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

2015 15" MBP > 2018 13" MBP (I took the plunge)

ozziegn

ozziegn

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 16, 2007
1,321
870
Central FL Area
I decided to buy the latest 13" MBP with the touch bar after watching a crapload of YouTube videos. I have had my current 2015 15" rMBP since mid 2015 and it's been a wonderful machine to own. However, the size, weight and overall bulk of the laptop has been growing on me (in a bad way) for quite some time and I decided a smaller change could be in my near future.

So tonight I visited my local Apple store and I picked up my silver colored latest and greatest 13" MBP. First impressions were great as usual for every MacBook that I have owned. The smaller sized laptop is quickly reminding me on how nice it is to have a laptop that doesn't feel like I'm carrying a suitcase like my 15" does at times. The keys on the keyboard feel fine to me so I don't understand why so many people are huffing and puffing about how they feel and sound.

Anyway..... So far the "only" drawback I'm seeing with my new laptop is not having the Magsafe connection like before. The USB-C seems like it's kinda hard to unplug and I don't know if that's normal or what? The other small drawback might be on how I will need to invest in the whole USB-C dongle thing when I need to use standard USB drives and what not.

Oh well.... I will play with the new laptop for my 14 day return period which will be my testing period to see if its a keeper or not. I also got the free Beats Solo 3 wireless headsets which I'm sure will be nice to use even though I've been accustomed to using my AirPods for quite some time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
RumorConsumer said:
The adapters are not that bad. USB for like $9 for 2 from Amazon. Enjoy it. Hows the speed?
Click to expand...

The speed is on par with my 15" version. Although the extra power will probably never get utilized by me because the only thing I do on my MacBook(s) is web browsing and watching videos on downtime. Yeah, I know that's severe overkill for these laptops but I have always loved my MBPs....
 
  • Like
Reactions: RumorConsumer
ozziegn said:
The speed is on par with my 15" version. Although the extra power will probably never get utilized by me because the only thing I do on my MacBook(s) is web browsing and watching videos on downtime. Yeah, I know that's severe overkill for these laptops but I have always loved my MBPs....
Click to expand...
Sounds like it is in great hands!
 
Congrats on your baby :)
ozziegn said:
So far the "only" drawback I'm seeing with my new laptop is not having the Magsafe connection like before.
Click to expand...

I bought this, and I'm happy
6PIN Magnetic Cable for Macbook Pro

It gives me a nice MagSafe like experience, strong magnet I recommend it
2018-08-04_10-06-13.png
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Like
Reactions: blackreplica, CoastalOR, hajime and 4 others
I just bought the 2015 15 inch made in 2017. Open box at a military bx had 2 hours on the battery (14 day return). Great deal and that was before the announced keyboard warranty. Maybe would have purchased the 2018 but the price difference was too great to pass up. Also since there are some after market ssd card replacements for these models. Not a dongle hater, but do like the ports on the 15.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RumorConsumer
Rhinoevans said:
I just bought the 2015 15 inch made in 2017. Open box at a military bx had 2 hours on the battery (14 day return). Great deal and that was before the announced keyboard warranty. Maybe would have purchased the 2018 but the price difference was too great to pass up. Also since there are some after market ssd card replacements for these models. Not a dongle hater, but do like the ports on the 15.
Click to expand...
Ok what price??
[doublepost=1533403072][/doublepost]
maflynn said:
Yes, So far no issues with it
Click to expand...
That’s awesome. I like it just for the convenience. I’ll probably be buying a machine soon and I’ve got my eye on something like that. Also keeps people from using my power cable. What had you go for that one over alternatives?
[doublepost=1533403400][/doublepost]
maflynn said:
Yes, So far no issues with it
Click to expand...
I was looking at this one-

https://www.vinpok.com/products/bol...MIj9eVqPTT3AIVE9RkCh0d4giCEAAYASAAEgJlPPD_BwE
 
Congrats on the jump! Hope you like it. There are multiple 3rd party MagSafe-like connectors like the one posted above, just check amazon. USBA-USBC dongles are also not expensive at all.

I got one of the magnetic adapters myself, it holds alright, but to be honest I'm a little hesitant to regularly use a 3rd party power solution on these things, after having heard in the past about some ports being fried by bad peripherals. I'm just making do by keeping the wires away from my feet and my toddler :)
 
mikethebigo said:
I got one of the magnetic adapters myself, it holds alright, but to be honest I'm a little hesitant to regularly use a 3rd party power solution on these things, after having heard in the past about some ports being fried by bad peripherals. I'm just making do by keeping the wires away from my feet and my toddler :)
Click to expand...
This is absolutely true AND that was about 5x more true when Apple was making up their own power standards, but now with USB C standard adoption, while you still want a good quality adapter, the chances of messing something up are far far lessened.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lennyvalentin
maflynn said:
Price, and also some other folks who bought it, mentioned that it uses a strong magnet.
Click to expand...

I had one of those Griffin BeakSafe cables for my 2016 and HATED it.

I may give this one a try. Magnet was never strong enough on the Griffin and it was constantly separating under the weight of its own cable
 
*update*

I returned the 13" and I picked up the 15" version mainly because I thought I could go back to a smaller screen. Too bad my 50 year old eyes said otherwise......

So I will try out my latest 15" version and see how it compares to my 2015 model of the same size.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Patcell, macintoshmac and Howard2k
ozziegn said:
*update*

I returned the 13" and I picked up the 15" version mainly because I thought I could go back to a smaller screen. Too bad my 50 year old eyes said otherwise......

So I will try out my latest 15" version and see how it compares to my 2015 model of the same size.
Click to expand...
Please keep us updated! I'm also debating between 13'' vs 15'' MBP 2018... I am a college student and not sure if I should get a more portable almost maxed out 13'' or pay 200$ extra and get 15'' decent specs... I've always had 13'' laptops before , but I hear having 15'' screen is very useful. Please let me know your experience with 15'' and if its awkward to carry it around and use it in public places! Cheers!
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
Macdaddi69 said:
Please keep us updated! I'm also debating between 13'' vs 15'' MBP 2018... I am a college student and not sure if I should get a more portable almost maxed out 13'' or pay 200$ extra and get 15'' decent specs... I've always had 13'' laptops before , but I hear having 15'' screen is very useful. Please let me know your experience with 15'' and if its awkward to carry it around and use it in public places! Cheers!
Click to expand...

I never have a problem when it comes to portability on my 15" MBP. I carry it in a sleeve type of case that has a handle and it works great. The extra screen size has more advantages in terms of my aging eyes. It just makes it easier to see overall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
*last update*

So here's the end of my 2018 MBP drama.... After trying out the latest 15" MBP I decided to return it as well. I was hoping I could see the value of keeping the new laptop so I could sell my 2015 version and still be in the hole for like $1200 after selling my 2015 MBP for $1000. But in the end my common sense told me it wouldn't be worth it. My 2015 15" MBP still runs and looks like new so I can't justify spending the extra money on a laptop that doesn't "wow" me enough....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Patcell and macintoshmac
ozziegn said:
I decided to buy the latest 13" MBP with the touch bar after watching a crapload of YouTube videos. I have had my current 2015 15" rMBP since mid 2015 and it's been a wonderful machine to own. However, the size, weight and overall bulk of the laptop has been growing on me (in a bad way) for quite some time and I decided a smaller change could be in my near future.

So tonight I visited my local Apple store and I picked up my silver colored latest and greatest 13" MBP. First impressions were great as usual for every MacBook that I have owned. The smaller sized laptop is quickly reminding me on how nice it is to have a laptop that doesn't feel like I'm carrying a suitcase like my 15" does at times. The keys on the keyboard feel fine to me so I don't understand why so many people are huffing and puffing about how they feel and sound.

Anyway..... So far the "only" drawback I'm seeing with my new laptop is not having the Magsafe connection like before. The USB-C seems like it's kinda hard to unplug and I don't know if that's normal or what? The other small drawback might be on how I will need to invest in the whole USB-C dongle thing when I need to use standard USB drives and what not.

Oh well.... I will play with the new laptop for my 14 day return period which will be my testing period to see if its a keeper or not. I also got the free Beats Solo 3 wireless headsets which I'm sure will be nice to use even though I've been accustomed to using my AirPods for quite some time.
Click to expand...

I have plan to purchase MacBook Pro and because I haven't chance to to trying 15". I would like to know.

Does 13" and 15" MacBook Pro have same text / font size under default resolution setting ?

If both have same text / font size, I would choose 13".

I feel the 13" have smaller text size compare to my 14" windows laptop but I like the sharp text of retina display. Although we could resize text size make it bigger but it wasn't comfortable for my eyes especially when see text in website using chrome.

Thank
 
ozziegn said:
I decided to buy the latest 13" MBP with the touch bar after watching a crapload of YouTube videos.

The keys on the keyboard feel fine to me so I don't understand why so many people are huffing and puffing about how they feel and sound.
Click to expand...

Congratulations on the purchase, in 2018 this is really a great machine to have. Also, it has taken them 3 iterations to get it to a level where customers are okay with it. :p Since you have the third version, you wouldn't know the huff and puff people were making about it - sometimes rightly so, something exaggeratedly so.
[doublepost=1533627787][/doublepost]
ozziegn said:
*last update*

So here's the end of my 2018 MBP drama.... After trying out the latest 15" MBP I decided to return it as well. I was hoping I could see the value of keeping the new laptop so I could sell my 2015 version and still be in the hole for like $1200 after selling my 2015 MBP for $1000. But in the end my common sense told me it wouldn't be worth it. My 2015 15" MBP still runs and looks like new so I can't justify spending the extra money on a laptop that doesn't "wow" me enough....
Click to expand...

I read this later on. Well.. congratulations on the prevailing common sense! The 2015 is still a fine machine that can last some years more for the kind of work you mentioned you use it for! However, if you are using the device for any kind of data transfer, I am sure you will miss the SSD speeds on the new one. :D
 
Natzoo said:
How do you like it so far? I got a 2018 as well, and I was always skeptical of 3rd party cables. I want to magnify my computer just want it to be risk free.
Click to expand...
So far so good, though it does get somewhat hot. That might be because I'm driving a 24" Apple ACD, keyboard and mouse off of it.
 
macintoshmac said:
Congratulations on the purchase, in 2018 this is really a great machine to have. Also, it has taken them 3 iterations to get it to a level where customers are okay with it. :p Since you have the third version, you wouldn't know the huff and puff people were making about it - sometimes rightly so, something exaggeratedly so.
[doublepost=1533627787][/doublepost]

I read this later on. Well.. congratulations on the prevailing common sense! The 2015 is still a fine machine that can last some years more for the kind of work you mentioned you use it for! However, if you are using the device for any kind of data transfer, I am sure you will miss the SSD speeds on the new one. :D
Click to expand...
The ssd can’t be that much faster. I mean the ssd in 2015 is over 1500mb/s
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
dukebound85 said:
The ssd can’t be that much faster. I mean the ssd in 2015 is over 1500mb/s
Click to expand...

Ah, I didn't know that the SSDs were _that_ fast in the 2015 notebooks. In that case, the new SSDs are only about a thousand mbps faster. In real world usage, unless we are transferring stuff, we probably wouldn't note much difference.
 
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