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MacBook Pro 2016 vs 2015?

R

Rbfinch570

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 22, 2017
49
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I'm looking to get a beater laptop and I've been considering the new 2016 mbp non touchbar in the refurb store at Apple. Maybe the 2.0 ghz base model.

But I've been hearing some real bad performance issues with all of the new mbp 2016 line. Is it safer to get the 2015 version or has apple fixed the problems since the launch?
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Rbfinch570 said:
I'm looking to get a beater laptop and I've been considering the new 2016 mbp non touchbar in the refurb store at Apple. Maybe the 2.0 ghz base model.

But I've been hearing some real bad performance issues with all of the new mbp 2016 line. Is it safer to get the 2015 version or has apple fixed the problems since the launch?
Click to expand...
I guess I'm just looking for personal experience and tips since this is the only macbook I never used.
 
You should try both and decide. The Keyboard on the new MacBook Pros is a love it or hate it thing. If this is your first Apple laptop maybe you will learn to type in the new keyboard, but if you try the keyboard on the 2015 one, odds are you will probably love it and want to stick with your 2015 MacBook Pro. But is a very personal decision.

Think about ports: Do you pant to have full HDMI, 2 x Thunderbolt 2.0, 2 x old USB 3.0, SD card reader, headphone jack and a stunning MagSafe for charging? You've got it with your 2015 laptop. You have enough with 2 USB-C and the headphone jack? You'd better if you go for the 2016 model, because they are the only ones...

Obviously the 2016 model will have a better lifespan, and slightly better battery life. And better integrated graphics. The only downsides you have to consider are the keyboard and the lack of ports, and both are very personal.
 
I've had the 2015 one and loved it but sold it thinking I could get away with working with a iPad Pro 9.7. Stupid I know. I was just worried about the performance of the new non touchbar models. Is it really as glitchy and slow as some of the people are reporting?
 
Rbfinch570 said:
I've had the 2015 one and loved it but sold it thinking I could get away with working with a iPad Pro 9.7. Stupid I know. I was just worried about the performance of the new non touchbar models. Is it really as glitchy and slow as some of the people are reporting?
Click to expand...

Who's reporting them to be slow? They're faster than the 2015 in every regard, the 2015 is by no means slow however.
 
New_Mac_Smell said:
Who's reporting them to be slow? They're faster than the 2015 in every regard, the 2015 is by no means slow however.
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Maybe I misspoke, not slow but a lot of hardware issues that make them slow? I never had one of these MacBooks. All I need it for is PowerPoint, browsing, Netflix etc. maybe I'm reading in to too many negative feedback?
 
Does anybody have great reviews of the updated new non touchbar MacBook? Is that a better bet? Spend the extra $200 and go new to make it lad 4 years?
 
Rbfinch570 said:
Does anybody have great reviews of the updated new non touchbar MacBook? Is that a better bet? Spend the extra $200 and go new to make it lad 4 years?
Click to expand...

Here you go: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple...017-i5-without-Touch-Bar-Review.234282.0.html

As for it being "slow", don't worry. It is pretty powerful and totally capable of what you're saying. Even more, if you are going to watch Netflix in 4K, you will be able to do so without stressing the CPU/GPU of the 2017 MBP because it is the first one to have 4K HEVC hardware encode/decode, although the 2016 model should be capable to do it too (with CPU and fans over 100%).

If 4K is not your goal, you'll be fine with the 2015 MacBook Pro. If you can find any.

PD: writting this from my 2010 MacBook Pro. Wow, this keyboard now feels strange (but not in a bad way).
 
Populus said:
Here you go: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple...017-i5-without-Touch-Bar-Review.234282.0.html

As for it being "slow", don't worry. It is pretty powerful and totally capable of what you're saying. Even more, if you are going to watch Netflix in 4K, you will be able to do so without stressing the CPU/GPU of the 2017 MBP because it is the first one to have 4K HEVC hardware encode/decode, although the 2016 model should be capable to do it too (with CPU and fans over 100%).

If 4K is not your goal, you'll be fine with the 2015 MacBook Pro. If you can find any.

PD: writting this from my 2010 MacBook Pro. Wow, this keyboard now feels strange (but not in a bad way).
Click to expand...

Thanks so much bud that helps out a lot. I think I'll go new and stop buying and selling ha.
 
Rbfinch570 said:
Maybe I misspoke, not slow but a lot of hardware issues that make them slow? I never had one of these MacBooks. All I need it for is PowerPoint, browsing, Netflix etc. maybe I'm reading in to too many negative feedback?
Click to expand...
That's one of the unfortunate aspects of forums like this one... you read enough posts and it's easy to conclude that Apple is run by a bunch of idiots with the worst product line in the industry - glitchy, unreliable, outdated and overpriced tech, and if it wasn't for all those mindless Apple fanboy sheep, they'd be on the verge of going out of business.

Yet somehow Apple sells 20 million Macs a year and has the highest customer satisfaction for PC's in the industry. ;)
 
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ixxx69 said:
That's one of the unfortunate aspects of forums like this one... you read enough posts and it's easy to conclude that Apple is run by a bunch of idiots with the worst product line in the industry - glitchy, unreliable, outdated and overpriced tech, and if it wasn't for all those mindless Apple fanboy sheep, they'd be on the verge of going out of business.

Yet somehow Apple sells 20 million Macs a year and has the highest customer satisfaction for PC's in the industry. ;)
Click to expand...

I believe that stat predates the 2016.. let's see how it shakes out.
 
i returned my 2016 mbp and bought a used 2015, but not for the reasons you stated above. the newer mbp are not glitchy, slow, nor any general complaints that you might think it have. but good chance you might get a bit of un-uniformed keys that will sound tad different. mine had this problem thats why i returned it. its a very nice looking laptop. but if you dont like the keyboard you won't like the keyboard.
 
ilikewhey said:
but if you dont like the keyboard you won't like the keyboard
Click to expand...

You know what? Over time, I think I could put up with the new keyboard. If only it was a bit more silent... I think Apple can solve this issue putting like small rubber tops under the keys, making each push more soft, less clicky and noisy.

But overall, I like more the old keyboard, honestly.
 
thats my conclusion as well. overtime i can put up with it. but would i learn to love it like the old keyboard? i don't think so. the key travel is just not enough for me and the sound is way too loud, if i'm going back to school in the fall this will be a huge issue.

i can see apple remedy this by putting more travel to the keys and have a softer pronunciation. if they put this in the 2018 model then i'm sold cause honestly i don't use ports that much and i love everything about the new mbp except the keyboard.
 
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Went through this myself and landed on the 2015 MBP 15" with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Purchased new from B&H with AppleCare.

At the time docks were still slipping in ship dates and accessories were still hard to get. Also the TB is not something that appealed to me at this time.

I've fully transitioned to the MBP from a much older MP and really enjoy the mobility.
 
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