Macbook Pro (2011/2012) or Mac Mini (2011)?

[pbmagnet4]

My white Macbook is on it's last limb it seems. Not only does it need another battery (would be the third), but also another charger. The fact that ML wont be supported isn't that great either. Which leaves me with the notion that it is time to upgrade. With the Mac Pro, the Air, and the iMac not being any of my options I am left with this.

Im really on the fence between getting a Macbook Pro or Mac Mini. Im looking for something that will run Final Cut X well, Photoshop, and Diablo 3, but gaming is not a top priority. What will give me the best bang for my buck?

The 15" 2011 Macbook Pro seems to be an interesting option with the Intel HD graphics along with the AMD. It also seems to be the cheapest mobile quadcore option at 1,399 or so as a refurb.

The 13" 2012 Macbook Pro could be ideal since it has USB3.0 and the new Ivy Bridge processor, but it only has Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics I believe, and I don't know if that will be suffecent for what I want to do... Or it may be more than enough, that is why I am here. At 1,099 with my student discount, I cant help but think that is not too bad of a deal. Although, when comparing it to the Mac Mini the only thing that I can see it has over it is Ivy Bridge and USB3.0, so is it worth 200$ more for that and a screen?

Finally, there is the 2011 Mac Mini with the dualcore i7 2.7ghz priced around 900. It also had a dedicated AMD graphics card which I understand is better than the Intel HD 4000 being that it is a dedicated card. I already have the Magic Trackpad or whatever they call it, so all i'd need is a monitor (im NOT fond of the glossy Apple screens), and a keyboard. When that is said and done ill be right around the same price as the new 13" Macbook Pro, but with a better (non-mobile) screen and graphics.

I know all this is alot to ask, but any input is appreciated.

 

[MadTester]

As for a monitor, I have a 23.5 Hanns G (hdmi) flat panel connected up to my 2011 mac mini with wireless keyboard,(bought mini in October last year). It's gives an awesome display. TBH I don't even know if they make those any more.

I'd look at Hanns monitors, you might be pleasantly surprised, not only for quality but also the price..... Hope this helps

 

[pbmagnet4]

As for a monitor, I have a 23.5 Hanns G (hdmi) flat panel connected up to my 2011 mac mini with wireless keyboard,(bought mini in October last year). It's gives an awesome display. TBH I don't even know if they make those any more.

I'd look at Hanns monitors, you might be pleasantly surprised, not only for quality but also the price..... Hope this helps

Thanks, ill check some of those Hanns out. I used to have one actually back in 2007 I believe.

 

[igiboi]

As for a monitor, I have a 23.5 Hanns G (hdmi) flat panel connected up to my 2011 mac mini with wireless keyboard,(bought mini in October last year). It's gives an awesome display. TBH I don't even know if they make those any more.

I'd look at Hanns monitors, you might be pleasantly surprised, not only for quality but also the price..... Hope this helps

they're great also try out AOC, I had a great AOC led screen connected to a 13" mbp before.

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My white Macbook is on it's last limb it seems. Not only does it need another battery (would be the third), but also another charger. The fact that ML wont be supported isn't that great either. Which leaves me with the notion that it is time to upgrade. With the Mac Pro, the Air, and the iMac not being any of my options I am left with this.

Im really on the fence between getting a Macbook Pro or Mac Mini. Im looking for something that will run Final Cut X well, Photoshop, and Diablo 3, but gaming is not a top priority. What will give me the best bang for my buck?

The 15" 2011 Macbook Pro seems to be an interesting option with the Intel HD graphics along with the AMD. It also seems to be the cheapest mobile quadcore option at 1,399 or so as a refurb.

The 13" 2012 Macbook Pro could be ideal since it has USB3.0 and the new Ivy Bridge processor, but it only has Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics I believe, and I don't know if that will be suffecent for what I want to do... Or it may be more than enough, that is why I am here. At 1,099 with my student discount, I cant help but think that is not too bad of a deal. Although, when comparing it to the Mac Mini the only thing that I can see it has over it is Ivy Bridge and USB3.0, so is it worth 200$ more for that and a screen?

Finally, there is the 2011 Mac Mini with the dualcore i7 2.7ghz priced around 900. It also had a dedicated AMD graphics card which I understand is better than the Intel HD 4000 being that it is a dedicated card. I already have the Magic Trackpad or whatever they call it, so all i'd need is a monitor (im NOT fond of the glossy Apple screens), and a keyboard. When that is said and done ill be right around the same price as the new 13" Macbook Pro, but with a better (non-mobile) screen and graphics.

I know all this is alot to ask, but any input is appreciated.

If you ask me, i'd get a laptop. I was in the market of getting a laptop 2 months ago when I got rid of my sony vaio F series laptop. I was looking for portability and mid-class power I guess. I was going to get an Air or a 13" mbp. I used to have a Mbp13" 2010 and I really liked it.

So I waited for the release, the retina 15" mbp is great but repairability is bad, and I cant even upgrade along the road if I needed more ram and change the hdd to ssd or whatever. So i jumped again to a 13" macbook pro 2012 base model. I got it at bestbuy for 1100$ and a 150$ gift card from them(also a student). I'm happy with my decision, as I loved the mbp 13" and 1280x800 is enough resolution for me for now. If along the road I needed more power for games or whatever, Ill just build a pc or something.

 

[macmastersam]

My white Macbook is on it's last limb it seems. Not only does it need another battery (would be the third), but also another charger. The fact that ML wont be supported isn't that great either. Which leaves me with the notion that it is time to upgrade. With the Mac Pro, the Air, and the iMac not being any of my options I am left with this.

Im really on the fence between getting a Macbook Pro or Mac Mini. Im looking for something that will run Final Cut X well, Photoshop, and Diablo 3, but gaming is not a top priority. What will give me the best bang for my buck?

The 15" 2011 Macbook Pro seems to be an interesting option with the Intel HD graphics along with the AMD. It also seems to be the cheapest mobile quadcore option at 1,399 or so as a refurb.

The 13" 2012 Macbook Pro could be ideal since it has USB3.0 and the new Ivy Bridge processor, but it only has Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics I believe, and I don't know if that will be suffecent for what I want to do... Or it may be more than enough, that is why I am here. At 1,099 with my student discount, I cant help but think that is not too bad of a deal. Although, when comparing it to the Mac Mini the only thing that I can see it has over it is Ivy Bridge and USB3.0, so is it worth 200$ more for that and a screen?

Finally, there is the 2011 Mac Mini with the dualcore i7 2.7ghz priced around 900. It also had a dedicated AMD graphics card which I understand is better than the Intel HD 4000 being that it is a dedicated card. I already have the Magic Trackpad or whatever they call it, so all i'd need is a monitor (im NOT fond of the glossy Apple screens), and a keyboard. When that is said and done ill be right around the same price as the new 13" Macbook Pro, but with a better (non-mobile) screen and graphics.

I know all this is alot to ask, but any input is appreciated.

You clearly need a new computer straight away. I would suggest the MBP IMO. 512mb nvidia GPUs will handle diablo 3. Quad-core (with hyperthreading up to 8 cores!) will handle the final cut pro x. If you need te extra screen real estate, then you can always hook the laptop up to an external monitor. I would suggest dell IMO. Definate bang for your buck on those machines.

 

[thekev]

I wouldn't go for the 2011 mini. I'd at least wait for an update. Gpu especially won't make a lot of suggested minimum requirements.

 

[Caveneau]

Mac Mini

I'm on the fence about the mac mini as well. I don't want a laptop, I prefer desktop computers. I have 2 mac towers(PPC) that can't handle much anymore. I'm thinking of just getting the top-end mac mini. I need to run PS, Final Cut, and Reason 6.
There's no CD burner in the mac minis but I was just going to buy an external unit.
I don't want an imac because I already have a monitor and I'm working with limited space.