Buy MBP 2016 or wait for 2017

[coolchap]

Hi Experts,

While am still deciding on MBP 2015 vs 2016, just want to check whether any updates expected in early/late 2017 for MBP? The reason am asking is, current MBP 15' 2016 doesn't support 32G, so wondering whether waiting is worth.

As posted in the following thread,i don't mind spending good money, but it should last for next 3 to 4yrs as i consider this as investment.
So, Please shed some light on this

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mbp-2015-or-2016-whichone-to-buy.2026739/#post-24177974

 

[jetjaguar]

do you really need 32gb ?

and basically if you need now buy now .. if you can wait then wait ... but you could be waiting until the end of 17

 

[JustinRP37]

There have been way too many of these types of threads lately. It is always best to wait if you can. If your current machine suits you well, then wait. If it is slow, then buy the latest model you can. There is no guarantee that the 2017 will be much improved over the 2016 or more stable. Every new product will always have bugs when it first comes out. While nobody knows exactly what the future holds, I am sure that the 2020 model will be even better. It all comes down to what you need. Buy what you think you will need.

 

[parajba]

I beg to differ.

Like every first iteration of a new design, expect to see a significant speed and performance bump in version 2, with all those quirks ironed out too.

 

[Sanpete]

See the comments here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/who-is-waiting-on-the-2016-2017-mbpro-purchase.2026643/

There may not be 32 GB versions until 2018 according to those who track such things, but it's hard to say.

 

[JustinRP37]

I beg to differ.

Like every first iteration of a new design, expect to see a significant speed and performance bump in version 2, with all those quirks ironed out too.

No you can't. Many of the MacBook Pro designs have had overheating issues throughout the years. The iPhone 6s just had a major battery recall and it is a second generation device. But yes all get faster because of new processors. The jump from skylake to Kabylake is not all that great though but will get better battery life. The point I'm making is every year the products do get incrementally better. If you always think about waiting then you will be perpetually worried about the next tech to come.

 

[Mefisto]

For what it's worth, I always buy what I need (and want), and only that.

There will always be "the next iteration", but why wait? The iteration after that will be only a year away, and probably a whole lot better! And the one after that? I hear that's the one that's going to be the bees knees! Until the next one comes along, at which point the previous model is usually the worst thing Apple have ever produced (if forums are any indication) and just a general insult towards humanity.

I realize we're talking about big monies when discussing purchasing new (Apple) computers, but the facts are as they are. If you can scrape by on your current setup, by all means do. If something you really need is available now, go for it.

Having said this, I bit the bullet and bought a 13" inch 2016 tbMBP. Took a while of saving and working my ass off, but based on a few days of usage it really was worth it. My last machine lasted me almost seven years, and at this point I expect no less from this one. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[thesaint024]

This is the standard Apple playbook. Major refresh, minor update with modest price decrease. It's possible they do something more significant with the internal tech (more likely incremental), but don't expect the form to change much. Anyone thinking something else will happen is expecting a minor miracle. Bottomline, if you need it, get it; if you can wait, next year's will always be better.

 

[Miltz]

There's always something better around the corner... always. I don't think it's worth waiting. The biggest improvement will be battery life in terms of a more energy efficient display technology. Kaby Lake isn't any faster clock for clock than Skylake, it still won't support 32GB of RAM, and they won't change the form factor at all. Some people have said they will increase the battery size to "fill in" the gaps in the current design. The gaps are there intentionally for airflow and to keep the weight off.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

I thought I read somewhere that this latest MacBook Pro was supposed to receive a revamped battery design, but because they couldn't perfect it in their current timetable, they shelved it for the next version. It's entirely possible that the next iteration will be much better in terms of battery. Who knows when the next iteration will be though, as Apple doesn't release new MacBooks on the same schedule as they do iPhones.

 

[jjjoseph]

I thought I read somewhere that this latest MacBook Pro was supposed to receive a revamped battery design, but because they couldn't perfect it in their current timetable, they shelved it for the next version. It's entirely possible that the next iteration will be much better in terms of battery. Who knows when the next iteration will be though, as Apple doesn't release new MacBooks on the same schedule as they do iPhones.

This is a much debated topic at the moment and a people are defending Apple for whatever reason. I returned a 2016 MacBook Pro, the battery is just not right, as simple as that. The end user shouldn't be doing exhaustive tests or re-installing their OS or anything technical to try and get only 70 to 80% of the quoted battery life. I am now on a 2015 and the Battery life is fine. In a typical day my 2015 at 80% was where my 2016 was at 30%, 20% or fully empty. As an expert that advises people on computer purchases, I can not recommend the 2016. I had to return my 2016 and get a 2015. I'm waiting for the next 2017 revisions.

When I talked with tech support the battery problem was of the highest priority!!! But if it can't get fixed via software, It's not going to get fixed fixed until 2017 laptops are released. The screen and the keyboard are the only things I think are better in the 2016. The rest of the problems are the 2016 redesign firt gen problems. 2017 will hopefully be better.

 

[myscrnnm]

If you have to ask, that means you can survive another year until the refresh comes out. So in that sense, I would definitely recommend getting whatever comes out in 2017. I got the 2016 version because I was using a computer from 2008 and wanted the latest thing on the market, and I'm very happy with it. But history has shown that the first revision of an all-new model tends to be much better in terms of specifications (CPU generation, RAM generation, power consumption, et cetera). This was especially true for the original MacBook Pro that debuted with a Core Duo processor.

 

[creamz]

Imo, there is no one model better than the others. If it's time for a replacement just get the one that's already out. However, if there is really nothing bad about ur current one, you should just wait out until it's time has come.

For a phone you might want to change it every two years but a computer you only need to change it when it doesn't work as it should. And then the most amazing is when you count back, you have used it for a long time. Stop worrying and just enjoy it.

 

[No. 44]

That there are problems with the present model is obvious, and no amount of spin or fanboy enthusiasm can make these problems go away. If you want a dependable machine with great battery life right now, a 2015 MacBook Pro is certainly a good choice, and I think it would suffice under normal circumstances for the next 3-4 years.

But if you don't absolutely need to buy right now, the next iteration will probably be a lot better. I doubt that 32GB RAM will be an option, but it will definitely have a more current processor as well as Bluetooth 5. IMO both are worth the wait.

 

[ka-spot]

wait for 2017.. then for 2018 and then for 2019.. after all 2020 is so close... why not to wait some more?

 

[Mefisto]

That there are problems with the present model is obvious, and no amount of spin or fanboy enthusiasm can make these problems go away.

As is the fact, that it would appear that these problems are maybe not as prevalent as some are making it out to be, and are in fact tied to certain use case scenarios that don't affect everyone. To reiterate, there may well be problems, but there's no point in claiming that the current lineup of MBP:s is somehow inherently flawed. Or if they indeed are, I'm apparently using mine wrong.

And no amount of people yammering about "spin" and "fanboy this or that" will make it so. Not that I expect it to end anytime soon, but such is life.

 

[leman]

If you want 32GB, you'll be most likely waiting until at least 2018.

 

[jjjoseph]

As is the fact, that it would appear that these problems are maybe not as prevalent as some are making it out to be, and are in fact tied to certain use case scenarios that don't affect everyone. To reiterate, there may well be problems, but there's no point in claiming that the current lineup of MBP:s is somehow inherently flawed. Or if they indeed are, I'm apparently using mine wrong.

And no amount of people yammering about "spin" and "fanboy this or that" will make it so. Not that I expect it to end anytime soon, but such is life.

This is true. There are people who use laptops with 1 to 2 hours of battery life and make it work for their workflow. It's just not ideal to buy a brand new laptop, especially a brand new premium laptop, with a diminished battery. If you read around, people are happy to get less than advertised battery life because they love everything else with the laptop. The point of these discussions is to help guide someone who is going to drop 2k to 3k+ on a product or to help with the intended discussion topic. Everyone has their own opinion when posting and users can take those words as gospel or dog do do. "Fanboy," can be a derogatory name, but it is hard to get a clear perspective on these forums when getting attacked by people who obviously find no fault with these laptops and go on the offensive to discredit the users who are posting their experiences. "Fanish" is possibly more appropriate? Obviously Apple makes some of the best computer products in the world, but once in a while they don't get everything right.

 

[Mefisto]

Those getting an hour or two (or even three) hours of battery time when mobile though are extreme cases of outliers, and thus just people with defective hardware, unfortunate as it is, and as such don't really represent any significant subsection of users (in the real world, that is). I may be wrong in saying this, after all I only have hard evidence of my own machine and how it works vs. how it is supposed to work as per advertising.

But in general I really don't disagree with anything you wrote. Regarding the term "fanboy", it's actually a pretty useful word to have around, annoying as it may be. Helps put the posts of the person using it into proper context.

 

[thesaint024]

Apple has a very generous return policy. If you buy one and any of these alleged "flaws" show up and conflict with your workflow, you return it and have no regrets. Why anyone would steer a potential buyer away from the 2016 if none of the design changes are dealbreakers and instead to an older model is beyond me, especially since there is a no hassle return policy. If money is not a driving factor, why not see if this sky is falling rhetoric is true or not? Some of us happy owners are betting that you keep the new version. If not, you get an older model or wait and no one loses right?

 

[jerryk]

Apple has a very generous return policy. If you buy one and any of these alleged "flaws" show up and conflict with your workflow, you return it and have no regrets. Why anyone would steer a potential buyer away from the 2016 if none of the design changes are dealbreakers and instead to an older model is beyond me, especially since there is a no hassle return policy. If money is not a driving factor, why not see if this sky is falling rhetoric is true or not? Some of us happy owners are betting that you keep the new version. If not, you get an older model or wait and no one loses right?

That is fine if you do not use your machine professionally. But for me a minute spent messing with the system is a minute I am not earning money. And since I bill by the quarter hour, messing around can cost me a lot.

 

[thesaint024]

That is fine if you do not use your machine professionally. But for me a minute spent messing with the system is a minute I am not earning money. And since I bill by the quarter hour, messing around can cost me a lot.

I also work on my MBP. But if you're buying a new one for $2000+, I assume you can take some time to see if it meets your needs, and you probably have a backup you will continue to use until fully committed. If you can't spend a small amount of time trying the new computer, than yeah, either keep what you have or buy the surest thing, which is a computer that has been on the market for a year already. Everyone's situation is different, and if you can't afford minutes of trial time, then never buy a computer that hasn't been on the market for at least 6 months.

 

[jerryk]

I also work on my MBP. But if you're buying a new one for $2000+, I assume you can take some time to see if it meets your needs, and you probably have a backup you will continue to use until fully committed. If you can't spend a small amount of time trying the new computer, than yeah, either keep what you have or buy the surest thing, which is a computer that has been on the market for a year already. Everyone's situation is different, and if you can't afford minutes of trial time, then never buy a computer that hasn't been on the market for at least 6 months.

I agree, but based on the threads in this forum, I think many people have spent more than minutes working on issues on their new 2016 MBPs.

Having to spend this time on these issues is why I have not upgrade from my 2015 15" rMBP to a 2016 15" MBP. I suspect many of the issues with battery life, graphic glitches on dGPU, etc. people are experiencing will be settled in the next few months. And know more USB-C peripherals will be available as the year goes on. I expect Apple will do a mild upgrade (Kaby Lake, better display maybe, etc) in the fall 2017 and will likely upgrade at that time. And I will not be one of the people pre-ordering this upgrade. Rather I will wait a bit, and buy toward the end of the year after initial units have been shipped and positively reviewed.

 

[thesaint024]

I agree, but based on the threads in this forum, I think many people have spent more than minutes working on issues on their new 2016 MBPs.

Having to spend this time on these issues is why I have not upgrade from my 2015 15" rMBP to a 2016 15" MBP. I suspect many of the issues with battery life, graphic glitches on dGPU, etc. people are experiencing will be settled in the next few months. And know more USB-C peripherals will be available as the year goes on. I expect Apple will do a mild upgrade (Kaby Lake, better display maybe, etc) in the fall 2017 and will likely upgrade at that time. And I will not be one of the people pre-ordering this upgrade. Rather I will wait a bit, and buy toward the end of the year after initial units have been shipped and positively reviewed.

I do not dispute your position. But we are all different after all, and some people have some tolerance for potential growing pains. I only have my own experience to go by, and I spent zero minutes outside of normal set up. And you have your perspective. The 2015 is a fine machine obviously, I just think most people would want to give the NEWEST model a TRY before writing it off based on some opinions on an internet forum, assuming the specs are not dealbreakers. But I make no judgment on people who buy the 2015's instead or don't upgrade a 2015.

 

[No. 44]

[...] But I make no judgment on people who buy the 2015's instead or don't upgrade a 2015.

You don't?

Thank you very much! That's exceptionally magnanimous of you...