Upgrading from 2010 MBP - MBP 2016 vs. 2017 battery life?

[reardear]

Looking to upgrade from my stock mid-2010 13" MBP.

I remember seeing a comparison of the 2017 models and the 13" nTB and 15" TB are apparently both better than the 13" TB. But how do the 2017 models compare to the 2016 models?

Besides good battery life, my other factors/needs are...

• Price: not an issue, going to use it for at least a few years (but don't want unnecessary upgrades)
• Usage: general, browsing with many tabs, streaming, Office, occasional Photoshop, occasional Parallels/Boot Camp, may play games if it's capable
• Weight: all of the new models weigh less than my current 2010 MBP, so they're all an upgrade
• Screen size: I've only ever used a 13", and for the most part, it's been okay, but sometimes I wished it was bigger. So I'm leaning towards 15".
  • Only concern about 15" is that apparently they're not portable...
• Portability: not sure what people mean about portability - weight or unwieldy size? Weight and thinness would be an upgrade from my current MBP, but it would be wider (but still fit in my backpack).
• F keys: mostly use the volume/brightness keys, and I have to look anyways; may do programming in the future. I'm optimistic about being able to increase productivity and seeing neat usage for the Touch Bar in the future.
• Storage: no video editing so storage has been fine

Concerns: I hear there's tons of keyboard issues (stuck, don't respond, double-press, etc.) and that the fan is always on and noisy for the 15".

What do you suggest?

 

[Naimfan]

Looking to upgrade from my stock mid-2010 13" MBP.

I remember seeing a comparison of the 2017 models and the 13" nTB and 15" TB are apparently both better than the 13" TB. But how do the 2017 models compare to the 2016 models?

Besides good battery life, my other factors/needs are...

• Price: not an issue, going to use it for at least a few years (but don't want unnecessary upgrades)
• Usage: general, browsing with many tabs, streaming, Office, occasional Photoshop, occasional Parallels/Boot Camp, may play games if it's capable
• Weight: all of the new models weigh less than my current 2010 MBP, so they're all an upgrade
• Screen size: I've only ever used a 13", and for the most part, it's been okay, but sometimes I wished it was bigger. So I'm leaning towards 15".
  • Only concern about 15" is that apparently they're not portable...
• Portability: not sure what people mean about portability - weight or unwieldy size? Weight and thinness would be an upgrade from my current MBP, but it would be wider (but still fit in my backpack).
• F keys: mostly use the volume/brightness keys, and I have to look anyways; may do programming in the future. I'm optimistic about being able to increase productivity and seeing neat usage for the Touch Bar in the future.
• Storage: no video editing so storage has been fine

Concerns: I hear there's tons of keyboard issues (stuck, don't respond, double-press, etc.) and that the fan is always on and noisy for the 15".

What do you suggest?

Get a 2017 15". Just be prepared for an adjustment period with the keyboard/trackpad and different ports.

There appear to be fewer reports of problems with the keyboard on the 2017 models, hence the 2017 recommendation over the 2016. I have a 2016 15" and do not recommend it.

 

[reardear]

Get a 2017 15". Just be prepared for an adjustment period with the keyboard/trackpad and different ports.

There appear to be fewer reports of problems with the keyboard on the 2017 models, hence the 2017 recommendation over the 2016. I have a 2016 15" and do not recommend it.

Would it be worth getting the processor upgrade?

Damn, I'm still worried about the 2017 keyboard and heard the 2018 will have a better one, but I don't want to wait. How's the size for you?

 

[ixxx69]

Portability: not sure what people mean about portability - weight or unwieldy size? Weight and thinness would be an upgrade from my current MBP, but it would be wider (but still fit in my backpack).

First just a general comment - always keep in mind the difference between facts and opinions on these forums... people get those mixed up all the time. MacRumors is NOT the barometer for what's actually happening IRL.

Regarding the portability of the 15" - of course it's portable. You're correct that there's a common perception that even though there isn't a huge weight difference, the 15" feels much heavier and larger than the small difference in weight would suggest. Though as you suggest, it's all relative to what you know and what you want.

The 15" size does make it feel significantly more unwieldy than the 13" in my experience. But it depends a lot on what you're used to and your physical size (if you're a larger person, it may not be a bother at all). If you're traveling with it in a backpack every day, I think the 13" makes a big difference. Also, think of sitting on an airplane, or in a cafe, or at the library.

If it's just moving it from home to the office, then maybe it isn't as big a deal - the 15" is still an ultra-thin laptop and still fits in a backpack just fine.

Of course if you can check them out in person, and keep how you'll be traveling with it in mind, you should be able to get a pretty good idea.

 

[Naimfan]

Would it be worth getting the processor upgrade?

Damn, I'm still worried about the 2017 keyboard and heard the 2018 will have a better one, but I don't want to wait. How's the size for you?

No on the processor upgrade.

I understand the concern re the keyboard, but it *appears* to be better with the 2017 version (not sure how or even if true, but there appear to be fewer trouble reports from 2017 users both here and on Apple's own support forums).

And I'm one of those people who think anyone who believes the 15" isn't "portable" need to get out and exercise more. If anything, it's too light - too easy to slide around on a desk/table/whatever.

 

[reardear]

Thanks, guys!

Anyone know if a better processor drains more battery during normal usage? e.g. 3.1ghz vs. 2.9ghz

 

[ixxx69]

Thanks, guys!

Anyone know if a better processor drains more battery during normal usage? e.g. 3.1ghz vs. 2.9ghz

At least for that difference, not perceptibly so. The faster CPU might use more watts at high loads, but it presumably would also complete the task faster. So that can kind of balance things out in most usages. And the difference in watts at that differential (i.e. 0.2ghz) is minimal anyway.

 

[Playfoot]

For what it is worth, my 2cents. We have a couple of the new 2016 15", maxed out.

1. We are transitioning, moving from our 2009, 2010 and 2011 MBP's.

2. The incredible reduced size and weight of the 15" currently, makes us think of the MacBook Airs we used long ago. The difference is that significant. If you are like us, you would find the new 15" very portable, very light.

3. We are undecided on the battery life. Likely is better, be not enough to say, "wow, omg".....HOWEVER, the charging is INCREDIBLY fast. Very noticeable.

4. We always have to carry dongles, so, ports are no issues, and indeed, the speed is amazing.

5. We DO miss the MagSafe.

6. Hate the keyboard. Have had a number of replacements.

7. Hate the aircraft carrier sized trackpad. Mouse pointer is always jumping.

8. Hate the touch bar. For what we do, it adds no benefits, just a lack of functionality.

9. Apple has told us clearly the fan noise is actually a design for the motherboard to release excess energy. Do not know if I accept that explanation, but they acknowledge the noise as a design "benefit".

Note, point 6 is an actual as Apple replaces. So, there has been an issue for us. Can not say if a major issue to Apple, but we are told parts are in short supply....

Note, points 7 and 8 are personal.