I can get a 2015 MBP 15" I7 2200 with 256gb, 16GB RAM for $1125 at local Bestbuy (Store Demo, in OK conditions -- not sure how long it's been sitting there). Would this be a good deal or should I swing for the latest 13" MBP models that are currently on sale for about the same price or wait for the next Macbook Air. I can probably only want to spend around $1200 or under. I surf the web probably 90% of the time with potential for learning how to use Xcode in the future. I keep hearing the 2105 MBP are the best with nice keyboards but the newer models are nice too and slimmer. Thoughts?
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2015 MBP 15 vs current models
- Thread starter rug1111
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I’d pick on over the other for either screen size or portability. Reliability might be a real thing too, but the 13” will probably serve you just fine.
The 2015 15” that you’re talking about may be the best laptop ever made, but the new 13” has its perks too and is thinner and lighter.
Personal decision this one.
The 2015 15” that you’re talking about may be the best laptop ever made, but the new 13” has its perks too and is thinner and lighter.
Personal decision this one.
Well, given that it’s a 2015 model this sucker is at minimum 3 years old, probably older - unless they just purchased it and can show you when it was manufactured. And during that time it has been physically powered on for 3+ years straight - who knows how much keyboard banging and whatnot has been done as well. If it was just purchased sure w/e. But if you can’t verify the purchase date then you should assume it’s been through hell. Thousands of people would have picked it up, moved it around, mashes the buttons, etc.
I second that - being a former BB employee, I can assure you that thing was never even turned off. Odds are you'll find yourself in the Apple store within a year or so for a pricey hardware repair (which will leave you somewhere around the price you would've spent on a brand new Macbook anyway)
That’s a more useful response, something to look for. They’ve probably tested it though and I assume it has warranty as well.
Yes but I wouldn't even go for a standard 1-year. With the amount of work that's likely been put in, you're looking at (let's say you keep it for 4 years) a laptop that could be 7 years old with a very high usage rate. I would go with Apple Care if you're going to get this machine.
Sorry my previous response was not as useful. I'm glad this one was better.
thanks all. the battery cycle count is 44, but like it was mentioned this thing was probably always plugged in. I checked and the warranty has expired. i'll wait until June and see what'll come out. In the mean time, i'll get a Samsung Chromebook Plus to get me by...
Yeah definitely do not buy that unless you can get Apple Care + for it. Since you can't. Don't buy it.
2 years ago i bought a 2016 MacBook Pro 13" 8/512 to replace a 2011 MacBook Air 11". previously had the "black" macbook, before that titanium MacBook.
really loved the MBA form factor but the screen was so dated and i needed a larger SSD. the 2016's keyboard took some getting used to. i preferred the slant shape of the MBA, but the retina display was gorgeous, super sharp, slightly more viewable space in not much bigger form factor and the glass touchpad felt great (the MBA's trackpad had to be replaced twice over 5 years of ownership, the 2nd not covered by AppleCare) and seemed durable, but would occasionally catch it with my palms and have my typing "jump" to another part of a document (annoying!!). missed magsafe. heavier/blockier than MBA (the slant of MBA took away sharp edge against the wrists). had some other keyboard issues likely related to dust where the arrow keys would stick...almost brought it in (had AppleCare), but it unstuck itself after a few weeks while i was trying to find time to drop it off. didn't seem much faster than the 5 year of MBA for my purposes (web surfing, ms office, photos, citrix). nice laptop but not as overwhelmingly impressive and lovable as the MBA11.
a few weeks ago, due to needing to write more for my work and my aging eyes, i decided i wanted a bigger screen. but since we have limited den space and i didn't want to plop a LCD monitor on the dining room table to plug the MBP13 into. so i decided to look into 15" MacBook Pros. new and even apple refurb'd MacBook Pro 15" were all over $2,000. i really didn't want to spend so much (even though it'd be a business expense tax write off) so i look at used ones on ebay. made an offer and got a 2014 MacBook Pro 16/512 with 230 cycles, a couple small dings, for $800. will probably keep the 13" for travel...or sell it and replace it with an iPad.
i've had the 2014 for a couple of weeks now. love having magsafe back. additional screen space and seeing has been awesome. display quality is nice, retina, but does feel a tad less sharp/vivid for some reason compared to the 2016 (will have to play with the calibration). only use for ports had been backup drives and nice not to need a doggle as all our backup drives are still USB-A. appreciate the nice travel of the old keyboards, although i did like the bigger size/surface area of the new butterfly ones. also quieter, not clickety loud in meetings. not fair, but speakers on the 15" sound great/better than the 13" 2016, although those are quite impressive for the size and definitely better than the MBA11. seems equally speedy for my needs (despite the 2016 having the faster pcie SSD drives). only dislikes are although the trackpad size is fine, not being glass forcetouch, it's mechanical hard taps/clicks feel super old-school. i used touch-to-tap whenever possible but sometimes hard taps (ie. to drag) are necessary and it founds/feels crunchy.
not everyone likes to buy used stuff. i generally buy new macs w/apple care and keep them a while (skip a few generations or for major re-models). but here's was an opportunity to try a new form factor and the hype is real in terms of these 2012-2015nretina MacBook Pros being solid performers.
really loved the MBA form factor but the screen was so dated and i needed a larger SSD. the 2016's keyboard took some getting used to. i preferred the slant shape of the MBA, but the retina display was gorgeous, super sharp, slightly more viewable space in not much bigger form factor and the glass touchpad felt great (the MBA's trackpad had to be replaced twice over 5 years of ownership, the 2nd not covered by AppleCare) and seemed durable, but would occasionally catch it with my palms and have my typing "jump" to another part of a document (annoying!!). missed magsafe. heavier/blockier than MBA (the slant of MBA took away sharp edge against the wrists). had some other keyboard issues likely related to dust where the arrow keys would stick...almost brought it in (had AppleCare), but it unstuck itself after a few weeks while i was trying to find time to drop it off. didn't seem much faster than the 5 year of MBA for my purposes (web surfing, ms office, photos, citrix). nice laptop but not as overwhelmingly impressive and lovable as the MBA11.
a few weeks ago, due to needing to write more for my work and my aging eyes, i decided i wanted a bigger screen. but since we have limited den space and i didn't want to plop a LCD monitor on the dining room table to plug the MBP13 into. so i decided to look into 15" MacBook Pros. new and even apple refurb'd MacBook Pro 15" were all over $2,000. i really didn't want to spend so much (even though it'd be a business expense tax write off) so i look at used ones on ebay. made an offer and got a 2014 MacBook Pro 16/512 with 230 cycles, a couple small dings, for $800. will probably keep the 13" for travel...or sell it and replace it with an iPad.
i've had the 2014 for a couple of weeks now. love having magsafe back. additional screen space and seeing has been awesome. display quality is nice, retina, but does feel a tad less sharp/vivid for some reason compared to the 2016 (will have to play with the calibration). only use for ports had been backup drives and nice not to need a doggle as all our backup drives are still USB-A. appreciate the nice travel of the old keyboards, although i did like the bigger size/surface area of the new butterfly ones. also quieter, not clickety loud in meetings. not fair, but speakers on the 15" sound great/better than the 13" 2016, although those are quite impressive for the size and definitely better than the MBA11. seems equally speedy for my needs (despite the 2016 having the faster pcie SSD drives). only dislikes are although the trackpad size is fine, not being glass forcetouch, it's mechanical hard taps/clicks feel super old-school. i used touch-to-tap whenever possible but sometimes hard taps (ie. to drag) are necessary and it founds/feels crunchy.
not everyone likes to buy used stuff. i generally buy new macs w/apple care and keep them a while (skip a few generations or for major re-models). but here's was an opportunity to try a new form factor and the hype is real in terms of these 2012-2015nretina MacBook Pros being solid performers.
I love my 2015 MBP 15". Had it since it came out and still runs as good & fast as it did the day I unboxed it. My opinion the 2015 MPB was the last great MBP, it was just right regarding ports, keyboard, size of the track pad, etc.
...and the Apple logo lights up VS current models.
...and the Apple logo lights up VS current models.
Will Best Buy include a 1-year Apple warranty from the date of purchase?
Will you have the option to add AppleCare as well (for 3 full years of coverage)?
In that case, the price is actually reasonable, IF it's in overall good condition.
I would prefer that over a 2017 model.
Too many problems with them!
Will you have the option to add AppleCare as well (for 3 full years of coverage)?
In that case, the price is actually reasonable, IF it's in overall good condition.
I would prefer that over a 2017 model.
Too many problems with them!