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Am I crazy to buy a 2015 Macbook Pro in 2023?

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3SQ Machine

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 8, 2019
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I've been shopping the new 14 inch MBPs and...I'm underwhelmed. Have a 16" M1 Pro which is great but wanted something for general web browsing/productivity for travel that I wouldn't care much about messing up or getting stolen.

I had a MBA 13 inch 2015 for work that was one of my favorite portables. While I was tempted to just go find a used one, I think the low-res screen and difficulty fixing it would make it a bad buy now. So looking at the 2015 13 inch MBP or maybe the 15 inch. The 15 inch might be too much, but would be easier to fix.

Anyway, I know there are going to be compatibility issues, connection adapters needed, etc. But have some questions on day-to-day livability:

Anyone still rocking a MBP from 2015 and what issues do you have? 13 inch or 15 inch?

Any problems in the new apple ecosystem, or with using Monterey or APFS?

Any suggestions on good places to get a used one? I've looked at macsales and OWC, and of course the black hole of Amazon.

I think these 2015s still have the glowing apple logo, which would be a cool "new" touch on an old machine.

Or just tell me I'm crazy and go buy an M1 Air (kidding, I don't want an M1 Air).
 
If I were using it while traveling and connecting to public hot spots, I'd want to be able to install the most up to date security patches, etc. For me, that is Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma, either native support or OCLP. Also, battery life should be a consideration which means I would consider a later model year MBA as opposed to MBP, especially given the activities you describe using it for.
 
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Bigwaff said:
If I were using it while traveling and connecting to public hot spots, I'd want to be able to install the most up to date security patches, etc. For me, that is Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma, either native support or OCLP. Also, battery life should be a consideration which means I would consider a later model year MBA as opposed to MBP, especially given the activities you describe using it for.
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Excellent point. I know it is compatible up to Monterey, which is not too outdated and still getting security updates. I'll have to dig around to see if those updates are enough.
 
Ugh, just realized I'd have to basically set it up clean and reinstall everything since migration assistant won't work on a different OS. Fortunately, or crazily, I did keep a copy of my old OS desktop from on flash from my '19 iMac, so maybe I can migrate from there.
 
3SQ Machine said:
Ugh, just realized I'd have to basically set it up clean and reinstall everything since migration assistant won't work on a different OS. Fortunately, or crazily, I did keep a copy of my old OS desktop from on flash from my '19 iMac, so maybe I can migrate from there.
Click to expand...
Migration Assistant works fine if you’re migrating from an older OS to a newer one, or if you’re migrating across the same OS version. Monterey will only get security updates until fall 2024, for what that’s worth.
 
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3SQ Machine said:
I've been shopping the new 14 inch MBPs and...I'm underwhelmed. Have a 16" M1 Pro which is great but wanted something for general web browsing/productivity for travel that I wouldn't care much about messing up or getting stolen.

I had a MBA 13 inch 2015 for work that was one of my favorite portables. While I was tempted to just go find a used one, I think the low-res screen and difficulty fixing it would make it a bad buy now. So looking at the 2015 13 inch MBP or maybe the 15 inch. The 15 inch might be too much, but would be easier to fix.

Anyway, I know there are going to be compatibility issues, connection adapters needed, etc. But have some questions on day-to-day livability:

Anyone still rocking a MBP from 2015 and what issues do you have? 13 inch or 15 inch?

Any problems in the new apple ecosystem, or with using Monterey or APFS?

Any suggestions on good places to get a used one? I've looked at macsales and OWC, and of course the black hole of Amazon.

I think these 2015s still have the glowing apple logo, which would be a cool "new" touch on an old machine.

Or just tell me I'm crazy and go buy an M1 Air (kidding, I don't want an M1 Air).
Click to expand...
I have a 2015 15" MBP running Monterey with no issues. It is still getting security updates and should continue for about another year. I'd say if the price is right and you dont need the power of AS, go for it! I'd recommend one that has the R9 dual graphics. If you are careful, and look for a reputable seller, ebay has good deals on 2015's that are still in good condition for a few hundred bucks. A lot of people are dumping them for cheap to upgrade to AS so there are some pretty good deals out there.
 
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rovostrov said:
I have a 2015 15" MBP running Monterey with no issues. It is still getting security updates and should continue for about another year. I'd say if the price is right and you dont need the power of AS, go for it! I'd recommend one that has the R9 dual graphics. If you are careful, and look for a reputable seller, ebay has good deals on 2015's that are still in good condition for a few hundred bucks. A lot of people are dumping them for cheap to upgrade to AS so there are some pretty good deals out there.
Click to expand...

Good tip--any reputable sellers you recommend? I was thinking of OWC as they seem to have a lot of options.
 
I’m curious, why don’t you want a more up to date M1/M2 MacBook Air? Or you can get the old M2 MacBook Pro.
 
3SQ Machine said:
Good tip--any reputable sellers you recommend? I was thinking of OWC as they seem to have a lot of options.
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I usually buy from individuals (adults) so I really dont have a go-to person I usually buy from. Watch out for screen delamination, which is common for the 2015's and try to get one with a new'ish battery (preferably from Apple) I've never dealt with OWC but they seem to be a good company to look at. The SSD in the 2015's are replaceable so I wouldn't worry too much about what the unit ships with, SSD's are pretty cheap nowadays. I also wouldn't pay any more than around $300-$350, depending on the SSD size it ships with.
 
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Smoovejayy said:
I’m curious, why don’t you want a more up to date M1/M2 MacBook Air? Or you can get the old M2 MacBook Pro.
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These aren't very expensive (seeing around $300), and there's also a bit of nostalgia and having a project computer. I loved the '15 air i7 i had and miss the glowing logo. I also wouldn't be upset if something happened to it.

However, the lack of security updates starting next year definitely gives me pause--that's when I smack into the cold hard reality of an old machine. I'll need to look into that some more because it may not be worth it.
 
3SQ Machine said:
These aren't very expensive (seeing around $300), and there's also a bit of nostalgia and having a project computer. I loved the '15 air i7 i had and miss the glowing logo. I also wouldn't be upset if something happened to it.

However, the lack of security updates starting next year definitely gives me pause--that's when I smack into the cold hard reality of an old machine. I'll need to look into that some more because it may not be worth it.
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It's not worth it.

(I admire and somewhat share your reasoning for wanting this model, but … it’s still not worth it. )
 
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If anything, OP, the 2015 MBP is more compatible in the office thanks to its USB-A ports! I use one at my school, and having USB-A built-in is a big convenience!

You're not crazy. I'm using one now, and I'm actually shopping for another thanks to its nonpareil keyboard! The new 2023 keyboards of modern MacBook Pros are not up to snuff. They are way too shallow!
 
The 15" MacBook Pro is my favorite Apple Laptop of all time. I would buy one now as a secondary device but not as a main computer.
 
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I had a 2015 15" Pro before this computer (M2 Pro 14") and it was great. But I would not get an Intel Mac again. Nor do I think anyone should. The reason I got a new laptop is because the computer ran so hot that it literally toasted the battery. It took 3 replacements before we got a working (not a dud) battery, and by that point I had just gotten a new one anyways.
If you want something portable, sell your 16" and buy a 14". You won't regret it, 14" is the perfect size and you can scale the display resolution to make it seem a lot larger than it is.
 
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I wouldn't go for anything Intel-based Apple hardware at this point. Working as a role of IT at the university, I just retired the 11" MacBook Air (2015/2017) that I brought home to use. It was a solid and small footprint computer in the last few years when I had to go in and out between campus and home. However with macOS Monterey and other applications support, I had to switch over to a M1 MacBook Air. Personally I wasn't a fan of the 13-inch design (both MacBook Air and MacBook Pro) especially with a 'lower resolution' display after the scaling. The 15-inch MacBook Pro can be troublesome due to the discrete graphics.

2015-era MacBook Pro has been on the chopping block from Apple support. May be it's just my job duty, I adopt new version of macOS as quickly as possible. Hardware-side, I can stick with the base requirement. If you can afford it, the base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro is great. Otherwise, there should be plenty of MacBook Pro with M2 Pro on discount these days.
 
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It should just work fine. It really depends on what you are doing.
You can use a patcher to even install up to date OS or Linux or Windows of ChromeOS.
If I were you I'd probably get a Windows PC, such as used Asus Vivobook. They go for the same price and have more ram and storage.
 
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I upgraded to an M1 MBA from a 2015 13" MBP. My MBP was a phenomenal computer, but I don't see much reason to buy a much slower Intel Mac, especially with M1 pricing being what it is these days.
 
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3SQ Machine said:
These aren't very expensive (seeing around $300)
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I know you are looking for a Mac, but I mean… I just saw Asus Vivobook 15 for that price and it had 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
I don't know where you are from, but in my country I always have to think twice before getting an Apple product. Anyways, I think MacBook Air from 2015 is fine for a couple of years.
 
3SQ Machine said:
I've been shopping the new 14 inch MBPs and...I'm underwhelmed. Have a 16" M1 Pro which is great but wanted something for general web browsing/productivity for travel that I wouldn't care much about messing up or getting stolen.
Click to expand...
I use a iPad mini 6 for that, besides owning 16" M1 Max MBP. I hotspot either as needed to my iPhone Pro when mobile. You said general web browsing and productivity, so that should mean a little freedom to chose what type of Apple device would work out better for you. Also you have universal control along with the mini in landscape mode is a great portable media playback device. If a second choice was to be placed I think the original M1 Air is also a nice choice for something more mobile, lighter.
 
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the 2015 MBP model does not have the dreaded butterfly keyboard, correct?
that would/should stop anyone from purchasing one.
 
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