Looking for a new laptop...

[richyirich]

My computer finally died, so I’m in the market for a new laptop. I’d like to get a 15” MacBook Pro, but am not sure where to begin since there are so many kinds/types of MBP’s. I’ll be using it for work-related tasks (web, MS Office) as well as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for photography.

I’m thinking of getting a slightly older model with top specs rather than a newer model to save some money.

Any recommendations?

 

[Michael CM1]

My computer finally died, so I’m in the market for a new laptop. I’d like to get a 15” MacBook Pro, but am not sure where to begin since there are so many kinds/types of MBP’s. I’ll be using it for work-related tasks (web, MS Office) as well as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for photography.

I’m thinking of getting a slightly older model with top specs rather than a newer model to save some money.

Any recommendations?

I just bought the 2018 13-inch model that was $1799 when it was the latest model. I got it for $1449 during Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale, which basically just knocked off an extra $50. As far as I could tell, the speed/power difference between this and what I could've spent $1500 on for a 2019 model wasn't much, and this sucker has four USB ports instead of two.

This model has a 2.3 GHz Core i5 (quad-core), 8 GB of RAM, the Iris Plus 655 graphics adapter and 256 GB of storage. I don't really know the demand of Lightroom and modern Photoshop (I was working on a 2010 iMac with Photoshop CS5 until I got laid off this year), but I think if you got something similar in the 15-inch realm, you would do well.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-...-256gb-ssd-space-gray/5998604.p?skuId=5998604

This seems to be a close model, and the extra graphics power and faster RAM (it says DDR4, mine is DDR3, and the clock speed on that stuff is faster) should help you out. You can go to 512 GB of storage for $400 if needed.

Touch ID is so nice. I'm really glad that it's making its way to more of the MacBooks. So far I like the TouchBar, and I think basically you'd better get used to it if you want to use MacBooks that aren't the base models. Not blindly knowing where the function key to change brightness and volume is an adjustment, but I wouldn't call it a major one.

 

[Howard2k]

Anything from 2016 on you are looking at a less reliable keyboard. There’s a four year warranty from Apple from the original date of purchase. Apparently they’ve been getting more stable since 2016 through 2019 but there are no real stats. The replacement keyboard cost is $500 or so I think? That’s a lot of money. The 2015 keyboard didn’t have the same issue. There is allegedly a new keyboard coming shortly.

I’d be hard pressed to pay the same for a 2016 as a 2015, given the keyboard issue. Again, newer ones should be better.

It also seems that the new models from 2018 and on had some stability issues with the T2. Again seems to have improved over time, but my gut feel is the the current 2016-2019 models have some issues not apparent in the 2015.

I also think used 2015s are over priced but you know. If people are willing to pay...

Buying used I think I would try to find a good deal on a 2015 15” I think. The 2016 on, just too risky IMO. Lots of people don’t have issues too of course.