2017 or 2018 MBP

[Splutterbug]

Hi,

My 2011 MBP has finally bitten the dust, and it's time to upgrade. I've been having a look around and I can get a new 2017 model for about £500 cheaper than the 2018 model, this is a big difference in price (especially for a freelancer) and I was wondering what you think, go for the latest model or the more affordable one year old model?

I'll be using it for work as an editor (Premiere CC) primarily. My old laptop just about did the job so I'm assuming last years model will just fly through everything. Are there any issues with 2017 models (I've heard things about the keyboard), or major upgrades on the 2018 one I'd be missing out on.

Be great to get your thoughts.

 

[maflynn]

Are there any issues with 2017 models (I've heard things about the keyboard),

Yes, defective keyboards

major upgrades on the 2018 one I'd be missing out on.

Yes, the 2018 models have more cores.

 

[IngerMan]

Hi,

My 2011 MBP has finally bitten the dust, and it's time to upgrade. I've been having a look around and I can get a new 2017 model for about £500 cheaper than the 2018 model, this is a big difference in price (especially for a freelancer) and I was wondering what you think, go for the latest model or the more affordable one year old model?

I'll be using it for work as an editor (Premiere CC) primarily. My old laptop just about did the job so I'm assuming last years model will just fly through everything. Are there any issues with 2017 models (I've heard things about the keyboard), or major upgrades on the 2018 one I'd be missing out on.

Be great to get your thoughts.

Yes the 2016/2017 (GEN 2) have a 4 year repair program on the KB, The 2018 (GEN3) added a silicon layer between the key, it is to early to tell if the 2018 will exhibit as much problems as the previous version.

I have 2 (GEN 2) keyboards and have not experienced any problems. It was a comfort for me to have the 4 year repair program and is why last month I had no problem in purchasing a new 15" 2017 MBP 2.9Ghz with substantial discount compared to the new 2018. It only has 4 cores compared to 6 cores but it also runs cooler.

 

[Sterkenburg]

2 additional cores and a revised keyboard are worth the $500 difference in my book. Although there's a free replacement program in case of keyboard issues, it's difficult to recommend buying a premium computer that has a known design defect.

 

[e1me5]

2018 has true tone display. You might not notice a difference in performance but you will certainly notice the better screen in all lighting conditions. That's just enough of a reason to get the 2018 for me.

 

[Naimfan]

I’d put money down that for what you do you would not notice any difference in performance. Hence, go with the 2017 and save/invest the difference.

 

[stevemiller]

2018 has true tone display. You might not notice a difference in performance but you will certainly notice the better screen in all lighting conditions. That's just enough of a reason to get the 2018 for me.

It’s interesting how different things appeal to different people. I know for me True Tone would never be a driving factor in a purchase decision.

I had it on my iPad and never missed it on my phone or previous laptop, and since I got the 2018 MacBook Pro I haven’t really noticed any substantial difference over my 2013 mbp screen.

By contrast, 120hz promotion would have been a vastly more exciting upgrade in my books.

To each their own of course

 

[Ma2k5]

It’s interesting how different things appeal to different people. I know for me True Tone would never be a driving factor in a purchase decision.

I had it on my iPad and never missed it on my phone or previous laptop, and since I got the 2018 MacBook Pro I haven’t really noticed any substantial difference over my 2013 mbp screen.

By contrast, 120hz promotion would have been a vastly more exciting upgrade in my books.

To each their own of course

I've read some people disable True Tone as they actually don't like it and/or it affects their work with respect to colour accuracy.

 

[maflynn]

I've read some people disable True Tone as they actually don't like it and/or it affects their work with respect to colour accuracy.

I've turned it off. I like my white point set and I hate it changing

 

[SDColorado]

I've read some people disable True Tone as they actually don't like it and/or it affects their work with respect to colour accuracy.

I like True Tone most of the time. I often find the blue-ish white annoying and an eye strain. Maybe I am just sensitive to it? But I turn it off when color accuracy is key.

 

[jackietreeh0rn]

I too have a 2011 MBP.... and in a similar situation. Should get the 2018 MBP but procrastination is weighing down heavily in the form of a prospective $2000 credit card bill.

(I have to make peace eventually though. Can't see myself going back to Windows.)

 

[fokmik]

2018 has better speakers, better keyboard, a little bit better display, no more bleed, BT 5.0, better SSD,better cpu, a little bit better dGpu and a bit better battery

 

[IngerMan]

2018 has better speakers, better keyboard, a little bit better display, no more bleed, BT 5.0, better SSD,better cpu, a little bit better dGpu and a bit better battery

There is no doubt the 2018 is faster than the 2017.

The OP was talking about using a current 2011 and saving money purchasing a 2017 vs 2018. Obviously both models would be a considerable improvement. His savings could be used on something else.

As far as better SSD, 500GB SSD I seen 2018 1600's Write and 2600's Read vs 500GB 2017 1800's Write and 2100's Read . Better CPU 6 cores vs 4 cores is a big improvement and why we see such a jump in bench marking for multicore runs. But this also comes at an already complained about Hot chassis and its much hotter running 6 cores vs 4 cores. The battery is a little larger in the same area but that is for 6 cores and DDR4.

My Black Magic tests below 2017 15" 2.9Ghz 500GB SSD,

plus Intel Gadget running Geekbench 4 for temperature comparison from a poster with a 2018 15" 2.6Ghz 1TB SSD 32GB Ram and my 2017. There is a noticeable difference in temperature running the same program.

Again I think they are both large improvements over the OP 2011 but I don't think you can not consider the cost savings for a new 2017.

 

[jerryk]

If money is the driving factor the choice is clear. Get the 2017.

 

[Splutterbug]

Thanks for all the advice. Lots to think about, edging towards the 2018

 

[fokmik]

get the 2018 one, but from temp perspective, get the base i7 if you are thinking for 15". because that i9 it will run to hot for a longer period of time
EX: same app, between my current 2.2 ghz and the fromer 2.9 i9..its around 9-10C difference...for me is huge, i use the mbp i7 base cpu at around 82C....with the i9 was always around over 90