Need advice on the 2015 12" MacBook vs 2016 version, which to get

[JUCJ85]

So I'm in the market for a new laptop, I have a 11" MacBook Air with 256GB, but want to upgrade to a 512GB MacBook, and the 12" looks like a good laptop.

I know they updated the 2015 to 2016 version, I can't afford the 2017 version, but want to know which of the 2015 or 2016 is better, and is there really a big difference, especially when I don't edit videos, and it's only for daily use, I don't do any intense stuff.

Thanks for any help.

 

[EugW]

Save up for the 2017. Or wait for a refurb 2017.

But between the 2015 and the 2016, get the 2016. Faster CPU, much faster SSD, partial HEVC hardware decode support, etc. For the 2016 though, I'd probably consider getting the m5 for performance, but if you want 512 GB, you'd have to do that anyway.

 

[SteveJUAE]

So I'm in the market for a new laptop, I have a 11" MacBook Air with 256GB, but want to upgrade to a 512GB MacBook, and the 12" looks like a good laptop.

I know they updated the 2015 to 2016 version, I can't afford the 2017 version, but want to know which of the 2015 or 2016 is better, and is there really a big difference, especially when I don't edit videos, and it's only for daily use, I don't do any intense stuff.

Thanks for any help.

2016 is fine and was not that bigger jump unlike the 2017

 

[borgusio]

2015 m5 is equivalent to 2016 m3, but with a larger disk.

With the lowest budget I would go for the 2015 m5 if you need more than 256 GB, or for the 2016 m3 if you don't.

With a bit more of money, m5 2016. m7 is not worth the upgrade.

The 2017 model is a bit faster but still no thunderbolt 3, so no major improvement on the older models.

Do NOT buy the 2015 m3: that one was really slow.

 

[objektør]

Well, I have the 2015 m3 and for usual stuff(not any intense) it is a great machine. I use it for Keynote, iMovie, Sketchup and pdf/iBooks, Eye TV, Mail, Safari etc. At least 6-8 hours a day.
Still very pleased. Batteryhealth is now at 80% (500 cycles) but still holding 4-6 hours (brightness at 50-75%) for light stuff.
So I would definitively look for a machine with not too many cycles. Some people complain about the battery but mine is ok.