2015 MBP vs 2018 MBP

[Nbd1790]

I recently got a deal from Best Buy on a 2018 13 inch MBP (i7, 16gb RAM and 1tb SSD) I upgraded from a 2013 model that started showing its age a bit (a lot of use). I use the computer primarily for Serato DJ, Ableton (music composition) and some light Photoshop work (flyers mainly). The main thing I need to use it for is deejaying. I've had it a few months now and I've run into some issues when I'm playing nightclubs where Serato either crashes or starts to glitch. After reaching out to Serato directly, they basically said there's nothing they can do, and it has to do with Apple and Serato not really seeing "eye to eye" I guess in regards to the Touch Bar.

I was considering getting rid of this model (extended return policy through Best Buy) or even a private sell if I have to, to pick up used 2015 13 inch MBP similarly equipped to this one. I understand that the processor on paper is a lot slower, but I guess my biggest question is will a 2015 model still be able to handle what I need it to do and will I see an enormous difference. I know it will handle Serato no problem, but my larger concern is Ableton for music production. I understand if I sell it privately, I will take a few hundred dollar hit which I'm okay with. Any thoughts / input from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ruslan120]

I would check out Geekbench ratings and other benchmarks between the two.

From what I recall it’s a decent upgrade 2015->2018 but not a groundbreaking one.

And the 2013 MBP 15” I own has been the best laptop I’ve used to date.

Hopefully that helps!

 

[bernuli]

I’d return the 2018. Get a Mini for production. And a 2015 or 2014 for playing out.

 

[playtech1]

If you can stomach the size increase perhaps also consider a 15 inch 2015 - which has a quad core processor and noticeably faster than the 13 inch of the same vintage (I own both).

 

[Diamond Dog]

I have a 2015 15" 2.5GHz and dGPU. Runs fantastic. The only reason I'm going to sell mine is because I picked up a Mac mini, seeing as how I only ever used my MBP as a desktop replacement anyways and I use my iPad on the go now.

 

[nvmls]

2016+ generations are hot garbage.

A 15" 2015 would be ideal, although Apple will stop supporting it sooner than later.
For live it's excellent and you'd avoid dongles & the touch bar abomination, enjoy magsafe, a reliable keyboard, swappable SSD and glowing logo.

Many music apps are unable to perform reliably on latest models (even Adobe design apps as well) & 90% of them are outperformed by Windows being an inferior OS. I'd suggest going with Traktor, support for mac is slightly more active, not that serato is bad, in fact its very good, but sadly Apple doesn't wanna hold hands with Rane nor anyone not willing to show them chinese $.