Questions about the latest non-retina MacBook Pro

[MacUser_Since_1986]

I own a 2007-vintage 15-inch MacBook Pro.



I still use "legacy" FireWire peripherals, including some bus-powered portable hard drives and an HDV camcorder. I am not prepared to chuck this equipment just yet.



For this reason, and because I still make CD-Rs and DVD-Rs and I still play video DVDs, I may eventually buy one of the latest 15-inch MacBook Pros. As tempting as it is to go to the Retina, I don't think I can abandon all of this "legacy" equipment.



I have a few questions about the latest (non-"retina") MacBook Pro:



1: What is the maximum capacity for RAM? I understand that a BTO MBP maxes out at 8 GB. Is it possible to get a local dealer to install an aftermarket 16 GB RAM kit in this machine?



2: What about aftermarket flash drive installation kits? What is the max available flash storage kit for a MBP startup drive? Can a local dealer install one of these kits as well?



3: In addition to ThunderBolt and FireWire 800, does the new MBP come with USB 3?



4: Is there any real performance difference between a retina-MBP equipped with flash drive and Core i7 and a "regular" MBP with similar RAM, flash drive, and Core i7?



I do a variety of tasks on my old MBP, including some videography (Final Cut Studio 3), graphics/DTP (Adobe Creative Suite), office productivity tasks (including MS Office and even Open Office and iWork), and presentations (iPhoto). I use it both in the office and on-the-road. I have never loaded Windows, but that looms as a possibility with (very) limited appilcation of some Windows-only software such as GPS/GIS and some external BluRay applications.

[ez061111]

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