Help me choose my MacBook for value/future proof

[BrodieApple]

Hi guys so I currently have a 2012 MacBook Air which is getting pretty slow. I am only 14 and have a fast food job so value is important and btw I'm going by AUD$.

I am comparing the MacBook and MacBook Pro. I prefer the design of the MacBook and don't need extra USB C ports but the touch bar and touch ID appeal to me but I could do without. I only need 256BGB of storage (I currently live with 128.) So I would be happy with both but I'm just questioning the overall value of each laptop, especially when comparing the processors as I want it to last me many years.

MacBook - 1.1GHz m3 $1,999 is it worth the upgrade to the 1.3GHz m7 for +$400??
MacBook Pro - Is it worth upgrading from the MacBook for the overall hardware and processor? How does the m7 compare with the i5? Base touchbar price (2.9Ghz i5) - $2,699 From there, is it worth upgrading to.. 3.1Ghz i5 +$160 or 3.3Ghz i7? +$480

Sorry if that was confusing but hope you guys can help me out
[doublepost=1492133594][/doublepost]I don't think I'm willing to pay for the processor upgrades for the MacBook Pro unless it's REALLY worth it btw.

 

[Sanpete]

What do you intend to use it for?

 

[BrodieApple]

What do you intend to use it for?

Nothing serious. Lots of streaming and web surfing, school work maybe some games. But what might be fine for me now say in 4 years with OS upgrades will the base MacBook processor get slow?

 

[Sanpete]

For games the MacBook is already slow, at least compared to the Pro (which is slow compared to a gaming laptop). The MBP will be more flexible, should you want to edit some phone video or something (that stuff's 4K now!), and it's generally better all around. The drawback, besides the price, is it has a small battery and spotty battery life. You can compare the processor speeds on this page, which gives scores for general performance:

https://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-benchmarks

 

[gngan]

Hi guys so I currently have a 2012 MacBook Air which is getting pretty slow. I am only 14 and have a fast food job so value is important and btw I'm going by AUD$.

I am comparing the MacBook and MacBook Pro. I prefer the design of the MacBook and don't need extra USB C ports but the touch bar and touch ID appeal to me but I could do without. I only need 256BGB of storage (I currently live with 128.) So I would be happy with both but I'm just questioning the overall value of each laptop, especially when comparing the processors as I want it to last me many years.

MacBook - 1.1GHz m3 $1,999 is it worth the upgrade to the 1.3GHz m7 for +$400??
MacBook Pro - Is it worth upgrading from the MacBook for the overall hardware and processor? How does the m7 compare with the i5? Base touchbar price (2.9Ghz i5) - $2,699 From there, is it worth upgrading to.. 3.1Ghz i5 +$160 or 3.3Ghz i7? +$480

Sorry if that was confusing but hope you guys can help me out
[doublepost=1492133594][/doublepost]I don't think I'm willing to pay for the processor upgrades for the MacBook Pro unless it's REALLY worth it btw.

So many flaws and conflicts from you.

Value and future proof does not go well together.

Value = best cost
Future proof = depending on what your future is but it is likely most that the top spec is the 'most' future proof

Nothing serious but maybe some games? You need to be more specific. Games in Facebook? Full blown PC games?

In addition, all computers works for many many years unless you physically break it. It's just whether your work will work on it (which no one knows) or you are willing to accept it's slowness.

 

[danf1]

I'd seriously consider the base model MacBook Pro (without touch bar). It's a similar price to the MacBook but offers better performance, larger screen, better keyboard etc. You live without the fancy touch bar - but you wouldn't be getting that if you went for the MacBook anyway.

You say that you prefer the design of the MacBook, but have you actually compared them in person? The MacBook Pro is an incredibly sleek looking machine and still light/thin enough to slip into your backpack and carry with you anywhere.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get the cheapest 13" MacBook Pro you can find (that has a 256gb SSD).

Can be a 2015 or a 2016 model (2015 will probably be cheaper, but avoid the 128gb SSD version, too small).

Either will do you fine for years to come.

 

[BrodieApple]

I'd seriously consider the base model MacBook Pro (without touch bar). It's a similar price to the MacBook but offers better performance, larger screen, better keyboard etc. You live without the fancy touch bar - but you wouldn't be getting that if you went for the MacBook anyway.

You say that you prefer the design of the MacBook, but have you actually compared them in person? The MacBook Pro is an incredibly sleek looking machine and still light/thin enough to slip into your backpack and carry with you anywhere.

I don't know why I didn't consider this.. Thank you

 

[ZapNZs]

The MacBook is not future proof at all because it is already quite slow IMO. For email, internet, low resolution videos, and Microsoft Office, it works fine, but even opening a large number of tabs (especially if you like browser add ons) or multi-tasking between multiple applications can result in it eventually starting to slow down. The computer slowed down a lot for me just when using several larger spreadsheets and a hand full of tabs. Unless the gaming you do is solitaire, IMO this isn't a good match for your needs.

I agree with the suggestion for the base 2016 MacBook Pro without the touch bar is a better investment. It is a much more capable computer, and has a very compact form factor. The base level 2.0 GHz i5, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD is more than capable for all-around general use, and it fares quite well with more intensives tasks (including video-related tasks, as it has an outstanding iGPU.) For a very portable computer, it's reasonably capable, has a kick ass form factor, and can often be found in the $1050-1200 range when on sale.

 

[TheOkeland]

If you stream a lot and maybe want higher resolutions, you could consider waiting for the Kaby Lake models. Native H.265 encoding/decoding could become important, because more and more Youtubers are uploading in 4k.
If you need a new MBP now, I would choose a base 13" model with touchbar, cause I would need the additional two TB-3_USB-C Ports.
If two ports fits your needs, go for the nTB-model.

 

[BrodieApple]

If you stream a lot and maybe want higher resolutions, you could consider waiting for the Kaby Lake models. Native H.265 encoding/decoding could become important, because more and more Youtubers are uploading in 4k.
If you need a new MBP now, I would choose a base 13" model with touchbar, cause I would need the additional two TB-3_USB-C Ports.
If two ports fits your needs, go for the nTB-model.

Two ports are fine for me. Touch ID tempts me but with new Macs you can use the Apple Watch unlock feature so I'll be happy with that. How long away do you think the processor upgrades will be because it sounds worth the wait.

 

[TheOkeland]

How long away do you think the processor upgrades will be because it sounds worth the wait.

From marketing perspective June/July would be a nice spot, October would be quite late. Apple would miss the market again, because Intel will release the new CPUs (the generation after Kaby Lake) later this year or early 2018. Again all other OEMs would have the new processors in their lineup and Apple would lack behind again.
Also AMD releases their new GPUs tomorrow, they could be featured in a June/July model too.
If we look at the past MBP cycles, an Update after 240 to 270 days is likely. WWDC 2017 would be about 225 days after the MBP2016 release, but a October release would be 350 days after the last update.

In fact this are only presumptions. Many people believe in an October release and they may be right, but in my opinion a Q4 release would lead to the same complaints, Apple had to face with the 2016-MBP.
(old CPU, no performance and so on. regardless of whether justifiable or not)

I have decided for myself to wait and see what the WWDC brings and maybe what others informations are available by then. My current Laptop ist quite useless, but without doubt it will last till June.

 

[BrodieApple]

From marketing perspective June/July would be a nice spot, October would be quite late. Apple would miss the market again, because Intel will release the new CPUs (the generation after Kaby Lake) later this year or early 2018. Again all other OEMs would have the new processors in their lineup and Apple would lack behind again.
Also AMD releases their new GPUs tomorrow, they could be featured in a June/July model too.
If we look at the past MBP cycles, an Update after 240 to 270 days is likely. WWDC 2017 would be about 225 days after the MBP2016 release, but a October release would be 350 days after the last update.

In fact this are only presumptions. Many people believe in an October release and they may be right, but in my opinion a Q4 release would lead to the same complaints, Apple had to face with the 2016-MBP.
(old CPU, no performance and so on. regardless of whether justifiable or not)

I have decided for myself to wait and see what the WWDC brings and maybe what others informations are available by then. My current Laptop ist quite useless, but without doubt it will last till June.

I can deal with this MBA for a bit longer so I'm going to wait so I get my moneys worth best.