Need Help on Buying Macbook Pro

[jmtee]

Hi All,

I'm buying a MBP 2017. Not sure what's better option: 1. 1799 with touch bar 13 inch - to upgrade specs but to only 1 of the 2 for longevity: CPU or RAM 2. 2399 with touch bar 15 inch - no upgrade of specs

What will I be using it for? 1. Marketing collaterals for my brother's coworking space (photos and 30 secs videos) 2. Browsing 3. Office Work 4. Music and Video playback 5. Casual Games (e.g. Blizzard games and some mobile emulators)

You guys can suggest if I need to wait for 2018 MacBook Pro or not.

 

[kschendel]

Only you can decide whether the larger screen size matters enough to pay for it. Assuming it doesn't, my knee-jerk reaction would be the 13 inch with 16 Gb RAM and as much SSD storage as you will need.

 

[ilpap]

For me the only reason to choose the 15", was the GPU. So I got the high end model just for that. If I could choose I would get a 13" with a better GPU. This isn't the case for you though.

I have tried all screen sizes over the years in the following order (15", 13", 12", 15" + 27" at home and work), and it all gets down to how often you "travel". If not too often go for the 15", but if you move around a lot I would suggest the 13".

Hope it helps

 

[jmtee]

For me the only reason to choose the 15", was the GPU. So I got the high end model just for that. If I could choose I would get a 13" with a better GPU. This isn't the case for you though.

I have tried all screen sizes over the years in the following order (15", 13", 12", 15" + 27" at home and work), and it all gets down to how often you "travel". If not too often go for the 15", but if you move around a lot I would suggest the 13".

Hope it helps

For travelling, I can't say for now. If I were to go with the 13 inch 1799usd configuration and do just 1 upgrade, what would it be? CPU or RAM?

 

[kschendel]

Base RAM is 8 Gb, right? RAM.

 

[2ilent8cho]

Its the 15", you said you are a casual gamer, you ideally want the dedicated GPU. The 13" only has the Intel Iris, you don't know what game might come round and requires half decent graphics. I can get away with most of my games with the Intel HD 5000, but one like Cities Skylines i HAVE to have the dedicated graphics and run it on my Macbook Pro, the Intel HD is just painful and not supported with the game.

 

[ilpap]

For travelling, I can't say for now. If I were to go with the 13 inch 1799usd configuration and do just 1 upgrade, what would it be? CPU or RAM?

I believe RAM

 

[Algus]

You will have little issue doing basic film edits on a 13'' Pro, particularly if you are rendering at lower quality for a web page or whatever. I personally wouldn't ever consider anything larger than a 13'' in a portable computer (I would go desktop after that if I needed MORE POWER). The 15'' is really meant to be a mobile workstation - you have to have high specs and you also HAVE to take those specs with you. But if you prefer the size, and don't mind spending a lot of extra money, it is a great computer.

If your only question is "Can the 13'' do my work" based on how you describe what you do, I don't see why not.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP's choices:
"1. 1799 with touch bar 13 inch - to upgrade specs but to only 1 of the 2 for longevity: CPU or RAM 2. 2399 with touch bar 15 inch"

I'd get the 1799 model, and put the $600 saved towards a new iMac, as well!