Getting a 2017 13" MBP

[tacocat253]

So, my current laptop is falling apart, trying to decide what to get next. I have VERY little patience for problems and buggy software (even the $1500 x1c has notable driver bugs), and I've had terrible luck with used stuff. (I purchased my SE new 2+ years ago, and it's still in mint condition with no issues whatsoever. I can't find anything remotely comparable on craigslist for any reasonable price.)

I need 512GB SSD/16GB RAM/as much battery life as I can get, and I frequently run a second monitor at my desk. Would I be crazy to go and buy a 2017 non-touch bar model now? BH has it for $1700 (no sales tax).

My thinking is, the 2015's may be better built (plus ports and really good battery life), but I'd have to go used. The 2018 exists, but it's even more expensive and battery life is apparently way below advertised. Battery life on the 2017 non-touch bar seems to be in the middle. Thoughts?

 

[maerz001]

The 2018 is more expensive cos it’s the TB model with new stuff like quadcore CPU...

The only thing is that the 2017 still can have problems with the keyboard. Other than that you can also fully trust in the original furnished store on Apple.com. They come tested and with new casings

If power wise it is enough you have to say cos u didn’t mentioned any program that you would use.

 

[tacocat253]

Nothing I’m doing is CPU bound - I just tend to keep lots of stuff open, and I occasionally run a Windows VM (nothing intensive). That’s why 16GB and external displays. I’m running a ULV right now and it’s not an issue.

That’s true with the keyboard, though they’ll repair it for 4 years right? And even then, I’ve heard that mid 2017 and up are way better, and it’s the 2016 that was particularly failure prone. I did try a 2018 and preferred the feel, but can go either way - it was the 1st gen butterfly that I really couldn’t stand.

Not real interested in the refurb store - I’d have to pay sales tax there, and BH (no tax) has the same discounts for a brand new one in many cases. I was looking at the base i5 with 16GB/512GB, but the refurbs are i7 (and priced accordingly).

I sorta wish I’d bought a 2015 when they were new, but eh...