Why buy a 2015 MBP?

[marc55]

We have a 2014- 15"MBP, and a 2015- 13" MBP.

No demanding work, only web surfing, and light word processing and spreadsheets

I want to sell the 15", and get a 2015- 13" MBP, that way both MBP's can utilize the Magsafe chargers, as they are used in different parts of the house.

However, since updated MBP's should be coming soon, I'm wondering if it really makes sense to buy a technology that is already two years old?

Insight and thoughts appreciated; thank you
m

 

[generationfourth]

This is the most popular topic in the MBP forums.

1. Cost- With the $400 I saved I was able to pick up a 4k monitor. Also, factor in the USB-C adapters, docks you might need with the 2016.

2. Convenience- I have extra MagSafe adapters. All my external drives use normal USB connections. I know that USBc is the future but I plug into Apple TB displays, HDMI projectors, miniDP monitors at all my client sites. This will not change in the next 5 years for me.

3. Longevity- What I liked about my 2011 was the ability to switch out HD, ram, battery easily. Less so with the thinner 2012-2015 rMBP. And impossible with the 2016. I'm concerned about what happens a couple years down the road when a major component goes dies in a 2016.

4. (Perceived?)Consistency & Reliability- I used a 2013 15" rMBP at my last job for three years everyday and never had a single hardware/software problem. I had so many bugs, problems, and showstoppers that one week I owned a 2016. Returned it for a refurb 2015 and I'm happy as a clam.

 

[stockscalper]

Better keyboard and unless it's the 12" model you won't need dongles.

 

[leman]

Because its cheaper. There is really no other reason.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

For the last while I have not seen any 2015 rMBP on the Apple refurb site. Are they even selling refurbs of those anymore??

 

[ZapNZs]

Why not just buy a second 85-watt MagSafe 2 charger and use the 85-watt for both the 15 and 13?

 

[marc55]

Why not just buy a second 85-watt MagSafe 2 charger and use the 85-watt for both the 15 and 13?

1. Chargers are not really the issue, as both chargers can charge either the 13" or the 15"

2. The issue is I want a 13", so I plan to sell the 15" to help fund it, but I'm not sure if buying a 2015 now is the smart thing to do unless I can get a great price on it, as it's already 2 years old. That said, the 2015's are really not discounted.

3. If I buy a 2017/2017- 13", I will have the problem of two different chargers

 

[No. 44]

[...] That said, the 2015's are really not discounted.[...]

There's a very good reason for that fact: The many issues that people are having with the 2016 model have caused the 2015 MacBook Pro to become extremely popular.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'm also one of those who compared the new 2016 MBPro vis-a-vis the 2015 models, and then... chose the 2015.

The keyboard was a major factor to me.
So were the legacy ports.

Price was also a consideration (I will admit that the 2016's can be found "at discount" now, IF you shop carefully).

I was able to pick up a -new- 2015 (not a refurb) for $310 less than what Apple was selling the configuration for (8gb/256gb).

I don't expect to see a revision of the 2016's until toward the end of this year (if then).

 

[MrGuder]

I think it all goes back to personal preferences. The 2015 is a great machine, finely tuned with a good screen and large array of ports. However once you have used the 2016 MBP I know for me the differences become apparent. These reasons alone would warrant buying the 2016 over the 2015. The 16' has a smaller footprint, longer battery times, better contrast and colors, able to raise brightness more, nice small bezels, louder speakers, better back lite keyboard and faster ram and charging times and Touch ID. All these little things add up to a better user experience. If these items are not important the 2015 will do just fine.

 

[ZapNZs]

1. Chargers are not really the issue, as both chargers can charge either the 13" or the 15"

2. The issue is I want a 13", so I plan to sell the 15" to help fund it, but I'm not sure if buying a 2015 now is the smart thing to do unless I can get a great price on it, as it's already 2 years old. That said, the 2015's are really not discounted.

3. If I buy a 2017/2017- 13", I will have the problem of two different chargers

Oh my apologies. I thought by your original post that you meant you wanted the 13 mainly because you could not use the same MagSafe with each of your two current systems (as the 13-inch Magsafe works with my 15, but it discharges the battery under heavier load). Sorry!