2015 vs 2017 MBP

[Hls811]

I’m in the market to upgrade my 15” early 2013 MBP, I’ve been looking at getting at least a 2015. I was settled on a mid-2015 (16gb, 256SSD) but hesitant because of the HD, although I know I could upgrade it later.
Right before taking the plunge I came across a seemingly mint condition 2017 (16/512) for $500 more. I really didn’t intend to spend so much but I’m wondering if in the long run it’ll be worthwhile to do it. I think even the 2015 will last me a few years, I’d rather not have to upgrade for a while and the 2017 should last even longer. (I don’t think the keyboard will bother me, I use a 2016 13” at work and I’m fine with it).

it’s mainly an online machine (e-mail, Internet, etc) - I know both will easily handle that. I do use Photoshop often and I’m sure both will be an worthwhile upgrade over my early 2013. I’m just not sure if a $500 premium is worth the 2 year upgrade.

thoughts? recommendations?

 

[natted]

I went from an early 2013 Macbook Pro 15 to a 2017 Macbook Pro 15 (when released). The 2017 machine is still great and I don't think you'd be disappointed. Only thing is the keyboard but you seem to know what to expect. My keyboard is still ok. I had an issue once but found it was software related. I got a cheap keyboard cover to keep dust out and I tend to pair with an external keyboard at my desk to reduce wear and tear on the butterfly keyboard. Maybe if I had to buy a second hand 2017, I'd tell the seller there is a known fault with the keyboard and see if they can drop the price slightly.... worth a try.

 

[Hls811]

I went from an early 2013 Macbook Pro 15 to a 2017 Macbook Pro 15 (when released). The 2017 machine is still great and I don't think you'd be disappointed. Only thing is the keyboard but you seem to know what to expect. My keyboard is still ok. I had an issue once but found it was software related. I got a cheap keyboard cover to keep dust out and I tend to pair with an external keyboard at my desk to reduce wear and tear on the butterfly keyboard. Maybe if I had to buy a second hand 2017, I'd tell the seller there is a known fault with the keyboard and see if they can drop the price slightly.... worth a try.

based onthe price he’s offering, I don’t thing I’d get it any cheaper. it’s essentially the Apple trade-in price. I’ve done some research and it’s definitely a good deal,I’m just trying to decide if it’s worth the extra cost.

 

[profcutter]

I wouldn’t. I’d go with the 2015. It’s a well made machine, has all the ports, and the 2017 isn’t any faster.

 

[pshufd]

I'd go for the 2015 and add a 512 GB or 1 TB SD card.

 

[Plutonius]

I’m in the market to upgrade my 15” early 2013 MBP, I’ve been looking at getting at least a 2015. I was settled on a mid-2015 (16gb, 256SSD) but hesitant because of the HD, although I know I could upgrade it later.
Right before taking the plunge I came across a seemingly mint condition 2017 (16/512) for $500 more. I really didn’t intend to spend so much but I’m wondering if in the long run it’ll be worthwhile to do it. I think even the 2015 will last me a few years, I’d rather not have to upgrade for a while and the 2017 should last even longer. (I don’t think the keyboard will bother me, I use a 2016 13” at work and I’m fine with it).

it’s mainly an online machine (e-mail, Internet, etc) - I know both will easily handle that. I do use Photoshop often and I’m sure both will be an worthwhile upgrade over my early 2013. I’m just not sure if a $500 premium is worth the 2 year upgrade.

thoughts? recommendations?

I have a 2017 Macbook Pro and really like it but I would never recommend buying a 2016 - 2019 MacBook Pro since Apple has had so many issues with them.

I would recommend either the 2015 MacBook Pro that you are considering or a current 16" MacBook Pro.

 

[Hls811]

Well, I pulled the plug and ended up going with the 2017, for a few reasons..

1) The 2015 only had a 256GB drive, I ideally wanted 1TB but would have settled for a 512 - 256 just was never going to cut it for me. I could have picked up a 1TB drive to install in the 2015, which would have run me about $180 - so that cut the price difference from $500-$320-ish. The 2017 is only 512, and I know its not upgradable, but I can be OK with that, the 256 would not have worked at all.

2) Upon closer review of the one I was looking at there were some dings and marks on the case that just made me a bit worried and somewhat justified the low price he was asking. When I started to compare more 'like new' models, they were as much as $200+ more, which really mitigated the difference in what I could get the 2017 for.

3) Integrated graphics vs dual. I know I probably won't be doing much/anything to notice the difference, but it was more the realization of the base level 2015 vs mid-level 2017. Overall, its just more machine for the money.

4) This is probably the biggest thing that convinced me to go for it: I compared what I'm paying for the 2017 to the various trade in values. I am paying $100 more than the Apple/Phobio value and I found 2 places online who would offer exactly what I paid, so worst case, if I get it and just hate it right off the bat, I can offload it without taking a hit. (I don't think I will, but it made it easier).

 

[natted]

Awesome, hope your new machine goes well. Another point about 2017 is that if you end up keeping it for a number of years, the OSX updates should be there for a while. 2015 still likely has a few years left but that was 5 years ago... so maybe only a couple more years updates (hard to know with Apple).