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One more for 2015, its the best laptop apple made, I'd actually get one just to spare, in case the redesign will not change much
 
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I had a 2015 15" until a few months ago. I loved it and wish I still had it; if Apple had been able to solve a recurring USB port issue.
 
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Wouldn't buy an Apple computer in 2018. I am writing this while waiting for some senior consultant to resolve my issues. T2 chip, USB to external display, small bugs here and there.

Their business is phones and not computers, so safe to buy iPhone or iPad.
 
Wouldn't buy an Apple computer in 2018. I am writing this while waiting for some senior consultant to resolve my issues. T2 chip, USB to external display, small bugs here and there.

Their business is phones and not computers, so safe to buy iPhone or iPad.

Without the computers, there phone/services business will be dead - seeing as you need macOS to publish mac/iOS apps.
 
Wouldn't buy an Apple computer in 2018. I am writing this while waiting for some senior consultant to resolve my issues. T2 chip, USB to external display, small bugs here and there.

Their business is phones and not computers, so safe to buy iPhone or iPad.

Apples business was always computers first then phones. That is how they started.
 
Without the computers, there phone/services business will be dead - seeing as you need macOS to publish mac/iOS apps.

And with the stalled native iOS apps, they really need their developers, but in the future I believe you can drop the consumer laptop line and just sell computers directly to people with developer accounts or license macOS to PC to develop. No need for them to sell anything else than iOS devices to consumers or retail channels.
 
And with the stalled native iOS apps, they really need their developers, but in the future I believe you can drop the consumer laptop line and just sell computers directly to people with developer accounts or license macOS to PC to develop. No need for them to sell anything else than iOS devices to consumers or retail channels.

In theory you’d think it’s a good idea - but Apple like a degree of control and I doubt they’d ever want to have to deal with issues from other platforms deploying to their stores. They would also not licence macOS or iOS to others, as it would mean having to fundamentally change how they develop their OS, eg they will now have to think about hardware compatibility across all different manufacturers. By doing so, they could end up as being no longer relevant in the market by having an OS which way too many issues.
 
Wondering how this all worked out for the OPer?

I’m in the exact position, and have been for some time. Had a MBP 17” 2010, upgraded to the quad-core 17” 2011. Would still be happy working on that with its 16gb RAM and SSD, new battery/screen but, with my 3rd GPU failure last year APPLE wouldn’t replace the board (designated ’legacy’ a month or so before), and so… rather than throw money at a sinking ship, I’m back on the older 2010 17” (never got around to selling it).

With all the ‘problems’ of the 2016-2018 models I really thought the only sane way to go (please, no more MBP problems like with the 2010-1011 MPB GPUs) was a MBP 2015 or a iMAC 2017, but really just need a laptop for portability and everyday use.

So I’ve been going through all my options and doing the research. Thought an iMAC would be the best safe bet, great screen, not the newest - enough CPU, but can’t see myself using it like I could a MBP even around the house. Trying to justify and hope all the issues are overblown for the newer MBPs, as they seem great in every way [well, except the keyboard, ports I’ll make the adjustment], but know I may be getting myself into an ‘I told you so’ situation. I even ordered a refurbished 13” 16gb 256 from the APPLE store! It hasn’t shipped yet, and so my debate, try it out and not know what the future brings even IF it all checks out in a couple weeks, or… ?

Also, like the OP found a really nice condition MBP 2015 2.8GHz, 256Gb (will upgrade), no dGPU (which actually I think I prefer from my past experience and what I’ve read; heat, battery life, maybe get a eGPU later). It was also made last year before production stopped and only a few recycles on the battery, boxed and all, for about $1,200. Still an easy connect to my firewire/USB drives, and an SD card for camera and extra storage, MagSafe… you know. Only real wish is the screen was 2018 quality.

Really like the screen (brightness/color), size, and power of the new 2018 13”, but dependable? Is it worth the risk?

Anyway, have to decide today/soon, ship the 2018 or get the 2015. Some way, wish I could just do both and make this easy.
 
My wife and I were on the LSU campus this evening for a concert. We had some time to kill, so we went into the student union. I went upstairs to the Apple display (the student union is an "Authorized Campus" Apple dealer. I wanted to test drive the 2018 MBP TB and the 2018 MBA. The first thing I noticed on the MBP was that the size of the individual keys are significantly larger that those on my 2012 MBA, which made accurate typing and particularly backspacing difficult. I suppose that I would get use to that in time. The second thing I noticed was that the keyboard was faulty, with the "F" key working only sporadically and with only a firm, determined press that required 2-3 attempts. i understand that this is anecdotal, but I have never had keyboard issues with any of my Mac laptops in the 15 or so years I've used them, nor have I ever experienced keyboard issues on display laptops at Apple stores or on other people's Mac laptops that I've used. My wife and I want to replace our laptops (hers is a 2011 MBA), but we are concerned about the keyboard not being sufficiently sturdy for the 6-7 years that we typically keep our computers.
 
Great to see everyone recommending the 2015 model.. My question do these recommendations apply to this model?

Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15" Quad i7 2.2GHz 16GB 256GB Intel Iris Pro

I've found a brand new one for £1,618 or apple refurb for £1,610.

how does the Iris hold up for Lightroom and light video editing?

Thanks
 
I bought a 2015 2.5+AMD+500 last Friday. I'm still working on setting it up for my work environment but it's looking great right now. I also have a 2014 2.2 and that's fine too but I wanted more graphics capability (the ability to run 2XQHD + internal monitor). My 2008 17 inch still works except for the screen and I was using it with KVM - I wish that still worked as it's great for watching videos. But I think that 2015 (15) + 2014 (15) + Work 2015 (13) and I have all that I need for at least three years. My employer is giving out 2018 MBPs now and one coworker had to have the screen repaired but they seem to overall be okay. We probably have a better support contract with Apple though - going out to five years.
 
The title seemed a bit odd when I read it. ‘safe money’ on a MBP 2018? Seems the opposite these days.

Had a refurbished MBP 13” on order and just couldn’t do it. Price, value, problems, but also am not ready to give up MacOS. So I got a less than 1-year old (still has some warranty left) MBP 2015 15” boxed and all, looking mint, only 13 recycles on the battery, 2.8GHz (new production so only iGPU, but less heat good battery life and for the money saved may get a eGPU at some point if needed), for $1,000, and will be happy with this till I’m confident in APPLE again.
 
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...
 
eGPU isn't officially supported on the 2015 and requires the 2016 w/ TB3 or later.

You can still get it working smoothly though and there are a lot of details on this online.

‘officially supported’ Are the key words here. No immediate plans for a eGPU, not a gamer, but video production may be happening with a couple projects in mind. I’ve been reading about how it’s possible with the right gear and terminal commands. If its cost effective, ok, but maybe I’ll just have to brake down and get something more ‘modern’ if the need becomes serious. Till then I’m sure I’ll limp along with a MBP 2015 ok ;-)
 
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Great to see everyone recommending the 2015 model.. My question do these recommendations apply to this model?

Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15" Quad i7 2.2GHz 16GB 256GB Intel Iris Pro

I've found a brand new one for £1,618 or apple refurb for £1,610.

how does the Iris hold up for Lightroom and light video editing?

Thanks
Those aren’t too bad for a general use computer - should do fine for light (1080p) video editing - it’s still as powerful as the new quad 13” touchbar model for a rough guide :)

I’d expect at least 4 or so more MacOS versions, plus a further couple of years of security-only support after that too, so don’t be spooked by longevity concerns
 
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Great to see everyone recommending the 2015 model.. My question do these recommendations apply to this model?

Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15" Quad i7 2.2GHz 16GB 256GB Intel Iris Pro

I've found a brand new one for £1,618 or apple refurb for £1,610.

how does the Iris hold up for Lightroom and light video editing?

Thanks

That's freaking expensive for that model. I bought one with 2.5 Ghz CPU, AMD Discrete Graphics and 512 GB SSD for $1,125 (869 British pounds). There's a 2.8 Ghz/512/AMD for $850 in my area but it suffered damage and a couple of things were repaired so you're taking a gamble with it.
 
That's freaking expensive for that model. I bought one with 2.5 Ghz CPU, AMD Discrete Graphics and 512 GB SSD for $1,125 (869 British pounds). There's a 2.8 Ghz/512/AMD for $850 in my area but it suffered damage and a couple of things were repaired so you're taking a gamble with it.
The £1,609 price is what Apple’s charging for it in their refurb store. That’s as close to brand new as you’re going to get now, outside of a unit that’s been sat on a shelf since they stopped manufacturing them in the first half of 2018. Pricey, but not absolutely unreasonable.
 
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eGPU isn't officially supported on the 2015 and requires the 2016 w/ TB3 or later.

You can still get it working smoothly though and there are a lot of details on this online.

Yeah, I have a 2015 MBP and use it with a Vega 56 eGPU no problem! Apple actually supported it in the beta of Mojave, then realized they wanted people to not use older computers and killed off support in the release. Fortunately, the folks over at egpu.io wrote a little script to re-enable it, and it works flawlessly. A render in Resolve went from 8 hours (WITH a dGPU in my MBP!) to 16 minutes with the eGPU.

I also bought a 2018 maxxed out MBP to see if I was missing anything. The loss of functionality made me angry, so I returned it, got $5,000 back, and am loving life with my 2015 and eGPU.
 
Those aren’t too bad for a general use computer - should do fine for light (1080p) video editing - it’s still as powerful as the new quad 13” touchbar model for a rough guide :)

I’d expect at least 4 or so more MacOS versions, plus a further couple of years of security-only support after that too, so don’t be spooked by longevity concerns

Thanks, I currently have 2014 5k iMac which I use for main stuff but wanted the laptop to be able to dabble with Lightroom edits and maybe some video edits when I'm not at the desk.

I've ordered it and its arriving tomorrow. :) I agree its expensive but its brand new and other new models from 2018 are £2,299 in the UK so its a decent saving.

I'm buying it for work as well so I'm able to claim the VAT/Tax back which is makes it only really £1,348 for a new machine.
 
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Yeah, I have a 2015 MBP and use it with a Vega 56 eGPU no problem! Apple actually supported it in the beta of Mojave, then realized they wanted people to not use older computers and killed off support in the release. Fortunately, the folks over at egpu.io wrote a little script to re-enable it, and it works flawlessly. A render in Resolve went from 8 hours (WITH a dGPU in my MBP!) to 16 minutes with the eGPU.

Yeah, I only wanted to share that note as Apple could cause problems for the hack in the future so it is good to know what is officially supported alongside the additional information.

I am extremely excited about eGPU getting official support across laptops going forward since it is included in the Thunderbolt 3 spec and Intel has made that free to license. Exciting that we could get desktop class power with laptop portability.

I haven’t added one yet, but I will in the future since my desktop has support for this as well. I could, in theory, move my dedicated gaming GPU into an enclosure and get the best of both worlds.
 
Wondering how this all worked out for the OPer?
I bought a built-to-order 16inch a year later and am VERY happy with everything it does, including finally enabling me to edit my films on the go (BTO with the largest graphics card, 32 gigs of RAM and 2TB of ssd does the trick). Best workhorse I ever had, already did two films on it. Cheers!
 
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