Basic MBP

[MrMister111]

Looking at MBP basic one. How long would this realistically last, both physically (won’t leave home), and spec wise.

I think Apple are a bit mean with SSD size of starting at 128Gb, so I maybe would have TL up that to 256Gb for £180!! more.

I’m lead to believe that the SSD makes it fast and can also help with memory swap, so 8Gb for my uses of basic office, Photos app (library is too large so sits on a external USB now), iMovie basic editing, some basic video conversion for old formats to new for my camera movies etc. The photos and videos are now 4K though as my Digi-Cam and iPhone shoot in these formats, this MBP ok for this?

So people who have similar usage as me, and have chose the basic MBP how long are you looking to keep it?

 

[retta283]

I know that this is about a MBP, but if you're just using at home, an iMac may be the better option. With a 256GB SSD, it's the same price as the 13-inch MBP with a 256 SSD. You can also opt for a fusion drive, which will save you $100, but is not nearly as fast. Then you get a much bigger screen, and pretty good specs.

But if you don't want an iMac, the base MBP is quite fine for basic tasks. I do not know about 4k video, I would assume the computer can play it back fine, but editing it may choke a bit. The only problem I can find would be the reliability, the butterfly keyboard is infamous for failing. If you plan on having it for a while, it's something to consider. Of course, you can always use another keyboard with it once it fails, but you may find it gives random inputs from the built-in. I believe you can still disable the built-in when an external is connected, but this might not work with a wireless keyboard.

 

[MrMister111]

Yeh reason thinking of MBP is there’s only me who uses Mac now, as others have iPads/laptops and own computers, I have an iPad that I’d use more, but not ready to go all in with no actual computer yet.

Worried on the reliability a bit, but think Apple give 4 year replacement warranty now?

I’d also maybe use it with airplay to a TV if want a big screen.

 

[MrMister111]

Anyone else? Choosing basic MBP? and how many years expecting to keep it?

 

[zachlegomaniac]

I use my base 2013 13" rMBP for work, which includes Notability, Arcobat, Illustrator, Quickbooks, Excel, Word, Safari, Photos, BlueBeam and Mail (primarily). It has 128 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM.

6 years in and it has been a fantastic machine, but needs replacement badly. My RAM is a huge bottleneck at his point, but if I had opted for 8 at the time I bet I would have easily gotten another year or two out of it.

I am eagerly awaiting new announcements and have considered a non-Apple replacement, but would prefer MacOS so I am in a holding pattern.

I hope my experience with my base 2013 MBP is helpful to you.

 

[MrMister111]

I use my base 2013 13" rMBP for work, which includes Notability, Arcobat, Illustrator, Quickbooks, Excel, Word, Safari, Photos, BlueBeam and Mail (primarily). It has 128 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM.

6 years in and it has been a fantastic machine, but needs replacement badly. My RAM is a huge bottleneck at his point, but if I had opted for 8 at the time I bet I would have easily gotten another year or two out of it.

I am eagerly awaiting new announcements and have considered a non-Apple replacement, but would prefer MacOS so I am in a holding pattern.

I hope my experience with my base 2013 MBP is helpful to you.

Thanks for info, good to know its lasted this long, I’d probably want 6 years as well tbh.

Interesting about RAM, do you think 8Gb is enough now and future? They say as the SSD is so fast then it helps with memory swap if the OS needs it?

When you say your waiting, why, are the current ones one enough spec, or just that you can wait a bit longer in case? The MBP has just been updated for 2019 in early summer.

Thanks

 

[staggerlee41]

I'm using my 2012 MBP, it's the Non Retina version and will hang on to this as long as possible. I've upgraded the memory and HD to an SSD and it runs great on Mojave thus far. I've only recently upgraded the OS. It was not the base model however, I got the 2.9 i7 at the time. I was going to go for the base model, but Best Buy had an open box for this one and it was actually priced at $100 less than the base I initially intended to buy.

I've only had one issue with it, the keyboard was shot. That got replaced and I've been happy ever since.

My buying strategy then was likely very different than what your approach should be now. Since I knew I'd be able to upgrade the HD and Memory, I didn't care what those were and instead went with processor.

It seems like many are favoring the SSD upgrade as opposed to memory as you've mentioned.

 

[zachlegomaniac]

Thanks for info, good to know its lasted this long, I’d probably want 6 years as well tbh.

Interesting about RAM, do you think 8Gb is enough now and future? They say as the SSD is so fast then it helps with memory swap if the OS needs it?

When you say your waiting, why, are the current ones one enough spec, or just that you can wait a bit longer in case? The MBP has just been updated for 2019 in early summer.

Thanks

I’m waiting only because my brother has the current iteration of the MBP and has been one of those negatively effected by the butterfly mechanism in the 2016 - Present machines. If not for that I would have already purchased one as this next computer will be my daily driver for my small business and some of the AutoCAD work I do now is RAM hungry.

I believe they have improved the keyboard considerably on the 2019 models so I wouldn’t let my bias based on my brother’s experience hinder you from a purchase. As I believe you mentioned - there is a 4 year warranty on the keyboard. The current base 13” sounds like it would be more than sufficient for your needs.

Unlike the 2012s my 2013 has non-upgradeable RAM, otherwise I would have done so. I think the base model MBP is A great buy.

Also, if you use the “deals” section on this site under the “roundup” header on the front page you can typically find something on sale.