Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide
Apple announced updates to its professional line of MacBook Pro laptops. In a series of four articles, I’m introducing the overall changes and providing detailed information on each of the three main laptops in the MacBook Pro lineup. Click the links below to skip to a specific article:
- Apple Updates MacBook Pro Laptop Line — An introduction to the updates.
- Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. (You’re already here!)
- Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
- Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro Review
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is a well-performing candidate for great photography computer. The display is smaller than I like, but I recommend the use of external displays with laptops when you’re in a relatively controlled environment such as your office or studio. It certainly doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of it’s larger siblings, but it’s a great contender. This machine will perform well for you. Just plan on adding some screen real-estate for those pixel-hogging applications such as Lightroom.
Technical Specifications
Size and Weight
- Height
- 0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
- Width
- 12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
- Depth
- 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
- Weight
- 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)
Connections and Expansion
- MagSafe power port
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
- Mini DisplayPort
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
- SD card slot
- Audio in/out
- Kensington lock slot
13-inch MacBook Pro Connections and Expansion - Click for larger image.
Communications
- AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Audio
- Stereo speakers with subwoofers
- Omnidirectional microphone
- Combined headphone/line in (supports digital output)
- Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Display
- 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
- Supported resolutions: 1280 by 800 (native), 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched
13-inch MacBook Pro with glossy widescreen display - Click for larger image.
Graphics and Video Support
- NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
- Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
- iSight camera
- Mini DisplayPort
Input
- Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
- Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
13-inch MacBook Pro Keyboard and Trackpad - Click for larger image.
Processor and Memory
- 2.4GHz or 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache
- 1066MHz frontside bus
- 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
Storage
- 250GB or 320GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 320GB or 500GB 5400-rpm hard drive, or 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB solid-state drive
- 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
- Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD
13-inch MacBook Pro SuperDrive - Click for larger image.
Battery and Power
- Up to 10 hours of battery run time
- Built-in 63.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
- 60W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
- MagSafe power port
13-inch MacBook Pro Configuration Options
The 13-inch MacBook Pro comes in two base configurations:
- 13-inch: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with a 250GB Hard Drive – $1,199
- 13-inch: 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with a 320GB Hard Drive – $1,499
Both models come standard with 4GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2GB modules) but all MacBook Pro models support up to 8GB of RAM.
This MacBook Pro comes standard with a 320 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive. Other options include:
- 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm [Add $100.00]
- 128GB solid-state drive [Add $300.00]
- 256GB solid-state drive [Add $750.00]
- 512GB solid-state drive [Add $1,400.00]
Follow the links below to read other MacBook Pro reviews:
- Apple Updates MacBook Pro Laptop Line — An introduction to the updates.
- Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. (You’re already here!)
- Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
- Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
Filed Under: (02) Product Reviews
About the Author: Scott Rouse is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), photographer, teacher, and graphic- and web-designer in Missoula, MT. His photography focuses on wildlife and adventure sports and can be viewed at 
Hello. I am a graphic designer and currently have one of the first Macbook Pros. It has lasted me well for 6 years and I run CS4 on it. A little slow, but only really with larger files. I want to get a new Macbook Pro for more speed and space and CS5 but I would really like small and lightweight. My question is the the 15″ seems to have a better video card, but am I really going to miss that with the 13″? Preferably, I would like smaller (and cheaper), because I do have a monitor I can plug it into when I need more screen. Can I go with 13″ and still get top performance for Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign (no video editing).
Dear Laura,
I think you will be happy enough with the
Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro for this sort of work. I strongly suggest getting the faster processor and eventually maxing out the ram too.
–
David Marx
P.S. If you use this link to the
Apple Store Online for your purchase then we get 2% commission. That revenue helps to keep our site up and running!
Hi, I’m a photography student turning photographer. I would like to by a macbook pro from the new line though i’m having difficulties deciding wich one i should get. The MCP must be small because i will be traveling a lot but also strong enough to handle CS5, adobe lightroom, HDR programs and such. My budget is limited; Wich one should i get, the 13′inch 2,7 GHz or the 15′inch 2.0 GHz? Or will the 13′inch 2,3 GHz also ben sufficient? Thank you for helping me with this issue!
Dear am,
I have trouble working on programs such as Lightroom on a small screen like that on the 13″. Depending on what you’re upgrading from, however, you should notice a huge performance improvement with any of the machines you listed.
My favorite machine is the fastest 15″ MacBook Pro available, but all of the machines you listed are capable of running Lightroom and Photoshop CS5.
Check out the selection here. RAM and hard drive speed are two places where one can make a big difference without spending too much extra. 4GB of RAM is the bare minimum with 8GB being better. Purchase your new RAM from a company other than Apple to save money and install it yourself. It’s not too tough. I like Other World Computing, but there are other nice choices, too.
Also, if you can get the 7200 RPM hard drive (rather than the 5400 RPM model), it’s well worth it. The SSD drives are great, as well, but still a bit pricey.
-Scott
Hi!, Im a graphic designer ready to take a new step, go to mac, im thinking in MB pro 13″, is perfect for Adobe CS5?, but also im waiting to the new MB pros in 2011, so what do you think?, wait?, or buy right now?
Dear Analdo,
We can’t help you with the “buy now vs. wait” decision. That decision hinges on your budget and your immediate needs. If I were buying a MacBook Pro for professional graphic design work then I would go for the MacBook Pro 15″ with an Intel i7 or i5 chip rather than the 13″ model. The MacBook Pro though is not my first choice. In my opinion, the 27″ Quad Core iMac with the Intel i7 chip is the best value from Apple.
–
David Marx
I am having a hard time deciding from the 2.4 GHz 13 inch MacBook Pro and a 15 inch HP with a i7 and 6 gb of ram. I want a computer that will never give me issues and help me with school and my website. I am a photographer so i will be batch tagging pictues in photo shop as well as using iMovie now and then to edit interviews. Do you think the 2.4 GHz will be enough power to do all this? I spoke to Apple and they said the only pratical ussage for the i5 and i7′s is working with 3d and I will not be doing that. SO i wanted to ask around befor I made my final decision.
Dear Stephen,
The HP that you describe with the Intel i7 chip and 6GB of ram is far more powerful then the 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro. The question is do you really want to deal with the endless hassles of the Windows operating system? If you want a Mac with similar power then you need to look into a Get the 15″ MacBook Pro with the i7 chip. A high-end iMac might be a much less expensive option worth considering too. By the way, there is no such thing as ” a computer that will never give me issues!”
–
David Marx
I am new to Mac and reallly trying to decide on whether a MacBook Pro 13 inch or the New Mac Book Air 13 inch is the right choice. Solid State Drive or SATA Drive.
I need about 250GB in Storage and both fit my needs.
I travel about 48 weeks a year, but this is still my only computer. I am currently using a PC but at the end of it’s life. Do you have any thoughts?
Dear Tim Camden,
These are both great choices. Basically, what a professional photographer needs out of a laptop differs substantially from what a businessman needs to create text documents and answer emails everyday. It would be easier for us to give advice if we knew what more about what you will do with your new computer. I think that the new MacBook Air is an excellent choice for someone who travels 48 weeks a year! It is super light and its battery life is fantastic. Plus, it looks cool and it fits comfortably even in a small carry-on bag.
Although its a lovely laptop, the MacBook Air is nowhere near powerful enough for my needs. I need a workhorse, not a featherweight, to get my work done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. I need a fast processing chip, all the ram that I can get, and fast external hard drive connections to do my job. The MacBook Pro delivers the kind of power that I need to keep my photography business alive while I am out on the road.
Again, you are picking between two top of the line models. Pick the one that best suits your daily needs!
–
David Marx
I have been researching this for a while now and I still can’t seem to decide. I was in an Apple store for the first time yesterday with a friend, and I felt like I was in heaven. They were very informative and didn’t pressure me into buying anything right away. But seeing the 13″ and 15″ MBP in person did help a bit.
I currently have a Compaq Presario V5000 laptop that I use for everything. It’s my one and only computer. It’s a 2006, the battery life sucks (I’ve noticed that it likes to shut itself off from time to time even when plugged in), and it’s a bit bulky. It’s a 15″ wide screen as well. I’m an amateur photographer also and I use Lightroom 3 for post-editing my pictures. I shoot in RAW format and upload as RAW, but them convert to DNG format. I don’t bulk edit. I edit one photo at a time and then export it one at a time. I also do the usual stuff; surf the web, chat online, email, documentation, that sort of thing.
When I was in the Apple store, I really liked the size of the 13″ comparable to the 15″. I know the 13″ still has the Core 2 Duo processor while the 15″ has the new Core i5 processor. I’m looking at the high-end 13″ and the low end 15″ to get. Is the added power the 15″ has really necessary for me with what I’ll be doing on the MBP? I’m also kind of wanting to play the Sims 3 on it (I love to build and decorate houses). I also listen to music and watch youtube videos on my current laptop. I’m really hoping the 13″ will be just fine for what I’ll be doing with it.
Cost isn’t really a factor to me, it’s more of the weight/size/portability and needed power in the laptop that I’m concerned about. When post-editing my photos in Lightroom 3 on my current laptop (Compaq Presario V5000), there is a noticeable lag with it when editing and exporting but at the same time, I’m not doing batch edits and batch exports.
I was also wondering if a refurbished macbook is a good way to go? How reliable are they? I’ve checked around on the Apple site online and they do offer them but I’ve never had a refurbished laptop before. My Compaq Presario V5000 is a hand-me-down from my ex-fiance, but that was the best I could do with at the time.
Dear Jackie,
I think that you would be very pleased with the 13″ MacBook Pro. It’s small, portable, and powerful enough to handle Lightroom. It’s not the machine that I would choose but my needs are different from yours. I need the extra power of the 15″ machine to bulk process images and to edit video but you don’t so why spend the extra money and carry around all that extra weight?
My personal experience is that Apple factory refurbished computers are every bit as reliable as their direct sales siblings. I’m typing this on a refurbished 15″ MacBook Pro right now. My advice for any Apple customer though is to get the extended warranty, max out the ram using a third party supplier like Crucial.com, and always make regular backups of your entire system.
–
David Marx
Thanks for the reply David,
because of the lack of money i went 13 inch, but so far not disappointed. bought the DP to VGA cable and cheated using the 13 pro on a full HD monitor. Mac handles using both monitors just fine without to much delays at all. Photoshop and flash work perfectly fine too but haven’t tried editing in Premiere yet. Since my pc operates it at similar CPU speed and with a nVidea 9500 equipped i guess the 13 inch will perform similairly due to a lighter OS. What i really liked about OS X is that you don’t need Adobe Bridge to preview Adobe filetypes, unlike Windows.
So to people i doupt i’d say 13 inch macbook pro is an awesome machine, and even very usable when hooked up to a larger screen. But if it’s to be one’s main machine 15 inch would be better, especially the high-res version.
cheers!
Wesley
Hello,
I am amazed at the lack of info on the web about Pro(ish) audio solutions for the 13″ MBP. being that it has only one firewire and no pciExpress, Can someone here recommend the best possible set up for what it DOES have, for example “usb audio interface, firewire external drive, or visa versa” and which is the smarter choice and can usb handle moderate track count playback etc.
thanks!
Dear David,
I am on way to purchase a new Laptop i like light wight
Laptop with high specs. I am used Matlab mainly, i don’t if it will perform well or not on MBP.
can i install Windows OS on MBP ? so both OS can work.
is ther any conflict that may happen ?
thanks in advance
Hi there.
im thinking logic studio and final Cut. 
And when im using one of the programs, i’ll not be dueing alot of other things, only making Music or editing. 
Im a student, that produce Music in my freetime, and are considering bying a MacBook Pro. I also edit movies, not very long movies(10-20 min.), but probaly with some effects. Can the 13 Inch. fill my needs?
Sorry for the bad english, im Danish.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Dear Kristian,
I am not a musician, or a video expert, but I think that the 13″ MacBook Pro with a 2.66GHz processor is adequate. This would not be my first choice though for two reasons. First, I think that you can get a much more powerful machine for about the same price if you buy an iMac. Not only is the iMac far more powerful, but it also comes with a better screen.
My second concern with the 13″ MacBook Pro for your needs is the lack of a separate audio in port. The 13″ MacBook Pro uses a single port for both its audio out (headphones) and its line in. Again, I’m not a musician but I fear that this would be a huge pain.
Hope this helps.
–
David
Hi there,
i noticed that all the other posts is with regards to their profession using photoshop etc.
I am a student and interested in buying MacBk Pro 13″ with 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM. I would like a all-purpose laptop and of course for casual gaming. So i would like to know if the game can run Comand & Conquer 4/3 etc.
I would really like to know as i dont want to regret buying it.
Thanks alot,
ChoonYip
Dear ChoonYip,
You need to ask Command and Conquer experts / users this question. We are Adobe Photoshop Lightroom experts. Try posting your question here. http://forums.commandandconquer.com/jforum/forums/list.page
–
David
Hi,
I recently joined a graduate course on Human computer interaction that requires more use of Adobe CS5 suite. I would be using Photoshop, Lightroom, Flash, Flex extensively. I’m a bit confused between 13″ and 15″. I’m so far comfortable with using a 15″ HP laptop. I am not sure if 13″ will be very small to me (though it looks cute
). And 15″ is way expensive for a graduate student. Please help in choosing a better MBP that can run all these softwares hassle free for next 2 years minimum.
Thanks,
Sriram.
Dear Sriram,
You get what you pay for. Both the 13″ and the 15″ MacBook Pro models are great computers. If you are just dabbling with all the programs in the CS5 suite then either machine will do fine. If, on the other hand, you are going to do a lot of sophisticated work in Photoshop, Premier, After Effects, or manage a large library of digital camera raw files using Photoshop Lightroom then the extra processor power in the 15″ model will be a huge help. My advice is always to spend your money on the fastest processor that you can afford, to eventually add in as much ram as your computer can hold, and to get a fast (rotational speed) internal hard drive.
If you are going to really push the envelope creatively then the extra money that you spend on a faster computer is worth it but if not don’t over spend.
–
David
Hello again David!
Thanks again for your input. I’ve thought about what you said, and here’s what I am thinking: I am in South Korea, and won’t be back in the US until mid-January. I’m thinking about buying the MBP while I’m here, and after converting the currency back to US Dollars, it’s about $300 more to get the 15-inch 2.4GHz than to get the 13-inch 2.66 GHz; that to me, budget wise, is very acceptable. I know that what I do video and photo wise isn’t hardcore, but the thing is, “What if?” What if I buy the 13-inch, and it turns out that I get more into video/photo work, and it isn’t powerful enough? In my estimation, an extra $300 to buy the 15-inch, even though it is “too big”, would be more practical, as it would ensure that I have the power that I need. For that reason, I can deal with the size. What are your thoughts? Thanks a lot!
- Joseph McCutchen -
Dear Joseph,
I don’t think you can wrong here. Both of these machines are fantastic. My spending priorities are processor, ram, and hard drive speed. My advice is always to get the fastest processor that you can afford, to eventually max the ram out, and if possible to get a SSD or 7600 rpm internal hard drive. Everything else on a laptop is decorative. The 15″ will do things like video rendering faster but there isn’t anything that the 13″ can’t do. Personally, I love my 15″ MacBook Pro but again these are all top of the line machines. And who knows maybe by mid-January there will be a whole new set of options.
–
David
Dear Joseph,
Thanks for the additional info and insight. My advice get the 13″ MacBook Pro with a 2.66GHz processor and when you have some additional funds move up to 8GB of RAM. I usually buy more RAM from Crucial.com. It’s easy to install and usually a whole lot less expensive this way.
Enjoy!
–
David
Thanks for your info David. Here are my responses to your three questions:
1. Is 15″ MacBook Pro really too big? Let me give you an analogy about a car. I bought a small car because of my budget, and as it turns out, the gas mileage (44 MPG highway) was outstanding. I didn’t need the space or the power. I eventually bought a truck, and while it didn’t get as good mileage (28 MPG highway), it had lots more space, and more power. I didn’t buy it until I really needed it.
Now, let me compare this to buying a 15″ MacBook Pro. If the end justifies the means, and I need the extra power, then no, it’s not too big. However, if I don’t need it, then yes, it’s too big. Why spend more money if I don’t have to?
2. My budget is tight. I could have enough money by January to buy the 15″ MacBook Pro, but that’s January. I could get the 13″ MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz by November or December; there’s not a whole lot of time difference here, but once again, the need is what I’m concerned about. It would be nice to have the extra power IF I needed it, but that’s a variable; I cannot tell whether I would eventually need it or not.
3. I hate to tell on myself, but let’s talk straight here: I am not known for being a patient person. When I went something, I want it NOW, not LATER. Could I hold out until January for the 15″ MacBook Pro? Yes I could, but now comes the next part: I don’t do video work very often: maybe 5 times a month, and it’s not major. The video that I do is with my digital camera, which does HD video, and my camcorder, which does SD video. I’ve always done my video editing in iMovie, which is what I would still use; not wanting to get Final Cut unless I do something more professional; the video I do is mostly of my students, and doesn’t have to look glamorous. As far as photos, I don’t really do photo editing, and if I did, would probably use Aperture; I’m not really wanting to shell out the cash for Photoshop.
I want to be as basic as possible, and would rather get the 13″; nevertheless, be completely honest with me. If you think that having the extra power is nice, and that it’s worth it to wait until January for the 15″, then I’m open to that. Thanks for your time!
- Joseph McCutchen -
Joseph-
These are all excellent computers! Today’s 13″ MacBookPro is more powerful then the 15″ MacBookPro that I bought just two years ago! That said, you still get what you pay for especially when rendering video.
Faster processors do things like H.264 video encoding faster. Likewise, the faster–more expensive–chip for the 13″ can do more calculations per second then the lower priced option. If were to talk I would ask you:
1. Is a 15″ MacBookPro really too big?
2. What is your budget?
3. How patient are you and how much video work will you do everyday?
For more on the MacBookPro performance for photographers see http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToConfigureAMacBookPro.html
–
David
Hello!
I have had a MacBook for about 3 years now, and am going to buy a MacBook Pro soon. I’m just torn over whether to get the 13-inch or the 15-inch. While I do like the fact that the 15-inch has either the i5 or i7 processor vs. the 13-inch having the intel core 2 duo, the 15-inch, for me, is too big. I take a lot of photos with my camera, but I don’t do a whole lot in the way of editing, and I believe I can get by using Aperture, rather than forking out the extra cash for Photoshop. I also do video from time to time; it’s mostly of my students playing games or singing, nothing major. I would really like to just get the 13-inch if I can; is it feasible, and if so, can I get by with the 2.4 GHz, or do I need to get the 2.66 GHz? Thanks for your time!
perhaps i’m asking the most obvious reading all these comments and advice, but i plan buying a macbook pro.
i only have difficulty reading about freezing issues on the new 15 and 17 inch core i5 and i7 models, none mayor issues know for the 13 inch model.
i plan to use it for animation, photo editing, video editing.. in other words the entire CS5 master suite. it’s minimum screen demands are larger then the 13 inch can natively provide, but i have heard that the nVidea 320m provides a far larger external resolution. I need this confirmed, cause i can trick CS5 into installing it onto a 13 inch.
prossessing power is not an issue, my main computer is a dual cpu/gpu(SLI) machine with plenty power for power apps.
just need to know if CS5 will install on a 13 inch using an external display or if i really need the 15 inch i5 for that… sorry for using alot of words
but alot of thanks beforehand
Wesley
Dear Wesley,
Apologies for the delay. The native resolution of an Apple MacBook Pro 13″ is 1280×800 and Adobe Photoshop CS5 works just fine at this resolution. See http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/systemreqs/ for more details. Where you might run into problems is with Premiere but as long as you have the external connected I think you will be fine. See http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/systemreqs/ for more on Premiere’s needs. Even if you can get it work, I would still suggest the 15″ model because it offers a lot more processor power. I think you will be a lot happier rendering video with an i5 or i7 chip then with the older Core 2 model that the 13″ MacBook Pro uses.
–
David
Dear Chris,
A fully loaded 13″ MacBook pro should be able to handle all your photographic and light video needs. You will definitely want all the ram you can get and I would use a raid 1 (stripped) external disk for my video work rather then the NAS. NAS is great for a backup but relatively slow for non-linear video editing. I should add too that an iMac or 15″ MBP with the i7 chip would be a lot faster for hard core tasks like video rendering. But for portability and sufficient power this will do nicely!
–
Dave
Hi!
I’m looking to replace a netbook I use. I have bought a new DSLR (t2i) and a basic Kodak Zi8 for shooting some basic videos and pictures for reviews for some my site.
I’m thinking the 13 inch is too small, but I have a 23″ monitor I hook my netbook up to and I’m happy with that.
Will the 13 inch be able to handle the load of the new pictures, and some basic video jobs?
I was going to go with a SSD drive and 8gb of ram into the laptop since space is not a big concern with the 8TB NAS I currently have.
hi scott!
i’m a student who uses final cut pro (for the odd project here and there), some photoshop use (at most an hour a day), indesign, and dreamweaver. i’m planning to get cs5, but most of my usage however consists of word processing, surfing, and chatting. i won’t be gaming at all on my mbp, as i have a windows laptop for that.
my current laptop is a 14.1″ so i don’t think screen size is a problem. will the 13.3″ mbp (processor wise etc.) be adequate for my needs, with its C2D? i foresee myself using more photoshop/design software in the future, but with more emphasis on writing.
the comment thread has been very useful, thanks for your advice scott!
cheers,
commer
Adrian,
The 13-inch MacBook Pro will certainly do the job for you. You’ll no doubt get even better performance with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but I think you’ll find that the 13-inch performs light years ahead of your old Windows-based machine.
Enjoy,
Scott
Hi Scott
I’m a Lightroom user that previously had an ASUS C2D 2Ghz (with 2 Gb RAM and a 256Mb graphic card) laptop on Vista before the harddrive gave up. I’m juggling between the Macbook Pro 13” and the 15”.
When I used LR2 on Vista it was a tug-o-war between my laptop and LR2. I had to close other programs (even had to temporarily switch off anti-virus and MSN) while I process and edit the photos.
Now that with the Macbook Pro 13” it has C2D 2.4Ghz, pretty much similar specs to my old ASUS except with 4Gb RAM, do you think it will do the job without me switching off other programs too? I’m on a strict budget at this point, should I go for the 13″ now or save up and wait for the 15″ i5?
Looking forward to hear your advice.
Thanks
Adrian
Ciao!
I don’t speak Italian, but thanks to Google, I get the impression that you’re asking if the 13 inch is acceptable for a travel photographer. I understand that you don’t like the weight of the 15 inch and also enjoy the lower price of the 13 inch model.
I think that is a perfectly valid choice. If you are doing a lot of processing, you’ll prefer the power of the 15 inch model, but the 13 inch model will do just fine for traveling.
Here’s my answer in Italian, as translated by Google Translate:
Io non parlo italiano, ma grazie a Google, ho l’impressione che si sta chiedendo se il 13 pollici è accettabile per un fotografo di viaggio. Capisco che non ti piace il peso del pollice 15 e anche godere il prezzo più basso del modello 13 pollici.
Penso che è una scelta perfettamente validi. Se stai facendo un sacco di elaborazione, verrà preferisce la potenza del modello da 15 pollici, ma i 13 pollici modello andrà benissimo per il viaggio.
-Scott
Ciao Scott,
sono un fotografo professionista,viaggio molto in luoghi estremi e anche scomodi con tutta l’apparecchiatura fotografica al seguito,sono in procinto di acquistare un MBP da 13″,gentilmente mi enunceresti le qualita’ di questo piccolo genio e come ,secondo te, lo sfrutteresti?
Uso photoshop cs4 e scarico quasi tutti i miei files in tiff ,a parte un ritocco di “pulizia” e qualche leggera elaborazione . Ho letto che consiglieresti il 15″ ma mi e’ veramente impossibile primo per budget e poi per misure e peso considerato tutto il peso che porto e lo spazio ridotto che ho!
Grazie
Hi Scott,
I am debating whether I should go for a 13-inch or 15-inch MBP. I mainly run mathematical and statistical softwares like MATLAB and MAPLE. I plan to run VMWare Fusion so as to use Windows-based applications like SPSS and Eviews 7. I am on the road very often.
Many thanks for your advice.
Alvin,
In practice, I think you’ll see little difference between the two CPU speeds.
-Scott
Hi Scott,
I am struggling to get a 13 inch 2.66Ghz or 2.4Ghz, the most demanding software I will probably use will be CS5 and lightroom. Does the bump up speed of CPU worth the money? Thanks.
Alvin
[...] Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. [...]
T,
It’s hard to predict what would work best for your particular situation, but as I’ve mentioned before, I recommend the 15″ for almost everyone. The 13″ display is significantly smaller than the 15″, making design work difficult if you’re not interested in adding an external display. (When I’m doing design work or serious photo editing, I work off my 15″ display and an external 22″ display side-by-side.)
Performance-wise, it should accept the software upgrades for the foreseeable future. We’re seeing a lot of use of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) with software packages such as Photoshop CS4 and CS5, so a computer with faster GPU (i.e.- the 15″) would help you out.
-Scott
Recently my 15-inch Macbook Pro (2.53 Ghz/ 4GB memory /250 GB hard drive) was fried by spilt coffee. yes, it was painful. So now, I’m looking to replace it. With the newest model upgrades I’m thinking about just getting the 13-inch this time. (This is partly to do with still smarting over how much expensive that cup of coffee was.)
I used it to run CS4 and I it was used almost exclusively. I use the family desktop PC only if I have to. I’m not a professional photographer or video editor. I do web design and some corresponding graphic design.
I loved working on the 15-inch screen (but i haven’t worked on a 13-inch screen, so I can’t compare). In addition, I don’t want to use my limited space with an external monitor.
I want this computer to last and to be able to handle future software upgrades. In my situation, would a 15 inch be worth the extra money?
Thanks so much,
T
Salmaan,
It sounds like the 13-inch MacBook Pro may be a good fit for your needs. In order to make a computer usable for as long as possible, go ahead and invest in the fastest processor you can afford now (2.66 GHz on the 13-inch MPB, right now) and add the maximum amount of RAM (8GB). That will future proof your machine for as long as possible.
Four to five years is a stretch for a professional-level computer, but I’m sure it will still be running at that time. It just probably won’t run the latest and greatest software and hardware accessories.
-Scott
Hi Scott,
I’m a student who’s about to graduate and wants to make the most out of the education pricing! I have a 2007 Macbook, which I’m giving to my little brother, and am stuck between a 13″ and 15″ which will be a good few hundred pounds more!
I use the computer mostly for average bits and pieces, but I do edit a magazine, for which I use Indesign lots, and a little bit of Photoshop (but definitely not serious photo-editing) – cs4 at the moment, which runs on a core 2 duo 2ghz processor with 2gb’s ram, and Intel intergrated GMA with 64mb, which runs slow, but functionally!
I also am tempted by playing some games, but nothing serious
As a student, I do carry my computer a lot, and like being able to pop it in a bag and take it to a cafe or things like that…!
I was wondering if you had any advice about performance and portability, and the issue of having a future proofed machine that’ll last 4/5 years!
Thanks a lot!
S.
Colin,
As I’ve mentioned, I really prefer the 15-inch MacBook Pro. While the new 13-inch MacBook Pro will be a huge leap from what you have now, I do think the 15-inch is worth the extra money. It all depends on your budget, though.
-Scott
Hi Scott,
I am running an Intel MacBook 2.16 (Model Identifier: MacBook2,1) and I plan on getting a new Macbook Pro 13 or 15…preference would be 13″…but I need to know if I really need to spend the extra on the 15″
I run Adobe CS2 now and it is not meant for the intel and big files are killing me…hence the upgrade…but I am now thinking I might upgrade to CS5 at the same time….I really want to save the cash but want a newer Mac….will I see quantum jumps betweeen the two 13″…or do I really need to bite the bullet and go for the 15″?
Thanks a ton for you help.
Colin
Mary,
The 13-inch MacBook Pro will run Photoshop. Photoshop CS5 is the currently shipping version of Photoshop, and it will run slightly more efficiently than earlier versions of Photoshop because it now runs in 64-bit on the Mac. There are some big differences between the processors (and other features) of the 13-inch and 15-inch/17-inch models of the MacBook Pro. I always recommend that photographers purchase the 15-inch MacBook Pro rather than the 13-inch unless they have a good reason to do otherwise.
You can load Windows on MacBook Pro using Boot Camp or (my preference) VMWare Fusion. I’m not familiar with “Xara.”
-Scott
Hi Scott,
I am interested in buying a Mac Pro 13inch but I am just not sure can I trust the sales people. I am going travelling so I need the size but I also need functionality. Firstly, can I run CS4 effectively and secondly, can I load windows on it so I can use Xara and other windows related programs without completely overloading the thing.
Mary
J,
From my experience with clients’ computers, I can say that you’ll certainly experience less fan noise on the MacBook Pro. The fan does spin up when doing processor-intensive tasks such as rendering previews in Lightroom or stitching panoramas in Photoshop, but is fairly quiet most of the time.
The bottom of the machine can get hot, but not terribly when doing simple tasks like iTunes and web surfing.
Enjoy,
Scott
Scott,
I am interested in purchasing a new computer to replace my 6 year old Dell. I love my Dell, hardly ever had problems, and if I did, their service was right there to back their product up. However, I do have a few issues with it and I want to be sure to avoid these huge flaws with my next purchase. How is the heat on the bottom of the computer when tasking simple things, internet plus music. Then how is it when it is tasking multiple things running at full capacity? Does the fan run constantly and can you hear it running noticeably?
Agneh,
Final Cut Studio is a HUGE program. While you’re running it, you’ll certainly not experience the performance you would if you were on an Intel Core i5/i7 MacBook Pro or a Mac Pro. When it’s closed, however, you won’t notice any difference. While a program is not running, it (typically) doesn’t consume any of the computer’s RAM or processing power. I say “typically” because some programs have mini-programs which run in the background and consume minute bits of the computer’s resources. I don’t believe Final Cut is one of them, however.
If you are really interested in video editing, particularly HD video, I encourage you to consider a Mac Pro desktop computer in lieu of a laptop. Video editing and rendering is very processor intensive and is not something the smaller MacBook Pros were designed for. I don’t want to scare you away from it, however. For small to moderate amounts of video processing, you’ll do just fine. Either way, it’s not going to break your computer or anything.
-Scott
Could someone please help me out, I am having second thoughts about installing Final Cut Studio on my macbook pro 13′, does anyone know weather or not the speed of my mac will get affected?????
Rachel,
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Mac fan. I have a hard time recommending PCs to my clients because I’ve found that Macs are a better choice for the vast majority of users.
That being said, one can typically find a Windows-based PC with a similar hardware configuration for less money than an equally-outfitted Mac. Simple hardware configuration does not, on its own, determine system speed, however. For most users, Windows machines can become rapidly bloated and weighed down with superfluous third-party software, drivers and extensions.
Because of those reasons, I always recommend Mac to all but the most established power users.
If you have a few laptop models in mind, feel free to post them here, and I’ll comment on them.
Best of luck,
Scott
I currently hook my Gateway (Vista) computer up to a 22″ monitor when editing in photoshop. I’m in need of an upgrade and was debating between a PC and the new Macbook Pro 13″. Would this be sufficient for me? Would you recommend a PC for faster capabilities?
You’ll certainly be happy with the 13″ MacBook Pro for offloading cards and some light editing. Here’s where the 13″ falls a bit short:
With those two caveats in mind, I think you’ll still enjoy the performance you get from the 13″ MBP…certainly much more than with your Vaio!
-Scott
Hi there…
I’m hoping I could get some guidance from someone about Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 2 on the Macbook Pro 13″. I’m specifically looking at size and weight for location. I need something other than this Vaio with Vista that crashes all the time. So the question is how is the 13″ for Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom? I will use it to offload my CF cards after a day of shooting in the field and do some editing.
Will the 13″ Macbook Pro be good enough? I’m trying to avoid the 15″ because of weight considerations. I do use a Mac desktop for heavy editing when not in the field.
Any comment will help me choose the right machine.
Thanks.
You’ll have no problems running studio on the 13″ though the larger MBP’s will ease viewing of multiple tracks with their larger screens.
i’ve used logic for home recording purposes a few times on my MacBook 2.4ghz 2gb ram (gen 1) and didn’t have much troubles…it was a bit sketchy at times..but the way i see it, if a brand new MacBook Pro with plenty of ram can’t handle it, no other laptop would be able to. As far as photography, it would run lightroom/aperture/ps like a champ, no doubt.
Dear Rajesh Waghade,
I wish that I could help you with this one but I have absolutely no experience with Logic Studio and / or live performance. Perhaps one of our wonderful community can give you more advice. Anyone out there working on music and photography on a MacBookPro?
–
David
Would like to know from technical perspective.
Is 13inch 2.66 ghz model perfect for running Logic Studio (Music recording software), my concern is, will it be giving better performance for logic studio in the studio and in live performance on stage for professional musicians?
Please help me to take this decision for buying the correct model keeping in mind the logic studio requirement.
Thanks
[...] Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. [...]