Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

13" 2017 vs 15" 2016 (help)

Jayjew

Jayjew

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 11, 2015
428
193
Minneapolis
Whats the better investment?

Im a college student with online Composition and Business Management, I also want to start playing with Logic Pr. I Lease apartments and stuff for work so keep that in mind too! :D

Which would be more suitable. I like portability too.

Im trying to save money - My dream would be a 14".
 
Last edited:
Since your dream machine is a 15”, I’m guessing you really want the bigger screen. Go for the 2016. Also, check the Apple Refurb store.
 
I guess my dream one would be a 14". What computer would be the best for my money? the 2017 13" or the 2016 15"?
 
That's a really tough question and hard to discern which is better for the money. They are both pretty good. I assume no touch bar on the 13?
 
As someone recently in that situation, I really appreciated getting the 15" for the extra power and screen size. I'm not a very physically strong person and the mbp was no problem to tote around, and the 2016 version is even lighter than what I have (on the other hand I wasn't toting around textbooks or anything else heavy, so ymmv).
 
Agreed, college student the portability wins out in my book. Plus since the current generation of MacBook Pros I find the 15" annoying to type on, at least in short trials at Apple Store. The keyboard is further away from screen changing the palm rest area just slightly, combined with the way too big trackpad, that I find it almost awkward to use with out either getting false clicks or not getting ones I want with out clicking more than once. I'm sure I would adjust with daily use quickly but with that said and how great the 13" feels in hand for travel I myself just ordered a 13" if in 14 days I think I made a mistake I'll return and get a 15"

I have owned 12", 13" and most recent a 15" mid 2012 rMBP, so I hope changing to a smaller screen isn't too bad for me.
 
But is the 2017 13" TB better than the 2016 15" TB?

In aspects of my life? College, Logic Pro, Clients (real estate). I don't have a ton of money and am stressing about it quite bad. Lol.
 
Jayjew said:
But is the 2017 13" TB better than the 2016 15" TB?

In aspects of my life? College, Logic Pro, Clients (real estate). I don't have a ton of money and am stressing about it quite bad. Lol.
Click to expand...

The most people can do is give their perspective and experience with their own machines. The 13" can happily handle all of those chores if that's what you're worried about.

The 15" is "better" in performance/screen size, but it's your decision whether you want to spend the money and have a bigger machine to tote around. This is completely up to your comfort level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LarryJoe33 and Boneheadxan
Since none of us really know your life exactly it is hard to say for sure, but in general my feeling based on what you have said and most likely 90% of us on here either would be totally fine in our lives. Sometimes it is just hard knowing that for X-amounts of money something it better (even if those capabilities you'll never use nor need). I don't like that the 13" are dual cores and on one hand rather have a quad core, on the other I know I don't need that and the money saved is something I can put towards something else.
 
I had the 13" 2016 for almost a year. Now have 2017 15". 13" was awesome for typing but 15" is just as good and I love my big screen. WTS, 15" is not something I want to lug all over the place... & I am not a small guy.
 
Jayjew said:
What if I just maxed the specs of the 13" Gave it a i7 but still 8gb?
Click to expand...

The i7 should be the last upgrade you make to the 13. I would upgrade to at least 256-512ssd then 16gb of ram. Both of those may be a bottle neck wayyy before you cpu is. They give much larger performance upgrades for the money too. This is coming from someone with a 2017 i7 13. I think the 13 fits better in my lap, its battery lasts longer and unless your doing quad core level tasks on a near day-to-day basis I'd go with the 13. The 13 is not a slouch!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lax28
Jamalogo10 said:
The i7 should be the last upgrade you make to the 13. I would upgrade to at least 256-512ssd then 16gb of ram. Both of those may be a bottle neck wayyy before you cpu is. They give much larger performance upgrades for the money too. This is coming from someone with a 2017 i7 13. I think the 13 fits better in my lap, its battery lasts longer and unless your doing quad core level tasks on a near day-to-day basis I'd go with the 13. The 13 is not a slouch!
Click to expand...
I can't afford all those upgrades and it'd make it the same price as a 15" 2016

Maybe the i7 and just 8gb? Would that do any justice? I just want something that'll last awhile. And do Logic Pro.

Edit: nvm I see what you mean. So just do the ram and memory?
 
I went 13" 2017 NTB. I didn't and still don't see the value in the touch bar. I spent a lot of time, awkwardly a large amount at my Apple Store typing and multi tasking on a 13" TB and NTB.

I went with 16gigs of ram but with the 256gig ssd.

There are ZERO load times, ever, on this laptop. I'm a business major, I have literally 17 tabs open, iTunes, chrome, safari, texting, and doing some light photo and video editing for class, and this thing hasn't skipped a beat. 8 hours of straight usage and the screen at 75% with the backlit keyboard off. (its day time).

I love the 15, but its just so.....big and goofy to carry around. It barely fit in my backpack (Ogio) and then adding any sort of sleeve or case made it worse.

I respect people want the larger version for the speed or larger screen, with the retina screen I just don't (pun intended) see it for my portable needs. Ironically, the 12" MacBook doesn't make sense to me either, the 13" MBP is the "just right" version in my usage.

I stuck with the base processor, in tests, the base processor for the NTB on turbo was very, very strong.

I doubt as a business student I'll push it.
[doublepost=1503780476][/doublepost]Oh and, massive excel files for stats, as well as word open, All maximized and I'm constantly swiping to each one. As well as reading a 1400 page PDF book. ZERO load times, zero stutter between screens and tabs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildhope
Jayjew said:
I can't afford all those upgrades and it'd make it the same price as a 15" 2016

Maybe the i7 and just 8gb? Would that do any justice? I just want something that'll last awhile. And do Logic Pro.

Edit: nvm I see what you mean. So just do the ram and memory?
Click to expand...

Yeah a minimum of 256 ssd plus 16gb of ram in the nTB and you've got yourself a wonderful machine. The touchbar hurts the computers battery. So unless you need to hook up 3-4 usb-c ports at once go with the 2017 nTB and make internal upgrades.
 
Unless you become a jedi with screenset management and shortcuts, the extra screen space is really worth it for running Logic!
 
OP, you have been given a lot of great advice and perspectives in this post. I’m not sure your listening or you want someone to make the decision for you. It’s ultimately your decision and it sounds like price is the biggest factor. Either the 13 or 15 you can get for your budget will do the job. Just make a decision on the screen size and go from there.
 
I think I weighed in already, but like other people have said leave the processor alone if not in budget, not worth the extra money. I personally can not imagine having a computer with less than 512GB, I honestly can't believe apples pro computer don't start at 512. But if you have another computer maybe you don't need that much in a laptop. So I would recommend upgrading to 512 (or more) and to 16GB of ram. Both of those will future proof your new MacBook 1000 times more than upgrading the processor.

Also you may want to check out the Apple Refurbished store, save some money that way too. I try to buy from there when possible. Usually save about 15%, still get 1yr warranty and can also add Apple care if you want as well.
 
Considering that my 2017 15" is a half pound lighter than my old 2011 13", I'd say that it's still quite portable - perhaps a refurb 2016/17 15" would be a good route...
 
  • Like
Reactions: LarryJoe33
KUKitch said:
Considering that my 2017 15" is a half pound lighter than my old 2011 13", I'd say that it's still quite portable - perhaps a refurb 2016/17 15" would be a good route...
Click to expand...

Weight wise, absolutely the new MBP are much lighter, but the foot print/size some of use are taking about is the overall volume/surface area. After all there is only a 1lb difference, but once you start adding books, iPads, adaptors (god knows we have/need more then ever now) and/or whatever else is in your personal bag/work flow it can make a difference.

I am attempting to downsize myself 2012 15" rMBP to a 2017 13" TB MBP. Only time will tell if I will be good or be jumping right back to the bigger screen.

I guess best advise, once your mostly certain buy it and try for 14 days. If you don't love it return and try the other one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LarryJoe33
FWIW, I think I finally decided on whether my next MBP would be 13" or 15", and I think the 15" is just too darn big. I had originally thought that a new 15" would be an easy transition given the bulk and weight of the unibody older models (mine), but putting the 13" on top of the 15" reveals how much bigger the 15" is, especially the keyboard rest and touch pad area. I can't see myself laying down on the couch with it propped on my lap like I like to do now with my 13". The screen real estate is nice though but not enough of an advantage to overcome the large form factor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jodiuh and Jamalogo10
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back