Mac Advice

[boateng]

I know this qus has probably been asked many times but I kinda need advice

I am a university student and need a new macbook pro. I am not sure wether to go for the old 15' model, or the new 15' model with the touchbar or even maybe the new 13' model without the touch bar.

I want a macbook that will last me for at least 4 years plus...... Portability isn't a huge factor for me since the computer will sit on my desk. I would have gone for the iMac but the iMac didn't get renewed....so it makes sense to get a macbook.

I will not be running any heaving programmes on it but i prefer the big screen hence the 15'

 

[AdonisSMU]

Get 256 GB MacBook.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I know this qus has probably been asked many times but I kinda need advice

I am a university student and need a new macbook pro. I am not sure wether to go for the old 15' model, or the new 15' model with the touchbar or even maybe the new 13' model without the touch bar.

I want a macbook that will last me for at least 4 years plus...... Portability isn't a huge factor for me since the computer will sit on my desk. I would have gone for the iMac but the iMac didn't get renewed....so it makes sense to get a macbook.

I will not be running any heaving programmes on it but i prefer the big screen hence the 15'

Get the iMac it has a massive screen that's as good as the ones in the new MacBooks, it has better performance is on skylake (the newest chips anyway) and has better graphics options!! It makes perfect sense if you don't need portability!!

 

[boateng]

Get the iMac it has a massive screen that's as good as the ones in the new MacBooks, it has better performance is on skylake (the newest chips anyway) and has better graphics options!! It makes perfect sense if you don't need portability!!

Get the iMac it has a massive screen that's as good as the ones in the new MacBooks, it has better performance is on skylake (the newest chips anyway) and has better graphics options!! It makes perfect sense if you don't need portability!!

Hmmm do you think?
The macbook can be moved around.......and the iMac can't. Also the macbook's are new?

 

[Capt T]

If you want it to last tech wise 4 years get the new MBP. If you want the bigger 15" one for the screen size get the one you can afford with the biggest ssd drive. That way you are not worried about drive space down the road.

 

[boateng]

If you want it to last tech wise 4 years get the new MBP. If you want the bigger 15" one for the screen size get the one you can afford with the biggest ssd drive. That way you are not worried about drive space down the road.

SSD so you mean get 1TB

I was thinking of getting the old 15' but like you said its better to pay money for the touchbar model

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I was thinking of getting the old 15' but like you said its better to pay money for the touchbar model"

How's your financial situation?
Comparing the 2016 vs. the 2015, if you don't -have to have- the touchbar and USB-c, the 2015 offers better connectibility and costs considerably less money (for not really that much less power).

My 2010 MBPro is getting a little old (though it still runs well enough).
If I replace it, I'll pick the 2015 over the 2016 as (for me) "the better buy" ...

 

[boateng]

OP wrote:
"I was thinking of getting the old 15' but like you said its better to pay money for the touchbar model"

How's your financial situation?
Comparing the 2016 vs. the 2015, if you don't -have to have- the touchbar and USB-c, the 2015 offers better connectibility and costs considerably less money (for not really that much less power).

My 2010 MBPro is getting a little old (though it still runs well enough).
If I replace it, I'll pick the 2015 over the 2016 as (for me) "the better buy" ...

[doublepost=1478383844][/doublepost]

OP wrote:
"I was thinking of getting the old 15' but like you said its better to pay money for the touchbar model"

How's your financial situation?
Comparing the 2016 vs. the 2015, if you don't -have to have- the touchbar and USB-c, the 2015 offers better connectibility and costs considerably less money (for not really that much less power).

My 2010 MBPro is getting a little old (though it still runs well enough).
If I replace it, I'll pick the 2015 over the 2016 as (for me) "the better buy" ...

Money is okay
I can afford the new touchbar model but I am a student and it is good to save money. I want a model that will last me for at least 4 years and i want the 15' since the 13' for me is a little too small in terms of screen size.

But as has been said if I am going to spend £1700 (I am from the UK) on a laptop....it should be the newest model right?

 

[Starlock]

I decided the maxed out mid 2015 mbp is the better buy for my money. For me, the 2016 model just isn't worth the extra cost at this time. I have full faith that this MBP will last as long as needed.

 

[boateng]

I decided the maxed out mid 2015 mbp is the better buy for my money. For me, the 2016 model just isn't worth the extra cost at this time. I have full faith that this MBP will last as long as needed.

Really

I am thinking to get the touch bar 15' because its more future proof.

 

[supajam]

But as has been said if I am going to spend £1700 (I am from the UK) on a laptop....it should be the newest model right?

If that's your budget then you're priced out of the 2016 base line 15" Macbook as its £2114 (w/ education pricing). I would agree with others in this thread anyway in that the 2015 model is the better buy (£1700).

 

[iizmoo]

Get a Mini and good monitor if its going to sit on your desk.

 

[NickPhamUK]

I'm not even sure if you can buy a 2016 MBP 15" with £1700.

Your best bet would be 13" (2016) and 15" (2015).

I'd go with the 15" 2015 tbh (I'll place my order for this model next morning as I wake up). I'd have bought the 15" 2016 version if not for the €450 increase in price and removal of ports/MagSafe/glowing Apple logo, and the Touch Bar is not remotely useful for me.

 

[boateng]

I'm not even sure if you can buy a 2016 MBP 15" with £1700.

Your best bet would be 13" (2016) and 15" (2015).

I'd go with the 15" 2015 tbh (I'll place my order for this model next morning as I wake up). I'd have bought the 15" 2016 version if not for the €450 increase in price and removal of ports/MagSafe/glowing Apple logo, and the Touch Bar is not remotely useful for me.

Sorry i didn't explain myself properly
I can go over £1700 but as a student not sure if that will be wise to!
[doublepost=1478469462][/doublepost]

Get a Mini and good monitor if its going to sit on your desk.

No

If i am to get a desktop I would get the 27' iMac

 

[iizmoo]

Sorry i didn't explain myself properly
I can go over £1700 but as a student not sure if that will be wise to!
[doublepost=1478469462][/doublepost]
No

If i am to get a desktop I would get the 27' iMac

Get a 27 iMac if it's going to sit on your desk!

There, I fixed it for you

 

[wegster]

Define your actual usage. You don't say what kind of student, and that will make a big difference on needs.
'Future-proofing' is somewhat of a joke - by the time the laptop's useful life is over, most have already decided they needed 'newer, faster, 'better' so don't worry about it much.

TB3/USB-C ports may be nice, but a 2015 MBP will likely do fine for your studies, at least as much so as the one just announced.

Give more context on what you actually expect to do, then people can provide better answers and options.

 

[boateng]

Define your actual usage. You don't say what kind of student, and that will make a big difference on needs.
'Future-proofing' is somewhat of a joke - by the time the laptop's useful life is over, most have already decided they needed 'newer, faster, 'better' so don't worry about it much.

TB3/USB-C ports may be nice, but a 2015 MBP will likely do fine for your studies, at least as much so as the one just announced.

Give more context on what you actually expect to do, then people can provide better answers and options.

Sorry
I need to be more specific! My usage is heavy....I am a law student. Will be using Microsoft office mostly. Have a lot of music/video etc...so need a lot of storage.
i prefer the bigger screen so much prefer the 15'

 

[T5BRICK]

Get the 2015 model. If you want to save a few bucks, check out the refurbs.

 

[wegster]

Sorry
I need to be more specific! My usage is heavy....I am a law student. Will be using Microsoft office mostly. Have a lot of music/video etc...so need a lot of storage.
i prefer the bigger screen so much prefer the 15'

Most wouldn't call that 'heavy' - an ex was a law student, and the 13" or even Retina MacBook would have sufficed versus needing 'performance'. As you said, MS Office usage plus online sites for researching cases, etc.

In this case, the storage may be more worthwhile than the RAM for you, unless I'm way off on you actual performance needed. Go with the older model with more storage, and at some point invest in an external display depending on how much research you're doing..

 

[boateng]

Most wouldn't call that 'heavy' - an ex was a law student, and the 13" or even Retina MacBook would have sufficed versus needing 'performance'. As you said, MS Office usage plus online sites for researching cases, etc.

In this case, the storage may be more worthwhile than the RAM for you, unless I'm way off on you actual performance needed. Go with the older model with more storage, and at some point invest in an external display depending on how much research you're doing..

True
I a lot do a lot of multi tasking etc...basically i want this laptop that will last me a good number of years
I am thinking of perhaps getting the 2015 15' macbook pro.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Hmmm do you think?
The macbook can be moved around.......and the iMac can't. Also the macbook's are new?

You stated in your original post that portability isn't an issue and it will "sit on a desk" why would you care if you can move it???

 

[boateng]

You stated in your original post that portability isn't an issue and it will "sit on a desk" why would you care if you can move it???

Sorry didn't explain myself too well

It will sit on my desk..but as a uni student just incase i have to take the mac into uni.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Sorry didn't explain myself too well

It will sit on my desk..but as a uni student just incase i have to take the mac into uni.

Well then a portable is your only option!!

 

[paaj]

But don't worry, any of the MBPs will help you do office and internet work for the next 4-5 years at least. I'm on a 2008 version and it is still good enough for this. It's just slowly, slowly falling apart since 2014 (fried USB ports)

Built in storage is expensive, I'd seriously consider a separate drive. For consuming music and video the slower speed is not relevant. That money is better spent on something else, like an external monitor for at home. With a 13 rMBP and a monitor you have the best for both situations IMO.

 

[iizmoo]

So, basically, occasionally there's mobility, but probably 95-99% it's fixed. In that case, I'd go for one of the 13", particularly the 13" base without touch bar. If it's going to be on a desk, might as well buy a separate large 2K or 4K monitor and full-size keyboard and mouse. Screen size is only an issue if you're a Starbuck warrior or someone who does a ton of works while in bed.

One of your concern is longevity, the reason I say 13 instead of 15" is because the larger model with discrete graphic had a long history of issues. You can search around the forum for those. The 13" however is powerful enough to drive a 4K display now with the lid close, and all versions of integrated GPU have been rock solid. Any version of the current MBP will serve you well based on your usage description, just upgrade the RAM and SSD so you have plenty of storage. Size SSD for documents and applications. If there is a lot multimedia, a Samsung T3 is a good option since the laptop is parked most of the time.

The 15" power is needed by people who do a lot more processor intensive works. Also where it's worth it for them to upgrade every 3-4 years. Marginal ROI on keeping it for 5-8 years isn't great. Single core performance will degrade (because it's old), while heavy CPU utilization tasks are still pretty good because it has more cores. From an experience standpoint, it's actually a very weird position to be in with a 15" workhorse for light users who wants to keep it a long time. If you "don't" need the GPU or CPU of a 15", it might be better to do a 13" ~$2200 and budget it for a 4-5 years replacement rather than a 15" ~$3500 and try to keep it for 6 or 7 years.

Unless you're very early in your law studies, in 4-5 years, you might also become an attorney well paid enough that you can get a new Macbook and longevity become less of an issue.