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Good deal?

CE3

CE3

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 26, 2014
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Just curious what you guys think of this mid-2019 15” configuration for $1999 brand new:

2.6 i7 9750h
Radeon Pro 555X with 4GB GDDR5
32GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
512GB SSD storage

I paid $2100 after tax for my base 2018 15” model. I could probably sell it with the AppleCare and only have to pay 200-350 for this new model. It’s only a small CPU bump, but double the storage and RAM.
 
A base 16” with 32GB of RAM would be around $600-800 more.
 
If you can scrounge the cash, it's probably worth it to get a base 16" and upgrade to 32gb ram. You get the better keyboard, longer battery life, much better video card, a physical escape key and probably better resale value down the road.
 
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CE3 said:
I paid $2100 after tax for my base 2018 15” model. I could probably sell it with the AppleCare and only have to pay 200-350 for this new model. It’s only a small CPU bump, but double the storage and RAM.
Click to expand...

Swappa is showing base 2018 MBPs models (i7/256GB) to be in the 1,500 range. You'll be kicking in more then 300 bucks to offset the cost.

What does the 2019 MBP give you that the 2018 doesn't?
 
maflynn said:
Swappa is showing base 2018 MBPs models (i7/256GB) to be in the 1,500 range. You'll be kicking in more then 300 bucks to offset the cost.

What does the 2019 MBP give you that the 2018 doesn't?
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Double the memory and SSD

not sure I'd want to rick that keyboard plus the 16" is way faster CPU and GPU wise
 
robvas said:
Double the memory and SSD

not sure I'd want to rick that keyboard plus the 16" is way faster CPU and GPU wise
Click to expand...
D'oh

Yeah. Prices are a bit higher but my question remains what does the 19 have over the 18
 
I was just toying around with the idea of switching it up for more RAM and extra storage, and I think the price is really good. 256gb hasn’t really been a problem for me on this machine, but 512 a is sweeter spot for those times I need to temporarily dump a bunch of data on the desktop.

Since my 2018 is in flawless condition with all the packaging, I think I’d be able to get around $1700-1800 with the AppleCare+ coverage through spring of 2022.

I probably wouldn’t get AppleCare+ for the new machine and just stick to the 1-year warranty. I haven’t had any issues with my 2018 keyboard and there’s a repair program in place if I do.

The ”16 models are well priced and more powerful, but I‘ve also read a lot on here about fan noise in clamshell mode, battery life, screens being more yellow/dim, etc. I‘d rather have a little less cpu and gpu if it means a quieter machine with better battery life. I have an i9 iMac with 64GB of RAM If I need better performance.
 
CE3 said:
The ”16 models are well priced and more powerful, but I‘ve also read a lot on here about fan noise in clamshell mode, battery life, screens being more yellow/dim, etc. I‘d rather have a little less cpu and gpu if it means a quieter machine with better battery life. I have an i9 iMac with 64GB of RAM If I need better performance.
Click to expand...

The battery life is better on the 16 than the 15 for sure, the screens are not more yellow or dim, and I doubt the fan noise is worse than the outgoing 15-inch models with much worse thermal setups, mine at least has been very quiet in normal use. I don't use my devices with the screen closed even if I have a display connected, so not sure on that one. Either way, I wouldn't take this forum as a definitive slice of what's going on with the majority of MBPs out there.
 
The 555X is going to age very, very, very, very, very badly. It'll be a fine computer for web browsing and what not though. Would not blow $2k on a 555X powered ThrottleBook Extreme Pro with bonus Masochist Switch Keyboard though.
 
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I've not had any issues with the 555X on my 2018 model using programs like Photoshop, Bridge / Camera Raw, and Luminar. I think I'm going to do it. After estimating my shipping and selling fees, the upgrade will cost me no more than $400 after the sale of my MacBook (probably closer to $350), which isn’t bad for a RAM and storage upgrade and a little CPU bump. 32gb of ram should keep resale value decent for a year or two, unless Apple makes 32GB the base of their next models (doubtful).

Mac202 said:
Can I ask - where did you find this deal at?
Click to expand...

Here you go. $1999 and no additional charge for sales tax. The ”i8” and 5500M spec in the title is a typo, but the listed specs are correct. This is the same model: https://www.adorama.com/acmv902lla6.html

They also have a $2099 configuration with the i9 & 560X: https://expercom.com/product_detail.html?p=1854350
 
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CE3 said:
I've not had any issues with the 555X on my 2018 model using programs like Photoshop, Bridge / Camera Raw, and Luminar. I think I'm going to do it. After estimating my shipping and selling fees, the upgrade will cost me no more than $400 after the sale of my MacBook (probably closer to $350), which isn’t bad for a RAM and storage upgrade and a little CPU bump. 32gb of ram should keep resale value decent for a year or two, unless Apple makes 32GB the base of their next models (doubtful).



Here you go. $1999 and no additional charge for sales tax. The ”i8” and 5500M spec in the title is a typo, but the listed specs are correct. This is the same model: https://www.adorama.com/acmv902lla6.html
Click to expand...

don't do it, kid! DODGE THE BULLET.
 
CE3 said:
A base 16” with 32GB of RAM would be around $600-800 more.
Click to expand...
My 2¢, save up a bit more and go with the base 16", you won't regret it. Or even better, look around for a refurbished base 16" model. a) unless you're a hardcore gamer/video editor 32GB RAM is overkill; b) the base 16" has double the storage; c) the 5300m is much better than the 555X; d) your fingers will thank you for choosing the 16" model's magic keyboard.
 
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Strangedream said:
My 2¢, save up a bit more and go with the base 16", you won't regret it. Or even better, look around for a refurbished base 16" model. a) unless you're a hardcore gamer/video editor 32GB RAM is overkill; b) the base 16" has double the storage; c) the 5300m is much better than the 555X; d) your fingers will thank you for choosing the 16" model's magic keyboard.
Click to expand...
The hardcore gaming part is completely unnecessary. Let us not delude the man into thinking they can even game comfortably at decent settings on a 555X. Probably valid if they decide to pony up for an eGPU, but at that point? They might as well do as we're both saying and get a 16" MBP base configuration.
 
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I don’t need a MacBook for hardcore gaming, or any gaming at all. I haven’t had any performance issues with my base 2018 model, even with hyper-threading disabled. 16GB of RAM is usually more than enough, but I know programs like Photoshop and Final Cut will make use of the extra RAM if it’s there, and for this price it’s a good upgrade. I agree that even the base 16” is going to be more powerful and it’s a great buy. I guess the tradeoff of having a laptop that’s a little less powered is that it hopefully runs cooler and quieter and yields decent battery life. I have an iMac capable of delivering workstation level performance when it’s needed.

I actually like the typing experience on the butterfly keyboard, and the repair program ensures that if I have any problems down the road the keyboard will get replaced, along with the battery, or they’ll just give me a 16” model. And because of the repair program I don’t feel as inclined to purchase extended AppleCare (and I already have my case), which saves me more money.
 
Update: The base 16” model got discounted to $2227, so I‘ve decided to take everyone’s advice and go with the 16” 😂
 
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And speaking of good deals.. even though the resale value of the recent 15” models has went down quite a bit since the 16” models came out (which sucks, but at least I got a good price for it last year), after contacting Apple yesterday I found out that selling my 2018 MacBook Pro with AppleCare+ would have lost me even more money. So I’ve cancelled AppleCare, lowered the selling price of my MacBook, and Apple’s transferring a $271 prorated refund to my bank. There’s no way would I have gotten $271 more by selling with AppleCare.

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. Clearly I was just trying to convince myself that a RAM upgrade would’ve been worth the extra cost and hassle. 16GB will be fine, and I‘m sure I’ll see more improvements using a CPU in a system with better cooling and a graphics card that offers over 100% increase in performance over the 555X.
 
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CE3 said:
And speaking of good deals.. even though the resale value of the recent 15” models has went down quite a bit since the 16” models came out (which sucks, but at least I got a good price for it last year), after contacting Apple yesterday I found out that selling my 2018 MacBook Pro with AppleCare+ would have lost me even more money. So I’ve cancelled AppleCare, lowered the selling price of my MacBook, and Apple’s transferring a $271 prorated refund to my bank. There’s no way would I have gotten $271 more by selling with AppleCare.

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. Clearly I was just trying to convince myself that a RAM upgrade would’ve been worth the extra cost and hassle. 16GB will be fine, and I‘m sure I’ll see more improvements using a CPU in a system with better cooling and a graphics card that offers over 100% increase in performance over the 555X.
Click to expand...
how long did you own the 15" macbook pro to get that much money back?
 
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