Buying 2015 MacBook now in July 2018

[livewhereveryouwant]

Hi all,

first post here. I have been using my MacBook Air since 2012. I quit my job to become a digital nomad, so I need a mac that actually allows me to work on the go. I have been waiting for a while for the new Macbook Pro but I dont see it coming.

My usage:

1. 1080p FCPX video editing with some effects, max 3 video stream at the same time (not professional)

2. iOS, JAVA development (to be started)

3. Bootcamp to windows in case I need Windows C# development

No one knows when Apple is gonna release a new macBook pro, and I am afraid the price will be high anyway. my budget is limited. so I plan on getting this mac.

Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.2GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display

Originally released May 2015
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics​

It costs around 1670 USD and my budget is kind of tight. I also plan to sell my current 2012 MacBook Air. In Germany, I can sell it for around 350 to 400 USD

I thought about PC laptop, but I really like FCPX than Adobe Primere Pro, and not to mention I want to have the option to learn/do iOS development.

Questions:

1. Will this refurbished macbook pro from 2015 okay for my usage, i plan to use it for 2 years until my business is going better so I can afford a newer macbook

2. Should I instead buy a new 2015 MacBook pro and upgrade the CPU to 2.5Ghz or 2.7Ghz?

3. Should I get the AppleCare consider it's a refurbished 2015 model?

4. Do you have better suggestion (if any) on other models?

Many Thanks.

 

[hyperx136]

I'm currently using a MacBook Pro 15in 2015 the upgraded version with 2.5 ghz i7, 16gb ram and 512gb memory and I love it. I think since you are doing video editing, you should find a used 2015 MacBook Pro 15 inch with dGPU because it will definitely help. The downside is obviously most of them will be around 2-3 years old and some don't even have AppleCare.

1. It will definitely be more than okay for your usage of 2 years and well beyond.

2. I don't think the upgraded CPU will increase your productivity that much, and the cost is better put toward an AppleCare if you want.

3. If you are planning on keeping it for more than a year then definitely get AppleCare, I think for apple's laptop they always pay for itself.

4. You can also get a 2014 15 inch upgraded model with Nvidia GT 750 since those will be around $1000-$1200 used. Even though it is a few years old, it will still serve you well. My friend has a 2014 one and it still run flawlessly until today.

 

[metalsquid]

I can't speak to video editing but I've used a few machines as a full-time iOS developer and digital nomad since 2016.
2010 13" Air 4gb
2015 13" Pro 8gb
2014 13" Air 8gb
2016 15" Pro 16gb

Having the two extra cores on the 15" certainly helps speed up code compilation and launching into simulators, which means it's less likely you'll alt-tab away to some other distraction which means you end up being more productive. You'll be fine with a 2015 15" for iOS, it's not that far behind the 2016 model in synthetic benchmarks and for iOS development I doubt one would notice any difference in real-world performance. I've actually just purchased a used 2012 15" Pro retina /w dGPU for 670 USD. I can put Mojave on it and I expect it to last till next year while I wait and see what Apple releases in the meantime. Gonna sell off the 2016 and use the difference to put towards travel and rent. The 2015/16 performs better of course, but not $1k+ better imo.

If you're going to be editing video and installing Windows on Boot Camp, I would seriously consider getting one with at least a 512GB SSD drive and a dGPU. 256GB fills up pretty fast these days, especially if you're gonna be playing with multiple software development stacks. Trust me, you don't want to spend your precious time constantly deleting caches, archives and derived data folders to free up hard disk space. If you have to drop down to a 2014 model to afford it, do it.

I wouldn't waste the money on a CPU upgrade. A few extra GHz won't be missed. If you buy from the refurb store, you're generally good to skip Apple Care. The refurb process at Apple is excellent and they've already gone over the machine with a fine-toothed comb and fixed any issues. I always buy refurb, better than buying new. It comes with the 1 year warranty anyway. You can purchase Apple Care anytime before the 1 year warranty is up to extend it if you want. So you can save up and buy it later when your business is better if you really want to. Or maybe by then Apple puts out an improved MBP and you could put the money you save on Apple Care towards that.

 

[Fishrrman]

I have no complaints nor regrets about buying a 2015-design MacBook Pro after the newer models were released.

If you buy "refurbished", make sure it's APPLE-refurbished (not "3rd-party").
That way, you can buy AppleCare as well, if you want it.

2.5 v 2.7ghz probably doesn't make too much of a difference.

For 1080p editing, you probably want a 15" model.

 

[livewhereveryouwant]

I'm currently using a MacBook Pro 15in 2015 the upgraded version with 2.5 ghz i7, 16gb ram and 512gb memory and I love it. I think since you are doing video editing, you should find a used 2015 MacBook Pro 15 inch with dGPU because it will definitely help. The downside is obviously most of them will be around 2-3 years old and some don't even have AppleCare.

1. It will definitely be more than okay for your usage of 2 years and well beyond.

2. I don't think the upgraded CPU will increase your productivity that much, and the cost is better put toward an AppleCare if you want.

3. If you are planning on keeping it for more than a year then definitely get AppleCare, I think for apple's laptop they always pay for itself.

4. You can also get a 2014 15 inch upgraded model with Nvidia GT 750 since those will be around $1000-$1200 used. Even though it is a few years old, it will still serve you well. My friend has a 2014 one and it still run flawlessly until today.

Unfortunately there is no refurbished 2015 Mac with dGPU, yes I can try to get a second hand, but I live in Germany, and a second hand used German mac is still more expensive than an official APPLE refurbished mac (to be bought in Hong Kong, yes I am from Hong Kong).

so, my question is, is the Iris Pro graphics on the macbook pro really that bad for FCPX? Also I feel safe with apple official refurbished.....
[doublepost=1529251764][/doublepost]

I can't speak to video editing but I've used a few machines as a full-time iOS developer and digital nomad since 2016.
2010 13" Air 4gb
2015 13" Pro 8gb
2014 13" Air 8gb
2016 15" Pro 16gb

Having the two extra cores on the 15" certainly helps speed up code compilation and launching into simulators, which means it's less likely you'll alt-tab away to some other distraction which means you end up being more productive. You'll be fine with a 2015 15" for iOS, it's not that far behind the 2016 model in synthetic benchmarks and for iOS development I doubt one would notice any difference in real-world performance. I've actually just purchased a used 2012 15" Pro retina /w dGPU for 670 USD. I can put Mojave on it and I expect it to last till next year while I wait and see what Apple releases in the meantime. Gonna sell off the 2016 and use the difference to put towards travel and rent. The 2015/16 performs better of course, but not $1k+ better imo.

If you're going to be editing video and installing Windows on Boot Camp, I would seriously consider getting one with at least a 512GB SSD drive and a dGPU. 256GB fills up pretty fast these days, especially if you're gonna be playing with multiple software development stacks. Trust me, you don't want to spend your precious time constantly deleting caches, archives and derived data folders to free up hard disk space. If you have to drop down to a 2014 model to afford it, do it.

I wouldn't waste the money on a CPU upgrade. A few extra GHz won't be missed. If you buy from the refurb store, you're generally good to skip Apple Care. The refurb process at Apple is excellent and they've already gone over the machine with a fine-toothed comb and fixed any issues. I always buy refurb, better than buying new. It comes with the 1 year warranty anyway. You can purchase Apple Care anytime before the 1 year warranty is up to extend it if you want. So you can save up and buy it later when your business is better if you really want to. Or maybe by then Apple puts out an improved MBP and you could put the money you save on Apple Care towards that.

wow cool! didnt know I could meet a DN here too.

again, unfortunately the only refurbished one is available in 256 GB.... I will use an external SSD (i have a samsung 256GB SSD already)

is the dGPU really that important?
[doublepost=1529251799][/doublepost]

I have no complaints nor regrets about buying a 2015-design MacBook Pro after the newer models were released.

If you buy "refurbished", make sure it's APPLE-refurbished (not "3rd-party").
That way, you can buy AppleCare as well, if you want it.

2.5 v 2.7ghz probably doesn't make too much of a difference.

For 1080p editing, you probably want a 15" model.

it.s 2.2Ghz... that's why I wonder...

 

[metalsquid]

Well, a dGPU will make your life a little easier but since you say you're not editing video professionally then the integrated Iris Pro graphics sounds like it will be fine for 1080p editing. This thread may interest you. http://www.fcp.co/forum/4-final-cut...-iris-pro-performance-retina-macbook-mid-2015

2015 15" d/gpu models do still show up in international refurbished stores, just less often and they get snapped up fast so it looks like they don't. You gotta stake out the refurbished section religiously. Eg. when I'm ready to buy I will check the refurbished page 2-3 times a day, waiting for the model I want to show up then place the order immediately as soon as it does. It could take days or weeks though and I don't know how urgently you need to make the purchase.

There's one on the German Apple refurb store right now with a 1tb ssd and 2.8Ghz but that's a little pricey. If you have to buy it in HK then yeah, looks like there isn't a d/gpu model on their refurb section at the moment. But if you can wait for one to show up then I would if I were you. The difference in price between a refurb 15" 2.5Ghz/512GB/m370x and a refurb 2.2Ghz/256GB/Iris Pro is less than the cost of Apple care and those upgrades will make your quality of life so much better.

 

[livewhereveryouwant]

Well, a dGPU will make your life a little easier but since you say you're not editing video professionally then the integrated Iris Pro graphics sounds like it will be fine for 1080p editing. This thread may interest you. http://www.fcp.co/forum/4-final-cut...-iris-pro-performance-retina-macbook-mid-2015

2015 15" d/gpu models do still show up in international refurbished stores, just less often and they get snapped up fast so it looks like they don't. You gotta stake out the refurbished section religiously. Eg. when I'm ready to buy I will check the refurbished page 2-3 times a day, waiting for the model I want to show up then place the order immediately as soon as it does. It could take days or weeks though and I don't know how urgently you need to make the purchase.

There's one on the German Apple refurb store right now with a 1tb ssd and 2.8Ghz but that's a little pricey. If you have to buy it in HK then yeah, looks like there isn't a d/gpu model on their refurb section at the moment. But if you can wait for one to show up then I would if I were you. The difference in price between a refurb 15" 2.5Ghz/512GB/m370x and a refurb 2.2Ghz/256GB/Iris Pro is less than the cost of Apple care and those upgrades will make your quality of life so much better.

Thanks for all the great reply.

1. I wont buy it in Germany as the price is just.. rediculous. A friend of mine from Hong Kong will visit me in Germany, so I will just get whatever I can get from Apple Store Hong Kong.

2. Unless there is a dGPU version of the 2015 in Hong Kong, I think I will just stick with the 2.2 Ghz, Iris Pro, 256 GB version as it's ~ 1450 eur.

I saw... that..
https://www.apple.com/hk/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/15

if I pay extra 657 euro, I can have the new 2017 model with 512 GB and 560 dGPU, but considering I am in a tight budget, and I dont wanna pay such high price for a fauly keyboard... I will rather just get the 2015 model and see what happen after 1 year. Let me know if you disagree.

Thanks!

 

[hyperx136]

Thanks for all the great reply.

1. I wont buy it in Germany as the price is just.. rediculous. A friend of mine from Hong Kong will visit me in Germany, so I will just get whatever I can get from Apple Store Hong Kong.

2. Unless there is a dGPU version of the 2015 in Hong Kong, I think I will just stick with the 2.2 Ghz, Iris Pro, 256 GB version as it's ~ 1450 eur.

I saw... that..
https://www.apple.com/hk/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/15

if I pay extra 657 euro, I can have the new 2017 model with 512 GB and 560 dGPU, but considering I am in a tight budget, and I dont wanna pay such high price for a fauly keyboard... I will rather just get the 2015 model and see what happen after 1 year. Let me know if you disagree.

Thanks!

You should get whatever you can afford at the moment. In my opinion of using and reselling mac computers for quite a few years now, if you get the 2015 model now, whenever they release the new version, the old one will still retain a high resale value due to the ports, lower buying price at the beginning, especially if they discontinued it at that time.

The price of the 2017 model will drop substantially after the new model come out because they will assume the keyboard or just the computer overall will be a lot better since it is the 3rd revision. The 2015 rMBP is the best revision of the last model, where they ironed out most of the problems, the new one is definitely not as refined.