Is the Base 13” MacBook Pro good enough for the next 1.5 years?

[TeddieBear]

Coding (web design), game design (2D work - nothing major), photoshop, and some video editing.

I’m wondering it the base model will be good enough to do that for the next 1.5 years before I trade it in for the next model?

Thoughts?

 

[0906742]

I think it will be. I'd say it is wiser to trade it more frequently that trying to future proof any current models by adding more ram/ssd or other options than what you actually need today. There will be always something new coming every year...

 

[TeddieBear]

I think it will be. I'd say it is wiser to trade it more frequently that trying to future proof any current models by adding more ram/ssd or other options than what you actually need today. There will be always something new coming every year...

That’s what I was thinking, especially with rumors about an improved keyboard in later versions.

I guess I’ll do that then.

Thanks!

 

[sgw123]

I bought it and the experience was grim. It was painful and uncomfortable in terms of heat on my wrists. To such a degree that I returned it and bought the second hand 2015 tank I'm typing happily on now.

The new version seemed like a cheap knockoff version of a Mac.

 

[KPOM]

Coding (web design), game design (2D work - nothing major), photoshop, and some video editing.

I’m wondering it the base model will be good enough to do that for the next 1.5 years before I trade it in for the next model?

Thoughts?

It’s pretty powerful. For what you plan to do it should be fine.

 

[TeddieBear]

It’s pretty powerful. For what you plan to do it should be fine.

I figured I could use the extra money for a thumb drive. I could trade in the 13” when I’m ready to get something more powerful.

 

[0906742]

I figured I could use the extra money for a thumb drive. I could trade in the 13” when I’m ready to get something more powerful.

Exactly. You can get very nice amount of portable storage with the price of an upgraded built in ssd.

 

[TokMok3]

Coding (web design), game design (2D work - nothing major), photoshop, and some video editing.

I’m wondering it the base model will be good enough to do that for the next 1.5 years before I trade it in for the next model?

Thoughts?

I did a lot of programming 9 years ago in a MacBook Air 2010 13 4GB connected to a 24 inch monitor. A fantastic piece of hardware. You will do fine with that machine for more than 1.5 years as long as you give some love to that machine... Hardware respond to your mood.

 

[TeddieBear]

I went to Best Buy planning on buying the base 13” Pro.

... I ended up getting the base 15” Pro, 😐

 

[maflynn]

. I ended up getting the base 15” Pro, 😐

Congrats on your new baby, I personally like the 15" form factor better, partly because you get more computer for your dollar but also the larger display is easier on my old eyes

 

[pshufd]

Coding (web design), game design (2D work - nothing major), photoshop, and some video editing.

I’m wondering it the base model will be good enough to do that for the next 1.5 years before I trade it in for the next model?

Thoughts?

My office gave me a 2015 13" MBP for development. New employees are getting 2017s I think. My next upgrade is scheduled for next year. I may just keep using my 2015 as I don't like the USB-C MacBook Pros.

 

[TeddieBear]

Congrats on your new baby, I personally like the 15" form factor better, partly because you get more computer for your dollar but also the larger display is easier on my old eyes

I thought it would be really heavy and the size would be too big, but it’s actually just right.

Loving the large screen real-estate, and I guess it’s future proofed for at least a couple of years, I’d say.

 

[__xg__fv__c@]

My maxed pro 13" late 2016 still is a beast. Last week i got free replacament of keyboard, touchpad, battery, touchbar, display. everything except logic board but they've cleaned it and put some thermal paste on cpu. I've paid for it (paste) around 20$ and nothing for the rest. I have 2 year warranty from certified repair shop. So i.e. the only expense I can imagine is i.e. failed logic board. So replacement is around 470$. Rest is under warranty. Apple Care ends end of November, so I'm kinda waiting for logic board to failed to get another 2 years of warranty but yeah... Awesome machine

 

[Ploki]

Congrats on your new baby, I personally like the 15" form factor better, partly because you get more computer for your dollar but also the larger display is easier on my old eyes

I mean, you get more computer for more of your dollars lol.

I thought it would be really heavy and the size would be too big, but it’s actually just right.

Loving the large screen real-estate, and I guess it’s future proofed for at least a couple of years, I’d say.

Future proofing is a myth

but you picked a baseline so you're good

 

[Muyfa666]

Good choice mate! Personally I'm a 13" guy (no pun intended ;-), but there's no denying the 15" is a VERY good choice for semi-serious tasks.

You made a good choice, now enjoy it!

 

[alisalem]

If it runs well for you now, it's going to last for years to come easily. Apps that most people use (browsers, word processing, etc.) have stalled in terms of performance requirements over the past 5 years or so, and I don't see them needing any more power in the future. People are using their phones to do more stuff compared to laptops, so the focus has been shifted there. You're not going to see "new" basic apps that are resource-demanding in the future on computers.

Now, if you're someone who does the type of work that requires fast processing such as video editing or animation, that's a different story.

 

[TeddieBear]

If it runs well for you now, it's going to last for years to come easily. Apps that most people use (browsers, word processing, etc.) have stalled in terms of performance requirements over the past 5 years or so, and I don't see them needing any more power in the future. People are using their phones to do more stuff compared to laptops, so the focus has been shifted there. You're not going to see "new" basic apps that are resource-demanding in the future on computers.

Now, if you're someone who does the type of work that requires fast processing such as video editing or animation, that's a different story.

I’ve been wanting to work on a mini-documentary series for years now and I think I’ll finally do it soon, but it’s basic editing so I don’t think I’ll need a really powerful Mac for that.