New MacBook Pro

[HanifB]

hello all
I am looking to buy a new MacBook Pro retina - 13"
I was also looking at the 12" MacBooks

Which one should I go for? Touch bar or non touch bar? Using it to learn iOS development and use it as a daily computer (in addition to my work windows ultrabook)

The MacBooks are the ones I am looking at (current gen)

 

[Rok73]

A 12" MacBook would be appropriate for your use case. Anything above is your decision.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Well the touch bar may very well be very good for Xcode in the future but other that buy what you like they'll all do your use case fine.

 

[theluggage]

Which one should I go for? Touch bar or non touch bar?

Well, as others say, the 12" MacBook should do the job - you don't need a supercomputer to at least get started on iOS development - so its really a case of deciding what you want to spend.

However,
- It doesn't have a particularly fast processor (I'm thinking particularly about running the iOS emulator for debugging)
- Development is much nicer with plenty of screen space...
- Can only run a single external display (you don't need 3 displays for development, but try separate screens for "product", "code" and "documentation" & you won't want to go back).
- very limited connectivity (1x USB-C, not thunderbolt) - even if you use USB-C peripherals or buy new cables, you'll need a multiport dongle as soon as you want to plug in your iOS device for debugging while charging and/or connecting to an external display.

So I'd only consider the 12" if the super-portability was very important to you. Its not like the 13" is big and heavy...

The 13" non-touchbar has a more substantial processor and GPU, can drive a couple of external displays, has a bigger screen (duh!) and doesn't cost a lot more.

Downside - connectivity is better than the 12" - at least you can plug in your charger and iPhone at the same time - but with only two ports that have to do everything, even with USB-C peripherals/new cables you're probably going to be dependent on multiport dongles or hubs.

Well the touch bar may very well be very good for Xcode in the future

...well, the touchbar isn't the only difference: the processor is slightly faster, the GPU slightly better and the connectivity considerably better (I'm having a day off from whining about USB-C/TB3 adapters, but 4 holes to plug stuff into is better than 2, which is better than 1).

Downside is (because of the processor) the battery life may not be so good... Oh, and the price.

 

[HanifB]

Well, as others say, the 12" MacBook should do the job - you don't need a supercomputer to at least get started on iOS development - so its really a case of deciding what you want to spend.

However,
- It doesn't have a particularly fast processor (I'm thinking particularly about running the iOS emulator for debugging)
- Development is much nicer with plenty of screen space...
- Can only run a single external display (you don't need 3 displays for development, but try separate screens for "product", "code" and "documentation" & you won't want to go back).
- very limited connectivity (1x USB-C, not thunderbolt) - even if you use USB-C peripherals or buy new cables, you'll need a multiport dongle as soon as you want to plug in your iOS device for debugging while charging and/or connecting to an external display.

So I'd only consider the 12" if the super-portability was very important to you. Its not like the 13" is big and heavy...

The 13" non-touchbar has a more substantial processor and GPU, can drive a couple of external displays, has a bigger screen (duh!) and doesn't cost a lot more.

Downside - connectivity is better than the 12" - at least you can plug in your charger and iPhone at the same time - but with only two ports that have to do everything, even with USB-C peripherals/new cables you're probably going to be dependent on multiport dongles or hubs.



...well, the touchbar isn't the only difference: the processor is slightly faster, the GPU slightly better and the connectivity considerably better (I'm having a day off from whining about USB-C/TB3 adapters, but 4 holes to plug stuff into is better than 2, which is better than 1).

Downside is (because of the processor) the battery life may not be so good... Oh, and the price.

Thanks all

Looks like most recommend the 12" but it may be too small. Also the keyboard has improved and display on the new 13 inch

 

[snicklesnackle]

Both are fine for what most people need, the main differences are price, screen size and performance and colours. The MacBook is slightly thinner and lighter whilst the MBP has better specs. It's not like the Air vs MBP debate where there was a definite argument for form over function, it's difficult for everyone but the most power-hungry users to decide now. I voted for MBP with TB but all 3 are great options.

 

[HanifB]

Touch bar may take the cake. Pretty expensive for a 13 imo

 

[theluggage]

Touch bar may take the cake. Pretty expensive for a 13 imo

If cost is an issue, don't rule out the 2015 13" MacBook Pro models - either new or refurbished. A new** 2015 13" upgraded to 256GB SSD costs about the same as a non-touch 2016, has similar benchmarks (and possibly better real-world performance) and better connectivity with existing peripherals.

**but realistically, I'd be thinking of refurb or used, not paying full "new" price from the Apple store.

 

[David58117]

Don't waste money on the touchbar version.

If you have no use for it (and it doesn't sound like you do..) - then the processor isn't much different than it is on the 13" non-TB. The non-TB doesn't throttle unless under 100% CPU and 100% GPU load.

You'll also lose battery life on the 13" TB VS the 13" non-TB as well.

The 12" is very nice too, but battery life is less than the 13" non-TB.

 

[HanifB]

Don't waste money on the touchbar version.

If you have no use for it (and it doesn't sound like you do..) - then the processor isn't much different than it is on the 13" non-TB. The non-TB doesn't throttle unless under 100% CPU and 100% GPU load.

You'll also lose battery life on the 13" TB VS the 13" non-TB as well.

The 12" is very nice too, but battery life is less than the 13" non-TB.

Thank you
I have decided on the base non touch bar version space grey