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Just bought a 2015 15" on the refurb store. Am I crazy buying the "old" model

C

CRoebuck

macrumors member
Original poster
May 16, 2014
83
55
Hi,

Just wanting to get some thoughts on this. I've been running a 2016 tb 3.1/16/1tb that's in for repair (again) Keyboard scratching the screen (2nd time) and sticky keys when hot. I've replaced it with he 2017 version of the same in the hope that the 2017 has a improved keyboard (it does feel different but already has a few suspect keys) but it's still within the 14 day return window so likely to go back.

However I stumbled upon a 2015 15" 2.8/16/1tb with AMD graphics on the refurb store and pulled the trigger thinking that it offers a fast PC with a nice, hopefully problem free keyboard, more versatile ports and a bit more screen real estate. I would have bought 15" on the 2016 but the price was scary. I need 1tb for the various VM's I need to carry with me.

ok, it's bigger and heavier, that I can deal with.

My concern is that I'm buying something that will become obsolete more quickly. Will getting parts be a problem in 5 years for example ? How long to Apple typically provide parts and batteries for "old" models ?

I'm not somebody who needs to latest and greatest. I am somebody who needs to stay away from the Apple Store for a few months though !

Thoughts people
 
CRoebuck said:
Hi,

Just wanting to get some thoughts on this. I've been running a 2016 tb 3.1/16/1tb that's in for repair (again) Keyboard scratching the screen (2nd time) and sticky keys when hot. I've replaced it with he 2017 version of the same in the hope that the 2017 has a improved keyboard (it does feel different but already has a few suspect keys) but it's still within the 14 day return window so likely to go back.

However I stumbled upon a 2015 15" 2.8/16/1tb with AMD graphics on the refurb store and pulled the trigger thinking that it offers a fast PC with a nice, hopefully problem free keyboard, more versatile ports and a bit more screen real estate. I would have bought 15" on the 2016 but the price was scary. I need 1tb for the various VM's I need to carry with me.

ok, it's bigger and heavier, that I can deal with.

My concern is that I'm buying something that will become obsolete more quickly. Will getting parts be a problem in 5 years for example ? How long to Apple typically provide parts and batteries for "old" models ?

I'm not somebody who needs to latest and greatest. I am somebody who needs to stay away from the Apple Store for a few months though !

Thoughts people
Click to expand...

Doesn't the 15" weight more? And if it does, do you notice a difference?

And no I don't think there's anything wrong with buying a 2015 model if someone wants to.
 
You buy what you need. Most owners of the 2016 and 2017 machines don't even know the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt.

If a machine meets your needs, there's no reason not to buy it. 2015 is a great machine, SD card slot, HDMI, USB-A ... Connectivity that is used everyday by most people.
 
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I use a 2015 15" MBP everyday. Great machine. I may upgrade, but will not do so until the CoffeeLake 6 core processors are available AND Apple does something about the butterfly keyboard failure rate.

Until then I will suffer along, carrying a 1/2 pound heavier machine, with no dongles.
 
I wouldn't even consider a 2015 myself in 2017 unless it was really, really cheap. Apple refurb store does not meet that criterion.

Too many important upgrades happened in 2016 and 2017. But then again, if you don't want or need any of those upgrades, then it may be the machine for you.
 
Purchased the same laptop but 2.5/512 a month ago.

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You're not crazy for choosing the older design, IF it suits your needs more than the newer versions. It remains a well-designed Mac laptop. I don't see it becoming "obsolete" for years and years yet. You'll probably buy something new before that time arrives.

Some folks still need legacy ports, and prefer the older-style keyboard.
That's a personal choice.

When the 2016 models were released, I compared the 2015 side-by-side against the new 2016 -- and chose the 2015.
 
If you use graphic or CPU intense software then the latest laptop is a no brainer. If you don't then a 2015 model will keep you happy for years to come.

I have a 2012 Macbook Pro Retina which is still blisteringly fast with 15-20 tabs in safari with Spotify and Pages running. Occasionally editing holiday photos is still very smooth with no lag when pinching and zooming high res photos.

This is the most expensive computer I have ever bought and 5 years on I still see no reason to upgrade. A 2015 model with 16GB RAM will serve your needs well.
 
I don't think you are crazy at all. The 2015s are great machines and in no way out dated. And really, the only noticeable performance increase (for most people) in the newer models would be the GPU performance.
 
When apple doesn't currently offer what you want, you are forced to do things you hadn't planned on.

Ask the Mac Mini folks how it's going for them.

It's Apple's needs first, and the customers needs second, these days.
 
The 2015 is a proven rock solid machine whereas the 2016/2017 is not. It is that simple.
 
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