2016 13'' Macbook tb or ntb? Cannot decide

[Mixolyd]

Hi all, Been using 2014 rMBP 13'' and love it, but I want to give it to my fiancee to use. I need either 2015 rMBP or 2016 because I want to drive a 4k external monitor at 60hz. I got a 2015 refurbished rMBP but the keys feel a bit mushy compared to the 2014. I'm going to Apple Store tomorrow and will either get the keyboard fixed (if they admit it's an issue) or return it for a 2016 (want to play with the keyboard and see how I like it). I can't decide between the two 2016 13'' models. Would appreciate if someone can help answer some questions.

The non-tb has slightly better battery life than 2015 and tb models right? How do they compare? I can't find any actual tests. Battery life is fairly important to me.

I hear people complaining about battery life on some units. Is that moreso with the tb or non-tb?

In terms of performance, the 2014/2015 is fine for my purposes. I'll mainly be using it in a healthcare practice so lots of typing and lots of tabs open (considering 16gb to future proof but 8gb will probably be fine). Any actual difference in performance between TB and nTB in day to day?

Looking at gpu, iris 540 (non tb) vs 550 (tb) vs 6100 (2015) - is there any difference in terms of UI lag or powering external display? That's my only concern with GPU. Not doing any gaming on this.

 

[ihatetoregister]

Ok so
- about battery : It's pretty bad so don't expect much. A good way to find how it will compare to yours is to find your exact processor and its TDP, and your current battery capacity, and compare it to the 2016 CPUs TDP, and their battery capacity. For instance, my 2013 13" maxed out mbp holds better than my 2016 maxed out 13".

- About specific battery defect : There's no one answer, you'll have to check in the threads. It seems some people are particularly unlucky, but in general I find it bad (for the reason mentioned above)

- It REALLY depends what you're doing. I went from middle 13" 2015 with 8GB of RAM to the maxed out 2016 with 16GB of ram. My compilation time are much faster, and since I do a lot of those, I'd say it's a good jump in performances.

- 16GB is a must. Don't take anything less, seriously - and especially with many tabs opened.

- For actual, measurable performances, I strongly suggest to look at geekbench. Learn exactly which cpu models are going in whatever mbp you're comparing, since there are several possibilities.
Remember that multi-core results only matter with software using the multi-core (and there aren't that many outside the OS itself !)

- no difference in powering external displays, you won't be able to have two external 5k screens if memory serves well.
Also keep in mind that there isn't (as of right now) an adapter to do 4k@60hz from USB-C

 

[Mixolyd]

Ok so
- about battery : It's pretty bad so don't expect much. A good way to find how it will compare to yours is to find your exact processor and its TDP, and your current battery capacity, and compare it to the 2016 CPUs TDP, and their battery capacity. For instance, my 2013 13" maxed out mbp holds better than my 2016 maxed out 13".

That's so strange. I wonder if this will be fixed with software later on?

Also keep in mind that there isn't (as of right now) an adapter to do 4k@60hz from USB-C

Oh really? I didn't know that. I would probably get a usb-c monitor like from this list

 

[ihatetoregister]

That's so strange. I wonder if this will be fixed with software later on?

No chance. The ratio TDP / battery capacity is terrible. It will be bad no matter what, the question is if you will, in addition of that, get even worse results.

Oh really? I didn't know that. I would probably get a usb-c monitor like from this list

That's your best shot. I meant "keep in mind" as it won't work on most displays, but if you're about to buy a displa then go for a USB-C and it's a non-problem.

 

[skids929]

No chance. The ratio TDP / battery capacity is terrible. It will be bad no matter what, the question is if you will, in addition of that, get even worse results.



That's your best shot. I meant "keep in mind" as it won't work on most displays, but if you're about to buy a displa then go for a USB-C and it's a non-problem.

Do you own one of the new machine?

I have a 13 in TB model and my battery is just fine. 8-9 hours all the time.

 

[raqball]

I had the TB and returned it for a nTB.. I didn't find any use for the TB and for me and my use it was pure gimmick.. On my TB I got about 6 hours of battery life and on the nTB I am getting 10 hours plus..

The only thing I miss from the TB version is the extra ports..

 

[thadoggfather]

your 2015 keyboard is likely not going to be acknowledged as a flaw or problem, its a variation from the clicky one

I know exactly what you're talking about,

I dont feel like typing up a thesis, but I like my 2016 nTB, I think you'll be fine with base and battery is as good if not better, than what you're coming from

if you get a good deal, 2016 is really worth It imo. intel moves at snail speeds, these days, so I wouldn't hold my breath for intel innovation. with skylake weren't we supposed to have wireless charging built into the chipset? some crap like that, yeah.

its getting lots of flack (the 2016) but it is the new design and will be for some time. at least a few years,

the value for TB doesn't seem there now, but if you got a TB deal or have money to burn, life is short, dont buy one expecting USBA ports or an SD card reader, if you can deal, get one,

the screen is better, speakers, design, battery for me, and I like the keyboard a lot after using rMB since its launch

I dont have the graphical glitch or battery life issue, but I'm not doubting that people do have these problems. I think its absurd when someone says they dont have it so therefore everyone must be full of it,

in fact I'm afraid to update from 10.12.0 , to 10.12.2, for these reasons but also because of lack of battery estimate now, I like that even if its not completely accurate (of course it isn't, never has been)

 

[pshifrin]

Looking at gpu, iris 540 (non tb) vs 550 (tb) vs 6100 (2015) - is there any difference in terms of UI lag or powering external display? That's my only concern with GPU. Not doing any gaming on this.

In my personal (actual) experience, there is a HUGE improvement in powering an external display at 60hz between the 2015 and 2016 13 inch models. I had a maxed out processor and ram 2015 13 (went to another employee) and now I have a 2016 3.3/16/512. Same Dell p2415q 4k. It really struggled on the 2015 but is super smooth on the 2016.

 

[Mixolyd]

I dont feel like typing up a thesis, but I like my 2015 nTB, I think you'll be fine with base and battery is as good if not better, than what you're coming from

Thanks for the reply. Just clarifying you meant 2016 nTB right?

 

[thadoggfather]

yes, good catch,

updated

 

[xraydoc]

Also keep in mind that there isn't (as of right now) an adapter to do 4k@60hz from USB-C

Not true. On the 2016 MBPs, you can easily do 4K or 5K over DisplayPort at 60Hz with a USB-C to DP adapter or cable.

 

[ihatetoregister]

Do you own one of the new machine?

I have a 13 in TB model and my battery is just fine. 8-9 hours all the time.

I do. I get 3h30 of use (connected to an external display but still), with 1h30 of sleep. My 2013" mbp has a much better ratio TDP / battery capacity and you could feell it.
[doublepost=1483167793][/doublepost]

Not true. On the 2016 MBPs, you can easily do 4K or 5K over DisplayPort at 60Hz with a USB-C to DP adapter or cable.

Which one ? I bought the Apple one ( USB-C -> hdmi ) and you're limited to 4k@30hz, not 60hz .
I heard Belkin will come with one but it wasn`t release at least as of two weeks ago.

 

[guy_mac]

I had the TB and returned it for a nTB.. I didn't find any use for the TB and for me and my use it was pure gimmick.. On my TB I got about 6 hours of battery life and on the nTB I am getting 10 hours plus..

The only thing I miss from the TB version is the extra ports..

I would think that the ntb to be a nice, affordable alternative to the '15, but the single port is totally outrageous. I say single since I use a laptop at home half the time where it's always plugged in.

Actually, there are zero ports available once plugged in since the ports are too close together.

I'd really like to visit the apple campus personally and punch the designers in the face for their stupidity.

 

[jerm13]

Best Buy has the 13" touch bar models on sale for $1649.99. That was low enough for me to buy one today. So far I am very impressed. I had the Spring 2015 model and I can tell the screen is much brighter on the new model. The keyboard will take some getting used to, but so far, it seems pretty easy to type on. The touch bar is actually cooler than I thought. The speakers are also fantastic.

If you are interested in the touch bar version, today is the day to buy with the heavy discount at Best Buy.

 

[thesaint024]

I do. I get 3h30 of use (connected to an external display but still), with 1h30 of sleep. My 2013" mbp has a much better ratio TDP / battery capacity and you could feell it.
[doublepost=1483167793][/doublepost]
Which one ? I bought the Apple one ( USB-C -> hdmi ) and you're limited to 4k@30hz, not 60hz .
I heard Belkin will come with one but it wasn`t release at least as of two weeks ago.

First, driving an external monitor will significantly drain power, especially if you have a 15". Yes, battery is smaller, but it's also more efficient with non-demanding activities. I also get 9 +/- 2 hours or so, depending on use on my 13 tb. The Apple hdmi dongle is limited to 30hz. Displayport dongles or cables run 60hz. There are many. Also, hdmi 2.0 does 60hz as well, but there aren't many products that support this at this time.

To answer OP, both tb and non-tb are fantastic IMHO. The differences are clear, and you just need to decide what's more important to you. TB: 4 ports, touchbar, faster specs on cpu, ram, gpu. Non-TB: anecdotally about 20% better battery life, more CONSISTENT battery performance since there is less throttling to worry about and a larger battery, only 2 usb-c ports on ONE side, $400. That's your choice. For my use, I could use either version and be fine. I really appreciate 2 SIDES of ports and just the HOPE of touchbar functionality in the future. But either would be great for me.

 

[Qwe9203]

The 13" Escape Edition is the best model to get from the late 2016 line. The Iris 540 and 550 are much faster than 6100.
The Escape Edition is usually on sale $150-$200 off MSRP from 3rd party re-sellers.

 

[Mixolyd]

I got the 13'' nonTB. I love it and am getting used to the keyboard. My only complaint right now is that the 0 key doesn't always activate when I press it. For instance typing 2016 really fast doesn't always work because the 0 key only sometimes activates. Guess I'll have to get a replacement...

 

[thadoggfather]

I love my non touchbar.

If touchbar proves to be one of those things you can't do without sell the non touchbar next iteration and make the leap

Not feeling a physical escape key would tick me off. And accidentally hitting Siri. I can see myself doing it

Gliding for volume seems cool and brightness and stuff but I don't like HAVING to look down. Color me old school.

 

[person123]

I had the TB and returned it for a nTB.. I didn't find any use for the TB and for me and my use it was pure gimmick.. On my TB I got about 6 hours of battery life and on the nTB I am getting 10 hours plus..

The only thing I miss from the TB version is the extra ports..

two questions, how do you. measure it being 10 hours, based on the estimator or actual usage? and also, what b rightness and what programs are you running? I'm asking because I think I have a dud.