15 all the way, the video card will help you out a lot and will make it run a lot smoother

This is actually kind of a tough call, but out of those two, I would choose the 13-inch model.

The specs on the 15 indicate that it's pre-Unibody, believe it's an "Early 2008" model.

The biggest concern there is that the nVidia 8600 GPU's were the ones that had a much higher-than-normal failure rate.

Also hard drives were quite a bit more difficult to replace on those older models (with the newer Unibody models you just unscrew the bottom pan), and RAM tops out at 4gb (unofficially those machines work with 6gb but at the loss of "interleaving" to slightly speed up RAM access)

The lack of a discrete GPU on the much newer "Early 2011" 13-inch model you mention is largely compensated for by a more powerful processor (and faster circuitry overall).

The benefits of the older 15-inch model are more screen space, and the ability to output composite or S video without needing a scan converter. If you're playing in a lot of places requiring those video connections and you don't already own a scan converter, that might push your decision toward the 15.

I would totally echo what DJMark says and say between those two, the 13.

I've got a pre-unibody 15, and the lack of needing a scan converter is good, but it runs hot, is not built nearly as well, and is MILES away from the power of my unibody.

I've actually got the lowest end early-2011 13", with the i5, and that works beautifully. With integrated graphics you need lots of ram, but with 8gb in mine it works great.

I would note that I'm talking about performance with ME, can't vouch for VSL. But if you're on a mac I can't imagine not running ME at this point, anyway.

Thanks for the info. 1 more question, would I be able to run an NS7 with that 13' with VSL (when its released for itch) or should I just save some more and buy a newer 15'?

Get the one with the video card. it makes the biggest difference,

Ok I have it down to these two, more then I wanted to spend, lol!
store.apple.com
And
store.apple.com
Most of the time I'm using Techs with an Ecler and a Korg Kontrol but I'm gonna get an NS7 and I'll want to use that and run videos when they release the new version. Of those 2 which one is gonna be the best? Thanks for the time and info, you guys have been a big help thus far!!

Dude, if you can afford that 15", go for it!

I am very happy with my 13" but if you can get that 15" in your budget, it WILL give you better performance with video. I just wouldn't buy a pre-unibody now.

Yeah the wife is gonna kill me but what do you do, lmao!! Ok but which 15'??

Personally, the early 2011.

A bit less graphics memory but generally much higher on benchmarks.

this it by far the better one. store.apple.com

and if you can, buy 8 gb of ram from a third party. I bought mine from NCIX.com for like $60

Cool! Thanks fellas!

I knew you'd disagree, Code:E! ;-)

Don't think you'll go far wrong with either of those.

We can definitely agree on getting 8gb of 3rd party ram though. I always use Crucial myself.

I did agree with you... :( the early 2011 i think is better, manly cause i have the 17inch version and it works great.

and the early 2011 one has thunderbolt

So you did. Too many links open on my phone, considering it's 3:30am...

Alright you guys have been a great help. Now for the RAM upgrade would this work, www.ebay.com
or is there something else you recommend?? This will be my first MAC, lol! Hopefully the quad core will be good for awhile.

No, you need SODIMMs not DIMMs.

Go to Crucial.com and put in your system specs, it will give you the right ram.

and dont buy anything new off ebay.... its just a bad idea, theres plenty of stores out there that will sell you products a good prices that dont involve auctions. I bought mine of NCIX.com. when you goto a computer store to buy the ram, mac sure it says mac ram on it. some other ram will work but your obviously (and thats not ment to be insulting) tech savoy enough to know what too look for.

here you go.
ncix.com

that depends on you personally. I will probably sell my early 2011 MBP in about a year, so i can get the new one. Why cause i can, and macs hold there value so i will get a good price on reselling it sooner than later.

Lol, no insult takin bro! Thanks for the hook-up!