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MacBook Pro 2015 or safe money to get the 2018?

PrincipeAzzurro

PrincipeAzzurro

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2015
14
2
Berlin, Germany
Hi folks, I could buy a 2015 i7 MBP with the 2,8GHz processor, the 2GB video card, 512 SSD, 16GB of RAM for around 1000 Euros (1200 USD).
I am not sure about this only because 1) my 2011 17inch is still working ok for writing / emailing and some basic video editing, and 2) because the 2018 is so incredibly expensive vs the 2015 I have on my hands.

As a documentary director / producer I do a lot of film editing work when I film, but I'd say that more than 70% of the usage time I use the MPB to write (proposals, scripts, research texts etc, or budgets). On the other hand I would like to invest in something that will keep me away from thinking to buy a new machine for at least 2-3 years. So in this age of programmed obsolescence, what do I do?
 
Buy the 2015 MBP! It’s a very good price and a very good MBP with a long lasting maxed out configuration (you can’t upgrade later). There are some „golden“ generations of MBPs and the 2015 is one of them. It still has the USB3-A ports, the MagSafe connector, the „good“ keyboard and the SD-Card reader. All later MBPs lost these items, have new problems and are very expensive....

I have a 2012 MBP which is another one of these “golden“ generation MBP (the last fully upgradable and repairable MBP which even runs Mojave and W10). In some years the next one will be the 2015...
 
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Less than a year ago, I chose a similar 2015 MBP over the newer laptops. I do not regret doing so at all.

The "features", or rather limitations, of the new MPB's aren't worth the ridiculously high prices, with the touchbar being a waste of space with extremely limited functionality for the majority of users, and the flatter and noisier keyboards being problematic for fast touch-typists.

I believe you'll be quite pleased with the 2015 MPB, based on your described uses.
 
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For the prices I usually see floating around, I wouldn't recommend buying the 2015 model. But 1000€ for that configuration (dGPU and best CPU) is a rare find and basically a steal. If it's in near-new or otherwise excellent condition, go for it!
 
While you may not feel the difference performance wise, the 2015 macbook has less time left until it will not receive any more OS upgrades.

Its just something to consider.
 
cloudyo said:
While you may not feel the difference performance wise, the 2015 macbook has less time left until it will not receive any more OS upgrades.

Its just something to consider.
Click to expand...

As my 2012 MBP is still fully supported with upgrades at least with Mojave a 2015 MBP should be upgradable for the next 4 years (maybe even longer because the 2015 MBP is more similar to the 2018 MBP that the 2012 was to the 2015). How longs will you use such a notebook with the latest MacOS?
 
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If you're a writer, then I'll guess that you type a lot on the MacBook.

You should try the keyboard on the new MBPros, and then compare it with the keyboard you have now (on the 2011).

Do you like the new keyboard?
Or... not like it?

If you prefer the "old-style" keyboard (like the one you have now), get the 2015.
Remember that if you get a 2018, you'll spend much of your time typing on a keyboard... that you don't like.

I chose the 2015 (over a 2016) because I preferred the older keyboard, the extra ports, and the smaller-sized trackpad. I've never regretted making that decision.
 
I also chose the the 2015 15". It was $1300 at a military store. Love it. No regrets. And it is somewhat upgradable. OWC sells SSD for these models.
 
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cloudyo said:
While you may not feel the difference performance wise, the 2015 macbook has less time left until it will not receive any more OS upgrades.

Its just something to consider.
Click to expand...

Doubtful. Our 2009 Mac Mini just stopped receiving updates 2 years ago. Maybe 3. But either way, Apple goes longer than 3-4 years.
[doublepost=1539015791][/doublepost]OP, I also bought a 2015 MBP 13" i5, 8gb, 121gb off EBAY in perfect shape other than the screen delamination for $550. I sent it to Apple for the free replacement screen which they replace the whole top half of the computer when they do that, so it will all look new.

I have a ADATA 480GB SSD waiting to be installed and it will be nice to have once it gets back. Probably last me for years. The 8gb ram is probably plenty, but I may upgrade that too.
 
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IdentityCrisis said:
Doubtful. Our 2009 Mac Mini just stopped receiving updates 2 years ago. Maybe 3. But either way, Apple goes longer than 3-4 years.
[doublepost=1539015791][/doublepost]OP, I also bought a 2015 MBP 13" i5, 8gb, 121gb off EBAY in perfect shape other than the screen delamination for $550. I sent it to Apple for the free replacement screen which they replace the whole top half of the computer when they do that, so it will all look new.

I have a ADATA 480GB SSD waiting to be installed and it will be nice to have once it gets back. Probably last me for years. The 8gb ram is probably plenty, but I may upgrade that too.
Click to expand...

Sorry to say that but with the Retina MBP from 2012 onwards there is no easy upgrading possible.....Everting is proprietary, soldered or glued.....(sadly).
 
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AlexJoda said:
Sorry to say that but with the Retina MBP from 2012 onwards there is no easy upgrading possible.....Everting is proprietary or soldered.....(sadly).
Click to expand...

Agreed. While it is technically possible to upgrade the SSD on the 2012-2015 MBPs you are definitely going off the mainstream into a land of adapters and/or slower SSDs, unless you by one of the very expensive OEM SSDs from eBay or other sites.
 
jerryk said:
Agreed. While it is technically possible to upgrade the SSD on the 2012-2015 MBPs you are definitely going off the mainstream into a land of adapters and/or slower SSDs, unless you by one of the very expensive OEM SSDs from eBay or other sites.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but I am buying the adapter that works with the 2015 models which work well for 2015. The earlier ones had issues from sleep, etc.
 
The price is right. Go for it

Nevertheless the 2015 is now a JURASSIC machine and is not competing with the 2018 MBPs (including in price).
 
PrincipeAzzurro said:
Hi folks, I could buy a 2015 i7 MBP with the 2,8GHz processor, the 2GB video card, 512 SSD, 16GB of RAM for around 1000 Euros (1200 USD).
I am not sure about this only because 1) my 2011 17inch is still working ok for writing / emailing and some basic video editing, and 2) because the 2018 is so incredibly expensive vs the 2015 I have on my hands.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good deal on the 2015 MBP.

Here is an alternative thought: 1) If you haven't upgraded your 2011 17" to 16 GB RAM and an SSD, then you could do that to get a major increase in that machine's performance for not a lot of money. 2) With an upgraded 2011 17", you could wait a while to get longer term record for 2018 MBP (and check out its keyboard for yourself). If the 2018 doesn't turn out to have any big manufacturing problems, then you could wait until you can buy at a good sales price for it.

I have an upgraded 2011 17" (16GB, 512GB Samsung SSD) and it performs pretty well with Sierra and lately High Sierra, compared to my 2014 15" MBP with same size RAM and SSD. I think the 2014 is about 30% faster than the 2011, but not a huge user experience difference in typical use that is not especially CPU demanding.

On the other hand, your 2011 17" might have a GPU failure any day now, which mine did recently after years of being my primary machine. I got the GPU chip replaced for not a lot of money, and hopefully that might make it run for more years.
 
Pearl Wisdom said:
That sounds like a good deal on the 2015 MBP.

Here is an alternative thought: 1) If you haven't upgraded your 2011 17" to 16 GB RAM and an SSD, then you could do that to get a major increase in that machine's performance for not a lot of money. 2) With an upgraded 2011 17", you could wait a while to get longer term record for 2018 MBP (and check out its keyboard for yourself). If the 2018 doesn't turn out to have any big manufacturing problems, then you could wait until you can buy at a good sales price for it.

I have an upgraded 2011 17" (16GB, 512GB Samsung SSD) and it performs pretty well with Sierra and lately High Sierra, compared to my 2014 15" MBP with same size RAM and SSD. I think the 2014 is about 30% faster than the 2011, but not a huge user experience difference in typical use that is not especially CPU demanding.

On the other hand, your 2011 17" might have a GPU failure any day now, which mine did recently after years of being my primary machine. I got the GPU chip replaced for not a lot of money, and hopefully that might make it run for more years.
Click to expand...

And the 2011 generation is the last with 17“ displays! Sadly they are not supported any more with the recent OS Mojave and W10...
 
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I will be receiving my fourth MBP 2018 tomorrow, previous three replaced due to keyboard failures. I type a lot. I never had any problems of this sort with any pre-butterfly keyboard machines. I'm almost desperate enough to buy the 2017 Air before it gets "updated" with USB-C and the same keyboard that keeps dying on me. And I wish I didn't sell the 2015 one.

Draw your own conclusions...
 
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The 2015 is a very fine computer. A usable (not wonderful IMHO) and reliable keyboard, magsafe charging connector, USB ports, an SD card slot - I use it as onboard Time Machine storage - and let's not forget the glowing apple as seen in a zillion movies and TV programs: dumping that iconic symbol to save maybe a mm of lid thickness was the height of brand self-harm. A later model will notionally give you a slightly more powerful machine, but at such cost in lost functionality.
 
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