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trocLas

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 18, 2013
37
3
Hi guys!

Currently, I have a late 2013 13" rMBP with 256 GB SSD and 8GB RAM. As my wife's computer is in its last living moments, I am thinking about buying a new rMBP for me and pass her my late 2013 rMBP.

Usually, I do some lightroom photo editing, also edit with slightly heavy pixelmator files, browse the web with 10+ tabs open, use a bootcamp partition to play CS:GO.

I have been reading the forum and the comments, but I am still insecure regarding which model to buy (I will buy a refurbished one).

Right now, I am thinking between these two:
- 13.3" 3.1 GHz i5 with TB, 16 GB RAM and 256 SSD (mid 2017)
- 13.3" 2.3 GHz i5 non-TB, 16 GB RAM and 512 SSD (mid 2017) <- cheaper than the first

- Do you find the TB useful?
- I guess the CPU speed isn't that much of a difference to be noticed, but what do you guys think?
- Do you advice me to look for 2016 models and try to spec them up, rather than buying a more recent one?

Thank you for the help!
 

BiscottiGelato

macrumors 6502
Mar 11, 2011
323
166
I have the exact same laptop as you! (2013 rMBP). But the SSD just died last week. So I bought a 2017 13" TB. For my use, it's not really fast enough. Maybe partly due to High Sierra not fully optimized? I can see some choppiness here and there even on OS operation. Xcode 9 (also under optimized) will push the laptop to it's limits, even tho not to the point I'll get recurring beachballs.

I am actually thinking of returning the TB and fix my 2013 rMBP. Keeping it for another year and wait for the 2018 quad that's being rumoured. The CPU speed upgrade just isn't enough for my taste on a $2k+ laptop
 
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sahnjuro

macrumors regular
Jul 15, 2009
101
65
The nTB MBPs with 16gb ram and 512gb SSD that I tested all use AP0512 as the SSD. It turns out that all nTB MBP’s comes with SSDs with AP. These are reputed to be Sansdisk sad. In contrast all “pro” MPB i.e. with TB comes with SM or Samsung SSDs. I confirmed this at a local Apple Store.

I’d stay away from Sansdisk drives. One of the Sansdisk drive failed in my MBA in the past. Apple is clearly using cheaper and lesser spec’ed components in nTB MBPs. If you want higher quality components you have to pay more and buy the genuine pro models with TB. Not happy about having to pay close to $2000 and get MBP with cheap inferior components. Another reason indecided to “stay” with 2015 mbp.
 
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trocLas

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 18, 2013
37
3
Thank you for you detailed information! Since I will pass my current rMBP to my wife, I will definitely have to buy a new one. So, the more reliable SSD drive and the fastest processor (and the TB functionality) drive the choice towards the TB model.

And regarding the TB usage, do you find it useful in your daily tasks?
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
Thank you for you detailed information! Since I will pass my current rMBP to my wife, I will definitely have to buy a new one. So, the more reliable SSD drive and the fastest processor (and the TB functionality) drive the choice towards the TB model.

And regarding the TB usage, do you find it useful in your daily tasks?

Just a quick note on the much better cooling and dual fans in the TB, allow for far greater sustained performance and less noise when pushing the machine to its limits.
 
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trocLas

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 18, 2013
37
3
Thank makes sense, thank you (I think I am now decided to buy the TB version)!
What about the 2016 TB vs. 2017 TB ? As the 2016 version os slightly cheaper, I didn't excluded it from my choices. I've been reading some negative comments regarding the keyboard of the 2016 version. Is that the only problem with it? Or do you know any more aspect that makes the 2016 a no deal?
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
Thank makes sense, thank you (I think I am now decided to buy the TB version)!
What about the 2016 TB vs. 2017 TB ? As the 2016 version os slightly cheaper, I didn't excluded it from my choices. I've been reading some negative comments regarding the keyboard of the 2016 version. Is that the only problem with it? Or do you know any more aspect that makes the 2016 a no deal?

Well you don’t mention 4K video editing but the 7th generation cpu in the 2017 has built in hardware decoding missing from the 2016 if that is part of your workflow. So far keyboard issues on the 2017 seem to be down from an anecdotally large number for the 2016, but other than that they seem to be pretty solid machines.
 
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parajba

macrumors 6502a
Apr 19, 2008
513
269
Does this mean that we should not buy the nT version of this laptop as Apple used much cheaper components?

If true and if this means we should stay away from the nTB model, it would be a pity as the TB model has a smaller battery, and I really don't like the TB strip.

Or is this really not an issue and for people like me the nTB is good?
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
Does this mean that we should not buy the nT version of this laptop as Apple used much cheaper components?

If true and if this means we should stay away from the nTB model, it would be a pity as the TB model has a smaller battery, and I really don't like the TB strip.

Or is this really not an issue and for people like me the nTB is good?

Actually the components were all much the same price cpu wise the extra battery space comes from less cooling, think of the non tb as a MacBook Air replacement and the TB as the retina Mbp replacement and you’ll have a fair idea of the target audience.

So if you aren’t doing anything too intensive the non touch bar will be just fine you’ll never notice it’s got great burst speed for day to day activities and a great battery life.

If you need a bit more grunt with great portability and ports there TB is the one for you.
 

parajba

macrumors 6502a
Apr 19, 2008
513
269
Actually the components were all much the same price cpu wise the extra battery space comes from less cooling, think of the non tb as a MacBook Air replacement and the TB as the retina Mbp replacement and you’ll have a fair idea of the target audience.

So if you aren’t doing anything too intensive the non touch bar will be just fine you’ll never notice it’s got great burst speed for day to day activities and a great battery life.

If you need a bit more grunt with great portability and ports there TB is the one for you.

Thanks a lot. Planning to keep it for 5-6 years. Looks like the nTB fits my needs best.
 

Lipid

macrumors member
Jan 28, 2014
49
1
The nTB MBPs with 16gb ram and 512gb SSD that I tested all use AP0512 as the SSD. It turns out that all nTB MBP’s comes with SSDs with AP. These are reputed to be Sansdisk sad. In contrast all “pro” MPB i.e. with TB comes with SM or Samsung SSDs. I confirmed this at a local Apple Store.

Wrong. I personally own the 2017 nTB i5/8/256 (MPXU2LL/A) and it has SM0256L SSD drive from Samsung including Samsung NVMe controlller.
 
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