retina display: 13 ins or 15 ins macbook?

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retina display: 13 ins or 15 ins macbook?

With the educational discount, similarly specced 13in and 15 in Macbook Retinas are the same price; I prefer the smaller footprint of the 13in, but wonder whether the quad processors, larger battery, and potenatial for upgrades would make the 15 in a better buy.

I travel quite a lot, and don't game much, but the machine would be used a lot. I've also noticed that my current 13in MBP (2009) gets quite warm in use, don't know whether the larger processors working 'quietly' would be better than the dual core working their little socks off

Any informed opinions?

Thanks

Fax

MacBook Pro with Retina display, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Oct 25, 2012 1:28 AM

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Answer 1

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clintonfrombirmingham

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Oct 25, 2012 2:48 AM in response to Faxsimiles

None informed from me - I haven't even seen a 13" much less seen any benchmarks, reviews, etc.

But if you're happy with your present 13" I would certainly consider the Retina 13" _ i just need the more powerful processor, GPU, etc., which is why I bought a non-Retina 15".

I do think, from the specs, that it would be a horrible gaming machine, but you say that you don't game much.

Clinton

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Answer 2

Faxsimiles Author

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Oct 25, 2012 2:54 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Thanks Clinton, that's helpful

I only Google for reviews and so on, which sites are liekly to produce benchmarks (and comparisons) most reliably (and quickly)?

Thanks

Fax

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2012 3:02 AM in response to Faxsimiles

It's going to be a matter of time, I think, before any site has a review of the 13". I usually wait for a teardown from ifixit and then a review by MacWorld or AnandTech. Wait for the benchmarks and reviews before buying - my only concern at this moment is how that Intel 4000 card is going to push all those pixels around. I would also be interested in knowing where the flash storage is going to be upgradeable like on the 15" (but then I've only seen OWC offer that option for the 15" so far - no telling if it's the same configuration).

So wait a bit until someone has had a chance to actually evaluate the machine until actually ordering one - that's my best advice.

Clinton

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Answer 4

Faxsimiles Author

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Oct 25, 2012 3:23 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

My sense from the little I have seen is that nothing will be upgradeable on the 13 in (the order form even states you should think carefully about RAM as well as Flash memory, as once it's done, it's done), but am I right in thinking that most things are upgradable on the 15in?

I assume, BTW, that even on the 13in, one could replace the battery once it's packed up (assuming one keeps it so long). My three year old 13in MBP now only lasts about two-three hours on battery alone...

Like you, I'd prefer to see the reviews before deciding; my constraint in the educational pricing, which would save my up to 20% over retail (the three year warranty is a lot cheaper through Universities, for some reason).

Regards

Fax

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Answer 5

Oct 25, 2012 3:28 AM in response to Faxsimiles

The RAM is not upgradeable on either machine - however OWC does have a solid state daughter card for flash memory on the 15" - whether that form-factor will be the same on the 13" Retina, I don't know.

Yes, the battery can be replaced - by Apple - but then I haven't seen user-replaceable batteries on MBPs in years!

So if you're going to get any Retina display model, max out that RAM! And I would go ahead and max out the solid state drive as well, as there's no telling if or when someone will come out with a replacement for the drive.

Sigh - university pricing - I need to go back to school again...

Clinton

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Answer 6

Faxsimiles Author

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Oct 25, 2012 3:43 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

(not a student, I just work at one...)

For the record, who or what is OWC, and is it in the States or over here in the UK?

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Answer 7

Oct 25, 2012 3:48 AM in response to Faxsimiles

Oh - Other World Computing - in the States but they ship world-wide. Excellent source for everything Mac. A bit pricey sometimes, but great products. If you've not visited their website, do. And drool.

Clinton

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Answer 8

Oct 25, 2012 4:45 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

I don't see anywhere to upgrade the RAM from 8GB to 16GB on the 13" Retina MBP? It's there on the 15" but not the 13". Since this is not user upgradable later what gives???? 😕

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Answer 9

Oct 25, 2012 4:51 AM in response to marconiusrex

Stuck with 8GB forever. Why did Apple do it? Difficult to say - one more reason I wouldn't go for a Retina just now (and if I did, I'd have to get the 15" to have the option of 16GB - I have 16GB in my 15" non-Retina and use up to 14GB sometimes)...

Clinton

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