13" and 15" 2018 discount dilemma

[Dave245]

Ok, so with the new MacBook Pro's and the discount i'm able to get it leaves me with a dilemma (see below)

• The 13" quad core with 2.7GHz processor, 16GB Ram and 512GB SSD storage comes to £2,256

BUT for the sake of an extra £280.80 i could get:

• 15" MacBook Pro with 2.6-6 core processor, 16GB Ram, 512GB SSD storage and the 4GB of graphics.

is it worth spending the extra money and getting the 15" or not? i'm not very spec wise when it comes to knowing what processor speeds do what and so on (all i see are numbers ).

At this stage i'm just looking and at the back of my mind trying to make a decision, i'm going to wait a little while and see if Apple announce any meaningful upgrades to the 12" MacBook and or introduce the long rumoured 13" low cost MacBook, however if neither of those appeal to me i will be getting a new MacBook Pro and i want to know which one to go for hence the decision making now

 

[Hakiroto]

It's unfortunately completely down to your personal preference and what you want the computer for. What will you be doing on it? If you're working solely on MacBook (without external monitor) and need the screen real estate for something like video editing then it's a no-brainer that you should go for the 15". That said, also consider portability and the fact that the 13" is now quad-core so it's no longer a big performance sacrifice when choosing the smaller one.

I've also been in a similar situation. I've wanted a new MacBook Pro for a while (I'm using an early 2015 13" from work right now) and I'm excited about these new models. I love the sound of a 6-core CPU and the dGPU but I really don't like the form factor of the 15" MacBooks. I work with mine connected to a 27" 4K screen anyway so I had to consider the following: 1) is the i7 quad-core 13" good enough for what I need with regard to performance? (yes, for sure, even for the development work I do), and 2) will I be moving it around (yes, every now and then). With those answers, the 13" is the logical choice for me and the one I'm ordering today. If I said no to the second then I'd likely consider the 15" more seriously.

 

[Dave245]

It's unfortunately completely down to your personal preference and what you want the computer for. What will you be doing on it? If you're working solely on MacBook (without external monitor) and need the screen real estate for something like video editing then it's a no-brainer that you should go for the 15". That said, also consider portability and the fact that the 13" is now quad-core so it's no longer a big performance sacrifice when choosing the smaller one.

I've also been in a similar situation. I've wanted a new MacBook Pro for a while (I'm using an early 2015 13" from work right now) and I'm excited about these new models. I love the sound of a 6-core CPU and the dGPU but I really don't like the form factor of the 15" MacBooks. I work with mine connected to a 27" 4K screen anyway so I had to consider the following: 1) is the i7 quad-core 13" good enough for what I need with regard to performance? (yes, for sure, even for the development work I do), and 2) will I be moving it around (yes, every now and then). With those answers, the 13" is the logical choice for me and the one I'm ordering today. If I said no to the second then I'd likely consider the 15" more seriously.

My main usage will be writing as that's what i do, but involved in that are programmes like Final Draft, Pages and Safari (for research i have a number of tabs open) but i do also video edit sometimes as hobby and to help out friends on occasion, i spend a lot of time on my computers (currently using an iMac 2012 and 2011 MacBook Pro) so a good display is a must really.

I also so other less important things during down time such as playing the odd game, nothing processor heavy we are talking games like Sims, Tropico, Democracy and Prison Architect. I do also use Pixelmator but i'm learning that as a hobby and it's not what i spend most of my time doing.

 

[RobbieTT]

If you intend to keep an iMac in your collection and use a MBP for more mobile work and don't run highly demanding applications then the new 13" sounds ideal. The smaller MBP looks to be quite a powerhouse even with the lower-spec cpu and unless you have a specific need for either the screen area or the additional graphics when on the move you can probably save a few £s for your next iMac and enjoy the portability of the 13".

My work patterns and mix of iMac (2017 in my case) and MBP are similar to yours. When looking at the 2017 models the relative weakness of the 13" had me looking at the rather more hefty 15"; the 2018 offerings have me back in the 13" camp.

 

[Poki]

I'd actually recommend you to stick with the i5 CPU when going with the 13" MacBook Pro. This i5 chip is actually faster than the highest end i7 chip in last years 15" MacBook Pro, and yes, it will be more than fast enough for your needs. The extra few percent of pure CPU power aren't worth it in this case imho.

 

[Dave245]

I'd actually recommend you to stick with the i5 CPU when going with the 13" MacBook Pro. This i5 chip is actually faster than the highest end i7 chip in last years 15" MacBook Pro, and yes, it will be more than fast enough for your needs. The extra few percent of pure CPU power aren't worth it in this case imho.

That would certainly keep costs down in fact it takes £254.40 off, i might put that towards either the 1TB storage or Apple Care.

 

[mctrials23]

Go for the 13". You don't need the power of the dGPU in the 15" and the mobility and weight is great on the 13". As others have said, the new 13" is a little power house as well. If you are considering one of the 12" or a new low cost 13" apple are rumoured to be making then the current 13" pro will be great for you and plenty powerful for years to come.

 

[Dave245]

I'd actually recommend you to stick with the i5 CPU when going with the 13" MacBook Pro. This i5 chip is actually faster than the highest end i7 chip in last years 15" MacBook Pro, and yes, it will be more than fast enough for your needs. The extra few percent of pure CPU power aren't worth it in this case imho.

Go for the 13". You don't need the power of the dGPU in the 15" and the mobility and weight is great on the 13". As others have said, the new 13" is a little power house as well. If you are considering one of the 12" or a new low cost 13" apple are rumoured to be making then the current 13" pro will be great for you and plenty powerful for years to come.

Thanks for the advice do you guys think that it's worth getting the 16GB upgrade or stick with the 8GB base model? i do plan on keeping any new Mac that i get for a few years (at least 4-5)

 

[Poki]

Thanks for the advice do you guys think that it's worth getting the 16GB upgrade or stick with the 8GB base model? i do plan on keeping any new Mac that i get for a few years (at least 4-5)

The RAM upgrade is most probably worth it. While 8 GB is absolutely fine, even if you edit some videos or photos, there's simply not a lot of headroom for future proofing purposes. Software will keep on using more RAM in the years to come, so 8 GB might be very tight in a few years.

 

[maflynn]

s it worth spending the extra money and getting the 15" or not? i'm not very spec wise when it comes to knowing what processor speeds do what and so on (all i see are numbers ).

Yes, more screen real estate, more CPU power, a dGPU. Definitely worth it in my book

 

[Dave245]

Yes, more screen real estate, more CPU power, a dGPU. Definitely worth it in my book

Not sure if I need all that power but the difference is £280.80 with the discount I can get, so for the sake of adding another £280.80 on top of getting a 13” with the maxed out processor, 16GB Ram and 512SSD I could jump up to the 15” version.

So you’re saying that it’s worth it? would it be worth it in the long run as someone who keeps their Mac’s for a few years at least? (I have a 2012 iMac and 2011 MacBook Pro).

 

[Naimfan]

There's no substitute for screen space, so I vote for the 15".

 

[RobbieTT]

A couple of minutes ago I pulled the trigger on the 13" i5 but bumped the memory to 16GB and the SSD to 0.5TB.

So for me the 15" vs 13" decision is done and my first space grey machine should be with me at the end of this month. With my discount it worked out at almost exactly £2k.

And now my daughter suggests that her 2010 white unibody needs a replacement too.

-Gulp-