2017 MBP or New MBP? Dislike the TB

[BigTimeStuff]

Hey everyone,

So I just bought the 2017 MacBook Pro that has NO Touch Bar. I'm really not a fan of the Touch Bar at all, and I quite like this computer. I understand that I will basically be sacrificing something like 83% increase in multi core processing for no Touch Bar. Am I a complete fool to want to keep the mid-2017 MacBook Pro that has no Touch Bar, the older keyboard with known issues, and slower multi-core processor? It is really only going to be used for personal use.. emails, browsing, watching movies on travel, etc... but at the same time I'm not trying to make a poor decision on how to use my money. It was discounted at $1399 for the 2.3 ghz, 8gm ram, 256gm memory.. plus an additional $105 off since they won't sell them in stores anymore. Opinions? Thanks!

 

[chscag]

Only you can decide if the 2017 model is something you can live with and not regret - especially knowing about the notorious bad keyboard. I would go for the latest and greatest (the 2019 model with the newer and better keyboard) but that's just me.

 

[keiji11]

Only you can decide if the 2017 model is something you can live with and not regret - especially knowing about the notorious bad keyboard. I would go for the latest and greatest (the 2019 model with the newer and better keyboard) but that's just me.

i will go for the new one too . It’s super fast and have much more future proof i’ll say at least 5- 6 years.

 

[cambookpro]

Have you considered the new MacBook Air? You get the new keyboard, features like True Tone and Touch ID in a lighter laptop which is roughly as powerful as your 2017 MBP, all without a Touch Bar.

If you’re set on a MBP, I would personally go with the 2019. The improvements are just quite too large to justify keeping the 2017 model.

 

[keiji11]

Have you considered the new MacBook Air? You get the new keyboard, features like True Tone and Touch ID in a lighter laptop which is roughly as powerful as your 2017 MBP, all without a Touch Bar.

If you’re set on a MBP, I would personally go with the 2019. The improvements are just quite too large to justify keeping the 2017 model.

yeah totally agree, or try to find a 2nd hand 2017 mbp I think u will get a good deal since the new model have just come out
[doublepost=1562924747][/doublepost]also does people use function keys anymore? All i use is the esc key so touchbar is not so bad at all

 

[jerryk]

Is there a specific use case that makes the Touchbar a no-go for you? Like you need the physical escape key for a specific editor.

If not, it actually does work well for the basic stuff like adjusting volume and brightness.

 

[chabig]

I quite like this computer. I understand that I will basically be sacrificing something like 83% increase in multi core processing for no Touch Bar.

It sounds like you've got it all figured out. What you do with that knowledge is up to you alone.

 

[jeyf]

since you already bought the planet's worst laptop:
-have a talk with apple support on how long the warranty keyboard replacement will continue. Verify you cold qualify. Lots of noise on the issue but the keyboard is a significant bad.
-I am not aware there was a 2017 MBP made w/o a touchbar? Maybe there was as a 13" but verify the serial#
-just fyi the 2017 butterfly keyboard MBP first introduced late 2016.

performance updates been flat so turn them over and all of these portables look and perform the same. for Mr Joe average.

 

[buran-energia]

2017 non-TB model means:
- your keyboard is more prone to failure and can't be replaced with a more reliable keyboard from 2019
- 1 cooling fan instead 2, meaning under certain conditions (4k monitor, etc.) your laptop will be noisier and warmer
- 2 ports instead of 4
- weaker iGPU
- no Touch ID
etc.

It's missing not just the touch bar...

 

[keiji11]

2017 non-TB model means:
- your keyboard is more prone to failure and can't be replaced with a more reliable keyboard from 2019
- 1 cooling fan instead 2, meaning under certain conditions (4k monitor, etc.) your laptop will be noisier and warmer
- 2 ports instead of 4
- weaker iGPU
- no Touch ID
etc.

It's missing not just the touch bar...

are u sure 2 fans on the 2019 13 mbp?2018 tb have 2 fans but not the 2019 model
13 mbp 2019 base model only have 2 usb c

 

[pcd213]

I cannot recommend the 2017 MBP no touch bar. I saw way too many keyboard failures, and the feel of the keyboard was very harsh for me. I would suggest you either look at the MBA or you purchase a 2018 MBP and install "haptic touch bar" to make the touch bar feel a bit more tactile. I, too, dislike the touch bar, but with Apple refreshing the "MacBook Esc" with a touch bar means it is here to stay.

 

[Fishrrman]

If I HAD TO choose between the 2017 entry-level MBP (no touchbar) and the 2019 entry-level MBP (touchbar), I'd pick the 2019.

Even though I don't care for the touchbar, the newer and [supposedly] improved keyboard design of the 2019 would "make the difference"...

Having said that, if I HAD TO buy a new MacBook Pro RIGHT NOW, I'd try to get an Apple-refurbished 2015 15".
But that's just me.

 

[GoldfishRT]

The touch bar is a minor inconvenience to deal with compared to the worse keyboard and half the performance on the 2017. I think you're a fool to buy a 2017 13". If you absolutely must avoid the touch bar at all cost, get the 2019 MacBook Air.

 

[keiji11]

2017 non-TB model means:
- your keyboard is more prone to failure and can't be replaced with a more reliable keyboard from 2019
- 1 cooling fan instead 2, meaning under certain conditions (4k monitor, etc.) your laptop will be noisier and warmer
- 2 ports instead of 4
- weaker iGPU
- no Touch ID
etc.

It's missing not just the touch bar...

confirmed 13 mbp 2019 base model only hv 2 usbc n 1fan

 

[buran-energia]

are u sure 2 fans on the 2019 13 mbp?2018 tb have 2 fans but not the 2019 model
13 mbp 2019 base model only have 2 usb c

I was comparing 2017 non-TB to 2017 TB. I'd get 2018 TB, possibly a refurb. Should be similar price as the base 2019.