Can't decide Macbook Pro 15 or Retina

15 in Retina is a unit where you *can* replace the flash storage (according to some sources), but flash storage is still more expensive than HDD or SSD. Non-Retina 15 in is a unit where it is easy to access the HD/SSD to replace it.

It sounds like you regularly will exceed the internal storage of the unit, so non-Retina sounds like a better choice.

Macs, by most accounts from those who game, are not prime gaming systems. They are designed to be general-use business systems. But I do not game so what do I know?

Paying Apple to upgrade to 16 GB will cost 3-4 times what you will pay from third-parties after purchase.

Disk size is your call, based on your projected disk usage.

Anti-glare is good, as is "hi-res" option (1680x1050). I have both in my 2011 15 in MBP.

I expect mine to outlast my needs, meaning that it will get too slow for heavy development needs before it will die completely. But that does not mean it is a failure because it will be too slow at some point, just that development needs will always out-pace "existing in-placehardware".

It should last at least 2 years, I would guess. Without having full knowledge of your actual use now or in the immediate future. 3 or more is possible.

If you're going to use FCP extensively then you should definately go for the biggest drive you can get, especially if you're filming and editing in HD. I personally would use an external drive as a scratch disk.

Also, if you're going to do a lot of editing in FCP or Photoshop then a retina screen would probably be advantageous but to appreciate the benefit you'd need to get retina compatible apps (FCP X & CS6 for example.)

Eventually all Macs will be retina, so that's something to bear in mind.

If you're only looking for a lifespan of two years then a 'standard' MBP that you've spec'd should be sufficient.

However, my first Macbook Pro (2007) lasted me for 5 years until I upgraded recently to a RMBP. I used it primarily for FCP, virtual machines, Photoshop and encoding. It was perfectly adequate and it was only a C2D processor with 4Gb memory and a 160Gb HDD. I stored everything, including backups on external HDDs. I only used the internal HDD for my apps and work in progress.

I fully expect my RMBP to last another 5 years. Hope this helps.

Good points from both steve359 and Vestan Pance. In addition I suggest investigating the Apple MBP refurbished section, specifically the 17" models. Though they may be a year behind, the performance parameters, they will be more than adequate and you can update the the RAM to 16 GB and put in a 1TB HDD (I saw a 1.5 TB HDD the other day) which should give sufficient storage. The large screen format would be beneficial for your requirements.

I have gone the refurbished route three time with no regrets.

Ciao.

Second OGELTHORPE on refurbished.

My MBP is refubished. But act fast ... 17 in is not manufactured anymore so any appearing can vanish within an hour.

mr.soueu wrote:

Is the Retina really worth the extra money...

In my opinion, no.

...is the Macbook Pro 15 an awesome machine that will be able to do everything that the Retina does?

Yes it will and more actually.

You have the anti-glare option on the 15" non-Retina, I highly suggest you use it. 😉

steve359 wrote:

But act fast ... 17 in is not manufactured anymore so any appearing can vanish within an hour.

A very highly sought after machine, in fact my 17" with 10.6 is two years old and used priced is going for what I paid for it.

Seems not many people like the non-user servicable Retina's, 10.7/10.8, nor the lack of the wonderously large 17" HD screen.

Apple really screwed up royally, likely why there has been heads rolling in Cupertino lately. 🙂

I have built tower PCs, and moved to laptop *only* for portability. Lack of ability to change parts as required (in the field, for example) is a critical decision factor for me.

One more factor you may like to consider - the Retina model does not have Audio In, so that may limit it's usefullness for Logic.

The single audio port is audio out only, with the exception of the Apple microphone headset. The specs for the new iMacs appear to be the same.

You may want to try a plan that I have been considering:

Get two USB flash drives and put images and video that you are familiar with and make certain that they are identical. Go to the Apple retailer and have the retina and conventional MBPs side by side and the look at your images/video simultaneously. This is the only way of determining if the retina display is worth the extra cost. I would not evaluate the respective machines with store data. After all you will be working with your images and video, not theirs.

Ciao.