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Choosing a 2015 15" to buy?

choreo

choreo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 10, 2008
910
358
Midland, TX
I am considering a 2015 15" Model:Z0RF-MJLQ27 - is this the most powerful 15" 2015 Model maybe still available?

Looking at the specs, I am a bit confused by the Graphic Card description in the specs? One website says: Intel Iris Pro Graphics with 128 MB and another says 2GB - so which is it?

Is the Intel Iris Pro the best choice? (it appears to be the only option for the 2.8 GHz which I guess is the fastest CPU)?
 
Pretty sure there's only one model in the Apple store now. But...honestly, is that bit of price difference worth getting the older one?
 
PrideHeart said:
Pretty sure there's only one model in the Apple store now. But...honestly, is that bit of price difference worth getting the older one?
Click to expand...

There appears to still be some 3rd party resellers that stock what I am looking at. It really is not so much a matter of "price" as I like more of the 2015 features than the 2016 (Keyboard, MagSafe, Ports, etc.). I am also seeing too many issues reported with the early 2016 units for me to take the risk.
 
Last edited:
I think the pre 2016 is still a good computer. I see on B&H they have several 2015 models 15". I see they have both M370X and Iris Pro. From reviews of M370X I would steer to the Iris Pro for longevity.
 
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I picked up the refurbished model with Iris pro. It has been excellent so far and the only issue I have is subtle UI lag. I am contemplating picking up the dedicated graphics model but that is around $500 more.

I have the base 2.2ghz version.

If you can afford the dedicated graphics model then go for it, I would recommend going refurbished to save some money. All my refurbished purchases came in sealed brand new boxes.
 
motime said:
I picked up the refurbished model with Iris pro. It has been excellent so far and the only issue I have is subtle UI lag. I am contemplating picking up the dedicated graphics model but that is around $500 more.

I have the base 2.2ghz version.

If you can afford the dedicated graphics model then go for it, I would recommend going refurbished to save some money. All my refurbished purchases came in sealed brand new boxes.
Click to expand...

The only option I see online for the 15" 2.8 GHz is the Iris Pro?
 
IngerMan said:
I think the pre 2016 is still a good computer. I see on B&H they have several 2015 models 15". I see they have both M370X and Iris Pro. From reviews of M370X I would steer to the Iris Pro for longevity.
Click to expand...

Don't the 370X models have both the Iris Pro and the 370? Is it known to have big issues? I'd always recommend dGPU if at all possible but I've always been dealing with the 750M.

also holy **** I just discovered the text modification in the touch bar works on MR forum reply boxes.
 
fs454 said:
Apple removed the higher end configurations of the 2015 15" when the 2016 models were put on the store. For the dGPU version you need to grab a refurb.
Click to expand...

Maybe that is all B&H has left to sell of the 2015 15"? When I select 2.8 GHz (the fastest they offer), it only gives me the Iris Pro option? No idea if Apple offered it in other combinations before the 2016 introduction?
 
Upon further research, maybe this model has BOTH video processors (not jut the Iris Pro) - does that sound logical/possible? I just read these specs here:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...l-graphics-mid-2015-retina-display-specs.html

*This model has dual graphics processors -- an AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 SDRAM and an Intel Iris Pro 5200 with 128 MB of "Crystalwell" embedded DRAM (and shared system memory). The system automatically switches between graphics systems based on use (when applications use OpenGL, Core Graphics or other graphically demanding technologies, the system will use the dedicated AMD graphics, otherwise it will use the integrated Intel graphics to conserve battery life).

Also see: Is there a "hack" to switch between graphics processors on the Retina Display MacBook Pro models manually?

Does anyone know for sure? This is what I am looking at ordering...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...0rf_mjlq27_b_h_15_4_macbook_pro_notebook.html

Unless I am missing it on the B&H description, I see no mention of the AMD Radeon R9 M370X being included?
[doublepost=1480321875][/doublepost]Apparently Apple built them both ways. It appears that the one I am looking at at B&H (Model ZORF-MJLQ27) only has the Iris Pro integrated graphics. I just saw this in that description on Adorama...

The 15-inch MacBook Pro has a phenomenal display - with the graphics power to match. Its fourth-generation Intel Core i7 processor features Iris Pro Graphics with 128MB of embedded memory, which accelerates demanding graphics tasks by acting as an ultrafast cache. For even more impressive graphics performance, choose the 15-inch model that combines the power of Iris Pro Graphics with the AMD Radeon R9 M370x. Thanks to 2GB of GDDR5 memory, you'll get even better performance when playing high-resolution games, editing video in Final Cut Pro X, or rendering images in pro graphics applications.
 
The B&H model definitely does not have the dGPU. You see they even have the "AMD Radeon R9 M370X" button greyed out.

I myself bought the literal maxed out last week with apple refurb, 2.8GHz 1TB M370X:
http://www.apple.com/hk/shop/produc...-28ghz-quad-core-intel-i7-with-retina-display
See the tech specs, it lists both the Intel Iris Pro and AMD M370X at the same time.

Your safest bet is to buy it at Apple online store as a refurb which I recommend. Mine arrived in almost brand new condition, tested the screen, every port, tried heavy graphics load no issue at all. The 1TB SSD speed is also comparable to the 2016 models. There may be other 3rd party stores with this model available but it is flaky if you are not careful.
 
Do you actually need the dGPU?

I've tended to stay away from them, given Apples history with them.
 
choreo said:
The only option I see online for the 15" 2.8 GHz is the Iris Pro?
Click to expand...

Yes that's the only one Apple are still selling if you want the dGPU you'll have to get it somewhere else!!

However if graphics are important to you the 2016 has far better graphics.
 
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