Replacing my old 15 inch to a 13 inch. Will I be disappointed?

[anonboxis]

So, I need to travel everyday with my 15 inch and I'm getting pretty tired of it, it's too damn heavy! I was thinking of replacing it with the new top of the line 13 inch (3.3GHz i7, 16GB RAM). I can see the differences on the tech specs sheets but I don't know how it will translate on day to day activity.

Tech Specs of my current MacBook (Cheapest configuration) and Tech Specs of new MacBooks (Most expensive configuration). Benchmark of my current Mac: MultiCore 9997, SingleCore 3208 (GeekBench 4)

My obvious biggest worries are that I'm downgrading from a quad core to dual core processor and the lack of dedicated Graphics and Video card. But I'm happy Ill be getting a modern 3.3GHz processor, double the RAM and a laptop that's way lighter!


The question I expect I will be asked by you guys is "What will you do on your laptop?". I find it hard to answer that question since I'm planning on using this laptop for the next 5 years or so. But I'm certain I will be:

• Spending most of my time web browsing on Chrome (lots of tabs).
• Spending lots of time streaming video (ideally higher res than FullHD and more than 30FPS)
• Using Microsoft office quite a bit. (while using chrome)
• Using various "simple" apps like Discord, iTunes, Skype, BitTorrent (for downloading totally legal files)...

But who knows in the next 5 years it's probable I might be:

• Doing some photo editing (Photoshop element/Lightroom).
• Gaming (probably nothing more graphic intensive than Diablo 3 or hearthstone)

I might be doing more than one of these things at ounce.


So will the difference in performance be, better/worse? Is it a good idea? Have any of you done the same? Basically how does the bottom of the line "MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)" compare with the top of the line "MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2016)" on day to day use in terms of performance. I'm just worried about being disappointed.

Hope you guys can help me out with my decision, answer my questions and let me know if you have a new 13inch pro so I can ask you specific questions if you are up to helping me out!

Thanks!

 

[zhenya]

For the activities you list needing to do today, the 13" model will be more than adequate, and due to other system improvements, feel much faster than your current model. It's the stuff you want to do in the future where you'd see the benefits of the discrete GPU in the new 15" model. You need to decide which you value more - size and weight vs. power for the stuff you might want in the future.

 

[Skika]

For your usage i think you wont notice the decrease in cpu speed but will benefit from other things in the new Pro.

 

[maflynn]

I'm thinking based on your usage, you will miss the power, and performance of the 15" MBP and its spacious screen real estate. I'd say stick with the 15" Form factor, and its not that heavier then the 13"

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Such a personal question. I know I've wondered myself -- 13" would be so much easier to travel with. But ultimately everytime I go into an Apple store and play with the 13" for a while reality sets in and I know I need the 15" screen and also the dedicated GPU. It's just my comfort zone, everyone's is different.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Apple give 14 days to return no questions asked, buy one use it for a week if you don't like it swap it in for the 15 inch.

 

[AdonisSMU]

13" was great but I always end up wanting the additional screen real estate.

 

[anonboxis]

For the activities you list needing to do today, the 13" model will be more than adequate, and due to other system improvements, feel much faster than your current model. It's the stuff you want to do in the future where you'd see the benefits of the discrete GPU in the new 15" model. You need to decide which you value more - size and weight vs. power for the stuff you might want in the future.

Yeah, I really am in desperate need of something lighter so I might go for it. Thanks!
[doublepost=1479304986][/doublepost]

For your usage i think you wont notice the decrease in cpu speed but will benefit from other things in the new Pro.

Yeah, that's what I expect, thanks!
[doublepost=1479305107][/doublepost]

I'm thinking based on your usage, you will miss the power, and performance of the 15" MBP and its spacious screen real estate. I'd say stick with the 15" Form factor, and its not that heavier then the 13"

My current 15 inch is 2.02kg and the new 13 inch is 1.37kg which seems like quite a big difference, and I always have an external monitor if I wan't the screen real estate. Ill think about it, thanks!
[doublepost=1479305265][/doublepost]

Such a personal question. I know I've wondered myself -- 13" would be so much easier to travel with. But ultimately every time I go into an Apple store and play with the 13" for a while reality sets in and I know I need the 15" screen and also the dedicated GPU. It's just my comfort zone, everyone's is different.

I see how one could feel that way, I personally feel like I might not need the power and I can always use my external display if I want a bigger screen. Plus ill be getting rid of my back ache
[doublepost=1479305303][/doublepost]

Apple give 14 days to return no questions asked, buy one use it for a week if you don't like it swap it in for the 15 inch.

Yeah, almost forgot about that, thanks!
[doublepost=1479305341][/doublepost]

13" was great but I always end up wanting the additional screen real estate.

Yeah, I get that, then again I can always use an external monitor. Thanks!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I see how one could feel that way, I personally feel like I might not need the power and I can always use my external display if I want a bigger screen. Plus ill be getting rid of my back ache

Sure. I hear you. Been there as I noted. All I'm saying is spend a little time with the 13" to make sure its more than a fantasy like it was for me. Don't go by what people say here because everyone has a unique workflow and needs and you are the one using it for a year or longer. 13 or 15 -- both are great, both are expensive. So it comes down to personal needs and preference. Certainly saving one's back is legit, though we are only talking about a pound difference.

My continuation of buying 15" mainly rests with the screen size. I'm use to being able to spread things out on screen no matter where I am and I'm very sloppy with mutiple apps and windows always open -- not necessiarily being used at the time. I can't hook up an ext. monitor in a coffee shop or hotel so I put up with the extra weight and bulk. Having a TSA approved case helps though so I don't have to schelp it out at airport security. Downside is it's way too big to use on an airplane but my iPad is a great workaround for that.

 

[stockscalper]

I used the 15" MacBook Pro's for years, but then in 2010 I upgraded to a 13" Air and I'll never go back. 13" is the perfect screen size for me and the size of the laptop fits on planes and other small spaces. I considered the Macbook last year, but after playing with one I decided the screen was too small. You can get a lot done with the 13" screen and you should be happy with the performance of the new Pros too.

 

[AdonisSMU]

See I've had every size MacBook over the years and I would say that I just prefer the 15" display size. The screen real estate is very useful for coding. It may not have much use for other people's workflows.