Retina display vs non-Retina (pros & cons)

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Level 1

26 points

Retina display vs non-Retina (pros & cons)

I'm considering replacing my ancient MacBook Pro with one that's merely...old. The reason is simply my current mid 2011 is beginning to hit compatibility problems with some websites, particularly online banking, which matters when I'm traveling for extended periods. Except for that, I have no meaningful performance issues. Maximum speed is not a big priority for my particular needs, I don't want to spend extra money for capabilities I simply don't need or care about.

So I'm shopping for a used 2015 or slightly newer MBP in order to run Monterey, preferably 13 inch. I'd likely be buying from an online dealer who I've bought from previously. They offer upgrades to larger SSDs, which I'd likely choose.

Should I only consider "Retina" MBPs? Or should I definitely choose non-Retina? I gather that Retina screen is much crisper than non-Retina, but I've never actually used one. Are there downsides to Retina? I've searched online and found no useful pro / *** information.

One consideration might include the reality that some of my travel inevitably takes me onto bumpy unpaved roads, though at slow speeds. Is Retina screen any more (or less?) susceptible to damage from rough roads? I generally put my laptop on top of clothing in my rig to insulate it from bumps.

Can anyone shed light on retina vs non-retina screens in MacBook Pro 13 inch?

Thanks!

MacBook, 10.11

Posted on Mar 23, 2024 10:18 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Allan Jones

Level 9

77,786 points

Mar 24, 2024 10:02 AM in response to tytoalbaow

It's a moot point. The last non-Retina Macbook Pros were the Mid 2012 models, limited to running no higher than macOS 10.15 Catalina. They can't help your compatibility issue.

One man's opinion: Given what you stated, I think 2015 is far too old. The highest macOS they can run is OS 12.X Monterrey, which becomes unsupported this fall when the next OS version is released. At the rate browser developers are dropping older macOS versions, you will be back in the same situation rather soon.

Were I shopping for a used Macbook Pro with some software support life left, I would not consider anything older than 2018.

Offered for your consideration.

Allan

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Answer 2

Mar 24, 2024 5:52 PM in response to tytoalbaow

tytoalbaow wrote:

Can anyone shed light on retina vs non-retina screens in MacBook Pro 13 inch?

Retina screens appeared in the MacBook Pro line in 2012 - though Apple continued to sell new copies of the 13" Mid 2012 non-Retina MacBook Pro until October 2016. That machine can't run anything later than Catalina.

The non-Retina MacBook Pros generally

Used 2.5" SATA notebook drives
Had built-in optical disks
Had socketed RAM – unlike all of the Retina MacBook Pros, in which RAM is soldered in and non-expandable
Had batteries that could be replaced (though by now only third-party batteries would be available)

Retina MacBook Pros

Have internal SSDs – in some cases, ones for which aftermarket upgrades are available; in other cases, not
Do not have mechanical drive bays for 2.5" SATA notebook drives or for 5.25" optical drives
Have soldered-in RAM
Have batteries that are not meant to be replaced by users – only by Apple or Apple authorized repair shops

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Answer 3

Mar 24, 2024 8:11 AM in response to tytoalbaow

I think all MacBook Pros like the 2015 or newer you are considering have retina displays.

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Answer 4

WWeston-

Level 1

8 points

Jul 5, 2024 6:32 PM in response to tytoalbaow

i also for your situation, recommend a laptop bag, like this https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-15-6-Inch-Laptop-Tablet-Bag/dp/B00DUGZFWY/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2UUDZIAR1UAY3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EddVLvOdonHonfq3xZXK0el2r7R_cBDHhI528rrRa6ipK1iA7jvky0WgaB7T-RiH5RkbdkPLWT6n3u52n31ynB4BJcjxhT2hG6SX2QwUPuGaoCFCdJPUVNeXk74pNU_Aii0ZRIBv0yIRGfGbIs51G39tkNtimmJG6xcLUzI30gacycsaAgyyArm6A1Y_Ff4RlBZZSkBdZnIs6JRtha4Tn8NaWSNHI7Li0l5IthnpAUU.AuTYNT7zQFOqt5F2v0cFTzKDgiTX4bQAjhuCdaDaKXM&dib_tag=se&keywords=laptop%2Bbag&qid=1720229534&sprefix=laptop%2Bbag%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-4&th=1

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Answer 5

WWeston-

Level 1

8 points

Jul 5, 2024 6:43 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Retina MacBook Pro 2012,2013-2015

1.better performance

2.Retina display

3.fast SSD

4.soldered RAM

5.MagSafe2

6.TB2,HDMI,USB3.0

7.smaller and lighter than Unibody

Unibody MacBook Pro 2008-2013 (17 inch 2008-2011)

1. 2 sata bays 1 for hdd and 1 for cd/dvd (cd/dvd can be used for hdd or ssd)

2.Upgradeable ram

3. 17 inch opinion

4. MagSafe 1

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Answer 6

tytoalbaow Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 24, 2024 2:27 PM in response to Allan Jones

What you said is sensible, thank you. I appreciate the clarification on Retina screens. Unfortunately, my budget doesn't stretch far enough for what you advise.

Besides, I've had consistent good luck with older Macs. In fact, I also have a 2009 MBP which I use more or less in place of a radio and TV combined, for Pandora and Youtube. When it dies, big deal, I've long since gotten my money's worth from it.

Regardless, thank you for the information, and recommendation.

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Answer 7

tytoalbaow Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 24, 2024 9:41 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Servant of Cats:

Thank you for this precise comparison.

It's interesting that one deviation from what you defined (albeit with your qualification "generally") for non-Retina MBPs is sitting here beside me: a late 2011 13inch MBP with internal 500 GB SSD. I bought it used about 3 years ago; it continues to work fine.

The previous user had mainly used it in med school for taking notes in class, which means she relied heavily on the battery. I anticipated I'd be replacing the battery at some point, but three years later, using the machine 90% on my desk and plugged in, I see no sign of a tired battery....(yet).

I am grateful for your useful reply.

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Answer 8

Mar 24, 2024 10:41 PM in response to tytoalbaow

tytoalbaow wrote:

It's interesting that one deviation from what you defined (albeit with your qualification "generally") for non-Retina MBPs is sitting here beside me: a late 2011 13inch MBP with internal 500 GB SSD. I bought it used about 3 years ago; it continues to work fine.

"2.5" SATA notebook drives" includes both hard drives (HDDs) and SATA SSDs using the 2.5" internal notebook drive form factor.

Those are the only kind of SSDs that you can install internally within a non-Retina MacBook Pro – and Apple sold some variants of the Late 2011 MBPs with SATA notebook SSDs pre-installed.

A few 17" non-Retina MacBook Pros had ExpressCard/34 expansion slots. The ExpressCard standard apparently supported several transfer modes with effective speeds ranging from 480 Mbps to 3.2 Gbps. Or in other words, even if you could find an ExpressCard/34 SSD, it wouldn't be likely to outrun a 2.5" SATA III notebook one. (And with an ExpressCard/34 SSD, part of the card would be sticking out of the side of the MBP.)

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Answer 9

tytoalbaow Author

Level 1

26 points

Jun 21, 2024 6:49 AM in response to muddin86

I believe you are referring to the reply from Allan Jones on March 24?

"One man's opinion: Given what you stated, I think 2015 is far too old. The highest macOS they can run is OS 12.X Monterrey, which becomes unsupported this fall when the next OS version is released."

I believe he uses "unsupported" to mean that the next operating to be introduced in fall of 2024 will not be able to be installed on the 2015 MacBook Pro.

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Answer 10

WWeston-

Level 1

8 points

Jul 5, 2024 6:27 PM in response to tytoalbaow

if you do a few google searches, you can see what works best. There are ways to run versions of mac os that apple does not support on that hardwere. keep in mind you are on your own for support, ect...

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