i can't decide between macbook pro 2015 15inch or 2017 15inch

[Go3]

hello everyone im just new here hope all is fine

really its hard to decide between this tow im new macbook user and i wanna good laptop stay with me like 4 or 5 years maybe more 🙂 i like both so much pleas i need ur help for decide .. thank u

 

[Samuelsan2001]

You need to specify what you use a computer for or we have no chance of advising you.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

General rule of thumb when buying any computer is to get the newest one unless there are specific reasons to get an older model.

I'm sure if you hang around long enough people will list specific reasons... But just go to a store and check them out, get whichever one you like.

 

[robeddie]

Get the 2015. It's way less expensive and will effectively give you all the capability of the 2017 model, plus you won't have to mess around trying to find dongles if you use USB-A type thumb drives or other periphrials.

 

[keysofanxiety]

If you'll be using LPX or FCPX then I'd suggest the 2017. The reason for this is the dGPUs really utilise these applications and make mincemeat of the applications. Also slightly faster Flash and thinner/lighter enclosure with a better screen and larger trackpad is always a plus.

If you're just looking for a powerful 15" laptop with legacy ports then the 2015 is the one for you.

 

[PieTunes]

Cost and legacy support, versus paying more to have the latest and greatest. The new ones are thinner and lighter. They also come in space gray, should looks be that much of factor to you. In terms of how "viable" either one would be relative to your workflow or use case, it's hard to say, without any background information. Both could very well work well for you and accomplish the same things. Also, consider the keyboard. Outside of dongles, the differences in keyboards seem to be one of the most polarizing issue with the new MBPs. Have you tested them out in stores? Are you currently using a previous generation Mac notebook of any type?

 

[turbineseaplane]

If you go 2016/2017, make sure to buy AppleCare+

The new keyboards are not showing signs of being reliable over the long term (and it's early...not good)

 

[Go3]

You need to specify what you use a computer for or we have no chance of advising you.

thank you for answer to me.. im really just want good mac stay with me long time .. and i like mac 2015 so much but the new one more powerful but i heard alot of complain about new one so its hard for me to decide.. so for this i cant decide really 🙁
[doublepost=1498671099][/doublepost]

General rule of thumb when buying any computer is to get the newest one unless there are specific reasons to get an older model.

I'm sure if you hang around long enough people will list specific reasons... But just go to a store and check them out, get whichever one you like.

thank u.. i try both of the already .. i like the mbp 2015 so much but the 2017 is new and powerful .. im like 1 month now thinking about wich one i have to take its really hard 🙁
[doublepost=1498671318][/doublepost]

If you'll be using LPX or FCPX then I'd suggest the 2017. The reason for this is the dGPUs really utilise these applications and make mincemeat of the applications. Also slightly faster Flash and thinner/lighter enclosure with a better screen and larger trackpad is always a plus.

If you're just looking for a powerful 15" laptop with legacy ports then the 2015 is the one for you.

im just scare maybe after 1 or 2 year if i take 2015 the usb A not used any more or getting old and maybe i use dongle for that 🙂 ( sorry for my english)
[doublepost=1498671471][/doublepost]

Cost and legacy support, versus paying more to have the latest and greatest. The new ones are thinner and lighter. They also come in space gray, should looks be that much of factor to you. In terms of how "viable" either one would be relative to your workflow or use case, it's hard to say, without any background information. Both could very well work well for you and accomplish the same things. Also, consider the keyboard. Outside of dongles, the differences in keyboards seem to be one of the most polarizing issue with the new MBPs. Have you tested them out in stores? Are you currently using a previous generation Mac notebook of any type?

im just want mac and stay with me long time .. i like both but the new one i know i will use dongle now and maybe i will use dongle also after 1 or 2 year with 2015 model

 

[keysofanxiety]

thank you for answer to me.. im really just want good mac stay with me long time .. and i like mac 2015 so much but the new one more powerful but i heard alot of complain about new one so its hard for me to decide.. so for this i cant decide really 🙁
[doublepost=1498671099][/doublepost]
thank u.. i try both of the already .. i like the mbp 2015 so much but the 2017 is new and powerful .. im like 1 month now thinking about wich one i have to take its really hard 🙁
[doublepost=1498671318][/doublepost]
im just scare maybe after 1 or 2 year if i take 2015 the usb A not used any more or getting old and maybe i use dongle for that 🙂 ( sorry for my english)

They're both fabulous computers dude. There's no wrong answer.

But the 2017 is so goddamn beautiful and a monster for Apple's Pro Apps, I'd say go for that. Worst scenario? You buy it, hate it, then return it within the 14 day period.

Don't worry about the negativity. There's always negativity with a new product or a redesign, especially when they iron out early teething issues. It happened when they went to unibody, when they released the first Retina... the list goes on. Plus most people post on forums to report issues rather than praise their new purchases.

Most people who have the 2016/2017 love it. It's a really, really, really, really ****ing good laptop.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

thank you for answer to me.. im really just want good mac stay with me long time .. and i like mac 2015 so much but the new one more powerful but i heard alot of complain about new one so its hard for me to decide.. so for this i cant decide really 🙁
[doublepost=1498671099][/doublepost]
thank u.. i try both of the already .. i like the mbp 2015 so much but the 2017 is new and powerful .. im like 1 month now thinking about wich one i have to take its really hard 🙁
[doublepost=1498671318][/doublepost]
im just scare maybe after 1 or 2 year if i take 2015 the usb A not used any more or getting old and maybe i use dongle for that 🙂 ( sorry for my english)

People will always complain and I wouldn't take the few dozen examples on this MacBook Pro help forum as being general consensus or indication of widespread issues. There's been issues with past MBP's as well as any other computer, if you did have an issue remember you can get it fixed. You're just as likely to have a problem with a new 2015 as a new 2017.

Dongle wise it's really not an issue, if you use it at a desk and have a lot of stuff plugged in you can get a dock and use that instead, makes it a lot easier with only needing a single cable to connect to the computer. Ports wise with USB-C you can have any port you want, be that Video/Audio/Data. And that goes for the future too. If you do use a flash drive often it's worth getting one with USB-C and USB-A in the interim. USB-A isn't going anywhere in the short term, but USB-C will become more prominent and overtake it.

Honestly best advice is to just go buy a 2017, and if after a week you really hate it then return it and go buy a 2015 instead. You'll be tossing between the two for many more months otherwise!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Don't worry about the negativity

I don't know if I'd frame it that way honestly.
With many of us it's objectivity not negativity.

I agree though - He should buy a 2017 and try it himself.
Might love it - Might return it like many of us have.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I don't know if I'd frame that way honestly.
With many of us it's objectivity not negativity.

Fair point, though objectivity and subjectivity are a very thin line when there's a radically different product released. A lot comes down to personal workflows, preferences, usage, other devices...

Not to say either opinion is right, or wrong. But definitely important they try it for themselves!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not to say either opinion is right, or wrong. But definitely important they try it for themselves!

Totally agree.

The one thing that seems to be objectively true is that the new keyboard designs appear to be less reliable so far than in the past. That's what troubles me about it mainly.

 

[OneSon]

In my opinion the 2015 is the perfect laptop right now. It has the better keyboard, it has the ports you need and has the retina screen. Performance wise there isn't going to be much in it unless you're *really* pushing your machine.

However, in a year or two the fact the 2017 model has USB-C may start to show benefits.

 

[vjobs]

I upgraded from a 15" 2014 to a 15" 2016 to a 15" 2017. The screen is very beautiful (P3 colours and very bright). The speakers on the 2016/2017's are just so much better than in the MacBook Pro 2015: more powerful, more bass. And in contrast to the 2015, the speakers are directly powered by the battery, making this extra power and bass possible.

Furthermore, the 2017 has much better GPU specs, is about 200 grams lighter, thinner, has a smaller footprint, better battery life and charges 0-100% faster.

So I would definitely choose the 2017, you're gonna love it.

 

[ZapNZs]

You need to specify what you use a computer for or we have no chance of advising you.

thank you for answer to me.. im really just want good mac stay with me long time .. and i like mac 2015 so much but the new one more powerful but i heard alot of complain about new one so its hard for me to decide.. so for this i cant decide really 🙁

We need to know more than this!!!

For example, the difference between the CPUs on the 2015 and 2017 models are relatively minor with most types of work, but the difference between the GPUs are VERY significant. Where as CPU-intensive work could make the two a tossup, GPU-intensive work strongly favors the 2017 with the 560 Pro GPU.

Further, if you are working with 4k material, this favors the 2017 because of added 4k hardware support.

• What types of applications are you going to use? EX: Web browsers, email, MS Office, statistical software, machine learning/neural network, photo editing, video editing, CAD, iOS development, simulated moon landings, eating ice cream cones in 3D, etc?
• Will you use external displays? If so, what resolution, and how many displays do you wish to use?
• Will you perform work that will benefit from having a dGPU, or will the integrated GPU of the base 2015 meet your needs?
• Do you have a preference for the keyboard/trackpad of the 2015 or 2017? (they are different, and this is a polarizing subject, but I dare say that the 2015 keyboard has the durability aspect in its favor.)
• Do you like the touchbar or the physical function keys? (despite what anyone says, this is personal preference)
• Do you use the computer in bright areas? (the 2017 has what I consider to be a huge advantage here)
• Do you use the built in speakers for video/music frequently? (again the 2017 has what I consider to be a huge advantage)
• Do you ever plan to use an eGPU?
• Do you have a preference for the portage of the 2015 v 2017?
• Do you run virtual machines? - if so, Windows, OS X, or Linux VMs?
• Does the 13-inch MacBook Pro also meet your needs?

 

[TonyK]

In my case, the Choi was between the 2015 and 2016. Played with the 2016 and didn't like the keyboard. Also concerned about dongles and the docks were not shipping yet for TB3.

Purchased my 2015 and haven't looked back. Have had it about a month now, new from B&H Photo with AppleCare added.

However, you need to decide what is more important for you and your uses and then make the decision.

 

[kirqe]

Too much problems with the newest models. And the new keyboard doesn't seem reliable in the long term.
2015 at least for the next 2-3 years.

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/6f21c7/everything_ufoxconninsider_reported_today/

ps or go with 2016-17 with apple care

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Too much problems with the newest models. And the new keyboard doesn't seem reliable in the long term.
2015 at least for the next 2-3 years.

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/6f21c7/everything_ufoxconninsider_reported_today/

ps or go with 2016-17 with apple care

A few people have complained about the keyboard, that's fair. But there hasn't been many reported GPUs dying, no staining on the screens, few reports of ports dying... list goes on. Basically, 2015 also had/has problems, all Macs come with a warranty. Buy the best one you can then you won't have any issues, but a 2015 model is already 2 years old in a 6 year old design, if you're keeping it for 2-3 years you'll be absolutely relying on whatever Apple come out with in 2020.

All computers are going to have problems, no matter how much you spend or where you get it from. And it would be ludicrous to expect 100% perfection for 7 years just because you spent 'some money'. So far the vast majority of issues affecting the TB models have been cosmetic or temporary, with simple fixes available as a walk in. I value that far more than pesky GPU or other hardware issues requiring the computer to be sent away for a few weeks.

Also Reddit? Seems to be a list of random rumours devised from the collective consciousness of throw enough turd and eventually one will stick. Couldn't see any reports of long term reliability studies in there at least. But I do see the old methodology of "XXX coming in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018...", eventually it'll come true and then I'll be right!

 

[kirqe]

There were more than a few people with complains about keyboard.
There's going to be more problems in 1-2 years. Since 2015 is the last model of the prev gen, most of the problems were resolved.

But there hasn't been many reported GPUs dying

I value that far more than pesky GPU or other hardware issues requiring the computer to be sent away for a few weeks.

Looks like the last macbook you had was from 2011.

Also Reddit?

The original ama from foxconn insider was verified by mods(as they say it) Anyway, we will see it in a few years 🙂

So far the vast majority of issues affecting the TB models have been cosmetic or temporary, with simple fixes available as a walk in.

Funny enough...

By 2020, if not earlier, I switch back to hackintosh.


You can try to return your purchase within 6 years in UK, can't you? This is probably why you don't care about the upcoming problems.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

There were more than a few people with complains about keyboard.
There's going to be more problems in 1-2 years. Since 2015 is the last model of the prev gen, most of the problems were resolved.





Looks like the last macbook you had was from 2011.



The original ama from foxconn insider was verified by mods(as they say it) Anyway, we will see it in a few years 🙂



Funny enough...

By 2020, if not earlier, I switch back to hackintosh.


You can try to return your purchase within 6 years in UK, can't you? This is probably why you don't care about the upcoming problems.

In the UK we currently (EU) enjoy a (I think, definitely 5) 7 year warranty period covering manufacturing defects, but no you can't return it for a full refund if you're unhappy with the volume of the speakers or something.

I just think the problems are being way overblown, specifically on places like this forum. And predicting that there's going to be further issues is just an impossibly naive task. Right now the few issues that seem to be common are with individual keys on the keyboard. The question is whether this is above Apple's common 5% failure rate. As I said all laptops have issues, and this one will not be perfect, but right now I haven't seen any evidence of widespread issues. A few people on this forum do complain about the keyboard, and a few people complain in every other thread seemingly. A realistic estimate on this forum is what, 50-100 people reporting an issue? And there's probably 50-100 people who have said they have had no issue. Either side is in no way a realistic population distribution to derive any form of conclusion, especially estimation of long term failure rates.

What I was trying to highlight is that no one should take any few reported issues on a help forum as being an indication of widespread issues. And if it was the only thing stopping you getting a 2016/2017 MBP then you're missing out on what the majority of people feel is a great notebook. Right now we simply do not know if there is a large scale manufacturing defect, but if later down the road that is discovered to be the case, then they will be obligated to resolve it; just as they have done with previous Macs and their failures.