What's the latest consensus on the 2018/19 15" models?

[trailmonkey]

After handing back my 16" a few weeks ago I'm trying to figure out what to go with instead - most likely a 2018/19 15". But there are so many conflicting opinions on performance, noise, thermals, throttling, keyboard, etc. Have checked out loads of YT videos and other reviews but can't decide.

Didn't have a stable experience with Win 10 Pro on Parallels 15 so that's putting me off the one-machine-does-everything route. When it worked it was great, but when it failed to boot the second time (after 3-4 weeks) I couldn't fix it without reinstalling the VM. Don't need that kind of hassle as the Win 10 is a small but absolutely critical part of my work.

Also can't justify nearly £4k (with AC+) on the 16" I trialled. Would go to £2.5k max. But should I pick up a 32gb 15" and gamble on a stable Win 10 experience, or do I go 16Gb 15" and something like a year old 2-in-1, eg Spectre/XPS (as I like using my ageing Surface Pro 3 for sketching/storyboarding with the pen)?

FTR, I use a 4k display at home most days. So noise/heat is a big consideration there.

13" possibly too limiting as I need potential for 4k in FCP/Davinci. Yes, 13" can do that now, but VFM they're only marginally cheaper than much higher specced 15"s.

Or 13" with an eGPU?

Or 15" 2018 vs 2019?

i7 32Gb vs i9 16Gb?

560 vs Vega?

One machine or two machines?

How are you guys finding your 2018/19 machines?

Cheers

 

[profcutter]

I would go with your second option: lowest specced 16 with an older dedicated windows machine. Anything else will be a compromise.

 

[trailmonkey]

I would go with your second option: lowest specced 16 with an older dedicated windows machine. Anything else will be a compromise.

But a base 16 is IRO £2200 (from approved resellers offering tiny discounts), leaving £300 or so to replace my Surface Pro.

Not many 16s available secondhand in the UK. And I reckon I'd end up hankering after the upgraded model soon after (having had the i9 32gb 8Gb etc).

 

[jerryk]

What did Parallels say when you reported your issues to them?

MacBooks are designed to run MacOS, not Windows. if you need to run Windows a lot consider getting a Windows laptop. You will likely get much better performance and drivers and accessories will work better.

 

[profcutter]

I think what you’re going to run into is that the main problems that caused Apple to replace the 15 will still be present, and you’ll start to notice them in your everyday use. How much of a problem that is I don’t know, but if you returned a 16”, you’re going to be used to that machine, and the 15s are a step down. I’m personally waiting until an update or two, maybe late 2020 or early 2021, so to tide me over, I got a 2015 15” maxed out model. Maybe you should consider that as an option? You haven’t really spelled our your use case, but a 2015 and an XPS should get you nicely under your spending limit.

 

[Fishrrman]

I doubt there is any "consensus".

My opinion:
DON'T buy a 15" MBP, unless you're willing to put up with the keyboard failing in the future.

Buy the 16" instead.

 

[maflynn]

I'm not sure why you'd want to spend a lot of money on a laptop that is known to have a flawed and defective keyboard.

 

[trailmonkey]

What did Parallels say when you reported your issues to them?

MacBooks are designed to run MacOS, not Windows. if you need to run Windows a lot consider getting a Windows laptop. You will likely get much better performance and drivers and accessories will work better.

Many users have reported the same issue in recent months but Parallels fail to acknowledge it. I've not seen anything proactive from them in addressing it. Not sure there's a real pattern to the cause. It's a right PITA though and some people are heading over to Fusion.

FTR I've been a Windows user for years but got bored with it 18-24 months ago and switch to a MBA. Am a freelancer and have to use Windows for one specific app. Currently handle that on my Surface Pro 3 but it's showing its age now.

Coming to terms with having 2 machines, but if so, I can still only justifty IRO £2500 for both.
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I think what you’re going to run into is that the main problems that caused Apple to replace the 15 will still be present, and you’ll start to notice them in your everyday use. How much of a problem that is I don’t know, but if you returned a 16”, you’re going to be used to that machine, and the 15s are a step down. I’m personally waiting until an update or two, maybe late 2020 or early 2021, so to tide me over, I got a 2015 15” maxed out model. Maybe you should consider that as an option? You haven’t really spelled our your use case, but a 2015 and an XPS should get you nicely under your spending limit.

Before the 16" came along I spent months looking at high spec 2018/19 15"s but was put off by the keyboard and throttling issues. Dipped my toe into a 16" for 5 weeks and it was great, aside from poor battery life and heat/noise (usually when running Parallels / 4k display / recording webinars and so on).

And the dilemma of a 16" is that while the base model is great, for a bit more money one can get a signicantly higher spec i9 / 32Gb / 8Gb GPU / 1Tb and therefore more longevity. But with AC+ it becomes too difficult to justify the cost.

Am back to considering a 2018/19 15" with the remainder of 3yrs AC+ or the option for me to top it up. High spec secondhand is generally around £1600-£2300. Sale prices vary a lot I've noticed. Below £2k and I might bite, then pick up a decent 2-in-1 for the Windows side of things.

 

[jamesgryffindor99]

Do NOT buy a 15". My 2019 15" has already had a keyboard failure 6 months in. (8th keyboard failure since I got a 2018 15" and was upgraded to a 2019 after 7 kb fails). Duplicating a key, stuck tab key, I and spacebar caps had paint chipping off. Got it replaced, but if I get another keyboard failure i'll probably be upgraded to a 16". (it would be the 1TB 5500M 2.3 i9 base model since I have the 512 2.3 i9 560X base.

 

[trailmonkey]

I doubt there is any "consensus".

My opinion:
DON'T buy a 15" MBP, unless you're willing to put up with the keyboard failing in the future.

Buy the 16" instead.

But nobody knows how many people are affected by the 15" issues. No doubt the minority by some distance. IMO, the VFM for the right spec / right price with AC+ makes it worth the gamble. Plenty of people are more than happy with their 2018/19 15"s. I'm just figuring out i7 vs i9, 560 vs Vega etc - because it's not as black and white as more power = better experience.
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Do NOT buy a 15". My 2019 15" has already had a keyboard failure 6 months in. (8th keyboard failure since I got a 2018 15" and was upgraded to a 2019 after 7 kb fails). Duplicating a key, stuck tab key, I and spacebar caps had paint chipping off. Got it replaced, but if I get another keyboard failure i'll probably be upgraded to a 16". (it would be the 1TB 5500M 2.3 i9 base model since I have the 512 2.3 i9 560X base.

How can they expect you to put up with 8 failures? That's insane. Did you lose it for a few days each time?

 

[jamesgryffindor99]

Yeah, I mail it in each time. At least they pay for overnight. This is my 5th machine since they've CRU'd it a few times already for keyboard fails. I'm a heavy user and I've never had keyboards fail like the butterfly garbage.

 

[me55]

Did you try VMware Fusion? That software seems to work well. VirtualBox (free) is also an option, although it is painfully slow on macOS for some unknown reason.

 

[trailmonkey]

Did you try VMware Fusion? That software seems to work well. VirtualBox (free) is also an option, although it is painfully slow on macOS for some unknown reason.

Not tried VMWare yet because most VM users prefer the look and feel of Parallels. However, I need stability so yes, VMWare is next on my list to trial.

 

[randolorian]

I've had a 2018 15" for 1.5 years without any issues. I travel a lot and use it all day, every day.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I've had a 2018 15" for 1.5 years without any issues. I travel a lot and use it all day, every day.

Which, combined with other reports about needing constant keyboard repairs, just solidifies the fact that the butterfly machines simply can’t be trusted.

Some have been great and no problem and others have been complete and total lemons (re: keyboard stuff I mean)

 

[robvas]

I have had 2015, 2016, and 2017 butterfly keyboards fail on me. I haven't had enough time with a 2018 or 2019 butterfly so I can't really speak for those but wouldn't trust them.

 

[profcutter]

I had a 2017 for 2 weeks, my wife has a 2016. She’s hated it since day one, and she’s had a keyboard replaced. It’s also far slower than it should be. I didn’t love the keyboard on the 2017, but I didn’t hate it. I hated that it was almost 4K$ and was no faster than my 2013.

 

[Mr Screech]

Unless you need 6 or 8 cores to work with, get a second-hand 2013/2014/2015 MBP + e-gpu.
It's been mostly downhill since the touchbar MBP's were introduced.