Advice on discounted 2015 v 2016

[drafter77]

Hey new to the forum, looking for some advice from those who are more knowledgeable than I on processors and upgrades

Im working at a university and they are providing a substantial discount on a (new in package) 2015 macbook 512g 1.2
I had my eyes set on a base model 256g 1.1 m3 2016 macbook.

I do alot of email, but I do have the occasional photoshop and indesign work for a design firm. from benchmarks it looks marginal. I normally opt for the newest, but saving 250 and doubling storage sounds interesting.

Thoughts?

 

[czerney]

I've actually managed to create 150+ 1080p videos using FCPX on my base model 2015 macbook 12" 256g and it wasn't unusable suprisingly! That's with working with around 6 angles in the angle editor too.

I'm guessing either model would work with photoshop similarly. Hard call but I have found myself wishing I'd gone for the 512g but for your usage maybe 250g is fine.

Only thing with FCPX / photoshop the screen real estate can be a bit limiting - unless you're using an external monitor when you do that.

 

[pmouritz]

I would either get the m5 2015 or m3 2016 as their performance is similar. The m5 2015 will have more storage which you might prefer but will have less battery life compared to the m3 2016.
In my country, the m5 2015 goes for the same price as the m3 2016 which is about $1492. I just bought the m3 2016 yesterday and I can tell you al ready, I'm very happy for it

I don't know how much photoshop and indesign work you do. But if it is larger projects and used daily, I would probably wait for the Retina Macbook Pro update which likely happens in late October. Otherwise, I would get the 2016 model as it is capable of handling light photoshop and indesign usage and even 4k video editing if used in Final Cut.

 

[friedkimchi]

The 2016 rMB are showing up on Apple refurb. So you might want to consider that. I'd pick up the 2016 due to the better iGPU. Storage needs is entirely dependent on your workflow. 256 is ok if this will just be your work machine with an external storage connected most of the time.

 

[9646829]

I went for the 2015 1.2ghz 512gb model yesterday, it's a refurb and cost £979 so quite a bit cheaper than the base model 2016. Not arrived yet so dunno how it performs.

 

[emembee]

I went for the 2015 1.2ghz 512gb model yesterday, it's a refurb and cost £979 so quite a bit cheaper than the base model 2016. Not arrived yet so dunno how it performs.

Any update yet on performance? I am considering the 2015 512ssd model, upgrading from MBA 2012. Price is good for UK (under 1000), will it really be that much slower than the 2016 model, if not I would like to get it.

Thanks.

 

[9646829]

Any update yet on performance? I am considering the 2015 512ssd model, upgrading from MBA 2012. Price is good for UK (under 1000), will it really be that much slower than the 2016 model, if not I would like to get it.

Thanks.

I love it, mine was a refurb for £979 from Apple. Not had any problems at all performance wise on Sierra.

 

[emembee]

I love it, mine was a refurb for £979 from Apple. Not had any problems at all performance wise on Sierra.

That's great !

Is battery life good for a day, I would use it unplugged from around 9 till 3 or 4, so 6 or 7 hours? Usage is simple stuff, no heavy cpu or disk intensive apps. Thanks again.

 

[9646829]

That's great !

Is battery life good for a day, I would use it unplugged from around 9 till 3 or 4, so 6 or 7 hours? Usage is simple stuff, no heavy cpu or disk intensive apps. Thanks again.

I mainly watch videos and browse the internet and it lasts EASILY over 6 hours, never actually checked but I finish work at 5pm and use it until around 10pm and it has around 30-50% battery left.