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Is it dumb to exchange my 2015 13" MBP for a MB?

C

coldjeanzzz

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 4, 2012
655
17
Long story short I had to choose between a new Pro or a MB and don't have the luxury of waiting for WWDC.

I went with the Pro but I kind of wanted the MB because of how amazingly portably it was.

However I am not a power user by any means. I web browse, watch movies, powerpoints, pdfs, etc. I don't do any media work. But at the same time I don't want any of the stuff I do to be slow or laggy by downgrading to a MB. For those who own a MB, how far do you have to push it before you start noticing the slow down? I know it won't be as fast as the Pro but so long as I can do that kind of stuff with no noticeable difference in performance I really don't care.

It just bugs me that I bought a computer that is going to be updated in a month when I could have bought one that just got updated.
 
I gave my daughter my 2014 MBPr i5/8/128 and got a 2015 rMB 1.2/8/512. I'm still able to do everything from app development to Photoshop to GarageBand to OpenEmu game playing to running Windows 10 via either Boot Camp or as a VM with Parallels, and the fact that it's so much more compact and lightweight nixed any remaining, tiny compromises I thought I might have had by "downgrading."
 
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I don't have a MB but the things that you do, the MB will do them with ease. If you don't need any ports, return it and get the MB.
 
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I went from 13" 2015 rMBP to 2016 rMB and I'm glad I did.

The weight of the machine makes it a bit less of a chore to carry it around with me, allowing me to get a bit more stuff done.
 
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coldjeanzzz said:
Long story short I had to choose between a new Pro or a MB and don't have the luxury of waiting for WWDC.

It just bugs me that I bought a computer that is going to be updated in a month when I could have bought one that just got updated.
Click to expand...

Dat dere buyers remorse.

You had options, not you don't.

My advice, even if a new MBP is release, how much faster is it really going to be? 10%?

My dream is to own a MBP one day! I wish I had your problem.
 
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Get the Macbook. It does everything with ease. Sitting out in the sunshine now and doing Photoshop, Unity, Dreamweaver, Affinity Designer, Web, Email, RDC, Daz Studio all on the go. No problem.
 
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Well, for how long do you plan on keeping the computer? Is it important for you to stay on the latest OS?

If you're thinking of upgrading after 2-3 years, I'm sure the MacBook will be fine. If you're planning to use it for longer than that, I would definitely keep the MacBook Pro.

We don't really know how the future of computing will evolve. It's not impossible that future OSs may continue to be better optimized, and utilize less resources (I.e. processing power), but judging by the past, having plenty of power is never a bad thing.

...That said, I'm thinking of switching from the rMBP to the rMB, unless the new rMBP becomes thinner and lighter.
 
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MacRazySwe said:
Well, for how long do you plan on keeping the computer? Is it important for you to stay on the latest OS?

If you're thinking of upgrading after 2-3 years, I'm sure the MacBook will be fine. If you're planning to use it for longer than that, I would definitely keep the MacBook Pro.

We don't really know how the future of computing will evolve. It's not impossible that future OSs may continue to be better optimized, and utilize less resources (I.e. processing power), but judging by the past, having plenty of power is never a bad thing.

...That said, I'm thinking of switching from the rMBP to the rMB, unless the new rMBP becomes thinner and lighter.
Click to expand...

I would say 3-4 years and I'd probably get the m3 model. I survived on a 2012 MBA for 3.5 years and would have gone even longer with it if I didn't give it to my mom
 
Definitely make the switch. I purchased the 2015 1.1/256 gb model and this thing performs all my tasks simultaneously without any problems and seamlessly. I use it as my main laptop and as my daily driver and have had no problems thus far.
 
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If you're in the return window I like the current MacBook much better. If you have to take any kind of hit, IMO it's not worth it to exchange that's a fantastic machine
 
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I picked up a MBPro 13" and was considering the same thing. But then the key reasons I decided on the MBPro vs the Gen 1 MB 12" were, in no particular order:

* Ports
* Price/performance
* Price and performance
* Keyboard

I picked up a refurb MBPro because it was on sale and I think the refurb units are great. We both do a little with Garageband, though I do some photography stuff too and Lightroom can be a little demanding on CPU. I was leaning to the MB at one point because I love the form factor and portability, I really do. I went with the MBPro though because:

* Today I used my Tascam DR memory card in my MBPro SD slot, and plugging in an external drive, and plugged my guitar in to my USB port. I could use a docking station certainly, but that's extra dollars.
* Which twists the price/performance ratio further in favour of the MB Pro.
* It's not just price/performance as a ratio that concerns me, but also price and performance as individual items. The MBPRo was inside my budget, more than I expected with a refurb on sale. The MB 12" was at the top of my budget with the lower CPU. So for that money, I'm getting more HP for less money with the MBPro.
* Keyboard - meh. I'm sure I'd get used to the MB KB to be honest. I tried it in store and wasn't thrilled on it, but it's not the unusable beast it sometimes gets depicted as.

I also want to hang onto this for a few years, so on balance I figure the more horsepower give me a longer last device. But I guess we'll see.

It's not a slam dunk though that's for sure. I read about the supposed poor performance on the MB and was pretty concerned, but the more I read about it the more I found that people are saying it works decently. For me the biggest negative was lack of ports. Second biggest was the price. But I'm also sure that if I'd stretched for the MB and the docking station I wouldn't have taken it back at this point either.

If you're that unsure, I'd try the MB if you're in the return window. If you're going to take a bath financially then I think it would be foolish to make the change.

EDIT: And used the HDMI out to watch a movie on the TV.
 
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Thanks for the replies. Just one more quick question

Does the MB get really hot when viewing high quality video or when downloading files through Chrome? I noticed my MBA used to get hot when doing both of those things, but my current MBP doesn't at all. I'm hoping that doesn't happen again with the MB. I also noticed the MBP goes straight into viewing HD videos on youtube very quickly whereas my MBA would take a bit of time.
 
The keyboard divides people, so as long as you're going to be comfortable with that thing, the rMB is a very capable machine.
 
I am on the same mindset. But with the two laptops being the same price I feel the extra ports and power outweigh the portability of the rmb. The rmb looks amazing and I miss my gen 1 for sure, but I definitely get more work done on the 2015 rmbp. If you got it retail, id consider trading it for the rmb if you could exchange, else if you try to sell and buy again I don't think the loss in money is worth it.
 
coldjeanzzz said:
Long story short I had to choose between a new Pro or a MB and don't have the luxury of waiting for WWDC.

I went with the Pro but I kind of wanted the MB because of how amazingly portably it was.

However I am not a power user by any means. I web browse, watch movies, powerpoints, pdfs, etc. I don't do any media work. But at the same time I don't want any of the stuff I do to be slow or laggy by downgrading to a MB. For those who own a MB, how far do you have to push it before you start noticing the slow down? I know it won't be as fast as the Pro but so long as I can do that kind of stuff with no noticeable difference in performance I really don't care.

It just bugs me that I bought a computer that is going to be updated in a month when I could have bought one that just got updated.
Click to expand...

I'd exchange it. It's not all about power. The relative portability of the MacBook is a huge deal. 1 or two pounds and a few inches looks small on paper, but has significant ramifications for how you use the device.

For example, my 13" Pro is sitting on my desk 99% of the time. I rarely use it anywhere else because it's heavier and more cumbersome than my iPad or iPhone. The MacBook is more similar to size and weight to an iPad, and for that reason I find myself more likely to carry it around with me to use. It's so light I can even use it while standing up, holding it with my thumb. Could never do that with a Pro.
 
One thing to ask is if you ever plan to use an external 4K monitor (I split my time docked at a desk). The MacBook is limited to 30Hz refresh at 4K resolutions. That's the only thing holding me back at the moment - I suppose Thunderbolt 3 will come in a future model...
 
I have both the macbook 2016 m7 and the macbook pro 2015 i5. last year i couldn't decide between the macbook pro or the macbook so i ended up getting the pro as the price to performance was a better deal. Although i bought the pro i still wondered how good the macbook was so i decided to buy it and try it out also.

I wasn't all too impressed with last years model compared to the pro so i sent it back within the return window and have kept the pro which as run flawlessly since.

So now i am typing this on the macbook 2016 model and i do prefer the keyboard over the pro but it it doesn't really seal the deal for me.

The pros for the macbook for me are the keyboard and the fanless design but everything else i find i prefer the bigger sturdier size of the pro as i feel the macbook feels too flimsy and i have to be delicate with it and i feel the pro being sturdier will outlast the macbook.

Also the ports on the pro are there when needed unlike the macbook with the adapters and whatever. I find the macbook awkward to rest on my knees as it sits too small for me but that could be just me.

I find weight difference between the two doesn't really make a difference to me i fly a lot each year and the weight or size of the pro hasn't been a problem and its not exactly like the pro is a heavy beast.

My dislikes of the macbook is just my preference and maybe you won't have the same experience and i think the only way you will know is to test it out for yourself.

if you have missed the return window on the pro i myself would just stick with that rather than take the hit.The Macbook ate away at me until i gave in and bought it as i couldn't hold out any longer but i still prefer the pro over the 2016 model
and i will most likely be returning the macbook next week and wait to see what comes with the pro refresh.
 
If you are a medium or low power user, and you don't need the ports, there is only one sacrifice or substantial difference and that is the keyboard. For the writers out there, that is a YUGE difference. I needed a computer around New Year, the keyboard on my trusty late 2012 or early 2013 Air gave way, and I went with the Macbook. It is a magnificent machine, the screen is great, the weight is out of this world, but FOR ME -- keyboards are wholly subjective -- the keyboard is much superior on the Airs and Pros. That's just me. I am much more used to it than I was two months ago, but I'll never like it nearly as much as the larger, roomier, springier keyboard on the Airs and Pros. People: don't scream. If you like the rMB keyboard better, good for you. I am happy for you. I wish I did. Everything else about the machine is more to my liking. I use a port a few times a year. But I am jealous of your keyboard.

If you want to trade, I'll do it. If yours is worth more, I'll pay you the difference. I have the base model of the first release, with Apple Care until February or March three years from now. The difference between the new model and the base model is insignificant for anyone for whom this is the right machine. My machine is snappier than my old Air, though on paper the Air should be.
 
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