Need a new 15" Macbook Pro, can't decide which year?

[smirking]

I find that the new keyboard feels cheap. I know its all made of one piece, and I kind of feel that. I may get used to it, but my first impression was horrible. I still like it when I get on a non laptop keyboard with big keys that click a bit. I want to feel like I'm actually pressing something!!

I have no idea why apple or so hell bent on getting it 2mm thinner or 5g's lighter. Not at the expense of usability!

Get a Lenovo Thinkpad. Awesome keyboard.

I have well over a dozen different kinds of keyboards ranging from the clickiest (Original IBM Model M) to the exotic smooth (Topre switches). The MBP keyboard feels great to me even as a fast typing mechanical keyboard snob. I hated it at first, but grew to like it.

 

[robodelfy]

Get a Lenovo Thinkpad. Awesome keyboard.

I have well over a dozen different kinds of keyboards ranging from the clickiest (Original IBM Model M) to the exotic smooth (Topre switches). The MBP keyboard feels great to me even as a fast typing mechanical keyboard snob. I hated it at first, but grew to like it.

I had 2 thinkpads before I went to Apple! I did like the keyboards, but I hated the trackpads, they were terrible! Thats one thing that macs excel at, the trackpads just feel smooth and responsive.

The reason for not going with a new 2017/18 MBP is not only the keyboard, its also the cost new. they are incredibly expensive!

 

[maflynn]

I had 2 thinkpads before I went to Apple! I did like the keyboards, but I hated the trackpads, they were terrible! Thats one thing that macs excel at, the trackpads just feel smooth and responsive.

How long have trackpads existed? Why is that most PC makers have such an inability to create a good trackpad. Its just baffling, things are starting to change. I think the Dell XPs and MS SurfaceBooks are pretty good trackpads.

Regarding the MacBook's trackpad, I'm not sold on the ginormous size

 

[robodelfy]

Yeah you are right. And that was another gripe I had about the new MBP's, the stupidly big trackpad. I dont see the point!

 

[smirking]

Regarding the MacBook's trackpad, I'm not sold on the ginormous size

Ugh. That trackpad is awful for those of us with big fleshy hands. The palm rejection only works so well.

 

[robodelfy]

I've just been looking at 2014 MBP's and they seem to be almost identical to the 2015 models. What do you think?

I obviously want to get as up to date as possible without going to the new style keyboard, but also looking for a good deal!

 

[terryw1]

Theres still one of these left and it comes with all the photo editing software installed. As well as the dvd drive. I could not stand the 2016/17 keyboard/ Touch Bar. Its on amazon and sold by tek depot.

(Mid 2015) Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch Retina Laptop Force Touch Quad i7 2.5GHz - 3.7GHz / 16GB DDR3 Ram / 1000GB SSD / Radeon R9 M370X 2GB Video / High Sierra / HDMI / DVD±RW Drive / MJLT2LL/A

 

[robodelfy]

Thanks, I'm in the UK, are you talkinga bout amazon.com? I cant see it

Also, I was hoping to get the top spec CPU, the 2.8, do you think there will be much difference between say a 2.5 and a 2.8?

 

[Miltz]

Hi

I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro, 2.5 i7, 16gb ram, Intel hd graphics. I have a 128gb SSD and a 750 hdd where the cd drive was.

I do a lot of video editing and music and feel its time to upgrade as the screen isn't great. I also travel a lot and it weighs a ton and the battery is fairly useless.

I used someones new macbook pro the other day, and absolutely hated the keyboard, no travel and it felt horrible! I also don't care for the touch bar at all. I'm looking for the simplest most powerful laptop I can get.

I also would prefer to have USB ports as most of my equipment is USB. I don't know if everyone is just using converters for all their equipment on these new MBP's, seems frustrating!

Can anyone give any advice what 15 inch MBP might suit me? Also, do you know if a dedicated graphics card will give much of an edge over integrated graphics for video editing?

Thanks in advance

Buying a 2015 unit in 2018 is a mistake. The 2017 model is far better in every way except keyboard durability. Better Screen, Lighter, Cooler, Faster, Better Graphics, Faster SSD, Better Sound, USB-C, better Track Pad, Quieter, etc. Just Make sure you get Apple Care. Especially if you're doing video editing, you'll see a big difference. I love my 2016 model.

 

[OSX15]

Buying a 2015 unit in 2018 is a mistake. The 2017 model is far better in every way except keyboard durability. Better Screen, Lighter, Cooler, Faster, Better Graphics, Faster SSD, Better Sound, USB-C, better Track Pad, Quieter, etc. Just Make sure you get Apple Care. Especially if you're doing video editing, you'll see a big difference. I love my 2016 model.

I don’t necessarily think buying a 2015 is a mistake. I own both the top 2017 15” as well as the top 2015 15”. I hear people talk about this all the time.. Yes, they are faster, lighter, newer in many ways, but in my eyes the only real bottleneck is GPU. (And for some I/O in terms of thunderbolt 3/EGPU use)

It is still a very good computer and as I use them both for my businesses I would say they are just as fast for 98% of the time. Unless of course you’re using them only for rendering, 4k video editing and gaming.

You are right about thermals but this can be fixed quite a bit. Just re-applied thermal paste and made some slight modifications to the heatsink. It’s running much cooler and quieter now.

So, i am not stating they are better but they are certainly not slow, a bad investment or obsolete in any way.

 

[maflynn]

I don’t necessarily think buying a 2015 is a mistak

Its not, but I personally have great difficulty spending almost 2,000 to buy it from apple. I see them on craigslist for about 1,200 used and I'm considering that as an option. For me, its either buy a used 2015 MBP or go off to the windows world.

 

[OSX15]

Its not, but I personally have great difficulty spending almost 2,000 to buy it from apple. I see them on craigslist for about 1,200 used and I'm considering that as an option. For me, its either buy a used 2015 MBP or go off to the windows world.

I bought a NEW 2015 / 512GB / 2.8 Ghz / AMD R9 for € 1500. Bought it from a company who had some of these machines in stock in case they needed it. It had been in sealed condition for almost two years so the battery was not great, went to the applestore and they replaced it for me at almost no cost. Really happy with it. These machines where more than 3K in €/$

 

[Hanson Eigilson]

I tried the 2017 15" and could not get used to the keyboard and other things so ended up swapping it with a coworkers lightly used 2015 dgpu model.
One thing that I did not know at the time were that the dGPU drains power even if it is not used on macOS (but not on windows?), so it runs slightly hotter and has less battery runtime than the base model even when it's on integrated graphics 100% of the time.

I do not do video editing on it, but i'm pretty sure that getting the iGPU model for that is going to be an expensive way of getting a subpar editing workflow.

 

[terryw1]

Thanks, I'm in the UK, are you talkinga bout amazon.com? I cant see it

Also, I was hoping to get the top spec CPU, the 2.8, do you think there will be much difference between say a 2.5 and a 2.8?

Theres still one of these left and it comes with all the photo editing software installed. As well as the dvd drive. I could not stand the 2016/17 keyboard/ Touch Bar. Its on amazon and sold by tek depot.

(Mid 2015) Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch Retina Laptop Force Touch Quad i7 2.5GHz - 3.7GHz / 16GB DDR3 Ram / 1000GB SSD / Radeon R9 M370X 2GB Video / High Sierra / HDMI / DVD±RW Drive / MJLT2LL/A

[doublepost=1528468581][/doublepost]Withe speed boost to 3.7 and the dedicated video I do not think the 2.5 is an issue. This is fast, really fast. It also comes loaded with software. IT IS ON AMAZON.COM SEARCH FOR MACBOOK PRO AND THE MODEL NUMBER. CHECK TEKDEPO AS THE SELLER AND HE HAS 2 Left. He had 14 when I bought mine. With the software and hardware this is a steal! Some software installed : Office11 / Final Cut Pro / Logic Pro/ cs6 master collection

 

[robodelfy]

I tried the 2017 15" and could not get used to the keyboard and other things so ended up swapping it with a coworkers lightly used 2015 dgpu model.
One thing that I did not know at the time were that the dGPU drains power even if it is not used on macOS (but not on windows?), so it runs slightly hotter and has less battery runtime than the base model even when it's on integrated graphics 100% of the time.

I do not do video editing on it, but i'm pretty sure that getting the iGPU model for that is going to be an expensive way of getting a subpar editing workflow.

Hi thanks. Sorry I'm a bit confused about what you mean about the dGPU and iGPU? Are you saying if I get a 2015 model I should only get integrated graphics, not the dedicated GPU too? I'm a bit confused about this

As for the person saying its crazy to get a 2015 model in 2018, I dont think it is considering I cant stand the new keyboards, and I can get a similar spec 2015 model on ebay for about £1500 as opposed to atleast £2500 for similar current model.

 

[jerryk]

As for the person saying its crazy to get a 2015 model in 2018, I dont think it is considering I cant stand the new keyboards, and I can get a similar spec 2015 model on ebay for about £1500 as opposed to atleast £2500 for similar current model.

I thing ergometrics is a huge factor of any laptop. The weight and size are somewhat important when transporting, but we are talking 1/2 pound more. But when you are sitting there for hours working with your computer on a desk weight and size do not matter at all.

What really matters is how the machine feels. And for me, not only is the 2015 keyboard more reliable, but it just feel better. I have only spend 2 days or so using a 2016 machine, but I could not adapt to the keyboard in that time. Maybe if I used one for a month or so and wrote more code and documents I would adapt. Also I experienced issues with palm rejection on the comically large trackpad.

 

[Hanson Eigilson]

Hi thanks. Sorry I'm a bit confused about what you mean about the dGPU and iGPU? Are you saying if I get a 2015 model I should only get integrated graphics, not the dedicated GPU too? I'm a bit confused about this

I can't tell you what to get, but just saying that if you do go with the 2015 MBP with dedicated graphics it's going to cost you some battery life and extra heat on macOS, even when it is not in use.

 

[robodelfy]

Yeah I agree with ergonomics being a huge factor. I've just been trying to use my mums 2017 macbook air. The keyboard really is almost unbearable for me unless I was just typing into google. I often type for a long time, and my 2011 MBP I'm typing on now feels perfect!

Yes I need to do a bit more research of the GPUs, but it seems the 2015 models arent quite as efficient as the newer ones. Also it seems that Final Cut is a lot more efficient than Premiere pro, but i dont think I can switch over!

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

I don’t know if I’m too late on this - stay away from the 2015 rMBPs with a dGPU. The history isn’t good and you don’t really need it unless you’re doing heavy graphics lifting or driving multi-monitors. I have the 2015 15” and wouldn’t trade it for the 2016/2017s. It is heavy, I didn’t quite realize how heavy until I used my daughters 13” for a couple of days, but it has a good solid feel to it. As far as Apple vs Windows, I use both every day and I don’t have anywhere near the same problems with my MacBook as my Dell Latitude running Win 10.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Hi

I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro, 2.5 i7, 16gb ram, Intel hd graphics. I have a 128gb SSD and a 750 hdd where the cd drive was.

I do a lot of video editing and music and feel its time to upgrade as the screen isn't great. I also travel a lot and it weighs a ton and the battery is fairly useless.

I used someones new macbook pro the other day, and absolutely hated the keyboard, no travel and it felt horrible! I also don't care for the touch bar at all. I'm looking for the simplest most powerful laptop I can get.

I also would prefer to have USB ports as most of my equipment is USB. I don't know if everyone is just using converters for all their equipment on these new MBP's, seems frustrating!

Can anyone give any advice what 15 inch MBP might suit me? Also, do you know if a dedicated graphics card will give much of an edge over integrated graphics for video editing?

Thanks in advance

If you hated the keyboard and don't see yourself using the TB, try to find a refurb 2015 15 inch.

 

[robodelfy]

I don’t know if I’m too late on this - stay away from the 2015 rMBPs with a dGPU. The history isn’t good and you don’t really need it unless you’re doing heavy graphics lifting or driving multi-monitors. I have the 2015 15” and wouldn’t trade it for the 2016/2017s. It is heavy, I didn’t quite realize how heavy until I used my daughters 13” for a couple of days, but it has a good solid feel to it. As far as Apple vs Windows, I use both every day and I don’t have anywhere near the same problems with my MacBook as my Dell Latitude running Win 10.

Hi thanks for the input, not its not too late although I'm bidding on one on ebay now.

I hadnt read about problems with the dGPU on the 2015 MBP? It seems it's quite neccesary for heavy video editing which is what I'll be doing. You have me worried now!

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

Hi thanks for the input, not its not too late although I'm bidding on one on ebay now.

I hadnt read about problems with the dGPU on the 2015 MBP? It seems it's quite neccesary for heavy video editing which is what I'll be doing. You have me worried now!

I’d be cautious. Go back to the old 2015 threads, there may have been an update. I have that same box without the dGPU. I heard it’s been addressed in the 2016/2017’s but if I recall correctly Apple wasn’t even acknowledging it as a problem at the time. Some people had problems, some people were fine. When I bought mine, the Apple sales rep assured me it wasn’t a problem.. but she wasn’t even aware of it. It was a fluky kind of bug too - even if you weren’t doing any heavy lifting you’d experience a problem.

 

[robodelfy]

I’d be cautious. Go back to the old 2015 threads, there may have been an update. I have that same box without the dGPU. I heard it’s been addressed in the 2016/2017’s but if I recall correctly Apple wasn’t even acknowledging it as a problem at the time. Some people had problems, some people were fine. When I bought mine, the Apple sales rep assured me it wasn’t a problem.. but she wasn’t even aware of it. It was a fluky kind of bug too - even if you weren’t doing any heavy lifting you’d experience a problem.

I've looked around a bit, and it seems the problem is something to do with the GPU switch. People mentioned a weird flicker or issue when it switches to the Radeon GPU. I didnt find anything about a fix.

I really cant decide what to do...I've had my eye on this one for a week, and they arent that common the high spec 1tb ones. I am considering going for a refurbished one from apple as they have the same model, but its £2300 which is a lot more. Yet the current model is over £3000, and that has a number of issues too according to the forums.

I think the dGPU is necessary for video editing though and thats why I'm buying the machine. These are all things its just very hard to find definitive answers to. Its a shame, it shouldnt be such a gamble buying a 'quality' product

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

I’m going to ask you - why not just get an external thunderbolt SSD? Transfer rates are high and they’re not that cheap but not overly expensive either. I have the old LaCie portable thunderbolt SSD. Slap a new drive in there and you’ll save some money
[doublepost=1529699610][/doublepost]

I’m going to ask you - why not just get an external thunderbolt SSD? Transfer rates are high and they’re not that cheap but not overly expensive either. I have the old LaCie portable thunderbolt SSD. Slap a new drive in there and you’ll save some money

https://www.lacie.com/company/news/lacie-doubles-capacity-of-thunderbolt-raid-pr/

 

[robodelfy]

I’m going to ask you - why not just get an external thunderbolt SSD? Transfer rates are high and they’re not that cheap but not overly expensive either. I have the old LaCie portable thunderbolt SSD. Slap a new drive in there and you’ll save some money
[doublepost=1529699610][/doublepost]
https://www.lacie.com/company/news/lacie-doubles-capacity-of-thunderbolt-raid-pr/

Are your referring to getting a new Macbook pro? The main issue is the cost. The one I would wnat or need is over £3000, where as a 2015 model of similar specs is £1500 ish used. I just dont think I can stretch to the new one