Hi

I'm going to be looking to get a "new" MacBook Pro soon... but unsure what to get. I don't think I can afford to buy new, so refurb will be the most likely route. I'm stuck on screen though - I've currently got an older (2009 pre unibody) 17" MBP, and I love the screen size, but no longer an option on newer models. I've read though that the clarity of the 15" retina makes up for the loss in actual screen size.

Does that ring true with anyone who had one? I'll be using it for graphics, photography and general web use. If I could afford a separate screen that would remove the problem, but that's unlikely to be affordable! (Mind you, I could hook it up to the HD TV if I need to work on a bigger screen?!)

I've found some reasonable prices for final 17" model refurbs (around £800-£1000), but ideally I'd also like as new as possible to keep it as future-proof as I can for my budget (refurbs for newer Retinas around £1400-£1700). I will try to get to an Apple store to see the 15" with my own eyes, but any experience/advice from those who've tried them in the meantime would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

Ben

I would opt for the 15" Retina. Though if you want to see it on a bigger screen, using an Apple TV (£99) could make it easy to send to a bigger HD screen. Though the resolution of the Retina screen is far higher than an HD 1080p TV. If you need to see it on a 17" screen and still keep the old MBP then send it across to that machine you want to see it on that size screen.

Thanks for that. Ideally, yeah - I'd like the newest I can get... and if the difference isn't that noticeable then Retina would be best. Shame the Apple stores don't have them still so I could compare side by side.

Thinking with my wallet though, I did think earlier that I could get the 17" refurb and still have a bit left over for an iPad..... hmmmm....

Oh.... and it's still got the CD drive... for me to rip my outdated CDs.....

Take yours in. Then you can see them side by side. Since the 17" is no longer sold normally there will be no problems about stealing it.

If you do photo work I think that the retina screen will be worth it on its own. You could always get an iPad later, even a refurb.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk.

I suppose realistically it's only just over an inch and a half different... So I may not notice that much loss of screen estate...

It might not seem much but it is best to compare before you make the wrong decision. Personally I would prefer a 17" screen as well. Though put them side by side and see if you can cope with the reduction. The retina screen will be more than capable of handling the images and you can always zoom in for editing.

I think that's what I'll do. I have a friend with a newer 17" MBP, so I'll try and meet up with him and look at it side by side. I've found a 17" with an i7 (not SSD) which should be good for a few years yet I'd imagine... the draw of the Retina is strong though!

This article is quite interesting and shows the scaling to get the "same" screen real estate....

I think that's what I'll do. I have a friend with a newer 17" MBP, so I'll try and meet up with him and look at it side by side. I've found a 17" with an i7 (not SSD) which should be good for a few years yet I'd imagine... the draw of the Retina is strong though!

This article is quite interesting and shows the scaling to get the "same" screen real estate....

http://www.anandtech.com/Gallery/Album/2078#5

Really?!?
Care to share those sources (even via PM)?
I have a unibody 17" MacBook Pro and I'd love to get one of the last models that was produced as an upgrade to the one I have now.
At the prices you mention I'd likely snap one up. The only criteria I'd be looking for is non-glossy screen.

Mark

Well, if it's one of the final FINAL ones I'm not sure.... it's an i7 at least (Which is a shade over at around £1200)... certainly better spec than my current 2008 one! Others seen have been £800 up (some a LOT more though).... and I'm not sure if I want if yet. If it's the last one and I share I might lose out!

One thing I'm wondering is how well a 17" would hook up to my HD TV (should I need too) in terms of resolution?

I am not sure how you would do it, I use an Apple TV so streaming via that would make it possible but that would cost you another £100. The resolution of the 17" MBP will be more than capable of handling the output to an 1080p HD TV.

No worries, I understand completely.
If you don't decide to go for it, please feel free to drop me a PM. (8+)

Mark

Of course... I may even send it over anyway, just to get your opinion...

I'm still a little tempted by Retina, just for the slight increase in portability with the smaller size/weight. I'm just unsure if that screen is easy to work on.

The screen isn't any harder to work on than the old 15" mbp. It emulates 1600x900 for all intents and purposes, when using non-retina applications. For things like PhotoShop, you would get menus and pallets in 1600x900 look, but the image would have much more detail visible.