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harrypham

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 9, 2014
132
34
SA, Texas
I have used my Early 2013 15” rMBP 256GB for six years, and it has begun to show signs of aging. Rubber ring around the screen began to come off, and battery capacity is 75-79% of the original capacity. In addition, 256GB is not enough for me, especially with Windows 10 installed. Therefore, I just purchased a 2018 15” MacBook Pro 512GB for only $2299 ($500 off and no tax) from B&H. It is around $730 cheaper than Apple Store or other local stores that charge sale tax. I plan to give my 2013 MBP to my younger sister.

It just arrived, and I have not opened it yet. I heard that a redesigned 2019 MacBook Pro is coming soon. I wonder if I should return the 2018 MBP to B&H and wait for the redesigned 2019 MBP. My current 2013 MBP still serves my basic needs. If I wait for the 2019 model, I would either pay full price when it just comes out or wait several months until it is on sale. Honestly, I got my Early 2013 MacBook Pro on the day the Late 2013 MacBook Pro came out, so I got a big discount from Bestbuy.
 
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It just depends if you are concerned about the keyboard and/or want to see what the potential re-design May entail.

Personally I would get my money back off the table and wait especially since you already have a computer that works fine in the meantime
 
I wonder if I should return the 2018 MBP to B&H and wait for the redesigned 2019 MBP.
Here's the thing, will you be kicking yourself in June when (presumably) the new MBPs are rolled out? Can you live with your 2013 laptop for a few more months?

If it were me, I'd wait, but my thought processes are usually way different then most normal humans :p
 
There is no guarantee that a redesign is happening this year and if you look at history with their current lineup it’s generally every 4 years for a redesign so it would naturally come next year. Granted there is a lot more issues with this current design so they might show it off this year however there is no guarantee the 2019 models “fix” everything and if it’s a redesign, most 1st generations of new designs have issues, just look at the 2016 MBP. I personally would hold your 2018 and keep it. There is always something better and better every year so use your 2018 and enjoy it.
 
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if you look at history with their current lineup

We've never had a history of "the lineup" having so many outstanding issues.

That combined with the potential for one model to lead the way and be early to the ARM transition plus the 16"/altered form factor rumors makes it highly likely that something is up for this year.

We don't know if/what exactly, but there's some smoke above a possible fire and if possible, it's prudent to keep ones money on the sideline and see what comes of it all.
 
It’s technology, the new one is always just over the horizon.

It’s a skill to learn to purchase, and then just use, a piece of hardware; without worrying about some new feature that’s perpetually around the corner.

If you get a 2018, just enjoy it, and try not to obsess over whatever comes out next. Use it till it isn’t meeting your needs, and then just get whatever is available then that will.
 
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I'm in a similar situation to you. Have a 2013 MBP that works really well still but needed to pick up something a bit newer for a little extra power for audio editing. I went with the 2018 MBP 15 inch after receiving a generous discount from a friend who works at Apple (couldn't pass it up). Have to say I'm very happy with it for the most part. Being the 2018 is the biggest processor bump we've seen in a while I felt it was worth the purchase. I can't imagine that a major redesign is coming this year aside from possibly a 16 inch model (if that even means anything to you)

TB3 is here to stay with Apple laptops, the touch bar isn't going anywhere, and the current design is about as thin as you can get IMO. Not entirely sure what we would get with a redesign that would be worth holding out for. The only thing I would want to change on this laptop is the Touch Bar. If they made a 15 inch with the same amount of power and physical function keys, I would be inclined to consider purchasing it. (Basically a 15 inch, 4 TB3 ports, and replace the TB with the new Air physical function setup)

If you got a good deal, stick with it. It's a good laptop and I've yet to have any major issues in the past few months. I don't think it will disappoint you.
 
I can't imagine that a major redesign is coming this year

Again - I have no clue why people keep saying this.
Is it just because you just bought a 2018?

We are 3 years into a relatively problem riddled design (by Apple standards).

It's completely possible, if not likely, they would want to address that with a redesign that got pushed up from their normally preferred longer intervals.
 
Again - I have no clue why people keep saying this.
Is it just because you just bought a 2018?

We are 3 years into a relatively problem riddled design (by Apple standards).

It's completely possible, if not likely, they would want to address that with a redesign that got pushed up from their normally preferred longer intervals.

Just putting in my two cents. I'm well aware that people are on here frequently complaining about the issues with the laptop. Just sharing my personal experience with the laptop. I use it frequently (an average of 4-8 hours a day) and use it for a lot of different types of work (graphic design and audio / light video editing) and have yet to experience any of the issues that people have talked about. I also have lots of friends who are using 2016/2017 models and have yet to run into any issues at all and are using them for professional application with major brands here in NYC.

So no, it's not because "I just bought a 2018". It's because I purchased a 2018 model, it works efficiently for running my business (which I would classify myself as a "power user") , therefore I would recommend getting one if you can get a good price.
 
Just putting in my two cents. I'm well aware that people are on here frequently complaining about the issues with the laptop. Just sharing my personal experience with the laptop. I use it frequently (an average of 4-8 hours a day) and use it for a lot of different types of work (graphic design and audio / light video editing) and have yet to experience any of the issues that people have talked about. I also have lots of friends who are using 2016/2017 models and have yet to run into any issues at all and are using them for professional application with major brands here in NYC.

So no, it's not because "I just bought a 2018". It's because I purchased a 2018 model, it works efficiently for running my business (which I would classify myself as a "power user") , therefore I would recommend getting one if you can get a good price.

All good - but that wasn't really what I quoted and commented about..
Why "can't you imagine" a redesign coming?
 
Again - I have no clue why people keep saying this.
Is it just because you just bought a 2018?

We are 3 years into a relatively problem riddled design (by Apple standards).

It's completely possible, if not likely, they would want to address that with a redesign that got pushed up from their normally preferred longer intervals.

Its definitely completely possible I personally just don't see it until 2020 personally. I mean look at their Mac Pro since 2013 no redesigns for 5+ years and their iMacs as well going on 7 years.
 
Its definitely completely possible I personally just don't see it until 2020 personally. I mean look at their Mac Pro since 2013 no redesigns for 5+ years and their iMacs as well going on 7 years.

Well - the Mac Pro they, by their own admission, had planned to abandon in favor of the iMac Pro (then the uproar came).

The iMacs just don't have any issues and thus very little to change.

Plus, one of the key problem spots for the MBP's (keyboard) is an external accessory for iMacs and one that has changed over time (different wireless and wired keyboard options over the years) actually.
 
Well - the Mac Pro they, by their own admission, had planned to abandon in favor of the iMac Pro (then the uproar came).

The iMacs just don't have any issues and thus very little to change.

Plus, one of the key problem spots for the MBP's (keyboard) is an external accessory for iMacs and one that has changed over time (different wireless and wired keyboard options over the years) actually.

I totally agree with you on those statements for sure, I just find it hard to believe they would redesign it that quickly. I could be wrong and hope I'm wrong to be honest. I personally don't mind the 3rd generation butterfly but I know ALOT of people are not a fan of the keyboard at all.
 
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All good - but that wasn't really what I quoted and commented about..
Why "can't you imagine" a redesign coming?

Apologies. Misunderstood which part of the post you were referring to. I don't see a redesign this year for a few reasons. The most obvious being the 4 year product cycle with the MBP's in terms of design (which wouldn't be unusual if Apple were to stray from their own standard). Secondly, I think they're going to save their major design overhaul to be released along with their own processors. If they viewed this as an urgent matter (the design overhaul) and actually acknowledged that something was wrong with it (internally, not publicly) they wouldn't have released the MacBook air, which basically has the same design as the MacBooks / MacBook Pros setting themselves up for more issues.

If a major redesign was deemed necessary and needed to be sped up, that decision would have been made sometime last year by Apple (which would lead me to believe that they would have halted the MacBook air launch, and made design adjustments to fit the newer design) Again, if it were that urgent of a matter. Again, I could totally be wrong. Not claiming to have any insider info to support this, but from a business standpoint, thats how I would see it.
 
I was in a similar position few months ago and I returned it. Ultimately, I calculated that the upside of waiting was worth it if I already have an older laptop that's chugging along fine enough for now. At worst, few months down the road I'll be buying the same 2018 laptop for the same price, but very likely for a better price. But if there is a redesign with bezel less higher resoultion display, better keyboards and all the other bells and whistles, I would be kicking myself for not waiting it out just a bit longer. There's also the possibility that there is no redesign but we get a spec bump and some reliability improvements in a refresh which isn't a bad outcome either.
 
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It’s technology, the new one is always just over the horizon.

It’s a skill to learn to purchase, and then just use, a piece of hardware; without worrying about some new feature that’s perpetually around the corner.

If you get a 2018, just enjoy it, and try not to obsess over whatever comes out next. Use it till it isn’t meeting your needs, and then just get whatever is available then that will.
Let's post this as a sticky on each thread about waiting for this new version or waiting for Godot.
 
Here's the thing, will you be kicking yourself in June when (presumably) the new MBPs are rolled out? Can you live with your 2013 laptop for a few more months?

If it were me, I'd wait, but my thought processes are usually way different then most normal humans :p
I agree with this. If you can wait til June/July and continue to use your 2013 MBP, do that. If there is a redesign, and you like it you can get that then, and if there isn't a major redesign you should be able to get a 2018 MBP for a decent deal off at many sellers.
 
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