Need advice on which to buy

[R_A]

I want to buy a 13 inch Macbook Pro for school and maybe playing games every once in a while

​

2018 Refurbished Model From Apple​	Brand New 2020 Base Model​
2.3 Ghz 8th Gen Quad Core i5 (with 3.8 Ghz max turbo boost)​	1.4 Ghz 8th Gen Quad Core i5 (with 3.9 Ghz max turbo boost)​
256 GB SSD​	256 GB SSD​
8 GB RAM​	8 GB RAM​
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655​	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645​
Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports​	Two Thunderbolt 3 ports​
Touch Bar with Touch ID​	Touch Bar and Touch ID​
Butterfly Keyboard​	Magic Keyboard​
Costs $1,269 plus tax​	Costs $1,299 plus tax​

[automerge]1588897229[/automerge]
For someone who has never used a Macbook is the butterfly keyboard really that bad and is thermal throttling an issue too?

 

[throAU]

If you want to play the occasional game, try to step up to the 10th Gen CPU based MacBook Pro if you can put some more money away for it.

The integrated GPU in 10th gen is MASSIVELY better, it's not even close. Like, double the graphics power or more; intel added a lot more EUs to them (and EU count basically scales with performance for graphics). The 10th gen processors also run DDR4-3733 memory which gives the integrated GPU a lot more memory bandwidth which also helps. Plus the keyboard is a lot better

But... between the two models you list:
The 4 thunderbolt models in general have better cooling as well (2 fans, vs. 1). Don't buy the 2 port machine if performance is important.

 

[R_A]

These two are as high as I can go in terms of price

 

[throAU]

These two are as high as I can go in terms of price

Tough break.

I'd consider either the machine on the left or (better IMHO) a new MacBook Air then.

The MBA will have a better keyboard and for 1200 you could bump up to the i5 and 512 GB of storage which would give you a lot more breathing space for apps, etc. It will also have the more modern CPU/GPU and get a couple more years of support.

I just can't in good conscience recommend a butterfly keyboard machine to be honest. Opinions vary, but I'll just say that apple has stopped making them and I know multiple people who have gone through multiple replacement butterfly machines. One friend had 3 inside 3 months before he got rid of the machine (but that was a gen1 butterfly MacBook 12" from 2015).

I'm using a 2020 MBA for work, for school use it will be fine. It won't be a great gaming machine, but neither will a MacBook Pro really.

 

[R_A]

Does the lower base clock speed mean anything because I was looking at that too and thought it would be outperformed by the other computers above?

 

[throAU]

Does the lower base clock speed mean anything because I was looking at that too and thought it would be outperformed by the other computers above?

It won't be as fast in CPU limited applications. Most applications aren't constantly CPU limited, and the Air CAN boost up to 3.x Ghz for short periods to deal with brief spikes (e.g., application load, switching app, etc.)

Its GPU is much faster than both of the above.

It depends what you're doing really. I don't consider the clock speed to be a major problem because in a portable if you push the CPU as hard as those MacBook Pros will go the battery life sucks anyway.

In normal "day to day stuff" (web, word processing, school work type things) my bet is you wouldn't ever notice the difference without back to back testing it (in applications that aren't relevant to what you'd be doing, like Cinebench, etc.).

In gaming? What you lose on the CPU you gain on the GPU vs the above machines. None of them will be good for gaming (but neither will a 16" MacBook Pro for that matter).

For your budget and anticipated use, I think the 2020 air with more storage will be the best all rounder (and this is why I currently own a 2020 air myself). If gaming is important you could even consider buying the base model air and a Nintendo switch for the money you'd be spending on either of those machines. Doing that you'd get a great gaming machine AND a great laptop for school IMHO.

 

[R_A]

Ok thank you this really helped a lot.

 

[R_A]

I’m actually thinking of waiting until 2021 for the micro led MacBook Pro and getting by with what I have. Do you think that is a good idea.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I’m actually thinking of waiting until 2021 for the micro led MacBook Pro and getting by with what I have. Do you think that is a good idea.

Depends on what you currently have and how it is limiting you right now. When 2021 comes around there will be a rumour about the 2022 machines that looks tempting (i blame those rumour sites!).

You mention school. Have you looked at getting an educational discount or the Apple refurb store?

 

[KALLT]

I’m actually thinking of waiting until 2021 for the micro led MacBook Pro and getting by with what I have. Do you think that is a good idea.

Micro LED has been rumoured for years. Even assuming that this technology will be available for Apple products next year, it may be reserved for specific models or come at a higher cost (I consider it likely given that OLED iPhones cost a lot more too). Not to mention that it will be new technology that may not be perfect in its first iteration.

 

[R_A]

Was thinking of getting something new so it would last longer. I did look at the refurbished MacBooks and by the time the 2021 MacBook releases the one I want to get will be behind. Also I heard that they are going to have smaller bezels because of micro led and have better chips. I would rather wait for that then buy an older model that will lose even more value.