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Get 2016 rMB or refurbished 2015 rMB?

ZEVIN

ZEVIN

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 19, 2016
10
3
Boston
Hi, all,

When rMB just updated, the price of refurbished 2015 rMB also drops a lot. Now it is $929 for the base model (last night it was 1099). So I hesitate. Should I get the new one or refurbished old version?

All I want to do with my macbook is just reading pdf, writing paper by Latex, iWork, browsing website, watching movie, listening music....etc. Definitely no heavy work like editing photos, making films, or computer programming. I rarely need to use Matlab but not to run a big program or deal with huge data. I do need portability so rMB is my first choice. But I am not sure if 2015 rMB is enough for me and the new one always looks attractive......Since the price of refurbished 2015 rMB is much lower.....I do need some advice.
 
I'd be interesting to know if the 2016 keyboard has been improved over the 2015 model, especially given the problems a lot of people had on this forum.
 
ChrisLTD said:
I'd be interesting to know if the 2016 keyboard has been improved over the 2015 model, especially given the problems a lot of people had on this forum.
Click to expand...

It's the same keyboard. There really aren't any problems with it just bc some people on here like to complain. Plenty of people are fine with it.
 
ChrisLTD said:
I'd be interesting to know if the 2016 keyboard has been improved over the 2015 model, especially given the problems a lot of people had on this forum.
Click to expand...
No real problems with the keyboard. It did catch me off guard for a second when I used my friend's MacBook but that went away fast. 90% of the people who complained haven't even used it.
 
I'm in Canada and we didn't get the BB sale, but based on the Gen 1 and Gen 2 specs, my gut feel is that the faster CPU, GPU, RAM and SSD are worth a few dollars. The Gen 1 256/8GB/1.1 is CAD$1,549. Assuming the equivalent Gen 2 is also $1,549 they'd need to drop the Gen 1 to $1,200 or so and I'd pick that up instead. So to me it's worth $349. But I'll wait for the benchmarks and I am also considering the 256/8GB/i5 13" MBA, assuming that stays at the $1,449 type price point.
 
You basically need to ask yourself if all of the improvements the new gen brings (faster CPU, GPU, RAM and storage, plus 1 hour extra of battery life) are worth the extra $370 that they'll cost you.

Personally, I don't see the newer rMB doing anything that the first gen can't do, so I would personally save the money and go for the older model.
 
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In the same boat here been holding off (in the UK so had no Best Buy discount option) for this update and am now unsure - was not expecting major changes but was hoping for sky lake, camera update (as do actually use it but not as a major function) and slight price drop.

As have now only got 1 out of three updates - can't decide between original choice which would have been the updated 1.2 with 512 storage for £1300 or to go for refurbished 2015 1.1 with 256 storage for £759

At present have a MacBook Pro 2013 but it's just too heavy for my uses (I travel a lot with work but need a computer with keyboard etc so iPad doesn't work for me for work)

As I type this out I'm struggling to see the justification to pay £540 extra for something that I imagine will be more substantially updated next year and guess I could probably get half its value back if I resold in a year if update is substantial.

So I guess I'm wondering if anyone has struggled with entry level model from last year or whether I'm best to save as much as I can for portability and use for a year before seeing what next update is like?
 
i've been waiting to see the new specs also, personally for £300+ difference i'll probably get the 1.2 refurb model and if the next gen (2017) looks snappier then i'll sell the MB get that. I'm coming from a 2010 13 inch MBP so anything will probably be better!
 
TMRJIJ said:
No real problems with the keyboard. It did catch me off guard for a second when I used my friend's MacBook but that went away fast. 90% of the people who complained haven't even used it.
Click to expand...
When I go back to my rMBP the keys feel really mushy in comparison, after having used the MB for a few months.

The key travel takes some getting used to, but it was only a day or so until I was up to speed again. Now I switch between it and my Cherry MX Clears on my desktop keyboard, and I love the feel of both of them.

As for 2016 vs 2015...personally I would probably save the $300 and go with the 2015.
 
d.b.c said:
In the same boat here been holding off (in the UK so had no Best Buy discount option) for this update and am now unsure - was not expecting major changes but was hoping for sky lake, camera update (as do actually use it but not as a major function) and slight price drop.

As have now only got 1 out of three updates - can't decide between original choice which would have been the updated 1.2 with 512 storage for £1300 or to go for refurbished 2015 1.1 with 256 storage for £759

At present have a MacBook Pro 2013 but it's just too heavy for my uses (I travel a lot with work but need a computer with keyboard etc so iPad doesn't work for me for work)

As I type this out I'm struggling to see the justification to pay £540 extra for something that I imagine will be more substantially updated next year and guess I could probably get half its value back if I resold in a year if update is substantial.

So I guess I'm wondering if anyone has struggled with entry level model from last year or whether I'm best to save as much as I can for portability and use for a year before seeing what next update is like?
Click to expand...

I was in this quandary too. Went for 759 refurb last night, just received it with a big scratch on the front rid. Granted, it is a refurb,and these things can be expected, but its really not very convincing on the general state in which the unit was kept prior to me receiving it. I have not taken the wrapper off the laptop itself, and will return it, possibly getting a new one. I have the edu discount, so it's a case of 902 pounds for the base new model vs. 759 for the refurb. I would have still liked to spend around 800 for a laptop of these specifications, but the refurb I received has put me off trying that lottery again...
 
TheBigApple2006 said:
I was in this quandary too. Went for 759 refurb last night, just received it with a big scratch on the front rid. Granted, it is a refurb,and these things can be expected
Click to expand...
Wow. I wouldn't tolerate that for a second. That is NOT to be expected from an Apple refurb. Maybe some third party refurbisher but not Apple.
I've ordered multiple computers and other devices from Apple US refurb store and every single one has been indistinguishable from brand new. Literally the only discernible difference has been the box they were in.
 
buy the new one, if money is not a problem, rendering and do the usual daily tasks will be a little much improved thanks to faster ram, faster ssd and faster cpu
 
After thinking about my needs long and hard I have decided to go for a Refurbished 12-inc Macbook 1.1 (Space Grey), well will do once they are in stock on the UK site. £759.00 vs £986.40 was an easy decision for me.
 
Serban said:
common man, 200 pounds more for better battery ram ssd gpu is a no brainer
Click to expand...

Companies love it when people gladly pay extra money beyond what fulfills their need.

I asked someone else this question and am curious of your answer. With what specific applications and in what specific instances does a ~850MB/s SSD write speed make a discernible difference from a ~450MB/s SSD write speed? Note the read speeds are close and both in the 800-900MB/s range.
 
Yes. And when you spend that money wisely, you're able to provide even more nice experiences and things for your family than when you spend your money foolishly.

Now that we've settled that, what's your answer on the SSD question?
 
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d.b.c said:
In the same boat here been holding off (in the UK so had no Best Buy discount option) for this update and am now unsure - was not expecting major changes but was hoping for sky lake, camera update (as do actually use it but not as a major function) and slight price drop.

As have now only got 1 out of three updates - can't decide between original choice which would have been the updated 1.2 with 512 storage for £1300 or to go for refurbished 2015 1.1 with 256 storage for £759

At present have a MacBook Pro 2013 but it's just too heavy for my uses (I travel a lot with work but need a computer with keyboard etc so iPad doesn't work for me for work)

As I type this out I'm struggling to see the justification to pay £540 extra for something that I imagine will be more substantially updated next year and guess I could probably get half its value back if I resold in a year if update is substantial.

So I guess I'm wondering if anyone has struggled with entry level model from last year or whether I'm best to save as much as I can for portability and use for a year before seeing what next update is like?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that a first-gen MacBook may feel a bit slower than your 2013 MBP. For some, the decrease in speed is noticeable and for others it's not, but just keep that in mind. The Skylake Core M chips in the new MacBook are significantly faster, benchmarking even higher than the Core i5 in the 2015 Air's and nearly matching benchmarks of the Core i7. And that's not even based on benchmarks of the m7 (since it's BTO and doesn't deliver till next week), but I'm guessing it'll match or exceed the benchmarks of the Core i7 in the 2015 Air's since the scores of the m5 vs the i7 are already very close.

Also, have you thought about selling your current MBP and putting the money towards the MacBook? You could probably get at least $500 for it.
 
deeddawg said:
Yes. And when you spend that money wisely, you're able to provide even more nice experiences and things for your family than when you spend your money foolishly.

Now that we've settled that, what's your answer on the SSD question?
Click to expand...
i dont care, for me money is not an object(if it was i wasnt looking at Apple, a brand with not so high price per value). so i change my things every year, and bigger things like cars every 4 years.
ssd i think is nice to have, encoding helps a bit along side gpu and ram and cpu
 
  • SR71 said:
    Keep in mind that a first-gen MacBook may feel a bit slower than your 2013 MBP. For some, the decrease in speed is noticeable and for others it's not, but just keep that in mind. The Skylake Core M chips in the new MacBook are significantly faster, benchmarking even higher than the Core i5 in the 2015 Air's and nearly matching benchmarks of the Core i7. And that's not even based on benchmarks of the m7 (since it's BTO and doesn't deliver till next week), but I'm guessing it'll match or exceed the benchmarks of the Core i7 in the 2015 Air's since the scores of the m5 vs the i7 are already very close.

    Also, have you thought about selling your current MBP and putting the money towards the MacBook? You could probably get at least $500 for it.
    Click to expand...

    Thanks for feedback - I'm planning to keep rmbp until comfortable with MacBook and then sell so money back is factored in - It's more a case that I think the really improved update will be next year when kaby update will force some redesign to fit it in - (also have 1 eye on MacBook Pro updates this year but to be honest I think they will be thinner and more powerful but it will be impossible to match MacBooks weight which is a major factor in my decision)

    If buying new I can't bring myself to get 1.1 rather than 1.2 version to future proof - but if buying older version perversely can't justify getting anything other 1.1 version as means with resell of old Mac I'm basically getting it for £500 which means it's no problem to update in a year.

    I think decision is made and would have hit the buy button already if they had a space grey version available in uk refurbished store....
 
Serban said:
i dont care, for me money is not an object
Click to expand...
That's nice. It is for the other 99%

Serban said:
ssd i think is nice to have, encoding helps a bit along side gpu and ram and cpu
Click to expand...
That statement doesn't support your claim that the faster SSD is a reason to spend more. We all know SSDs are a benefit. I'm just unclear how on an ultraportable an ~850MB/s write speed makes a discernible difference from a ~450MB/s write speed SSD.

Can you not answer the question? It should be pretty simple since you think there's a benefit, you must have been thinking of specific circumstances.
 
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deeddawg said:
That's nice. It is for the other 99%


That statement doesn't support your claim that the faster SSD is a reason to spend more. We all know SSDs are a benefit. I'm just unclear how on an ultraportable an ~850MB/s write speed makes a discernible difference from a ~450MB/s write speed SSD.

Can you not answer the question? It should be pretty simple since you think there's a benefit, you must have been thinking of specific circumstances.
Click to expand...
ok why you dont have first gen ssd then ? why upgrade at all if your machine still working?
ssd cpu ram gpu works together and all of them are a little bit faster to make a difference
 
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