I can't decide whether or not to return the 2019 MBP I bought. Please help me make a decision

[mossme89]

I am frugal as hell but I bought a 2019 15" 8-core i9 MBP and I can't decide whether or not to return it. Some background. My 2015 retina MacBook Pro is dying. The screen is 50% dead and I've been having issues with the performance of it. It's constantly thermal throttling down to 800Mhz. I don't want to put more money in the 2015 MacBook Pro. And I also don't want to go to a half-measure like a MacBook Air. My decision is to either return the new MBP and keep my old MacBook Pro as-is with an external display and performance issues, or keep the $2700 new MacBook Pro.

I've made a list of pros and cons and still can't decide. But it really comes down to money. Like I said, I'm frugal as hell. I can ABSOLUTELY afford the new MacBook Pro, in fact I can finance it at 0% for 15 months, pay it back in 11 months, and still have $1300 to spare every month. But it might take me slightly longer to save for a house. I can't seem to get over the fact that having $2700 is better than not having $2700.

Is there a mindset or something you keep in mind when trying to make big decisions like this?

Oh and if I didn't make it clear, the 2019 model is freaking amazing. So fast and doesn't throttle. It's blazing fast in everyday usage compared to my 2015 MBP. I CAN make do with the 2015 model. But things will take longer, it'll cause me more irritation, etc.

 

[pshufd]

Short AAPL, pay for the machine with the profits.

 

[duervo]

I would keep it and sell your old one with full disclosure.

 

[mylittlepwny]

I don't regret buying my 15" 2018 MBP, I've had it since November. I previously bought and returned a 13" nTB Pro and the 2018 Air because I didn't feel either was worth the money.

 

[The Hammer]

Keep it. You can afford it and you love it.

 

[pjny]

Life is too short to use a throttling machine. I just upgraded from Macbook 2015 to MBP 13" 2.8ghz i7 16gb ram and loving it. Absolute bargain for the amount of time I use and enjoy this machine. Got it through BH Photo Payboo so got additional savings.

 

[Webster's Mac]

I am frugal as hell but I bought a 2019 15" 8-core i9 MBP and I can't decide whether or not to return it. Some background. My 2015 retina MacBook Pro is dying. The screen is 50% dead and I've been having issues with the performance of it. It's constantly thermal throttling down to 800Mhz. I don't want to put more money in the 2015 MacBook Pro. And I also don't want to go to a half-measure like a MacBook Air. My decision is to either return the new MBP and keep my old MacBook Pro as-is with an external display and performance issues, or keep the $2700 new MacBook Pro.

I've made a list of pros and cons and still can't decide. But it really comes down to money. Like I said, I'm frugal as hell. I can ABSOLUTELY afford the new MacBook Pro, in fact I can finance it at 0% for 15 months, pay it back in 11 months, and still have $1300 to spare every month. But it might take me slightly longer to save for a house. I can't seem to get over the fact that having $2700 is better than not having $2700.

Is there a mindset or something you keep in mind when trying to make big decisions like this?

Oh and if I didn't make it clear, the 2019 model is freaking amazing. So fast and doesn't throttle. It's blazing fast in everyday usage compared to my 2015 MBP. I CAN make do with the 2015 model. But things will take longer, it'll cause me more irritation, etc.

Just don't upgrade for a while. Did you buy AppleCare? If not, go ahead and do that before the period is up to buy it. Then you'll have a 3 year warranty on your Mac, as well as accidental damage protection.

That machine should last you 5 years easily unless you push it to the limit all the time.

 

[velocityg4]

As the screen in the old one is useless and you would use it with an external monitor. That indicates you have no need for a laptop. Why not return the new one and get a 21.5 iMac with an SSD and RAM upgrade. It'll be much cheaper than the new Macbook Pro.

If you need a laptop. Then you should keep the new Macbook Pro and sell the old one for parts. As keeping the old one makes no sense.

 

[Falhófnir]

If it's to replace a no longer functioning (or poorly functioning) previous computer then I think it's a necessity over an indulgence (outside perhaps of if it's overkill for what you're doing, though you've indicated this isn't the case) - so I don't think you should feel guilty/ return it, just get on and use it

 

[cult hero]

What do you use your computer for?

I mean, you call a MacBook Air a "half-measure" but I ran a 2012 13" Air for years as my primary workstation. If you can survive on an old, dying, throttling MacBook Pro it tells me you're not exactly in need of an i9. (And as someone who is running a 2016 13" MacBook Pro now which—if we're being honest—is a glorified MacBook Air, I'm rarely left wanting and I use this machine every single day as part of my profession.)

Even in terms of buying a machine purely for longevity, the maxed out models still tend to be more expensive in terms of price/performance/longevity. (In my opinion, the processor upgrades are by far the least relevant. You're always better off with more RAM and more storage unless you have a specific need for processor power.)

At this point though, you've got the new machine. It works to your liking. You can afford it. From the sound of your usage, it's a 4-6 year laptop. Just keep it.

 

[maflynn]

My decision is to either return the new MBP and keep my old MacBook Pro as-is with an external display and performance issues, or keep the $2700 new MacBook Pro.

You said yourself the 2015 model is failing, so I think that's your answer. I get where you're coming from, given the high price of the MBPs but in this case it seems your need is justified. If you keep your 2015, you're only kicking the can down the road and it could potentially fail just when you need it. With the screen failing, you're tying it to the desktop losing the mobility, why make that level of sacrifice.

 

[mossme89]

You said yourself the 2015 model is failing, so I think that's your answer. I get where you're coming from, given the high price of the MBPs but in this case it seems your need is justified. If you keep your 2015, you're only kicking the can down the road and it could potentially fail just when you need it. With the screen failing, you're tying it to the desktop losing the mobility, why make that level of sacrifice.

I think I’m going to return it and run my 2015 into the ground. When it finally dies I will buy a new one.

One other factor that is going into this is a he fact that I’m living with my parents while I pay back a loan and save up to buy a house. The expectation is that I’m spending as little as possible and saving. It looks really bad to be buying a $2700 computer when my old one technically still works.

Talked it over with my folks and we are in agreement that I should use my 2015 as long as possible and then when that dies, use my desktop and my iPad. IF there’s something crucial I need to do that I can’t do on my windows computer or my iPad, then I purchase a new MacBook Pro.

Also given the fact that I am still uncertain as the return window is closing (it closes on Sunday), i should return it as a default because I can always repurchase it later but I can’t always return it.

So I’m going to return the 2019. I think I’m making the right decision for me because I can use the $2700 I would have spent in the computer to immediately pay back part of the personal loan, which will save me about $500 in interest over the next 15 months.

 

[maflynn]

I think I’m going to return it and run my 2015 into the ground. When it finally dies I will buy a new one

You need to be at peace with your decision and if you feel that inner voice of yours calling you to return it, then yes by all means, return it. That doesn't mean you can't rethink the decision down the road and opt to purchase it later. Its your money, your decision, so good luck

 

[mossme89]

You need to be at peace with your decision and if you feel that inner voice of yours calling you to return it, then yes by all means, return it. That doesn't mean you can't rethink the decision down the road and opt to purchase it later. Its your money, your decision, so good luck

It's this. I've felt stressed about this and have decided to keep it a few times before changing my mind. The stress completely evaporated when I decided to return it.

 

[jerryk]

I think I’m going to return it and run my 2015 into the ground. When it finally dies I will buy a new one.

One other factor that is going into this is a he fact that I’m living with my parents while I pay back a loan and save up to buy a house. The expectation is that I’m spending as little as possible and saving. It looks really bad to be buying a $2700 computer when my old one technically still works.

Talked it over with my folks and we are in agreement that I should use my 2015 as long as possible and then when that dies, use my desktop and my iPad. IF there’s something crucial I need to do that I can’t do on my windows computer or my iPad, then I purchase a new MacBook Pro.

Also given the fact that I am still uncertain as the return window is closing (it closes on Sunday), i should return it as a default because I can always repurchase it later but I can’t always return it.

So I’m going to return the 2019. I think I’m making the right decision for me because I can use the $2700 I would have spent in the computer to immediately pay back part of the personal loan, which will save me about $500 in interest over the next 15 months.

Sounds like a wise financial decision.

People always want the shiny new thing but never take into account the cost over time. Every $1,000 you don't spend today could be work $10, 000 or more by the time your retire.

 

[lcseds]

If you plan on a house, then I would work toward having no debt going into it. Payoff what debt you have now and save!

 

[Isamilis]

Do you use the MacBook for work? By having the new one, will it make you make money faster and better? If so, then keep it and sell the old one. If I were you, I wouldn’t go with financing (for few months) unless I really have to. It would be my last option. Financing is very bad for monthly cashflow. It only worthies if you buy very useful stuff and primary needs like house and car.

I am frugal as hell but I bought a 2019 15" 8-core i9 MBP and I can't decide whether or not to return it. Some background. My 2015 retina MacBook Pro is dying. The screen is 50% dead and I've been having issues with the performance of it. It's constantly thermal throttling down to 800Mhz. I don't want to put more money in the 2015 MacBook Pro. And I also don't want to go to a half-measure like a MacBook Air. My decision is to either return the new MBP and keep my old MacBook Pro as-is with an external display and performance issues, or keep the $2700 new MacBook Pro.

I've made a list of pros and cons and still can't decide. But it really comes down to money. Like I said, I'm frugal as hell. I can ABSOLUTELY afford the new MacBook Pro, in fact I can finance it at 0% for 15 months, pay it back in 11 months, and still have $1300 to spare every month. But it might take me slightly longer to save for a house. I can't seem to get over the fact that having $2700 is better than not having $2700.

Is there a mindset or something you keep in mind when trying to make big decisions like this?

Oh and if I didn't make it clear, the 2019 model is freaking amazing. So fast and doesn't throttle. It's blazing fast in everyday usage compared to my 2015 MBP. I CAN make do with the 2015 model. But things will take longer, it'll cause me more irritation, etc.

 

[applesed]

Dude, if you need to save money get one of those mini cases or towers and build yourself a nice Ubuntu machine. Or a refurbished 2015 mbp for around a grand.

 

[martyr]

ABSOLUTELY afford the new MacBook Pro.

Uh, no you can't, based on your quote below:

I think I’m going to return it and run my 2015 into the ground. When it finally dies I will buy a new one.

One other factor that is going into this is a he fact that I’m living with my parents while I pay back a loan and save up to buy a house. The expectation is that I’m spending as little as possible and saving. It looks really bad to be buying a $2700 computer when my old one technically still works.

Talked it over with my folks and we are in agreement that I should use my 2015 as long as possible and then when that dies, use my desktop and my iPad. IF there’s something crucial I need to do that I can’t do on my windows computer or my iPad, then I purchase a new MacBook Pro.

Also given the fact that I am still uncertain as the return window is closing (it closes on Sunday), i should return it as a default because I can always repurchase it later but I can’t always return it.

So I’m going to return the 2019. I think I’m making the right decision for me because I can use the $2700 I would have spent in the computer to immediately pay back part of the personal loan, which will save me about $500 in interest over the next 15 months.

If you are living with your parents, saving up for a house and paying off a personal loan that is costing you interest every month then you ABSOLUTELY *cannot* afford the new MacBook Pro. End of story.

Unless you use it for making a living (e.g. programming, design, etc.) and using an underperforming tool is actually costing you time/money, then it's still just a luxury, not a need.

Pay off your friggin' loans, get out from under your parents roof, save up a 3 - 6 month emergency cash fund AND THEN reward yourself with a brand new MacBook Pro.

Besides, by that time they'll likely have the properly redesigned model out with the reliable keyboard and bigger screen.