macbook pro 13 or 15 (retina, non retina) for DJing?

You’ll need to cover your gear anyway, most laptop screens are unreadable in high (sun)light environments. Also DJ gear being in full sunlight can suffer from overheating.

When I do outdoor events I either bring my own (dark grey) E-Z UP tent or will be under a (darker) umbrella or something to keep visibility of my gear. Not only the laptop, but also lights on controllers become hard to see when out in the full sun.

At least that is my experience.

I have had 15″ retina screens on both my (used) MBPs thusfar and have to say that the combination of a larger screen with the very crisp, sharp image it gives means I can have enough information on screen while still be able to read it. My eyes need glasses, so a 13″ would be too small for me retina or not. 17″ is nice but just too big. So for me the 15″ retina is the best option.

Hard to advise, because you own the budget and have to figure out what features are most important to you.

macbook pro 15 2011, 2012

I feel like I read there was a serious build quality problem with the 15″ non-retinas of this age. I’m not a Mac guru though, and I can’t remember exactly what it was that I read. In any case, might want to Google it just in case it was something relevant to the unit you’re looking at.

I’ll side with Scott on the second-hand MBPs. Both of mine were and it saves a bundle. Be sure to get it from a reputable source if you can.