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$300 for the extra 8GB ram....future proofing?

J

jharvey71884

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 3, 2011
300
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I know this is a topic that sometimes irks some, but when comparing the MacBook Pro non-touch bar, will the 16GB of ram get me another 1 or 2 out of the machine compared to just regular 8 GB?

I'm going to be doing some Final Cut (will do heavy lifting on my 5K iMac) and Lightroom from the field. $300 seems steep. Looking at the Adorama special of $1349 for 8GB or $1649 for 16GB.

I would like to get three to four years out of this MacBook Pro? Upgrading from 2013 MacBook Pro '13 base.

On Adorama, they have actually a 8GB touchbar with 2.9 for $1549. It is special code. Thought about that as well, but ram seems like better bang for money.
 
I think if the MBP was your only machine, I would say go for the 16GB. Since you have the iMac, go for the 8GB.
 
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I think the difference is normally $200, seems Adorama's special is a better deal for the 8 GB.
 
After almost 4 months of owning this bad boy, I've changed my perspective slightly on the configuration. Yes, if money is no issue, max the RAM since it's permanent. If you're making choices and have the iMac, I would lean towards either of the 8GB models. I'm not so sure it's a slam dunk that the 16gb is more bang than getting the TB. Not that I'm totally sold on the touchbar itself, but you get a lot for the $200. It depends if you value it. If I personally had to make that choice, I would get the TB 8gb. Slightly faster/better internals, but the 4 ports (on 2 sides) is pretty nice. This is all personal depending on your needs of course. That's just the config I would value more. You do get proven better battery on the nTB though. Happy shopping.
 
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If the touch-bar version is $200 more than the non-touch bar, that's worth some serious consideration because of the better processors (CPU and GPU). Will also depend on how much you value that and the touch bar, Touch ID, ports. The bad side of the TB version is spotty battery life in comparison to the non-TB.
 
I'm not one that has ever been worried about battery. I'm one that usually works at coffee shop (where I can plug in) or at church.

Sort of leaning towards the base. Adorama through Appleinsider.com has a promo for $150 off. The 16GB is only $50 off.

But the touchbar one is $250 off with the deal - pushing it to $1549. I have a $250 gift card I have been sitting on since November.

So after my gift card, my options:

2.0 GHZ/non-touchbar/8 GB - $1100

2.9 GHZ/touchbar/8 GB - $1300

2.0 GHZ/non-touchbar/16 GB - $1400

[doublepost=1489196503][/doublepost]If I hadn't just bought a new iMac...I would get the 15. With the code, the base 2016 model is only $2,074.00. But I think I would miss the portability of the 13, even if the new 15 is smaller.
 
What about this Sanpete. After my gift card....

2.9 GHZ / 128 GB / 16GB ram (2015) - $1275

Still think the TB is better buy at that point?
 
That one depends on how much you value the differences in the screen, speakers, Touch ID, touch bar, and size/weight, where the 2016 has some advantages. I'd still say the 2016 is the better deal.
 
thesaint024 said:
After almost 4 months of owning this bad boy, I've changed my perspective slightly on the configuration. Yes, if money is no issue, max the RAM since it's permanent. If you're making choices and have the iMac, I would lean towards either of the 8GB models. I'm not so sure it's a slam dunk that the 16gb is more bang than getting the TB. Not that I'm totally sold on the touchbar itself, but you get a lot for the $200. It depends if you value it. If I personally had to make that choice, I would get the TB 8gb. Slightly faster/better internals, but the 4 ports (on 2 sides) is pretty nice. This is all personal depending on your needs of course. That's just the config I would value more. You do get proven better battery on the nTB though. Happy shopping.
Click to expand...

Do you think 8GB will be able to stay up in three years?
 
jharvey71884 said:
I know this is a topic that sometimes irks some, but when comparing the MacBook Pro non-touch bar, will the 16GB of ram get me another 1 or 2 out of the machine compared to just regular 8 GB?

I'm going to be doing some Final Cut (will do heavy lifting on my 5K iMac) and Lightroom from the field. $300 seems steep. Looking at the Adorama special of $1349 for 8GB or $1649 for 16GB.

I would like to get three to four years out of this MacBook Pro? Upgrading from 2013 MacBook Pro '13 base.

On Adorama, they have actually a 8GB touchbar with 2.9 for $1549. It is special code. Thought about that as well, but ram seems like better bang for money.
Click to expand...

For me RAM hasn't been to big an issue. I would prefer a higher clock speed though. My new MBP has 2.0 GHz. I'd like it if I could get like 2.7 or something
 
jharvey71884 said:
How long do you hope to hold on to it for?
Click to expand...

16 is the new 8.

6 years ago, 8 was the new 4... but my old old MBP allowed me to upgrade from 8GB to 16GB so I could keep my MBP running longer. We don't have that option with the new systems. I would sooner max out the memory and hard drive then be stuck with selling an old laptop just to increase primary and secondary storage.
 
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jharvey71884 said:
How long do you hope to hold on to it for?
Click to expand...

Well initially I thought I'd keep my late 2013 for 10 years since all I do is browse the web, watch youtube, use reminders, etc

But I just got the 2016 model like 6 hours ago lol...
[doublepost=1489293620][/doublepost]
vrBrew said:
16 is the new 8.

6 years ago, 8 was the new 4... but my old old MBP allowed me to upgrade from 8GB to 16GB so I could keep my MBP running longer. We don't have that option with the new systems. I would sooner max out the memory and hard drive then be stuck with selling an old laptop just to increase primary and secondary storage.
Click to expand...

I might could agree with this bc I do think 8 is like having 4 if you know what I mean. I don't think I could use 4 and I don't really do that much on my MBP
 
Hieveryone said:
Well initially I thought I'd keep my late 2013 for 10 years since all I do is browse the web, watch youtube, use reminders, etc

But I just got the 2016 model like 6 hours ago lol...
[doublepost=1489293620][/doublepost]

I might could agree with this bc I do think 8 is like having 4 if you know what I mean. I don't think I could use 4 and I don't really do that much on my MBP
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new purchase? You liking it so far?
 
jharvey71884 said:
Glad you like it. Read your review. Can see you are excited fro you new toy.

But read some things that also made me say...do I really need to upgrade that badly from my 2013 2.4 i5? I have 8GB of ram and 128GB in it.
Click to expand...

Well tbh I didn't need to upgrade. I would be perfectly fine with my 2013 rMBP - in fact I'm kind of screwed bc I can't even connect my external monitor or SD card haha. I got a USB dongle though so I'm OK there.

I just got it bc I wanted to spend cash on something and couldn't think of a better place than the Apple store. I could've just as easily spent the money on a vacation and be perfectly fine with my 2013...
 
Hieveryone said:
Well tbh I didn't need to upgrade. I would be perfectly fine with my 2013 rMBP - in fact I'm kind of screwed bc I can't even connect my external monitor or SD card haha. I got a USB dongle though so I'm OK there.

I just got it bc I wanted to spend cash on something and couldn't think of a better place than the Apple store. I could've just as easily spent the money on a vacation and be perfectly fine with my 2013...
Click to expand...

Sort of the same way. I have a hole burning in my pocket. Got some cash, a good offer on my 2013, and an Adorama gift card ($250) that I have struggled to spend. Just don't know if I'm going to regret moving to 2016 if I'm not seeing that much of an improvement work flow wise.
 
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I'd recommend watching this review. He explains it well in the end of whether or not it's worth it although he's IMO being much more generous in his commentary i.e. I don't really think the screen is better but that might just be my eyes.


@jharvey71884
[doublepost=1489296369][/doublepost]
jharvey71884 said:
Sort of the same way. I have a hole burning in my pocket. Got some cash, a good offer on my 2013, and an Adorama gift card ($250) that I have struggled to spend. Just don't know if I'm going to regret moving to 2016 if I'm not seeing that much of an improvement work flow wise.
Click to expand...

I don't see any improvement in my work flow. If anything I might be slower having to connect the maze of dongles and what not. It's a mess and I haven't even gotten all the ones I need yet.
 
Hieveryone said:
Well tbh I didn't need to upgrade. I would be perfectly fine with my 2013 rMBP - in fact I'm kind of screwed bc I can't even connect my external monitor or SD card haha. I got a USB dongle though so I'm OK there.

I just got it bc I wanted to spend cash on something and couldn't think of a better place than the Apple store. I could've just as easily spent the money on a vacation and be perfectly fine with my 2013...
Click to expand...

So you bought it just because you can? I read the same link @jharvey71884 responded to. I guess you are trolling him because your review is anything but a positive for the new MBP.
 
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vrBrew said:
So you bought it just because you can? I read the same link @jharvey71884 responded to. I guess you are trolling him because your review is anything but a positive for the new MBP.
Click to expand...

What are you talking about bro?!?! I said in a few posts down from that thread I love it. I'm just saying it's not a huge improvement IMO. It's nice to have but i wouldnt miss it
 
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