Buy 2018 MBP or 2017 for $800 less?

[Abaganov]

I already ordered the 15” 2018 MacBook Pro from the apple website for $2800 after student discount. (But can still cancel my order)


I just saw on my local Facebook marketplace the same exact configuration (basic model with 512 SSD) 2017 model second hand with 75 battery cycles for $800 less - $2000 exactly.


Got no apple care and out of warranty


I’m kind of worried about the keyboard issues on those models, also no warranty, but the $800 less is kind of tempting.


(I’m not living in the USA so can’t buy refurbished)



What do you guys think?


Any advice will be appreciated!

 

[leman]

The 2018 also got a 6-core CPU, a better display etc. Probably not $800 more, but still... More importantly though, I would certainly not pay $2000 for a machine without a warranty... that can get very expensive quickly.

 

[Javieremdz]

I bought a MacBook Pro 2017 15” like 4 months ago and I can’t be more happy. My brother has the 2018 15” and you can barely see de difference. It has been working perfectly. I did it for the same reason I wanted to save some money. I bought mine used too but it has apple care.

 

[Abaganov]

I bought a MacBook Pro 2017 15” like 4 months ago and I can’t be more happy. My brother has the 2018 15” and you can barely see de difference. It has been working perfectly. I did it for the same reason I wanted to save some money. I bought mine used too but it has apple care.

Yeah with AppleCare it does seem like an easy choice , kind of worried to spend $2000 without any warranty

 

[xxray]

Apple’s Refurbished MacBook Pros might allow you to get the 2018 MacBook Pro at a couple hundred dollars cheaper if they have they model you want. You won’t be able to tell any difference from a new one and they offer the same warranty.

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/macbook-pro

 

[yashabot]

Well the keyboard should be covered by the extended warranty offered on those machines. The lack of AppleCare is concerning, but not a dealbreaker imo.

I think the performance gap between the 2018 and 2017 is overblown. Yes, the 2018 pulls way ahead in terms of multithreaded benchmarks, but this does not translate 1:1 in everyday use. Many applications will not make use of the extra cores.

However, you can find reasonably specc'd 2017 15" MBPs for significantly less on eBay. I picked one up just last week for 1650 (512gb/16gb/Radeon 555) and it has 2 years of AppleCare+ left.

 

[Painter2002]

The 2018 also got a 6-core CPU, a better display etc. Probably not $800 more, but still... More importantly though, I would certainly not pay $2000 for a machine without a warranty... that can get very expensive quickly.

I think by better display you are referring to a better GPU... right? To my knowledge the monitor themselves on the 2018 and 2017 MBPs are the same.

Having said that, I am in boat 2018. It has several “fixes” that reduce possible issues of earlier models, and has much more power. On hindsight I wish I had waited to buy my 2017 MBP, but I needed a computer at the time, so it is what it is. Also, definitely get a warranty on the machine or buy it with a credit card that gives you purchase protections.

 

[BuCkDoG]

I would buy the 2018 MBP without a question. Simple reason, the keyboard adjustment with the silicone membrane on the keycaps and the longer Flex Cable.