2016 15" MBP vs. 2017 13" tbMBP

[thekidat]

It's time for a new computer. I'm coming from a non-retina 2012 MBP 15".

My budget all in (apple care + tax) is ~$2500. Here are the two models I'm considering.

1. 2017 tbMBP 13" - 3.1GHz processor, 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD. With apple care and tax on the education discount, it's $2,530
   
   
2. 2016 15" MBP - 2.7GHz processor, Radeon Pro 455, 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD. With apple care, the total from Adorama is $2,548

I really want 16gb of RAM and a 512gb SSD no matter what. My main uses are Sketch, light Photoshop, Illustrator, iMovie, Brackets, MS Office suite.

I know it's irrational, but I'm hung up about buying a 2016 machine when the 2017s are available. I know both machines would more than handle my workload for the next 5+ years. I also have an external monitor on my desk set up, so I think I could get used to a 13.3 inch display.

Any thoughts? Any experience with Adorama if I were to go that route? I'm open to other suggestions as well.

 

[Salty Pirate]

I went through a similar exercise and I bought the exact 2016 15 MBP. Could not be happier. I came from the 2016 nTB 13.

The 15 screen kills and the machine is plenty fast.

 

[keysofanxiety]

15". Power is stupid. Quad core CPU and dGPU makes a huge difference over the 13" dual core/iGPU.

Not that the 13" is a slouch. But boy that 15" is a workhorse.

 

[thekidat]

I went through a similar exercise and I bought the exact 2016 15 MBP. Could not be happier. I came from the 2016 nTB 13.

The 15 screen kills and the machine is plenty fast.

I'm curious what your use case is like. Did you value the portability of the nTB or did the larger screen/more powerful hardware make that not matter?

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

At the same price it's a no contest, 15" easy. The 13" is a great machine but it's designed to be a lower powered and lighter notebook, with a cheaper price point. The 15" is the workhorse but always much more expensive comparatively as it has much more power. Portability wise isn't really worth discussing anymore as they're both so light and tiny. So if budget was a huge concern and you're looking to stretch $600 between them it's easily the 13", but at the same price there's very little reason not to get the 15"!

P.s. trackpad size is great in PS/AI.

 

[thekidat]

At the same price it's a no contest, 15" easy. The 13" is a great machine but it's designed to be a lower powered and lighter notebook, with a cheaper price point. The 15" is the workhorse but always much more expensive comparatively as it has much more power. Portability wise isn't really worth discussing anymore as they're both so light and tiny. So if budget was a huge concern and you're looking to stretch $600 between them it's easily the 13", but at the same price there's very little reason not to get the 15"!

P.s. trackpad size is great in PS/AI.

Thanks for the reply! I think I'm leaning towards the 15". So this is the model I'm looking to get from Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/acmlh42llaz.html#source=productOptions

I notice that the bundle is just AppleCare, and not AppleCare+. Does the "+" version just net you accidental damage? I don't think I'd really need that. I just want the motherboard, wall charger, etc. covered if/when any of that fails.

 

[Salty Pirate]

I'm curious what your use case is like. Did you value the portability of the nTB or did the larger screen/more powerful hardware make that not matter?

The larger screen and power win out. It is only one pound heavier than the 13.

 

[jerryk]

Thanks for the reply! I think I'm leaning towards the 15". So this is the model I'm looking to get from Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/acmlh42llaz.html#source=productOptions

I notice that the bundle is just AppleCare, and not AppleCare+. Does the "+" version just net you accidental damage? I don't think I'd really need that. I just want the motherboard, wall charger, etc. covered if/when any of that fails.

Applecare (no +) is the extended warranty for years 2 and 3. No accidental damage coverage. It is what you are looking for.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Thanks for the reply! I think I'm leaning towards the 15". So this is the model I'm looking to get from Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/acmlh42llaz.html#source=productOptions

I notice that the bundle is just AppleCare, and not AppleCare+. Does the "+" version just net you accidental damage? I don't think I'd really need that. I just want the motherboard, wall charger, etc. covered if/when any of that fails.

Yup just accidental damage. To be honest the only benefit is a speedy repair if you have it. Accidentally managed to smash it to bits? Assuming you can prove it wasn't caused through negligence... Take it straight to Apple and they'll sort it. Otherwise most people have home insurance or other sources, so it's a case of organising through them and then getting sorted.

I wouldn't bother and AC+ isn't worth it above getting a 15". Keep leaning and go enjoy your purchase.

 

[thekidat]

Yup just accidental damage. To be honest the only benefit is a speedy repair if you have it. Accidentally managed to smash it to bits? Assuming you can prove it wasn't caused through negligence... Take it straight to Apple and they'll sort it. Otherwise most people have home insurance or other sources, so it's a case of organising through them and then getting sorted.

I wouldn't bother and AC+ isn't worth it above getting a 15". Keep leaning and go enjoy your purchase.

Ok thanks, that's what I thought. Maybe I'll look into other forms of insurance.

 

[bigdogn12]

It's time for a new computer. I'm coming from a non-retina 2012 MBP 15".

My budget all in (apple care + tax) is ~$2500. Here are the two models I'm considering.

1. 2017 tbMBP 13" - 3.1GHz processor, 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD. With apple care and tax on the education discount, it's $2,530
   
   
2. 2016 15" MBP - 2.7GHz processor, Radeon Pro 455, 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD. With apple care, the total from Adorama is $2,548

I really want 16gb of RAM and a 512gb SSD no matter what. My main uses are Sketch, light Photoshop, Illustrator, iMovie, Brackets, MS Office suite.

I know it's irrational, but I'm hung up about buying a 2016 machine when the 2017s are available. I know both machines would more than handle my workload for the next 5+ years. I also have an external monitor on my desk set up, so I think I could get used to a 13.3 inch display.

Any thoughts? Any experience with Adorama if I were to go that route? I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Check eBay, be thorough in your research of the seller and ask every single question you have about the machine directed towards the seller. I purchased the exact spec'ed used (in excellent condition) Macbook Pro 15" 2016 for $1700 with a warranty start date in early May 2017 and still eligible for Applecare Plus. There are many deals to be had on ebay, and the systems are in superb condition.
[doublepost=1498889623][/doublepost]

Check eBay, be thorough in your research of the seller and ask every single question you have about the machine directed towards the seller. I purchased the exact spec'ed used (in excellent condition) Macbook Pro 15" 2016 for $1700 with a warranty start date in early May 2017 and still eligible for Applecare Plus. There are many deals to be had on ebay, and the systems are in superb condition.

To add, I too am moving up from a 2016 13" nTB Macbook Pro. I've had every 13" Macbook Air since 2011. I LOVED the size of the Macbook Pro 13 nTB and still miss the size moving to the 15". I'm weighing the pros and cons and do welcome the higher ram, dedicated graphics, and 15" screen. It's a love/hate relationship.