Torn between two Macbooks...

[TomOSeven]

After deciding that I'd like to take a Macbook over an iPad as a portable device, I'm now torn between two computers.

I've always liked the 2015 Macbook Pro design, and the best deal I could find is:

- Macbook Pro Retina, 2015, 256 GB, rest is base, certified refurbished, no Apple warranty, 60 cycles, 999 Euro. Realistically, the price goes up to 1150 because I'd buy a Jetdrive for more space.

The second machine I'm considering is a Macbook 12, 2017, 512 GB, new (so one year warranty) for 1300.

The 12 inch Macbook is 300 more, but obviously the warranty is nice to have and it's got more SSD space.
Drawbacks are the smaller screen, a keyboard I don't like as much, no ports. Then again, better speakers, lighter. I already use a USB-C monitor, so that's another point in favor of the smaller Macbook.

The new 13" Macbook Pros aren't an option because I need mroe than 256 GB, so they get prohibitively expensive.

Whichever Mac I get, it would live in the backpack 60% of the time, around the house and garden 20% of the time and 20% of the time on the desk.

My most used apps are Guitar Pro, Android Studio, Unity 3d, Atom, VLC, and maybe XCode in future...

 

[Fishrrman]

My opinion only:
A MacBook Pro is always better than a non-pro MacBook.

 

[TonyK]

Just wish the MBP had more drive space. I have a 1TB SSD in my MBP and have about 1/2 left. If I put my music on it then I would have 300GB left.

So which is more important to you? Also with the 2nd unit, you could get AppleCare which I recommend if you have access to an authorized repair center.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I would usually recommend the pro but the hardware in the 2015 is getting long in the tooth and for bursts of performance the MacBook will beat it, along with better portability more storage in your price bracket and a usb c hub to get you a small portable port selection it could be your best bet for a mobile life.

 

[TomOSeven]

God damn, why is this so difficult?

 

[TonyK]

God damn, why is this so difficult?

It never is easy. Too many choices and considerations. It comes down to what the needs are over the wants. Only you can decide which way to jump in this regard.

I see where it is certified refurbished but who certified it? If it is Apple, then it should have some warranty even if it is 30 days.

But between used (including refurbished) and new, I would always go new.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

It never is easy. Too many choices and considerations. It comes down to what the needs are over the wants. Only you can decide which way to jump in this regard.

I see where it is certified refurbished but who certified it? If it is Apple, then it should have some warranty even if it is 30 days.

But between used (including refurbished) and new, I would always go new.

All apple refurbished products come with the same warranty and warranty options as new, they really are good value with complete testing and a new battery as well.

 

[ZapNZs]

Both systems can do what you need. I have a 2017 MacBook base that replaced a 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro base and love it, but I would not personally own one if it was my only computer (I have a 15-inch MBP). The MacBook is the epitome of extreme portability, with portability being favored above everything else. The 2017s are surprisingly capable machines, but the MacBook Pro (whether it be the 2015, 16, or 17) is still quite favored in regards to video performance and processing performance, and the legacy IO on the MacBook is a far cry from the modern IO on the 2016-2017 MBP, or the significantly more legacy IO on the 2015 MBP (given it has twice the USB, not to mention Thunderbolt 2).

 

[carestudio]

My most used apps are Guitar Pro, Android Studio, Unity 3d, Atom, VLC, and maybe XCode in future...

all at the same time? if so, MBP 2015 is fine. Dont go with MacBook, it's slow.

 

[TomOSeven]

Obviously not at the same time. What would be the point of that?

 

[maflynn]

ust wish the MBP had more drive space. I have a 1TB SSD in my MBP and have about 1/2 left.

Can't you offload some data that isn't used much to an external drive?

 

[TomOSeven]

Ugh, so the 512 GB 2017 Macbook is now sold out for the price.

 

[TonyK]

Can't you offload some data that isn't used much to an external drive?

Thought about that. But then I would have to maintain and track external devices. For photos I prefer not to. Everything is backed up to multiple locations for safety but I don't want to have to remember to keep an external drive plugged in to access my images or musc.