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Keep the 2016 or upgrade to the 2018 13-inch MBP?

S

syrcular

macrumors member
Original poster
May 17, 2013
67
65
Hi all,

I'm at a little crossroads. I've owned a 13-inch MacBook Pro Base Model with Touchbar since late 2016, and although I think the computer meets my needs for what I do with it right now, there have been characteristics, that I have hated about it.
First, I can't STAND the keyboard. The clicking sound, really drives me nuts.
Second, I feel the like the 2016 models, had a looser fitting USB-C connector, so it's really easy to pull them out of the port, with little to no effort.

Other than that, I've been fine with this system. I generally use it as a side station complimenting my iMac Pro. I mainly use this laptop for writing, photo editing with Lightroom, and occasional editing video with either, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and sometimes Davinci Resolve. I don't do much work on the road, but when I do it's nice to have this laptop around. I've always been a little worried about only having 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, but I seemed to have managed and not run into any bottlenecks, and the vast majority of the work I do is on the iMac Pro. It's only when I'm shooting and need to offload footage or edit on the road is where I need to use the MacBook Pro and so far, not any problems.

Cut to a couple of weeks ago, and Apple introduces the new and improved MacBook Pro 13 inch 2018. Now it has quad processors, the keyboard is much quieter and has protection to avoid the failures the other previous gen have been running into, and the Thunderbolt 3 connectors, are much tigher, proventing any weird connection issues with things like a hard drive or power.

Do I put this MacBook Pro on the market, and do a trade in, or do I keep the 2016 MacBook Pro for another year, to get the best investment out of it, and then switch to maybe a 2019 MacBook Pro next year instead.

Would love to get your take and advice...
 
Last edited:
The 2016 models are still good machines by all means.

I'd say wait another year or two. Or until next summer with the 2019 refresh ?
Perhaps there will also be a price drop with the new models ; Just like in 2013 when the 15" started at 1.999$, before it was 2.399$ or smth like that

Regarding future keyboard problems you're covered under the repair program so yeah it's doable.

I also own a 2016, but 15".
 
My advice is to wait it out as long as possible or until it really affects your workflow. At least in the sense of getting the best investment out of it, that is my typical path. I was still using a 2009 model for basic tasks until it died a few weeks ago. :(

Quicky analysis, your keyboard annoyance is mainly a problem when not using the iMac, on the road. Maybe use an external keyboard if it's really bad, but that's an obvious suggestion that likely is not a good option.

For the USB-C connector, you can add a magnetic adapter, but they are not all created equal and even the best ones get some negative reviews, I still use tape for that kind of stuff, depending on the critical level of the situation, such as doing a show on stage, or copying data to/from external drive.

Otherwise, if the dual core i5 is handling your software and workflow properly, save your money or invest it. Trade ins' can also be disadvantageous vs. resale value.
 
See how much you can get for the 2016 and if you think the difference of that and the price of the 2018 is worth the upgrade, then go for it. Next year macbooks might be a minor update as Intel just announced their 10nm are delayed until the 2H of 2019. So I would expect 2020 to be the bigger update unless Apple holds off on updating the line until November 2019.
 
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illmatic41 said:
See how much you can get for the 2016 and if you think the difference of that and the price of the 2018 is worth the upgrade, then go for it. Next year macbooks might be a minor update as Intel just announced their 10nm are delayed until the 2H of 2019. So I would expect 2020 to be the bigger update unless Apple holds off on updating the line until November 2019.
Click to expand...

The going rate is between 800-900 for a trade-in currently.
 
I'd personally only switch if you reaaaaaalllllyyyy want a smaller Macbook.
 
syrcular said:
Hi all,

I'm at a little crossroads. I've owned a 13-inch MacBook Pro Base Model with Touchbar since late 2016, and although I think the computer meets my needs for what I do with it right now, there have been characteristics, that I have hated about it.
First, I can't STAND the keyboard. The clicking sound, really drives me nuts.
Second, I feel the like the 2016 models, had a looser fitting USB-C connector, so it's really easy to pull them out of the port, with little to no effort.

Other than that, I've been fine with this system. I generally use it as a side station complimenting my iMac Pro. I mainly use this laptop for writing, photo editing with Lightroom, and occasional editing video with either, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and sometimes Davinci Resolve. I don't do much work on the road, but when I do it's nice to have this laptop around. I've always been a little worried about only having 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, but I seemed to have managed and not run into any bottlenecks, and the vast majority of the work I do is on the iMac Pro. It's only when I'm shooting and need to offload footage or edit on the road is where I need to use the MacBook Pro and so far, not any problems.

Cut to a couple of weeks ago, and Apple introduces the new and improved MacBook Pro 13 inch 2018. Now it has quad processors, the keyboard is much quieter and has protection to avoid the failures the other previous gen have been running into, and the Thunderbolt 3 connectors, are much tigher, proventing any weird connection issues with things like a hard drive or power.

Do I put this MacBook Pro 2018 on the market, or trade in, or do I keep the 2016 MacBook Pro for another year, to get the best investment out of it, and then switch to maybe a 2019 MacBook Pro next year instead.

Would love to get your take and advice...
Click to expand...

Sounds like you don't need a new machine and you're looking for someone to convince you otherwise. Keep what you have for now.
 
syrcular said:
the keyboard is much quieter
Click to expand...

I definately wouldn't call it 'much' quieter. I got the 13" 2018 version and compared it to two 13" 2016 keyboards at work and you can hardly hear any difference. If you are annoyed by the sound of the 2016 version you will also be by the 2018 version.
 
My advice (take it for what you paid for it):

Keep the 2016 and put up with its weaknesses for now.

Wait and see if Apple releases an improved non-touchbar model later this year or perhaps in the first half of 2019.

If so, choose to upgrade when that happens.

I don't think selling/upgrading to a 2018 would be "worth the money" to me.
This doesn't mean I can't afford it -- I could.
But... I just don't believe "the differences" are WORTH spending the money on.... not yet.
 
The USB ports are definitely nice and tight, but man, if you don't like the keyboard sound now... the 2018 isn't that much different at all lol. It's maybe sliiiightly lower tone and less clacky, but still loud.
 
I also have the 13" 2016 8GB 256SSD TB. I like the idea of a 13" 4 cores 512SSD and 16GB of Ram, but I can only get half of what I paid for it December 2016. And I have had zero limitations thus far. I stopped at the Apple store today to look at the new machines. It was hard to tell the difference between the one at home and the ones at the Apple store. I lost my go spend more money fever for the all too simular good looking machine as I got at home.
 
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