Want to buy a Macbook pro 15" Retina Mid 2015..Need advices.

[p.pan]

Hi,

I have an opportunity to buy a Macbook pro 15" Retina Mid 2015:
Intel I7 quad core 2.2GHz, 16GHz Ram, 1T Flash storage for 800Euros..
My utilisation will be mostly music with Logic Pro X and Digital performer...

What do you think of the price?
What is the things I must to check on this machine when I will see the vendor??
And what is the weak point on this machine?

Thanks a lot by advance.

 

[Fishrrman]

2015 was a very good year for MacBook Pros.
Price seems ok.
Make sure that it doesn't have a firmware password.
You want to see it shut off, then "boot up" without problems.
Check the display with the power OFF as well as on. Make sure the anti-glare coating isn't flaking off. This happens if someone doesn't properly care for it.

 

[playtech1]

If you can, worth checking the battery health in system settings. These are older machines now and will often be due a battery replacement - however many of this model will have a free replacement battery due to a safety issue and recall.

 

[p.pan]

2015 was a very good year for MacBook Pros.
Price seems ok.
Make sure that it doesn't have a firmware password.
You want to see it shut off, then "boot up" without problems.
Check the display with the power OFF as well as on. Make sure the anti-glare coating isn't flaking off. This happens if someone doesn't properly care for it.

Thanks a lot guys,

Please can you explain a bit more...sorry
Make sure that it doesn't have a firmware password.
You want to see it shut off, then "boot up" without problems.
Check the display with the power OFF as well as on. Make sure the anti-glare coating isn't flaking off. This happens if someone doesn't properly care for it.

Thanks a millions

 

[p.pan]

If you can, worth checking the battery health in system settings. These are older machines now and will often be due a battery replacement - however many of this model will have a free replacement battery due to a safety issue and recall.

Thanks a lot..
But also can you explain me a bit...sorryyyy..
If you can, worth checking the battery health in system settings. These are older machines now and will often be due a battery replacement - however many of this model will have a free replacement battery due to a safety issue and recall.

Thanks a million

 

[venom600]

Make sure the battery isn't bulging. I had mine replaced three times in four years because a battery that was shown as good was bulging. If they won't take the bottom case off for you to see, make sure it sits flat on the table. If it is even slightly warped, the battery is likely why.

 

[puggles]

Love my 2015 15" MBP! I'm getting my 16" tomorrow though. Are you in Europe? Looking to sell mine after I get my new one setup. It's pretty much brand new. Screen, keyboard, top case, and battery were all replaced in the past 3 months.

The weak point is definitely the GPU and is pretty much the only reason I'm upgrading. Don't expect to run too many newer games but other than that this machine has been flawless for everything else.

 

[venom600]

The weak point is definitely the GPU and is pretty much the only reason I'm upgrading. Don't expect to run too many newer games but other than that this machine has been flawless for everything else.

If you're brave enough to do it, reapplying thermal paste is a great way to get more performance and less heat. Best $10 and 10 minutes I spent on that machine, but you're right, the graphics card is the weak part. These days I'd actually look for a machine without the Radeon and just run an eGPU.

 

[p.pan]

Thanks a million guys,
Thanks for your time and your precious advices.

If you're brave enough to do it, reapplying thermal paste is a great way to get more performance and less heat. Best $10 and 10 minutes I spent on that machine, but you're right, the graphics card is the weak part. These days I'd actually look for a machine without the Radeon and just run an eGPU.

Thanks Venom600 I dont think I have enough knowledge to do it....
But if you have a video where they talk about it....

My use will be only music with Logic pro X and Digital performer (Main DAW).
Mostly VIs for documentary music, drama music and sound design.
I will use and external screen connect to the HDMI.
Can you advice me a 23" or 27"??

Thanks again.

 

[bill-p]

For that year MacBook, the Apple Cinema Display or Thunderbolt Display are the best IMHO.

 

[venom600]

Thanks a million guys,
Thanks for your time and your precious advices.

Thanks Venom600 I dont think I have enough knowledge to do it....
But if you have a video where they talk about it....

My use will be only music with Logic pro X and Digital performer (Main DAW).
Mostly VIs for documentary music, drama music and sound design.
I will use and external screen connect to the HDMI.
Can you advice me a 23" or 27"??

Thanks again.

If you are running 1080p, literally any monitor on the market will suffice. I recommend an IPS display, but if you aren't fussy you can get by with just about anything. An Apple display is NOT a requirement. This isn't a video, but it's a step by step process on how to do it. Just follow the instructions.

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2015 Heat Sink Replacement

Things heating up inside your MacBook Pro with Retina Display? Could be trouble with the heat sink. Use this guide to remove the heat sink in the...

www.ifixit.com

 

[Macbookprodude]

Hello, just want to add - the Radeon in my DG 15 inch 2015 has never given me any issues - I am aware of the 2011 issue, but the 2015 has a low very low rate of graphics failure. Battery yes, but so far my battery is fine.

 

[meteoreos]

Hello, just want to add - the Radeon in my DG 15 inch 2015 has never given me any issues - I am aware of the 2011 issue, but the 2015 has a low very low rate of graphics failure. Battery yes, but so far my battery is fine.

I’ve had my 2015 MBP with dGPU for about 4 years, and the graphics card just failed on mine. Apart from that, it’s an amazing machine that has served me well.

 

[p.pan]

Thanks to all for your advices...

I just saw there is two model for this Macbook pro:
1. one with Iris Pro 5200
2. And one with a dual Graphic cards Iris Pro 5200 and AMD Radeon R9 M370.

I will use my macbook for recording voice (Dubbing, Naration, Voice over...).
Connected to a 55" screen..

My question is do I need to go with the dual graphic cards?

Thanks again.

 

[pshufd]

The resolution is more important than the size. If you have a 4K or better display, go with AMD graphics. I have not looked for 2015 15s in a while but $800 Euros would be on the high side in my area - though I haven't checked prices since the pandemic. I paid $1,100 for a 2.5 Ghz, AMD, 512 GB a few years ago and prices dropped sharply after the MBP 16 came out. I have the 2014 15 with Iris Graphics, 2015 15 with AMD graphics and a 2015 13 with Iris graphics. All three are great systems.

 

[p.pan]

Thanks Pshufd,

The screen must to be 55" because on the screen I put the film with rythmo (dialogues in the language).
And the actors will be in the front of the screen, acting and reading the ryhtmo..
I will record the voice with the Macbook pro and the screen will be connected by hdmi to the 55".

I need a good resolution but not a perfect one, enough to see the film properly and the rythmo too.

I just want to know with your experience guys which model of the 2015 I must to choose:
1. The one with: Iris Pro 5200
2. Or the one with the dual Graphic cards: Iris Pro 5200 and AMD Radeon R9 M370.

Thanks again

 

[pshufd]

Thanks Pshufd,

The screen must to be 55" because on the screen I put the film with rythmo (dialogues in the language).
And the actors will be in the front of the screen, acting and reading the ryhtmo..
I will record the voice with the Macbook pro and the screen will be connected by hdmi to the 55".

I need a good resolution but not a perfect one, enough to see the film properly and the rythmo too.

I just want to know with your experience guys which model of the 2015 I must to choose:
1. The one with: Iris Pro 5200
2. Or the one with the dual Graphic cards: Iris Pro 5200 and AMD Radeon R9 M370.

Thanks again

You're always better with the AMD.

 

[p.pan]

Thanks again,

Its the moment I need to choose now between:
1. Macbook pro retina middle 2015, 15", I7 2.2GHz, 16GHz with the Iris Pro 5200.
800Euros (no guarantee).
2. Macbook pro retina middle 2015, 15", I7 2.8GHz, 16GHz with the Iris Pro 5200 and AMD Radeon R9 M370.
1300Euros (with 6 months guarantee).

Let me know guys and thanks a lot.

 

[LFC2020]

Thanks again,

Its the moment I need to choose now between:
1. Macbook pro retina middle 2015, 15", I7 2.2GHz, 16GHz with the Iris Pro 5200.
800Euros (no guarantee).
2. Macbook pro retina middle 2015, 15", I7 2.8GHz, 16GHz with the Iris Pro 5200 and AMD Radeon R9 M370.
1300Euros (with 6 months guarantee).

Let me know guys and thanks a lot.

Go with the $800 MacBook Pro and save the other $500 for your next MacBook Pro 😜

 

[Macbookprodude]

Thanks to all for your advices...

I just saw there is two model for this Macbook pro:
1. one with Iris Pro 5200
2. And one with a dual Graphic cards Iris Pro 5200 and AMD Radeon R9 M370.

I will use my macbook for recording voice (Dubbing, Naration, Voice over...).
Connected to a 55" screen..

My question is do I need to go with the dual graphic cards?

Thanks again.

Go with what you feel is going to meet your needs.

 

[lobo1978]

First of all 1300 EUR for 2015 MacBook Pro is quite a lot. If no. 2 it is in mint condition and 1 TB SSD - I will take it for 1100 EUR if vendor is willing to negotiate.
No 1 will struggle with your application. If you are earning money with this gig 500 EUR is not much.

If you are aiming >1300 EUR - My suggestion would be to get 2017 version (e.g. i7 3.1 GHz, 16GB, 1 TB SSD, Radeon 560). You can find this config in 1500 EUR territory. Best buy would be those after Apple battery/keyboard replacement programme. Much newer internals, faster SSD and optimized support for large screens (even in multiple). Sleek body, and CPU/GPU still good enough not to melt the chassis (like in 2018-2019 versions).

My background for this opinion:
I own this 2017 config for almost 3 years (with 512 GB SSD). Owned 2013-2015 MBPros as well. Recently tried 2019 16” and sent it back because of heat, increased footprint and bulk. Just do not need that much PRO for my needs. At the moment 2017 is a sweet spot. I enjoy TB3 and keyboard and switched entirely to USB-C format and/or wireless/cloud. I do mostly low-scale dev in Data Science, modeling + CFD - ML, R and Python. No music/video/photo production. Sold iMac 27 and depend solely on this laptop for job 24/7. Love working on laptop only but connect to 27” screen at work office.

 

[Macbookprodude]

you see I like the ability to upgrade my SSD, you have non-upgradable paperweight. My next upgrade will be when Apple goes back to PowerPC in the ARM incarnating.

 

[lobo1978]

Good point, but SSD failures are not so common - they are pretty reliable these days. If one plans to use laptop for 5-10 years, getting a “cheap“ mobo replacement should not be a problem. It is more probable dGPU will fail much sooner...

Otherwise 2015 might be good option but its internals are already quite dated. IMHO 2015 MBP 15” is definitely not worth 1300 EUR in mid-2020 - in relation to OP question.

1000 EUR is max I would pay for a mint condition BTO 2015 dGPU. 1100 EUR — if it is with new Apple original battery (NOT DIY replacement with cheap OEM from Amazon/Alibaba).

 

[pshufd]

I'd agree on the problem with $1,300 much less Euros. Unless there are particular pricing oddities in your area. But the $800 model indicates that there aren't.

Recent Swappa sales in the US:

 

[lobo1978]

Yes, exactly. 800 USD is 728 EUR currently. This is a good price +-200 EUR I would pay for 2015 15” i7 2.8, 512 GB, dGPU, 16 GB RAM.