Help deciding on new Macbook Pro

[reno55]

So I currently have a 2015 MBP 2.7ghz. I mostly use it for work daily when I visit my stores (retail district manager). So that means alot of MS Office, web browser and basic stuff like that.

I occasionally use it for movies and light gaming when I travel for work.

I am looking at a 2016 Refurb MBP TB for $1,349 currently in the refurb store on Apple store

vs

2017 MBP nTB 2.3ghz new through our work discount program for $1,409.

I am starting to think for how I use my laptop the touchbar might be of no real benefit to me other than that it seems nice to have.

Any thoughts on this decision? I do know the TB version has better cooling, faster ssd & faster processor but I am not sure for my use I will reap the benefits of that

 

[Poki]

For your use, honestly, the longer battery life of the nTB model is worth more than the faster performance under load of the TB model imho. The slightly larger battery combined with the lower TDP CPU (15W instead of 28W) should provide you with at least an hour of extra battery life.

 

[eddjedi]

If resale value is of any concern, the TB version will likely be worth more when you come to sell.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

To be honest there is no need to change what you have already. Your machine is fine, a new one will be slightly slimmer slightly lighter and show no performance benefits over what you have, for what you do, better screen and speakers and huge I/O performance are all great but its a lot of money to spend on a computer when what you have will be fine for a few years to come.

 

[Fishrrman]

reno55 --

I agree with Samuelsan.
Keep the 2015.
Fewer problems! (such as the keyboard...)

 

[ZapNZs]

Truthfully, while the new design is really nice, you already have a great computer and I am not sure if you would gain a whole lot from upgrading.

If you need battery life, the 2016 TB 13 is probably the weakest performer of the bunch - the 2017 TB 13 has made substantial improvements in this department.

 

[hipnetic]

Truthfully, while the new design is really nice, you already have a great computer and I am not sure if you would gain a whole lot from upgrading.

If you need battery life, the 2016 TB 13 is probably the weakest performer of the bunch - the 2017 TB 13 has made substantial improvements in this department.

Can you provide more details as to what changed in the 2017 vs the 2016 to improve battery life? And is it just the TB version that's improved in battery life?

I started up a thread earlier today asking for similar help, so I'll just plug that here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-decide-on-a-2016-2017-13-mbp-config.2093705/

 

[ZapNZs]

Can you provide more details as to what changed in the 2017 vs the 2016 to improve battery life? And is it just the TB version that's improved in battery life?

I started up a thread earlier today asking for similar help, so I'll just plug that here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-decide-on-a-2016-2017-13-mbp-config.2093705/

The 2017 features a more power-efficient CPU. MBP battery life improved across the spectrum. It is also possible that Apple modified the chemical formula for the batteries slightly, as this isn't unusual. Most tests suggests the 13-inch TB is still the weakest performer, but weakest is a relative term as it still gets excellent runtimes.