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2017 MBP keyboard issue enough to buy 2018?

E

economist5800

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 16, 2018
3
3
Window's user looking to change to run app coding. Wondering if 2017 keyboard issue is enough to keep away. There are some really good deals on 2017 but not sure since I'm not an Apple person and haven't kept up on everything. Another issue is lack of upgrading to RAM:

I can get a 2017 with 16gb RAM and 512SSD for $300 less than 2018 8GB RAM and 512 SSD. I'm thinking 8GB is enough to run Xcode but then I'm stuck with 8GB until I buy a new laptop.

Thoughts?
 
You are at a forum where many have sought out because they have had issues. So the many will tell you the 2016/2017 keyboard is bad.

I have had the 13" 2016 MBP TB since launch and its still used daily with no issues. I am typing on a 2017 15" MBP and very happy. I was delighted to learn my 2016 and 2017 KB are covered under warranty for 4 full years. Replacing the entire top case and battery when the repair is preformed. To me thats a added bonus for purchasing the 2017. I might feel different if I have had repeat issues but I don't feel I will. Fingers crossed.

In your case you must be talking the 13". The performance gains in the 2017/2018 13" is much larger then the 15" 2017/2018. The cores on the 13" doubled from 2 to 4. The 15" 1-1/2 from 4 to 6.

Why don't you show us the models and price that you are considering.

I purchased the 15" 16GB 500SSD 4GB 560 for $2099, I could of got the 2018 with 256SSD and 555X same price but I valued the 500SSD and did not need the added power and thinking it will be less heat on the 7th Intel versus the 8th. I hover in high 30's for moderate use.
 
I am talking about 13inch. Other than coding, my needs are not very powerful. I'm economist so data crunching software is used but my 4-year old ASUS runs those with no issues at all. I don't think they require any real horse power to run.

I don't do any photo editing other than minor tweaks and I don't think I've done any video editing. I'm not sure what Xcode requires or how in-depth I'll go into coding. I tried it on my wifes 2011 MBP (15inch) and it really struggled with the rendering. I did upgrade her's to a SSD and doubled her memory, but it still struggled a bit. I do need enough ports to run double monitors.

Here are the specs for the 2017 priced at $1,799. The 2018 with similar specs is $2099, although the 18 has quad core 2.3ghz which I'm sure you know.

  • 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core
  • 16GB of 2133 MHz RAM | 512GB SSD
  • 13.3" 2560 x 1600 Retina Display
  • Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 4.2
  • Touch Bar | Touch ID Sensor
  • 4 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) Ports
  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Stereo Speakers
  • Force Touch Trackpad
  • macOS High Sierra

If 8GB of RAM is enough for coding, the 2017 drops to $1,599 and the 2018 drops to $1899. I do get educator pricing as well. Best Buy will allow me to use educator pricing on 2017 models...although then I have to pay sales tax.
 
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I personally own a 2017 13” MBP w/TB have been using for almost a year, with no issues on the keyboard or any complaints about the performance. Not that the issue can’t happen on the 2017 model, but it does seem to be less.

Having said that, if I had the option today between a 2017 or a 2018 13” MBP, I would pick the 2018 with the i5 processor hands down. The quad core boost and the option to get 16 GB ram makes it a big difference in performance. But thats my personal opinion if I was buying right now. I plan on keeping my 2017 MBP for at least another 3-4 years til the keyboard repair program expires.
 
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