Considering a MBP 13 or 15

Hi all,

I am considering getting a Mac and have been looking between the MBP 13 or 15.

There is quite a cost difference between the two... my question is, other than screen size, am I going to notice a huge difference between the two?

I plan to tote it between work and home. Doing just the basics: internet, word processing, excel, picture editing to some degree, maybe make a few movies using the Mac software, and playing World of Warcraft. I may consider playing Star Wars The Old Republic when it comes out as well.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

From what you've listed, the MBP 13 should be plenty, but if you have the money, the MBP 15 will last longer in terms of performance.

 

the only difference would be the graphics card and MAYBE the picture editting(depending on the resolution of your pictures).

since it sounds like you can afford the mbp 15, if you do get the 13", i recommend buying an SSD for it asap.

 

For most things you list... screens and battery life at the only major differences, but as soon as you add some games in there, well it changes a lot more. WoW is rather old and runs pretty good on the 320m, but future games like TOR can be a different story.

While I put together an "unofficial" version of Star Trek Online for Macs, and plan on doing one for The Old Republic if at all possible... you'll still get the best performance from running Windows for games... and having a good GPU in either case. The 320m in the 13" is good for a IGP, but it might run TOR pretty poorly without using lower settings... the 330m in the 15" does a lot better for games, but its still not near top of the line in GPU performance. If you get a Mac don't ever expect it to be good with games no matter what you do. Yes you can play, but if your the type that always want the graphics maxed out and aren't happy otherwise, use something else for gaming.

 

I would suggest the base 15" model, that's what I got, and it was well worth it. If you can wait until April when the new models come out then wait, if not get the 15" model to be more "future proof." Core 2 Duo is outdated, no point in buying a laptop in 2011 with a 3 year old processor.

 

GO for the 15" I have both a MBP 13" and 15" I do quite a bit of work/research on my MB's and I always find my self using the 15" and 13" only to surf the net. For gaming there its a no brainer as well.

 

^^ I agree completely

I also have a base model 15 I really enjoy it. be prepared tho. it's not anything like windows.

 

I agree with the 15" but according to some websites (macbuyers, I think) they say hold out on buying a macbook pro for awhile because they think a refresh is coming soon. However it take awhile for the MBP to get the core I series, so who knows.

They both haver great battery life, so its really down to the size. Personally 15.6" is a bit big for me so If I'm planning on taking it around I'd use the 13".

 

Its 15.4" BTW.

 

How are Apple's refurbs? I see they have a 15" model for like $300 off.

Searching on ebay, it looks like Macs have great resale value.

 

They do have great resale value, because like most companies have a pretty devout following. Its also because you can't put Os X on anything else and thats a great operating system with alot of advantages.

Also I didnt know it was 15.4" that would probably be my limit on moving around.

 

For office work and the like, I'd go for the base 15" model with the high-resolution screen option.

 

is Sandy Bridge based notebooks out yet? if they aren't I wouldn't expect to see a new Macbook pro, I doubt apple would refresh before the next gen intel chips(if they use them is a different story). if anything I'll bet we will see a new iMac in the next few months.

 

yep lots of models are out, HP even had a few out rather early ( late Dec. ) I saw HP and Acer models in Retail B&M stores last week.

 

never mind then, then yes I do expect a new Macbook pro in the next few months... personally I'm hoping for and update to the iMac line. not really interested in a new Macbook pro right now (unless it's epic).

 

iMac was updated recently, I would say more like late summer/early fall for them to be refreshed again.

 

Kind of silly to buy a MBP now unless you really need a new computer...

Apple always has new ones in the first half of the year

 

if you get the 15", definitely order it online and get the high res display option

I see way too many of those 15"-ers running around here at NCSU without the high res screen.

 

15" has better screen and better speaker (a lot better in fact)