2016 or 2015 MacBook Pro?

[vanko123]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the market for a new MacBook Pro to use for video editing, I will be doing compositing, color grading, etc. I want a Mac that will run well on Final Cut Pro, but also the Adobe suite if I decide to go for that instead.

I’m thinking of getting a used Mac (cheaper price), but could not decide between these two Macs.

2015 15inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz i7 16 GB RAM w/ discrete graphics (AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2GB graphics memory)

or

2016 15inch MacBook Pro w/ touchbar 2.6GHz i7 16GB RAM w/ discrete graphics (either AMD Radeon Pro 450 or 460)

I don’t really have a preference on the SSD size, I want it to be at least 250GB

I want this Mac to be able to last me for a while but still provide the performance that I need for video editing. Would it be worth it to spend the extra $$ and get the 2016 MacBook, or will the 2015 MacBook work almost just as well.

Thank you very much, any of your opinions will help!

 

[smallcoffee]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the market for a new MacBook Pro to use for video editing, I will be doing compositing, color grading, etc. I want a Mac that will run well on Final Cut Pro, but also the Adobe suite if I decide to go for that instead.

I’m thinking of getting a used Mac (cheaper price), but could not decide between these two Macs.

2015 15inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz i7 16 GB RAM w/ discrete graphics (AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2GB graphics memory)

or

2016 15inch MacBook Pro w/ touchbar 2.6GHz i7 16GB RAM w/ discrete graphics (either AMD Radeon Pro 450 or 460)

I don’t really have a preference on the SSD size, I want it to be at least 250GB

I want this Mac to be able to last me for a while but still provide the performance that I need for video editing. Would it be worth it to spend the extra $$ and get the 2016 MacBook, or will the 2015 MacBook work almost just as well.

Thank you very much, any of your opinions will help!

Yes. 100% get the 2016 (frankly get the 2017 if you can and look at the refurbished models). Fools will come here and tell you to buy 4-5 year old technology because they "don't like the keyboard" or "don't like USB-C" but the newer models are far superior to the older models. You will see vastly improved performance from the 2016/2017 over the 2015. I have both a 2015 and 2016.

 

[vanko123]

Yes. 100% get the 2016 (frankly get the 2017 if you can and look at the refurbished models). Fools will come here and tell you to buy 4-5 year old technology because they "don't like the keyboard" or "don't like USB-C" but the newer models are far superior to the older models. You will see vastly improved performance from the 2016/2017 over the 2015. I have both a 2015 and 2016.

So you think the 2016 will definitely last longer than the 2015? And it runs a lot better than the 2015 on hard tasks? I agree with you, I don’t want to buy anything older than 2015, but price also matters a lot to me and the 2015 is much cheaper, so I want to make sure that the extra $ for the 2016 is worth it.

I also read online that there wasn’t a huge performance difference on the 2016 vs 2017, so I’m leaning more towards the 2016 over the 2017.

Another reason I also liked the 2016 is that IMO it looks much cooler than the 2015, although this isn’t a huge deal to me.

 

[smallcoffee]

So you think the 2016 will definitely last longer than the 2015? And it runs a lot better than the 2015 on hard tasks? I agree with you, I don’t want to buy anything older than 2015, but price also matters a lot to me and the 2015 is much cheaper, so I want to make sure that the extra $ for the 2016 is worth it.

I also read online that there wasn’t a huge performance difference on the 2016 vs 2017, so I’m leaning more towards the 2016 over the 2017.

Another reason I also liked the 2016 is that IMO it looks much cooler than the 2015, although this isn’t a huge deal to me.

I, personally believe the 2016 will last longer and from my own personal experience the 2016 outperforms the 2015. What's the price difference you're looking at? There is certainly a price point where it may make sense to buy the 2015, but unless it's more than $300-$400 I would go with the 2016; even then I would look at refurbished before I'd buy the 2015.

The 2015 is a fine machine, don't get me wrong, but It's old.

 

[vanko123]

I, personally believe the 2016 will last longer and from my own personal experience the 2016 outperforms the 2015. What's the price difference you're looking at? There is certainly a price point where it may make sense to buy the 2015, but unless it's more than $300-$400 I would go with the 2016; even then I would look at refurbished before I'd buy the 2015.

The 2015 is a fine machine, don't get me wrong, but It's old.

I see. I’ve found 2015 ones for about $1500, and 2016 ones for about $1850, but with the 2016 MacBook I would also want to purchase a USB c adapter with hdmi, usb, etc, and that’s about $90, so there’s about a $450 difference. The most I would want to spend would be about $1800, I could do a little more if I really wanted to.

 

[smallcoffee]

I see. I’ve found 2015 ones for about $1500, and 2016 ones for about $1850, but with the 2016 MacBook I would also want to purchase a USB c adapter with hdmi, usb, etc, and that’s about $90, so there’s about a $450 difference. The most I would want to spend would be about $1800, I could do a little more if I really wanted to.

I would definitely buy the 2016 then if that's the price difference. You could wait a little while and buy the adapter later. I also typically take advantage of financing through the Barclay card since it's 0% interest and I'd prefer to keep the cash in my account if an emergency occurs for flexibility.

 

[vanko123]

I would definitely buy the 2016 then if that's the price difference. You could wait a little while and buy the adapter later. I also typically take advantage of financing through the Barclay card since it's 0% interest and I'd prefer to keep the cash in my account if an emergency occurs for flexibility.

Awesome. I’ll search around for some 2016 models, thank you for your help!

 

[chscag]

If you wish to save some dollars on a 2016 model or even a 2017 model, check with the Apple on line refurbished store. Apple refurbished machines are like new, come with a standard one year warranty and you can usually save up to around 15% off list price. Check the store often as they sell fast.

 

[vanko123]

If you wish to save some dollars on a 2016 model or even a 2017 model, check with the Apple on line refurbished store. Apple refurbished machines are like new, come with a standard one year warranty and you can usually save up to around 15% off list price. Check the store often as they sell fast.

I did check but they didn’t have quite what I was looking for, I’ll make sure to check back though

 

[old-wiz]

I bought a 2nd 2015 MBP 12" from B&H - I also have a 2016 and they keyboard was invented by someone evil who wants me to go insane. I would sell the 2016, but screen is nice. I nw have 2 2015s (one is a spare).

 

[vanko123]

Also, for video editing, would you recommend the 2GB graphics card or the 4GB one? Is there a huge difference?

I found a 2017 MacBook Pro that is certified refurbished, for about $2000. So that’s about $200 more than the 2016 and about $600 more than the 2015. If I were to go for the 2016, would it be worth it to get the 2017 instead for $200 more, or is there not that much difference?

 

[chscag]

Also, for video editing, would you recommend the 2GB graphics card or the 4GB one? Is there a huge difference?

I found a 2017 MacBook Pro that is certified refurbished, for about $2000. So that’s about $200 more than the 2016 and about $600 more than the 2015. If I were to go for the 2016, would it be worth it to get the 2017 instead for $200 more, or is there not that much difference?

Refurbished by who? Only Apple sells certified refurbished Macs. Don't fall for some ebay seller or Craig's list seller or anyone else that says their machine is certified refurbished. As to your question about video editing, more vram is better. The 4GB graphics card will render faster than the 2GB card.

 

[vanko123]

Refurbished by who? Only Apple sells certified refurbished Macs. Don't fall for some ebay seller or Craig's list seller or anyone else that says their machine is certified refurbished. As to your question about video editing, more vram is better. The 4GB graphics card will render faster than the 2GB card.

It was on Apples Certified Refurbished website.

Would it make working in the timeline faster/smoother, or does it only help render times?

 

[chscag]

It was on Apples Certified Refurbished website.

Would it make working in the timeline faster/smoother, or does it only help render times?

OK, great. Apple refurbished machines are like new and sometimes even better. And yes, all of the above you mentioned. Go for the better graphics, and you won't have any regrets.

 

[vanko123]

OK, great. Apple refurbished machines are like new and sometimes even better. And yes, all of the above you mentioned. Go for the better graphics, and you won't have any regrets.

Awesome, I’ll look into it. Thank you!

 

[logicstudiouser]

I did check but they didn’t have quite what I was looking for, I’ll make sure to check back though

There is a site I have used in the past to track a mac model I was looking for that wasn't currently available on the refurbished store. You get either a mobile or email notification when a model that matches what you are looking for becomes available again and you can see how frequently it has been available on the Apple refurbished store in the last 90 days. The site is refurbstore.com

I am not associated with them, just thought I would pass on the tip.

 

[kaidou1412]

I seriously believe that 2015 is more user friendly one. Currently using 2016 MBP but miss 2015 so badly. Wish if Adorama/B&H sell 2015 model in cheaper price.

 

[vanko123]

I seriously believe that 2015 is more user friendly one. Currently using 2016 MBP but miss 2015 so badly. Wish if Adorama/B&H sell 2015 model in cheaper price.

What do you miss so much about it and what made it not very user friendly? I’d like to know these things before I spend the money

 

[kaidou1412]

What do you miss so much about it and what made it not very user friendly? I’d like to know these things before I spend the money

Well, first of all, read this Apple's Best MacBook Is Over 2 Years Old - Laptop Mag

I don't like the feeling of new butterfly keyboard. It is easy to be broken, not user friendly to fix it. You must replace whole bottom part of macbook to fix one keyboard.

USB-C is another big hassle. It is advanced technology for sure, but I still miss old ports including HDMI, USB-A ports.

Lastly, Macsafe is the crucial one. I seriously miss this. It is the best power adapter that you can find in the universe right now. I still don't understand why Apple decided to abandon this.



Anyways, it's up to you. MBP 2015 is now over 2 years old. But it is still the best Macbook Apple ever made to me.

 

[groove-agent]

We seem to get a question like this once a day and I'll answer it the same way.

Don't buy a 2016/ 2017 until they fix the keyboard issues. Get a 2015 for less money, and benefit from ports and an SD card reader.

 

[Biscotti]

I'm currently looking at the same thing. Coming from a 2011 MacBook air, the 2015 or 2016/2017 will be a huge improvement.

My price differential will be $1200 vs $1500 plus tax, plus adapter money...

Keyboard, price, expandability now, then get a 2018/2019 with keyboard fixes and vega graphics.

 

[vanko123]

We seem to get a question like this once a day and I'll answer it the same way.

Don't buy a 2016/ 2017 until they fix the keyboard issues. Get a 2015 for less money, and benefit from ports and an SD card reader.

What’s been going on with the keyboards?

 

[smirking]

Lastly, Macsafe is the crucial one. I seriously miss this. It is the best power adapter that you can find in the universe right now. I still don't understand why Apple decided to abandon this.

I thought losing Magsafe would be a killer for me, but it's actually not as big of a deal as I thought. I don't like how much the USB-C Cable sticks out when I have my laptop plugged in and I'm using it in my lap. It's hard to sit cross legged with a giant spike jutting out from your laptop, but my main concern about damage to the cable or computer due to accidental unpluggings was unfounded. At least in my case, the cable is fairly loose. It doesn't take much for it to come out.

Still, I would like Magsafe back if it could be done.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"What’s been going on with the keyboards?"

When a key (or multiple keys) fails, the ENTIRE TOP CASE has to be replaced to "fix it".
This is a $700 (US) repair.

Some people have had multiple failures/replacements -- even on "nearly new" laptops.

Apple will cover it so long as the MBPro remains under warranty.
But -- what happens when the warranty runs out?

There seems to be no "permanent fix" for this -- except a complete redesign of the keyboard, possibly in the 2018 models.

 

[chscag]

There seems to be no "permanent fix" for this -- except a complete redesign of the keyboard, possibly in the 2018 models.

Apple's insistence on making their notebook models thinner and lighter comes with some drawbacks. The keyboard is one of them. $700 repair for a keyboard replacement is ridiculous.