Desktop Replacement

[Sam_S]

I am considering upgrading my set up as both of my machines are starting to show their age, especially my iMac.

I absolutely love working on a desktop, it is nice to have the screen real estate, and it is much more comfortable for long work periods.
However, I travel a lot I spent 7-8 months in the last year away from home. So I think it is time for me to get new MacBook Pro.

I only use Final Cut Pro from time to time, I mainly do a lot of word processing, research, and run Virtual machines as I need to use a few Windows only applications.

I am trying to decide between two options

MacBook Pro 13" which will cost $3150NZD

• 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
• 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
• 512GB of SSD storage

or MacBook Pro 15" which will cost $3450NZD

• 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
• 16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
• 512GB SSD
• Radeon Pro 555 with 2GB of memory

Any advise would be helpful

 

[Jimios]

Since it's a desktop replacement, and for such a small difference, I would recommend the 15", especially because you would be able to assign two cores instead of one to the Windows VM and things would be much smoother. It would also help with FCP editing.

Just out of curiosity - what Windows-only apps do you need to use?

 

[ZapNZs]

15-inch all the way, IMO.

If you like working on desktops, you can drive more displays with the 15, you get two more cores, and a GPU. Plus, the BTO 13 rapidly approaches 15-inch pricing.

 

[Sam_S]

Since it's a desktop replacement, and for such a small difference, I would recommend the 15", especially because you would be able to assign two cores instead of one to the Windows VM and things would be much smoother. It would also help with FCP editing.

Just out of curiosity - what Windows-only apps do you need to use?

Mainly MS Access and Visio, but also MS Project and some other custom built pieces of software occasionally.

 

[Mobster1983]

Definitely the 15". I replaced my 2013 iMac (everything maxed) with a 2016 MBP 15" (also maxed processor/RAM). The MBP was slightly faster (talking a couple percent) than the iMac. Sold my iMac for a cool Grand and use my MBP with an external display.

 

[whodean]

I would strongly urge to go with the $2799 (US) 15" model and works far better with a 4K display.

 

[Another Day]

15" is way to big to travel with. Get the 13".

 

[vipergts2207]

If you get the 15" base model, do yourself a favor and at least add on the 560 GPU upgrade.

 

[MichaelDT]

I would personally go for the 13” with an i7 for the hyper-threading. I have a distrust for the 15” MBPs as their GPUs have a tendency to die out of warranty. With TB3 you can always add an external GPU with display especially now that apple has gotten behind the idea.

 

[Mobster1983]

15" is way to big to travel with. Get the 13".

It's one pound more. If you can't handle that well...

I've travelled all over with mine and the footprint has never caused a problem either. For what the OP wants to do, 15" would be much better.

 

[TonyK]

Try traveling with a 17" MBP. That is why a 2015 15" MBP was just acquired. Didn't want TB and USB 3 at this time.

To round out the desktop replacement, OWC's TB2 dock was ordered, a MagSafe to MagSafe2 adapter (to work with an Apple 27" LED) and a stand.

With this I can be desk bound or mobile in a moment's notice and take all of my absolutely needed files with me.

 

[smallcoffee]

Everybody is saying go with the 15, but the 13 could work here too. Won't have any issues running VMs.

Maybe consider the 13" and get a nice monitor to go along with it?

 

[Sam_S]

If you get the 15" base model, do yourself a favor and at least add on the 560 GPU upgrade.

In the long run will there be much benefit?
Obviously may help in the times I am using FCP, but other then that I'm not gaming, or anything else graphics intensive.
[doublepost=1497166084][/doublepost]

I would strongly urge to go with the $2799 (US) 15" model and works far better with a 4K display.

If I am honest I probably wouldn't be using a 4K display, more then happy with a lower quality display.
There just aren't the options for 4K in NZ, unless you want to spend thousands, which I don't.

 

[mrex]

I would personally go for the 13” with an i7 for the hyper-threading.

you dont need to buy i7 to get hyper-threading, i5 has it also. Only difference between i5 and i7 are base and max frequency and, imho, not worth for $300, it is still just a dual core processor. i would rather use that amount of money to add more memory from 8gb to 16gb.

 

[MichaelDT]

you dont need to buy i7 to get hyper-threading, i5 has it also. Only difference between i5 and i7 are base and max frequency and, imho, not worth for $300, it is still just a dual core processor. i would rather use that amount of money to add more memory from 8gb to 16gb.

You’re right. I hadn’t realized Intel did this on the dual core mobile i5. Kind of confuses the messaging on what an i7 is. Nonetheless, i7 has a higher clock speed which helps immensely in single threaded tasks. But it depends on the OPs work load.

 

[Sam_S]

After a bit of consideration, I am going to hold onto my current gear until the end of the year/the next spec bump.
Hopefully all of the problems should be resolved by then! And they have a higher SSD capacity as standard.

 

[therealseebs]

Honestly, the realistic answer is:

Apple does not make, and will not make, desktop-replacement tier laptops. You can sorta fake it with a henge dock and a lot of optimism, but if you really need a desktop-replacement, you are not gonna get one from Apple.

This sucks. I love desktop-replacement laptops.

 

[TonyK]

Just setup my my OWC Thunderbolt 2 dock and am very pleased with it for the short period I tested last night. Given that my current desktop is 9 years old the 2015 MBP is giving it a good run for its money. Both desktop and laptop have SSD for primary drives. It is just the age and hardware that is slowing the desktop down.