Buying a new Macbook
May 9, 2011 9:55 PM Subscribe
Considering purchasing a new Macbook Pro - two questions inside.
My trusty old Macbook is starting to go and I'm considering purchasing a new one (likely a 13-inch Macbook Pro as opposed to sticking with the regular Macbook).
1) Are there rumors of a new version of Macbook Pros on the horizon? Is there a compelling reason I should wait a few months for an improved product to come out as opposed to upgrading now?
2) The 13-inch offers two options for a processor: 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 and 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i7, with a $300 price differential. Also, there's a $200 option to upgrade from 4gb of RAM to 8gb. Are either of these upgrades definitely worth it? I'll primarily be using Safari/Chrome, iTunes, Word and occasionally Excel. Not sure if I'll need the extra performance, but curious to know if it makes a noticeable difference as I do like having things open pretty instantly.
Thanks!
My trusty old Macbook is starting to go and I'm considering purchasing a new one (likely a 13-inch Macbook Pro as opposed to sticking with the regular Macbook).
1) Are there rumors of a new version of Macbook Pros on the horizon? Is there a compelling reason I should wait a few months for an improved product to come out as opposed to upgrading now?
2) The 13-inch offers two options for a processor: 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 and 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i7, with a $300 price differential. Also, there's a $200 option to upgrade from 4gb of RAM to 8gb. Are either of these upgrades definitely worth it? I'll primarily be using Safari/Chrome, iTunes, Word and occasionally Excel. Not sure if I'll need the extra performance, but curious to know if it makes a noticeable difference as I do like having things open pretty instantly.
Thanks!
- No, the Macbook Pro was recently refreshed, the next refresh likely won't happen for another 6 months.
- In your situation, the faster processor likely won't make a noticeable difference (unless you're crunching some hardcore data in those excel sheets). The extra RAM will give you give you a much more noticeable performance boost when you multitask or do some heavy processing (such as graphics). However, given that you're doing basic computing work, I doubt you'd need either. (And you can always upgrade the RAM later.)
posted by thebestsophist at 10:02 PM on May 9, 2011
There is always a new Mac on the horizon!
I have the upgraded option you refer to in your second question. I notice improved performance when I use Dreamweaver and other memory intensive applications. I also have a MacBook with your first configuration. (Yes, I have two MacBooks).
If you can afford the upgrade, I suggest you go with it. Not upgrading would not be a deal killer for me.
posted by fifilaru at 10:03 PM on May 9, 2011
I have the upgraded option you refer to in your second question. I notice improved performance when I use Dreamweaver and other memory intensive applications. I also have a MacBook with your first configuration. (Yes, I have two MacBooks).
If you can afford the upgrade, I suggest you go with it. Not upgrading would not be a deal killer for me.
posted by fifilaru at 10:03 PM on May 9, 2011
The Macbook Pro was just upgraded in February, so it's probably not due for about half a year (Apple has been upgrading them on a 10-month cycle it seems).
The I5 is probably more than adequate for your needs. If you really want a noticeable performance increase, splash out on a solid-state drive.
8 GB memory is nice in that you'll be hitting the cache less often, but Apple charges about 2x what, say, Other World Computing does. Still, nothing wrong with 4 GB.
posted by adamrice at 10:03 PM on May 9, 2011
The I5 is probably more than adequate for your needs. If you really want a noticeable performance increase, splash out on a solid-state drive.
8 GB memory is nice in that you'll be hitting the cache less often, but Apple charges about 2x what, say, Other World Computing does. Still, nothing wrong with 4 GB.
posted by adamrice at 10:03 PM on May 9, 2011
The processor will not make a noticeable difference.
RAM, however, can. I recently upgraded from 4 gigs to 8 gigs and the difference is amazing. I can run Windows (in Parallels/VMWare) without any noticeable slowdown in performance.
However, perform the upgrade yourself. It's easy and only costs $80 or so. Just make sure you use high-quality screwdrivers.
posted by 47triple2 at 10:12 PM on May 9, 2011
RAM, however, can. I recently upgraded from 4 gigs to 8 gigs and the difference is amazing. I can run Windows (in Parallels/VMWare) without any noticeable slowdown in performance.
However, perform the upgrade yourself. It's easy and only costs $80 or so. Just make sure you use high-quality screwdrivers.
posted by 47triple2 at 10:12 PM on May 9, 2011
I got the base config on the 13in MBP a couple of months ago, just after the refresh. It's fine for what I need; it'll be fine for what you need. If you really want to spend another $600 right now, get the 15in base config.
It'll feel fast now; wait a year or so, put more RAM in it, and it'll keep feeling fast.
posted by holgate at 12:05 AM on May 10, 2011
It'll feel fast now; wait a year or so, put more RAM in it, and it'll keep feeling fast.
posted by holgate at 12:05 AM on May 10, 2011
The 13" MacBook Air, with a higher resolution screen and a SSD, is potentially a better choice for most users over the 13" MBP. The SSD is way faster than a conventional HD and makes the Air with lower specs feel quicker in many real world applications. If you really need more processing power the 15" comes standard with a quad core processor, unavailable on the 13" MBP.
posted by 6550 at 2:43 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by 6550 at 2:43 AM on May 10, 2011
For the best price/performance for someone using the software you've listed, I would suggest going with the 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 as the processor. The i5 is more than adequate for what you will be doing.
Now, to make the experience of using your computer even better, I'd suggest getting an aftermarker SSD. You could go with an Apple upgrade, but it will be way more expensive than doing it yourself. Other World Computing (OWC) has the Mercury Extreme Pro SSD's which come highly recommended for price and performance. Your apps will open almost instantly, boot times will be crazy quick, and application lag will seem non-existant for the most part.
More RAM is always nice, but if you aren't using a VM (to virtually run Windows) or using a memory intesive application like Aperture or Photoshop, I wouldn't bother. 4GB is a very workable, usable amount of memory. Heck, there are a huge number of people on Mac laptops who are using 2GB with no problems. If you do decide to upgrade, buy some yourself and install, however I don't think you'll feel the need to add more memory with an SSD.
More memory is nice because it helps to cache applications, so things run speedier, but SSD's really make that aspect rather moot because everything is basically "instant on". You won't be sorry by putting your money into an SSD and keeping everything else entry level.
posted by qwip at 4:10 AM on May 10, 2011
Now, to make the experience of using your computer even better, I'd suggest getting an aftermarker SSD. You could go with an Apple upgrade, but it will be way more expensive than doing it yourself. Other World Computing (OWC) has the Mercury Extreme Pro SSD's which come highly recommended for price and performance. Your apps will open almost instantly, boot times will be crazy quick, and application lag will seem non-existant for the most part.
More RAM is always nice, but if you aren't using a VM (to virtually run Windows) or using a memory intesive application like Aperture or Photoshop, I wouldn't bother. 4GB is a very workable, usable amount of memory. Heck, there are a huge number of people on Mac laptops who are using 2GB with no problems. If you do decide to upgrade, buy some yourself and install, however I don't think you'll feel the need to add more memory with an SSD.
More memory is nice because it helps to cache applications, so things run speedier, but SSD's really make that aspect rather moot because everything is basically "instant on". You won't be sorry by putting your money into an SSD and keeping everything else entry level.
posted by qwip at 4:10 AM on May 10, 2011
Now, to make the experience of using your computer even better, I'd suggest getting an aftermarker SSD. You could go with an Apple upgrade, but it will be way more expensive than doing it yourself. Other World Computing (OWC) has the Mercury Extreme Pro SSD's which come highly recommended for price and performance. Your apps will open almost instantly, boot times will be crazy quick, and application lag will seem non-existant for the most part.
One small caveat - changing the hard drive of a unibody MacBook is pretty simple, but it still involves a small amount of case-opening. The MBP is designed to have the hard drive bay and RAM slots easily accessible, and to the best of my knowledge upgrading neither voids your warranty - although store employees sometimes don't know that - but damage you might accidentally do while upgrading won't be covered by warranty. Not a recommendation, just an FYI.
(I yanked one of my built-in speakers replacing the HDD on a pre-unibody MBP once, but changing the HDD on those things is a much more complex process, and not one users are meant to do.)
That said: from what you say you're going to be doing on it, you don't actually need more RAM _or_ an SSD, inbuilt or upgraded, but you're bound to find new things you want to do with it once you have it. Just like gambling, it's best to spend as much as you can afford on a new PC, but not more than you can afford.
On Office - if you mean Home and Student, you can get it anywhere for about that. Amazon sell it for $100, and without sales tax, boxed. Same-day shipping would probably bring it back up to about $120. If you need to word process in the intervening days, NeoOffice is a good two-day fix, although I wouldn't have it as my go-to spreadsheet program.
posted by running order squabble fest at 5:16 AM on May 10, 2011
One small caveat - changing the hard drive of a unibody MacBook is pretty simple, but it still involves a small amount of case-opening. The MBP is designed to have the hard drive bay and RAM slots easily accessible, and to the best of my knowledge upgrading neither voids your warranty - although store employees sometimes don't know that - but damage you might accidentally do while upgrading won't be covered by warranty. Not a recommendation, just an FYI.
(I yanked one of my built-in speakers replacing the HDD on a pre-unibody MBP once, but changing the HDD on those things is a much more complex process, and not one users are meant to do.)
That said: from what you say you're going to be doing on it, you don't actually need more RAM _or_ an SSD, inbuilt or upgraded, but you're bound to find new things you want to do with it once you have it. Just like gambling, it's best to spend as much as you can afford on a new PC, but not more than you can afford.
On Office - if you mean Home and Student, you can get it anywhere for about that. Amazon sell it for $100, and without sales tax, boxed. Same-day shipping would probably bring it back up to about $120. If you need to word process in the intervening days, NeoOffice is a good two-day fix, although I wouldn't have it as my go-to spreadsheet program.
posted by running order squabble fest at 5:16 AM on May 10, 2011
As a long-time Mac user typing on the current 15" MBP, most of whose use falls into the kinds of cases you mention, I'd say memory is key to making it feel faster for me. An SSD drive is out for me because I need the HD space but adding more memory makes the machine faster for me.
This time we had to special order the machine to get the hard drive I wanted, so we rolled the extra memory in, but if you're handy with tools, it's not that hard to put in extra memory yourself. People will tell you Apple's memory is outrageous; it's still on the expensive side but it's not nearly as outrageous as it used to be.
posted by immlass at 6:47 AM on May 10, 2011
This time we had to special order the machine to get the hard drive I wanted, so we rolled the extra memory in, but if you're handy with tools, it's not that hard to put in extra memory yourself. People will tell you Apple's memory is outrageous; it's still on the expensive side but it's not nearly as outrageous as it used to be.
posted by immlass at 6:47 AM on May 10, 2011
Procesor - not unless you are reasly pushing the CPU constantly. I never opt for hte top-end processor, and I'm a heavy user (non-gaming)
Ram: 4 gigs is enough, butas others have said, if oyu have apps that will use it, go for 8. It will help.
If I had to pick between ram/processor or, for the combined price, dropping a 160 gig SSD in there, I'd opt for the SSD - the performance difference is nothing short of pure awesome. (at least for the Intel X25G2)
Then get the ram later if you really need it.
posted by TravellingDen at 6:55 AM on May 10, 2011
Ram: 4 gigs is enough, butas others have said, if oyu have apps that will use it, go for 8. It will help.
If I had to pick between ram/processor or, for the combined price, dropping a 160 gig SSD in there, I'd opt for the SSD - the performance difference is nothing short of pure awesome. (at least for the Intel X25G2)
Then get the ram later if you really need it.
posted by TravellingDen at 6:55 AM on May 10, 2011
I came in to praise the macbook air as an option too.. I have the 11inch air with the ugraded RAM and SSD. My gf has the brand new refreshed 13 inch macbook pro. The only situation in which hers feels faster is processor intensive tasks like unzipping or un-rar-ing files... if you have no regular need for a DVD drive (remember you can purchase an external one for the occasional use), then the Air is a wonderful choice. I have a it plugged into a desktop monitor at home and it really is the best of both world's for me.. my usage patterns sound like yours -- itunes, word, powerpoint, web stuff. No games. No intensive video editing.
posted by modernnomad at 7:16 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by modernnomad at 7:16 AM on May 10, 2011
The next MacBook Air refresh is probably the one to get, since it would have the SSD + Thunderbolt.
posted by smackfu at 8:39 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by smackfu at 8:39 AM on May 10, 2011
The 13" MacBook Air, with a higher resolution screen and a SSD, is potentially a better choice for most users over the 13" MBP.
I did some side-by-side testing before I got the MBP, and while the Air is a very nice machine, it's a one-shot purchase in terms of internal hardware: both the RAM and the solid-state storage are soldered onto the board, so you don't really have the same upgrade options.
If you want to get three or four years of use out of an Air, I think the smart option is a maxed-out BTO purchase, which pushes the cost up to $1800 -- but even then, you're not going to have more than 256GB of onboard storage.
posted by holgate at 8:48 AM on May 10, 2011
I did some side-by-side testing before I got the MBP, and while the Air is a very nice machine, it's a one-shot purchase in terms of internal hardware: both the RAM and the solid-state storage are soldered onto the board, so you don't really have the same upgrade options.
If you want to get three or four years of use out of an Air, I think the smart option is a maxed-out BTO purchase, which pushes the cost up to $1800 -- but even then, you're not going to have more than 256GB of onboard storage.
posted by holgate at 8:48 AM on May 10, 2011
I'll correct myself: the SSD in the Air is actually user-replaceable, which gives you an upgrade path in terms of storage, but the RAM is definitely soldered on, which means you need to plan ahead when you order.
Also, smackfu's right that a future Air with Thunderbolt is a tastier prospect, but that's not expected to be released very soon.
posted by holgate at 8:57 AM on May 10, 2011
Also, smackfu's right that a future Air with Thunderbolt is a tastier prospect, but that's not expected to be released very soon.
posted by holgate at 8:57 AM on May 10, 2011
Nehalem > Sandy bridge is a huge bump for mobile processors. I would wait.
You will get a huge battery life gain (in the hours) as well as a pretty good performance jump (up to 20%).
Also, definiately don't buy an air, the processor is 2 generations old and for sure will be updated soon.
posted by wongcorgi at 10:28 AM on May 10, 2011
You will get a huge battery life gain (in the hours) as well as a pretty good performance jump (up to 20%).
Also, definiately don't buy an air, the processor is 2 generations old and for sure will be updated soon.
posted by wongcorgi at 10:28 AM on May 10, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'll need to purchase Microsoft Office 2011. Apple gives me the option to add it for $120, which changes the shipping from within 24 hours to 1-3 business days. Any recommendations for where to find it cheaper (or as a download for the same price Apple offers so I could get it shipped more quickly)?
Thanks again.
posted by rastapasta at 10:02 PM on May 9, 2011