Will 13 inch MacBook Pro be good for the following uses? Is 15 inch significantly better?

Question

I'm comparing refurbished MacBook Pro models (current versions of MacBook Pro).  I am getting the computer primarily for my child going to high school in the fall.  Her high school program involves making documentaries (Final Cut Pro), and she has been using Garage Band (on her phone and school computers) to make music and plans to continue making more.  She may make artwork as well, using Manga Studio, Photoshop, and similar programs.

I am hoping whatever I get will work through high school.  I am choosing between the MacBook Pro Retina 13 and 15 inch models, each with 256gb  memory, 16gbRAM.

The main differences you get with the 15 inch versus the 13 inch seem to be the screen size (a plus), weight (a minus for portability because the computer/charger are 1.5 pounds heavier), Iris v. Iris Pro graphics, and quad-core processor.

For the mentioned uses, how important would these differences be?  The cost difference on the refurbished 2014 models is $260 ($1700 versus $1440).  I don't mind paying the difference for a significant reason, but I'd rather not pay the difference if we'd have never noticed it.

Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Take out Final Cut Pro and the 13" will be fine for all the other needs.  Do not get too bogged down in the 'specs' - that is a PC marketing thing.  There are only a handful of various Macs and so developers can write their software to work across all Macs. So, to complicate matters further, a MacBook Air would be fine without FCP and be a lot lighter to carry around all day....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/content/pro-photographer-who-uses-macbook-air

But FCP relies heavily on the graphic processor for rendering clips and the 13" will struggle with that - noticeably... a couple of minutes rendering on the 15" becomes a couple of hours on the 13".

You mention school computers - if they are Macs with FCP at the school she could prepare a project on a 13" Macbook and then transfer it to the school computers for any required heavy rendering etc.

Speak to the school and see if they have any suggestions - they will see parents with this dilemma every year.

Vanilla · Answer

I would say the 15 inch would be better if she is going to be using it for artwork.

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Will 13 inch MacBook Pro be good for the following uses? Is 15 inch significantly better?

2 Answers