Help with deciding on a 15" MacBook Pro?

[rymack]

Hi everyone, I'm sorry about another "which one should I buy" thread, but I am in need of some advice.

I am trying to decide between:

1. a base 15" MacBook Pro with upgraded RAM (32gb) and upgraded SSD (1tb)
2. the higher-end 15" MacBook Pro with upgraded RAM (32gb) and the base 512gb SSD

I need to keep my purchase below $5,000 CAD; each of these models as outlined above (including tax and AppleCare) are (barely) within my budget.

My use case (above and beyond regular computer things like browsing, email, Netflix, Apple Music, etc.):

• 80% Lightroom Classic CC
  
• 5% Photoshop CC
  
• 10% word processing/writing in Pages and minimal accounting in Numbers
  
• 5% graphic design in Affinity Designer/Affinity Publisher
• Also, I'm struggling with the whole "I want to get into shooting video with my new camera and will likely eventually get Final Cut Pro but I don't do any of that currently and don't know if I should break the bank by splurging on the better graphics card when I might not even need it" scenario.

So I guess my question is, based on my photo-editing-heavy use case, would you recommend the lower end model with a bigger SSD or the higher end model with a smaller SSD but better processor and graphics card?

PS, I am upgrading from a mid-2010 27" iMac that I Plan to use as an external monitor in Target DIspay Mode; I'm assuming either of these MacBook Pro models is going to be a significant improvement from my current, barely-usable machine.

Thank you all so much in advance!

 

[kp98077]

I actually think the base model should be fine for you.... sure you need to spend that much? I had the base it was just fine!!

 

[rymack]

I actually think the base model should be fine for you.... sure you need to spend that much? I had the base it was just fine!!

Do you mean the base model with no upgrades at all? I’d like 32gb of RAM for sure and minimum 512gb SSD.

It’s definitely more money than I WANT to spend hahaha...

 

[960design]

Do you mean the base model with no upgrades at all? I’d like 32gb of RAM for sure and minimum 512gb SSD.

It’s definitely more money than I WANT to spend hahaha...

I just picked up the 2019MBPr15 with the i9 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD.
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-4.8ghz-512gb#

My needs are minimal 90% coding / 5% drafting icons & image editing (amateur level - for proofs ) / 5% Amazon shopping and forum browsing.

Coding is the only thing that requires any power at all. Multiple windows open and five active desktops, but each have minimal resource needs ( as long as I don't mess up ).

I never see any memory pressure above 10GBs.

PS. Upgraded from 2017MBPr15 with i7 /16GB / 512GB
Same as you, I have the 27" iMac but use it only about 10% total computer time (90% MBPr / 10% iMac).

 

[kp98077]

Do you mean the base model with no upgrades at all? I’d like 32gb of RAM for sure and minimum 512gb SSD.

It’s definitely more money than I WANT to spend hahaha...

yes 16gb, I think it is fine... even 256 storage most people don't use a fraction of what they think they need! No need to spend more!!

 

[rymack]

I just picked up the 2019MBPr15 with the i9 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD.
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-4.8ghz-512gb#

My needs are minimal 90% coding / 5% drafting icons & image editing (amateur level - for proofs ) / 5% Amazon shopping and forum browsing.

Coding is the only thing that requires any power at all. Multiple windows open and five active desktops, but each have minimal resource needs ( as long as I don't mess up ).

I never see any memory pressure above 10GBs.

PS. Upgraded from 2017MBPr15 with i7 /16GB / 512GB
Same as you, I have the 27" iMac but use it only about 10% total computer time (90% MBPr / 10% iMac).

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Valdna]

Hi everyone, I'm sorry about another "which one should I buy" thread, but I am in need of some advice.

I am trying to decide between:

1. a base 15" MacBook Pro with upgraded RAM (32gb) and upgraded SSD (1tb)
2. the higher-end 15" MacBook Pro with upgraded RAM (32gb) and the base 512gb SSD

For your usage i would suggest base 15" with 16GB ram and 1TB SSD.
Put the saved money towards a nice 1TB portable SSD and you are in heaven

 

[rymack]

For your usage i would suggest base 15" with 16GB ram and 1TB SSD.
Put the saved money towards a nice 1TB portable SSD and you are in heaven

Thanks for the feedback! You don’t think I should upgrade the RAM??

 

[960design]

Thanks for the feedback! You don’t think I should upgrade the RAM??

32GB of RAM will eat through your battery faster.
I believe an i9 / 16GB /512GB model would be optimal for your mobile work flow for the next 3-5 years.