2020 MacBook Pro Purchasing Advice

[marlowja]

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade my current computer (a base 2015 12in MacBook) with something with a little more oomph. Long story short, I had a 2012 15in rMBP and it was stolen, and insurance would only provide a 12in MacBook oddly.

My use cases are pedestrian (8-12 browser tabs, videoconferencing/webinars, office suite, TV tuner, YouTube), as well as some gaming (Cities Skylines, The Sims 4, EUIV). Ordinarily I would think the MacBook Air would be sufficient, but seeing how poorly the 12in MacBook has fared in terms of performance since 2015, I want something that will age a bit better, at least to last me 5-6 years.

Additionally, I got a WILDLY good deal on a new 27in LG 5K Thunderbolt Display that I will be using with the new laptop, and I suspect that the MacBook Air would chug a bit with that. I'm also not keen on computers that get very hot. I think I will mostly be using the laptop in clamshell mode, which means I am not concerned about the 16in MacBook Pro external display bug. Had I not gotten the deal on the display, I would have been open to an iMac.

My main contenders right now are a base 13in MacBook Pro (8th Gen, worse cooling, worse iGPU), the high end 13in MBP (10th Gen, two fans, better iGPU), and a refurbished 16in MacBook Pro (dedicated graphics!).

The base 13 seems tired and I'm not sure how well it will hold up for future uses. The high end 13in seems like a best fit for my use case, but I do like to play games here and there and I don't think the iGPU is best for that, and at its current price, isn't too far off from a refurbished 16in.

The 16in MacBook Pro seems excessive to me, but the great speakers, display, and dedicated graphics so make me think that it is a bit more future proof than the other options. However, I do want to save money when possible, so I was curious if anyone was able to do successful light gaming and driving a 5K display with any of the cheaper MacBook Pro options?

Thanks!

 

[mpConroe]

It seems you are pretty aware of your needs.
I would chose 16'' MBP, if you don't care it will be refurbished. Dedicated graphics make a difference. I can see it on my MacBook 13'' and iMac 27'' with Radeon graphics card. Basic GPU on my 13'' MBP is not enough for gaming. The computer runs hot and slow. And it doesn't matter if it's 2016 or 2020 model. The dependence is the same - dedicated unit for gaming and casual unit for office/internet/YouTube/Netflix/whatever light thing.
Besides, you will get bigger screen with 15'' which is better for your sight, and that is priceless

 

[marlowja]

Thanks - dedicated graphics does seem good. Do you think the upgraded iGPU in the 2020 10th Gen 13in MacBook pro gets closer to dGPU performance?

 

[maflynn]

as well as some gaming (Cities Skylines, The Sims 4, EUIV).

Those games are more CPU dependent then GPU dependent, though I don't know how they'll perform with an iGPU

 

[mpConroe]

I found a cool video about 2020 macbook pro 13” vs 16”:

 

[philrock]

I agree with mpC that you know what you need. As you have an external display I would consider going with the option that gives you the most power under the hood regardless of screen size...

I'm on my third or fourth MBP and twice I bough the top of the line and each time they lasted me about seven years. Once I bought an entry level and it was useless to me inside of five years. I don't game so the dedicated graphics isn't a concern. My current is going strong at 6.5 years but I'm itching to buy...

Good luck and of course YMMV