Late 2016 MBP with touch or mid 2017 without?

[lindseybp]

I'm looking at getting a MacBook pro 13". I can get a late 2016 with touchbar or get the new mid 2017 model without touchbar. The 2017 would be $150 more. Looking for opinions on which to get. Are the new processors on the 2017 a significant step up? Any other considerations? Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[mripadmini]

id get the one with the touchbar as long as it is the same or better spec as the one with out.

 

[robvas]

I would prefer the newer model with the better keyboard and no TB assuming they have the same amount of RAM and SSD

 

[lindseybp]

I would prefer the newer model with the better keyboard and no TB assuming they have the same amount of RAM and SSD

Same ram and SSD. 8/256

Is the keyboard much improved in the 2017?

 

[audiomatt]

Same ram and SSD. 8/256

Is the keyboard much improved in the 2017?

I just had to return my 2016 because the spacebar got stuck within 2 weeks of buying. I've only had my 2017 for a day but I can tell the keyboard is a little more sturdy although I def wouldn't trust it over the old 2015 keys.

 

[maflynn]

I'd opt for the 2017 model, word on the street (so to speak) is that apple may have improved the keyboard a bit and so you may get a more reliable one.

 

[smallcoffee]

I'm looking at getting a MacBook pro 13". I can get a late 2016 with touchbar or get the new mid 2017 model without touchbar. The 2017 would be $150 more. Looking for opinions on which to get. Are the new processors on the 2017 a significant step up? Any other considerations? Thanks in advance for any comments.

Almost universally you should look for the latest model. The touchbar itself is not a reason to buy a MacBook Pro but TouchID is convenient. I would take a look at refurbished 2017 13" Pros on the Apple store.

Also, make sure that the 2017 without touchbar has the correct USB-C ports. I would not buy a machine with the USB-C interface but also without the benefits of USB-C.

 

[mj_]

Also, make sure that the 2017 without touchbar has the correct USB-C ports. I would not buy a machine with the USB-C interface but also without the benefits of USB-C.

That statement doesn't make any sense. How can the 2017 without Touch Bar not have the correct USB-C ports? Can it have incorrect USB-C ports? What exactly are you trying to say?

 

[smallcoffee]

That statement doesn't make any sense. How can the 2017 without Touch Bar not have the correct USB-C ports? Can it have incorrect USB-C ports? What exactly are you trying to say?

If I recall correctly the non-TB version of the 2016 13" Pro had two of the ports which were underpowered compared to the other two, whereas in the TB version all of the USB-C ports where the same. I don't recall what the difference was.

 

[mj_]

Well, you don't recall correctly 😛

The non-TB model of the 2016 & 2017 13" MacBook Pro has just 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports to begin with while the TB model has four of them, two of which (the two on the right) are limited in PCIe bandwidth (see https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/28/macbook-pro-tb3-reduced-pci-express-bandwidth/). On the 15" MacBook Pro all four ports offer full PCIe bandwidth.

But even then your statement still doesn't make any sense since you're mixing up USB-C and Thunderbolt 3. USB-C is only a specific connector, like USB-A, USB-B, or MicroUSB. It's a physical description and has absolutely nothing to do with the underlying protocol and technology, which can be anything from USB 1.0 up to USB 3.1 Gen. 2 combined with Thunderbolt 3. Thus, a USB-C machine without the benefits of USB-C, such as reversibility, is mechanically impossible to produce 😀

 

[smallcoffee]

Well, you don't recall correctly 😛

The non-TB model of the 2016 & 2017 13" MacBook Pro has just 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports to begin with while the TB model has four of them, two of which (the two on the right) are limited in PCIe bandwidth (see https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/28/macbook-pro-tb3-reduced-pci-express-bandwidth/). On the 15" MacBook Pro all four ports offer full PCIe bandwidth.

But even then your statement still doesn't make any sense since you're mixing up USB-C and Thunderbolt 3. USB-C is only a specific connector, like USB-A, USB-B, or MicroUSB. It's a physical description and has absolutely nothing to do with the underlying protocol and technology, which can be anything from USB 1.0 up to USB 3.1 Gen. 2 combined with Thunderbolt 3. Thus, a USB-C machine without the benefits of USB-C, such as reversibility, is mechanically impossible to produce 😀

Yes I mixed up TV and USB-C - my statement makes sense as, you have the ports but not the capabilities as they are hamstrung by not being TB3. My advice was to get a laptop where all 4 ports are fully capable.

 

[mj_]

Yes I mixed up TV and USB-C - my statement makes sense as, you have the ports but not the capabilities as they are hamstrung by not being TB3. My advice was to get a laptop where all 4 ports are fully capable.

No, your statement still doesn't make any sense whatsoever because it's wrong 😉

First of all, all four ports on the 13" TB MBP are Thunderbolt 3 ports with the exact same capabilities. All carry a DisplayPort signal, all carry a USB 3.1 signal, all carry an HDMI signal, etc. The only difference between the left and right side is the backbone connection so to speak. And second, the only MBP with four absolutely identical Thunderbolt 3 ports is the 15", and that one isn't even an option here.

The question here is: 13" TB with four TB3 ports or 13" nTB with 2 TB3 ports. Both of these have the exact same two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side with absolutely no difference whatsoever. In addition, the 13" TB has to extra Thunderbolt 3 ports on the right side that are just as capable, but limited in their PCIe bandwidth.

Basically, what you're saying is if you have a choice between the 13" TB and the 13" nTB you should get the 15" 😵

 

[smallcoffee]

No, your statement still doesn't make any sense whatsoever because it's wrong 😉

First of all, all four ports on the 13" TB MBP are Thunderbolt 3 ports with the exact same capabilities. All carry a DisplayPort signal, all carry a USB 3.1 signal, all carry an HDMI signal, etc. The only difference between the left and right side is the backbone connection so to speak. And second, the only MBP with four absolutely identical Thunderbolt 3 ports is the 15", and that one isn't even an option here.

The question here is: 13" TB with four TB3 ports or 13" nTB with 2 TB3 ports. Both of these have the exact same two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side with absolutely no difference whatsoever. In addition, the 13" TB has to extra Thunderbolt 3 ports on the right side that are just as capable, but limited in their PCIe bandwidth.

Basically, what you're saying is if you have a choice between the 13" TB and the 13" nTB you should get the 15" 😵

Ah, I was under the impression that both had 4 ports but that the 13" nTB had only 2/4 with TB3. I apologize for the confusion lol.