2015 or 2016 13' Macbook Pro

[trudeljb]

Hey everyone, apologies if this has been covered before. I am currently working on a 2011 Macbook Pro and am looking to upgrade (long overdue!). I've only been using my computer for work since April (before that it was just leisure), as a business analyst, so not much power is needed.

I know there is only marginal processing power upgrade from the 2015 to the 2016, and I almost feel like I would rather have the USB ports than the newer USB-C. Looks like I can get the 2015 for $1349 from B&H which seems like the best deal. Would love to have your input as far as what you would suggest I do, almost more keen on finding the best deal though I can afford the touchbar but not sure I really need/want it.

Thanks!

 

[Wackery]

Hey everyone, apologies if this has been covered before. I am currently working on a 2011 Macbook Pro and am looking to upgrade (long overdue!). I've only been using my computer for work since April (before that it was just leisure), as a business analyst, so not much power is needed.

I know there is only marginal processing power upgrade from the 2015 to the 2016, and I almost feel like I would rather have the USB ports than the newer USB-C. Looks like I can get the 2015 for $1349 from B&H which seems like the best deal. Would love to have your input as far as what you would suggest I do, almost more keen on finding the best deal though I can afford the touchbar but not sure I really need/want it.

Thanks!

if you want to be productive, 2015. if you want to look like the richest person in starbucks, 2016 macbook pro

 

[50calty]

I was in the same dilemma and needless to say I went with the 2015 model. Saved some dough and couldn't be happier.

 

[Daniel Reed]

I feel the last best MBP was the late 2013 maxed 15" model w/ 2GB nVidia GT 750m.

In apps that use GPUs like Resolve, CUDA acceleration and stability out perform the later AMD only models.

 

[evec]

The only why will choose 2016 as the P3 screen

 

[Naimfan]

2015 all the way.

 

[person123]

I really like the non touch bar 2016. The screen is fantastic, the speakers are great, the keyboard and trackpad are miles ahead and it is thinner and lighter. It has a lot going for it and is around the same price as the 2015 model (1399 at Best Buy vs 1349.) it really is the better machine in my opinion. I have it and love it.

 

[Enraginangel]

I just upgraded from the 2010 MacBook Pro to the 2016 MacBook Pro. Trust me, you want to move over to USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. I lived for 6 years without USB3 and I was so annoyed. USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 is still young but a couple years in, you'll be happy when the proliferation of type c kicks in.

 

[MacBH928]

Let me put it this way,

If you are rich and live next to an Apple Store, get the 2016, if you are frugal get the 2015.

2015 is reliable and tested. 2016 is new, if it breaks for any reason you can replace it at the store. As for ports if you are rich you can buy all the dongles and adapters you want or upgrade your whole accessory collection.

 

[coolbreeze]

2016. Next-gen ports, doesn't run the fans at warp speed under load (older processor tech), very lightweight, awesome keyboard, much better/brighter panel.

I know the nostalgia for the 2015 is strong, but the 2016 is just a better device. Now, here come the battery life tears.

Make no mistake, it's about money. People gravitate towards the older version because it's less expensive, then layer on "mah ports, tried and true, etc!"

 

[Fishrrman]

I just went through the same decision process about three weeks' back.

My final decision:
2015 MacBook Pro 13", 8gb/256gb.
Paid $1,189, which I consider an excellent price (Apple sells these for $1,499).

The "other choice" would have been the non-touchbar 2016 model.

I very much preferred the "old" keyboard to the new one.
I preferred the "legacy ports", which work with everything I have, without dongles.
I don't foresee USB-c taking over the market and becoming dominant any time soon (no more than did thunderbolt after Apple went with it).
The 2015 came with a 2.7ghz CPU, vis-a-vis 2.0 in a 2016.
The 2016 has a brighter display, but the 2015 display is still excellent, not enough to make me want the 2016.

The 2015 is a "mature" design, with previous bugs pretty much worked out.
The 2016, at least from all the reports here, seems just a little "not quite ready for prime time"...

 

[Naimfan]

Good decision.

Enjoy!

 

[raqball]

The 2016 is the superior machine is just about every respect, save for price and ports. If either of those are important then go with the 2015 as it's still a very capable machine.

2015 pluses over the 2016:

- Price
- Ports
- Battery life (base are about same, TB gets less)

2016 pluses over the 2015:

- Screen
- CPU (even the 2.0 is slightly better)
- GPU (much better)
- SSD (much faster)
- Sound (night and day better)
- Color choice
- Thinner and lighter

Could be a plus or minus depending on where you stand:

- Removal of glowing Apple logo on 2016
- Keyboard
- Larger trackpad on 2016
- Touchbar
- Dongles

 

[trudeljb]

I just went through the same decision process about three weeks' back.

My final decision:
2015 MacBook Pro 13", 8gb/256gb.
Paid $1,189, which I consider an excellent price (Apple sells these for $1,499).

The "other choice" would have been the non-touchbar 2016 model.

I very much preferred the "old" keyboard to the new one.
I preferred the "legacy ports", which work with everything I have, without dongles.
I don't foresee USB-c taking over the market and becoming dominant any time soon (no more than did thunderbolt after Apple went with it).
The 2015 came with a 2.7ghz CPU, vis-a-vis 2.0 in a 2016.
The 2016 has a brighter display, but the 2015 display is still excellent, not enough to make me want the 2016.

The 2015 is a "mature" design, with previous bugs pretty much worked out.
The 2016, at least from all the reports here, seems just a little "not quite ready for prime time"...

If you don't mind me asking, how were you able to find it for $1,189.00? Was this a black friday deal or is it still available? Lowest I'm seeing is $1349 at B&H. Thanks

 

[Cache]

The 2016 is the superior machine is just about every respect, save for price and ports. If either of those are important then go with the 2015 as it's still a very capable machine.

2015 pluses over the 2016:

- Price
- Ports
- Battery life (base are about same, TB gets less)

2016 pluses over the 2015:

- Screen
- CPU (even the 2.0 is slightly better)
- GPU (much better)
- SSD (much faster)
- Sound (night and day better)
- Color choice
- Thinner and lighter

Could be a plus or minus depending on where you stand:

- Removal of glowing Apple logo on 2016
- Keyboard
- Larger trackpad on 2016
- Touchbar
- Dongles

Good post. Personally I was very skeptical about the new keyboard when I tried is out in the store, but now that I've taken the time to properly test it at home, I fell in love with the butterfly mechanism. The keys don't sound loud at all, it's simply a matter of adjusting the way you type. My advice would be to get a 2016 non touch bar one, test it out at home and work, see if you like the keyboard and the machine in general really. If not, send it back and get a 2015 one. Apple's refund policy is second to none, so might as well make use of it.

 

[Fishrrman]

"If you don't mind me asking, how were you able to find it for $1,189.00?"

I was watching ebay for that particular model.

An outfit in New Jersey had a bunch of them for sale as a "buy it now" item. Sold about 750 of them before they ran out.

Do a search for "ebay.com store electronics valley".

 

[Cameron604]

wow, didn't know they made a 13 foot MacBook Pro

The 2016 is nicer but the 2015 may be the better choice for you. I went with 2015 to save on $$$. Only thing that might have mattered for me was the lighter weight, and faster SSD. The difference in graphics and processing isn't enough to matter for my own mobile needs.

 

[No. 44]

I waited for this new model to come out for quite some time, but now that it's here, I decided to get a 2015 13" MacBook Pro (3.1, 16, 512) instead. There are simply too many "kinks" in the present iteration, and I have no desire to deal with them. I also prefer the keyboard of the older model, and I wanted the ports. Having MagSafe is also very nice.

Make no mistake, it's about money. People gravitate towards the older version because it's less expensive, then layer on "mah ports, tried and true, etc!"

LOL, I've read a lot of comments like this in the discussions here. I think it's safe to say that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I wanted a reliable laptop, and I wanted connectivity without adapters. The few hundred dollars difference never entered my decision making process, and I find it more than a bit presumptuous that some random on an internet forum has announced that I'm just too poor or stingy to buy the newest model.