How to Pick The Best MacBook Pro??
So many options & models that turn your head around?? then first thing you need to do is determine why you are buying a MBP ?
You are a graphics designer, a sound engineer, an intensive gamer? or just an everyday casual user? whatever your reasons and needs are list it.
Second, write down on a piece of paper a list of features that you must have in your MBP and can't skip it! Now that you got everything ready, I will start....
It's all about the latest release of MacBook Pro (October 2011), where they boosted their processing power, increased capacity of HDDs & injected faster graphics cards.
13" MBP: USD 1199 or USD 1499.
15" MBP: USD 1799 or USD 2199.
17"MBP : USD 2499.
It's needless to say that size does matters here, the larger the screen, the heavier the weight you carry around, the 13", 15" & 17" are 2.04, 2.54, 2.99 KGs respectively and remember, it's all about your budget.
if you are a graphics designer and need it to work, then the 17" is your goal.
if you are a graphics designer and need it to work, then the 17" is your goal.
If you are a student or running on a tight budget, then the 13" is your best shot.
If you are totally clueless, then go with the 15" as statistically speaking, percentage of buyers who regret buying the smallest 13" or the largest 17" screens are way much higher than buyers who regret buying the 15" (Kind of most satisfied with their purchase).
II- Processor Options:
13" MBP:
2.4 GHZ-dual core-intel i5+500 GB HD. Standard.
2.8 GHZ-dual core-intel i7+750 GB HD. + USD 300.
Though the high end here got a faster dual core-intel i7 processor, the i5 model speed tests doesn't show significant difference that will make you want to spend the extra USD 300 to get the i7 model.
So it's just the 500 HDD capacity, which can be replaced with a WD Scorpio 750 GB HDD from Amazon. for an extra USD 99.99 and you get to keep the other USD 200.
Though the high end here got a faster dual core-intel i7 processor, the i5 model speed tests doesn't show significant difference that will make you want to spend the extra USD 300 to get the i7 model.
So it's just the 500 HDD capacity, which can be replaced with a WD Scorpio 750 GB HDD from Amazon. for an extra USD 99.99 and you get to keep the other USD 200.
15" MBP:
2.4 GHZ- quad core-intel i7+750 GB HD. + USD 400.
Same as before, the processing speeds is almost unnoticed, but the difference arises from the graphics cards supplied within.
The 2.2 GHZ model got an Intel HD Graphics 3000 + an AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5, while the 2.4 GHZ model got the same Intel HD Graphics 3000 + a faster AMD Radeon HD6770M with 1GB GDDR5 which will only show it's muscles with a hardcore designer or gamer.
So if you are an everyday casual user or just crunching numbers, go for the 2.2 GHZ, if you're the hardcore designer or gamer go for the 2.4 GHZ.
The 2.2 GHZ model got an Intel HD Graphics 3000 + an AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5, while the 2.4 GHZ model got the same Intel HD Graphics 3000 + a faster AMD Radeon HD6770M with 1GB GDDR5 which will only show it's muscles with a hardcore designer or gamer.
So if you are an everyday casual user or just crunching numbers, go for the 2.2 GHZ, if you're the hardcore designer or gamer go for the 2.4 GHZ.
17" MBP:
2.4 GHZ- quad core-intel i7+500 GB HD. Stand alone.
Just once standard model, but you got the option to get a 2.5 GHZ-quad core-intel i7 for an extra USD 250, if you are ordering a custom one from Apple, but in my humble opinion, it's an extra cash in the trash, as you won't notice the difference.
III- RAM or Built-In Memory Options:
Just once standard model, but you got the option to get a 2.5 GHZ-quad core-intel i7 for an extra USD 250, if you are ordering a custom one from Apple, but in my humble opinion, it's an extra cash in the trash, as you won't notice the difference.
III- RAM or Built-In Memory Options:
4GB 1333MHZ DDR3 SDRAM 2x2GB - Standard.
8GB 1333MHZ DDR3 SDRAM 2x4GB + USD 200. (Custom Order).
8GB 1333MHZ DDR3 SDRAM 2x4GB + USD 200. (Custom Order).
That's were the champions stand out.
The last option where you want to save some extra cash is in RAMs, it's the heart &soul of your machine, so don't have any second thoughts and go ahead with the 8GB.
IV- Hard Disk Drive Options:
The last option where you want to save some extra cash is in RAMs, it's the heart &soul of your machine, so don't have any second thoughts and go ahead with the 8GB.
IV- Hard Disk Drive Options:
13" MBP:
500 GB SATA - 5400 rpm. Standard.
750 GB SATA - 5400 rpm + USD 100.
128 GB SSD + USD 200.(Custom Order).
256 GB SSD + USD 600.(Custom Order).
128 GB SSD + USD 200.(Custom Order).
256 GB SSD + USD 600.(Custom Order).
512 GB SSD + USD 1200.(Custom Order).
15" MBP:
500 GB SATA - 5400 rpm. Standard.
750 GB SATA - 5400 rpm + USD 100.(Custom Order).
750 GB SATA - 7200 rpm + USD 150.(Custom Order).
128 GB SSD + USD 200.(Custom Order).
256 GB SSD + USD 600.(Custom Order).
750 GB SATA - 7200 rpm + USD 150.(Custom Order).
128 GB SSD + USD 200.(Custom Order).
256 GB SSD + USD 600.(Custom Order).
512 GB SSD + USD 1200.(Custom Order).
17" MBP:
750 GB SATA - 5400 rpm. Standard.
750 GB SATA - 7200 rpm + USD 50.(Custom Order).
128 GB SSD + USD 100.(Custom Order).
256 GB SSD + USD 500.(Custom Order).
128 GB SSD + USD 100.(Custom Order).
256 GB SSD + USD 500.(Custom Order).
512 GB SSD + USD 1100.(Custom Order).
These options are what you can get from Apple, most are overpriced considering what you can get for less in the market by trying other 3rd party drives, which will also involve either sending it to an authorized Apple Dealer/Re-seller for installation or installing it by yourself if you got the guts.
Selling your stock HDD on eBay, might give you some extra juice for your new Hard Disk.
You can find different guides & tutorials for HDD installation, like ifixit guide for HDD Replacement for the 15" MBP.
But proceed at your own risk (It's recommended that you have at least tried once the assembly or dis-assembly of an electronic device or it will get really nasty so choose carefully) get the cheapest stock Hard Disc model and start.
If you are into just HDDs , You can find a lot here on Amazon, like the 750 GB WD Scorpio Blue which is for USD 99.99 or the 1TB WD Scorpio Blue which is for USD 179.95 (which is never available at Apple) both with 8MB cache, need better performance go for the 750 GB WD Scorpio Black costs USD 179.95 with 7200 rpm and 16 MB cache and enjoy the highest performance when editing videos or photos.
If you are into SSDs, then you are looking for the flash drives that offer best durability, power-efficient and incredibly faster as well as expensive.
Trading them for your good old stock HDD will save you a chunk but will just get something better.
So if money no problem, go for it.
Crucial offers a great variety of SSDs with installation guides too from 64GB SSD for USD 94.99 up to the bigger brother 512GB SSD for USD 649.99.( Amazon prices are used as it's slightly cheaper).
For an optimal choice, the Hybrid Drives are by far the best based on performance to price ratio, they offer really close speeds to what SSDs offer for a way cheaper price.
Seagate's are the best, with drives like 750GB Momentus XT - USD 174.99, 500 GB Momentus XT - USD 154.99 so give it a try.
V- Display Type Options:
13" MBP:
13 inch Glossy Widescreen Display - Standard.
15" MBP:
15 inch Glossy Widescreen Display - Standard.
15 inch Hi-Res Widescreen Display + USD 100.(Custom Order).
15 inch Hi-Res Anti-glare Widescreen Display + USD150.(Custom Order).
17" MBP:
17 inch Hi-Res Glossy Widescreen Display - Standard.
17 inch Hi-Res Anti-glare Widescreen Display + USD50.
As you can see from above the 13 inch comes with no options in the display type, while the 15 inch got 2 options, the Hi-Res display is definitely much better than Normal-Res one and you can't upgrade the screen later if you wish to!
so the only options left to discuss is the 17 inch Glossy vs Anti-glare which in brief, if you are going to use your machine outdoors or for printing, the vibrant glossy screen won't help at all, as screen will be almost unusable in a sunny day out and will saturate colors for printing materials rendering it unpredictable on a printed page.
So the best option is to resort for the Hi-Res Anti-glare Screen (up on the left)and pay the extra amount.
One last thing, if you are not in a hurry, wait until April to see if we are going to get the Ivy Bridge MBPs or just the mystical new Macbook Pro with the MacBook Air form Factor but that to be discussed later.
Sources:
http://tech.spotcoolstuff.com/configure-new-apple-macbook-pro
http://www.apple.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
http://www.ifixit.com/
http://www.crucial.com/
These options are what you can get from Apple, most are overpriced considering what you can get for less in the market by trying other 3rd party drives, which will also involve either sending it to an authorized Apple Dealer/Re-seller for installation or installing it by yourself if you got the guts.
Selling your stock HDD on eBay, might give you some extra juice for your new Hard Disk.
You can find different guides & tutorials for HDD installation, like ifixit guide for HDD Replacement for the 15" MBP.
But proceed at your own risk (It's recommended that you have at least tried once the assembly or dis-assembly of an electronic device or it will get really nasty so choose carefully) get the cheapest stock Hard Disc model and start.
If you are into just HDDs , You can find a lot here on Amazon, like the 750 GB WD Scorpio Blue which is for USD 99.99 or the 1TB WD Scorpio Blue which is for USD 179.95 (which is never available at Apple) both with 8MB cache, need better performance go for the 750 GB WD Scorpio Black costs USD 179.95 with 7200 rpm and 16 MB cache and enjoy the highest performance when editing videos or photos.
If you are into SSDs, then you are looking for the flash drives that offer best durability, power-efficient and incredibly faster as well as expensive.
Trading them for your good old stock HDD will save you a chunk but will just get something better.
So if money no problem, go for it.
Crucial offers a great variety of SSDs with installation guides too from 64GB SSD for USD 94.99 up to the bigger brother 512GB SSD for USD 649.99.( Amazon prices are used as it's slightly cheaper).
For an optimal choice, the Hybrid Drives are by far the best based on performance to price ratio, they offer really close speeds to what SSDs offer for a way cheaper price.
Seagate's are the best, with drives like 750GB Momentus XT - USD 174.99, 500 GB Momentus XT - USD 154.99 so give it a try.
V- Display Type Options:
13" MBP:
13 inch Glossy Widescreen Display - Standard.
15" MBP:
15 inch Glossy Widescreen Display - Standard.15 inch Hi-Res Widescreen Display + USD 100.(Custom Order).
15 inch Hi-Res Anti-glare Widescreen Display + USD150.(Custom Order).
17" MBP:
17 inch Hi-Res Glossy Widescreen Display - Standard.
17 inch Hi-Res Anti-glare Widescreen Display + USD50.
so the only options left to discuss is the 17 inch Glossy vs Anti-glare which in brief, if you are going to use your machine outdoors or for printing, the vibrant glossy screen won't help at all, as screen will be almost unusable in a sunny day out and will saturate colors for printing materials rendering it unpredictable on a printed page.
So the best option is to resort for the Hi-Res Anti-glare Screen (up on the left)and pay the extra amount.
One last thing, if you are not in a hurry, wait until April to see if we are going to get the Ivy Bridge MBPs or just the mystical new Macbook Pro with the MacBook Air form Factor but that to be discussed later.
Sources:
http://tech.spotcoolstuff.com/configure-new-apple-macbook-pro
http://www.apple.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
http://www.ifixit.com/
http://www.crucial.com/
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