advise for buying a new MBP

[Rogueker]

HI I’m looking for some advise – I need to replace my 15in MBP (Early 2011). I’m a designer and use Photoshop and Illustrator occasionally InDesign and I need to be able to have Photoshop and Illustrator run at the same time along with Adobe Bridge and Acrobat Reader without slowing down.
Also I do play some online games and also Sims id like to be able to play sims again lol, my MBP really can’t handle it anymore 😉

so I’m looking for some advise on what configuration would work best for my needs.

i'm looking at the 15in w/touchbar i assume at this point

 

[kohlson]

3 months ago I purchased a 13-inch MBP+TB for my college-age daughter. Some observations:
I use a 2014 15-in MBP, and after using hers while she's home, the 13-in MBP is what I'll buy next. To me, it seems just right. No sense of screen constraints, and the keyboard is nice. I can't emphasize too strongly the requirement to get Apple Care. This is because there are very few parts, and with the exception of the battery, everything is pretty pricey. To elaborate, the "o" key stopped working. Because the keyboard is integral to the "top case" (the assembly that contains the aluminum chassis and keyboard, etc) - that's the replaceable part. Crazy. It it had to be sent out for repair from the Apple Store - gone for 4 days. Don't worry too much about the USB dongle thing - adapters are cheaply and readily available on Amazon. I got a couple of top-rated Aukey adapters: 2 for $10.

 

[BenTrovato]

15" w/TB has been great for me. I added the Radeon 460 because I do play a few games and use an external 4k monitor quite a bit. It's a powerful machine. You could probably get away with less if you're only playing games like the Sims, but when you're buying a non upgradeable machine, it's usually worth springing for the better parts if you plan on keeping the laptop for a few years.

 

[Rogueker]

15" w/TB has been great for me. I added the Radeon 460 because I do play a few games and use an external 4k monitor quite a bit. It's a powerful machine. You could probably get away with less if you're only playing games like the Sims, but when you're buying a non upgradeable machine, it's usually worth springing for the better parts if you plan on keeping the laptop for a few years.

yeah i was thinking of upping to the 460 what about the processor would you go 2.7 or 2.9 ?

 

[missingmido]

I feel like for your usage, the 2.7 should be fine. kind of hard to justify the price difference. if you don't mind buying refurbished, take a look at the apple refurb section! you can find many 2016 15 inch models for a pretty decent discount. AND they'll arrive faster than whatever custom build you order with the radeon pro 460

 

[maflynn]

I think you'll be happy with the 2.7, I don't see that being worth the cost, but that's just me.

 

[MadDane]

I think even the 2.6 would be good. There is barely any difference between the 2.6 and 2.7.