So long and thanks, MBP mid-2015 15in

[woolypants]

It's a sad day. Later today a 16in 2021 MacBook Pro will be delivered.

Why so sad, then?

It'll be time to retire my mid-2015 15in MacBook Pro (2.8GHz i7, 16GB RAM).

The best laptop I've ever owned. Hands down. It was the last good Intel MacBook Pro. After this, everything went wrong. Butterfly keyboard. Touch Bar. Hot-running Intel chips. Hashtag donglelife.

I've had it since the model was released, in April 2015. More than seven years. I bought it with future-proofing in mind. And I was right. For example, it can play 4K videos just fine, if I ever need it to (I don't).

Alas, it won't get the Ventura macOS release later this year. And macOS is getting a little sluggish, despite a fresh reinstall recently. I strongly suspect Apple simply isn't optimising for older machines any longer. For example, in the old days I could run an external monitor without the fans spinning up (in fact, at one point I had two external displays running plus mirroring to an iPad via Duet – and no fan spin at all).

Now, the fans get loud if I do just about anything with an external monitor attached other than web browsing. I'm pretty sure this is Apple's poor graphics driver implementation. It's been this way for a year or two.

The new 16in 2021 MBP is my next future proofed laptop. 32GB of RAM, only because I couldn't bear to get 16GB again. M1 Max. Weirdly, on a pragmatic level, the new MBP is extremely similar to the old one – it's even the same size — but simply with newer and better tech. Apple drifted away from the ideal of the ideal laptop, and have come back around just in time for my upgrade.

This new MBP should last me another seven years. Maybe more. I hope so because it's f***ing expensive.

It's weird to imagine what computing will be like in 2029. If it still exists, macOS will be packed full of machine learning for just about everything.

I read a deep technical dive into the M1 Max that said that the 400GB/s bandwidth could only be utilised if the CPU, GPU and media engines were all firing at the same time. Gee, I wonder what could ever require that? Maybe AR? Where the CPU controls the actual computing functions, the GPU draws a complex UI, and the media engines process the video of what you see...? It's like Apple's preparing for a future nobody has yet thought about. Not even the tech YouTuber bores who are always so sure they know what's going on.

So, thanks mid-2015 MBP 15in.

 

[gpat]

I hope you keep it around in your household.
I have the same feelings for my 2013 MBA.
Apple pulled the plug on them, but they can be perfectly good Windows machines, if you think about it.

 

[fromsixtozero]

I will keep mine until it dies and if Monterey stops being useful I can easily switch to Windows, unlike newer macs. I already switched SSD to 1TB dirt cheap and can pull it out in case anything goes wrong. I can replace the battery quite easily. Yes, this mac is perfection.

 

[TechRunner]

My son-in-law is still using his daily (same specs as yours), and is reluctant to part with it, even though he knows the day is fast approaching where he'll have to. It's been a great machine for him...

 

[Dealmans]

We have a 2015 13” goes good still looks like new.

 

[playtech1]

The 2015 Retina MacBook Pros were the pinnacle of one of the best - if not the best - range of Mac laptops ever.

A perfect balance between the Ives-era design aesthetic plus all the ports and power we all want to do our jobs and make our lives easier.

I also upgraded to an M1 Max from a 2015 15inch MBP, to which I had replaced the battery, screen and upgraded the hard drive to 2TB (twice, as the first adapter was shonky).

The M1 Max is pretty amazing - the screen in particular - but even though the specs say the Max is basically the same size, it feels a lot chunkier and is aesthetically less charming. A worthy upgrade but more tool-like in feel.

 

[adammach]

Enjoy your new 16" MBP.

 

[Sterkenburg]

Congrats on managing to use and enjoy a great machine for so long - keep it around, it's such a solid Mac! I gave one of those to my parents (who have very limited computing needs and just want something that "works") and after a battery replacement it's still the perfect laptop for them.

The 16" M1 Max is an amazing machine worth of its lineage, and will serve you just as well.

 

[Rimmsi]

Nice words and I have to agree with you. The 2015 MBPs are amazing machines. I was lucky and recently managed to buy an almost new one from 2015. The battery has 6 charge cycles and a capacity of 8755 mAh when fully charged and without any cracks. Which MacOS were you most satisfied with? I'm still running Mojave and Windows 10 using BootCamp.

 

[Fishrrman]

I, too, had a 2015 MBP (13" in my case), that I specifically chose when the 2016 models came out.
Probably the best choice I ever made, "Mac-wise".

But my sister needed something newer than her 2010 white MacBook, so I gave the 2015 to her and got a new MBP 14".
It's nice. If it does as well as the 2015, I'll be pleased.

 

[curnalpanic]

It's weird to imagine what computing will be like in 2029.

I just assume at that time, we will also have flying cars and there will be 10 million people living on the Moon. So far in the future.

On a more serious note, I'm sure you will be happy with your new MPB. It is a great machine.

I also had the 2015, and still use it for some minor tasks. Glad to have skipped over the whole 2016-2020 era.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

It's a sad day. Later today a 16in 2021 MacBook Pro will be delivered.

Why so sad, then?

It'll be time to retire my mid-2015 15in MacBook Pro (2.8GHz i7, 16GB RAM).

The best laptop I've ever owned. Hands down. It was the last good Intel MacBook Pro. After this, everything went wrong. Butterfly keyboard. Touch Bar. Hot-running Intel chips. Hashtag donglelife.

I've had it since the model was released, in April 2015. More than seven years. I bought it with future-proofing in mind. And I was right. For example, it can play 4K videos just fine, if I ever need it to (I don't).

Alas, it won't get the Ventura macOS release later this year. And macOS is getting a little sluggish, despite a fresh reinstall recently. I strongly suspect Apple simply isn't optimising for older machines any longer. For example, in the old days I could run an external monitor without the fans spinning up (in fact, at one point I had two external displays running plus mirroring to an iPad via Duet – and no fan spin at all).

Now, the fans get loud if I do just about anything with an external monitor attached other than web browsing. I'm pretty sure this is Apple's poor graphics driver implementation. It's been this way for a year or two.

The new 16in 2021 MBP is my next future proofed laptop. 32GB of RAM, only because I couldn't bear to get 16GB again. M1 Max. Weirdly, on a pragmatic level, the new MBP is extremely similar to the old one – it's even the same size — but simply with newer and better tech. Apple drifted away from the ideal of the ideal laptop, and have come back around just in time for my upgrade.

This new MBP should last me another seven years. Maybe more. I hope so because it's f***ing expensive.

It's weird to imagine what computing will be like in 2029. If it still exists, macOS will be packed full of machine learning for just about everything.

I read a deep technical dive into the M1 Max that said that the 400GB/s bandwidth could only be utilised if the CPU, GPU and media engines were all firing at the same time. Gee, I wonder what could ever require that? Maybe AR? Where the CPU controls the actual computing functions, the GPU draws a complex UI, and the media engines process the video of what you see...? It's like Apple's preparing for a future nobody has yet thought about. Not even the tech YouTuber bores who are always so sure they know what's going on.

So, thanks mid-2015 MBP 15in.

I have the same 2015 15" MBP with the best in class goodies too...but a water spill took it's life 3 months ago. I have "replaced" it with the M1 MBA base model (!) as it was all I could afford (got it refurbished from Apple for $849). I really can't complain about the M1 as it does everything I do VERY well, but I loved the 15" MBP. You, on the other hand got a poster of a machine and I am admittedly envious! Enjoy!

 

[Jumpthesnark]

I've got the Mid 2015 MBP Retina (2.5GHz i7 w/16GB RAM) and like you I'm glad to have gotten the last of the "great" Intel models, with MagSafe & the ports I want and without the touch bar & keyboard that I don't. Currently running Catalina. It still hums along great for ingesting, editing, processing and exporting photos the way I need it to. It's a road warrior.

Mazel tov on the new MBP, I hope it lasts and performs as well for you as your previous one did.

 

[akidd]

The 2015 was the vintage. Mine’s still great. Enjoy the new one.
See positive comments do turn up on MR!

 

[Mactech20]

I made the same upgrade. Such a great machine. Don't miss it though with how amazing preformance is on this new one.

 

[macsound1]

The 2013-2015 MBPs are the best!. Even the MBAs. I don't know why Pro means SD card but 🤷‍♂️
I still currently use a 2013 15" daily and my roommate has a 2015 13" with only 8GB of ram and she's a graphic designer. So while it's not the fastest, her needs don't change as time goes on. So I don't see a reason why she'd need to stop using that machine.

 

[macsound1]

I've got the Mid 2015 MBP Retina (2.5GHz i7 w/16GB RAM) and like you I'm glad to have gotten the last of the "great" Intel models, with MagSafe & the ports I want and without the touch bar & keyboard that I don't. Currently running Catalina. It still hums along great for ingesting, editing, processing and exporting photos the way I need it to. It's a road warrior.

Mazel tov on the new MBP, I hope it lasts and performs as well for you as your previous one did.

The crazy thing is I want a new MBP to play a game. But all my daily uses on it are just fine - including video and audio editing. Although it does need a new battery, I think I'm ok with that after 9 years of daily use.

 

[pshufd]

My 2015 MBP 15 is sitting in my living room and it's my backup laptop if anything happens to my 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro. I also use it to test out new operating systems, particularly with OCLP. It's also a loaner if a relative or friend needs to borrow a laptop for a while. It has been a workhorse.

 

[resolutiontime]

Mid 2015, 15" MBP. Best Macbook of the decade.

 

[planteater]

I bought my mid 2015 15" MBP at the end when the new 2016 was also selling. It was my first Macbook. Like @Fishrrman above felt, it was also the best decision I ever made buying a laptop. It has worked flawlessly for me. Had I bought 2016 with all its issues, I may no longer be using Macbooks.

Moving to my 2021 MBP 16 was a tough decision, but I did it. Sure enough, I now like it far more than the 2015. It is better in every way.

 

[vddobrev]

@woolypants Have you cleaned your 2015 MBP, i.e. open it and dust it? Perhaps dust build up is why the fans are spinning. Also it could be the thermal paste has dried out and replacing it may help prolong the life of the Mac.

 

[woolypants]

@woolypants Have you cleaned your 2015 MBP, i.e. open it and dust it? Perhaps dust build up is why the fans are spinning. Also it could be the thermal paste has dried out and replacing it may help prolong the life of the Mac.

Thanks for everybody's kind replies. It really does feel like losing an old friend.

As for cleaning and reapplying thermal compound, yes, I did this. I cleaned it most recently when fitting a new battery around six months ago. I reapplied some Thermal Grisly compound a few years ago and got a significant heat reduction and very slight performance boost, too.

It's a driver issue. I googled it a lot and other people report very similar things.

 

[Lloigorr]

I had a rMBP 15“ late 2014 as my daily driver until last autumn and it was a darn fine machine, probably the best decision in spending money the whole last decade. It worked just fine until the last day, when I got an M1 Air. But damn, sometimes I miss it. The Air is great, too, but it’s different still. Thinking of buying a 14“ M1 pro just for the SD reader haha

 

[Lloigorr]

@woolypants Have you cleaned your 2015 MBP, i.e. open it and dust it? Perhaps dust build up is why the fans are spinning. Also it could be the thermal paste has dried out and replacing it may help prolong the life of the Mac.

This! I opened my machine once and boy was it dirty inside! After cleaning it was quiet again and even felt snappier

 

[pshufd]

I had a rMBP 15“ late 2014 as my daily driver until last autumn and it was a darn fine machine, probably the best decision in spending money the whole last decade. It worked just fine until the last day, when I got an M1 Air. But damn, sometimes I miss it. The Air is great, too, but it’s different still. Thinking of buying a 14“ M1 pro just for the SD reader haha

I have one of these too. My son is using it for work. He has a work-issue 2021 MacBook Pro 13 with 32 GB of RAM but he needs to run Linux VMs so he's borrowed mine. It is my second backup MacBook Pro and I suspect that I'd only get about $200-$300 for it on the used market.