This is why I returned 2017 MBP for 2015

[manmit]

First, have been mac users from last ten years. Was eagerly waiting for a refresh. Replaced my 2015 MacBook Pro 13 inch with 2017 MBP 13 without touchbar and iPad Pro 12.9. After a week with a new MBP, I returned and went back to 2015 - here is why:

1. Disappointed with the screen brightNESS. In order to achieve my desired level of brightness, I had to scale it up to almost 90% vs. In my 2015, I was comfortable with going up to 60%. I really could not see how brighteness or screen has changed.

2. Screen looks so tiny - even my 12.9 screen somehow looks bigger with more comfortable viewing.

3. Like the keyboard but really really really hate they got rid of MagSafe. The USB c cable is so hard plugged in that I could not take it off from one hand without hurting the cable. Had to lift the laptop a bit and then pull it.

4. Really don't see any feature worth paying extra than 2015 model. Also, my 2015 was 2.7 while this was 2.3 so paying more for less.

 

[ZapNZs]

They are both good systems - I personally found the brightness in the newer model to be pretty noticeable.
The 2.3 GHz i5 in the 2017 is a MASSIVE performance update over the 2.7 GHz i5 in the 2015.

 

[MrGuder]

I'm glad you found what works best for you, however I disagree with your post. I have tested both the 2015, 2016 and now own the 2017.

1. I was actually disappointed with the brightness on the 2015, the contrast was also lessened. I compared the 2015 and the 2016 side by side watching an HD movie and I had to turn the 2015 brightness up higher than the 2016 to achieve the best results. You mentioned having to turn the 2017 up to 90% wow 90% is very very bright, I hardly ever use that level of brightness level. 60-75% on the 2017 works best for me inside. The 2015 I had to turn up to 80/90% to get the same results. In addition something you didn't mention was battery, the 2015 battery while a larger battery, it discharges at a much higher rate. I compared both using coconut battery and the 2016 and 2017 model gets much better battery rate of discharge.

2. Tiny screen? It sounds like you didn't play around with the display settings, because there are many options to choose from. If you had it at 1920x1200 yes that is very tiny print. The default is 1680x1050 which for me is still a bit tiny. I like 1440x900, However if you want it bigger than the next one 1280x800 might work better, then there is even a larger one 1024x640. So I don't really understand your point here, many options to play around with in display settings to find your sweet spot.

3. Yeah Magsafe is a great feature but for me it wasn't so great. I didn't like that it only charged on one side and I did accidentally hit it and it fell off and I didn't know until the next morning when I woke up to find it was not charged, bummer. I'd much rather have the laptop in a safe place while charging with the option to charge from either side. I also found that the USB-C charged much quicker than the magsafe charger.

4. Yup the 2016 and 2017 are quite expensive, waiting for the refurbished is a better option in my opinion than going with the 2015 model.

Another thing for me was buying something that was going to take me into the next 5 to 6 years since I don't buy laptops every year. I knew the 2017 was going to do that over the 2015. It has better internals, better screen, better battery life, touch ID is a godsend and with High Sierra coming things are looking better and better that the 2016 and 2017 will benefit from these enhancements.

 

[Closingracer]

I'm glad you found what works best for you, however I disagree with your post. I have tested both the 2015, 2016 and now own the 2017.

1. I was actually disappointed with the brightness on the 2015, the contrast was also lessened. I compared the 2015 and the 2016 side by side watching an HD movie and I had to turn the 2015 brightness up higher than the 2016 to achieve the best results. You mentioned having to turn the 2017 up to 90% wow 90% is very very bright, I hardly ever use that level of brightness level. 60-75% on the 2017 works best for me inside. The 2015 I had to turn up to 80/90% to get the same results. In addition something you didn't mention was battery, the 2015 battery while a larger battery, it discharges at a much higher rate. I compared both using coconut battery and the 2016 and 2017 model gets much better battery rate of discharge.

2. Tiny screen? It sounds like you didn't play around with the display settings, because there are many options to choose from. If you had it at 1920x1200 yes that is very tiny print. The default is 1680x1050 which for me is still a bit tiny. I like 1440x900, However if you want it bigger than the next one 1280x800 might work better, then there is even a larger one 1024x640. So I don't really understand your point here, many options to play around with in display settings to find your sweet spot.

3. Yeah Magsafe is a great feature but for me it wasn't so great. I didn't like that it only charged on one side and I did accidentally hit it and it fell off and I didn't know until the next morning when I woke up to find it was not charged, bummer. I'd much rather have the laptop in a safe place while charging with the option to charge from either side. I also found that the USB-C charged much quicker than the magsafe charger.

4. Yup the 2016 and 2017 are quite expensive, waiting for the refurbished is a better option in my opinion than going with the 2015 model.

Another thing for me was buying something that was going to take me into the next 5 to 6 years since I don't buy laptops every year. I knew the 2017 was going to do that over the 2015. It has better internals, better screen, better battery life, touch ID is a godsend and with High Sierra coming things are looking better and better that the 2016 and 2017 will benefit from these enhancements.

From what I gathered he already has a 15 model and returned the 17 model he bought. I agree if you don't already own a Macbook Pro but I would not buy a 17 to replace my 15 Macbook Pro....just not worth the upgrade cost.

 

[lobo1978]

If 2015 machine is still enough for your needs - to earn money with it or do actual things that was the best decision you could make.
Enjoy!