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Ok, is it stupid to buy a 2020 13” MBP?
- Thread starter Night_Ink
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It will likely last more than 5 years. Catalina should get security updates until 2022, and Big sure probably until 2025 if history is to repeat. Also, it is the best MacBook they made so far: The first touch bar where you can both touch and type because the keyboard won't self destruct. It is also a safe option because the ARM macs might suck in the first generation, as is usual for first-generation products. If you want something around that price (I wouldn't call 1300 a budget option as you can get almost any lightweight laptop with it), and want a MacBook, it is the way to go.
You're asking because the one you want is in the refurb store? I believe this was the config you were holding out for. I say go for it. There's no absolute guarantees and you'll get the machine you really want and enjoy NOW versus waiting, and waiting, and waiting ...
Refurbished 13.3 inch MacBook Pro 1.4GHz quad core Intel Core i5 with Retina display Silver - Apple
Apple Store Search Results
www.apple.com
Thanks for the advice everyone!
Yes - refurb is where I’m looking, that’s where my budget is capping. Wish I could spring for a 16” but alas, I’m a freelance artist in the age of covid.
And now for the eternal question- can one get by with 8gb of ram?
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AS an artist, being it 2d or 3d work, you probably want to get 16GB. Unfortunately. If you have a good monitor and plan to use it instead of the notebook's display, you might want to go for a mac mini (You can get an i7 for about the same price), where you can actually update the RAM from 8 to 16 by yourself for much cheaper. You can't do that on a retina MacBook. if you don't have a monitor, MacBook is the way to go if you want macOS. If you choose to go for a 16", you should really think about getting an imac instead. You are already unlocking that price range, and you get more performance and better screen for less on an imac.
Sure, you can get by with 8 and you could be fine with it for a while, but because your goal is to keep this machine for 5 years, I'd recommend going with 16. At least with the refurbs, as you know, it takes some of the sting out of the upgrade price. Hope you'll let us all know what you go for.
16Gb or RAM memory, is what I think @Namara meant. I couldn't agree more. Possibly in 5 years or less 16Gb will be the minimum for a fast computing experience. 5 years ago 4 was the minimum, it is 8 now. While you can just buy more ram from amazon and install it on an iMac rather easily, even without ever having done it before, it is impossible for MacBooks, unless you have an engineering degree and years of experience. And even then, it is not worth it.
I was speaking about the 16" MacBook, where I would be recommending am iMac instead if you don't need the portability, as it would be faster now which means it would be fast for longer. And a 5k/4k screen is better than a MacBook retina, which should help your goals.
I think you missed the context, but I know Night_Ink didn't. I responded to the question about getting by on 8GB of RAM, so it was an 8 vs. 16 response completely unrelated to the 16" MBP.
Thanks for all of the super helpful insights everyone! Some context: I currently have an ancient 2009 iMac, it’s still kicking but is long past being able to be updated. I don’t have an extra monitor, so I think getting a decent Mini plus a monitor would put me out of budget. I don’t really have a great space to set all that up, a laptop or iPad Pro would be a good fit, mobility-wise. Apprehensive about going all ipad as my workhorse, although my old iPad mini 2 has been a pretty capable device.
I would not recommend you going full iPad without a proper computer. There has been a lot of advances on the platform, and it can pass by a computer for day-to-day use. But for professional use, it is not as good. May programs are not available in iPadOS and are available in MacOS in a usable way. You will also have to buy apple's stand with built-in keyboard and trackpad to make it usable, unfortunately. If you already have a good drawing tablet, you might be better off spending your money on a computer like a laptop or desktop.
You would likely not be able to keep the computer working this long well enough for work if you were rocking a 2009 MacBook. iMac gives you more performance, but the base iMac will cost you more than the base MacBook because it's more powerful. But if you compare similar specs, iMacs are less expensive. If you don't plan to work outside of home, you might be better off with an iMac, but the starting price is higher. there are no refurbished iMacs in the store.
In conclusion, if you can get a 16Gb MacBook, you should be ready to go. But it will still be more expensive than getting a mac mini and a monitor.
Buying a 6 core i5 mac mini (with slightly worse graphics card but shouldn't make a difference) plus a monitor should cost you 1180US.
And that's including a professional level screen which is 4k and 27", much better than the macbook's retina (and much bigger as well). You can also by more ram and install it yourself quite easily for less than 70 bucks
Making the total less than 1250US. Which is 20 bucks less than the MacBook. For professional work. I would recommend that. Will be usable for longer and gives you more flexibility, once chances of it getting damaged during time (you will drop the laptop way more likely than a standalone screen) are slimmer and upgrades are easier and cheaper. It will also use about as much space in the desk, maybe a bit more because the screen is bigger: The mac mini can be out of the way, and keyboard in front of the screen as well as a drawing tablet.
You will still have to buy a keyboard and mouse, but they can be pretty cheap. You don't need to buy them from apple as there are excellent options for about the same price or... half the price, really. Less actually. You could buy a mechanical keyboard with the money for a magic keyboard. And a mechanical one is lighting years better for fast typing, games, and longevity... pretty much everything.
You would likely not be able to keep the computer working this long well enough for work if you were rocking a 2009 MacBook. iMac gives you more performance, but the base iMac will cost you more than the base MacBook because it's more powerful. But if you compare similar specs, iMacs are less expensive. If you don't plan to work outside of home, you might be better off with an iMac, but the starting price is higher. there are no refurbished iMacs in the store.
In conclusion, if you can get a 16Gb MacBook, you should be ready to go. But it will still be more expensive than getting a mac mini and a monitor.
Buying a 6 core i5 mac mini (with slightly worse graphics card but shouldn't make a difference) plus a monitor should cost you 1180US.
Refurbished Mac mini 3.0GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 - Space Gray
Originally released March 20208GB of 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory512GB PCIe-based SSD1Four Thunderbolt 3 ports (up to 40 Gbps)Intel UHD Graphics 630Gigabit Ethernet port
www.apple.com
PHILIPS 278E1A 27" Frameless Monitor, 4K UHD IPS, 109% sRGB, Speakers, VESA, 4Yr Advance Replacement Warranty
Philips 278E1A 27" frameless monitor (E Line) Simply stunning The 27" E Line monitor features stunning visuals and elegant design for a stylish enhancement to your workspace Ultra-clear 4K UHD with wide-view delivers same ultimate clarity and life-like visuals from any front angle view UltraClear...
www.amazon.com
And that's including a professional level screen which is 4k and 27", much better than the macbook's retina (and much bigger as well). You can also by more ram and install it yourself quite easily for less than 70 bucks
Corsair Memory Kit 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM Memory, (2 x 8GB)
UNBUFFERED 16-16-16-39
www.amazon.com
Making the total less than 1250US. Which is 20 bucks less than the MacBook. For professional work. I would recommend that. Will be usable for longer and gives you more flexibility, once chances of it getting damaged during time (you will drop the laptop way more likely than a standalone screen) are slimmer and upgrades are easier and cheaper. It will also use about as much space in the desk, maybe a bit more because the screen is bigger: The mac mini can be out of the way, and keyboard in front of the screen as well as a drawing tablet.
You will still have to buy a keyboard and mouse, but they can be pretty cheap. You don't need to buy them from apple as there are excellent options for about the same price or... half the price, really. Less actually. You could buy a mechanical keyboard with the money for a magic keyboard. And a mechanical one is lighting years better for fast typing, games, and longevity... pretty much everything.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Hey thanks for this super detailed and helpful reply! Definitely a smart option for some. It looks like that monitor is out of stock until October, much like everything nowadays.I would not recommend you going full iPad without a proper computer. There has been a lot of advances on the platform, and it can pass by a computer for day-to-day use. But for professional use, it is not as good. May programs are not available in iPadOS and are available in MacOS in a usable way. You will also have to buy apple's stand with built-in keyboard and trackpad to make it usable, unfortunately. If you already have a good drawing tablet, you might be better off spending your money on a computer like a laptop or desktop.
You would likely not be able to keep the computer working this long well enough for work if you were rocking a 2009 MacBook. iMac gives you more performance, but the base iMac will cost you more than the base MacBook because it's more powerful. But if you compare similar specs, iMacs are less expensive. If you don't plan to work outside of home, you might be better off with an iMac, but the starting price is higher. there are no refurbished iMacs in the store.
In conclusion, if you can get a 16Gb MacBook, you should be ready to go. But it will still be more expensive than getting a mac mini and a monitor.
Buying a 6 core i5 mac mini (with slightly worse graphics card but shouldn't make a difference) plus a monitor should cost you 1180US.
Refurbished Mac mini 3.0GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 - Space Gray
Originally released March 20208GB of 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory512GB PCIe-based SSD1Four Thunderbolt 3 ports (up to 40 Gbps)Intel UHD Graphics 630Gigabit Ethernet portwww.apple.com
PHILIPS 278E1A 27" Frameless Monitor, 4K UHD IPS, 109% sRGB, Speakers, VESA, 4Yr Advance Replacement Warranty
Philips 278E1A 27" frameless monitor (E Line) Simply stunning The 27" E Line monitor features stunning visuals and elegant design for a stylish enhancement to your workspace Ultra-clear 4K UHD with wide-view delivers same ultimate clarity and life-like visuals from any front angle view UltraClear...www.amazon.com
And that's including a professional level screen which is 4k and 27", much better than the macbook's retina (and much bigger as well). You can also by more ram and install it yourself quite easily for less than 70 bucks
Corsair Memory Kit 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM Memory, (2 x 8GB)
UNBUFFERED 16-16-16-39www.amazon.com
Making the total less than 1250US. Which is 20 bucks less than the MacBook. For professional work. I would recommend that. Will be usable for longer and gives you more flexibility, once chances of it getting damaged during time (you will drop the laptop way more likely than a standalone screen) are slimmer and upgrades are easier and cheaper. It will also use about as much space in the desk, maybe a bit more because the screen is bigger: The mac mini can be out of the way, and keyboard in front of the screen as well as a drawing tablet.
You will still have to buy a keyboard and mouse, but they can be pretty cheap. You don't need to buy them from apple as there are excellent options for about the same price or... half the price, really. Less actually. You could buy a mechanical keyboard with the money for a magic keyboard. And a mechanical one is lighting years better for fast typing, games, and longevity... pretty much everything.
I need something a little more portable, like a laptop or iPad, since my workspace is used for a lot of different things and I can’t have a monitor/cables/mini permanently set up and taking up the space.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
If that is to big for you, the MBP 2020 isn't a bad choice. It is not as powerful or has a screen that good, but it is portable. It is supposed to last for quite a while, and the keyboard so far has not presented the horrible problems you would have with a butterfly keyboard (2016-2019). Not a bad choice, really.