What configuration for new rMPB?

[rocknrollcreep]

Dear MacRumors crowd,
with the "Hello again" event just wrapping up, I’m now facing the decision of what configuration of the new rMPB to buy.

What I do
I’m a graphic designer for print and web/digital media, occasionally dabbling in code. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Processing are what I’d consider my programs of choice. While working in 3D has always interested me, it’s way down on my priority list so i don’t consider it a criteria to future-proof for. I also record music as a hobby but I’ll mostly be using the rMPB for graphic design/programming work. I currently do most of my work on a quad core i7 MacMini with 16GB RAM and a dual-drive setup (512GB SSD & 500GB HDD).

What I’m leaning towards
I wasn’t blown away by the Touch Bar and can’t envision any scenario that would make me think "Man, if only I hadn’t passed on the Touch Bar" a couple of years from now but that may simply be limited imagination on my part. As of right now, I’m strongly leaning towards the 13" model with 16GB RAM, 512GB storage and no Touch Bar. The only thing I’m not sure about is the processor configuration because I can’t tell how noticeable/relevant the performance boost will be to what I do.

In terms of storage, 512GB seems just about adequate to me because I only ever store current projects on my computer’s drive, moving them to a mirrored 2TB RAID once I’m finished with them, which is where I also store my rather modest music and movie collection.

Do you think the updated (or even base?) processor configuration will suffice or should I consider going for the Touch Bar rMPB instead? Or an entirely different machine altogether? Let’s hear your thoughts! Thanks in advance.

 

[nochnia]

Sounds interesting. I'm in a nearly identical position...

 

[Jay42]

The jury's still out for me on the touch bar. My sense is I will use it occasionally, but will not rely on it. I do really value TouchID, though. I could never go back on my phone, and it makes purchases and passwords much easier.

Also it seems people agree that the 13 fn key MBP only has a 15w processor, while touch bar MBP's have a 28w. I don't know how much this impacts performance though.

Once you spec up a fn key MBP, it's not far from the touch bar model, so I'm going 2.9GHz i5, 16GB, 512GB storage on my 13".

Curious to hear others' specs and justification

 

[maflynn]

but I’ll mostly be using the rMPB for graphic design/programming work.

I'd say that a 15" display, quad core processor and dGPU are all reasons why you should get 15" MBP over the 13" MBP - just my $.02

 

[BenTrovato]

I'd say that a 15" display, quad core processor and dGPU are all reasons why you should get 15" MBP over the 13" MBP - just my $.02

I agree. MacOS is so much better on a quad core. I prefer the form factor of a 13" but I don't don't think I can bo back to a 2 core experience.

 

[posguy99]

I'd say that a 15" display, quad core processor and dGPU are all reasons why you should get 15" MBP over the 13" MBP - just my $.02

While I'd really like to have the quad-core, the better portability of the 13" over the 15" is powerful. And really, the dGPU? If you need it, great. But just "should"? Nah.

 

[Digital Skunk]

While I'd really like to have the quad-core, the better portability of the 13" over the 15" is powerful. And really, the dGPU? If you need it, great. But just "should"? Nah.

The weight and size difference is really negligible. We've been hearing about the portability issue since the 12" Powerbook and then the Air. Well, now the 15" rMBP is lighter than the 12" Powerbook and not much bigger than a 13" Air. I think the OP should stick with dGPU if he's going to work in graphics. Adobe has coded the CS apps to use the Mac GPUs and multicore very well. You will notice a difference between i7, a dGPU and 16GB RAM vs none of that.