Hi I'm thinking about getting my first rMBP and I've come to the decision between two of the rMBP 256GB SSD models, one is the 2012 model with 2.5ghz and the other with 2.6ghz.
They're offering it at the good guys for $1597 for the 2012 model and $1725 for the early 2013 model. Is it worth the saving or should I just get the newer model for the 3% speed increase?
I'm wondering also if there's any additional flaws in the first model that should suggest I get the new one?
Retina MacBook Pro 2012 vs 2013
![](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/u/59/23459-38.jpg?h=fac9f7c2)
Comments
Get a Macbook air. The retina models have hilarious graphics issues in some apps and even general browsing. i.e. way too slow and stuttery.
Yeah I was thinking about how weird non retina optimized
Apps and websites will look. If its bad then I'm not sure if I want it lol.
The speed increase is pretty negligible if I want to save a bit of cash… I just was wondering it there was any other changes other than this.I've also heard about the image retention issues and I'm not sure at all what to get anymore. :(
I'm using it for graphic design and thought retina optimized photoshop would be great to use as a design tool. I was originally settled on a MacBook Air before I considered retina.Go to apple store (offline) and put two MBPs (retina and not) next to each other running same video or application and see if the difference worse to pay extra for you.
In 3-4 years MBP 2012 may not be compatible with some MacOS 20.0 "Desert Bigfoot" because of some artificial limitation. If you going to stick with it for more then 4 years I would suggest to take the latest.In value for money MBP is far behind MBA since it lost optical drive. In everyday use it's no difference between Core 2 Duo and i3-5-7. Until you doing heavy math or really care about 10sec vs 11sec start up time. (Just throw some more memory into MacBook 2010 and it will perform on same level)
If you not going to give money for apple charity aka Apple Care I would suggest to make some research for each model you consider if it's repairable by your own and "genuine" parts prices and accessibility.
IMHO if it's not once for life notebook, I would take a decent MBA right now and wait for retina (or retina.next) app market to mature.
I see what you're saying, but just to clarify both are retina models, the cheaper one is the recently discontinued late 2012 retina MacBook Pro, which has a 2.5ghz vs the newer 2.6ghz processor.
Thing is that I'm buying this for graphic design for uni, and feel like I'll be using this for many years to come. I'm concerned that the MacBook Air won't be able to process the larger scale work I may be doing on applications like photoshop etc.
I see you eager to buy MBP retina. )))
Ok - your choice.And the question is to buy 2012 and regret of not having the best of the best (for few months), or to buy the latest and regret of spending extra for almost the same thing.
Here is a hint how to get 2013 from Apple for the price of 2012 : wait for 10% Macbook discount in JB or DSE, go to Apple Store for MBP 2013 and ask them for price match. (I did it in a week after I bought my MBA, and I got the price match difference)
MBP retina 15" is a stunning device. It is really powerful and has this great retina display.
The problem with MBP 13" retina is its discrete graphics. It is not that powerful compared to 15" model and that's why MBA might be a better choice.
The speed increase from the change in clock speed will make almost no difference. If the SSD is faster or it has other beneficial changes go for it, but CPU clock will hardly matter.