Which 13" MBP?

[TangoJuliet]

I have tons of home video in my iMovie app that needs to be edited. I just don't have the free time at home to be sitting in front of the computer doing it. I was thinking about getting a MBP and doing it at work during breaks.

What would be the best 13" MBP to do this? Should I go with the last gen (refurb or on the forums) or are the new refreshes a lot better?

Thanks

 

[mmntech]

I use my 2.0ghz to do video editing on Final Cut. Uncompressed standard def DV. Just finished putting together a half hour documentary on it. Does the job just fine. Either or will will work.

 

[silverpig]

I'd go with the previous gen. I have one and just saw the updated specs. It seems like the graphics chip is really the only upgrade to mention.

 

[Ichigo]

The new 15" is a lot better for this. The 13" isn't much to speak of. If you have to get 13" just get one used.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Yeah I understand the 15" is going to be much better with an upgraded CPU and dedicated video card. However, I'm not going to spend $1700+ on it.

The raw video is shot from my Canon HF10 and the files are AVCHD. Will the previous gen be able to handle it? I edit the videos in iMovie so I'm not sure if that'll make a difference or not.

 

[secretanchitman]

you're better off getting todays update. the gpu is a lot faster and you get 4GB of ram, larger hd, a lot better battery life, and cpu bumps. either the $1199 or $1499 is fine. however, keep in mind that you can use the education discount if you order online (apple doesnt check if you're a student if you order online), so the prices will effectively be $1099 and $1399, at least for my school it is.

 

[TangoJuliet]

you're better off getting todays update. the gpu is a lot faster and you get 4GB of ram, larger hd, a lot better battery life, and cpu bumps. either the $1199 or $1499 is fine. however, keep in mind that you can use the education discount if you order online (apple doesnt check if you're a student if you order online), so the prices will effectively be $1099 and $1399, at least for my school it is.

I was planning on using my government discount which is the same as the student discount. I sent out a couple PMs to people selling their last gen models to see if I can get a deal on them. A couple 15"s were in the $900-1200 range so we'll see.

 

[deanx0r]

I'd go with the previous gen. I have one and just saw the updated specs. It seems like the graphics chip is really the only upgrade to mention.

Beside the integrated GPU, you also get:

2.4GHz vs 2.26GHz CPU
4GB vs 2GB RAM
9 hours vs 7 hours battery life

All for same price as the old model, which isn't bad in my opinion. I was hoping to see an i3/i5 core in there, but looking back at performance charts, you only see 15-20% performance improvement, which is unlikely to be perceived in real world unless you are running some really CPU intensive application.

 

[TheStu]

Beside the integrated GPU, you also get:

2.4GHz vs 2.26GHz CPU
4GB vs 2GB RAM
9 hours vs 7 hours battery life

All for same price as the old model, which isn't bad in my opinion. I was hoping to see an i3/i5 core in there, but looking back at performance charts, you only see 15-20% performance improvement, which is unlikely to be perceived in real world unless you are running some really CPU intensive application.

13" MacBook Pro gets a 10 hour battery. They upped the capacity to 63.5 Whr... which blows my mind a little bit. Not just because they upped the capacity again (Original MacBook had a 45Whr, first 13" MacBook pro had a 58Whr) but because if you look at it, that would mean that the entire system is using at most, 6.35 Watts in order to get that rated battery life. Pretty crazy.

 

[fatpat268]

13" MacBook Pro gets a 10 hour battery. They upped the capacity to 63.5 Whr... which blows my mind a little bit. Not just because they upped the capacity again (Original MacBook had a 45Whr, first 13" MacBook pro had a 58Whr) but because if you look at it, that would mean that the entire system is using at most, 6.35 Watts in order to get that rated battery life. Pretty crazy.

Yea, but 10 hours won't represent real world usage.

On my 7hr battery: With screen at ~50% brightness, wifi on, bluetooth on, and occasional flash, I routinely get about 5hrs out of it. The only way I could perceive getting the 7hrs out of it is if I had the screen at the lowest setting while only sparingly using the wi-fi.

Realistically, I'd say that 10 hr battery gives about 7-8hrs of use. Not too shabby.

 

[TheStu]

Yea, but 10 hours won't represent real world usage.

On my 7hr battery: With screen at ~50% brightness, wifi on, bluetooth on, and occasional flash, I routinely get about 5hrs out of it. The only way I could perceive getting the 7hrs out of it is if I had the screen at the lowest setting while only sparingly using the wi-fi.

Realistically, I'd say that 10 hr battery gives about 7-8hrs of use. Not too shabby.

Anandtech's test yielded rates in line with what Apple posted (this is for the previous gen MBPs). And the anecdotal evidence that I have seen marks it at 7 hours as well (again, previous MBPs).

However, even with the 20-25% difference that you are describing, you are right, it would be about 7 hours or so, which is still pretty incredible considering that it isn't a CULV CPU, but a 2.4GHz Dual Core.

 

[fatpat268]

Anandtech's test yielded rates in line with what Apple posted (this is for the previous gen MBPs). And the anecdotal evidence that I have seen marks it at 7 hours as well (again, previous MBPs).

However, even with the 20-25% difference that you are describing, you are right, it would be about 7 hours or so, which is still pretty incredible considering that it isn't a CULV CPU, but a 2.4GHz Dual Core.

Like I said, I'm talking typical usage here, at 5 hours (50% brightness, wifi on, bluetooth on. I'm certain I could squeeze it to 7 hours at the bare minimums, but it'd be close. I've spoke to a couple of people who also own the 7hr 13" MBP, they seem to confirm the same.

But regardless, it doesn't matter, battery life beyond 5 hours with a full powered processor is pretty insane, and I'm finally glad that companies are working on increasing battery life. Maybe some day soon we'll be able to squeeze a full 24hrs out of a battery charge (I know, wishful thinking ()🙂)

 

[Ichigo]

I was planning on using my government discount which is the same as the student discount. I sent out a couple PMs to people selling their last gen models to see if I can get a deal on them. A couple 15"s were in the $900-1200 range so we'll see.

$1200 for the 13" is way too much if you can get one used for less than $1000. You can upgrade the RAM to 4GB yourself for cheaper or some may have already upgraded their used ones with RAM. The only thing you're losing is in battery life and if 5 real world hours is enough, it's not a big deal. The GPU won't change much for you.

 

[silverpig]

Like I said, I'm talking typical usage here, at 5 hours (50% brightness, wifi on, bluetooth on. I'm certain I could squeeze it to 7 hours at the bare minimums, but it'd be close. I've spoke to a couple of people who also own the 7hr 13" MBP, they seem to confirm the same.

But regardless, it doesn't matter, battery life beyond 5 hours with a full powered processor is pretty insane, and I'm finally glad that companies are working on increasing battery life. Maybe some day soon we'll be able to squeeze a full 24hrs out of a battery charge (I know, wishful thinking ()🙂)

I can get 6.5 hrs out of mine with regular usage. I've definitely made it through an 8 hr day with wifi on with it shut for an hour at lunch before. When I turn bluetooth and wifi off and have the screen set to minimum, the time left meter gets up to 10.5 hrs.

Really though, the OP is going to be doing heavy video editing. He won't be getting 10 hours out of his battery, that's for sure.

 

[TangoJuliet]

I can get 6.5 hrs out of mine with regular usage. I've definitely made it through an 8 hr day with wifi on with it shut for an hour at lunch before. When I turn bluetooth and wifi off and have the screen set to minimum, the time left meter gets up to 10.5 hrs.

Really though, the OP is going to be doing heavy video editing. He won't be getting 10 hours out of his battery, that's for sure.

I wont be running it off the battery much as we do have outlets at work. My biggest concern was the upgraded CPU and GPU with this refresh over the previous gen if its going to make a difference or not.

 

[TheStu]

Should be a little faster in both departments, but not a huge deal more. Once the previous gen 13s hit the refurb store, grab one, they should be freaking cheap.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Should be a little faster in both departments, but not a huge deal more. Once the previous gen 13s hit the refurb store, grab one, they should be freaking cheap.

Saw one of them today and added to my cart to see what the final price was. $1029 shipped and including tax. Wish they had a better payment plan then buying through that visa (barclay) card.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Apple store has a refurb 13" for $869

Should I go for it or wait until the newer ones go to refurb?

 

[bearxor]

If I were you, I'd go for the $849 refurb plastic MacBook. 2.26ghz processor and 250GB HD for $20 cheaper.

You'll lose out on the aluminum casing, but the $869 MacBook you're looking at is inferior to the $849 MacBook currently on the Refurb store.

 

[fatpat268]

If I were you, I'd go for the $849 refurb plastic MacBook. 2.26ghz processor and 250GB HD for $20 cheaper.

You'll lose out on the aluminum casing, but the $869 MacBook you're looking at is inferior to the $849 MacBook currently on the Refurb store.

Not only that, that $869 aluminum you're looking at is the model before they started naming it Macbook Pro... meaning that the screen in it is vastly inferior to what's in them now.

Just something to consider.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Not only that, that $869 aluminum you're looking at is the model before they started naming it Macbook Pro... meaning that the screen in it is vastly inferior to what's in them now.

Just something to consider.

ah, thanks guys. I guess I'll just wait until the new ones hit the refurb store. I don't really need a ton of storage 160GB is fine but I'd prefer to have 4GB in it rather then the 2GB of the previous gen.

 

[secretanchitman]

ah, thanks guys. I guess I'll just wait until the new ones hit the refurb store. I don't really need a ton of storage 160GB is fine but I'd prefer to have 4GB in it rather then the 2GB of the previous gen.

good plan. you shouldnt have to wait too long - it only took a few weeks for the 21/27" imacs to hit the refurb store after they came out last year. 🙂

 

[TangoJuliet]

good plan. you shouldnt have to wait too long - it only took a few weeks for the 21/27" imacs to hit the refurb store after they came out last year. 🙂

nice, that gives me some more time to save up. I got $600 right now so I was going to put the balance on my cc.

 

[TangoJuliet]

If anyone happens to see the new MBPs in the refurb store please post it here. I look every day but just the previous gen are there. So in case you spot one let me know so I can pick one up! 🙂

Thanks!!

 

[doh123]

I have a new MBP 13" with the 320m ....

if you do not need strong graphics, getting the old version (if cheap) could be a good deal... but I play a few games now and then, and the 320m is more than twice as fast as the 9400M in my older 15" unibody... its remarkably faster than I thought it would be... in a few games I play through Wine, its actually been faster than the (underclocked) geforce 9600GT in my old machine.... on a few native games, its been slower than the 9600GT, but not by much noticeably... I don't really have a reason to keep my 15" anymore, I love this 13" so much.... gotta sell it in a few weeks (when I'm done with a class I'm taking I have a COBOL thing set up on I don't wanna move to my new machine)