15 inch MacBook Pro non-retina or with Retina?

Hello everyone
I have the new iMac and got it in early December to replace my old 2008 MacBook Pro. I sold that one and now have decided to get a new 15 inch  MacBook Pro. But I am stuck on whitch one to buy.
Here are the things that I will do with this computer
Use all of the pre-loaded apps
Download more from the Mac App Store
Import pictures from my Nikion Camera, 64GB Black iPhone 5, 64GB Black iPad 4 into iPhoto and edit them in Aperture
Use iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband
Use Pages, Keynote, Numbers
Here's the configuration I would buy if I get the non-retina model
$1799 model
4GB RAM
256GB SSD
1680X1050 Glossy display
2.3GHz Quad-Core i7
Here's the configuration I would buy if I get the retina model
$2199 model standard configuration
OR if there are any refurbished $2799 models from Apple's refurbished store
Please let me know what you all think!
Thanks for helping me!!!

Personally, I would go for the non-retina display, and here are my reasons:
1. It's far cheaper, and you're getting a very similar product.
2. Yes, the Retina display comes with 8GB of RAM, and from what I know, with the newest models you can put 16GBs of RAM in them. If you ever needed more RAM, you can't replace it on your retina display model. However, you can go out and buy 8GBs of good RAM for $50, and replace the non-retina display RAM without voiding your warranty.
3. If you ever want to upgrade your SSD, or switch over to a massive hard drive for the sake of storage capacity over speed, you can also do so without voiding your warranty on the non-retina display.
Both of the displays are gorgeous, and while it's true that Retina display is prettier, the non-retina display is quite nice. Furthermore, if you ever need to do anything at all in your computer, you're out of luck with the Retina display, as the case is glued together. I personally have an old '09 MBP, before retina display, and the display is perfectly fine. You'll save a lot more money getting the non-retina display, and it will probably last you longer, seeing as SSD's tend to be more reliable than flash storage. True, they're the same thing, SSD's are alined in an array and are made for speed and reliability. If I were you, I'd go for the non-retina display.

Similar Messages

  • Run two monitors from my 15-inch MacBook Pro (Non-retina, mid 2012)?

    I'm looking to run two monitors from my 15-inch MacBook Pro (Non-retina, mid 2012). I don't want to use the actual laptop screen in this setup, I just want to use the two external monitors.
    My 15-inch MacBook Pro (Non-retina, mid 2012) has the following ports on the side:
    FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
    Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
    Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
    I currently use the Thunderbolt port to one external monitor.
    My question is: Is it better to run the second monitor via USB 3, or FireWire (if that's even possible)? What would you recommend?

    See -> http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/digital_me/.
    Good and simple way to get two monitors from one Thunderbolt port.
    Clinton

  • Will a 13 inch Macbook pro non retina 2.5 ghz run minecraft good

    I am looking to buy a 13 inch macbook pro 2.5ghz the $1199 one. Will it run minecraft fast?

    I'm looking at getting one too. I watched some videos on YouTube and it looks to be 50-100 fps on full settings. But I have heard a rumour on the apple website that MineCraft looks blurry on the retina display models because it hasn't been optimised for such high resolution. Mojang can fix that though. They just need contacted.

  • WHICH ONE IS BETTER FOR YEAR 6 STUDENT, MACBOOK PRO 13.3" i5 WITH RETINA VS i7?

    My son is a year 6 boy. He needs a macbook for his study (of cause he wants it for leisure). He choose from his school purchase program:
    Macbook Pro 13.3" - intel Dual-core 2.9Ghz Core i7/8 GB DDR3 RAM/750GB HDD/SDXC/Intel HD Graphics 4000/Super Drive/Bluetooth 4.0/802.11n wireless/Facetime HD camera/Aluminium (HKD$14013)
    vs
    Macbook Pro13.3" with retina display - Intel Dual-core 2.6GHz Core i5/8GB DDR3 RAM/256GB SSD Intel HD Graphics 4000/Bluetooth/Airport/Facetime HD camera/Alumium (HKD$15288)
    Both with same Protection and Adobe CS6 Design package for teaching.
    Looking for your opinion
    Thanks

    6 year old boy?
    Don't you mean a 16 year old?
    A 6 year old can barely lift a MacBook Pro and certainly can't use complicated CS6.
    I wouldn't trust a 16 year old with a $2000-$3000 computer + $2000 in software unless they did some thing to earn it, a 6 year old will likely take it outside in the yard and smear mud all over it.
    Most parents who get they kids a computer usually get a iMac as it's stationary and not prone to being lost, tossed or stolen.
    Show me where this 6 year old is with a $2000 laptop and I'll show you a army of thugs waiting to take it from him.

  • Does the Macbook pro non retina also come with haswell processors.. After 22oct 2013 event??, Does the Macbook pro non retina also come with haswell processors.. After 22oct 2013 event??

    I am planning to change my Macbook pro and due to office network structure i need a macbook with ethernet port. It seems that the only option i have is the 13 inch macbook pro non retina.. I just wanted to confirm that will the basic non retina model of macbook pro will also come with HASWELL processors or not..? (After the 22 oct 2013 apple event)

    13-in remains unchanged since early 2013 update.  Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/22/apple-unveils-haswell-based-macbook-pros-with -retina-display/

  • 15 inch Macbook pro w/o retina display or 13 inch Macbook pro with retina display?

    Want to get a macbook for university. Going to be used primarily for work and casual use. Have a 32inch full hd tv to connect up to for watching movies etc, which is the better choice?

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    I recommend a non-Retina MacBook Pro unless you need the Retina display. MacBooks Pro with Retina display are very limited and you can't replace anything if you don't want to void warranty. Also, repairs are more expensive, so purchase AppleCare for your MacBook Pro with Retina display.
    Go for the 15-inch MacBook Pro if you need good GPU performance. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has got an Intel HD Graphics 4000 as the graphic card, and it's not supported in Adobe apps, for example. Also, apps that require GPU performance won't work properly.
    If you are not going to do any heavy task, the 13-inch MacBook Pro should work

  • Buying my first Macbook Pro Non-Retina (13 or 15 inch?)

    Hey, I'm currently buying my first MBP for University. I've been using my 17' Sony Vaio for University so far, it's incredibly fast and HD, but it's way too big for University. When you're sitting in the hallway and trying to do work, way too big. It's literally 10 pounds as well, carrying it hasn't really been a problem, gotten used to it, but I think it's time to make the switch to a MBP.
    For financial reasons, as well as me not wanting to take a 2500+ (roughly) laptop to school on a daily basis, worrying about it being stolen/dropped or something, I don't want to buy the MBP retina yet, it's new technology and a little overpriced because of that (I personally feel).
    Anyway, for my new MBP I'm going to use it to take notes/write essays, make powerpoints. Pretty much just do my work, I got a desktop computer at home as well, so I don't think I'm going to be too into video editing or gaming or anything really that important (who knows though, might fall in love with it, and want to - so kind of hoping to get a little more than the base, not sure though, please give your suggestions.)
    Anyway, I was considering buying the upgraded 13' MBP (All Student Pricing by the way)                  
    13-inch: 2.9 GHz
    2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i7
    Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
    8GB 1600MHz memory
    750GB 5400-rpm hard drive1
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Built-in battery (7 hours)2
    $1, 429.00
    The base model is $1, 129.00 i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB memory, 500GB hard drive.
    But my friend who had a 13 inch almost all his life recently bought a 15 inch MBP and told me that he highly recommends I get a 15 inch MBP, he tells me his 13 inch was way too small, and that I'm going to regret it, he told me the screen size makes a huge difference when trying to do more than one thing, and it's just a nuissance.
    Me, having a 17' Sony Vaio all my life initially want to go as small as possible, to save the hassle, but he's pretty sure that I'm going to regret it.. So the 15 inch models are..
    2.3GHz vs 2.6GHz, pretty much the same diff. as the 13 inch in terms of specs, 4GB to 8GB memory & 500GB to 750GB Hard drive.
    Base model is 1729.00, upgraded one is 2029.00
    So, the way I'm looking at it right now is to get the 2.9GHz MBP because it's specs are pretty much all equal to or better than even the upgraded 15' MBP, only difference is screen size/resolution, which is one of my questions, because somewhere I was reading how Apple ruined the 13 inch MBP because of a bad graphics card or something, or the screen is really bad compared to the 15 inch or something like that..So I was wondering if anyone knew anything about that.
    Anyway, what would you recommend, especially considering the upgraded 15' starts at the base 15' Retina price, so I highly doubt getting that, cause if I was convinced on that, I'd probably go for retina.
    By the way, people also recommended getting base models for whatever I wanted and upgrading them myself, or going to a shop to do it or something, they say it'd be cheaper, but the problem is I'm a student and I'm getting the AppleCare warranty regardless, and I think that would void the warranty, not sure how that works though.
    So please, any suggestions. For a first time MBP user, looking to switch, what would you recommend? Sorry for all the writing, just wanted to make it clear what my thoughts were, so I know which would be best for me.
    Thanks in advance!
    Oh, and should I buy now, or wait for Mountain Lion to come out and by then? Because regardless, It's going to be relatively new and I'm not going to be doing a backup or anything, so don't really thinks it'd make much of a difference, but if it does, please state so and why!
    Thanks.

    I know exactly how you feel about having a lot screen real estate and then wishing you had something more portable.  My previous laptop was a Toshiba Qosmio 18.4'' screen.  It was/still is a beast.  However like you said it literally weighs 10 pounds and just really doesn't work for "on the go" stuff.  I decided to get a 13.3'' MBP.  I love it.
    Don't worry about Mountain Lion with http://www.apple.com/osx/uptodate/ program you'll be set. 
    Now to all other questions...
    This article 13-inch MacBook Air vs. 13-inch MacBook Pro: Which should you buy? | Apple - CNET News compares the MBP and MBA, I know you said you were considering two different MBPs but this might have relative information.
    The MBP retina model uses parts that are all soldered on to the motherboard for the best possible speed and lightest/slimmest design (it is only slightly thicker than a MBA at its thickest part).  This is important on two fronts.  First you wont be able to change ram/HDD after you buy it.  However, with everything integrated that way the effect is a SIGNIFICANT boost in speed.
    So if portability is ultimately what you're after a MBA may be your best option.  From the uses you described to me it doesn't look like you'll be doing a lot of things at once.  Once you learn gestures and how easily it is to switch between spaces and full screen apps multiple windows on a single screen will start to be a thing of the past.  Also the MBA uses SSDs which provide it a decent speed boost over traditional HDDs.
    If I were in your shoes I would highly consider the MBA or the retina MBP.  In my opinion they offer the slimmest lightest options. 
    Good luck and remember only you can decide what is best based on your needs and preferences.

  • HT201364 My 13 inch Macbook pro w retina will not install/download OS X Mavericks because it says I do not have the requirements in order to install it. I purchased my Mac this past month on 11/20/13 so i do not have a problem with it being an older versi

    My 13 inch Macbook pro w retina will not install/download OS X Mavericks because it says I do not have the requirements in order to install it. I purchased my Mac this past month on 11/20/13 so i do not have a problem with it being an older version. Please help. This is my first computer so i dont have any experience on how to fix this.

    You can't install the App Store version of Mavericks because your model needs a special version. If you ever need to reinstall it, boot into Recovery.

  • Is backlit keyboard of 13-inch Macbook Pro with Retina display integrated English and Russian ?

    Is backlit keyboard of 13-inch Macbook Pro with Retina display integrated English and Russian ? I mean Russian is integrated on keyboard not by using stickers or installing font

    cobebc wrote:
    Is backlit keyboard of 13-inch Macbook Pro with Retina display integrated English and Russian ? I mean Russian is integrated on keyboard not by using stickers or installing font
    Apple does make these, but they are not sold everywhere.  Where are you located? 
    Nobody in these forums represents Apple or any store, so to find out whether you can buy a particular product you will need to contact stores directly yourself.  In the US you can sometimes get unusual keyboards by talking to an apple retail store and asking for a special order.
    http://www.apple.com/retail/

  • Is 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display configurable to 16GB?

    I wanna put in mine, but in Apple KB does not inform (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP668).

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display isn't available with 16 GB of RAM. Some users are complaining about it, but Apple hasn't made the option available till now

  • How big is the trackpad on the newest 13 inch macbook pro with retina display (In MM's)?!

    how big is the trackpad on the newest 13 inch macbook pro with retina display (In MM's)?!

    According to this site 104.4 x 75.4 mm.
    http://store.moshimonde.com/trackguard-trackpad-protector-macbook-pro.html

  • I just brought 15-inch macbook pro with retina display for about 3 weeks, will there be any refund or upgrade to my macbook due to the discount and upgraded right now

    I just brought 15-inch macbook pro with retina display for about 3 weeks, will there be any refund or upgrade to my macbook due to the discount and upgraded right now

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4806203?tstart=0

  • Possible to install a new SSD to a 13-inch macbook pro with retina display

    I just bought a 13-inch macbook pro with retina display last week from apple. I want to make this macbook a protable workstation, so I upgraded the RAM to 16G. I also purchased an Samsung 1T SSD 840 EVO, which is suggested from most of the web, but when I took my laptop apart, the macbook is using a different SSD call PICe SSD, which is much smaller than a normal SSD.
    Not sure if anyone has encountered the same issue? Is it possible to upgraded the SSD in this case or have to stuck with it?
    Thanks

    stevenwang480,
    your 840 EVO can’t be installed in place of your PCIe SSD. In theory, you could upgrade your MacBook Pro’s PCIe SSD with another PCIe SSD, but the availability of third-party PCIe SSDs is nearly (if not actually) zero at this time. In the interim, you could put your 840 EVO into an external enclosure.

  • Can you use the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display straight out of the box, or do you have to charge it first?

    Can you use the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display straight out of the box, or do you have to charge it up fully before you can use it. I do not want to damage the laptop by misusing the battery.

    Attach the charger and start charging the battery to 100%.  The good news is that after you have connected the charger, you may start using the MBP as well.
    Ciao.

  • HT1218 How can I make my first generation AirPort Express work with Mountain Lion? I have a 13" MacBook Pro (non-retina).

    How can I make my first generation AirPort Express work with Mountain Lion? I have a 13" MacBook Pro (non-retina).

    Hi guys, recently had the same issue. You require an older version of Airport Utility to configure the older Airport Express. It can be found here.
    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=airport%20utility%205.6%20for%20lion&sour ce=web&cd=1&ved=0CFMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.apple.com%2Fkb%2FDL1482&ei=Ip MBUPLwLoq42wW4puXMBA&usg=AFQjCNGOFUPMM0ZjsKeyj5CcL2oe9Eaf7A

Maybe you are looking for

  • Can't copy to mini after desktop drive replacement

    I had my mini set up to sync its Podcasts folder with my desktop PC at work (WinXP). The disk failed on that PC, and after rebuilding my system and installing iTunes, I am unable to copy Podcasts from the new desktop drive to the iPod. I had iTunes 7

  • "resetting" a skin in ActionScript at runtime?

    Is there a way to "impose" a skin at runtime via a function? I'd like to be able to "reset" my components back to their originally-skinned status when clicking a particular button. Thanks.

  • Can no longer connect to remote server via VPN

    I recently installed OS 10.5.8, and have found that I can no longer connect to my server at work. The VPN itself (via PPTP) works fine, it's just that when I try to connect to the remote server (via Connect to Server) I get a dialogue saying 'A volum

  • IPhone 3GS to be avaliable on Orange UK, oh boo =[

    Well, as of last month I became the proud owner of an iPhone 3GS on the O2UK network, and I love it. Now, here's the problem. Before I bought my iPhone on pay as you go, I was using Orange UK as my network carrier, and just now I discovered that the

  • IWork '09 without paper manual and serial

    I just bought a copy of iWork '09 in a retail store, and noticed two thing: - it has no paper manual (version '08 had the manual, instead) - it has no serial coded (infact I installed if and was not prompted about the serial code; version '08 needed