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Do YOU think it's worth upgrading from my late 2013 rMBP to the new one?

Hieveryone

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 11, 2014
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USA
What would be the benefits?

I currently have a 2.6/8/256 rMBP from late 2013 without issues.

I mainly use it for Firefox, YouTube, Notes sometimes, Calculator, and that's basically it.

I've got some cash to burn, and not sure what I should buy. But I'm definitely thinking of spending it on something at the Apple Store.
 
I have the late 2013 Macbook Pro 15" (with the most basic config at the time) and it still seems to work today (on the latest High Sierra build) as fast as the day I bought it (on Mavericks, which had just come out).

Not interested in the touchbar, don't get any delays doing stuff so don't need anything faster, there's no damage and I don't care about the colour of the thing.

So if I was in your position: No. Spend the money on a holiday and/or food & drink.
 
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I recommend upgrading if the current Macbook can't do what you need it to do or you need it to perform tasks in less time.

Given that the often-used problems are not stressing the cpu or gpu, I don't recommend upgrading.

I also have a late 2013 13" rMBP and it still feels more than adequate for my basic needs.
 
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I'm in the same position as you. I have the same exact late 2013 13", have some cash to burn, and have been eyeing the 13" 2017 nTB.

I don't think I can do it. I'd be spending +$900 (after selling mine) and would be getting the same 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, I'd be losing the better keyboard, and losing MagSafe. The only thing I'd feel like I'd gain is a brighter display and a lighter slimmer laptop.

I'm going till 2018 to upgrade. Hoping they fix the keyboard, make the 512GB $200 less, and maybe add a 120hz panel like the new iPads have.
 
Yeah unfortunately it doesn't seem like the latest MacBook Pros are THAT much better than what I already have for my use unless touch bar is your thing. For me I actually prefer the physical keys, and would only be interested in the ntMBP.

Sooo not sure what to do. The form factor is nice and SG is too, but I would be on that dongle life pretty hard given I need my ports. That would be a pain I think.
 
I would probably keep the money to one side, and perhaps use it when you find your current rMBP cannot serve your needs. By that time, you'll be able to have something (hopefully) far exceeding the specs of today.

My rMBP is a mid 2014 version, and is more than adequate for my needs. I will hang on to it for as long as possible.
 
I just upgraded but I was running a 2010 MBA. If I had anything with an Ivy Bridge CPU or newer I'd have hung onto it for at least another couple years.
 
Falhófnir said:
Probably a good rule of thumb is you'll be more satisfied if it's your old machine that makes you want to upgrade rather than the new one ;)
Click to expand...

WOW that just blew my mind haha. So true. Ultimately I AM looking for something new to satisfy me and be exciting. Maybe when my current rMBP gets old and maybe isn't able to do what I need it to do, I'll upgrade and find it a joy.

Right now, I'd fire up my new ntMBP if I bought one, and it would be the same 'ol stuff I normally do with probably not a HUGE noticeable difference i.e. watching YouTube videos, etc.
 
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Here is some sound advice, save your money by putting it in a bank account.

Obviously what you have is meeting your needs; I know its hard to resist the new and shiny, especially when you visit the Apple Store. But you must learn to resist. Its not gonna make you any happier or more productive because its new and shiny. You never know what other emergencies that money can be handy for.

Then again, if you are that lady who recently won 758 million dollars in the lottery, buy 10 and send me one. :D
 
Mr. Dee said:
Here is some sound advice, save your money by putting it in a bank account.

Obviously what you have is meeting your needs; I know its hard to resist the new and shiny, especially when you visit the Apple Store. But you must learn to resist. Its not gonna make you any happier or more productive because its new and shiny. You never know what other emergencies that money can be handy for.

Then again, if you are that lady who recently won 758 million dollars in the lottery, buy 10 and send me one. :D
Click to expand...

How many million would qualify someone to buy just 1? Lol
 
Have you purchased Airpods yet? - if not, that's a slightly lesser expense that chances are you will love!
 
Hieveryone said:
What would be the benefits?

I currently have a 2.6/8/256 rMBP from late 2013 without issues.

I mainly use it for Firefox, YouTube, Notes sometimes, Calculator, and that's basically it.

I've got some cash to burn, and not sure what I should buy. But I'm definitely thinking of spending it on something at the Apple Store.
Click to expand...
With that usage, the benefit would be pretty much nothing except weight savings.
 
Hieveryone said:
WOW that just blew my mind haha. So true. Ultimately I AM looking for something new to satisfy me and be exciting. Maybe when my current rMBP gets old and maybe isn't able to do what I need it to do, I'll upgrade and find it a joy.

Right now, I'd fire up my new ntMBP if I bought one, and it would be the same 'ol stuff I normally do with probably not a HUGE noticeable difference i.e. watching YouTube videos, etc.
Click to expand...
Yeah I definitely feel you, I'm drooling over the new sleeker MBP designs, but as I have a perfectly functional one that's not even 2 years old there's really no sense in getting one yet. Having said that I'm probably going to look into the 2019/ Ice Lake variants as the 10nm chips should be good for battery life - if it is impressive, 12h or more, then I will probably treat myself because I also think a little treat now and again is important - I guess you could take a similar approach? :)
 
For ur use case a MBP is really over the edge power wise.

If u like the smaller form factor of the MB u can find a base 2016 at Bestbuy for $900. And it would handle ur stuff easily
 
Let me copy and paste my comment on this....


Regarding the ultimate return of my Touchbar units due to keyboard issues...I was told that "They (the designers) needed more testing." and "I get calls on this all day long. I don't know what Apple will do." and "These needed more testing."

And many other comments along with the fellow at the Genius Bar saying they can't handle any debris under the keyboard and failure is inevitable. The rep that handled my exchange is returning his 13" touchbar.

What further proof does anyone need? I'm certain they'll work it out. One rep said Apple may replace keyboards and extend the warranty on them. It's a mess. All you can do is buy an Air or older retina and wait for Apple to redesign the keyboard again. I sure won't be a beta tester again.


R.
 
OP wrote:
"I mainly use it for Firefox, YouTube, Notes sometimes, Calculator, and that's basically it."

I don't think you'll see any noticeable performance benefits between and 2013 and a 2017 for these tasks.

You probably would notice the [modestly] improved display.

You -might- notice the "lack of legacy ports", if you have a lot of USB-a stuff.

You -might- notice the different keyboard (some like it, others hate it).

For your uses, I don't consider "4 years between upgrades" long enough, if the older computer is still "doin' the job".

I'd hold out for a 2018 model.
Or maybe even a 2019.
 
You
EugW said:
With that usage, the benefit would be pretty much nothing except weight savings.
Click to expand...

You also get the P3 color gamut screen. While people bitch about the ports, I really like having 4 ports I can use for a combination of display, ethernet, power, and devices. I like being able to charge from either side, also. or have my video and ethernet on the right-hand side.
 
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I understand you wanting to upgrade, I recently upgraded my mid 2012 rMBP 15" to a new 13". I don't need to upgrade, especially after upgrading my old machine to the Apple File System, as it freed up some space, so instead of almost being out of room I now have extra space to keep old machine. Anyway, I am almost out of my 14 day trial and currently on the fence about returning it and waiting until I really need to upgrade and maybe by then I'll be able to get a good deal on a 15".....although the 13" is a thing beauty, the 15" does have much better specs under the hood.

Good luck with your decision....I know it is not an easy one.
 
Is the 2013 13" rMBP your only computer? Do you travel frequently? If the latter you might want to consider a 12" MacBook, which is feather-light and very small and would satisfy the urge for something shiny and new.... However, yes, it's only got the one USB-C port and so could require also purchasing some adapters/dongles, etc., especially if you need to connect to peripherals which use USB-A (USB-3) ports.

Ah, but that brings me to another suggestion. So you want something new and shiny, eh? How are you fixed for backup solutions (i.e., external drives)? You DO faithfully back up your machine(s), right? Well, here's an idea for something which fits the bill of something new and shiny: Samsung's T5, an external SSD drive which comes in four capacities (256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB). Plug one of these babies into your 13" rMBP and back her up very, very quickly -- the device is really tiny and really fast. Inexpensive? Well, no....external drives with a "platter" or "spinner" drive in them are going to be significantly less money, but, hey, the big thing going for the T5 is its speed, its sleek appearance and small size as well as, yeah, that major cool factor....... :)

The T5 has just been released, so its predecessors, the T1 and the T3 may now be available for a little less money. Really, though, if just starting out with external SSDs, the T5 is the way to go. Such a difference from "platter" or "spinner" drives!

These aren't available at the Apple Store, but can be purchased at Microcenter (a brick-and-mortar computer-electronics store in various locations around the US) and of course online through Microcenter's website as well as on Amazon and at Samsung's own site. Someone also told me that Best Buy also has them in retail stores and online, but I haven't checked that out.

Before anyone asks, no, I'm not a sales rep for Samsung, but I am totally in love with Samsung's series of external SSDs and have been using them since the T1 first emerged on the market. As time has gone on and my budget has permitted I've gradually been shifting to making these the core of my supplementary and backup drives system.

Itching to spend a little money on some electronics? If you decide to hang on your current 13" rMBP a while longer, maybe it's time to give her the gift of speedy backup.....
 
DanGoh said:
I'm in the same position as you. I have the same exact late 2013 13", have some cash to burn, and have been eyeing the 13" 2017 nTB.

I don't think I can do it. I'd be spending +$900 (after selling mine) and would be getting the same 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, I'd be losing the better keyboard, and losing MagSafe. The only thing I'd feel like I'd gain is a brighter display and a lighter slimmer laptop.

I'm going till 2018 to upgrade. Hoping they fix the keyboard, make the 512GB $200 less, and maybe add a 120hz panel like the new iPads have.
Click to expand...

If you can afford it go for it!

but Um the newer machine is far, far, superior in every way. Those 2013 13in MBPs are scoring in the 6000s on geek bench. My nTB is scoring 10,000+. The read and write speed of the 2017s are on a completely different level. I don't believe your computer can operate Final Cut Pro without hiccups. These machines would feel like night and day. Especially the SG ;)

PS you're loko to put 8gb of ram into a $1500 machine. Same goes for the 128gb storage.
To each their own...
 
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