Hey guys! Have a bit of a problem hopefully you guys can help me out. I have had a MacBook Air since about 2008 and it recently broke down not too long ago. Was waiting to pull the trigger on a new MacBook Pro until I saw the prices and the changes...lol. Any ways my question to you all is this. I need a powerhouse laptop so I'm looking into either purchasing the high end 2016 15 inch model or the high end 15 inch 2015 model. I need this for heavy photo and video editing. I like the last gen due to the ports but what bothers me is the gpu compared to the new one that was just released. What do you guys think I should go for? Because the price difference is pretty drastic. I want something that will last me just as long as my last Mac and that can handle anything I throw at it on the fly.
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Dilemma MacBook Pro 2015 vs 2016
- Thread starter Vordaz
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Thanks for the response, I understand that but performance wise at least when it comes to the GPU. Do you think it's that much better than the last gen?
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Thanks !
Used MBP is always the way to go IMHO - unless you can get a new one 40% off
1. What have you been using currently for the 'heavy photo and video editing?
2. Define 'powerhouse' - what apps, actual real usage, etc.
3. What displays are you planning to connect to the system/what resolution (and why?)
Going from an ancient Air to a MBP of any year 2011+ would be a huge jump already; are you sure you need a 'powerhouse' or it just sounds nice? (Thus the Qa above..)
I work in software, run multiple VMs + Dev environments, and do 'casual serious' photo editing, some prior video editing.
I don't 'need' anything the announced model is bringing; what I really needed was a 32GB RAM option. The TB3 ports would be nice, but not required. I don't care particularly about the screen, as I mostly have my MBP 'docked' with 1 34" or multiple 27" displays. I'll be looking for a used 2014/2015 MBP to tide me over from my 2011MBP which mostly does what I need/want..until a refresh with 32GB RAM comes along and perhaps a price adjustment happens on their SSD pricing.
YMMV as always, but I'd consider your real needs vs 'wants'.
I just ordered a 15" 2015 Macbook Pro from Apple's refurb site. Same some money and do the same. Last year's MacBooks are full of all the right ports and still fabulous.
I've been using my self built PC desktop Windows 10, i7-4790k CPU 4.00ghz 16gb of ram with a GeForce GTX 780ti. Problem is I run this setup with a triple monitor display and I need something more portable. Been mainly using Adobe Premeire Pro, Photoshop, After Effects CS6. I'm not planing on connecting it to other displays since I'll mainly be using it for when I travel. So with getting this MacBook Pro I don't mind using Final Cut Pro X when I need to. It it seems like everyone is recommending last gen refurbished which is probably what I'll do. I've always bought things new, have you ever owned anything apple related refurbished? This is going to be a first for me
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Thanks for the tip, I'm definitely going to check it out and look into it. Never bought anything refurbished before from apple so we'll see.
Just ordered last years model as well from the refurbished site and I have never owned a mac before, the new prices are ridiculous when you can save that money and spend it on much more useful things elsewhere. You could buy yourself a really nice monitor or something.
Got it, that helps.
Definitely 15", 16GB RAM. I'd go DGPU and 1TB SSD if planning on doing much video or 4k. There will be a performance boost on SSD throughput on the newest model, but last model is still pretty impressive at ~2GB/s reads, not much behind on writes.
Apple refurbs are fine. Full warranty and eligible for AppleCare. I got one a while back with one dead key but that could have happened buying new as well. Replaced at Apple Store under warranty. I've also bought a few systems via eBay but I look for high feedback and still under warranty or AppleCare.
I went this very route, also. Was a photojournalist and used a 15" rMacBook Pro for the last three years and loved it. Never a problem, was fast an handled Photoshop, Photomechanic and transmitting without a glitch. Used it a lot to speak to make presentations to students so having a variety of ports helped a lot. When I heard that the ports would be going and a thinner design was imminent (I really liked the sturdy design of the laptop and even though I carried it in a LLBean case everywhere, it never felt heavy) I grabbed a brand new 13" with i5, 8GB and a 512 SSD at an Apple certified dealer for $1349. Have been enjoying ever since and certainly, after this fiasco, with no regrets.