Keep or return 2020 MBP

[ctjack]

haha "you only lose the keyboard" -- mate it's the worst keyboard EVER.

Actually keyboard is pretty much OK and i like it more than hard to press scissors from 2012 MBP.
Only con is a failure rate.
But who really cares, if Apple will fix it for you 4 years after the purchase. Also with high end 2018 MBP 13 you are not going to see more than +20% performance with MBP 2020.
If your keyboard fails 3 times on you and it gets fixed by Apple, then they will replace your old laptop with MBP 2020 for free.
Cost of changing the gears is $900. Why would you pay $900 just for keyboard?

Full disclosure - I just ate the next years depreciation on a 2018 MBP 15" and sold it privately. Couldn't wait to get rid of the keyboard! It was also too large, so my requirements changed but still

Main point of your upgrade is a large size of MBP 15 as per your words. I am also seeing people who sell MBP 16 to get MBP 13 2020. So in that case it may make sense to jump on this model. It makes no sense to change it just for keyboard if you live near Apple.

Also new Tiger Lake CPU is coming and it will be double the iGPU performance than Ice Lake.
So this 2020 model is really just a stop-gap. Next year's MBP will last you longer and will be worth the price to keep it for next years without even looking at new MBPs.

 

[lobo1978]

The fact your 2017 has been fixed so many times suggests it's not a great model

To clarify - it was only one time I have given voluntarily laptop for service. Apple replaced top case under keyboard replacement programme. At the same time I have informed them that there is a small white spot on screen and they have decided to replace the whole screen (Applecare).

I am more than happy with my 2017 model. And I own 2016 13” which has now also top case replaced (keyboard was ok but Apple decided to replace it with 2017 version anyway) = new trackpad, battery, keyboard and speakers + dust cleaning inside. I feel that I have bought two computers but paid for one 😉. That‘s the customer service I am willing to pay for ”apple tax”. I have never been treated bad.

 

[unoporfavor]

To clarify - it was only one time I have given voluntarily laptop for service. Apple replaced top case under keyboard replacement programme. At the same time I have informed them that there is a small white spot on screen and they have decided to replace the whole screen (Applecare).

I am more than happy with my 2017 model. And I own 2016 13” which has now also top case replaced (keyboard was ok but Apple decided to replace it with 2017 version anyway) = new trackpad, battery, keyboard and speakers + dust cleaning inside. I feel that I have bought two computers but paid for one 😉. That‘s the customer service I am willing to pay for ”apple tax”. I have never been treated bad.

Apple are good at looking after you/ I've had a a MB 12" fail after 2 years and they fixed it no questions
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Actually keyboard is pretty much OK and i like it more than hard to press scissors from 2012 MBP.
Only con is a failure rate.
But who really cares, if Apple will fix it for you 4 years after the purchase. Also with high end 2018 MBP 13 you are not going to see more than +20% performance with MBP 2020.
If your keyboard fails 3 times on you and it gets fixed by Apple, then they will replace your old laptop with MBP 2020 for free.
Cost of changing the gears is $900. Why would you pay $900 just for keyboard?

Main point of your upgrade is a large size of MBP 15 as per your words. I am also seeing people who sell MBP 16 to get MBP 13 2020. So in that case it may make sense to jump on this model. It makes no sense to change it just for keyboard if you live near Apple.

Also new Tiger Lake CPU is coming and it will be double the iGPU performance than Ice Lake.
So this 2020 model is really just a stop-gap. Next year's MBP will last you longer and will be worth the price to keep it for next years without even looking at new MBPs.

I knew someone would get hung up on that size change for me. I was waiting for the 13" to get the new keyboard. Now it has, there's no reason to at all to not change. You are assuming I am changing for performance reasons - again it is nothing to do with that - it is for the keyboard. The performance is adequate.
How about this to make it absolutely clear - $900 to change to a normal keyboard. ABSOLUTELY BARGAIN.
I have a 2018 and a 2016 Mac with the butterfly keyboards. Both are terrible.

Butterfly keyboards I find are awful. If you type a lot they're unproductive. If you type in the odd URL - then sure you can live with them ✌

 

[unoporfavor]

The 12 inch is a nice machine; assuming you get one with a decent keyboard (or warranty replaced).

I had a 2017 i7/512/16 that was quite snappy, ridiculously light/portable and had awesome battery run time.

The resale prices were just starting to go <$1k on them and I figured it was better to take that and apply it toward a 2020. My primary reason for upgrading was that while I have the disposable income to do it, might as well get something that can last 4-5 years from now. I'm not optimistic about what looms on the economic horizon, my employment prospects, etc.

You may be able to get a 12" for closer to $800 if you watch closely (on eBay at least). I waited too long on my 15" MBP in that regard- at the end of 2019 they were going for ~$1200. I got closer to $800 for it a few months later.

My experience with the MB 12" -- recently I've found it really struggling. Video conferencing it got hot, which is fine as it as least was quiet! Trying to look through data and video conference at the same time really tested it however. It was the m5 model.
Also did the same as you and sold it whilst still had value and replaced with 2020 MBA i3. Much faster and no noisier for what it is used for.
Anyway - upvote for your suggestion anyway! ✌

 

[jeme]

Thanks. I would do video conferencing from the iPad. So here are the options,

keep 2018 i7 2.7ghz 16 ram and 1 TB hard drive MBP

upgrade to 2020 i5 2.0ghz 16 ram and 1 TB hard drive MBP

or keep 2018 machine and buy a MacBook 12 inch for portability. It would be a 2017 i5 or i7 with 16 ram and 512 HD

decisions decisions. Wonder how the MacBook handles Catalina?

 

[unoporfavor]

Thanks. I would do video conferencing from the iPad. So here are the options,

keep 2018 i7 2.7ghz 16 ram and 1 TB hard drive MBP

upgrade to 2020 i5 2.0ghz 16 ram and 1 TB hard drive MBP

or keep 2018 machine and buy a MacBook 12 inch for portability. It would be a 2017 i5 or i7 with 16 ram and 512 HD

decisions decisions. Wonder how the MacBook handles Catalina?

If you can do video conferencing without needing to look at data or any other apps - then sure the iPad will work. Or just use a phone then.
Is there any financial constraints?
The MB12 is the best computer for portability!
Personally, I find the butterfly keyboard very hard to live with and effectively costs me money in productivity. You don't mention your workflow, but if you use your computer(s) for a revenue stream, then personally I would upgrade to something that increases productivity and improves your life. That's what I did.
If you are watching youtube and commenting on forums.. then sure you could keep the older model. It still has some depreciation to be claimed and wait until next financial year to dispose of it.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Wonder how the MacBook handles Catalina?

Just fine. Been using it since before day 1.

 

[jeme]

Excellent thanks. I am trying to find a model that has or that I can add Apple Care to, just to be safe. Thanks!

 

[KPOM]

Excellent thanks. I am trying to find a model that has or that I can add Apple Care to, just to be safe. Thanks!

The Apple refurb store is probably the best bet for that.

 

[jeme]

Agreed. Only gold available and I cannot stand the gold models. LOL. I can do Silver or Space Gray, just no gold.

Thank you!

 

[Plutonius]

Hi everyone! I just received my 13" 2020 MBP 10th gen i5 $1799 model (paid $1699) as an upgrade from my 2018 i5 512gb (the old $1999 model). I absolutely love the keyboard but after using it for a few hours, I feel like it isn't much of an upgrade from my 2018 model, minus the keyboard.

I just had the keyboard replaced on my 2018 in April so I have a fresh keyboard, trackpad, and battery. I do like the idea of 16gb of RAM, but Apple is only giving me $780 trade-in credit. I was going to try to sell the 2018 on eBay, but do y'all think it's worth it? Should I just keep the 2018 for another year or two and return the 2020?

I use my computer for Office apps and have lots of windows open at once. The extra RAM would be nice since there have been times my 2018 feels slightly slow but it's never been that bad...

What would y'all do in this situation??? Is the keyboard and RAM worth it? Even if I sell my 2018 model for $1100, which might be a stretch, I'm still spending $6-700 more for the 2020.

How much longer is your 2018 MBP under warranty ?

Because of the huge cost of almost all repairs, choose the 2020 if the 2018 is out of warranty or will be soon.

 

[jeme]

I have apple care until February 2022. Would do the same apple care for the new one.