Is the 15" Macbook Pro really worth it?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Is the 15" Macbook Pro really worth it?

Hello everyone. Macbook novice here.

In my previous thread, I mentioned that I had opted to get the 13" Macbook Air as my very first MB, along with the 3-year AppleCare Protection Plan.

This new discussion that I'm starting has nothing to do with the MBA. So I'm posting this thread just for my own edification.

Yesterday, I went to my local Apple store, and tried out both the 13" MBA and the 13" MBP (Retina).

When I was experimenting with the 13" MBP, one of the Apple store techies encouraged me to try out the 15" MBP. I briefly played around with the 15" MBP, and was kind of turned off by it. The screen was just too wide for my tastes.

However, the Apple techie informed me that 15" MBP edges out the 13" MBP in terms of optimal performance, due to its higher resolution and quad-core i7 processor. Supposedly, the 15" MBP has the most power and is able to handle large, heavy tasks.

Well, from my perspective, the 15" MBP appears to be just a MBP with larger screen.

I mean- Doesn't a 13" MBP (Retina) with a dual-core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM contain enough power to effectively execute multiple, demanding tasks?

Ultimately- Is the 15" MBP actually worth it?

I look forward to hearing what you guys think. Thank you everyone.

Ken

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on May 1, 2016 11:30 PM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,732 points

May 2, 2016 1:37 AM in response to Jericho-79

Depending on what "multiple demanding tasks" mean to you. The top-end 15" model has a discrete GPU with 2GB of dedicated video RAM all for itself. No other model can touch it in terms of high-speed heavy detail graphics performance. But that comes with a price.

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Answer 2

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,098 points

May 2, 2016 1:45 AM in response to Jericho-79

Is It Worth it depends on what you do with it. The optimal computer for you is entirely based on what you use it for. Which is better - A Ferrari or a Honda People Carrier? A Ferrari is not much good when doing the school run with four kids, Grandma and 3 dogs, is it?

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Answer 3

Courcoul

Level 6

18,732 points

May 2, 2016 1:49 AM in response to Yer_Man

But it is an unbeatable chick magnet... 😉

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Answer 4

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,098 points

May 2, 2016 1:53 AM in response to Courcoul

And then leads inexorably to the people carrier...

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

May 2, 2016 3:38 AM in response to Jericho-79

Jericho-79 wrote

Ultimately- Is the 15" MBP actually worth it?

No, a real MBP should have a 17" display and they have not been sold since 2011.

Ciao.

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Answer 6

May 2, 2016 4:21 AM in response to Jericho-79

Hi Jericho-79:

Here is a YouTube video comparing the high end 13 inch MacBook Pro to the low end 15 inch MacBook Pro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2pEPUuKqu4

If you are trying to decide between the 2, it is very interesting.

Kim

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Answer 7

Jericho-79 Author

Level 1

4 points

May 3, 2016 3:30 PM in response to KimUserName

Hello guys. OP here.

Well- If I were going to buy a MBP, it would only be for the Retina display. And, supposedly, the 13" MBP has a slightly better performance level than the 13" MBA does.

According to reviews, the 15" MBP is the ultimate multimedia/design device. And I know nothing about graphics design, video editing, gaming, photoshopping, or Netflixing.

So I'd imagine that if you're only in it for the Retina display, getting the 15" MBP might be going overboard.

What do you guys think?

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Answer 8

May 3, 2016 3:44 PM in response to Jericho-79

I went with the Early 2015 Retina Macbook Pro 13'... and I have to say it's one of the best computers I have ever owned. I bought the base model with a 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and Intel Iris 6100 graphics (the only graphics option for the 13'). Some of my friends have the 15' however they have significantly upgraded ones with discrete graphics cards and 16GB of RAM and so on... The 13' is still more than capable of taking a heavy load. I use it for gaming (Simcity, Kerbal Space Program, and Planetside 2) and it can run them with high graphics settings. I run Adobe apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign as well as video production apps like Premiere Pro and Final Cut and it can blow through most tasks pretty easily. If you won't be doing any of these things then you may not even need to go with the 13' Macbook Pro. You could save 500$ and go with the Macbook Air instead. For me the 13' Retina Macbook Pro is perfect for me because it is a great medium between consumer and professional hardware. Its SSD is one of the quickest out there, it has a great display, and power wise, it is more than a capable computer for most people.

Keep in mind though that the Retina MacBooks have features that the Macbook Air doesen't. Force click and haptic feedback as well as a super display and an HD facetime camera.

The 15', in my opinion, isn't really worth it unless you drop serious coin and get a discrete graphics car (150$) an i7 (300$) and more storage.

If this reply dosen't help you, then you can easily compare devices on Apple's website or download the Apple Store App if you have an iOS device.

-Sid Saber

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