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Upgrading my 2015 MBP

J

jordii

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 9, 2008
242
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I use a MBP "Core i7" 2.5 15" Mid-2015 (DG) MJLT2LL/A. Bought it used in 2016 for $1,900. This model. 16gb RAM, 512 SSD

It's plenty fast enough for me (god bless SSDs). I don't do a lot of processor-intense work. I'm a writer, and need the 15" real estate (so no downgrade to MBA for me). I've got some money to spend now, and it's a good point in lifecycle to upgrade.

But new prices are crazy. Was considering refurbs (e.g. this), but it's a pretty old model, and still not cheap despite serious markdown, and actually specs worse than my current, older, computer (on left below).
ERia7fa.png


So what's my bang-for-buck option with 15" screen and 16gb RAM, 512 SSD?

FWIW I've got several external USB drives and dock at home to an Apple Cinema Display.

 
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Any particular reason you want to upgrade? If you just write, I'm sure what you have is more than adequate?
 
I'd stick with what you have if you want to continue with a reliable system. Or upgrade to a 2.8 Ghz 20115 with AMD discrete graphics. I wouldn't touch anything newer until they fix the keyboard and other issues. You could always just buy some dividend stocks.
 
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Before you do anything, go into a store and type on the keyboard. The new keyboard design is very polarizing with some people "adapting" fine to it while other people absolutely hate it. If you are coming from a 2015 and do a ton of typing you are in for a very big change, and one you might not like. I spend most of my time typing as well on mine and let me tell you, I prefer the 2015 over any of the newer models hands down. The 2015 keyboard is perfection, while the newer models are miserable to do a lot of heavy typing on (at least for me).
 
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jordii said:
It's plenty fast enough for me (god bless SSDs). I don't do a lot of processor-intense work. I'm a writer, and need the 15" real estate (so no downgrade to MBA for me). I've got some money to spend now, and it's a good point in lifecycle to upgrade.
Click to expand...
I'd say hold on to it. You certainly are not in need of a computer and you'll be better off waiting until that need arises.

I see many people here and elsewhere willing to pay Apple almost 2k for 2015 refurbished MBPs instead of buying a new 2018 model, simply because of the keyboard (and/or touchbar), why give up on such a nice machine when it seems to be handling everything you need it too.
 
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One problem is depreciation. Once there are models out there that clearly crush what I have, the computer I have will be worth much less on resell.
 
I’d say get a new 2019 15” 500 gb will suit you fine and is a beautiful machine! Can’t always worry about tech and what “may” happen just enjoy and live today. Keyboard ha great! Much improved to 2018 IMO.
Enjoy !
 
Another vote for the staus quo - keep the MBP "Core i7" 2.5 15" Mid-2015 (DG) MJLT2LL/A

other than the touch bar and slightly thinner not much of an upgrade and the mid 2015 is a great product!

You could even upgrade the SSD to 1TB on that 2015 model if you find the 512g is not enough?
 
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jordii said:
One problem is depreciation. Once there are models out there that clearly crush what I have, the computer I have will be worth much less on resell.
Click to expand...

Resale value is never a given. You can’t predict how much you’ll get when it’s your next time to upgrade. You might drop your MBP and leave it with a value killing dent in the case or worse can happen.

On the other hand, if you’re upgrading needlessly, you’re spending extra money on an asset that starts to lose value the moment you turn it on. Better to save what is certain rather than hope to earn back what is out of your control.

That said, I have no reservations about any of the current models. I just upgraded to a 2018 refurb myself.
 
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2015s have gone up about $400 in the past couple of months in my area. You have people looking at the prices of refurbs and trying to get those amounts. Those higher amounts are for systems that are actually refurbed and in pristine condition while the models that you typically find on Craigslist have some damage. Those models will drop like a rock if and when Apple fixes their problems.
 
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I would keep the old one. I wish I bought the higher-end 2015 MBP when they were available new. I have the base 256gb and man, what an amazing timeless piece of hardware.
 
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I agree with others: for your stated use case, enjoy what you have. If you absolutely, positively have to have a new MBP, please do what others suggest: go into an Apple Store and try out the keyboard. I’m firmly in the “I hate it” category so moved to an iMac (still hate the keyboard that came with that and use a 3rd-party one). If you can live with the new, less-improved keyboard (in my opinion), go for it.
 
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i just got my brother a 2018 mbp 15inch 32gb 512gb ssd 6 core with 555x for 2100usd off ebay, thing came mint with no scratch and 8 months left on warranty.

if you absolutely need to upgrade getting a used 2018 is the most bang for your buck imo.
 
ilikewhey said:
i just got my brother a 2018 mbp 15inch 32gb 512gb ssd 6 core with 555x for 2100usd off ebay, thing came mint with no scratch and 8 months left on warranty.

if you absolutely need to upgrade getting a used 2018 is the most bang for your buck imo.
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A 2015 maxed out would cost more.
 
I too have a mid 2015 16gb/512gb MBP.
I came on here looking to possibly upgrade, but given the issues people have been having, I’m going to stick with what I have for now.
It’s in pristine condition, NEVER crashes and the keyboard is also perfect (not tried any newer ones).
I don’t require any more power at this point either, so it’s staying, at least until the 2nd generation of the next MBP refresh.
 
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jordii said:
I use a MBP "Core i7" 2.5 15" Mid-2015 (DG) MJLT2LL/A. Bought it used in 2016 for $1,900. This model. 16gb RAM, 512 SSD

It's plenty fast enough for me (god bless SSDs). I don't do a lot of processor-intense work. I'm a writer, and need the 15" real estate (so no downgrade to MBA for me). I've got some money to spend now, and it's a good point in lifecycle to upgrade.

So what's my bang-for-buck option with 15" screen and 16gb RAM, 512 SSD?
Click to expand...

I have this same MBP and, unless that extra money is burning a hole in your pocket, IMHO I'd keep using what you have. You have More than enough horsepower in that computer as I use mine for fairly extensive photo processing and it runs all my software like the day I set it up. I couldn't care less about resale and will keep this machine until it literally dies in my hands.....a day that I truly dread. I know others may disagree but, my opinion only, there's not one current MBP that I want, or would buy, right now so I really hope Apple gets their act together before my time to upgrade comes. IMHO if Apple had stuck with that hardware and just upgraded the internals (and maybe offered the space gray model) to keep up with times, they'd have nailed it. As a couple of others have stated, the keyboard is right nigh perfection so, again as stated previously, better make darn sure you can live with the new one as much as you, as a writer, would be typing on it.
 
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stu.h said:
I too have a mid 2015 16gb/512gb MBP.
I came on here looking to possibly upgrade, but given the issues people have been having, I’m going to stick with what I have for now.
It’s in pristine condition, NEVER crashes and the keyboard is also perfect (not tried any newer ones).
I don’t require any more power at this point either, so it’s staying, at least until the 2nd generation of the next MBP refresh.
Click to expand...

I have a 2014 and a 2015. 2014 is for personal stuff, 2015 is for work. Both run well and do what I need them to do. If I need more horsepower for a task, I just move stuff to the other one. I have a third 2015 13 I can use too.
 
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