MacBook Pro 15" vs 13" advice

[meme1255]

Hello, I really can't decide whether to get 13" or 15" MacBook Pro.
My needs are - I work with mainly with:
1) Matlab & Simulink
2) XCode (iOS programming)
3) Visual Studio/Unity (nothing excessively demanding, at least now).
4) Simplicity Studio (Silicon Labs MCUs programmming - a rebranded Eclipse in essence)
5) Less frequently I need to run VM with W7/W10 and at least 4G of RAM (some Win-only tools/IDEs).

+ It would nice to be able to play Civilization V, Heroes of the Storm and Stellaris.

I am sure I want (at least) 16G/512G config in both cases. I just can't decide whether to get 13" or 15".

I plan to use the Mac with the 2K Dell U2515H (for now).

May someone help me to pick up the correct one? I would like to fit in 2500 EUR if possible, but I can go up to 3000 EUR if it is worth it (Take Austrian edu prices as a reference - the Czech ones are even worse, I hate this double (Europe + Central/former Eastern block surcharge)).

Thank you for you assistance

 

[happyslayer]

Honestly, either of the new models will suffice for you with those specs and requirements. The 15" will probably play games better because of the discreet GPU. Otherwise, it comes down to size. Will you be traveling with a lot? If so the 13" will be lighter and has a smaller powersupply. The 15" will be heavier and larger and may not fit in all bags as well.

 

[meme1255]

Well... I am leaning a bit towards 13" + eGPU set-up.
During the day I will use the MacBook mainly during lectures and for that the 13" will suffice.

I can't imagine playing games on the MacBook, I would nearly always have the U2515H attached.

On the other hand, it is "just" 400 EUR which get me 2 additional cores, dGPU and possibly better battery life (but it seems that the 13" 2018 has larger battery and the 15" has DD4 RAM so the battery life should be very similar in contrast to the 2017 models where 13" TB has terrible battery life).

 

[cheezeit]

I’m stuck debating on 2017 15” or 2018 13” similar specs so only difference is size and dgpu. Price will be key as the 2017 15” can be had for less than my new 2018 13”.

My tech side wants 2018 stuff but wallet says go 2017 for better bang for the buck.

Anyone know how the 2018 13” cpu compares to 2017 15” cpu?

 

[Blue Sun]

Well... I am leaning a bit towards 13" + eGPU set-up.
During the day I will use the MacBook mainly during lectures and for that the 13" will suffice.

I can't imagine playing games on the MacBook, I would nearly always have the U2515H attached.

On the other hand, it is "just" 400 EUR which get me 2 additional cores, dGPU and possibly better battery life (but it seems that the 13" 2018 has larger battery and the 15" has DD4 RAM so the battery life should be very similar in contrast to the 2017 models where 13" TB has terrible battery life).

I am in the same situation. I won’t settle for less than 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD in both the 13 and 15” models, but the price difference between the two is only $300 after upgrading the 13” to the quad core i7.

I currently have a 2013 15” rMBP, a great machine for sure, but the portability has always bugged me. I had always planned to get the 13” as soon as it went quad core, but the 15” is only $300 more and includes a bigger display, hex core processor and faster graphics...

Tough decision.

 

[roland.g]

I am in the same situation. I won’t settle for less than 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD in both the 13 and 15” models, but the price difference between the two is only $300 after upgrading the 13” to the quad core i7.

I currently have a 2013 15” rMBP, a great machine for sure, but the portability has always bugged me. I had always planned to get the 13” as soon as it went quad core, but the 15” is only $300 more and includes a bigger display, hex core processor and faster graphics...

Tough decision.

Isn’t the 2013 a 5lb or 4.5lb machine whereas the 2018 is 4lbs. The later 15” is lighter.