Would you buy a NEW, sealed in box mid-2015 15" MBP today?

[puma1552]

If you could get either of these configurations, new (not refurbs), sealed in box, would you?

2.2 GHz i7
16 GB RAM (1600 MHz DDR3L)
256 SSD
(I think this model only has integrated graphics?)
$1799

2.5 GHz i7
16 GB RAM (1600 MHz DDR3L)
512 SSD
(I think this model has a dedicated graphics card?)
$2299

Would you? The mid-2015 is considered by many to be the best Macbook Pro built due to the keyboard and ports. I'm all for moving on in terms of ports so that part doesn't really matter to me, and if Apple could get their **** together and deliver a machine without any known issues at time of initial purchase (keyboards), I don't think I'd even ask this question since I could probably deal with the tactile feel of the new keyboards. But here we are.

 

[maflynn]

No, the price is way too high for such old technology.

 

[trifid]

Why new? Get them used, I have that second one you listed, 2015 2.5ghz i7 16GB 512 SSD and Nvidia 750 GPU for $1300 on ebay, not a single scratch. I've gone through a few that way, 2013 and 2014 MBP are rock solid as well. This is by far the best value for your money.

 

[leman]

Certainly not for that price. Sure, if I had financial problems and still needed a Mac, I'd consider using the 2015 model in spite of its wobbly keyboard and higher weight, but I wouldn't pay more than 700 for a unit in good condition.

 

[MacNut]

No, why buy old equipment that will not be supported soon.

 

[yukari]

Not at that price.

 

[StellarVixen]

To buy a MBP, only to be left without Mac OS support 2-3 years later? No, thanks. I buy hardware that I can use for years.

 

[cynics]

No. Sealed in box is nice but its not "new" its just not used. Its essentially just as outdated as a used one but more expensive.

eBay

For a couple hundred more you could get this from Apple which carries a 1 year warranty and is essentially a new model.

 

[Nbd1790]

If you were to buy the older model, I would prefer used. I paid about $1400 for my 2013 15 inch back in 2014/2015 which has max specs (i7 16gb 750 SSD) and still had Applecare at the time. Although a great reliable machine, I would have a hard time justifying that price considering you can get brand new 2017 models from b&h with a 1tb SSD for $2500

 

[puma1552]

No, why buy old equipment that will not be supported soon.

To buy a MBP, only to be left without Mac OS support 2-3 years later? No, thanks. I buy hardware that I can use for years.

In fairness, I would expect 4-5 additional years of OS support - my Mid-2010 is supported through High Sierra, which up until a month ago was the current OS.

 

[trifid]

To buy a MBP, only to be left without Mac OS support 2-3 years later? No, thanks. I buy hardware that I can use for years.

The 2016, 2017, 2018 MBP have keyboards that will stop working in a few years, after so much complaints and admitting the fault, Apple made a "repair program" but it lasts only 4 years. So that $2500 machine will last you only 4 years, after which your keyboard might very likely fail and you'll have to pay a fortune to fix.

ANY DEBRIS will KILL your thin 2016, 2017, 2018 keyboard. You only got 4 years from that $2500 investment. Yes 2018 has a little silicone layer, how long do you think that will last?

Think about it. It might be smarter to buy a $1300 2015 MBP, and in 2-3 years sell it and buy a better MBP that hopefully will have a robust keyboard.

 

[Eternal 28]

The 2016, 2017, 2018 MBP have keyboards that will stop working in a few years, after so much complaints and admitting the fault, Apple made a "repair program" but it lasts only 4 years. So that $2500 machine will last you only 4 years, after which your keyboard might very likely fail and you'll have to pay a fortune to fix.

ANY DEBRIS will KILL your thin 2016, 2017, 2018 keyboard. You only got 4 years from that $2500 investment. Yes 2018 has a little silicone layer, how long do you think that will last?

Think about it. It might be smarter to buy a $1300 2015 MBP, and in 2-3 years sell it and buy a better MBP that hopefully will have a robust keyboard.

That’s exactly what I did. I recently bought a mint condition 2015 15” MacBook Pro for $1050. I even upgraded the base 256GB SSD to a 960GB nVME drive. It still has the one year factory warranty and I’m going to use it until the 2020 MacBook Pro comes out. Hopefully by then we will get a full Redesign with a much more reliable keyboard.

 

[trifid]

I even upgraded the base 256GB SSD to a 960GB nVME drive

Wait how did you do this? My understanding is that only Apple and OWC drives can be installed in the MBP due to proprietary Apple firmware, is there a new workaround to getting Samsung NVMe installed?

 

[Eternal 28]

Wait how did you do this? My understanding is that only Apple and OWC drives can be installed in the MBP due to proprietary Apple firmware, is there a new workaround to getting Samsung NVMe installed?

You’ll have to use a Sintech long NVME adapter revision C. The best drive for the lowest power consumption and performance is the ADATA SX8200. The Samsung 970 drives consume way too much power and they tend to get hot.

Check out this thread.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-97
[doublepost=1541796383][/doublepost]

To buy a MBP, only to be left without Mac OS support 2-3 years later? No, thanks. I buy hardware that I can use for years.

Since Apple just stopped selling these as of July 2018. These units should be supported until 2023.

 

[Pangalactic]

Yes 2018 has a little silicone layer, how long do you think that will last?

Not to say that I like the new keyboards, but what on earth will happen to silicone? It's a pretty stable chemical product

 

[StellarVixen]

Not to say that I like the new keyboards, but what on earth will happen to silicone? It's a pretty stable chemical product

Good thing is that on the Internet, you can say whatever you want, without any worry about if that what you said is true or not.

 

[trifid]

Not to say that I like the new keyboards, but what on earth will happen to silicone? It's a pretty stable chemical product

It's a thin membrane prone to wear and tear. While many have said it helps with the issue, it's more of a workaround, not a solid fix and it has yet to be determined how effective and how long that will last.

 

[boomlapop]

I also just bought a NOS 2015 15" Macbook Pro this summer, found a sweet deal on eBay for $1100, brand spanking new.
I really saw nothing in these newer MBPs that lured me in, especially at those prices.
First of all, this 2015 MBP may go down as Apple's last war hero laptop, it's got PORTS, for one.
USB3, Thunderbolt, HDMI, SD card, you name it.
And no ugly ass Touch Bar, which I know is subjective, but I personally hate the look of it.

Oh and hardly "old technology", really not that different than its newer siblings in terms of CPU and RAM.
This thing should still get a lot of work done for at least the next 4-5 years.
It actually boots into High Sierra faster than my friends' 2017 model, no joke.

So my short answer would be yes, if you can find one in great condition for less than $1500, go for it.

Only caveat, yes it came with the 256 GB ssd, though about OWC Aura Pro but too many negative reviews about overheating. I was just turned onto this site which offers interesting deals for SSD upgrades. No adapter needed, I think I'll be ordering the 1TB soon.

https://www.ebay.com/str/HatSSD/

 

[mar58]

I have the middle one (2.5 Ghz) and absolutely love it. I plan to keep it until it’s totally unusable, BUT.....that price is, at least, $800 to high now.

 

[Sterkenburg]

The 2015 MBP is an exceptional machine, but an old model nevertheless, 3 newer iterations having come out since its release. It's difficult to recommend spending more than $1000 on one of those.

 

[puma1552]

The mid-2015 has a Thunderbolt 2 port, which should natively drive an old 2008 24" Apple LED Cinema Display (which uses mini-displayport), correct?

 

[xxray]

No. I’ve always liked the post-2016 models better and I wouldn’t buy a laptop with a year old specs, let alone 3-4 years old.

 

[maxgts]

No. I’ve always liked the post-2016 models better and I wouldn’t buy a laptop with a year old specs, let alone 3-4 years old.

As long as you’re okay buying a laptop with a poorly designed, fragile keyboard.

 

[puma1552]

Welp, I can't believe I bought one. But not either of the models in my OP, both of which were from BH Photo; the higher configuration disappeared almost immediately, but they have plenty of those base models. However, they seem to have an unfriendly return policy in that they say opened computers are literally non-returnable unless there is a defect, and if you can/do return it, you have to pay shipping costs. No thanks, not worth the hassle or potential headaches.

So instead, I bought the base 15" configuration from Apple refurbished for $1699 (only version currently available). Paid $8 extra to get it here Tuesday.

I also found a sealed, 2.8/16/256 with integrated graphics on ebay for $1700 from a guy. Machine seemed legit with one year warranty good through May, so it is only 6 months old. But, if the machine had a scratch or a problem or something out of the box, I'm either SOL or at the mercy of a Genius Bar repair on a machine I otherwise would've just returned, so that didn't really work out either. Plus, I couldn't return it if I saw a higher spec model come up (512 GB SSD and/or dedicated graphics).

Although this is more than what I need, and much more powerful in every way than the mid-2010 it's replacing, I'd prefer a higher configuration. In the last week the Apple refurb site had a couple pop up but disappear instantly (I am now using Refurb Tracker or whatever it is), but with Apple's generous policy, and the extended holiday return policy, I can nab one if it comes up in the next 5-6 weeks and return this one. And if not, this one is going to be amazing anyway considering I'm coming from a non-retina machine.

My real plan here is to just use this as a stopgap for a couple years until Apple not only gets it together with the problems they are having with the current machines, but perhaps more so, until Apple releases a new external display. For me, the best part of the mid-2015 is I can natively drive my Apple 24" LED ACD from 2008, just like I am now with my 2010 machine. No dongles or adapters other than Magsafe --> Magsafe 2 which is no big deal and hardly intrusive. Right now Apple's got nothin' on the horizon for external displays, so it might be awhile, which is ultimately why I decided to get this computer. The reliability and lack of known problematic issues doesn't hurt either, I just can't give Apple my money for a machine that has known issues from day 1, even if the price isn't much more than what I just paid. If I use this machine for two years, and Apple has their machines sorted out *and* has a new external to go with them, then great, I'll upgrade everything then. If they fix the computers but don't have a display, I have noooo problems keeping this 2015 machine until they do.

 

[puma1552]

welp its going back.

ports are beat up, especially the magsafe - clear signs of use and not what id expect from apple even for a refurb. also has a couple tiny nicks on the topcase.

now i either buy a new one from bh or just keep my 2010. not a fan of bh's unfriendly return policy.