Advice 2018 15inch (used) vs 2020 13inch Pro

[rhysgittoes]

Hi there,

Just about to splash the cash on a new macbook as my 2013 air isn't quite punching as hard.

I'm torn between a new 2020 13 inch pro, base model with extra storage or a 512 15 inch 2018 pro bought form Ebay.

My main uses would be Logic pro, Matlab, Light CAD work and occasionally light gaming - A thing to consider is I have a dated but still relevant PC as a main workstation.

Other things to consider:

They're around the same price in the UK.
The New keyboard is "much" better.
Battery will be better in the newer device.
Free airpods as a student with the new mac (i'll sell them for cash back).

Thanks for reading, any help will be appreciated.

Rhys

 

[Falhófnir]

Keyboard issue settles it IMO. The replacement programme will begin expiring in about a month for the earliest 2016 models so the 2018s only have about 2 years left. If it was a 2019 which did seem to be somewhat better, and which has a little longer left with the replacement programme I might say the risk was worth it for what's overall a better bang for the buck computer for your stated use case. What you specifically mean by light gaming/ CAD makes a difference, though - the graphics performance of the 13" base model with 8th gen CPUs will hold you back with gaming certainly, and also if you're doing all but the lightest or smallest 3D CAD modelling.

If you could stretch to a refurbished 16" Pro (about £2,000) that would be the best of both worlds, but I appreciate it's probably still a chunk more money than you are looking at between those two.

 

[rhysgittoes]

Okay cheers for that!

I'll have to take that into consideration.

Also another thing that came across my mind was purchasing an External graphics unit, would that make the 13inch enough for light gaming - Worried about the bandwidth of thun 3 vs pci e

 

[James_C]

I agree avoid the 2018 Mac Book Pro. Keyboard is problematic, and that is probably why they are selling it. I have the 2016 15", it has already been it to Apple once to get the keyboard sorted.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

As a student, you may be younger and have better eyes, so please take into account that I write from the perspecitve of the verifocal glasses generation Screen size can matter. I agree with all said above, but as you use graphics, every inch of screen size could help. Doesn't matter if you use an external monitor, of course. But if you are used to 13 inch and all is fine with your favourite apps, the newer device with the better keyboard is the way to go.