Deciding between 2015 vs 2016 MBP

[BeagleMeister]

Rather than having one each of a port that can only perform one function, you have four ports that can do anything you need them to.

Except for the fact that the 2015 rMBP has 2 USB-A ports and 2 Thunderbolt ports, in addition to an HDMI, an SDXC, 3.5mm, and MagSafe. I respectfully disagree with an inaccurate description like "one each of a port that can only perform one function . . ."

And regarding "four ports that can do anything you need them to" . . . that's only with a bit of extra help in the form of assorted add-on dongles or hubs.

http://www.apple.com/mac/compare/re...-pro-2015-13&product2=macbook-pro-touchbar-13

 

[GlenK]

I purposely ordered a 2015 in April this year. Simply because I'm tired of thin!! I knew the new MBPs were going thinner.
Ordered the most upgraded 2015 15" I could get and couldn't be happier. It works perfectly and the speed is excellent.

No regrets!!

 

[leman]

To be sure, Apple needs to fix the software bugs, but by the same token, the battery is smaller. I do wonder how it will perform under load (once the bugs have been resolved).

I fully expect the battery to run out significantky quicker under heavy load on the 2016 model. But to be fair, delivering long runtime under load is not the batteries primary function. A 99wh battery (legal max limit) will discharge in about an hour if the laptop of that class is pushed to its limits. Plus minus ten/fifteen minutes won't make any noticeable difference. If you want to run a laptop under load, you need an external power source.

I do agree with you that mixed usage (e.g. 80% light usage, 20% high load) is a much more interesting scenario. Are power-saving features of the 2016 model advanced enough to offset the smaller battery? That we still don't know.

 

[MinEderPlayz]

I purposely ordered a 2015 in April this year. Simply because I'm tired of thin!! I knew the new MBPs were going thinner.
Ordered the most upgraded 2015 15" I could get and couldn't be happier. It works perfectly and the speed is excellent.

No regrets!!

Similar story here. Usually I'm always fond of the newest gen models and wish I had them but honestly, this time around I don't feel that at all. Aside from the better screen and new touch bar, I don't see many benefits of the new MacBook Pro, none of which would rectify the hefty price tag in comparison to the 2015 models.

 

[The Game 161]

To be honest, all of them are either expensive or a bit of a hack. If you want a no-hassle solution, simply buy a new laptop and sell the old one. You can often get an excellent price for your old equipment.

Yeah that's the issue

Mine is retina 2015 MacBook Pro so I'm sure I could get a decent price. Not sure what the going rate would be in the UK

If I got a new one it would be MacBook Pro touch bar 13 inch still a lot of money just for more space.

256GB would be plenty really. 2.4 GB left on my retina and that was after removing loads of stuff

 

[deany]

Silly question maybe but has manufacture of the 2015 rMBP stopped?
is it just new 'back stock' available?
thanks

 

[maflynn]

Silly question maybe but has manufacture of the 2015 rMBP stopped?

Yes, they're no longer making the 2015 model.

is it just new 'back stock' available?

Yup

 

[Naimfan]

how do you add more storage on the 2015 model? didn't think you could

I only have 2.2 GB left on mine.

Two ways: Either replace the SSD or to add something like a Transcend JetDrive Lite in the SD slot (which is what I did with my 2014 15"; I keep iTunes on it).

 

[hiddenmarkov]

Hopefully of help OP...


Will your editing be on the laptop or on external monitors? Reason asking....the "better' display of the 2016 will be irrelevant. As keyboard and such will be most likely. I use a 2015 to monitor and run wired keyboard and mouse. I prefer and advice bulk of editing on external monitors. If only to see more. My mbp on stand next to the monitor as a half assed second monitor. Usually small crap application stuff on it as FCP or DxO gets the big screen maximized for working on files.


Which editing software will you use...and how hard core will you use it? As I read a variety of sources the 2016 is better for GPU but....the numbers are not omfg this is huge better. This will come into play on larger edits and plugin use. Where yes the open CL cores that seem to be on the 2016 do give boost over the 2015. Thing is....will you use them. And would i be worth the added cost to have them?

In my case I know based on the 45 minute clip I just finished cleaning up...its sister clip from the same show will have the same issues. Too strong a stage lighting made focus a massive pita either via AF on the dslr body or the scales and meters on my ninja recorder and more manual focusing to avoid AF hunting by the dslr, so I have some soft focusing issues thought the whole filming.

And will need the same fixing. Its twice as long. Means that sharpening plugin that ran for about 1.5 hours for 45 minutes of footage will be about 3 hours for it. As I am just a serious hobbyist I am not paid. So I will just fire this up in the 2015 before bed and will wake up to see it done. Nothing about the 2016 has me go sell the 2015 and get the 2016. Numbers I have seen the 2015 comes in 2nd place, yes, but the 2016 is not a blowout lead on it. Put another way....2015 holds its own pretty good imo. Now if paid and 20 minutes less from my predicted 3 hours for processing and rerender (FCP loves to rerender lol) on 1.5 hour clip is vital to getting work done..might mean more to you maybe.

 

[Fishrrman]

I compared both the 2015 and 2016 13" MBPro's side-by-side, and bought the 2015.

Better keyboard, real ports that I can use with all my stuff without dongles, no battery issues, a mature, proven model.
And -- I got a new unit for more than $300 off Apple's list pricing.

No regrets.
My last MBPro was a 2010 model, lasted almost 7 years, so I guess I'll be shopping again when the 2022 models are announced...

 

[wegster]

I'd been waiting along with others, for what certainly seemed like ages, with my 2011 CTO 15" MBP.
After the sticker shock wore off on the new models, I sat down and looked at what I needed:
1. quad core for running VMs, Dev environments, ...
2. 16GB RAM minimum, 32GB preferred
3. 1TB storage minimum as I was coming from 2TB on my modified 2011.
4. Ability to plug into various projectors and big-screen LCDs/TVs for meetings w/minimum of hassles
5. Faster IO beneficial for VMs
6. Ability to plug into at least 2x external displays concurrently

1, 3, 5 and 6 were met by both the 2016 AND the new model, with the 2016 marginally on top overall (nice SSD speed boost, though).

I like touchID and TB3/USB-C.
Except when presenting or in meetings, I'm 90% plugged into external displays, keyboard and mouse, so I'm completely indifferent on the touchbar, and would gladly remove it if an option for the 2016 15". While I have no doubt the display on the newer model is nicer, again, I'm plugged into external displays 90% of the time, so it's a nicety but overall not meaningful, to me.

The lack of more RAM combined with needing a dongle when I'm called into a last minute meeting for something, along with only marginal benefits to me in my usage for the 2016 model benefits, made it a no-brainer.

Although I wanted to pick up the new model, I scored a solid deal on a used 2015, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD 15" for less than half the price. It'll work just fine until sometime in 2017 or 2018 if/when Apple refreshes and/or changes up their lineup into something I have to have, at which point I'll go new CTO/near or maxed system.

Interestingly, even moving from my seriously dated 2011 CTO to the 2015, it isn't a huge jump in performance - certainly better I/O throughput and VMs running a bit more smoothly, along with generally lower fan usage, but looking at the benchmarks for the 2015s vs the 2016s, I doubt many would notice much obvious improvement unless doing long video transforms or large compiled projects locally.

Short version - 2015 for me, will revisit in 2017 or 2018 and see what's on offer from Apple at that time.

 

[myscrnnm]

Except for the fact that the 2015 rMBP has 2 USB-A ports and 2 Thunderbolt ports, in addition to an HDMI, an SDXC, 3.5mm, and MagSafe. I respectfully disagree with an inaccurate description like "one each of a port that can only perform one function . . ."

And regarding "four ports that can do anything you need them to" . . . that's only with a bit of extra help in the form of assorted add-on dongles or hubs.

http://www.apple.com/mac/compare/re...-pro-2015-13&product2=macbook-pro-touchbar-13

If you want to get pedantic, then sure the 2015 MacBook Pro had not one but two USB ports. My point still stands. MagSafe can only be used for charging, HDMI can only be used for AV output, et cetera.

 

[therealseebs]

I'm looking for advice on which MBP to buy. Currently, I'm leaning towards the 2015 15" silver model mostly due to the diverse array of I/O with 16 GB or RAM and at least 500 GB of storage. I'm a web developer and I'd also be doing some video editing, but I'm not too sure which CPU I should go for.

I'd also like to have a smaller SSD and large HDD for storage like with my current 2011 MBP–is this possible with the 2015 model? Doesn't seem to be and I really don't need a huge SSD. My main concern is buying hardware that's possibly already inferior.

Thanks!

Sadly, the rMBPs don't allow you to have a second drive of any sort. Having gotten a couple of laptops which do, I'm starting to regard this as a really significant feature for high-end usage.

Anyway, I wouldn't get a 2016 at this point just for reliablity concerns, even if you can otherwise live with it, and I personally found the keyboard a dealbreaker.

 

[ClemTiger0408]

I've asked this a few other places and get similar mixed emotions that have been in this thread.

I've got $300 in vanilla gift cards and $160 in Amazon gift cards from christmas.

Amazon has the new 13" for $1350. An Apple refurb for the 2015 13" 256GB is $1199.

So if I buy the refurb I can only use $300 in gift cards but if I get from Amazon I can use $460 in giftcards. This effectively makes them the same out of pocket cost. Of course if I get last year's I still have $160 in Amazon. What seems like the best bet?

 

[bevsb2]

Yes, they're no longer making the 2015 model.


Yup

This is another good reason to buy a 2015 rMBP now if that is what you think you want. They will no doubt become hard to get and those seeking refurbs will probably find them in short supply as well.

 

[motime]

When even the majority of macrumors members are telling you to opt for the 2015 model, you know that 2015 is indeed the only sensible choice here.

 

[dilutedq]

"Better" is simply a value judgment, and it is the height of hubris to suggest your judgments are in any form more correct than others. Hand someone a brand new iPhone 7 in the box and a 2016 Macbook Pro in the box and ask them to connect them using only the cables in the respective boxes. Just don't hold your breath.

The trackpad is technically inferior to the one in either the 2014 or 2015, because it cannot reliably reject extraneous input - as many users have noted. And many have commented on how awful the keyboard is - I agree with them. As I noted in another thread, the best keyboard I think Apple has ever put in a laptop was the keyboard in the last generation Powerbook and first generation Macbook Pro. The tool should adapt to the person, not the other way around.

You can not quanitfy "many users". Seeing as every review has stated the palm rejection is perfect, and I've never had it incorrectly detect my palm I'll go ahead and say you are just repeating ********. The keyboard at a technical level is superior in every way. It has even and consistent key strokes, consistent back lighting. The only people who end up not liking it are ones who are stubborn. The same people who don't like the lack of sd card, or USB A ports. They were the same ones that yelled about the lack of DVD/CD drive when they were removed as well.

Not sure why you would ever connect your iphone 7 and macbook pro together. If you really needed to there's a cheap and available 1:1 cord for that purpose.

 

[cerberusss]

The keyboard at a technical level is superior in every way

You really think so? I love my new 2016 MBP, but I wouldn't call its keyboard superior. It REALLY breaks with tradition. I like using new keyboards -- regularly order something different just for the hell of it, and this is different enough for me

 

[wegster]

I've asked this a few other places and get similar mixed emotions that have been in this thread.

I've got $300 in vanilla gift cards and $160 in Amazon gift cards from christmas.

Amazon has the new 13" for $1350. An Apple refurb for the 2015 13" 256GB is $1199.

So if I buy the refurb I can only use $300 in gift cards but if I get from Amazon I can use $460 in giftcards. This effectively makes them the same out of pocket cost. Of course if I get last year's I still have $160 in Amazon. What seems like the best bet?

If the 13" works for you, considering your gift cards, I'd go ahead with the 2016.

For a maxed out 15" - the story changes, at least for me.

 

[TigerWoodsIV]

I'd also include that that battery is better, along with the keyboard. Plus the 2015 model has HDMI, SD slots and the magsafe connector (which are important to me)

All of the things you list except battery life are debatably better. I'd rather have USB-C/TB3 considering I plan to keep this for a really long time. I like this keyboard more, so it's subjective, and I like magsafe, but I like being able to charge on either side. I've been using the right side since getting it due to my setup.

Is the battery actually better, or is it just better if you're one of the ones not getting good life? To be sure, it's more inconsistent, but I'm getting decent life so far. Haven't drained it fully, but the % is going down slowly enough and was quoted with a 10 hours left after using it for an hour the last time I was on battery.

 

[BeagleMeister]

If you want to get pedantic, then sure the 2015 MacBook Pro had not one but two USB ports. My point still stands. MagSafe can only be used for charging, HDMI can only be used for AV output, et cetera.

Just posting facts, and certainly not expressing judgmental comments.

 

[cerberusss]

but I like being able to charge on either side

Heh, I forgot about that. The AC extension cord is much less a necessity because of this! You just plunk it down and hook it up. It's really weird how such a small thing is really, really pleasant.

 

[maflynn]

Heh, I forgot about that. The AC extension cord is much less a necessity because of this! You just plunk it down and hook it up. It's really weird how such a small thing is really, really pleasant.

Unless you're in a hotel room that doesn't have a work center or desk.
I've been to enough hotels where the extension cord is a necessity .

 

[idark77]

I've been to enough hotels where the extension cord is a necessity .

Me too.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

If you want to get pedantic, then sure the 2015 MacBook Pro had not one but two USB ports. My point still stands. MagSafe can only be used for charging, HDMI can only be used for AV output, et cetera.

Which is not an issue as at this time as the supposedly dead ports USB C is replacing are anything but. See this is also the basis for the dongle jokes. But but...its so universal. Grant you that....Some don't see the logic in buying dongles to use the stuff they have now to work at same level though.

See I have forgotten to bring my power adapter to work for my 2015 to catch up on video on lunch. I know, a big thing to forget. thing is I can still work. I just risk killing the battery in about an hour if I slam FCP hard. I forget those dongles....no work gets done. I know, don't forget the dongle, duh. Crap happens. this the worst case concern to the not so into USB-C crowd.


OP will find a card reader if that is how video/stills recorded, a drive reader if like me they go down external recorders path (I use a ninja 2 that I feed SSD's in a housing...uses an external drive reading sled, can be any other HDD/SSD reading attachment device), etc that is legacy USB more readily than USB-C. Or can be in place already.


video/stills/audio side no major vendor I know of is putting usb c in the box yet. See it takes 2 to tango. apple has provided all USB C....vendors have not. Apple does not have the clout imo to change this soon. inb4 heresy, purge the unbeliever....


Vendors are seeing Asus, gigabyte, other major motherboard makers are pumping out designs with the "old" stuff. This is where vendors will look. The majority market controllers. Not the maker of one of the smallest shares of the market. See apple fights for 2nd with Linux/unix. Thing is for hardware purposes we can lump in Linux users with "windows" pc....same hardware (unless balling and bought the specialized stuff like say sparc based systems Oracle releases that Sun used to anyway). So its apple versus....everyone else except for exclusive server hardware lol. I got 5 on everyone else really.

A few years from now when Asus, etc are pushing this more..yeah then USB C centered designs might be more valid.