2015 Retina Macbook or Late 2013 15" MBP?

[tirexstorm]

I am currently using a late 2013 Macbook Pro (2.6ghz i7, 16gb, 1TB)as my main computer. It is plenty fast for all of my needs. However at work I am using my old 2008 MBP (8gb ram, 256gb SSD). I use that laptop for mostly just browsing the internet at my desk instead of using my work issued PC) The 2008 is currently underpowered for even web browsing. Certain websites end up causing the spinning beach ball. So does tweetdeck at times.)

I would like to replace this computer and I am deciding between a 2015 Retina Macbook (1.1 GHz Intel Core M processor, 256gb SSD, 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 ram) and another 15" late 2013 Macbook Pro (2.0 i7, 256 ssd, 8gb ram). I like the bigger screen on the latter and I assume it will be faster, but the other laptop is newer, and something different than my hope laptop.


Both can be found used for about $500. I won't be doing any heavy computing. I generally have open:

Chrome open with multiple tabs
tweetdeck
messages
calendar
Mail

Suggestion as to which is a better buy?

 

[nick42983]

I am currently using a late 2013 Macbook Pro (2.6ghz i7, 16gb, 1TB)as my main computer. It is plenty fast for all of my needs. However at work I am using my old 2008 MBP (8gb ram, 256gb SSD). I use that laptop for mostly just browsing the internet at my desk instead of using my work issued PC) The 2008 is currently underpowered for even web browsing. Certain websites end up causing the spinning beach ball. So does tweetdeck at times.)

I would like to replace this computer and I am deciding between a 2015 Retina Macbook (1.1 GHz Intel Core M processor, 256gb SSD, 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 ram) and another 15" late 2013 Macbook Pro (2.0 i7, 256 ssd, 8gb ram). I like the bigger screen on the latter and I assume it will be faster, but the other laptop is newer, and something different than my hope laptop.


Both can be found used for about $500. I won't be doing any heavy computing. I generally have open:

Chrome open with multiple tabs
tweetdeck
messages
calendar
Mail

Suggestion as to which is a better buy?

I suggest the 2013 Macbook Pro, it's bigger, more powerful, has extra ports and discrete graphics (if I'm not mistaken). The 2015 Macbook is underpowered and susceptible to the terrible keyboard failure issue which could cost you more to fix than the entire laptop. If at all possible though I would recommend getting a newer laptop than 2013, maybe a 2015 13" Macbook Pro? A 5-year-old machine is bound to need a battery replacement soon and will be more likely to fail on you than a newer machine. If you can, spend the extra $200-300 for something newer but from the last gen before the new keyboards. Honestly for your use case though you'd probably be fine with a new or newish iPad. In any case I would wait until after the upcoming October 30 event to see what Apple unveils and people will be looking to sell their older machines then.