16" MBP - Compare Configs from a VALUE Standpoint

[Nacho98]

Let's say use case and storage needs are so basic even a bare bones basic 5 year old MBP would meet needs just to take real needs out of the equation. And let's say you just plain like spending on a nicer machine, and on a machine you will keep 6-8 years.

Which configuration is the better value?

Option 1:

2.6 6-Core
32 GB RAM
5300M
512 GB SSD
$2559

(Base model but RAM upgraded)

Option 2:

2.3 8-Core
16 GB RAM
5500M (4 GB)
1 TB SSD
$2599

(Higher stock configuration)

Option 1 probably runs cooler and has better battery life and 32 GB is icing on the cake for warm feels going far into the future, but the high end stock configuration bests it on all three other categories, but worse RAM and probably runs hotter with less battery life.

Which do you choose and why?

 

[jerryk]

Tough to look 6-8 years out. By then the machine will be 2 generation behind and slow relative to the "current" system of the day. By then systems are likely to be running Apple CPUs and GPUs.

So I would just go with what you need now and in the next year. Do you need more disk space or RAM? Other than that the two system are pretty close.

 

[DanMan619]

It depends on what context you mean "Value" in. Taking use case out the scenario like you said, my line of thinking would be...

If you're talking about value as in just how much you're spending upfront being top priority, Option 1 is $40 less than Option 2. So saving the $40 with Option 1 is the no-brainer in that scenario. If you're talking about value as in price for the specs. Option 2 i think is the no brainer because Option 2 is only $40 more than Option 1 and you are getting two more CPU cores, more storage, and the better GPU for it for a drop in the bucket of what the total cost is. If you're talking about short and long term performance value. Option 2 is obviously more powerful than option 1 due to more CPU cores and the better GPU, even in spite of the lower RAM configuration. As far as resale value 6-8 years down the line goes, the closer to base/stock it is, the better the resale value tends to be, so Option 1 wins there as far as getting as much back for it as possible when you sell it.

Me personally, out of those two options, i'd probably favor price for specs i'd almost certainly go for Option 2 and just take the RAM hit. If i could add my own option 3, it would basically just be option 2 but with 32 GB RAM.