MacBook Consolidation - MBP 2016?

[totalhijack]

Hi all,

My first post here. I'm getting a little frustrated with my laptop predicament and would be grateful for any advice! Basically, I own two recent MacBooks - a MacBook Pro 13" 2015 and a 12" Space Grey MacBook 2015. However, I don't need two - it's actually rather annoying having two laptops (plus a work-issued Lenovo)!

A quick overview of my use cases: app and web development/design (Xcode, IntelliJ, Eclipse, Docker, VSCode, Sublime, MAMP, Photoshop, Sketch, InDesign, occasional Premiere/iMovie).

Battery life is about equal on both. Both laptops have their merits and constraints. These are...

MacBook Pro 13" 2015
Pros

• 13" display feels like the ideal size to me.
• i5 processor feels plenty fast.
• Full port selection.

Cons

• 128GB constantly full - a battle to keep enough free storage.
• Speakers are poor.

MacBook 12" 2015
Pros

• Light and portable.
• 512GB - plenty of room.
• Lovely design.
• Excellent speakers.

Cons

• Screen feels too small (even though running at same resolution).
• Keyboard travel too shallow.
• Laptop feels too thin/light - more awkward to rest palms whilst typing.
• Only one USB-C connector.

As you can see, I am completely torn. Half of me wants to sell one machine and live with the other. The other half of me wants to sell BOTH machines and buy one new MacBook Pro 2016 to replace them both - if so, which one?!

Has anybody else been in a similar position? Any ideas?

The bottom line is... I already have an iPad so I just want ONE single laptop to be my primary machine.

Thanks!

 

[50calty]

Seems like you really don't like either one. I would sell both and buy either a 2016 or at the very least the maxed out spec 2015 15".

 

[thesaint024]

Sounds like the 2016 version of either tb or ntb would satisfy your needs, with the possible exception being your fondness/dislike of the v2 butterfly keyboard and what "full port selection" means. Full ports (or exactly what you need) are there if you need them, but of course, they require an adapter/cable to be useful.

I was in a sort of similar situation where I liked aspects of different models while shopping. For ME, the 2016 fit all needs with minimal, real-world tradeoffs. As far as size, the new model is .5 lbs lighter, but feels smaller. It won't compare with the 2lb rMB, but it seems like you actually reached the point where it is too small and light for you. In which case, 3lbs might be your sweet spot. I used mine to replace work and personal computer so I understand the consolidation need. I keep things segmented pretty well, so no real danger of crossing signals. Agree, it is surprisingly kind of a pain to have multiple computers.

2015 is a possibility too. You just need to consider the lack of usb-c and the size. It does have the prior keyboard which you might like better.

Real curious how you ended up with 2 computers of the same year. That's rather rare since people typically buy/upgrade things one at a time (if both laptops). Impulse buy(s)?

 

[logicstudiouser]

@thesaint024 You are right about the size for the 15" 2015, but the lack of USB-C is not a huge drawback (at least right now). USB-C adoption could take a few years at least and going with a 2016 MBP will likely require transport of dongles. So much is still on USB-A including the current gen iPhone and the prices on the 2016 models are spiked compared to what the 2015 models were selling for. However, the 2016 models do have reportedly better screen, speakers and faster storage. Battery life reports are all over the map.
So there are pros and cons with whatever you end up going with.
The other option is to hold out a bit. 2016 MBP is like a first gen Apple product, if you can afford to wait - you can buy when the kinks from the first gen are sorted out.

I have a maxed out 2015 rMBP 15" model - 2.8ghz quad i7 with AMD M370X and it is my favourite mac, it is a great machine, has not let me down.

 

[thesaint024]

@thesaint024 You are right about the size for the 15" 2015, but the lack of USB-C is not a huge drawback (at least right now). USB-C adoption could take a few years at least and going with a 2016 MBP will likely require transport of dongles. So much is still on USB-A including the current gen iPhone and the prices on the 2016 models are spiked compared to what the 2015 models were selling for. However, the 2016 models do have reportedly better screen, speakers and faster storage. Battery life reports are all over the map.
So there are pros and cons with whatever you end up going with.
The other option is to hold out a bit. 2016 MBP is like a first gen Apple product, if you can afford to wait - you can buy when the kinks from the first gen are sorted out.

I have a maxed out 2015 rMBP 15" model - 2.8ghz quad i7 with AMD M370X and it is my favourite mac, it is a great machine, has not let me down.

I thought we were only talking about 13 inch only here. All of my relative specs on weight and other differences were in regards to the 3 laptops in OP's scope: 12" rMB, 13" rMBP, and 13" MBP 2016, which are 2lb, 3.5lb, and 3lb respectively. I don't disagree with you with regards to the 13" rMBP as an option. I stated that between the 2 years, the 2 "personal" factors for most is the keyboard and port situation. Everything else is objectively an upgrade as it should be in a redesign. But it really depends on how much you value the improvements per dollar, which includes the smaller form factor.

Not arguing with your post at all, nor that the 2015 isn't a great option, just that you might have mistakenly introduced the 15" in this equation. I was under the impression that 15" for either year was not in play for OP?

 

[Sanpete]

The 2016 13" has great speakers (for its size) and a nicer screen too, and it's even smaller and lighter than the 2015, but as @thesaint024 points out, several of your cons apply, including a similar keyboard, only USB-C ports, and a large trackpad. What you really need is a 2015 13" with a larger SSD and better speakers, it seems, but I don't think that latter item is an option. So you'll have to settle for some things you want and some your don't, no matter what.

 

[ZapNZs]

It sounds like a nTB 2016 with a 512 GB SSD will make you happier than either of your two machines. Are two USB-C ports practical to meet your current needs?