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what would you get beefed up mbp 2012 or new retina

V

Vaiphonic

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 25, 2016
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Planning to get a new macbook to replace a PC main usage is Lightroom and Photoshop. Would you advise with getting a macbook pro 2012 secondhand boost it with a fast ssd and 16gb ram and add an extra bit of weight and lose the retina screen with all its beauty or get the new one with 256GB and pay double the price. Also if i cannot get applecare due to availability how frequent/expensive to repair if it needs repairing, the older mbp is easier to upgrade and repair I guess.

Is the retina display and form factor worth the price difference even if I add one of the transcend 256GB jetdrives in the new one to increase the storage.

What are your thoughts, have you been through the same choice, what have you chosen and why...
 
Personally I won't buy anything without retina. I'm looking to buy something for the next four years. I don't know what your goals are in terms of longevity.
 
MBP 2012. Which is exactly what I just did!

I even downsized to a 13" 2012 MBP 2.5 i5. I sold my 2012 rMBP (i7 2.7 16GB 756GB).

My new setup has 16GB RAM and a 1TB Samsung 850PRO SSD. I primarily use Aperture and Photoshop. I don't notice any performance difference between the two. The screen is different, but I usually have it connected to a larger monitor so it's not an issue.
 
617aircav said:
Personally I won't buy anything without retina. I'm looking to buy something for the next four years. I don't know what your goals are in terms of longevity.
Click to expand...
I need something for at least 3 to four years main usage photoshop and lightroom, no video or 3d
 
Unless the deal on the non-retina machine is absolutely incredible, I'd skip it.

This is from someone who bought an i7/8GB/750HDD/1GB GT 650M Mid-2012 non-retina MBP fro $100 and just upgraded the snot out of it... I run it with the Dual-Link DVI Adapter to my Dell U3011 30" 2560x1600 LCD and a USB 3.0 Hub.

4zlPDUJ.jpg


(Moving on Sunday, things elsewhere are a big mess...)
 
Yep refurb retina all the way, you will want that hi def screen for 4K before long anyway, and you can get AppleCare which is just not available on the 2012 if it breaks down it could end up costing you more to fix or replace than just buying the retina in the first place.
 
I just want to give you an idea on the price comparison between the following two options
Mbp mid 2012 non retina 16gb ram 250ssd owc, second hand near mint condition $850
New mbp with retina 256 storage 16gb ram, without apple care. And new $1700 adding apple care will bump it to almost 2k and don't even if apple care is supported in egypt
For lightroom and photoshop a photograhers use is the difference in cost truly justified.

I apologise for repeating some of the above but wanted to add the prices to give you the complete picture
 
I just picked up a refurb 2015. My main uses are surfing the net, iTunes, Lightroom, and some writing.
I figured that the refurb provided a healthy discount and yet still has a 12 month warranty.

Used - you don't know the history and have no support structure of any value. But the performance difference is not going to be staggering either. In your case I don't think it's a slam dunk.

If you can live with the lower resolution screen (I could) and a used Macbook (I possibly could) then I'd quite possibly pick up that 2012 to be honest. But you know, if price is everything, there are other Windows laptops that are far cheaper too.
 
We dont have refurb in Egypt unfortunately so you will have to pay a hefty price tag for the newer model whick i like better but was thinking of the older one for easier and more manageable repair if needed.

Price is not everything but certainly plays a factor so that is why i am in this dilemma. Windows laptop is not considered i am settled on the MAC so i have not ruled out the new option yet.

Regarding your laptop and your current usage what is the RAM and storage size and how are you living with it, does it meet your expectations?
 
8/256. I use a NAS at home, my Lightoom library is probably 250GB or so, but I don't need to carry that with me, and I have a VPN setup so can access my home NAS over VPN if needed. Import photos to the MBP and then once all the processing and pruning is done I can export to the NAS.

I tried a MBA with 4GB but I ran out of RAM a couple of times. 8GB is great. 16 would be even better but I'm sure I can live without it for the next four years.
 
If you make a living with Lightroom and Photoshop, then it makes sense to go with a new machine in my opinion. If it's just a hobby, then a used 2012 should be enough.
 
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The screen is just too much of a downer for me. Unless you plan on running it 95%+ of the time connected to a external monitor, I dont think its worth it. I mean, the screen is the thing you use the MOST on a laptop when not connected externally!
 
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A strong reason to get the new one is that if you're working with graphics apps -- which you say you are -- you have better options for supporting an external display.

For example, I don't believe you can do 4k with the non-retina MBPro -- but you can with the new retina version...
 
go retina i would if i had the cash i just ordered a 09 13inch to replace my dead 2012 15 inch witch was a beast 2.6 i7 8gb ram 750gb hard drive gpu died on me and costs to much to repair or buy a new map so i ordered a 09 13inch off eBay at least i have y mac pro but yeah go retina all the way
 
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