Help me decide which 15" MBP to get

[wokeuplikethis]

Hi I desperately need to buy a new Macbook pro and looking for help figuring out which one!

It will not be my main computer but I need it to basically do everything my iMac does since I travel for weeks at a time.

The main programs I use and need a lot of power for are Photoshop, Indesign, and Aperture (which I'll have to switch to Lightroom now). I work with tons of large high-res photos and graphics. Not as much video but some.

Currently my only storage solution is my 1TB Dropbox account, of which I've filled about 1/3 of the space. Even though I have it on selective sync, when it syncs I want to kill myself! It's painfully slow.

I'm trying to decide between these two MBP configurations:

1. 2017 MBP 2.8GHz + upgraded 4GB graphics + upgraded 500GB or 1TB storage

2. 2017 MBP 2.9GHz + upgraded 500GB or 1TB storage

Or I could not upgrade storage at all and use a 2TB external hard drive... ?? I'm kind of resistant to external hard drives since I worry I'd lose it or damage it... whereas my stuff seems more secure in the cloud. But if it truly is the best choice for my needs I guess I'm open to that.

Any thoughts would much appreciated!!!

 

[capelesshero]

Option number two will do the job exceptionally well if you're trying to save some money. If money is not an issue the upgraded graphics card will give you a slight boost. I say slight because the programs you will be running are not taxing the AMD GPU at 100% so the speed increase will be negligible. So my advice to you is to go with the option that offers the most storage at the best rate.

 

[SuprUsrStan]

If you're going to upgrade to the 500GB or 1TB capacity, you might as well get the high end one as that starts at 500GB.

A 2.8Ghz, Upgraded 1TB, Upgraded 4GB GPU ends up being $3,099.00
A 2.9Ghz, Upgraded 1TB, 4GB GPU ends up being $3,199.00

You're really talking about a 3.2% price difference so you might as well go for the high end. Another factor might be if you were to ever sell it, it might go a little easier as it's the top end model as opposed to a fully upgraded custom lower end model.

PS. I got myself that top end model with the 1TB upgrade and it's great

 

[wokeuplikethis]

Thanks so much... I just pulled the trigger on the 2.9 model with 1TB!!!

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Nice! It's a great machine, hope you enjoy it!