2019 MBP vs. 2018 or older MBP

[theapplehead]

Let me start off by telling you where I am at on this right now. Currently, I am using a 2011 MBP, but I am really looking to upgrade soon. I want y'alls opinion, do you think I should wait until the 2019 MBP comes out and get it, or should I purchase an older one? I am able to wait until mid July so hopefully the new model will have been released and made available by then. However, I am just wondering if it will be worth waiting for or not. I would primarily be using this laptop for heavy processes like recording and producing audio tracks. I also know that I want some configuration of the 13"-mostly due to the fact that it is more affordable for me at this point.

Anyways, my question to you is, do you think I should hold out for the 2019 MacBook Pro or should I just go ahead and get the 2018 model or perhaps and even older one? To be honest, I really do despise the butterfly keyboards. Not to mention the whole issue with crackling speakers and "flexgate" have me mildly concerned involving the 2018 model. Is it likely Apple will address these issues and they will not be present in the 2019 model?

Another reason I am leaning towards the 2019 is due to the fact that it will include hardware mitigations for Meltdown and Spectre as opposed to the software mitigations currently being enforced.

Enough of my rambling. What do y'all think? Which model should I get?

 

[LogicalApex]

Better, faster, <insert your preferred aspect here> technology is always just around the corner. Buy only when you need newer tech otherwise you'll always be full of regret.

 

[dta]

The problem is, even if the 2019 model comes in July, we will not know how reliable it is until several months later with whatever new features the 2019 comes up with

 

[iTarbuck]

The problem is, even if the 2019 model comes in July, we will not know how reliable it is until several months later with whatever new features the 2019 comes up with

Not only this, but in my opinion, any MacBook since 2016 is somewhat useless when it comes to compatibility with devices and plugging stuff in. This is an issue I am still yet to come to grips with.

My advice, buy a top spec late 2015 model with all the pros and cons, it won’t cost as much and will be much more intuitive to use with the devices that currently work on your 2011 MBP.

 

[leman]

To be honest, I really do despise the butterfly keyboards.

Its very unlikely that Apple will revert its course here, so if you dislike the keyboard, I'd recommend you to look at other laptop brands.
[doublepost=1549355930][/doublepost]

The problem is, even if the 2019 model comes in July, we will not know how reliable it is until several months later with whatever new features the 2019 comes up with

We will never know how reliable it is since nobody ever does any proper reliability assessment. We don't know how reliable ANY of these laptops are. How many of these laptop (out of millions sold) fail because of keyboard and the "flex issue"? Thousands? Ten thousands? Hundred thousands? We simply don't know.

 

[pshufd]

I use an external mechanical keyboard 95% of the time with my MacBook Pro as I just love mechanical.

If you have a 2011, the GPU could go at any time. You might pick up a cheap 2015 as a backup and then try to sell the 2011 and then the 2015 would be a backup if you decided to buy 2018 or 2019. I find great peace of mind having a backup MBP. I had one in my 2008 but the screen went on it this past summer. So now I have a 2014 as my main system and a 2015 as my backup.

 

[maflynn]

I use an external mechanical keyboard 95% of the time with my MacBook Pro as I just love mechanical.

When my laptop is on the desk, I also use an mechanical keyboard, and man I do live the feel of that.

 

[theapplehead]

Better, faster, <insert your preferred aspect here> technology is always just around the corner. Buy only when you need newer tech otherwise you'll always be full of regret.

That’s what I’m thinking as well. That’s why I want to be patient and wait for the 2019. I wish I had the luxury of being able to wait for the 2020 since it will most likely have the 10nm processors but unfortunately I need to get a new one before fall
[doublepost=1549380496][/doublepost]

The problem is, even if the 2019 model comes in July, we will not know how reliable it is until several months later with whatever new features the 2019 comes up with

That’s true. But I can’t wait because I need a new one asap. Also, we already know how he issues with the 2018 and 2017 models so I’m nervous to even consider those at this point
[doublepost=1549380635][/doublepost]

Not only this, but in my opinion, any MacBook since 2016 is somewhat useless when it comes to compatibility with devices and plugging stuff in. This is an issue I am still yet to come to grips with.

My advice, buy a top spec late 2015 model with all the pros and cons, it won’t cost as much and will be much more intuitive to use with the devices that currently work on your 2011 MBP.

I’ve thought about doing that, but I really want to invest in a new model. Mostly due to its better graphics card and newer processor. I’m not crazy about the lack of connectivity, but it seems that’s the way of the world now when it comes to laptops.
[doublepost=1549380885][/doublepost]

Its very unlikely that Apple will revert its course here, so if you dislike the keyboard, I'd recommend you to look at other laptop brands.
[doublepost=1549355930][/doublepost]

We will never know how reliable it is since nobody ever does any proper reliability assessment. We don't know how reliable ANY of these laptops are. How many of these laptop (out of millions sold) fail because of keyboard and the "flex issue"? Thousands? Ten thousands? Hundred thousands? We simply don't know.

I’m almost certain Apple won’t revert back to the scissor keyboards of the past, but maybe their new patent on a glass keyboard will show itself to be an improvement over the butterfly keyboards.

It really would be nice if there were some type of reliability report for Macs. That would be an incredible step for Apple to take. If Apple offered a reliablilty report at say, the end of the year on all their models, then consumers would be aware of which are the best computers suited to their needs. Also it’d be wonderful to see Apple have a little more transparency

 

[leman]

It really would be nice if there were some type of reliability report for Macs. That would be an incredible step for Apple to take. If Apple offered a reliablilty report at say, the end of the year on all their models, then consumers would be aware of which are the best computers suited to their needs. Also it’d be wonderful to see Apple have a little more transparency

I’d love that, but unfortunately, there is a good reason, why no company releases data like that. Namely, it’s devastatingly terrible for business. People will totally freak out if they see an official number stating that there is 50% chance that their expensive laptop won’t survive five years.

Instead, one could pursue this on the legislative level, i.e., making reliability reports obligatory for all companies. At any rate, I’d predict that this would lead to a decline in sales and slowdown of innovation.

 

[jerryk]

I’d love that, but unfortunately, there is a good reason, why no company releases data like that. Namely, it’s devastatingly terrible for business. People will totally freak out if they see an official number stating that there is 50% chance that their expensive laptop won’t survive five years.

Instead, one could pursue this on the legislative level, i.e., making reliability reports obligatory for all companies. At any rate, I’d predict that this would lead to a decline in sales and slowdown of innovation.

Exactly. Same thing happens in many fields. People want the lastest, perfect, and cheap. Unfortunately they only pick 2, or 1 sometimes.

 

[leman]

Exactly. Same thing happens in many fields. People want the lastest, perfect, and cheap. Unfortunately they only pick 2, or 1 sometimes.

Yep, I've seen companies going bankrupt by being too open. It is a bit sad, but unfortunately, openness is not always the best strategy with crowd psychology. One needs to be rather selective about what to be open about and what not.

 

[jinnyman]

8th gen CPU will stay for sometime. So don't worry and get 18 MBP.

 

[theapplehead]

8th gen CPU will stay for sometime. So don't worry and get 18 MBP.

But the 8th gen chipset doesn’t have hardware mitigations for the intel bug from last year. I’d have regret knowing I bought an equally expensive laptop but without the hardware fixes that the 9th gen will have.

 

[maflynn]

But the 8th gen chipset doesn’t have hardware mitigations for the intel bug from last year. I’d have regret knowing I bought an equally expensive laptop but without the hardware fixes that the 9th gen will have.

Do you mean meltdown and spectre? I have to say that these CPUs are so fast, that I cannot tell of any fixes implemented that have impeded performance. These CPUs are wicked fast, but I do understand where you're coming from.

 

[Falhófnir]

I think the key point here is if you have any significant hang-up on the 2018 model’s hardware the 2019 is unlikely* to fix it. What you can expect as a baseline is new CPUs and better GPU options. Anything else that changes will be a bonus.

*though as always it’s of course not 100% impossible.

 

[theapplehead]

Do you mean meltdown and spectre? I have to say that these CPUs are so fast, that I cannot tell of any fixes implemented that have impeded performance. These CPUs are wicked fast, but I do understand where you're coming from.

Yes. I was referring to Meltdown & Spectre. But I agree. I know that the new processors are incredibly fast and the difference between the 8th & 9th gen ones is negligible. Still there will always be that voice in the back of my mind telling me that mine is slower (even if it’s only 4%)
[doublepost=1549391078][/doublepost]

I think the key point here is if you have any significant hang-up on the 2018 model’s hardware the 2019 is unlikely* to fix it. What you can expect as a baseline is new CPUs and better GPU options. Anything else that changes will be a bonus.

*though as always it’s of course not 100% impossible.

Still like you said there is a chance. And for me it’s worth it. I can wait till late summer and if that means getting a more reliable MBP then I’m all in. I just hope it truly is more reliable than the more recent models released

 

[jerryk]

Yes. I was referring to Meltdown & Spectre. But I agree. I know that the new processors are incredibly fast and the difference between the 8th & 9th gen ones is negligible. Still there will always be that voice in the back of my mind telling me that mine is slower (even if it’s only 4%)

But there is always a chance that some chip researched will discover another vulnerability in the gen 9, not in gen 8.

 

[theapplehead]

But there is always a chance that some chip researched will discover another vulnerability in the gen 9, not in gen 8.

Good point. I think it may just be best to wait and see what (if anything) else the 2019 MBP has to offer that the 2018 lacks.

 

[Anarchy99]

if you cannot wait till the next full body refresh (2020 hopefully if rumors are believed) I'd recommend a 2015 rMBP.

2016-2018 feel gross to type on: lack of key travel, no inverted T for the arrow keys, no function or most important escape (assuming you go touch bar) then outside of the keyboard, lack of IO, MagSafe etc.

considering the key travel was shortened on the retina's vs the 2011 and older and then it was shortened again from retinas to current i think you'd definitely notice it.

a top end 2015's CPU isnt so much worse than newer one especially when thermal throttling is considered and while the GPUs are much improved if you really care about GPU performance you can use a eGPU just like newer ones can.

there are other benefits to the 2015's but really the one most notice is the keyboard or IO before anything else.

 

[theapplehead]

if you cannot wait till the next full body refresh (2020 hopefully if rumors are believed) I'd recommend a 2015 rMBP.

2016-2018 feel gross to type on: lack of key travel, no inverted T for the arrow keys, no function or most important escape (assuming you go touch bar) then outside of the keyboard, lack of IO, MagSafe etc.

considering the key travel was shortened on the retina's vs the 2011 and older and then it was shortened again from retinas to current i think you'd definitely notice it.

a top end 2015's CPU isnt so much worse than newer one especially when thermal throttling is considered and while the GPUs are much improved if you really care about GPU performance you can use a eGPU just like newer ones can.

there are other benefits to the 2015's but really the one most notice is the keyboard or IO before anything else.

While I cannot deny any of that, my greatest concern with purchasing a 2015 MBP is that Apple may forcibly phase them out sooner to try to get everyone using the newer style MBPs. I would hate to lose software support on it shortly after getting it. I wish I could wait for the 2020 model, though I have a pretty big hunch the price on it is going to be jacked up like crazy to pay for all of its new features. A 10nm professor alone is going to cost a couple hundred dollars more. Perhaps with the 2019 model Apple may manufacture laptops with a non-touchbar option. That would be really nice because then I would be able to invest more money into a bigger SSD and faster processor.

 

[leman]

While I cannot deny any of that, my greatest concern with purchasing a 2015 MBP is that Apple may forcibly phase them out sooner to try to get everyone using the newer style MBPs.

There is no precedence like that, so why would you think they would anything like it? They support all Mac models for about 5-6 years since the initial release, so the 2015 will be good to go util 2020 or 2021. At some point after that AVX-512 will probably become a hard requirement to run macOS.

 

[Anarchy99]

While I cannot deny any of that, my greatest concern with purchasing a 2015 MBP is that Apple may forcibly phase them out sooner to try to get everyone using the newer style MBPs. I would hate to lose software support on it shortly after getting it.

Not a issue.


Mojave for example supports some macs as old as 2010, when talking MBP's its mid-2012.

when they do the maintenance releases (lion to mountain lion, sierra to high sierra etc.) they dont tend to change the minimum requirements

going by that logic you have 3-6 Mac OS versions at-least till your 2015 would be phased out.
at 1-3 years per release.

then when you factor for example Mojave's installer can be patched to support Macbook Pro's 2008 or newer that shows you how little you need to worry about that issue.

by the time you cant get current MacOS to run on your machine, would be the time the machine is not really worth running period.

 

[theapplehead]

There is no precedence like that, so why would you think they would anything like it? They support all Mac models for about 5-6 years since the initial release, so the 2015 will be good to go util 2020 or 2021. At some point after that AVX-512 will probably become a hard requirement to run macOS.

I need the laptop I’m getting to last me at least five years if not more. Unfortunately i wouldn’t be able to upgrade or chance having to get a new MBP if the 2015 model was surprisingly phased out earlier than expected.
[doublepost=1549411411][/doublepost]

Not a issue......

when you factor for example Mojave's installer can be patched to support Macbook Pro's 2008 or newer that shows you how little you need to worry about that issue.

by the time you cant get current MacOS to run on your machine, would be the time the machine is not really worth running period.

I actually used dosdudes patcher tool on my 2011 MBP so it could operate Mojave, but there were some issues with it that prevented me from running some features/programs that are important for me. So I really don’t want to go down that path if at all possible. I need a MBP that’ll last me a good many years

 

[Anarchy99]

I need the laptop I’m getting to last me at least five years if not more. Unfortunately i wouldn’t be able to upgrade or chance having to get a new MBP if the 2015 model was surprisingly phased out earlier than expected.
[doublepost=1549411411][/doublepost]
I actually used dosdudes patcher tool on my 2011 MBP so it could operate Mojave, but there were some issues with it that prevented me from running some features/programs that are important for me. So I really don’t want to go down that path if at all possible. I need a MBP that’ll last me a good many years

realistically its more likely than not hit your 5 year mark without any patching of a future potentially unsupported OS regardless so still not a issue.

even worse case scenario hypothetically if in 4 years the 2015 becomes unsupported when 10.17 MacOS <Insert California Place Here> gets released is there a software reason you couldn't stay on 10.16?

its not uncommon for professionals to run older versions of software for compatibility and/or stability.

I myself run my rMBP primarily high sierra because of needing modern Nvidia Drivers/CUDA support.

if its a no go thats fine, this just feels like the same fear people had of a lack of a disc drive that kept people away from retina's back in 2012.

I'd hate someone to suffer with a 2016+ MBP because of FUD

 

[Macintoshrumors]

The problem is, even if the 2019 model comes in July, we will not know how reliable it is until several months later with whatever new features the 2019 comes up with

It’s been 3 years and I’m sure it’s gonna be another spec bump this year, we pretty much know all the issues and Mac keyboard seem to be getting better over time.