll handle them much better than either of those models.
 
5-3 hmm.


about the only thing preventing me from buying the 17" is the lack of antiglare.
 
As someone who went from an older 17" to a newer 15", I liked the screen space on the 17" but didn't like the size and weight. It didn't fit well in my backpack and was heavy when using it on my lap. I've gotten used to the 15" and it does fine for my needs now.

I like having a SSD. It has made more performance difference than any change to a computer I've ever done.
 
I say save some money and go with the 15''~ You can easily install 16GB of RAM and an SSD on your own whenever you collect more money!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back