Macbook pro 2012 to 2017 upgrade

[xTRIGUNx]

Hola!
I need your advices, comrades!

I have Macbook Pro Mid 2012 A1398 and want to switch it to the basic model of mid 2017.
Well, here is the specs.
http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-ma...Pro064&prod2=MacBookPro104&prod3=iMacIntel003

Mine Pro 2012 has the maximum spec on it (2,7 ghz, 16 gb)

Geekbench tests are seems not so different, but I'm really frustrated about 8gb RAM installed on new one.
In my country I can buy only the model with 8 gb so the only option is to order it from somewhere.
Do I need 16 gb ram? Can it be fatal with 8 gb? It's also additional 200$!
But I'm buying Mac for further 2-3 years.. What can I lost?
I think to choose a better processor is not an option because even basic one has acceleration and blah blah?

I'm usually running apps on my mac: Spotify, 2 separate Google Chromes with Facebook Power Editor and Tableu in it, Slack, Skype, Telegram, Word file and few Excel tables.
Usually used RAM is about 10 gb which is more than 8. Or on new Mac's and Macos they have some smart memory things?
I'm not a a guy who plays a lot, but if they promised Metal 2, so why not..

Looking for your advices
best

 

[fig]

There's no way I'd order a MBP with less than 16gb of RAM. It's expensive when ordered directly from Apple but pretty much a must have if you want something you know will be useful in a few years.

 

[shaunp]

I ditched Apple completely because of the lack of RAM options on the MBP. If you don't need more than 16GB then stick with what you have as there's not a massive speed increase between 2012 and 2017 as Intel has had no competition until recently. If you need more than 16GB RAM then start looking at PC options - XPS 15, etc for 32GB or Dell Precision and Lenovo P51/71 for 64GB. Don't get me wrong I'd love them to make a proper workstation class laptop rather than the thin under-spec'd itoy they make right now, but I can't see it happening as style is much more important than functionality when you have a job to do

 

[xTRIGUNx]

The main things why I want to switch is more portable and lightweight device + technologies that arent outdated.
Ok, I've got about 16gb RAM, I was thinking the same.
It's mostly my working/home computer - excel files have some formulas and connections, but they are not giant one.
So, I'm not looking for the Windows based system - MacOS but all in one..

I'm just not sure will it be a downgrade for me? I mean on speed of the device or whatever.
I dont knot what is Kaby Lake is about it speed, and dont know what with that Iris graphics.
Can I compare it to my device not in synthetic tests like geekbench?
If everything will be the same and will not lost in productivity and get more dated device - it's fine for me. Just not the downgrade
Thanks!

 

[kschendel]

I think I'd hold out for 16 Gb as well. 8 Gb is sort-of enough for most users, and compressed paging to SSD helps a lot. So you might be OK for now but it's hard to say in a couple years.

If you are not in any dire need to upgrade now, you might want to wait a few months to see whether Apple does anything with Intel's recently released 8th gen mobile CPU's.

 

[xTRIGUNx]

It seems that I can wait forever because Apple will definitely does!
But no, I want to switch my Mac asap, so the only option is to buy now.

Whats about compressed paging? Even on my 2012 Mac SSD is so damn fast! How that technology works on new Macs? I mean - the speed of SSD have increased. Is not it the reason that 8gb become a standard?
May be I can read somewhere about it? Well, I need to buy tickets to US for the 16gb version

 

[jdiamond]

Maybe you can buy one on eBay in your country?

 

[organicCPU]

I mean - the speed of SSD have increased. Is not it the reason that 8gb become a standard?

8 GB is the standard? I thought it's the minimum RAM option...
IMHO, standard for a MacBook Pro should be 16 GB.
And that just, because of the lack of a processor supporting LPDDR4 for 32 GB RAM.

May be I can read somewhere about it?

From: https://www.lifewire.com/understanding-compressed-memory-os-x-2260327

Memory compression on the Mac is designed to increase OS and app performance by allowing better management of RAM resources and to prevent or greatly reduce the use of virtual memory, which is the paging of data to and from Mac's drive.

If you run Mavericks or higher, then your 2012 Mac already does memory compression.

Spotify, 2 separate Google Chromes with Facebook Power Editor and Tableu in it, Slack, Skype, Telegram, Word file and few Excel tables.

I don't get the point where you'd really benefit from a 4 to 5 times faster SSD as you don't mention data intensive tasks like video production.

I want to switch is more portable and lightweight device + technologies that arent outdated.

I see you want to buy now.
My suggestion: Meanwhile, until there is a new MBP out that would give you real big advantages (like 32 GB RAM, DP 1.4, etc.), why not buy a 12" MacBook (without the Pro) for the go (8 or 16 GB RAM) and use your old rMBP 2012 16 GB for a second parallel task at home? Even more lightweight and IMO capable for your tasks...
https://www.apple.com/macbook/

 

[mochatins]

xTRIGUNx, you don't need more than 8GB of RAM for your uses.

With real-time RAM compression introduced to macOS a few years ago, you can have a lot more in working memory than previously. Also, with the super-fast PCIe SSD storage included on new Macs, memory swapping to disk — when it actually occurs — will not slow your machine down like it would with a spinning HD platter. Furthermore, more RAM draws more electricity, which may reduce your time on battery.

Unless you're doing pro video, audio or graphics work, 8GB is plenty for most people.

(For the record, I'm still on my 2012 MacBook Pro 13", which I upgraded to 16GB, and I actually regret it; wish I'd gone only to 8GB. It's unnecessary and runs down my battery faster. But I'm also sticking with the machine, because there's nothing wrong with it and I love how user-serviceable it is. It was Apple's swan song of user-upgradable laptops!)

 

[xTRIGUNx]

organicCPU
Thanks for the link, mate!
It would be an option, but I'm poor as a church mouse, so I'll replace MPB with the new one
mochatins
well, yeah, that what I was asking about. I've bet that new SSD is more or less fast (not like RAM, but) so in my usual daily use it must not be so annoying with compress paging.
Spoty, few browsers with pinned links and some excel tables. Ok, I'm in. Thank you guys!