2011 Macbook pro 15" or 2012 Macbook Pro 13"?

Time to upgrade my aging white Macbook. I was waiting for the 2012 refresh to come out but I've got to admit that other than the retina display model, the updates seem kind of underwhelming.

I'm not prepared to sink 2 grand into the Retina display...this is just my every Mac test computer that I need for general use and for comparison when fixing other people's macs (I am an IT guy).

Macbook airs are out because I need the expanded storage

I haven't played a game in years, but I have to admit I am thinking of getting Diablo 3 for old time's sake.

So that being said, do I go for the new macbook pro 13" with ivy bridge at $1,199 or do I grab a macbook pro 15" with the HD3000 and HD 6750 (and 512mb of vram) for $1,499 before they are gone. My budget is between $1200 ad $1500 so the higher end is out.

 

If all you want to play is D3 (a game I personally found boring with not as much improvement over its predecessor as I expected) the 13" 2012 model will be able to play it adequately. No point in spending the extra couple hundred bucks on the 15.


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Well, that's not all, but I figure the max video "ooomph" I would need would be for something like that....I was given to understand that while the HD4000 was a boost from the old HD3000, that it was struggling with anything but the lowest of the low settings....and that is before the game really kicks it into high gear in the later levels.

 

The 2011 MBP is going to be more powerful than the 13" 2012 MBP all around. The only aspect where the 13" model excels in when the processor is put into turbo boost mode.

However, after owning a 13" MBP for a year, I don't really think they are worth the money. They are still nice but you are paying a lot for a dual-core processor with integrated graphics in a form factor that isn't much different from other 13" and 14" notebooks. In all honesty, if you are looking for a 13" Mac from Apple, I highly suggest going with the MBA. Everyday performance is going to be very similar to the 13" MBP (again, except when the MBP is in turbo boost mode), gaming performance is going to be similar, the MBA has a higher resolution, the MBA is lighter, and both the baseline 13" and higher end 13" fit within your budget.

I just don't see a need for the 13" MBP and Apple kind of made that point with the mid-2011 MBA. I know you said you required expanded storage but all-in-all, the MBA is a much better machine for the money over a 13" MBP.

 

He specifically said the Air was out because he needs more storage.


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I was tempted by the AIR, and I could probably convince myself to drag around a portable drive with the storage, but the other drawback is lack of ethernet port (I know, I can get an adapter).

I sometimes need to connect to secure networks during the course of my job with no wireless available. If I forget the adapter one day, it would mess me up big time...I'd probably have to buy three of them and keep two in my glove box just to make sure I always have one....

 

really? I never take my laptop anywhere without it being in my bag... which is where I keep all my extras like adapters I might need, so its never forgotten.

You wouldn't want it unless you could get a big enough SSD for it though... external drives are not fun when your trying to be portable.

 

Yes, I know....I'm terrible that way....I lose little adapters and things all the time, though. I go through thumb drives like some people go through socks

 

I am fully aware of that and even acknowledged that fact in my post. However, I still feel that the 13" MBA is a better value compared with the grossly overpriced 13" MBP. It's clear that Apple is intending for the MBA to replace the lower end MBP's. The only thing the 13" MBP has over the MBA is its ability to use large internal storage. Other than that, the MBA is a better choice.

I feel that the OP would be better off either buying the 256GB 13" 2012 MBA (which is still in their budget) or go with the 15" 2011 MBP. The 13" MBP is just too overpriced for what it comes with. I would feel differently if the 13" MBP had a higher resolution display along with a quad-core processor but it features components found in much less expensive notebooks (aside from the aluminum construction and glass coated display). Either that or if Apple decreased the price of the 13" MBP to less than $1000.