School me on a 2011 MBP 13

I have a 2011 MBP 13 inch with a

• i7 at 2.7Ghz
• 8 GB of 1333 RAM
• A 500GB SSD (Samsung EVO)
• Intel HD 3000 512 MB graphics

I bought this computer new and upgraded the system memory, the SSD and got a new battery (when needed). I'll need more storage soon. So I am deciding between a new computer or a new drive.

I looked at the new Apple MBPs that are comparable in price to this computer when I bought it, around $2000. I just don't see what substantial improvements I will get. I understand that I'll get a lighter computer, retina display, and a built in drive that will be faster. It'll be a i5 instead of my i7. Is the 2016 computer light years ahead of my 2011 MBP?

Edit: When I updated from my C2D MBP to this i7 MBP, it was a significant improvement.

I know I can live with my computer for another year or more, but is it worth updating this old of a computer? I haven't had an issue with computer.

Thoughts about this?

Buy what you need. If your machine is fast enough, why bother?

Later gen core cpu's are faster. You could spend some time checking out benchmarks. There is also the matter of battery life and of course GPU's being better on later machines. So, if you use programs that use the GPU then there can be significant jumps there (Adobe Programs).

But it still comes back to whether or not you even care about the speed (or are doing things that would make you appreciate the much higher resolution display). If you don't, the 2011 is still a more than serviceable machine for a lot of office/desktop work.

I'm considering a 2TB SSD. It's around $600, so that's why I'm asking.

Just get rid of your DVD drive and throw a 2TB 7200 RPM HDD in there and create a fusion drive. I have a 128GB Samsung 840 Pro fronting a 1TB 5400RPM HDD and it works great.

I personally hate fusion drives. I refuse to ever have one on any of my Mac machines. I'd rather have 100% control of what is on the SSD and what is on a rotational drive, but that is just me and my mentality. However, I definitely am in favor of ditching the DVD drive for another HD. If you want a 2TB SSD to cram in there, go for it. Alternatively you can spend less and just get a standard rotational drive just for additional space.

Personally I haven't found a need to have more than 512GB of internal space on a laptop, because I need significantly more than that. Sound paradoxical? Not at all, I just know that I have tons of files and by their nature will have to be placed on various external discs. But that is par for the course if you do photo or video work. In terms of what system files or personal files I need beyond that to be mobile, 512GB is still more than comfortable for me personally.

Related to this thread. I'm thinking of ditching my Windows machine. I don't game any more, and if I want to game I'm considering a console.

This computer will be my only computer (but not the only computer in the house). I do have a home server that's very integrated with multiple computers and appliances. However, I haven't messed with it enough to make Internet accessible.

I personally do not like attached storage. Just another thing to lug around. That's just me.

I think I will get the larger SSD. I can get another MBP update (or two) out of this computer.

Thanks for letting me bounce the idea.

Liver said:

Related to this thread. I'm thinking of ditching my Windows machine. I don't game any more, and if I want to game I'm considering a console.

This computer will be my only computer (but not the only computer in the house). I do have a home server that's very integrated with multiple computers and appliances. However, I haven't messed with it enough to make Internet accessible.

I personally do not like attached storage. Just another thing to lug around. That's just me.

I think I will get the larger SSD. I can get another MBP update (or two) out of this computer.

Thanks for letting me bounce the idea.

Click to expand...

Everything comes down to needs and usage case. It's just not practical to shuffle around 4-8TB of files internally on a laptop. Of course it's not like I need that information to be on the system all the time, but I often have to move files, or have access to files between multiple systems.
Obviously if you can get away with not, then go ahead and not. Still, I'd look into just ditching the DVD drive and going with extra storage, whether SSD or rotational. You may as well. DVD's are dead.

I haven't used the drive since I don't know when.

I guess you're used to the size, but I have a 17" MBP, and I also got a 15" MBP and 13" MBP through barters. I find the 13" extremely awkward to use since 1280x800 is so limiting. At least with the Retina 13" you can specify higher resolutions (which look fantastic by the way).

It's all about needs. Is is fast enough for you? This is you're call, base is on needs not GAS.

If I traveled around ( I do) with my laptop to school, work, coffee shops, travel photography whatever, I would personally be able to justify the lighter, cooler running, longer battery life rMPB. However if I just used it here and there and it mostly sat near a MagSafe, I wouldn't bother. What about other features? Do you need or could use usb3? Thunderbolt? Higher resolution?

Also, unless it sits on a desk I don't recommend putting spinners in a laptop, ever. I am all SSD at this point, besides time machine drives. Personally I would swap the optical for a bluRay so I always had it with me. But a second 1tb ssd would be nice. I think 2tb drives are too much right now. I would get a 1tb to hold me over two more years. (Or just delegate crap haha)

Also if 500gb ssd is not enough for you think of the cost of a new MacBook with a ssd larger than 512, ouch.

Side note, to this day I still liked the keyboard on the older unibody MacBook pros the best. The rMBP is "ok" and I'm sorta dreading the new butterfly option my new 2016 will have. (When it arrives)

Don't buy it to impress others. Personally I take pride in making stuff last. Even my truck is a 17 year old Dodge 1 ton Cummins that is cleaner and out tows all my friends with much younger trucks haha. Arguably more reliable too!

I hear you. It's not a matter of bragging rights or impressing people. Honestly it's not a matter of needs either. It comes down to putting more money into a vastly obsolete machine vs putting that money towards a new machine. I do understand that the new machine is obsolete as soon as I get it, but it will be much less obsolete.

I did delete some stuff, but still I'm pushing the drive.

Edit. I haven't had a "retina" MBP so I don't know what I'm missing (that's a plus). I'm sure when I finally get one, I'll never want anything else. Hell, my wife still uses her C2D MBP, she needs the upgrade more than me. She wants a desktop.

It's up to you honestly. But as you already note, it's hard to justify putting $600 into a 5+ year old machine. 2TB on mobile is also a lot of data. You know your usage case more than any of us. If spending $600 here prevents you from spending $3k+ on a new (or newER) machine (also needing 2TB on an SSD) then you have to do what makes sense for you.

2011 MBP was using either first or second gen i7. Obviously there are significant CPU upgrades there. Modern machines have much faster graphics. NVMe. 10-bit displays. Longer lasting battery. Etc.
And on the other hand: cost. Choose. Not much more to say than that. Unless you can compromise and buy a much smaller SSD that won't cost as much.

Side note, those older non retina (but still core i) MacBooks make nice secondary machines. So maybe buying a new latops is more beneficial

• Low power home server if you grab a cheap FireWire 800 external or dun dual internal drives. I have recorded a older 2011 i7 with two drives to ideal at around 10watts with the screen off.

•family machine permintly sitting at a desk

•testing stuff

•coffee table Internet cafe type

•htpc?

I can be a bit of a preper, but if we head out for vacation I hide my main machine, taking a backup disk with me of course. if someone breaks in and finds my old machine right on top the desk there not likely going to dig around for another one. Especially in the attic or hidden safe, or inbetween towels in the linen closet.

Retina screens are amazing, worth upgrading just for that. Maybe you can setup a NAS for storage, like others said, 2TB is a lot for a laptop.

Personally, I would put my money towards a NAS if you don't already have one. 2TB of portable data is a lot to back up on a regular basis. If you were to get that much storage in a new MBP you would have to go to the 15" as the 13" is only configurable to 1TB. And with the introduction of the Touch Bar models, the SSD is now soldered to the logic board, making upgrades impossible.

I have been in a similar situation recently and I have yet to find a reason to upgrade from my early 2011 15" MBP since none of my everyday uses are being hindered besides my innate desire to have the newest thing.