2015 MBP 15" vs. 2017 MBP 13"

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macrumors newbie
So, I'm buying a MacBook Pro tomorrow. No upgrades because I'll need it before a custom one could be shipped.

I'm a graphic designer so I'm looking for the best performing out of these three. (I use Adobe CC, Premier/After Effects and Cubase for Music Production) I know #2 should be the fastest but I'm not sure if the RAM in the 2015 model will make up for the older processor, although it's quad core so not sure how that affects things. Thanks so much for any input it will help me make my purchase tomorrow. Cheers!

Choice 1: 2017 13" No Touch Bar
  • 2.3GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
  • Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
  • 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
  • 256GB SSD storage1
$1,449.00

Choice 2: 2017 13" Touch Bar and Touch ID
  • 3.1GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
  • Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
  • 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
  • 256GB SSD storage1
$1,699.00

Choice 3: 2015 15" 2.2GHz Processor
256GB Storage
  • 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
  • Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
  • 16GB 1600MHz memory
  • 256GB SSD storage1
$1,799.00 (refurbished is $1,699 which might also be an option if it's in stock)
 
Last edited:
maerz001 said:
Go with the 15”. It’s faster and it looks like that 8GB would not be enough for u
Click to expand...

If it's faster, then I think it's worth it to pay a couple hundred more. I was thinking it might be slightly slower. Thanks a lot!
 
unless you travel a bunch, definitely the 2015 15” with i7, 16gb ram, ports, etc. also don’t need to worry about unreliable keyboard

i have both 2014 15” and 2016 13” ntb (keyboard replaced once) and the 15” is the workhorse, the 13” is for travel

probably could’ve gone with macbook or ipad but the macbook processor seemed too limiting and ios didn’t seem primetime enough as laptop replacement
 
I recommend choice 3.

I cannot recommend 2017 models due to "KeyGate™". Just too high an incidence of failure.

Also, do you use an external audio interface?
What kind of connection does it have?
The 2015 will almost certainly be easier to connect with legacy ports (for USB) and a thunderbolt2 port that requires only one dongle to connect to firewire.
(To connect a firewire device to a 2016/17 MBPro requires a "double-dongle" daisy chain, IF you can get it to work...)
 
Thanks for all of the responses! I'm glad that all of the signs and all of the advice was pointing towards the 2015. I'm setting it up now. It ended up being about $300 more than I had wanted to spend but I think it will be well worth it in the end.
 
I'd definitely go with the 15" over the 13" even if the 15" is a 2015 model year computer.
You get a larger display, quad core processor, and a dGPU, all around you get more computer for your money.
 
For your needs definitely 15” like others have said. But I really prefer the screen of the 2017 models. But it is smaller so less important I imagine for you.
 
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