Getting a MBP 2015 or MBA 2018?

[Starcrowl]

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 but i need a laptop cause i dont have a main pc and ipad does not meet my needs at all. My budget is able to buy base model 2015 13’ MBP 128GB SSD or 2018 MBA 128GB SSD model. I’m planning to use it mainly for Logic Pro X and coding. Storage is also comes as problem for me, i can buy and use external ssd or hdd solutions but what will happen if it doesnt hold up, thanks for your advices

 

[Howard2k]

I rely on external storage (NAS) and find 256GB is the optimal amount of space for me. I can store all my files locally on the SSD while working on them, but then move them off to the NAS when I'm done actively using a particular set of files. 128GB is pretty skinny. As averse as I am to Apple's absurd storage rate, I couldn't easily get by with 128GB. Some people do of course!

IIRC Benchmarks are about the same between the two, though the Pro will have 50% faster wifi, I think a faster SSD, and a wider range of ports. And a more reliable keyboard of course. The Air has the T2 chip which will assist with HEVC related work. Between the two I'd take the Pro, although I do own a 2015 Pro so perhaps I'm biased.

You'll want to buy spare drives to back up your external drives.

 

[alter_ohm]

the processor (i5-8210Y) of the air is slow for continous work loads. it's a 7 watt TDP dual-core processor. cinebench r15 score: single core 132 points, multicore 285 points.
see https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-2018-i5-256-GB-Laptop-Review.357481.0.html

but the macbook pro retina 13 (early 2015) is only a little bit faster for continous workloads. cinebench r15 score: single core 126 points, multicore 321 points). it also has a dual core processor (i5-5257U) with 28 watt TDP, but it's an old architecture (broadwell).
see https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-Retina-13-Early-2015-Notebook-Review.139621.0.html


i'd probably buy a used macbook pro 15 (with a quadcore 45 watt processor) for logic and coding.

 

[WithBBQSauce]

A base 2015 MBP should be a couple hundred dollars cheaper than a new MBA.

I love that generation of MBP (I still use my late 2013 every day and won’t upgrade until the keyboard mess is resolved) but if I didn’t have one I would be wary of buying a used one unless it was a really good price or I could verify its condition. Was it a student beater or only used by a little old lady on Sundays? How many cycles are on the battery? That generation has a known issue with screen delamination. Has the screen been replaced? If not, is it still within the replacement period (4 years from date of purchase, I believe).

Best bargain out there right now seems to the be the 2015 15” models due to the battery issue (which Apple will replace if it is one of that bad ones I think). And as noted above it has the quad core processor available which will help immensely for your work.

Does it need to be portable since you have the iPad? What about an iMac or Mac Mini?

 

[Starcrowl]

A base 2015 MBP should be a couple hundred dollars cheaper than a new MBA.

I love that generation of MBP (I still use my late 2013 every day and won’t upgrade until the keyboard mess is resolved) but if I didn’t have one I would be wary of buying a used one unless it was a really good price or I could verify its condition. Was it a student beater or only used by a little old lady on Sundays? How many cycles are on the battery? That generation has a known issue with screen delamination. Has the screen been replaced? If not, is it still within the replacement period (4 years from date of purchase, I believe).

Best bargain out there right now seems to the be the 2015 15” models due to the battery issue (which Apple will replace if it is one of that bad ones I think). And as noted above it has the quad core processor available which will help immensely for your work.

Does it need to be portable since you have the iPad? What about an iMac or Mac Mini?

Battery cycle is 169 for MBP 2015, 19 for MBA 2018 and both are in very good condition. I travel quite a lot and need to carry my main pc. Sadly my budget is only capable of 13 inch 128gb mbp, 15 inch is quite expensive in my country
[doublepost=1567708006][/doublepost]

I rely on external storage (NAS) and find 256GB is the optimal amount of space for me. I can store all my files locally on the SSD while working on them, but then move them off to the NAS when I'm done actively using a particular set of files. 128GB is pretty skinny. As averse as I am to Apple's absurd storage rate, I couldn't easily get by with 128GB. Some people do of course!

IIRC Benchmarks are about the same between the two, though the Pro will have 50% faster wifi, I think a faster SSD, and a wider range of ports. And a more reliable keyboard of course. The Air has the T2 chip which will assist with HEVC related work. Between the two I'd take the Pro, although I do own a 2015 Pro so perhaps I'm biased.

You'll want to buy spare drives to back up your external drives.

I feel like its too late to pay a mbp that released in 2015 but i dont wanna buy any windows pc because im tired of it...
Mac os feels more futureproof and stable at the end of the day. Storage is a big problem for sure, idk what to do actually.

 

[alter_ohm]

Battery cycle is 169 for MBP 2015, 19 for MBA 2018 and both are in very good condition. I travel quite a lot and need to carry my main pc. Sadly my budget is only capable of 13 inch 128gb mbp, 15 inch is quite expensive in my country
[doublepost=1567708006][/doublepost]

I feel like its too late to pay a mbp that released in 2015 but i dont wanna buy any windows pc because im tired of it...
Mac os feels more futureproof and stable at the end of the day. Storage is a big problem for sure, idk what to do actually.

maybe buying a refurbished macbook 13" from 2017 in the apple online store is an option in your country? it's cheaper than the new macbook air.
refurbished us online store https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/macbook-pro