MBP 16" i9 which one? Is this $1,000 more combo worth it?

[jyyz]

Hello! I would appreciate getting some opinions on which MBP to get.

Right now I have a rMBP late 2013 - 2.3ghz i7 with 16GB RAM Nvidia GT 750M with 2GB VRAM - 512GB SSD.

Ideally I would like to get the MBP 16" - 2.3ghz i9 with 32GB RAM 5500 8GB VRAM - 1TB SSD - with AC+ in Canada that comes to grand total of $5,105.34!

Costco offers the base MBP 16" - 2.3ghz i9 16GB RAM 5500 4GB VRAM 1TB - with AC+ for a grand total of $4,101.89!

Based on my current use, the 16GB in the late 2013 machine is meeting my needs. I don't need to be convinced of the value of additional RAM, I get it; however is the upgraded configuration really worth $1,000 more? Based on my past experience, and experiences of friends with MBPs through the years, I'm reluctant to not get the AC+.

Thoughts? My use is typically: Safari webmail, and a handful of tabs open concurrently, Mail, iMessage, Calendar, iTunes, Citrix Workspace, Skype, Skype for Business, Pages, Webex (lots of Webex presentations juggling around Citrix, PDFs, video clips.) I don't do any gaming with the exception of Cities Skylines. I purchased the late 2013 mid 2014, so I have had it a good six years. I have had a couple Macs and six years is the typical timeline for me.

Thanks for any input!

 

[matram]

To me it seems 16 GB should be more thannadequate for your needs. The primary use case I see for 32 GB would be running Virtual Macines, which you are not.

 

[XNorth]

if your 2013 MBP is meeting your needs, the base 16" i7 16GB RAM should be a good upgrade for you. unless you need the extra cores, RAM, and the better GPU, the i9 8GB GPU is overkill.

 

[jyyz]

Thanks both. I considered the i7. The clincher for me seems to be Costco offering AC+ included at a discounted price. I could really do with the 1TB that the i9 model comes bundled with as opposed to the base i7's 512GB.

 

[matram]

Disk space is something you can more easily fix. I run my 2 TB MBP with a 10 TB USB C disk for things I do not need frequently.

 

[jyyz]

Agree. With

Disk space is something you can more easily fix. I run my 2 TB MBP with a 10 TB USB C disk for things I do not need frequently.

Agree, with some effort I'm sure I could continue to get by with 512GB. In my current set up I have an additional 200GB SD card with one of those Hyperdrive adaptors rigged up. So going with the i9 bundle is just easier I think. Costco also has the base i7 (512GB SSD) with AC+ for $3,559 all in. I know I will get use out of the 1TB, and while the i9 may be overkill I'm hoping it will carry me through to a similar place I am with the late 2013 today: still performs well after all these years, but time for a change.

 

[DanMan619]

Out of the two options you listed, the CostCo option seems like the best for you. Performance and cost wise. But i think even that one is way overkill for your needs. You'd probably be totally fine with a slightly specced up base MBP 16. Even for the 6ish years you intend to keep it. Unless your use cases change to include video/photo editing or heavier gaming or running virtual machines. A base MBP 16 should do just fine for you till your next upgrade in 2026/2027. Basic web browsing, Microsoft/Apple/Google office type programs, and screen sharing isn't going to be difficult for a 2020 machine in 2026. The only thing i could maybe see struggling a bit is the light gaming. But if you think that will be a concern, you could just throw the 8GB VRM graphics card in with your i7 MBP 16 and probably be fine i would think.

 

[jyyz]

Out of the two options you listed, the CostCo option seems like the best for you. Performance and cost wise. But i think even that one is way overkill for your needs. You'd probably be totally fine with a slightly specced up base MBP 16. Even for the 6ish years you intend to keep it. Unless your use cases change to include video/photo editing or heavier gaming or running virtual machines. A base MBP 16 should do just fine for you till your next upgrade in 2026/2027. Basic web browsing, Microsoft/Apple/Google office type programs, and screen sharing isn't going to be difficult for a 2020 machine in 2026. The only thing i could maybe see struggling a bit is the light gaming. But if you think that will be a concern, you could just throw the 8GB VRM graphics card in with your i7 MBP 16 and probably be fine i would think.

Thank you, appreciate the advice!