Best 2016 MBP config for iOS programming

[deliriumxy]

I'm working from a late 2011 13" MBP, and archiving my Xcode project uses 100% of my CPU and my fans start blasting.

I need an upgrade. Can someone suggest a 2016 MBP configuration that would be excellent for developing iOS apps? Do I need quad core power?

Budget under $3500 CAD (or $2700 USD). I realize any new computer would be a significant upgrade over this one, but suggestions please. thanks.

 

[Altis]

The base 15" MBP would make for a very nice iOS development machine.

If you don't really need the weight reduction of the new model, you may consider getting a 2015 15" base model for quite a bit less and get some monitors/peripherals to help with your workflow.

 

[deliriumxy]

The base 15" MBP would make for a very nice iOS development machine.

If you don't really need the weight reduction of the new model, you may consider getting a 2015 15" base model for quite a bit less and get some monitors/peripherals to help with your workflow.

13" tbMBP and 2015 base model are about the same cost... how do the two compare in terms of performance?

 

[graffixnyc]

13" tbMBP and 2015 base model are about the same cost... how do the two compare in terms of performance?

The 15 is quad core where the 13 is dual core (even if you get the i7 version). So there is pretty much a 50% performance increase between the dual core and quad core in multi-core performance

I have the 2.9 ghz 13 with touch bar, 16 gb of ram and 512 ssd. I'm a developer and I was debating returning it to get the i7 version of the 13 but with a student discount the 15 base with upgraded 512 SSD is only $87.10 more than the i7 13 with 16gb of ram and 512 SSD which is a no brainer. $87.10 to get almost twice the multi-core performance

 

[Altis]

13" tbMBP and 2015 base model are about the same cost... how do the two compare in terms of performance?

As graffixnyc says, the quad-core CPU in the 15" models helps tremendously in multi-core tasks (which xcode takes advantage of). All 13" models are dual-core. 16 GB of RAM is standard on the 15" but a (pricey) upgrade on the 13", but it's recommended for development.

Having the extra screen real estate is also something you might appreciate, unless portability is your top priority.

The 15" should perform better and have a longer usable life.

You can get a 2016 15" MBP base for under $3500 taxes in. I only threw in the 2015 15" MBP base as an option for your consideration as they tend to cost quite a bit less (particularly refurb) and offer very similar performance, allowing you to buy other things that might benefit your workflow more.

 

[bizack]

I'm working from a late 2011 13" MBP, and archiving my Xcode project uses 100% of my CPU and my fans start blasting.

I need an upgrade. Can someone suggest a 2016 MBP configuration that would be excellent for developing iOS apps? Do I need quad core power?

Budget under $3500 CAD (or $2700 USD). I realize any new computer would be a significant upgrade over this one, but suggestions please. thanks.

I program out of cafes and workshops a lot, so size and weight were more important for me. I had the 15" for a few days and returned it for the 13" with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.

 

[deliriumxy]

With quad core CPUs, will archiving and compiling/running be significantly faster than on dual core CPUs? It's taking me like 10 minutes to complete an archive of my project... it's just wasted time

 

[deadworlds]

With quad core CPUs, will archiving and compiling/running be significantly faster than on dual core CPUs? It's taking me like 10 minutes to complete an archive of my project... it's just wasted time

Yes, you should see an increase in perforormace. As others have said, Xcode takes advantage of multi-core CPUs. Giving Xcode access to more cores will improve performance.

I'm currently learning iOS programming and I have noticed a huge improvement coming from a 2008 unibody 15" MBP, with a 2.53GHz core 2 Duo, very outdated by now. Xcode just seems more responsive, projects compile fast, and the simulators run better.

 

[graffixnyc]

This was a helpful read

https://blog.curtisherbert.com/13-vs-15-macbook-a-developers-perspective-in-2016/

 

[motime]

I am not a software engineer yet but studying computer science and even for my school projects I have noticed a significant difference over the dual core models. As others have said, you will not notice any difference in development unless you opt for a 15 inch quad core. If you can afford the new quad core then go for it but last years 15 inch is much cheaper and a lot more powerful than any 13 inch laptop. It also offers very similar performance to the latest 15 inch mbp, even the most expensive variant, for development purposes.

 

[deadworlds]

I am not a software engineer yet but studying computer science and even for my school projects I have noticed a significant difference over the dual core models. As others have said, you will not notice any difference in development unless you opt for a 15 inch quad core. If you can afford the new quad core then go for it but last years 15 inch is much cheaper and a lot more powerful than any 13 inch laptop. It also offers very similar performance to the latest 15 inch mbp, even the most expensive variant, for development purposes.

I would only add that the current 2015 15" MBPs no longer have a dGPU. So that is something to keep in mind. I know that on my 2016 15" MBP using Xcode regularly activates the dGPU. I'm not sure what impact it actually has on performance.

 

[motime]

I would only add that the current 2015 15" MBPs no longer have a dGPU. So that is something to keep in mind. I know that on my 2016 15" MBP using Xcode regularly activates the dGPU. I'm not sure what impact it actually has on performance.

You can pick up the 2015 with dGPU from the refurbished store for quite a bit cheaper, that is what I did a couple of weeks ago. I think they are sold out now but they keep popping in after a few days.

I am not sure if the dgpu activates but the fans certainly kick in time to time during development.

 

[deliriumxy]

Thanks for the valuable info all

Seems like 15" is the way to go b/c quad core will shorten compile times. Now it's a matter of deciding between 15" model

 

[motime]

Thanks for the valuable info all

Seems like 15" is the way to go b/c quad core will shorten compile times. Now it's a matter of deciding between 15" model

If you are purchasing last years model then for development purposes the dgpu will make no difference. If you are someone who likes to photo edit or game on the side then it definitely will.

The new mbps all have dedicated gpus so it comes standard.

 

[macmee]

I'm working from a late 2011 13" MBP, and archiving my Xcode project uses 100% of my CPU and my fans start blasting.

I need an upgrade. Can someone suggest a 2016 MBP configuration that would be excellent for developing iOS apps? Do I need quad core power?

Budget under $3500 CAD (or $2700 USD). I realize any new computer would be a significant upgrade over this one, but suggestions please. thanks.

tbh I would buy a 2015 or 2014 with an i7 and 16gb of ram if I were you. It better fits your budget and then you don't have to sacrifice on the CPU and xcode is hungry.

Also, how crazy is it that we have to use the words budget and $2,600 in the same sentence, when we're talking about a fricken laptop!