Need some buying opinions

[bc0508]

My late 2011 17 Macbook pro I believe the GPU issue is coming back again sadly i think I need a new system.
I have been looking at the new Pro and seems like they are much more expensive now.

I had 2011 17 I7 with 16gb ram with 512ssd .. 16gb and the ssd i added.
I plan on keeping the memory and ssd from the macbook and doing that trade in program.

I find myself I dont move from my desk alot anymore so it was staying closed with 2 monitors external.

I am trying to still use 2 monitors and want to be network attached just seems faster access files.

I have looked at PRO and too do this I am over 2000 bucks.
Do the new pros need 16gb memory or do they work well with 8gb?
I dont think I could go lower than 512gb if it my only rig.

I have thought about a mini and air combo. Use the air when i am traveling which is not much and the mini at home I am seeing mini around 700 for 8gb and 1tb I dont believe its SSD thou..
Will 2 devices get to be a pain?
I tired to find a used macbook but I dont want to buy someone else problem.

 

[kohlson]

What do you do with you system? General web browsing and email?

 

[MRrainer]

Both the Air and the Mini are outdated (or very outdated) at this point.
Network Attached Storage is almost always slower than direct attached. Unless we're talking NVMe over Fabric type of stuff.

If you want to try keeping your next Apple computer again for seven years, 16GB is pretty much a must-have.

I say "want to try" because current models aren't really repairable in the traditional sense. Once Apple Care has run out, any repairs are almost always going to be prohibitively expensive.
There's also the lingering issue with the keyboards.


New MacBook and MacBookPro models are expected soon. I remains to be seen if Apple has "fixed" the keyboard to the point where they could at least be theoretically used for seven years...

I think there's no problem buying used, as long as it has Apple Care.

If at all possible, I'd suggest to wait for the new models. I'd then look for good deals on 2017 models.
Not sure if you'd be able to get below 2000 bucks, though.

I guess, if you buy the non-touchbar 2015 model, you could get away rather cheap.
You can still buy Apple Care for it and IIRC, it's not plagued by the keyboard issues. It has more ports (but they are slower).

 

[bc0508]

I do some light photoshop would be the most resource eating. The other would be quicken and word excel.

 

[MRrainer]

2015 model would probably be enough then.
AFAIK, it only has some thermal problems when the GPU is taxed.
All (or at least almost all) the thermal problems are gone in the 2017 model, AFAIK.

 

[bc0508]

I think I will go with MBP 13 with 8gb 256gb drive. I am concerned I like use 2 monitors and ethernet cable on my notebook. I know it only has 2 Thunderbolt 3 plugs. i would assume some docks are no to help with this problem.