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MBP 15" mid-2014 sale purchase

M

Mity

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 1, 2014
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B&H Photo (NYC) ran a special last week for the mid-2014 15" 512 GB MBP for $1750. I bought it and this will be my first Mac but I don't know if I made the right choice given what I've heard in the review below about the 4K being spotty.

I'm going to be taking coding classes and I was told to buy a Mac because it's the developer standard and it's needed for iOS development so I know it's sufficient for this purpose. However, 4K is something I will be upgrading to when prices drop as I like the screen real estate for my stock trading platform because I will be able to combine 4 monitors into 1.

Given the need for a dev machine and 4K, have I made the right choice by buying the 2014 model at a discount or should I have gone with the 2015? I don't do any video editing but his comment on less than optimal 4K functionality made me think I made the wrong choice.

I actually just got it delivered a couple of hours ago and I'm reallly resisting the temptation of opening the package so I can return it and buy the 2015 edition, if it's worth it.

 
What's the problem? You'll have no trouble powering something like the Dell P2715Q @ 60hz.

Keep the 2014. The 2015 is not worth the premium with the impending design changes coming.
 
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Kissmyne said:
...unless you can get the 2015 at the same price, it really isn't worth it...
Click to expand...

The 2015 13" and 15" have the benefit of providing 4K on up to two displays with the integrated Iris GPU and the 15" with AMD discrete GPU provides 5K support on one external monitor.
http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

nStyle said:
...You'll have no trouble powering something like the Dell P2715Q @ 60hz.
Click to expand...

TG routinely drops this down to $275 shipped. And sometimes Paypal offers discounts on checkouts at TG so I'm keeping an eye out for when these two promotions overlap.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8430969&CatId=8893

nStyle said:
...The 2015 is not worth the premium with the impending design changes coming.
Click to expand...

I agree with both of you that spending $2400 for a high-end 2015 15" isn't worth it but I may not even need the high specs on the 15" so I think I'm going to return the 2014 15" and buy the base 2015 13" since the Iris Pro seems to be a solid upgrade.

Another Q: Is the base 2015 13" with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD 2.7Ghz considered adequate for a dev machine?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128848-REG/apple_mf840ll_a_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html
 
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Is the 2014 you bought with dedicated graphics or the integrated? Either way I think going to the 13" is a step backwards.

I just went through this a few weeks ago - not specifically related to the ability to push 4K video - but I originally got the 13" (3.1/16GB/512GB) and ended up returning it as it wasn't up to my expectations. I returned it and paid the extra for the 15" with 2.5/16GB/512) and its been great. I am connected to a Dell P2415Q monitor and I don't have any issues. I'm using it for lightroom and photoshop and hasn't stuttered at all.

Between the 2014 and 2015 15" models I don't think you'll see much performance difference but I can't say the same for the 13".
 
Hls811 said:
Is the 2014 you bought with dedicated graphics or the integrated? Either way I think going to the 13" is a step backwards.

Between the 2014 and 2015 15" models I don't think you'll see much performance difference but I can't say the same for the 13".
Click to expand...

Dedicated 2.5GHz 512GB mid-2014
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1072689-REG/apple_mgxc2ll_a_15_4_macbook_pro_notebook.html

You have the 2015 with the AMD dedicated GPU so that's why 4K hasn't been an issue for you. According to the Youtube review in the OP, there was a difference between the Nvidia and AMD chips.
 
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You said at first you only wanted to drive one 4K. Now two!? I don't think that's really necessary - but to each their own. And if you really want to do that, you are better off going with a PC build or if you've got extra deep pockets then a Mac Pro.

You can run both monitors at 30hz or one at 60hz with the 2014. Don't get so caught up in 30HZ vs 60HZ either. For a development machine, you're NOT going to notice a difference. The only time you would notice is in something like 3D or video work.

I'm about 99% sure the 2015 13" won't do two 4K monitors @ 60hz either, so no point in downgrading.

Granted, if you're going to be tethered to a monitor most of the time and only plan on programming then the 13" sounded like a better fit from the get go. I still think the 2014 15" was an excellent deal, but only if you value the 15" screen.

As to whether you even need a 13" MBP for development - not really. But it's a good value for the money so I would say it's worth it. Specs won't matter. Get the lowest spec.
 
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nStyle said:
You said at first you only wanted to drive one 4K. Now two!? I don't think that's really necessary...As to whether you even need a 13" MBP for development - not really. But it's a good value for the money so I would say it's worth it. Specs won't matter. Get the lowest spec.
Click to expand...

It was a good deal and that's why I bought it but I didn't think it through. You're right, I am going to be looking at an external display all day. So, I've decided to go with one of the entry level MBP 2014 13" instead. Another reason is I forgot about my credit card offer from Chase Freedom which gives me $300 off my first $1000 in spending. So, this model will be $930. It'll be my first Mac with decent specs to give me a nice introduction to the OSX.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1072686-REG/apple_mgx82ll_a_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html
 
The 2014 13" won't drive 4K...Why not get the 2015 with the new trackpad, Broadwell, and faster SSD for only ~$170 more?
 
True - I should of clarified the 60hz part. For some reason I thought you were concerned about that but I read and realized you weren't.
 
nStyle said:
True - I should of clarified the 60hz part. For some reason I thought you were concerned about that but I read and realized you weren't.
Click to expand...

Correct, I was initially concerned about spotty performance but I wasn't sure if it was a GPU issue or the 30Hz issue but according to the replies above, it really isn't an issue at all.

I've come around to the idea that the biggest refresh in the MBP lineup has yet to come so why drop close to $2K now on a 15" when I can wait another year to get more useful updates like USB Type C...to power even more monitors :)

Thanks for all your replies as they helped me make what I think is a better decision than the one I had made previously: returning the 2014 15" for a 13".
 
I think you made a great choice. On the topic of choices, if you need to know what to eat for breakfast, PM me. I do have ideas and some are low carb
 
GoCubsGo said:
I think you made a great choice. On the topic of choices, if you need to know what to eat for breakfast, PM me. I do have ideas and some are low carb
Click to expand...

If anyone needs advice on guzzling all that protein, you're probably the best person to go to...I'll decline the offer as I'm strictly into tuna for my low carb diet.
 
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