Is it worth it to buy 2020 MacBook Pro 13" or should I wait for the refresh of the 16" one?

[nnavas13]

First of all, this is my first post so I am very excited to be part of this community!

I am studying engineering (first course) and I am looking forward to buy a new MacBook Pro this year. I usually work with Windows in a virtual machine because of some programs compatibility but I prefer MacOS for everything else. Some programs I use require graphics but nothing excessively powerful yet, in the other hand I would like to play some games occasionally (not my goal) and do some video editing.

I am between buying a high-spec 2020 13" MacBook Pro (4thunderbolt,i5/i7,16GB) right now or waiting for the refresh of the 16" MBP. I am not very convinced of the 16" because of its size and because it may be too powerful.

Any advice?

 

[0128672]

Welcome to Macrumors! I would recommend getting the 13" you mentioned and enjoy it now. You seem pretty decided about that meeting your needs. Go for it and let us know how you like it.

 

[benredacted]

This is the classic power vs. portability question. Even the current 16” will do everything you described better than the 2020 13”, except obviously it is much larger and heavier. Will you be taking the laptop to class everyday? To the lab/library to work on projects with classmates? Will you have an external display to use at home? Maybe everything stays online for the Fall semester, but laptops are long term purchases so consider what your needs might be 2-4 years from now (unless you just have money to set on fire and can upgrade sooner rather than later).

 

[cje5167]

Ultimately the 16" refresh is going to happen sometime this year or early 2021 but there's no one on here that could tell you exactly when. Apple updated the 16" MBP in December 2019 so it would make sense for them to refresh late 2020 but honestly, no one knows. If you're wanting a great laptop for school the current 2019 16" will last you years to come and waiting should only be done if you have the time to potentially wait until early 2021 (keep in mind June is apple WWDC event and things could be launched then). Also, 2020 13" is a great device with the 10th gen CPU's however, it won't beat 2019 16" in any performance metrics because of the amount of cores that it runs and the lack of dedicated graphics. The only thing 2020 13" MBP will have over 2019 16" is the portability. cheers

 

[mpConroe]

Buy 16'' if you can, but it might be better to wait to September, maybe they will announce an update later this year (MAYBE). On 16'' you can play some games and it will be better in performance in everything.

 

[lagisibuk]

if you're much working with virtual machine, sugest to buy 16", you will get better performance.