2014 MBP 15" - Upgrade to 13" quad i7 or 15" i9

[randy98mtu]

I am using a 2014 MacBook Pro 15" (2.5 i7 w/ 16 GB ram) The most intensive things I run are Lightroom and a little Photoshop. I'm using 42MP Raw files. No real issues with the computer and I'm on the fence with keeping it or upgrading. The main things that appeal to me about the newer machines is honestly the size and weight. I believe the display is slightly improved. I would also like to move from my current 512gb storage up to 1TB.

So my main question - would the 2018 13" Pro with the 2.7 i7 and 16 GB Ram be lateral to a slight improvement? Or should I just go big and get the i9 15"? I'm not sure if I benefit at all from the discrete graphics with the apps I run. I should mention that at my office I do drive a 4k display.

 

[Acevesx]

following as I am in the exact same boat as you, same current, uses and all. Only add is I use Premiere from time to time.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

To be honest unless the size is an issue stick with what you have. The 13 inch will have less performance, that simple and the i9 and upgraded graphics in the 2018 won’t make much difference to you use case.

 

[Howard2k]

The 2014 2.5 scores 4100 on the multicore, the 2018 13” 2.7, 5138. It’s significantly faster. The i9 significantly moreso.

 

[buran-energia]

2018 13 will be a big improvement in terms of size and weight. I think its internal GPU should be at least as powerful as dGPU on 2014, but probably even more faster (unless you need NVidia cuda for some apps). The CPU is faster. So, you'll be getting a faster machine in a smaller package.

If you are planning to buy from a place with 14 day return policy without restocking fee, then it's a no brainer to try it out.

 

[randy98mtu]

That was kind of what I was thinking. I would love to be able to get the 32 GB of ram, but I've made it this far on 16.

 

[mr.anthonyramos]

I used to have a mid-2014 2.8 i7. Now I use the i9.

I shoot with a Sony A2R, 42mb raw files. I think you are shooting with the same system I assume?

Processing the files, opening the library with my thousands of photos etc...HUGE difference! There are a couple a threads where I posted my results comparing but I save a lot of time and everything opens up quicker for me.

 

[randy98mtu]

I used to have a mid-2014 2.8 i7. Now I use the i9.

I shoot with a Sony A2R, 42mb raw files. I think you are shooting with the same system I assume?

Processing the files, opening the library with my thousands of photos etc...HUGE difference! There are a couple a threads where I posted my results comparing but I save a lot of time and everything opens up quicker for me.

Yeah I have an A7R3 and a 5D4. Honestly the 2014 is still getting the job done. Going to try to keep it going for another year or two.

I'm not a real serious editor. Most of my editing is more of developing. Basic tweaks in LR. I do a fair bit of it on the iPad pro. I like to play around with some tone mapping, HDR, etc. Honestly nothing crazy.

 

[randy98mtu]

Well I just picked up the i9. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to do a fresh install (preferred, but painful) I have several years of garbage it would be nice to get rid of. But getting some of it set up again sounds like a daunting task. lol

Pretty excited about the new machine. I haven't even powered it on yet though.

 

[Howard2k]

Well I just picked up the i9. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to do a fresh install (preferred, but painful) I have several years of garbage it would be nice to get rid of. But getting some of it set up again sounds like a daunting task. lol

Pretty excited about the new machine. I haven't even powered it on yet though.

Not the same situation, but I did a fresh install of Mojave on my 2015.

It took a few hours to get everything sorted. I was able to move my data back easily enough from Time Machine and then setup up my apps again. I was actually surprised that it wasn't QUITE as arduous as I had anticipated. I had pre-planned by ensuring I had a list of my key data locations and the key apps that I needed to get installed. So I spent far less time thinking "oh crap, what about that app" or "damn it, where did I put that data".

 

[randy98mtu]

Just stopping in for a quick update on my experiences - going from a mid 2014 that worked but frequently had the fans running on high to the i9. What a difference. It's noticeably faster and the fans haven't kicked up while working in Lightroom tonight. Definitely happy I took this leap.