Macbook Pro : Which model best for a student? Thanks.

Question

Hi, I'm currently pursuing 2nd year of pharmacy programe, and I'll be moving abroad to finish another 2 more years of my studies. And before that, I want to replace my current Macbook White Unibody Late 2009 model. I know it still works well, at least up to my needs. But I wish to get a much more sturdy and of course, better build quality, not to mention that I have a few cracks for my White. So I am looking at the current Macbook Pro 13 inch, knowing that the higher end 13 inch doesn't really worth for the bucks. I've been comparing it with the refurbished Early 2011 15 inch Macbook Pro, can't cough that much money for a brand new one, hope you can bear with it. I know the new Macbooks are coming, but if I were to get the 15 inch model, I probably won't be getting the new Macbook, rather than getting a refurbished late 2011 model, saving for that I'm just a regular user, lots of works, journals and stuff to work with, so I really like a bigger display than my current 13 inch. Apart from that, I have been thinking to get an external monitor display when I move abroad later on, but looking at the matter that I have pack and deliver that monitor back to my own country after graduating, I don't feel like getting a monitor then, kind of troublesome for me. So I hope to seek for some professional advice from fellow Mac users. Any advice is most welcome and God bless you all. Thank you for your help. I really do appreciate it Hope you have  nice day ahead.
Edit : I have an iPad 3, so I would probably bringing that to class more often rather than any laptop, on frequent use. Knowing that my accommodation is 30minutes away from my campus.. Anyway, thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Are you still looking for an early 2011 15 inch macbook pro? i currently have one that I'm hoping to sell in the next month or two. It's less than a year old and is like new. If you're interested at all in video editing and/or 3d rendering, some hardcore gaming, this laptop can handle them, thoughthe GPU is somewhat lackluster. But for everyday tasks, light video editing, HD movies, this should be able to last a long time. I got it stock, except I swapped the harddrive for a Seagate 500 gb Momentus XT Hybrid Hard Drive. I also got a protective snap-on cover and keyboard protector. If you're interested at all though, contact me.