Need advice: Should I upgrade my 2012 Macbook Retina Pro?

[rgr555]

My current laptop:
2012 Macbook Pro Retina with 15" screen
2.3ghz / 8gb ram / 256gb ssd (plenty for my needs)

My keyboard needs a replacement and I will cost $272 to fix with labor (I won't bother doing it myself).

So instead of spending $272 for just a keyboard replacement, I am considering ~$1300 for a newer model refurbished-laptop, either a 2017 Macbook Pro or even a brand new Macbook Air, or whatever else falls in that price range.

My main concern is I rather not size down on the screen. But if the performance in a newer 2017 13" model is much better I may consider it.

How does my current 2012 MBPr 15" stack up with the newer models? What would be the best bang per buck upgrade, if any?

The laptop is mostly for programming and web development and never had any problems with it so far, just want to make the best decision.

Please give me some advice, thanks.

 

[Pangalactic]

~$1300 for a newer model refurbished-laptop, either a 2017 Macbook Pro or even a brand new Macbook Air, or whatever else falls in that price range.

Don't get the air, get the baseline 2018 MacBook Pro 13'' without the touch bar. $100 more then Air - but twice the performance, better screen, better speakers, and same size (almost).

 

[rgr555]

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-...9&loc=kXQk6*ivFEQ&acampID=12626871432&cmp=RMX

Is this a big upgrade?
Actually considering 13" screen now since it's more portable and still the same screen resolution.

 

[Pangalactic]

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-...9&loc=kXQk6*ivFEQ&acampID=12626871432&cmp=RMX

Is this a big upgrade?
Actually considering 13" screen now since it's more portable and still the same screen resolution.

I had this one, was a pretty good machine. Battery life was pretty annoying though (around 6 hours of proper usage), so I've moved to Surface Book 2.
I don't think it will really be an upgrade since for programming and web development you could probably get away with even a 2011 model, it's a pretty hard-to-notice difference.