Some buying advice - I'm not sure I even need a new computer

[Geoff1977]

I have a Mid 2015 MacBook Pro. My only complaints were that battery life was poor and it ran very hot but I opened it up and replaced the thermal paste and put a replacement battery in that pretty much solved that problem.

In the past I used to do a lot of video editing but I rarely do that now and I can't imagine I'd be doing much that wasn't 1080p or if it was 4k it would be rare and I could easily edit with reference clips and just wait while it rendered.

So I probably don't really need anything too high spec. I'm finding that while in the past when I went to upgrade I was seeing a massive difference in the benefits but now after 4 and a bit years I don't really see a huge advantage to upgrading.

So the only real reason to upgrade is that the laptop is getting a bit old and won't last forever, I use it for work so it's a tax write off. I have a 2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7. How does that compare to the more modern macs in an everyday sense when not using resource intensive programs?

I could get an iPad pro and a mid spec 27inch iMac for $2700 AUD and that's the same price as a high spec MacBook Pro. Years ago I got a MacBook Air and an iMac as it was the same as a MacBook pro and that worked pretty well for me. I do have to travel occasionally for work but I believe the iPad pro can handle what I need it for.

I know this is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Usually the reasons for upgrading is clear but this time around I'm not so sure.

 

[cmaier]

I have a Mid 2015 MacBook Pro. My only complaints were that battery life was poor and it ran very hot but I opened it up and replaced the thermal paste and put a replacement battery in that pretty much solved that problem.

In the past I used to do a lot of video editing but I rarely do that now and I can't imagine I'd be doing much that wasn't 1080p or if it was 4k it would be rare and I could easily edit with reference clips and just wait while it rendered.

So I probably don't really need anything too high spec. I'm finding that while in the past when I went to upgrade I was seeing a massive difference in the benefits but now after 4 and a bit years I don't really see a huge advantage to upgrading.

So the only real reason to upgrade is that the laptop is getting a bit old and won't last forever, I use it for work so it's a tax write off. I have a 2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7. How does that compare to the more modern macs in an everyday sense when not using resource intensive programs?

I could get an iPad pro and a mid spec 27inch iMac for $2700 AUD and that's the same price as a high spec MacBook Pro. Years ago I got a MacBook Air and an iMac as it was the same as a MacBook pro and that worked pretty well for me. I do have to travel occasionally for work but I believe the iPad pro can handle what I need it for.

I know this is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Usually the reasons for upgrading is clear but this time around I'm not so sure.

I recommend not upgrading until you need to upgrade. A few fewer upgrades over the course of a lifetime add up to real money. Take the savings and go on vacation, or invest.

 

[Geoff1977]

I recommend not upgrading until you need to upgrade. A few fewer upgrades over the course of a lifetime add up to real money. Take the savings and go on vacation, or invest.

That's solid advice but I'm worried that a laptop that gets used a lot might not have much of a life past 4 or 5 years. Still as long as I back up regularly it's not like I can't just go buy one if it breaks down. I might get an iPad pro and keep using the MacBook for another couple of years.

 

[velocityg4]

That's solid advice but I'm worried that a laptop that gets used a lot might not have much of a life past 4 or 5 years. Still as long as I back up regularly it's not like I can't just go buy one if it breaks down. I might get an iPad pro and keep using the MacBook for another couple of years.

There's no telling when a computer will die. I don't see many hardware failures around the five year mark. Most last well beyond that.

One of the most common components to fail is a HDD. Which that computer does not have. The next most common I'd say is the PSU. Which rarely fails. Given that the PSU is external and easily replaceable. That isn't a big worry. You've also replaced the battery. Unless it is some cheap junk no name brand. There aren't problems there.

If the computer still meets your needs. I'd stick with it. Odds are it will keep chugging along. It's just when it does fail. It probably won't be worth the cost to repair.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

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[Analog Kid]

I have a Mid 2015 MacBook Pro. My only complaints were that battery life was poor and it ran very hot but I opened it up and replaced the thermal paste and put a replacement battery in that pretty much solved that problem.

In the past I used to do a lot of video editing but I rarely do that now and I can't imagine I'd be doing much that wasn't 1080p or if it was 4k it would be rare and I could easily edit with reference clips and just wait while it rendered.

So I probably don't really need anything too high spec. I'm finding that while in the past when I went to upgrade I was seeing a massive difference in the benefits but now after 4 and a bit years I don't really see a huge advantage to upgrading.

So the only real reason to upgrade is that the laptop is getting a bit old and won't last forever, I use it for work so it's a tax write off. I have a 2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7. How does that compare to the more modern macs in an everyday sense when not using resource intensive programs?

I could get an iPad pro and a mid spec 27inch iMac for $2700 AUD and that's the same price as a high spec MacBook Pro. Years ago I got a MacBook Air and an iMac as it was the same as a MacBook pro and that worked pretty well for me. I do have to travel occasionally for work but I believe the iPad pro can handle what I need it for.

I know this is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Usually the reasons for upgrading is clear but this time around I'm not so sure.

I'll say up front that it's kind of a personal question-- different people value things differently, but here's my thinking recently:

Personally I buy the best computer I can, and then use it until I can't anymore-- either because my needs exceed its performance or because there's a feature I need. I used to change machines regularly, but now changing hardware is more hassle than its worth.

I used to look forward to new computers, but now I look at them as a nuisance... If I'm getting by with what I have, then changing to a new machine is just going to be disruptive. If you're not sure you need a new machine, then you're probably not really pushing it that hard so you're not going to notice much of a performance difference. At some point there will be a new feature you need. If you wait until you need it and then upgrade, you'll get it. If you upgrade before you need it, then you'll just have to upgrade again when that feature comes.

Right now, my home machine is dog slow at converting video to H.265. That might be enough to push me to update my hardware, but I'm still going to wait until I know I have time to start converting my video library to the better compression-- and I may just get a Mini and stick it on the network rather than replace my day to day machine which still runs fine otherwise.

Given the free time I have, H.266 will probably be the standard by the time I can get to it and procrastination will have saved me a whole generation of headaches...

 

[Reflej0]

I keep the same thought as Analog Kid, he always tried to buy the best I can afford (not only in Apple) so that he has an acceptable longevity and should not change it quickly.
That is to say, it is not the same to change something because you have a desire to change (which in fact I do it frequently) than to change something because it became obsolete for your tasks.
Technically answering some questions raised, an i7 Quad Core (it does not matter so much the Ghz but the generation, although it does not clarify) will not be matched in performance by the processors that have the Macbooks and Macbooks Air of 2017, 2018 or 2019 so It is not advisable to switch to these devices.
I would look for a Macbook Pro with an i5 processor that does not have the U at the end.
It is true that an iPad Pro is very fast (I tried a 2nd generation) but at least personally it feels very different from a desktop operating system.
There are too many Macbook Pro models to list one by one, but basically if you have an i5 processor (without U), an SSD and 8GB Ram you will be fine, the GPU section depends on your needs to need a dedicated GPU or use a Intel Iris Pro.

 

[Fishrrman]

My own 2015 MacBook Pro doesn't seem "old" to me at all.
I can easily see getting 3-4 more years out of it...

 

[hobowankenobi]

A co-worker that does video editing work professionally just moved from a 2015ish top-line 15.4" MBP to a new 16" MBP and is very impressed with the difference in performance overall.

This is subjective to be fair, but she very much thinks it is worth the price considering render times and heat/cooling improvements.

For a less demanding workflow, I would tend to say keep the old dog a year or two more...but for high-end video, I would probably sell the 2015 model now since the resale value is high and take the plunge for a current model.

 

[BrianBaughn]

The 2013-2015 series of MBP are still highly desirable in the used market for good reason.

 

[4sallypat]

My own 2015 MacBook Pro doesn't seem "old" to me at all.
I can easily see getting 3-4 more years out of it...

Agreed I think the 2015 MBP will be fine for another couple years - mine from work is working well at 87% on the original 2015 battery:

I usually keep my devices until the end of the OS X upgrades stop.

Currently, I have a 2012 MBP that has been maxed out on RAM and is on the last leg of OS X upgrades (Catalina) - I think next OS upgrade, it might be left behind when I will sell it.

I also have a 2012 iMac that is still going strong but due for a SSD upgrade due to that crappy 5400rpm HDD.....

 

[kohlson]

After years (decades!) of buying Apple products, it seems there are good model runs and not-so-good models. For example, the MBAs from 2011 to 2018 seem to be exceptionally good products (we're still happily using 2), and the 2016-2018 MBP seem to be clunkers (we can attest to that with a 2016 that has been factory depot'd 3x.) I mention this because I think you may be looking for the same type of Apple product that you bought in 2015 - one that lasts awhile. It does "seem" that the 2019 MBP is pretty good, but still a little early in the cycle.

 

[firelighter487]

That's solid advice but I'm worried that a laptop that gets used a lot might not have much of a life past 4 or 5 years.

the 2015 was a solid model afaik. my 2012 macbook pro is 8 years old and it's showing no signs of dying anytime soon.

i recommend just setting up time machine and continue using your current device. if it does die, buy a new laptop, restore from the backup and you're all set.