Macbook 13 nTB vs 2018 13 TB Model

[GooBoyGle]

Hi,

So I'm the market for a new laptop, I was wondering if the price difference between the 13 nTB (2017) and TB 2018 is worth it. What do you guys think is the best buy for me? I'm mainly going to use it for text editting, light video editting and some light gaming... I want it to be fast during my whole study which is like 4 years.

Also, will Apple update the nTB versions this year too?

 

[NBAasDOGG]

Knowing Apple they will never update the nTB. They will let it rot including the costumers.

Look at the Mac Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Air.

 

[Ma2k5]

Knowing Apple they will never update the nTB. They will let it rot including the costumers.

Look at the Mac Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Air.

As the nTB is the MacBook Air replacement (according to Apple themselves), I would be surprised if they didn't update it as the cheap(er) alternative to the MacBook Pro TB line. Unless they had a change of heart and want the 12" MacBook to take over indefinately, but I don't think so?

Perhaps an intentional delayed update sales strategy to not cannibalise the sales of the new MacBook Pro's?

 

[CodeJoy]

The 13" nTB is really poor value right now. All MBP's are, but that one is exceptionally poor even for a MBP. I hope they update it, but I have no information on that. Or lower the price, that would be fine too.

For what you're stating here I would suggest the 13" i5 with TB and upgrade to 16 GB RAM, but otherwise no upgrades.

 

[maflynn]

I want it to be fast during my whole study which is like 4 years.

Then your best bet is to go for the 2018 model.

 

[zedsdead]

There are rumors of a new 13" MacBook of some kind in the fall...we don't know exactly what that'll be or if it will be a rebranding of the nTB model.

The 13" TB models are a nice upgrade this year, and the battery life is finally fixed as well. If you can wait until the fall that would be better, but at the moment I would recommend the TB model.

The Coffee Lake chips should in theory double the cores on the nTB model, and that should be a major improvement (IF apple updates it of course).

I wouldn't buy a 2017 MacBook at all, especially given the keyboard problems in addition to the lack of updates.

 

[Ermir444]

Hi,

So I'm the market for a new laptop, I was wondering if the price difference between the 13 nTB (2017) and TB 2018 is worth it. What do you guys think is the best buy for me? I'm mainly going to use it for text editting, light video editting and some light gaming... I want it to be fast during my whole study which is like 4 years.

Also, will Apple update the nTB versions this year too?

I was in the same boat as you and i went for the 2017 nTB MBP. I could not justify paying 500 extra for the following reasons:

1. You get the main advantages in the 2017 MBP as you do one the 2018 i.e. excellent screen, solid build quality, excellent speakers etc.
2. Touchbar looks horrible pixelated and adds 1-2 more steps for basic functions. Its just a gimmick at this point. The Fn keys are more convenient and will age better.
3. Runs cooler and has longer battery life
4. Has enough power for my need and i think its the same for you.

Also, i dont think you will be able to get a 13" MBP at entry level price anymore. The lowest tier MBP will start at 1800. I have a feeling that the 1299 MBP was a one time thing and the upcoming 13" replacement will compromise on screen and speaker quality and also will use lower tier processors aka 4W that dont need active cooling.

 

[VR46]

As the nTB is the MacBook Air replacement (according to Apple themselves), I would be surprised if they didn't update it as the cheap(er) alternative to the MacBook Pro TB line. Unless they had a change of heart and want the 12" MacBook to take over indefinately, but I don't think so?

Perhaps an intentional delayed update sales strategy to not cannibalise the sales of the new MacBook Pro's?

Genuine question, can people actually see Apple selling the (I assume updated at some point) nTB at a lower price than the 12" Macbook though? Then you're probably looking at $600 to $700 difference to the 13" TB base model for example. Unless they stick with 7th Gen CPU's or something to try and justify the price difference.

Or maybe they will make an entry level 12" Macbook and 13" nTB at the same price point. Then have a leap in price to the better spec'd models.

There's no way Apple would consider dropping to 4GB is there? Hope not.

Who knows! Roll on the expect Autumn updates. Would love an updated 8GB/8th Gen CPU 13" nTB at a lower price.

 

[GooBoyGle]

I also have a feeling that they will introduce the new MacBook 13 inch for like 1200 euros, and giving it a dual core or something, with a worse display compared to the Pro lineup...

 

[GooBoyGle]

Does anyone have an idea of what the new 13'' macbook will look like?

 

[lambertjohn]

I was in the same boat as you and i went for the 2017 nTB MBP. I could not justify paying 500 extra for the following reasons:

1. You get the main advantages in the 2017 MBP as you do one the 2018 i.e. excellent screen, solid build quality, excellent speakers etc.
2. Touchbar looks horrible pixelated and adds 1-2 more steps for basic functions. Its just a gimmick at this point. The Fn keys are more convenient and will age better.
3. Runs cooler and has longer battery life
4. Has enough power for my need and i think its the same for you.

Also, i dont think you will be able to get a 13" MBP at entry level price anymore. The lowest tier MBP will start at 1800. I have a feeling that the 1299 MBP was a one time thing and the upcoming 13" replacement will compromise on screen and speaker quality and also will use lower tier processors aka 4W that dont need active cooling.

Totally agree with this. The 2017 nTB MBP 13" is a much better value than the 2018 TB model, especially if you get it from the Apple refurb store. We just picked up a 2017 nTB 13" MBP from the refurb store, with 16GB RAM and 256GB hard drive for a little over $1400, and we couldn't be happier. It runs everything I can throw at it quickly and silently. Definitely go with a 2017 MBP if you want to keep some money in your wallet and get nearly the same computing experience as the 2018 model. My opinion, of course.

 

[Ma2k5]

Totally agree with this. The 2017 nTB MBP 13" is a much better value than the 2018 TB model, especially if you get it from the Apple refurb store. We just picked up a 2017 nTB 13" MBP from the refurb store, with 16GB RAM and 256GB hard drive for a little over $1400, and we couldn't be happier. It runs everything I can throw at it quickly and silently. Definitely go with a 2017 MBP if you want to keep some money in your wallet and get nearly the same exact computing experience as the 2018 model. My opinion, of course.

Personally I think it’s not cheap enough considering it doesn’t have gen 3 keyboard. That alone is a deal breaker.

The new modes also have a true tone display, T2 voice control, Bluetooth 5 and of course newer CPU’s.

The nTB is sadly just very poor value for money until it gets updated. I say this as someone who might consider buying the nTB once updated.

Btw, I had a 2016 nTB which was returned due to keyboard issues. Not going back to one without at least the membrane layer.

 

[GooBoyGle]

Personally I think it’s not cheap enough considering it doesn’t have gen 3 keyboard. That alone is a deal breaker.

The new modes also have a true tone display, T2 voice control, Bluetooth 5 and of course newer CPU’s.

The nTB is sadly just very poor value for money until it gets updated. I say this as someone who might consider buying the nTB once updated.

Btw, I had a 2016 nTB which was returned due to keyboard issues. Not going back to one without at least the membrane layer.

Yeah I guess I will wait for the nTB model as well.