Upgrading from 2009 MBP - more confused than ever

[ricof]

I have a mid-2009 base model MBP (2.26 C2D) that I have upgraded with 8GB memory and 500GB SSD. I mainly use it for Reaper (a DAW), Lightroom and light Photoshop use as well as pretty heavy web browsing (typically 20+ chrome tabs).

However, it can only really perform each task optimally if all other applications are closed - not usually an issue if i'm using Reaper but it is handy to swap between Lightroom & Photoshop & web to check upload formatting etc etc.

This machine has done me well and I am considering upgrading it to a newer machine (must NOT have the butterfly keyboard) but with the recent updates to the MBP and MBA I am more confused than ever. I want to keep the new machine for a good 8-10 years.

Do I:

1) Get a higher spec older machine (say from 2015 or before whatever time Apple changed to the butterfly keyboard) and save a bit of money and then maybe upgrade to newer machines in five year cycles
or
2) Bite the bullet and buy a brand new well specced machine

I've seen reviews of the new MBA which on the face of it seems a good deal but with lack of cooling & noise issues.

Thanks in advance!

 

[senttoschool]

Get the 2015 Macbook Pro 15". It's a better laptop than the newer laptops because:

1. Costs 3-4x less used than the 16"
2. No touchbar. Touchbar degrades the user experience
3. No oversized touchpad that forces you to rest your palms over it as you type. Watch out for occasional palm rejection failing.
4. No need to carry dongles
5. Battery life is actually just as good as the newer laptops because Intel hasn't made much improvements in their CPUs since 2015
6. A quad-core CPU and 16GB of RAM is plenty for what you're doing

Going from 2009 to 2015 will be a huge upgrade for you.

The real upgrade will be the ARM Macbook Pros. I expect them to have 1-2 days of battery life, significantly faster CPUs, much improved displays, and finally get rid of the touchbar.

But the 2015 should last you another 3-4 years, which will be right around the time Apple will have polished ARM Macbook Pros.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you like the new 2020 13" MBP, and can "hold out" a while longer, I would wait about 4-5 weeks before ordering the new one, because...
... there's always -something- that folks start complaining about.

We won't know WHAT "the issues" are going to be with the new MBP 13" until it's actually into users' hands, and then the reports will start coming in.

So again... if you can hold out just a little while longer, that's what I'd suggest...