2015 vs 2016: usb ports, graphic designer

[radu191289]

Hi! I'm having a hard time understanding how hard would it be to connect all my peripherals to a 2016 non-touchbar Macbook Pro. The problem in my situation is that I need to use multiple at once, not only the fact that none of them are USB-C. I do photoshop stuff from 2d game and app design to photo editing, I will still use my desktop PC for most of the heavy work but I will use the macbook for ios app related tasks mostly and some photo editing.
So the most common peripherals are:
-A specific USB mouse (no cable variants, classic USB connection)
-Wacom Pro Graphic tablet (classic USB)
-External HDD
I will need these 3 above connected same time
-I would also like to connect to my 4K TV
-SD Card, sometimes, to transfer photos to the external HDD.

From what I see so far I am tempted to go for the 2015 model, would be much easier when it comes to connections. The 2016 touchbar version (4xUSB-C) seems too expensive for me right now and I still don't think it's as easy to use as the 2015 version.

 

[Sanpete]

So why are you hesitating to buy the 2015? Is there something about it that doesn't meet your needs? For the 2016 you'll need adapters or a dock/hub.

 

[radu191289]

So why are you hesitating to buy the 2015? Is there something about it that doesn't meet your needs? For the 2016 you'll need adapters or a dock/hub.

Well the 2016 model has a much better display, and it's really tempting and from what I saw on youtube, the cooling system is way better and keeps the CPU cool enough to be able to keep it's top performance in heavy lond for a long time compared to the 2015 model that looses performance because of the heat. As personal preference, there is now a space grey color, I really love the space grey and I don't like the silver at all.

What I am trying to find out, one USB-C port will be used for charging most of the time, the other port will be able to handle everything else by it's own? For example 1xHDD, 1xGraphic tablet and a 4k TV connection?

 

[Eerriikkoo]

Just add a small usb hub with an sd card reader. 2015 is already two years ago. You'll be stuck in the past with tb2 and usb. When usb c is taking over you'll be left with no options. The 2016 at least has the option to add a hub.

 

[ZapNZs]

You are going to need a dock or a hub for both the 2016 and 2015 MacBook Pros, but the 2015 will likely be more economical, where as either/or can be more convenient depending on your preferences and how you use the computer.

With a 2015, you would need a multiple port USB hub (the $7 4-port bus-powered hubs are fine), and a Mini Display Port or HDMI cable. This should set you back like $20 at most, in total, unless you want a nicer USB hub. On the 2015 MBP itself for your usage, you would have to plug in MagSafe, two USB cables, and a HDMI or MDP cable each time you take the computer with you.

With the 2-port 2016, you would need a dock that has at least three USB-A outs (including an out with enough bus power to drive your hard drive, if the dock does not have AC power), a Mini Display Port or HDMI port out (or a USB-C out + a USB-C-->MDP/HDMI cable) (the refresh rate you desire vs the dock's capabilities vs how you use it could also have effect here), and a SD card adapter (if the dock does not have one built in - requiring an additional USB port.) With some of the higher end docks, one plus here is you can use just one cable to connect everything - charging, data, video, sound - but, it will likely be a good bit more expensive.

Should you want to use USB-C in the future with a 2015 MacBook Pro, this is completely doable with Thunderbolt 2 + a dock.

 

[dyn]

If you are using all those peripherals at a desk and they are not going to move then I'd suggest getting a dock no matter which version of the MBP you are going to get. Connecting all those devices with just 1 cable adds so much to the user-friendliness it is well worth the price and it's what these docks have been meant for (for about 30 years or so already!).

 

[radu191289]

Thank you for all the info people! I decided to go for the 2016 model, 13inch, 512gb ssd, toucbar. It's more expensive than what i was hoping to spend but from what i see, on the long run is a better option. Also i am getting a 15% voucher.

 

[Eerriikkoo]

Thank you for all the info people! I decided to go for the 2016 model, 13inch, 512gb ssd, toucbar. It's more expensive than what i was hoping to spend but from what i see, on the long run is a better option. Also i am getting a 15% voucher.

Have fun with it!

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

-A specific USB mouse (no cable variants, classic USB connection)
-Wacom Pro Graphic tablet (classic USB)
-External HDD
I will need these 3 above connected same time
-I would also like to connect to my 4K TV
-SD Card, sometimes, to transfer photos to the external HDD.

Basically you need a dock when you are home and then your 2016 will have more ports and bandwidth than the 2015 can provide.

When you are travelling you can use 4 port USB 3 hub that costs 15 bucks. You can get a cheap USB-C to Mini-B cable to replace your Wacom tablet cable. Similar cables for external harddrives, etc.

There's not even one dongle-drama needed above. It's the same solutions laptops always needed. Don't buy adapters. Buy new cables instead because you will be able to use them for years and years with future machines.

 

[bartvk]

Also i am getting a 15% voucher.

Wow, seriously? Sounds like a very nice deal, wish we had that around here (N/W Europe). More than enough to buy a nice dock.

 

[csurfr]

Thank you for all the info people! I decided to go for the 2016 model, 13inch, 512gb ssd, toucbar. It's more expensive than what i was hoping to spend but from what i see, on the long run is a better option. Also i am getting a 15% voucher.

I think you will be pleased with it. And, as other people have mentioned, just get a single USB-C to 4 port USB-A hub from someone like Anker and you're set. One thing to plug in and all of you devices are set.

 

[thesaint024]

Thank you for all the info people! I decided to go for the 2016 model, 13inch, 512gb ssd, toucbar. It's more expensive than what i was hoping to spend but from what i see, on the long run is a better option. Also i am getting a 15% voucher.

Nice choice, not because the 2015 isn't equally able to meet your needs, but I love the one cable connection. Just as many have said, when you're deskbound, get a power delivery dock and hook everything up to it. On the go, you probably won't be hooking up as much, but if you do, get a simple usb hub. On the 2015, you'd need a hub/dock anyway for all those peripherals. I have a ton of stuff connected to my dock on my desk, on the go I don't really need to connect anything but occasional power.

 

[generationfourth]

I was in a similar predicament. I think one of the biggest factors for me was that I connect to a bunch of different projectors when I go out to client sites: Apple TB displays, cheap HDMI monitors, Projectors, TV's, etc. The 2015 made more sense to me because I don't see my clients changing any of that stuff out in the next 5 years.

Overall I'm happy with the 2015 and I'm happy I could use all my old cables and power adapters. Seemed wasteful to have to buy all new cables and a dock.

 

[radu191289]

Well it's very important to study and ask for opinions before taking a final decision. The ports scared me but i discovered one Hootoo hub with hdmi, sd card and 3x usb that covers pretty much everything and i still have 2 out of 4 usb-c ports free (taking in consideration one will be used for charging)

Yes the 15% voucher sounds good but in my country, Romania, electronics are more expensive compared to other countries: 2470$/2320€ But this was the best offer I had acces to.

 

[bartvk]

i discovered one Hootoo hub with hdmi

Just a note on that HooToo hub: when you use a 4K monitor, the HDMI output is limited to 30 Hz.

 

[radu191289]

Just a note on that HooToo hub: when you use a 4K monitor, the HDMI output is limited to 30 Hz.

Yes i know but for the near future i will not need 60hz, later i will most probably buy a dedicated usb-c to hdmi2 cable.

What i am not sure, is f the hootoo hub is able to power an external hdd.

 

[radu191289]

Here is an update in case someone in the same situation finds this topic: I returned the 2016 13in macbook pro (i5, 8gb ram), it had poor performance and was not futureproof at all, I went for the 2016 15in (i7, 16gb ram) instead. Huge performance difference especially the graphics card, and also for graphic design the bigger screen helps more than I thought.