Buying MacBook Pro 2015?

[Christian 5G]

Hi all,

Wondering if buying a 2015 MacBook Pro 8gb, 256 gb will be a good buy for school for another 3-4 years. I don't do any of the video editing or anything hard core that'll require e a 16 gb ram. I tried the new '16 model and loved everything about it but having no ports is a no-no for me. Is it a good time to buy right now and would you recommend it considering that its almost a 2 years machine already.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Hi all,

Wondering if buying a 2015 MacBook Pro 8gb, 256 gb will be a good buy for school for another 3-4 years. I don't do any of the video editing or anything hard core that'll require e a 16 gb ram. I tried the new '16 model and loved everything about it but having no ports is a no-no for me. Is it a good time to buy right now and would you recommend it considering that its almost a 2 years machine already.

I think its an excellent choice or even the rMB for school as its so portable and you will be surprised what it will handle for normal day to day workflow and content streaming etc

 

[Sanpete]

I haven't seen the models with no ports. How futuristic! I'm sure whether you're talking about a 13" or 15" with dual or quad cores, it will handle light work with no problems.

 

[darksithpro]

256gb gonna fill up so fast. Figure school programs, music, videos and a few games. That small SSD gonna make you cry.

 

[ZapNZs]

Now is a very good time because you can get them for such big discounts, both new and refurbished. However, Best Buy's price on the entry level 2016 13-inch is also an outstanding deal.

If you loved the 2016's design more than the 2015 overall, I would recommend getting the 2016 if you can live with using a hub. If you plan to keep this computer for a while, having USB-C will become a bigger advantage in the coming years, as it seems almost certain to become the new standard. If someone decisively likes the 2015 or the 2016 overall over the other, I would recommend getting the one they like the most overall, as both are great computers capable of meeting ones needs.

From a storage perspective, one huge advantage with the 2015 is the SD card slot. There are adapters that you can purchase that sit flush in this SD card slot and can provide up to 256 GB of additional flash storage using reliable MLC flash (with speeds over 100 MB/s, so faster than most 7500 RPM laptop HDDs.) So, even if you get a smaller 128 or 256 SSD on a 2015, you still have this low-cost expandability. If money is a concern, this can save several hundred dollars.

 

[navaira]

I have a 128 GB SSD and a 128 GB microSD card in flush enclosure that I use for things that don't require fast transfers (like iTunes library). Enough for my needs, and I use Reason, Photoshop and InDesign on the thing. iPhoto Library in iCloud + Dropbox help greatly with storage. The best laptop I ever owned. I wish I bought a faster version than the base, though. I use all of the slots except Thunderbolt, love the keyboard, love the screen, love MagSafe. I just wish it was thinner and in rose gold. Sorry, my Jony Ive cat walked on the keyboard again.

 

[sunapple]

The 2015 model will last you another 3 years, no problem. Storage is something to think about. And battery, but I think you're buying it new somewhere.

If that model wouldn't be available anymore I'd say get over the whole USB-C thing and buy a 12" or 13" non-Touch Bar. They're great little machines and #donglelife isn't quite so bad.

 

[jerryk]

You should have no issue using that machine 5 years from now. And if you need more storage and can handle the slow speed, you can always roll files to a flush SD card drive, like a jet drive

 

[Fishrrman]

There's no reason that a 2015 MacBook Pro wouldn't serve you well for at least 5 years. My 2010 Macbook Pro lasted almost 7 (and still works).

I picked up a 2015 MacBook Pro 13" last December (not long after the 2016 models came out).

I "weighed both in the balance", and chose the 2015 as being more suitable to my personal needs (particularly regarding the "legacy ports").

Quite satisfied with the new MacBook.

One proviso:
I'd try to find one with a 250gb drive (instead of the 128gb).
That extra space could come in handy over time!

 

[Christian 5G]

Sorry I'm a little late on replying on here. Just wanted to say thank you all for all of your input!!

After thinking about it I am coming to a conclusion after doing a bit of research on choices whether to get the 2016 model non-touch bar as I saw on a few websites that were opened in $1200 range, ports situation is something that I guess we all at one point of time will have to adjust to. Budget is set to under $1400 currently.

Not a final decision yet, I might wait until my b-day in a month.

 

[Spudlicious]

Hi all,

Wondering if buying a 2015 MacBook Pro 8gb, 256 gb will be a good buy for school for another 3-4 years. I don't do any of the video editing or anything hard core that'll require e a 16 gb ram. I tried the new '16 model and loved everything about it but having no ports is a no-no for me. Is it a good time to buy right now and would you recommend it considering that its almost a 2 years machine already.

The one you buy - if you do - won't be an almost 2 years machine, it'll be brand spanking new! Really it's difficult to know what's for the best, especially with the 2016 model having such a paucity of ports. When I look down at the machine I'm typing on I see the power lead attached, a wireless mouse dongle in one USB port and in the other a memory stick I use as escrow for downloaded files - you get the point, one miserable USB C port would be a problem for me. On the other hand, maybe the newer design has more appeal for you, and I could understand that. I'm sure you'll be please with whichever you get.