Deciding between m3, m5, or m7...

[Eggtastic]

Now that the rMBP have come out with the touch bar reviews they aren't getting much of the praise as apple is pricing them out to be.

I also comapred a 13" non-touch to the 12" rMB and favored the 12" rMB more because of the size.

My uses are minimal, internet, microsoft office, but starting to get into very light photography as a hobby.

I usually keep my laptops 4-5 years. I was wondering if it is worth even considering an m5 or m7 to sort of future proof it?

 

[Zazoh]

I've found, you will likely hear get the m5 or m7 from those that have them. I will say this, I came from a 5 year old i7 2.0 Ghz MBP with a 15 inch screen, my m3 is faster.

I do photo work, as a hobby, seems to work fine. I make a video or two about every 6 months, haven't made one yet, but I'm not fearful.

It is best to get the best machine you can afford, normally, but sometimes high end in Apple has a point of diminishing returns.

I'm happy with the base model, seems peppy, though I don't think that will be the case in 4-5 years.

 

[Peter Abs]

I was thinking the same as you in terms of futureproofing and just went for the M7/512 configuration. It's really quick! Can't speak for the M3 or M5 but since I plan to hold on to mine for a while I decided to spec it up. There's nothing worse than regretting not spending a little bit more to get what you want and not being able to change it, but you do have 14 days I guess!

 

[macintoshmac]

Apart from processor, graphics and SSD optimisations that might mean the system feels snappier, we might just get Touch ID and P3 display on the next rMB! That is what my only dilemma is. Otherwise I am sold on this little fella!

 

[Precursor]

Also went for the M7 here. I'd tell you like everyone else to go for at least M5, purely on reading some comments on this forum that some M3 owners returned their macbooks and replaced with M5. As an M7 owner I have no regrets whatsoever.

 

[aleni]

you said you are going to keep the macbook at least for 4-5 years, my gut says you'll be better with the m5. you dont need the m7 because your tasks are not that demanding. but the m5 really helps when it comes to more fluidity animation etc in macOS. i got the m3 before returning it to get the m5, the m5 feels much more smoother handling the macOS UI.

 

[double329]

I will go no less than M5 if you decided to go with rMB. Otherwise, I would go with MBP 13 with i5 as alternate option if you worried about performance, not saying that M5 rMB is not capable. I have the M5 rMB and I am very happy with its performance and portability. The MBP 13 currently has much faster IO performance that might give you a notch over the rMB. It is really coming down to if you are looking for a super ultra portable?

 

[Eggtastic]

Thanks all for the replies! m5 it is unless the touch bar 13" impresses me enough in person.

 

[macintoshmac]

I am (sort of) waiting for the new MBPs to touch down in India so I can try the screen and keyboard myself to better gauge if a wait for Early 2017 is worth it or not.

 

[DNichter]

No issues with the m3 here, with pretty much the same use as you. I may be different though as I probably sell and upgrade my laptop for $200 every 2 years. I'd take a hard look at the 13 inch pro without the touch bar though.