Is it worth upgrading a 2018 MacBook Pro to a M1 MacBook Pro?

[Apple_Robert]

I have a 13" 2018 MacBook Pro, discrete graphics etc. and I am planning on updating, for 2 reasons. I can't stand the. Touch Bar. It also probably adds 20% time to my workload. I'm only a therapist, but I have to type notes daily. The keyboard has SO many typos (stuck keys), including periods from double. spaces (hah! just like that one - what are t he odds) and all sorts of double letters. I know I can swap the keyboard, but after period of time, it will. only happen again. I currently use my iPad Pro with magic keyboard and strongly prefer that typing experience. My note taking software doesn't autocorrect (for whatever reason), so I have to review everything... the time. For instance, I just wrote "all" but it added an extra letter, several times, and then just. disappeared.

I love OSX. I have used Macs for decades. I'll continue to use Macs. But MAN, I should have paid more attention to my gut when I learned about the keyboard problems.

I. would have updated already but I prefer ports on both sides. It's just a convenience feature, but. one I want.

Lastly, even though I game on my computer - we're talking steam rogue-light games. I presume that even without a discrete graphics card, it'll be fine.

It really shows. how one or two thing can really ******* a great product. I really value. efficiency....I don't want to have to look down for the escape key ever again lol. Oddly enough, with the change in providing therapy via video, I want to be looking at the screen, typing, as little as possible.

Why not get a OWC Thunderbolt Dock? I have one with my M1 MBA and it makes life so much nicer.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Probably not. Wait for the 2021 MBPs - they will likely be a much more worthwhile upgrade.

 

[jessejesse]

Why not get a OWC Thunderbolt Dock? I have one with my M1 MBA and it makes life so much nicer.

Robert, it's for silly reasons. I sleep on the right side of the bed. I frequently do work in bed. Every charger I've ever had that is for a Mac that can only be charged on the leg side, has had a very short life due to the tension on that bend. My office is the same - old building, outlet only on right and no room for devices on the left of my desk. It's only a matter of convenience - but if I'm dropping 1500, the ports on opposite sides is just a very convenient convenience. 🙂 Heck, I would even be ok with 1 port on each side! I rarely, if ever, even need a dongle...so all thunderbolt doesn't even bother me.

I'm pretty sure I'll upgrade this year, after they're released. I can deal with the ports on one side.

At the end of the day, the fact that for the most part, I feel more productive on my iPad/magickeyboard is saying something.

Oh! I almost forgot. I'm a big shortcut user. Closing 3 tabs instead of 1, after ending in a client's insurance information, due to a sticky W .... huge bummer.

I miss my late 2013 mbp. I can't believe I'll be upgrading this quickly!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Robert, it's for silly reasons. I sleep on the right side of the bed. I frequently do work in bed. Every charger I've ever had that is for a Mac that can only be charged on the leg side, has had a very short life due to the tension on that bend. My office is the same - old building, outlet only on right and no room for devices on the left of my desk. It's only a matter of convenience - but if I'm dropping 1500, the ports on opposite sides is just a very convenient convenience. 🙂 Heck, I would even be ok with 1 port on each side! I rarely, if ever, even need a dongle...so all thunderbolt doesn't even bother me.

I'm pretty sure I'll upgrade this year, after they're released. I can deal with the ports on one side.

At the end of the day, the fact that for the most part, I feel more productive on my iPad/magickeyboard is saying something.

Oh! I almost forgot. I'm a big shortcut user. Closing 3 tabs instead of 1, after ending in a client's insurance information, due to a sticky W .... huge bummer.

I miss my late 2013 mbp. I can't believe I'll be upgrading this quickly!

That doesn't really sound silly to me. Sounds like you have comfortably wedged yourself into your life. lol

Even though I have a M1 MBA, I will be keeping an eye on the 14" as well. I could be persuaded.

 

[dave070]

You're right. I just have the itch to buy a new apple product lol.

Do you want a 13" laptop? That's your only choice right now. I'd at least wait until later this year or early next year and see what Apple has. The new MBPs in larger sizes should be out.

 

[snow755]

It’s well worth it Longer Mac OS upgrades and WiFi 6 to boot love My MacBook Pro M1 got one my self

 

[Eric Best]

I tend to keep my computers until they fall prey to Apple's forced obsolesce OS incompatibility trap. They are expensive things, and, in the end, tools to get things done. When they can no longer do that unproblematically, I bid a sad farewell.

 

[agraden]

I would wait. Hopefully a design revamp with the return of MagSafe is coming very soon.

 

[Fidgit]

Objectively it’s clearly ridiculous, but there’s nothing quite as powerful as the draw on new shiny, hyped Apple things. Guaranteed you’ll want the new one when it comes out in a couple of months too...

 

[MacMandy]

I passed my 2018 13" MBP that had a new battery and keyboard to my son for University since his 2014 MacBook had a 'little accident'. I just got the base 8/256 M1 Pro. I like the Touch Bar personally, the speakers and mics are better, more battery too, but I know for many it isn't worth the extra over the Air.
I love the keyboard, the speed, the separate esc key, the coolness, the quiet and the incredible battery. A big upgrade from the 2018 for me, and my son now has a 'like new' laptop that should last him at least 3 years. Happy Bunny! 😊

 

[Christopher Kim]

I passed my 2018 13" MBP that had a new battery and keyboard to my son for University since his 2014 MacBook had a 'little accident'. I just got the base 8/256 M1 Pro. I like the Touch Bar personally, the speakers and mics are better, more battery too, but I know for many it isn't worth the extra over the Air.
I love the keyboard, the speed, the separate esc key, the coolness, the quiet and the incredible battery. A big upgrade from the 2018 for me, and my son now has a 'like new' laptop that should last him at least 3 years. Happy Bunny! 😊

That's a win-win for sure, an enviable use case! I've been able to do the same with my iPad Pro (gave my 2017 10.5 to my Kindergartener for all the virtual school she was doing - arguably overkill for her), as part of the rationale of upgrading to the 2018 11" iPP last year when the 2020 versions came out. Your son gets an awesome computer by any stretch for a university student, and a nice upgrade for you!

I'm waiting to upgrade to the new 16" MBP when it comes out this fall to replace my 2016 13" MBP. I don't "need" it, but it's a treat I'm giving myself after a tough year. So I've been thinking about whether I could give my MBP to someone... I just got a new topcase last year as part of the keyboard service program, so battery is just over a year old and it's in great shape. And given the 2016's (along with most of the other butterfly MBPs) have such poor resale value, it really won't get much to sell, vs the value it would give someone in the family if they could use it, but didn't care about having the latest/greatest!

 

[Beau10]

I have a maxed out 2018 Macbook Pro and an M1 Macbook Air.

Compared to the 2018 Macbook Pro, the air is silent, and has ridiculously long battery life, and doesn't get hot. In every other conceivable metric, the Macbook Pro is the better machine.

Compute-wise, your air is faster than every single intel MBP ever made, including a 16” i9. From a GPU perspective, if we’re talking about a 15”, it’s not far behind.

 

[MacMandy]

That's a win-win for sure, an enviable use case! I've been able to do the same with my iPad Pro (gave my 2017 10.5 to my Kindergartener for all the virtual school she was doing - arguably overkill for her), as part of the rationale of upgrading to the 2018 11" iPP last year when the 2020 versions came out. Your son gets an awesome computer by any stretch for a university student, and a nice upgrade for you!

I'm waiting to upgrade to the new 16" MBP when it comes out this fall to replace my 2016 13" MBP. I don't "need" it, but it's a treat I'm giving myself after a tough year. So I've been thinking about whether I could give my MBP to someone... I just got a new topcase last year as part of the keyboard service program, so battery is just over a year old and it's in great shape. And given the 2016's (along with most of the other butterfly MBPs) have such poor resale value, it really won't get much to sell, vs the value it would give someone in the family if they could use it, but didn't care about having the latest/greatest!

Just to mention, he did have a birthday recently too! 😍

 

[MacMandy]

I also think people need to number crunch. My 2018 mpb had a trade in value of £540 at Apple at 3 years old. Obviously, I know its worth more because of the new battery and keyboard which is why I passed it on to my son. If you buy the base model, you will get the least depreciation. I plan on keeping this for 2 to 3 years. I know there are the 14" new design due later this year, but they will cost quite a bit more. I think the base air or mbp are a still a good buy now and for the next 6 months at least.

How much will your current MacBook lose over the next 12 months? How much does it cost you to upgrade?

This M1 is not incremental. Its the same body, but a different beast. The battery life is stellar! It's cool, it's quiet and it's fast. If you don't need to run windows or you are not a power user, it makes sense to upgrade anything over three years old as the older Macs will depreciate more over the next 12 months. I've seen so many sell their hot and loud 2019 16" Mbp for a base M1 Air.

If you are on the fence, just try one and use the generous 14 day return policy if it applies in your country.

Just my experience. Won't be the same for everyone. I'm not a pro user.