8GB MacBook Pro (2017) vs 16GB MacBook Pro (2016)

[checkmate007]

I purchased a refurbished 13 inch MacBook Pro 2017 with 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD. As it's been 7 days since the purchase, I am still eligible for the 14 days returns and I am considering getting a different model of the MacBook Pro.

While I am generally happy with my purchase, I noticed my memory pressure can go up to 70-75% when running Windows 10 on Parallels for certain applications that aren't compatible with Mac OS. This is when I assign a mere 2GB RAM for the virtual machine. In addition to that, I am learning to code in C and Python right now and while 16GB RAM may not be necessary, I am thinking it might be better to get 16GB for future proofing sake. I am hoping to get at least 3 years out of this MacBook and hopefully more than 5 years.

Right now, I am split between the two refurbish options:

• 2017 MBP (nTB) with 8GB RAM @ S$1848 (US$1352)
• 2016 MBP (nTB) with 16GB RAM @ S$1978 (US$1447)

While the 16GB RAM on the 2016 model is appealing, I have been seeing some advice on various forums advising against buying the 2016 model as it's the first of this "new generation" MacBook with certain issues such as supposedly poor keyboard design and other unknown issues that were rectified in the 2017 model.

What are your opinions on the following?

1. Is upgrading to 16GB help with future proofing considering my uses?
2. Is buying the 2016 model as bad an idea as the forum posts suggest?
3. Also, there is a 2017 MBP (nTB) with 16GB RAM @ S$2089 (US$1529) which is out of stock. Should I buy it instead if it gets restocked?

Would love to hear your opinions on this.

 

[BlackHawk00]

Well, if you are planning to use WIN10 through Parallels, then I strongly suggest to go for 16GB RAM....8GB is only enough if you are using Bootcamp.

 

[eddjedi]

I've yet to see any evidence that the 2017 MBP keyboard is any different, it's not listed as 'updated' in any official documentation.

 

[jerryk]

I've yet to see any evidence that the 2017 MBP keyboard is any different, it's not listed as 'updated' in any official documentation.

These types of updates are rarely documented. Saying we made the keyboard work better and less prone to failure, says the previous version did not work well and failed.

 

[eddjedi]

They did for the Retina Macbook:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/09/teardowns-show-new-macbook-unchanged-design/

 

[jerryk]

They did for the Retina Macbook:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/09/teardowns-show-new-macbook-unchanged-design/

That is iFixIt. Not something from Apple.

 

[eddjedi]

Sure but it's proof that there are two generations of keyboard for the Macbook. Again yet to see this for the MBP (officially or otherwise)

 

[checkmate007]

Well, if you are planning to use WIN10 through Parallels, then I strongly suggest to go for 16GB RAM....8GB is only enough if you are using Bootcamp.

If Parallels wasn't a factor in consideration, is it worth sacrificing the 20% or so of CPU performance for extra 8GB of RAM? I may actually just run Bootcamp since I noticed that Parallels seems to cause my laptop to be a powerful furnace Also, would the difference in the RAM speed cause any difference?

I've yet to see any evidence that the 2017 MBP keyboard is any different, it's not listed as 'updated' in any official documentation.

Are there any specific issues with the 2016 model other the keyboard issue? Quite split between the options because I do not know what kind of problems I may face with the 2016 model. (Especially since it's the first generation after the major upgrade)