When to upgrade MBP? Now, ARM or USB4?

[robbo91]

EDIT: Post updated to include Lower Power RAM and micro-LED

Hi all,

The rumours yesterday were exciting but have also torn me about when I should upgrade.

I am still on a late 2013 MacBook pro, which is running strong but it would be nice to move to something new soon. I have had plans within the last year or so to upgrade. I was going to maybe go with the second iteration of the 16" but now there are new decisions in the works.

The first is the ARM processors believed to be within a year. I haven't spun up any of my VMs for windows or linux in a while so I am not worried about ARM processors too much. Possibly more tempting for me waiting up to a year is Low Power RAM (most important) or the mini LED screens (less important).

The second is USB4, which I am intrigued by as I am yet to use Thunderbolt 3 myself. If cheaper USB4 devices do enter the market, would they be backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3? Or maybe Thunderbolt 3 devices might become cheaper to compete. Apart from that, I do not think I am missing out too much on USB4 compared to Thunderbolt 3. Assuming I keep the laptop for another 7 years or so I might even just skip to USB5 at this rate...


However, since I am taking up more hobbies/projects due to the current pandemic, maybe there are advantages buying now...

Is it worth waiting for any of the new features (ARM or USB4) or should I just go for it now?

 

[thadoggfather]

Im torn between whether or not do wait as well for ARM (don't really care about usb4) from a 2016 13" no touchbar, but I really want to try the new keyboard so I'm going for the air @ $999

If I do go ARM, won't cost me an ARM and a leg to upgrade. Deal with later, later.

If it works for you, stay with it. OR try it out and If it doesn't work, return to your 2013 and keep waiting

Neither are bad options / 2013 is a great machine still

 

[profcutter]

If your current machine does what it needs to, there’s no reason to update. Wait until you need something faster or more modern to do the tasks you need to do. There’s always going or be something newer or faster. Eventually, Apple will stop supporting your machine with updates, but since the retinas sold for so long, it will still be a while. Why not wait until the kinks are worked out of the ARM machines?

 

[robbo91]

If your current machine does what it needs to, there’s no reason to update. Wait until you need something faster or more modern to do the tasks you need to do. There’s always going or be something newer or faster. Eventually, Apple will stop supporting your machine with updates, but since the retinas sold for so long, it will still be a while. Why not wait until the kinks are worked out of the ARM machines?

Needs are being met correct. I guess looking at it I think I would prefer the lighter build of a newer MBPro and also Thunderbolt3/USB-C, given some of my audio equipment is slowly being phased out and all the newer accessories are mostly USB-C. Also thought I would do a working holiday soon and upgrade before then incase the laptop dies/loses support while travelling.

 

[profcutter]

yeah I hear you, but how long is your holiday? You really think they’ll make the next os before you get back? I’m not trying to give you a hard time, it’s just that sometimes we try to make up reasons to upgrade.

When my screen cracked on my 2013, I seriously considered getting a 16” maxed out model, but I decided to save 3k, get a maxed out 2015, and wait till I really needed something newer.

 

[Macbookprodude]

Go ARM !

 

[chrfr]

When my screen cracked on my 2013, I seriously considered getting a 16” maxed out model, but I decided to save 3k, get a maxed out 2015, and wait till I really needed something newer.

Of course, a "maxed out" 2015 is nowhere close in terms of RAM or CPU to a "maxed out" 2019 16"- a 16" with 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM isn't even $3000, so it'd make no sense for you to get a fully equipped 16" if the 2015 model performs adequately for you.

 

[profcutter]

A maxed out 16” with a 2TB ssd is 4k. Or 3.899 k if you want to be picky.

16-inch MacBook Pro - Space Gray

16 inch MacBook Pro Space Gray - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

store.apple.com

If I can get better specs, obviously I’ll do so. 2TB is what I’m running now, I wouldn’t want to lose any space. The model listed above was available in store immediately when I bought my 2015, and even now requires a week less of waiting than a custom config. This was an issue since my only machine was down. I already had the 2TB drive, which works in a 2015, not a 2019.

Yes I’d like more RAM, the work I do is quite intensive. A faster processor and GPU seem like no-brainers. But for $2,899 (plus tax) more than the 2015? I want to be wowed, not fed an incremental change.