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Broadus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 26, 2011
1,108
649
Upstate SC
I had considered upgrading my trusty 2012 15” rMBP for a year or so, but keyboard reports beginning in 2016 kept me delaying the upgrade. I was going to wait until 2020 to see what Apple released, but that all changed yesterday. I backed over my computer bag.

My wife and I had traveled to be with my elderly mom for a few days and had unloaded the truck. Evidently, I leaned the computer bag against the right rear tire in order to get something else out of the rear seat and then forgot about the computer bag. I later backed the truck from under the carport and ran over something. When I saw that something. I knew the computer was toast. Thankfully, my iPad Pro with a back cover and Smart Keyboard was unscathed. The iPP was situated between two music books in the bag’s side pocket which evidently laid against the concrete as the tire rolled over the bag.

I’ve had laptops since 1997, and later iPhones and iPads, with never a mishap. This made up for lost time. Pretty careless on my part, but at least it wasn’t a newer MBP. I keep looking for that silver lining.

The 2012 MBP is (was) the only computer I have, and I do a lot of research and writing. I’m now working from my 10.5 iPP, but it’s not optimal, and I have some apps that cannot be opened in iOS.

I keep devices for several years, so the keyboard issues with MBPs have me a little concerned. I’ve read that the 2019 keyboards seem better, but the jury is still out. Still, I have gotten really used to device integration and have no real desire to go back to Windows machines, not to mention that I’ve finally switched over to Pages and put MS Word on the shelf.

So . . . what to do? The iPP, as good as it is, is not an MBP replacement. I may have to roll the dice on a ‘19 MBP, hoping that the 2016 MBP keyboards created a narrative that continues unabated, despite the fact (hope?) that the butterfly keyboards have successively improved. Any thoughts?
 

Howard2k

macrumors 603
Mar 10, 2016
5,663
5,581
Since your processor needs are so insignificant it might be worth a 13” with external display. More real estate at home, but less on the go. When the 2020 range comes out you can sell it and don’t take too much of a hit financially. Then consider the new 15”/16” models if you’d rather go back to that screen size.

I thought I read that the 2015 15” hit the refurb site too. Not sure what the discount is but again, if your needs are not huge from a processing perspective I might not risk a 2019 and consider a 2015. But if you really need the HP, there are obviously lots that work too. It’s not like all of the 2016+ keyboards break down. At least, not yet.
 
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th0masp

macrumors 6502a
Mar 16, 2015
848
514
Since you already seem to have a device suitable for working on the go why not look at the Mini as an interim MBP replacement for the home desk? Any monitor or external keyboard you have to buy now can then be repurposed later on if you do decide to get a (revamped) MBP.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,739
So . . . what to do? The iPP, as good as it is, is not an MBP replacement. I may have to roll the dice on a ‘19 MBP, hoping that the 2016 MBP keyboards created a narrative that continues unabated, despite the fact (hope?) that the butterfly keyboards have successively improved. Any thoughts?
You have three options as I see it.
1. Get a new MBP and hope for the best. Reports are positive to date regarding the butterfly keyboard, yet with that said, rumors of apple dropping the butterfly mechanism in favor of the traditional scissors mechanism tells me they have little confidence in the keyboard.

2. Get a used 2015 MBP to give you some time, with rumors of the MBP having the better keyboard next year, you can grab a 2015 model and bide your time.

3. Buy a windows machine, I'll not belabor this point simply because you seem fairly entrenched in the apple ecosystem and it sounds like you may not want this option, but I put it out there.
 

nudoru

macrumors 6502
Feb 27, 2012
294
76
Near Charlotte NC
Apple has committed to replacing the butter fly keyboards on all models when they go bad. I would get a newer one (from the refurb store to save some money) and let Apple release the keyboard when it goes bad. The 2018 models will get the newer 2019 one but the 16 and 17 models will remain with a 2nd gen one.
 
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posguy99

macrumors 68020
Nov 3, 2004
2,284
1,531
Apple has committed to replacing the butter fly keyboards on all models when they go bad. I would get a newer one (from the refurb store to save some money) and let Apple release the keyboard when it goes bad.

That only works for four years from DoP. The OP seems to keep his machines longer than that.
 

Broadus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 26, 2011
1,108
649
Upstate SC
Thanks for all input. I appreciate the ideas. My needs are a bit more than the typical research/writer. My library app includes some 7500 digital books and is a graphics hog. I like the 2015 refurb idea. That would be a good one to snag.

I’ve looked at returning to Windows from time to time but just can’t quite take the plunge. I remember my Windows days of poor customer service.

I will say that my 10.5 iPP is performing pretty admirably even if it’s capabilities are a bit short of a full-throated computer. I hope iPad OS improves it even more.
 

xxray

macrumors 68040
Jul 27, 2013
3,115
9,412
According to Consumer Reports, Apple's laptops are the most reliable statistically compared to any other brand, despite the butterfly keyboard problems. I would link a source but you have to have a Consumer Reports account to see it. That fact, paired with the fact that you get free keyboard repairs by Apple for 4 years if anything does go wrong makes me recommend just getting a 2019 MBP.
 

Broadus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 26, 2011
1,108
649
Upstate SC
According to Consumer Reports, Apple's laptops are the most reliable statistically compared to any other brand, despite the butterfly keyboard problems. I would link a source but you have to have a Consumer Reports account to see it. That fact, paired with the fact that you get free keyboard repairs by Apple for 4 years if anything does go wrong makes me recommend just getting a 2019 MBP.

That’s a solid point about overall reliability. I think a 2019 MBP will probably be the purchase I make. Thanks.
 
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