Which Of These 13" MacBook Pros Should I Get?

[Jerlane]

Hi, here is another "which MBP should I get" thread. I will just be using it for typical home use, Internet, some documents, some video, no gaming, and I may try to store some movies on it if Toast really works. I'd like to have a decent movie library to put movies on my iPad.

I'm looking at three models at B&H Photography. Two are the October models and one is from the most recent release. Resale value in 4-5 years is a small consideration. I am just now replacing my old MacBook from 2007.

1. MD313LL/A $1049.00
Product Highlights
2.4GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core
4GB of DDR3 RAM
500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
Intel HD 3000 Graphics
13.3" LED-Backlit Glossy Display
1280 x 800 Native Resolution
Slot-Loading SuperDrive
802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
FaceTime HD Camera, Built-in Microphone
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion (64-bit)

2. MD314LL/A $1199
Product Highlights
2.8GHz Intel Core i7 Dual-Core
4GB of DDR3 RAM
750GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
Intel HD 3000 Graphics
13.3" LED-Backlit Glossy Display
1280 x 800 Native Resolution
Slot-Loading SuperDrive
802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
FaceTime HD Camera, Built-in Microphone
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion (64-bit)

3. MD101LL/A $1138.95
Product Highlights
Intel Core i5 Dual-Core 2.5 GHz CPU
Internal 4GB DDR3 RAM
Features 500GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
Intel HD 4000 Graphics
LED-Backlit 13.3" (33.8 cm) Display
Native 1280 x 800 Resolution
Wireless 802.11n WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0
Dual USB 3.0 Ports & Thunderbolt Port
May Ship with OS X Lion or Mountain Lion

It seems like option number two is the best bang for the buck, but I'm not quite sure if the ivy bridge processor is that big of an upgrade to make up the difference in processor speed.

Also, can I replace the RAM easily like on my old MB or is it more complicated on the Pro? I am planning on buying AppleCare since it is only $95 through BH.

Thanks in advance!

 

[M0esmac]

My choices:

2: Bigger hard drive and i7.
3: Just because Intel 4000 and if you need it: USB 3.
1: Nothing good about this compared to 3 and 2.

 

[Jerlane]

My choices:

2: Bigger hard drive and i7.
3: Just because Intel 4000 and if you need it: USB 3.
1: Nothing good about this compared to 3 and 2.

Thanks for the response. I guess I don't know a whole lot about USB 3. Is that something that an average user is going to benefit from much in the next four years?

 

[M0esmac]

Thanks for the response. I guess I don't know a whole lot about USB 3. Is that something that an average user is going to benefit from much in the next four years?

Oh sorry, I didn't read first two paragraphs of yours.
Considering that you do not do any programming/adobe stuff/gaming, I say you should go with third one.
It is last and current generation, Intel 4000 will be better, i5 will produce less heat and 2.5GHz still good. USB 3 will help you get better speeds on external hard drives / flash drives. It probably will ship with Mountain Lion or code of it, which goes -20$ down. You could put it towards RAM upgrade to 8gigs or SSD later.

 

[iMacFarlane]

Definitely go with the 2012 base model. I am using it right now. It is a great machine, and even though everyone tells you that you can't game on it, they're wrong. I get better framerates on this thing than I did on my Late 2009 iMac with dedicated GPU. The 4000 rocks. You can always make up the storage inequity with a DIY install of a bigger HDD or replace your optical drive with one (or an SSD for speed).

I use this computer for programming, routine mail/banking/surfing, and gaming. It excels at all three.

 

[Jerlane]

Definitely go with the 2012 base model. I am using it right now. It is a great machine, and even though everyone tells you that you can't game on it, they're wrong. I get better framerates on this thing than I did on my Late 2009 iMac with dedicated GPU. The 4000 rocks. You can always make up the storage inequity with a DIY install of a bigger HDD or replace your optical drive with one (or an SSD for speed).

I use this computer for programming, routine mail/banking/surfing, and gaming. It excels at all three.

Thanks for the opinions. It's looking like the latest version is the winner.

I have one more question about AppleCare and the genius bar. Will they still help me set up my new MBP if I don't have one-on-one? I want to sync up all of my devices, calendars, etc as efficiently as possible and I don't think I had things set up optimally on my old MacBook. I'm planning on buying from BH photo so one-on-one is not an option, but I do plan on buying AppleCare.

 

[smartalic34]

3 > 2 > 1

Definitely go with the 2012 model - the slight decrease in CPU power is more than made up for by a huge increase in GPU power. Plus you get the latest Bluetooth and USB standards. The only thing you really lose out on is the larger hard drive, but you can always upgrade that yourself down the line if you find 500GB isn't enough.

 

[The Tuck]

#3. It has USB 3.0 which is the future. If you get either of the other two, you're investing in an outdated technology.

 

[miles01110]

Thanks for the response. I guess I don't know a whole lot about USB 3. Is that something that an average user is going to benefit from much in the next four years?

The average user? No.

#3. It has USB 3.0 which is the future. If you get either of the other two, you're investing in an outdated technology.

USB 2 will still work fine for many years to come. Other than external storage or media read/write, I am hard pressed to think of any peripherals that really benefit from USB3.

 

[Glockron]

If you're not going to do anything serious - I'd opt for the 13" Air. Although the processor is weaker, you're not bound to feel that with your usage. The SSD speeds are much more likely to benefit you though, making everything from booting, opening apps, saving, copying etc. much much faster.

The Air gets you SSD speeds, and great portability - without really letting down on performance. Plus - the display is higher res... I run a virtual machine on mine, with around five other apps without the fans even kicking in

 

[Jerlane]

If you're not going to do anything serious - I'd opt for the 13" Air. Although the processor is weaker, you're not bound to feel that with your usage. The SSD speeds are much more likely to benefit you though, making everything from booting, opening apps, saving, copying etc. much much faster.

The Air gets you SSD speeds, and great portability - without really letting down on performance. Plus - the display is higher res... I run a virtual machine on mine, with around five other apps without the fans even kicking in

I've thought about the air, but I still want the optical drive and. Want a larger hard drive. Plus I have an iPad, so portability isn't a big issue for me.