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High-end 2018 13-inch MBP vs base 15-inch?

M

mrdeluxe

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 29, 2006
26
1
Please help me decide!

I'm a designer and teacher looking to replace my aging 2010 13-inch MBP. I need a computer to take to classes and meetings, as well as doing design work (mostly web and graphic design).

Considering what I'm willing to spend, I'm torn between the 13-inch with the i5, 16GB RAM, and the 512 SSD; or the base 15-inch (i7 2,2 GHz, 16GB RAM, 256 SSD).

Some considerations:
* Either would be an upgrade in terms of weight to my current machine, but the smaller footprint of the 13-inch would be a plus when I'm out and about, working in small desks at school, or while working on my lap during conferences.
* Right now when working at home, I plug my 13-inch to a 24-inch external monitor. However, the resolution of this monitor isn't great and the display on the new laptops is much, much better. My fear is that the new displays would spoil me to the point that I would ditch my external monitor. In this case, the 15-inch is better for design work.
* That base 15-inch is tempting, but that 256 SSD is tight. I have the same disk size on my current Mac and every now and again I have to free up space (and I don't have any music on it, have optimize storage turned on, and store a bunch of documents in the cloud).

Thank you!
 
I would pick the 15".
-6 core CPU
-Bigger screen
-Better speakers

You can buy later a USB-C SSD and its a cheaper option compared with Apple storage upgrade.
 
mrdeluxe said:
Thank you!
Click to expand...
If you don't have the absolutely highest requirements for portability the 15" might serve you better. Larger screen might work better in a classroom as a teacher's aid. Also, 15" has the option for 32GB RAM, if that is beneficial to you.

Also note that Apple charges an arm and a leg for upgrades, especially internal SSD. If money is a concern to you you might want to go with smallest internal storage and then couple with a decent external USB-C flashdrive. You won't notice any major performance impact versus the internal drive in most situations unless you transfer absolutely vast data quantities. Thunderbolt drives are way faster still, but super expensive in comparison unfortunately. Also, those four ports are there to be used, right? :)

If you switch from 2010 model you will probably find that the 2018 15" is overall smaller i volume than your current macbook. The 13" is HUGELY smaller than 2010 era 13" by the way, and way lighter too. I went from 2011 13" to 2018 13", and difference is startling, 13" model is really tiny and neat. Performance increase will be a pleasant surprise for you as well by the way, quadcore CPU makes the computer noticeably smoother in everyday use. :)
 
mrdeluxe said:
Please help me decide!

I'm a designer and teacher looking to replace my aging 2010 13-inch MBP. I need a computer to take to classes and meetings, as well as doing design work (mostly web and graphic design).

Considering what I'm willing to spend, I'm torn between the 13-inch with the i5, 16GB RAM, and the 512 SSD; or the base 15-inch (i7 2,2 GHz, 16GB RAM, 256 SSD).

Some considerations:
* Either would be an upgrade in terms of weight to my current machine, but the smaller footprint of the 13-inch would be a plus when I'm out and about, working in small desks at school, or while working on my lap during conferences.
* Right now when working at home, I plug my 13-inch to a 24-inch external monitor. However, the resolution of this monitor isn't great and the display on the new laptops is much, much better. My fear is that the new displays would spoil me to the point that I would ditch my external monitor. In this case, the 15-inch is better for design work.
* That base 15-inch is tempting, but that 256 SSD is tight. I have the same disk size on my current Mac and every now and again I have to free up space (and I don't have any music on it, have optimize storage turned on, and store a bunch of documents in the cloud).

Thank you!
Click to expand...

seems like the 13" will suit you better as you mention you will carry it a lot and got an external monitor at home when you need a bigger screen (if like you said your current monitor suck just buy a better one? they are pretty cheap this days)
 
I would buy the 13-inch MBP:
  • Longer battery life
  • Better portability
I purchased a rMBP (2015) a few years back and really enjoyed using it.
 
I've had both form factors and if the laptop doesn't move around too much the 15" is definitely the way to go. It doesn't weigh substantially more than the current 13" Pro (it's lighter than your 13" Pro) and the extra screen real estate and processing power will always come in handy.
 
Go and try them out at a store. Coming from a 2010 13" both are going to feel light and small.

If the form factor of the 15" is OK, buy that one. It is a better value for the money. However I would suggest spend a bit more for the 512 GB drive since drives and memory cannot be upgraded.
 
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The 15-inch is better in just about every way (though you should upgrade to 512 if you can), but I'm going to say that you have to actually go to an Apple Store and try them before deciding. For me, the portability of the 13 inch makes a major difference, and I would never own the 15 inch again despite the performance and screen gains. I can't stand working with the 15 inch on my lap, but this kind of feeling is highly personal.
 
This is a difficult decision. I see people views are changing all the times. And they might switch across different sizes at different times. i.e. been using 13" ... oh! too small ... i've got to buy a big one, Then 15" is too much for me I actually like to go back to 13" now

You'd better ask yourself now to rate portability against comfort of work. I see you put portability as the first consideration, and 15" the last. I guess you already make that decision unconsciously!

For myself, I like to go to the two extremes - 11"/12" for maximum portability, 15" for maximum performance (aka speed and display size). But that's just me.
 
Personally, I'd opt for the 15" simply because of the increased screen real estate. Don't forget about the 2 extra cores, and the dGPU.

Go with the edu discount, and the price may be enough to justify the 512GB. B&H also has a nice discount, though I don't know if they carry the 15" 512GB configuration.
 
Thank you all for your advice!

Interesting to see that opinions are somewhat split here as well, with an edge towards the 15". Likewise, after playing with both for some time, I admit that once you get used to that real estate of the 15", it's a bit hard to use the 13". And perhaps I'm getting older, but I was loving the sharpness and overall better lebility of the 15" in the 1440x900 resolution.

That said, I think I'm going wiht the 15, perhaps try and get a good dead on the 512 version, or take advantage of the education pricing while it lasts (and try and get some money back by selling the Beats).

Once again thank you for the advice!
 
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mrdeluxe said:
Thank you all for your advice!

Interesting to see that opinions are somewhat split here as well, with an edge towards the 15". Likewise, after playing with both for some time, I admit that once you get used to that real estate of the 15", it's a bit hard to use the 13". And perhaps I'm getting older, but I was loving the sharpness and overall better lebility of the 15" in the 1440x900 resolution.

That said, I think I'm going wiht the 15, perhaps try and get a good dead on the 512 version, or take advantage of the education pricing while it lasts (and try and get some money back by selling the Beats).

Once again thank you for the advice!
Click to expand...

If you qualify for the educational pricing that is a good deal. Discount and Beats you can sell.

Enjoy your new system!
 
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