Help deciding 15...

[CB98]

Settled on getting a 15 and would like it to last as much of the next decade as I can. I know I want 32 RAM and 1TB SSD, but my question is - how much is the difference between the base spec and the higher spec processor and graphics?

In other words, if I go for the base with the 2.2 and 555x I save about €150 - is it worth spending that little bit more for the 2.6 and 560x? I feel like having double the RAM and a huge SSD will more than make up the difference.

My uses are photo editing and some music notation software use.

 

[hoon2999]

You won't need that much of the RAM unless you need bigger buffer for video editing/rendering. For photos, 16GB is more than enough IMO.
For SSD, I don't think 1TB is option worth getting. I got mine 512GB configured which is more than enough to hold all the necessary apps, OS, etc and got myself external ssd (Samsung T5 512GB) that will store the other working files such as virtual machine images, photos, workstation files for app development, etc. external ssd option will save you at least $200 or more.

 

[CB98]

You won't need that much of the RAM unless you need bigger buffer for video editing/rendering. For photos, 16GB is more than enough IMO.
For SSD, I don't think 1TB is option worth getting. I got mine 512GB configured which is more than enough to hold all the necessary apps, OS, etc and got myself external ssd (Samsung T5 512GB) that will store the other working files such as virtual machine images, photos, workstation files for app development, etc. external ssd option will save you at least $200 or more.

For my uses, should I stick with the base and just upgrade the SSD then, or just get the higher specced base model.

 

[hoon2999]

For my uses, should I stick with the base and just upgrade the SSD then, or just get the higher specced base model.

It's really up to your plan on how long you'll be using this machine.
I was debating on the same models and decided to go with 2.6GHz version because I know I'm gonna use it for at least 2-4 years and even though it is slightly faster, it will save my time that will cover up the $200 difference.
but YMMV

 

[Adamantoise]

For my uses, should I stick with the base and just upgrade the SSD then, or just get the higher specced base model.

I don't mean to sound crass here, but I feel like these questions get asked incessantly.

Anybody that really "needs" these machines already knows what specifications are necessary for their desired performance; buy what you want, but to me it sounds like you clearly don't need these machines. I'd recommend the base spec.

 

[CB98]

It's really up to your plan on how long you'll be using this machine.
I was debating on the same models and decided to go with 2.6GHz version because I know I'm gonna use it for at least 2-4 years and even though it is slightly faster, it will save my time that will cover up the $200 difference.
but YMMV

So did you upgrade the RAM?
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I don't mean to sound crass here, but I feel like these questions get asked incessantly.

Anybody that really "needs" these machines already knows what specifications are necessary for their desired performance; buy what you want, but to me it sounds like you clearly don't need these machines. I'd recommend the base spec.

Fair enough - especially around launch time I feel like this happens more because people are unsure as well.