Got laid off at work (10 year position) and my boss is offering to buy me a new MacBook pro as a departing gift... what should I go for?

[Wasteparamedic]

It’s a tough time to lose my job but my boss is really sweet and offered to buy me a new mbp, before he retires the business.. I mainly edit videos for work and will be using FCPX. I also own an iPad 2017 and my old MBP from 2010, still actually works but I need an upgrade...

he offered $2,000 towards a mac and I can throw in my own money as well. I say I have an extra $1,200 to play around with (was originally going to buy an air).

what would y’all do if you were me? I hear so many ups and downs about the MacBook 16 inch and nothing good about the 13 inch...Im wondering if I should just buy something basic (like a 2015 MBP) and wait a few years for the new upgrades? Or if I should just get a mbp16 inch with all the specs and hope it will last me 5-7 years??

Would love some input thanks!

 

[macnmac]

16 maxed out

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

It’s a tough time to lose my job but my boss is really sweet and offered to buy me a new mbp, before he retires the business.. I mainly edit videos for work and will be using FCPX. I also own an iPad 2017 and my old MBP from 2010, still actually works but I need an upgrade...

he offered $2,000 towards a mac and I can throw in my own money as well. I say I have an extra $1,200 to play around with (was originally going to buy an air).

what would y’all do if you were me? I hear so many ups and downs about the MacBook 16 inch and nothing good about the 13 inch...Im wondering if I should just buy something basic and wait a few years for the new upgrades? Or if I should just get a mbp16 inch with all the specs and hope it will last me 5-7 years??

Would love some input thanks!

Can you get Apple/Amazon gift card instead?

 

[Falhófnir]

Yes there's a lot of change on the horizon with Macs, mini LED screens, and likely high refresh rates are coming which will likely be relevant to video work, but that's probably always going to be the case. 5-7 years is a big ask if you're doing video editing professionally, graphics performance on any model where it's not upgradable will fall behind quite quickly, so if you're wanting to keep up into 8K content and etc, don't count on such a long useful life.

For all this though, If you go for an upper tier 16" for $2,700, that gives you the 8 core CPU, higher tier graphics, 1TB of storage, which should last you 5 years, after which point you might start wanting with graphics power whatever route you take. The screen can be gotten around as and when necessary with an external HDR/ high refresh monitor, and an external GPU is also possible if it really comes to it and you need to eke out another couple of years from this computer 4-5-6 years from now.

 

[wegster]

We're going to have to guess a bit here, as if FCP and video editing is acceptable on iPad + a 2010 MB it seems you're sort of on an 'in between' user 'power needs' level.

Were the upcoming MBP13/14 available now, IMO it would be an easy decision.

Meanwhile, the MBP16 may be overkill for you considering the current setups. People gripe, but it is a nice system IMO, other than the goofy Radeon high power draw with external display and lid open/non-clamshell mode.

I unfortunately needed to replace my wife's MBP13, and went with an MBA for her, but a few months before they went back to the scissors kb recently released. Sure wish I'd waited there for the kb and the CPU bumps, but added a silicon keyboard cover and going to say 'good enough.'

Regardless of how much overall power you need, even if less than some others doing higher res/longer clip editing, the MBA won't be thermally great for you. I'd offer up go for the 16 with 32GB RAM, 4GB GPU + as much storage as needed. Don't upgrade the CPU but decide between the 6 core and base 8 core. As long as portability isn't your main concern - again, it's quite a nice system.

Or take a gift card and see what the MBP13/14 refresh brings.

What are you connecting to the system?

 

[Wasteparamedic]

Can you get Apple/Amazon gift card instead?

Hmm possibly ! He’s pretty cool. He wanted to get me a new computer to edit on but I don’t think he realizes that sometimes it’s worth waiting for a mac. What would be the move here if I got a gift card?
[automerge]1587924635[/automerge]

We're going to have to guess a bit here, as if FCP and video editing is acceptable on iPad + a 2010 MB it seems you're sort of on an 'in between' user 'power needs' level.

Were the upcoming MBP13/14 available now, IMO it would be an easy decision.

Meanwhile, the MBP16 may be overkill for you considering the current setups. People gripe, but it is a nice system IMO, other than the goofy Radeon high power draw with external display and lid open/non-clamshell mode.

I unfortunately needed to replace my wife's MBP13, and went with an MBA for her, but a few months before they went back to the scissors kb recently released. Sure wish I'd waited there for the kb and the CPU bumps, but added a silicon keyboard cover and going to say 'good enough.'

Regardless of how much overall power you need, even if less than some others doing higher res/longer clip editing, the MBA won't be thermally great for you. I'd offer up go for the 16 with 32GB RAM, 4GB GPU + as much storage as needed. Don't upgrade the CPU but decide between the 6 core and base 8 core. As long as portability isn't your main concern - again, it's quite a nice system.

Or take a gift card and see what the MBP13/14 refresh brings.

What are you connecting to the system?

My only concern with waiting for the new 13/14 is it not being powerful enough to edit? I was looking at the 13s and they only go up to 16gb. So I figure one of these would last me even less time.. I really am looking at the 16 inch it’s just hard to spend $3,000 for a computer that might last me 5 years?? Again my 2010 is just starting to slow down....

but Main use will be FCPX (maybe adobe) and then everyday stuff.

 

[DeepIn2U]

It’s a tough time to lose my job but my boss is really sweet and offered to buy me a new mbp, before he retires the business.. I mainly edit videos for work and will be using FCPX. I also own an iPad 2017 and my old MBP from 2010, still actually works but I need an upgrade...

he offered $2,000 towards a mac and I can throw in my own money as well. I say I have an extra $1,200 to play around with (was originally going to buy an air).

what would y’all do if you were me? I hear so many ups and downs about the MacBook 16 inch and nothing good about the 13 inch...Im wondering if I should just buy something basic (like a 2015 MBP) and wait a few years for the new upgrades? Or if I should just get a mbp16 inch with all the specs and hope it will last me 5-7 years??

Would love some input thanks!

FIRST: Ensure this is a gift and in ABSOLUTELY NO WAY a substitute in full or partial for your severance package!!

Then ... 16" MBP Maxed out 4TB 32GB i9 ... yeuh!

Lucky you ... and maintain those connections not just with the boss but with the colleagues there!!

 

[bill-p]

Get the 16" with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 8GB VRAM and thank him for the 10 years.

I'm serious. Don't listen to the naysayers about the 16". Some of the issues with it can be worked around, and I think the biggest issue is probably just the external monitor support. You can just get a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C display and just use the MacBook in clamshell mode, which solves it.

The 16" is easily the best MacBook Pro I have used in years. Barring the Touch Bar. It does not throttle performance no matter what I threw at it. Even on battery life, my CAD programs and games in Bootcamp do not drop frame rates. That has never happened before with any Mac at all.

 

[pshufd]

I'd guess that this would mean that you wouldn't have to pay taxes on the imputed income. I'd ask for a 16.

 

[wegster]

My only concern with waiting for the new 13/14 is it not being powerful enough to edit? I was looking at the 13s and they only go up to 16gb. So I figure one of these would last me even less time.. I really am looking at the 16 inch it’s just hard to spend $3,000 for a computer that might last me 5 years?? Again my 2010 is just starting to slow down....

but Main use will be FCPX (maybe adobe) and then everyday stuff.

If you are on an iPad and 2010 MBP right now, assuming the 'expected' is what is released for the next MBP13/14, I'm assuming it will allow for 32GB of RAM.

If portability isn't a concern - do the MBP16. Again, it's quite a nice system.
Realistically, it seems your statement of 'not powerful enough to edit' is at odds with what you have today, while expecting 10 years out of a system - may be a bit much.

Considering your responses, even if I maintain getting a decade of productive use (vs turning into a media host) is a bit much - get the MBP16 with 32GB RAM or more. Your call on > 4GB on the AMD...

 

[Wasteparamedic]

Overall feedback is go for the MacBook Pro 16 inch! Looks I’m going to do it unless the 13/14 comes out as I’m looking..

There’s one 16 inch MacBook Pro refurbished on their website that’s been there for a few weeks. I’ve watched other 16 inch models come and go but this one no one is buying and I’m wondering if there’s a why?

Refurbished 16 inch MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 8 core Intel Core i9 with Retina display Space Gray - Education - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Overview
Originally released November 2019
Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID sensor
16-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 3072-by-1920 native resolution at 226 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 onboard memory
2TB SSD1
720p FaceTime HD camera
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB of GDDR6 memory

 

[Wasteparamedic]

Nvm now it’s gone! Mysteriously right after I posted that... Guess I have to wait till apple updates their refurbished stock.

 

[Steven-iphone]

If your setup currently works - thank your boss and tell him you would like to take some time to research, and ask for the cash. Cash can come in handy.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get an Apple Refurbished base model 16" (about $2,039), and be happy with that.

Save any cash you personally have on-hand.
Now unemployed, you may need it for other things...

 

[XNorth]

I hope there’s unemployment you can apply for and you have severance or PTO payout. As someone above said, the gift shouldn’t take the place of these benefits.

if your boss didn’t limit which MBP you can get, go for a new 16" i9 2.4 GHz, 64GB RAM, 5500M 8GB. you won’t regret it. Or ask for the equivalent in cash and spend the money on any Mac you want.

 

[jerryk]

First, Great boss.

Second, I would prefer cash or a credit card gift card in these times.

 

[christcc2]

Hmm possibly ! He’s pretty cool. He wanted to get me a new computer to edit on but I don’t think he realizes that sometimes it’s worth waiting for a mac. What would be the move here if I got a gift card?
[automerge]1587924635[/automerge]


My only concern with waiting for the new 13/14 is it not being powerful enough to edit? I was looking at the 13s and they only go up to 16gb. So I figure one of these would last me even less time.. I really am looking at the 16 inch it’s just hard to spend $3,000 for a computer that might last me 5 years?? Again my 2010 is just starting to slow down....

but Main use will be FCPX (maybe adobe) and then everyday stuff.

I'm editing on a 13" MBP with a Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB. If you pair with with an eGPU you're going to get good results with FCPX. I'm using Premiere Pro and I'm happy with my investment, event with After Effects. It really does come down to what your workflow is.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Another +1 for going 16" over the 13". I definitely wouldn't get the 13" as-is today (doesn't seem like it was a consideration but just offering more reason). The 13" is weirdly positioned today as not having the updated keyboard. More importantly, it's priced very oddly, in that base model is 8gb / 128gb. So once you upgrade to 16gb ram / 512gb SSD (which I think is minimum for a new machine today that you want for 5+ years), it's basically $100 cheaper than the base 16" (which is already 16gb / 512gb). But for that $100, a 16" would get you 6-core 9th gen Intel (vs 4-core 8th gen Intel on 13"), bigger screen, dGPU, better keyboard, better speakers, etc.

Think a new 13" just doesn't make sense today - the new 13" (or 14") will likely get a bump up in the base model at same price point, just poor value today given MBA and 16" MBP.

 

[thekev]

My only concern with waiting for the new 13/14 is it not being powerful enough to edit? I was looking at the 13s and they only go up to 16gb. So I figure one of these would last me even less time.. I really am looking at the 16 inch it’s just hard to spend $3,000 for a computer that might last me 5 years?? Again my 2010 is just starting to slow down....

but Main use will be FCPX (maybe adobe) and then everyday stuff.

This is a nonsense concern. You will never know in advance whether you will get 5 years or longer out of a machine. It could die. It could turn out to be a problematic model. I would typically budget around 2 years of use, regardless of how long I actually use it. It avoids over-spending on these things when technology changes over time.

Think a new 13" just doesn't make sense today - the new 13" (or 14") will likely get a bump up in the base model at same price point, just poor value today given MBA and 16" MBP.

It should never be a decision between these two. If the 2010 is just starting to feel slow, the MBA is likely to be a better option in terms of amortized cost per year. The lower purchasing price also lowers your risk against theft or component failure. Lastly, it's reasonable to look around for reduced pricing on models like the 13", which have been out for a while. I usually recommend against buying directly from Apple unless you really feel you need their more relaxed return policy.

 

[icanhazmac]

Get the 16" with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 8GB VRAM and thank him for the 10 years.

+1 for this setup, take it and run, don't ask for cash, don't ask for a gift card, don't ask for a maxed out $5,000 system, all of that can go sideways. Best of luck to you in your next chapter.

 

[0128672]

What a nice and decent boss you've had. Sorry that you're laid off, and hope you find a new gig soon.

+2 for the new 16" MBP 32/1TB/8VRAM, and alternatively the 16" refurbs. A few pop into the refurb store at least once a week so check daily. You may find a higher spec there too. Let us know what you end up going for.

 

[MacDuggy]

I hope there’s unemployment you can apply for and you have severance or PTO payout. As someone above said, the gift shouldn’t take the place of these benefits.

if your boss didn’t limit which MBP you can get, go for a new 16" i9 2.4 GHz, 64GB RAM, 5500M 8GB. you won’t regret it. Or ask for the equivalent in cash and spend the money on any Mac you want.

You're now unemployed.
Maybe save the dough for rent? mortgage? groceries?
Love computers but they don't taste good or keep the cold and rain out.

 

[mcpix]

In my experience, if people want to give you a gift, they usually aren't as excited about giving you gift cards or cash instead. I agree with most everyone else that you should go for a 16" MBP maxed out as much as you can comfortably afford. Sounds like you've got a great boss and he'll love seeing you with the new computer he bought for you!

 

[throAU]

I'd spec whatever MacBook you like up to the 2k limit (accessories such as bag, maybe dock, etc.) and put the money you had set aside for an air in the bank (you just lost your job, yeah?).

If you were buying an air because of portability then a 16" just because makes no sense. But if you were buying an air due to cost, then pick whatever you like of course.

Trying to buy for 5-7 years is a fool's game. Spend less money today, plan on 3-5 year upgrade cycle and buy the extra performance in the future when it is cheaper!. In 7 years time, a top of the line machine will still be missing all the things that a less expensive one will in terms of USB/thunderbolt support, most of the processor speed, storage performance, etc.

 

[cp1160]

Will doing video getting on your system be a source of income for you? Will being able to edit faster and with fewer issuers be important if you are freelancing? Are you doing 4K editing or HD videos? Is memory and issue for the rendering you are doing?

I'm pointing this out since a lot of posts say take the cash, you might need it, or wait for the 14. Well, if you want to work effectively on your own, you might need something sooner.

Having owned Macs since the Mac Plus I am always chuckling at the "wait for the next one" it is going to be just what you need. Then when it comes out they say its not what I wanted, you should wait for the next one it is just what you need.

So with the MBP 16, will you travel with it? Is that even a concern? Lots of folks say its too big. Well, mine has logged many miles. I carried a MBP 17 inch for 8 years and got used to it just fine. This is smaller lol.

So a range of factors come to play.

As to 2 year cycle? I don't see it. I'm a bit anal on laptops and still have every single Mac laptop I ever bought. I still use the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 units. Then keyboard hell hit and no new units for a while....simply due to the keyboard....I loved my MBP 17 and MBP 15 2011 Retina keyboards. No finer ones available. So I stay with them.

Why so many? Different business needs and different purposes, video, business travel, video editing travel, etc. Each is attached to "profession" or hobby I do and I do not want to have something loaded up with all sorts of apps and crap by doing everything on it. Maybe crazy, but it works for me. All are legit tax write-offs...and one for personal use. And yes I keep that use very separate.