Macbook Pro 13“ vs 16“ (price vs performance)

[k1ckdapro]

Hi,

I live in Europe and just tried to configure a 13 inch Macbook Pro to the 16’s base specs (by picking an i7 @ 2.4 Ghz, 512 GB SSD and 16 GB RAM for the 13“).

This takes the 13“ to a price higher than the 16“ base price, but without even the dedicated GPU (2780 euros for the 13, 2609 for the 16).

What do you think about this pricing? I think it makes no sense at all to buy a 13“ one if it isn‘t for the mobility, considering that it‘s more expensive and that it lacks a dedicated GPU.

Many thanks !

 

[Sunshower]

I'd say if you can wait until the new 13 (most likely 14)-inch MacBook Pro is released in the next month or so then do as this will fix the skewed value proposition that's going on right now. This will mean that you can spec a 13/14-inch with 16gb and 512ssd well under the current base 16-inch price. They will also update the keyboard which will be a huge bonus. If you need something right now with an i7, 512, 16gb then most definitely get the 16-inch, despite the size it's a superior machine in every way. I hope this helps!

 

[k1ckdapro]

I'd say if you can wait until the new 13 (most likely 14)-inch MacBook Pro is released in the next month or so then do as this will fix the skewed value proposition that's going on right now. This will mean that you can spec a 13/14-inch with 16gb and 512ssd well under the current base 16-inch price. They will also update the keyboard which will be a huge bonus. If you need something right now with an i7, 512, 16gb then most definitely get the 16-inch, despite the size it's a superior machine in every way. I hope this helps!

Thanks a lot ! I don‘t need one right now so I will indeed wait and see what they will release and how the pricing will compare. However, I suspect the 13/14“ will not have a dedicated GPU and still be nearly on the same price tag ass the 16“ one. We‘ll see

 

[Sunshower]

Thanks a lot ! I don‘t need one right now so I will indeed wait and see what they will release and how the pricing will compare. However, I suspect the 13/14“ will not have a dedicated GPU and still be nearly on the same price tag ass the 16“ one. We‘ll see

Indeed! However much I'd like there to be a dedicated GPU it will probably be a 10th gen i5/i7 with G7 integrated graphics. A step up, but nothing too drastic. I'm also in the market for a new laptop this year so eagerly awaiting its announcement before deciding between a 13/14 and 16 inch with the same 16gb, 512 spec.

 

[wegster]

As mentioned, wait if you can.
I was waiting for the exact same thing - to see the new assumed 14" MBP, and if it offered a 32GB option, ESC key, scissor KB, and ideally 6 core, or at least 4 core updated CPU - that would be a hard call for me.

As it turned out, I just couldn't cope with Windows or my now-aging not-enough-RAM 16GB 2015 MBP, so went with the 16" MBP, but - I'm going to be watching to see how/when/specs on the upcoming 14", and I would have waited if it were a workable option for me. (Having said that, aside from the excessive 20W power draw on the Radeon with an external 3840x1600 display, the MBP 16 is a pretty nice system!)

 

[throAU]

13" machines are often/almost always more expensive for what you get - part of the reason is that the lower wattage CPUs are more expensive for the same or similar performance due to being the creme of the crop QC/binning-wise (for getting decent clock without needing as many watts) by intel.

Also, especially with Apple - BTO upgrades to Apple spec are generally far more expensive than if those upgrades are included in an off-the-shelf SKU. You can even compare this within a model by speccing up say the base model 13" wth more storage, vs. the machine with more storage and higher CPU off-the-shelf. The 16" starts out at higher base spec so it will be cheaper as it isn't BTO.

You're right - unless you need the 13" mobility, getting higher spec is (and likely always will be) cheaper in the 16" model.

But if the 16" is too large to do the job (doesn't fit in your typical work area, luggage, etc.).... well you might not have much choice.

 

[mrmachine79]

If you use an external monitor, get the 13/14". It will perform better even with 2/3 of the CPU cores because the 16" is completely crippled by the fact that its dGPU draws near 20w additional power (taking that power away from CPU and pushing fans up to near max speed at idle).

This excessive power draw and heat occurs even when not doing anything GPU intensive (editing code, maybe an occasional video chat or triggering the expose animation is the most GPU intensive work I do), and CPU frequency often drops to 800MHz (even while CPU temp is only 60-70c, when it's capable of running to 100c) and kernel_task to 1000% freezing up the machine for several seconds at a time.

I hope and pray that the new 13/14" does NOT have a dGPU inside it. Otherwise, the only solution with external monitors is to spend AUD$700+ on an eGPU *just to disable* the dGPU.