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Could anyone advice between these two MacBook Pros?

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  • 20-07-2015 1:45pm
    #1
    d93c2inhxfok4y
    Closed Accounts Posts: 360 ✭✭


    Hey all,

    My MBP (15-inch, late 2011, 2GHz i7, 4GB RAM) was stolen last month. :( Any advice on choosing between these two models for a replacement? I have a small discount in the store through a friend:

    15-inch MBP - €2200
    2.2Ghz quad-core i7
    16GB RAM (unchangeable)
    500GB SSD

    13-inch MBP - €1700
    2.9GHz dual-core i5
    8GB RAM (€1940 to get 16GB)
    500GB SSD

    I bought my old MacBook four years ago and was shocked to see how crazily expensive they've become. I'm tempted to downgrade to a 13-inch screen but it'd be really frustrating, would make the theft even more annoying knowing for the next four years that I could've been still using my old 15-inch. :mad:

    I intend to keep this for at least four years, so I'm wondering what I should factor in re future-proofing. For example, I'd be more than happy with 8GB RAM for now (I was using 4GB) but I'm not sure if it'll be as easy/cheap to upgrade in future. More important is the processor - the i7 seems like it'll still be good to go in four years, whereas an i5 may not. Thoughts? I was really surprised to see that this super expensive machine was using a quad-core i7 processor given that was what was in my old 2011 machine? I had a 500GB SSD in my stolen 2011 laptop, which was running really well, and I can't see how this new model is *that* much better than it to justify it being €2k!

    Any help greatly appreciated, thanks.
    Tagged:


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    #2
    Zcott
    Registered Users Posts: 3,206 ✭✭✭Zcott


    To be honest, I'd let screen size be the one thing that makes me decide. The other specs should be grand for a few years, because my 2008 machine still runs Yosemite well.


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    #3
    PaddyFagan
    Registered Users Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭PaddyFagan


    In my experience it's always worth checking the refurbished on the apple site: http://www.apple.com/ie/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

    In terms of the two machines you've listed, what's your usage like - i5 versus i7 is unlikely to make a vast difference (even in a few years) unless you're doing something really cpu intensive. I have a 15" and like it, but it's relatively heavy - the 13" is more portable, but the smaller screen may be a pain if you're work exclusively on it and working with applications that use a lot of screen space.

    I don't think any of us can do much beyond highlight the trade offs, the final call is yours.

    Paddy


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