Just bought 2016 rMB,should I return it & buy the 2017 model?

[ColdShadow]

So right before the announcements,I came across a heavily discounted new 2016 rMB (M5/8GB/512GB) and I bought it.it cost me -close to- base 2017 m3 model.

now after 2017 refresh announcement I wonder if I should cancel my order and buy either the base 2017 model (m3/8GB/256)
or maybe pay some more for the 2017 i5/8GB/256 model?

any thoughts?

 

[cmeisenzahl]

I prob would if you still can. The newer CPUs should be better w battery life.

 

[AyeGear]

Gutted the facetime cameras are still 480p!

 

[Wallabe]

It's sad that I got the 2015 version with 8GB RAM 512GB SSD, and in 2017, it's still the same. At least offer 1TB and 16GB on the $1600 model. Same 480p camera too.

 

[ColdShadow]

So do you think the 2017 rMB Kaby Lake M3 is faster than 2016 rMB Skylake M5?

 

[Wallabe]

So do you think the 2017 rMB Kaby Lake M3 is faster than 2016 rMB Skylake M5?

Maybe, maybe not. If it's faster, so what? If it's slower, so what? Whatever the benchmark numbers are, the real question is what are you going to do with it?

If all you do is just general surfing, emailing, youtube, and probably some database accounting, you're better stick with what you already have. If speed/performance is a concern to you, you're looking at the wrong product line. At best, it's nice to know the newer machine might be faster, but after about 2 weeks of bragging, you won't even care.

I still have the MB 2015 version, it's still perfect for me. For my use, it's not slow at all. But since the new machines came out, and if you're within your return window, you can decide yourself if you want to keep the better spec previous gen or newer MB. Other than a slight CPU speed bump, everything stayed the same. Unless Apple offers MB 16GB RAM 1TB SSD at $1600, it's essentially the same thing I bought 2 years ago. The display is still the same, not the more vibrant P3 that's in the MBP. Same 480p camera.

If it was my choice, I would keep what you have. The CPU difference won't matter, but the SSD will. You already got the 512GB at a discount, meaning more actual capacity to store more files. If your computing needs are basic, you will not see any benefit from the slight CPU increase, if there is any.

 

[asoksevil]

It's got the second gen butterfly keyboard. If you don't like it you can always get the second gen one.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

The second gen butterfly keyboard is single handedly the best upgrade for the 12" macbook

 

[kvyoung]

It's sad that I got the 2015 version with 8GB RAM 512GB SSD, and in 2017, it's still the same. At least offer 1TB and 16GB on the $1600 model. Same 480p camera too.

There is now a 16 GB RAM upgrade option for the 2017 rMB albeit at an increase in price. Still no 1 TB drive though.
[doublepost=1496720798][/doublepost]

So right before the announcements,I came across a heavily discounted new 2016 rMB (M5/8GB/512GB) and I bought it.it cost me -close to- base 2017 m3 model.

now after 2017 refresh announcement I wonder if I should cancel my order and buy either the base 2017 model (m3/8GB/256)
or maybe pay some more for the 2017 i5/8GB/256 model?

any thoughts?

I don't see a significant change from the 2016 model to the 2017 model. The Apple site says there is a 20% increase in performance but I doubt in real life use you'd even notice that. The 2017 model can be bought with 16 GB of RAM should you need it. Personally I'd keep the one you have for the larger storage and maybe invest in an apple care warranty.
I'm still using the 2015 rMB 1.2 512 and it seems fine to me but it really depends on your use.

 

[Aston441]

I am very disappointed there is no 1TB option. I may end up waiting yet another year to see if that's in the next gen lineup.

 

[magbarn]

The second gen butterfly keyboard is single handedly the best upgrade for the 12" macbook

This is basically the biggest upgrade the 2017 has over the 2016, the CPU/GPU are about the same save for the HEVC upgrade on the GPU. I think you probably got in on the $1249 deal for the 2016 M5/512gb deal. If that's the case you're losing quite a bit of storage and a bit of CPU performance by going with the 2017.... Going for the 2017 M5/512gb option is a bit more expensive

 

[Xavier Pander]

I am in the same boat. I have the m5 MB 2016 still in the box. I wanted to wait for WWDC but it seems not much changed. Now, I hear different things about the Gen1 and Gen2 butterfly keyboard. Is the second generation really better? Some people say it is even louder?

 

[magbarn]

I am in the same boat. I have the m5 MB 2016 still in the box. I wanted to wait for WWDC but it seems not much changed. Now, I hear different things about the Gen1 and Gen2 butterfly keyboard. Is the second generation really better? Some people say it is even louder?

Go to a local Best Buy or Apple store and try out the latest MBP's as they have the 2nd gen butterfly keyboard. The difference is subtle, not night and day, and still nowhere near as good as the 1st gen Retina MBP models....

 

[neoelectronaut]

This is basically the biggest upgrade the 2017 has over the 2016, the CPU/GPU are about the same save for the HEVC upgrade on the GPU. I think you probably got in on the $1249 deal for the 2016 M5/512gb deal. If that's the case you're losing quite a bit of storage and a bit of CPU performance by going with the 2017.... Going for the 2017 M5/512gb option is a bit more expensive

**** I'd like the 2016 512GB model for $1249.

 

[Xavier Pander]

**** I'd like the 2016 512GB model for $1249.

Yep, I think you wrapped it up for me!

 

[neoelectronaut]

Yep, I think you wrapped it up for me!

...is the 512GB model on sale somewhere for that price?

 

[magbarn]

...is the 512GB model on sale somewhere for that price?

It was a 1 week sale at Best Buy 2 months ago. Even the M3 model was going for $999. That's what clued many here about an impending refresh to the rMB.
If you were a college student you could've stacked with AppleCare with a $100 discount off the AppleCare.

 

[Xavier Pander]

Go to a local Best Buy or Apple store and try out the latest MBP's as they have the 2nd gen butterfly keyboard. The difference is subtle, not night and day, and still nowhere near as good as the 1st gen Retina MBP models....

I exactly did this and lucky me, they had the "old" MB 2016 sitting there next to the MacBook Pros with the Gen2 keyboard. Sure enough, there is a slight difference. The new keyboard has a little more resistance. However, I am typing 10 fingers and in all honesty, when I am going for it, I did not notice the difference. Actually, the old style felt, that I could write faster. But the differences are fine, very fine. Nothing you cannot get used to either way.

Thanks for all the great advice. I made up my mind and use my discounted 2016 MB.

 

[neoelectronaut]

It was a 1 week sale at Best Buy 2 months ago. Even the M3 model was going for $999. That's what clued many here about an impending refresh to the rMB.
If you were a college student you could've stacked with AppleCare with a $100 discount off the AppleCare.

Oh dammit, I wouldn't have even had a second though at $999. Gah!

 

[KPOM]

So do you think the 2017 rMB Kaby Lake M3 is faster than 2016 rMB Skylake M5?

They will be similar. Clock for clock Skylake and Kaby Lake are the same. The Kaby Lake m3 turbo boosts to 2.6 GHz. The Skylake m5 turbo boosts to 2.7GHz. Kaby Lake has a better GPU and the 2017 models have faster SSDs. My guess is you won't be able to tell the difference side by side.

 

[AFEPPL]

I would for sure.

 

[294307]

It's sad that I got the 2015 version with 8GB RAM 512GB SSD, and in 2017, it's still the same. At least offer 1TB and 16GB on the $1600 model. Same 480p camera too.

At least you have no reason to upgrade yet

 

[ChinkyBob]

They will be similar. Clock for clock Skylake and Kaby Lake are the same. The Kaby Lake m3 turbo boosts to 2.6 GHz. The Skylake m5 turbo boosts to 2.7GHz. Kaby Lake has a better GPU and the 2017 models have faster SSDs. My guess is you won't be able to tell the difference side by side.

If you have the chance, take it back and change it.
While the 500gb ssd is nice, the latest 2017 core m3 is more powerful than last years m5 and m7. Thats reason enough.
Add to the fact the SSD is now twice as fast, and the ram faster, will make that an even bigger difference.
Plus the keyboard is better.
If that means little to you, and you prefer the extra hd space, then keep your current one and be happy. You bought it for less than 99% of others who have the same model.

 

[burgman]

If you have the chance, take it back and change it.
While the 500gb ssd is nice, the latest 2017 core m3 is more powerful than last years m5 and m7. Thats reason enough.
Add to the fact the SSD is now twice as fast, and the ram faster, will make that an even bigger difference.
Plus the keyboard is better.
If that means little to you, and you prefer the extra hd space, then keep your current one and be happy. You bought it for less than 99% of others who have the same model.

Since your advice is on a 2.5 month old thread, doubt if it matters anymore. Bigger, faster, stronger vs a great price, seems to have been the question.

 

[Saturn007]

I'll chime in, too, even if the thread is an older one.

"Go to a local Best Buy or Apple store and try out the latest MBP's as they have the 2nd gen butterfly keyboard. The difference is subtle, not night and day, and still nowhere near as good as the 1st gen Retina MBP models...."

I'm assuming that the poster meant the original MacBook Pro with Retina Display 2015 and earlier), not the 1st generation butterfly keyboard (2016)!

Note: we had two different 2015 MacBook Pros for a spell and they both ran hot, really not that comfortable to use on one's lap! (This was fresh out of the box; later, we had gone past the point of Spotlight doing any indexing of a couple of folders, too.)

At this point, the older models with all the ports have a certain appeal and great functionality, but the Apple ship really has sailed on them!