Looking for advice on order specs for the 16" MBP

[NJRonbo]

Before anyone criticizes me for trying to spec out a model that has not been announced yet at the time of this posting, consider this to be hypothetical...

I want to get advice BEFORE the rumored announcement so I know what options I am going to order immediately, rather than check back here.


I think I can be considered a basic to moderate MBP user. I mostly do web browsing and email. I occasionally use iMovie and Final Cut. The only time my MBP ever becomes a bit sluggish is during a video render.

1. I am assuming if the new MBP is using current-generation chips I don't need an i9 over an i7? I should go with i7?

2. Graphics card is the big question here. I always go with basic configuration. Any reason why I should consider going one step up from the basic offering?

Otherwise, the plan is to go with 32GB memory (unless 64GB is offered) and a 2TB SSD


Thanks

 

[leman]

It is a bit difficult to recommend anything for a machine we know virtually nothing about. Let's look at this:

I agree that we are unlikely to see any new CPU options (since there is nothing new out), but why are you su sure that there will be an i7 and a i9 options? The i9 is a significantly faster model with 30% more physical cores and higher clocks across the board. If the 16" is coming and if it is a premium model like many suspect, I doubt it would offer the i7 option.

The GPU is even more tricky. If the 16" is coming, it will most definitely offer Navi GPUs. The Polaris-based GPU today is almost an insult and Vega simply does not make sense given that Navi is out. But how many Navi GPUs options will we have? Will there be a GDDR6 and HMB-based solution, or is all going to be GDDR6? Will there be multiple GPU tiers? We just don't know. We can *speculate* based on what we know about Navi 14, but that's abut it.

In summary, I am sure that the base version of 16", whatever it is going to be (if it is coming at all), will be more than sufficient for what you do. Also: you probably don't need 32GB.

 

[Nacho98]

Just wait for it to come out. It's not going to sell out instantly, you'll have time to evaluate once announced.

 

[NJRonbo]

It is a bit difficult to recommend anything for a machine we know virtually nothing about. Let's look at this:

I agree that we are unlikely to see any new CPU options (since there is nothing new out), but why are you su sure that there will be an i7 and a i9 options? The i9 is a significantly faster model with 30% more physical cores and higher clocks across the board. If the 16" is coming and if it is a premium model like many suspect, I doubt it would offer the i7 option.

The GPU is even more tricky. If the 16" is coming, it will most definitely offer Navi GPUs. The Polaris-based GPU today is almost an insult and Vega simply does not make sense given that Navi is out. But how many Navi GPUs options will we have? Will there be a GDDR6 and HMB-based solution, or is all going to be GDDR6? Will there be multiple GPU tiers? We just don't know. We can *speculate* based on what we know about Navi 14, but that's abut it.

In summary, I am sure that the base version of 16", whatever it is going to be (if it is coming at all), will be more than sufficient for what you do. Also: you probably don't need 32GB.

Thanks for the response.

I know you are giving advice on something that does not exist.

Why would they not offer an i7 option? The i7 is still relevant today. If they did just offer an i9, I guess we are paying for different speeds as we go up the ladder?

And, you would be surprised, I do push 32GB on my 2018 15". I have at least two dozen programs running at startup. I open up Parallels on top of that and it really pushes me to the max. So 32GB is a must and 64GB may be a wasted wish.

Thank you so much again.

 

[leman]

Why would they not offer an i7 option? The i7 is still relevant today. If they did just offer an i9, I guess we are paying for different speeds as we go up the ladder?

Because that is the low-end option. If the 16" is — as rumoured — a premium model, I doubt that you will get low-end options.

 

[NJRonbo]

Because that is the low-end option. If the 16" is — as rumoured — a premium model, I doubt that you will get low-end options.

Gotcha!