Upgraded to a Macbook Pro... 2015

[deeddawg]

I don’t disagree but I wouldn’t use lawsuits or a forum as a measuring stick and then include the people who have agendas because their happened to have one.

Yes, and even my "empirical evidence" is anecdotal. I've not run an analysis on our ticketing system against our deployment quantities to get anything approaching actual data. (not sure it'd show anything statistically significant without a lot of work as we don't normally log the repair type required as that isn't data we would do anything with)

My concern today would be that there seems to be enough of an aura of a problem in the minds of many people that it could impact future resale values. Particularly if Apple does make a keyboard design change in the next iteration. Whether there's really a significant issue or if it's minor and blown out of proportion doesn't technically matter when perception drives demand which then drives prices. (of course this is a lesser issue for folks who buy and keep a machine six-seven years vs those who are on a shorter ownership cycle...)

Me? I have neither. I'm considering a MBP15 to replace a 2012 mini, and would use it mostly clamshell/docked with the option to pick-up-and-go with it. I use a RMB12 for my main portable, and sync content between the two via Synology Cloudstation from my NAS. I'd waited for WWDC to see what came out. I'll perhaps keep waiting a bit longer. Or I might buy an apple store refurb. 2015 vs 2017, not sure where I land on that, I do need to spend some time in-store I guess.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

I understand that you like the 2015 form factor more, some people do. But trying to sell your subjective preference as a universal thing? Sorry, no.

I bet the majority of folks would agree that the pre-2016 MacBook Pro's are still the better computers. I have never seen so many complaints (don't forget the lawsuits) and negativity with the new generation of Pro's than any other Apple laptop.

Let's just agree to disagree. I'm happy with my 2015 MacBook Pro with its excellent keyboard that I know I can rely on, its perfect size trackpad that doesn't get in the way, and the superb selection of I/O that are readily available without the need of having to spend any money on dongles to use them. The fantastic build quality, excellent screen, and Magsafe charging are just the cherries on top.

I don’t disagree but I wouldn’t use lawsuits or a forum as a measuring stick and then include the people who have agendas because their happened to have one.

Multiple lawsuits? Check.
Countless complaints from users on various message boards and on social media? Check.
Media coverage from major websites? Check.

There is nothing wrong with the butterfly keyboard on the MacBook and MacBook Pro. Priceless.

The denial is strong in this one.

 

[leman]

I have never seen so many complaints (don't forget the lawsuits) and negativity with the new generation of Pro's than any other Apple laptop.

Almost every generation of MBP was hit by multiple lawsuits. Nvidia GPU issue, AMD GPU issues, the "staingate" also almost got its lawsuit (but here Apple was quite to offer warranty). As to negativity? Original MacBook Air, the retina MBP, the 12" MacBook. People, especially those who have heavily invested into a work environment and "just want to work" simply don't like change or new stuff. They complain about anything that is not exactly what they are used to.

 

[FeliApple]

Enjoy it! I have one too and I don't know if I would switch to the new ones. I made a mistake of buying it with 128GB but so far it's been fine. I really like it.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Some are going to criticize you for "choosing older tech", but I think you made the right decision.

I'll bet your 2015 will still be going after many 2016/17 MacBook Pros have been "put into the closet" as no longer usable...

 

[mbonness]

I bought the 2015 macbook over the 2016 as well.

I bought a 2015 instead of the 2017, as well.

Yes, 2016/2017 MBP's reduced bezel and additional finishes look nicer. But the extremely shallow and demonstrably less reliable keyboard, lack of (still widely used legacy) ports, lack of MagSafe, and inclusion of the Touch Bar (if you need/want a 15-inch display) make it a much worse choice for me.

 

[futurejetblackowner]

My first Apple laptop was the MacBook Air which I bought about 5 years ago, and it introduced to me what Apple was all about. The design, the quality, and the superb blend of useful features made me a convert from the Windows world and I never looked back since. Everything from the great keyboard, excellent trackpad, a list of useful ports (especially MAGSAFE), I couldn't really criticize the Air in anyway.

But one thing slowly kept nagging me about the MacBook Air over time. The screen. The screen was passable back in the day when the Air released but in the past couple of years it's just crap, especially compared to literally everything else with a screen that's been released. I avoided using my MacBook Air just because of the low quality screen and the strain it put on my eyes from reading things on it.

Now I was in a dilemma, should I just suck it up and keep using the Air even though it worked perfectly fine? Or should I upgrade? Upgrade I did, eventually. After many trips to Best Buy and testing out Apple's MacBook and new MacBook Pro's, I always left with disappointment.

Apple's new Macbook's/Pro's are a downgrade to the MacBook Air in almost every-way. From the keyboard, to the trackpad (because of its monstrous size), to the I/O, all of the Air's positive and useful features were scrapped. One step forward, three steps back, yikes. A laptop's fundamental and most important features are its keyboard, its trackpad, and its ports. For these reasons, even the Air still passes with flying colours to this day.

Now there was only one option left for me, get the last, greatest MacBook Apple ever released. The 2015 MacBook Pro. After spending a considerable amount of time researching on getting a great deal, I finally picked up the 2015 MacBook Pro, and I absolutely love it. It's an upgrade to the Air in many ways and it's money well spent. I thought the weight difference would be noticeable between the two, but it really isn't. That force touch trackpad is wizardry, I can't go back to mechanical trackpads now. And that screen, finally. This is what I wanted. I've now seen the light.

TLDR; OP had a long relationship with the MacBook Air and loved it very much, but because of one major issue with it that kept on bothering him (its face), OP broke up with the MacBook Air and is now in bed with the 2015 MacBook Pro and couldn't be happier.

You bought a 3-year old laptop....what is wrong with you

 

[mbonness]

You bought a 3-year old laptop....what is wrong with you

Respectfully, I think that’s the wrong question. More pertinent is, why is Apple making design choices that are driving appreciable numbers of loyal customers to purchase its three-year old computers, rather than purchasing its newer offerings? After all, Apple is still selling the 2015 MBPs, so clearly there’s still significant demand for them. —And not just at bargain-basement prices. (The base price for a 2015 MBP from Apple is still $2,000.)

 

[DrBrush]

When my maxed out MBP mid-2012 finally packs in I am choosing between a custom made laptop (pcspecialist.co.uk) or a 2015 model MBP.... unless it manages to hang on for long enough for Apple to build a better "new" MBP...

For the same reasons as above!

 

[futurejetblackowner]

Respectfully, I think that’s the wrong question. More pertinent is, why is Apple making design choices that are driving appreciable numbers of loyal customers to purchase its three-year old computers, rather than purchasing its newer offerings? After all, Apple is still selling the 2015 MBPs, so clearly there’s still significant demand for them. —And not just at bargain-basement prices. (The base price for a 2015 MBP from Apple is still $2,000.)

How is the base model for $2,000 when I bought mine for $1300

 

[Nbd1790]

I have a 2013 MBP 15 inch (max spec) and recently purchased a 2016 15 inch (max spec - including 2tb SSD)
Aside from the two repairs I've had on it within the first 60 days of owning, I have to say I also wish I would have went with the 2015 model. The dongles have proven to be a pain because I'm always on the go and use multiple hard drives, SD cards and also plug in to DJ 3/4 days a week. Issues with the touch bar causing my DJ programs to freak out - Ableton and Logic randomly crashing on me and crashing so bad that it doesn't even offer any sort of recovery when I re launch them (thankfully I periodically save as I work)

These are all issues that NEVER existed with my 2013 - I've been using my 2016 more cautiously and it honestly stays at home now as a studio computer. Also, I can hardly notice a difference in performance between the two computers. I really made the purchase because of the 2tb SSD (can hold all of my sound libraries, photos music etc.)

So, I get everyone that says "why are you buying 3 year old technology" and "why are you paying that much for 3 year old tech" - because that was the outlook I had when I was browsing for a new laptop. Yet here I am, wishing that I actually made that move.

If you're a home user and use your computer for "fun" making videos for youtube or whatever, by all means go for it. But a paying client isn't going to care about your computer being in the shop (just FYI, my 2016 model is about to make its 3rd trip into Apple - it's less than 90 days old)

So yes, dated tech on a 2015 model? Of course, theres no denying that. Is it the most reliable Pro machine that Apple makes right now? Absolutely. Unless you're editing 4k content, you're not going to see a difference in everyday performance. I'm normally the first one to spring for the latest and greatest, and this was the first time that I've actually regretted it.

 

[hyperx136]

So I've had the MacBook Pro 13" late 2013 8GB RAM 256 SSD from 2013, used it until 2016 and it was still functioning flawlessly. I sold it to buy the latest and greatest (or so I thought) 2016 nTB MacBook Pro 13" 8GB RAM 256 SSD, used it for 10 months and it was alright, did not like it as much as my 2013 but I did not hate it. After 10 months the space bar crapped out and I went in for a repair, sold the computer immedietaly after that.

Then I saw online that people are saying the 2017 is better with less keyboard issue, lower heat, better battery so I bought a MacBook Pro 13" TB 2017 16GB RAM 256SSD because I want to see what is up with this TB thing that have such mixed reviews. Here is where things get interesting, out of all 3 computers within 5 years, I dislike the 13" TB 2017 the most. The TB is incredibly annoying, accidental touch, no esc key, always changing layout, have to touch it twice to increase brightness or volume...etc. I dislike it to the point that I just recently sold it after 4 months of owning it. If they make a nTB model with 2 fans and same horse power, I think a lot of people will opt for that.

I was thinking of going back to the 13" late 2015 but I figured what the hell, I want a bigger screen and I know I hate the touch bar. My only choice is to get a 15" late 2015. Just got it 1 weeks ago with AMD dGPU, 16GB RAM and 500GB. My honest opinion is it's my favorite laptop up to date. I can live with 1.5 pounds extra in exchange for the keyboard, ports and smaller trackpad (yes, I want a smaller trackpad than the new 13" and 15").

I don't miss Touch ID that much and I suspect apple will add Face ID to the Mac eventually. The only things I do miss are the speakers and the screen. I'm a snob when it comes to visual and sound so the differences are very noticeable to me. Watching and listening to music are such a joy on the newer machines. And they all looks really stunning in my opinion.

At the end of the day, my point is we can talk specs all day. But a laptop is a tool for you to get things done. If it gives you more troubles than helping you reduce them and you don't enjoy using it, none of the other pros matters.

This is just my 2 cents, use whatever make you happy and you can afford it.

 

[mbonness]

How is the base model for $2,000 when I bought mine for $1300

You’re right: I was referring to the base 15-inch.

 

[old-wiz]

Respectfully, I think that’s the wrong question. More pertinent is, why is Apple making design choices that are driving appreciable numbers of loyal customers to purchase its three-year old computers, rather than purchasing its newer offerings? After all, Apple is still selling the 2015 MBPs, so clearly there’s still significant demand for them. —And not just at bargain-basement prices. (The base price for a 2015 MBP from Apple is still $2,000.)

I have a 2016 MBP with touchpad and hate the keyboard so I bought a 2015 MBP and it is great. Don't know what I will do with the 2016 MBP - maybe save it until my 2008 iMac (still running fine) expires horribly.

 

[jerryk]

SMy only choice is to get a 15" late 2015. Just got it 1 weeks ago with AMD dGPU, 16GB RAM and 500GB. My honest opinion is it's my favorite laptop up to date. I can live with 1.5 pounds extra in exchange for the keyboard, ports and smaller trackpad (yes, I want a smaller trackpad than the new 13" and 15").

Only 0.5 pounds. 2016 15" touchbar - 4.0 pounds, 2015 15" - 4.5 pounds

 

[hyperx136]

Only 0.5 pounds. 2016 15" touchbar - 4.0 pounds, 2015 15" - 4.5 pounds

I was comparing it to the MacBook Pro 13" 2017 that I "upgraded" from but yeah, only 0.5 pounds if the OP was thinking of getting the 2017 15"

 

[Mmckee1217]

My first Apple laptop was the MacBook Air which I bought about 5 years ago, and it introduced to me what Apple was all about. The design, the quality, and the superb blend of useful features made me a convert from the Windows world and I never looked back since. Everything from the great keyboard, excellent trackpad, a list of useful ports (especially MAGSAFE), I couldn't really criticize the Air in anyway.

But one thing slowly kept nagging me about the MacBook Air over time. The screen. The screen was passable back in the day when the Air released but in the past couple of years it's just crap, especially compared to literally everything else with a screen that's been released. I avoided using my MacBook Air just because of the low quality screen and the strain it put on my eyes from reading things on it.

Now I was in a dilemma, should I just suck it up and keep using the Air even though it worked perfectly fine? Or should I upgrade? Upgrade I did, eventually. After many trips to Best Buy and testing out Apple's MacBook and new MacBook Pro's, I always left with disappointment.

Apple's new Macbook's/Pro's are a downgrade to the MacBook Air in almost every-way. From the keyboard, to the trackpad (because of its monstrous size), to the I/O, all of the Air's positive and useful features were scrapped. One step forward, three steps back, yikes. A laptop's fundamental and most important features are its keyboard, its trackpad, and its ports. For these reasons, even the Air still passes with flying colours to this day.

Now there was only one option left for me, get the last, greatest MacBook Apple ever released. The 2015 MacBook Pro. After spending a considerable amount of time researching on getting a great deal, I finally picked up the 2015 MacBook Pro, and I absolutely love it. It's an upgrade to the Air in many ways and it's money well spent. I thought the weight difference would be noticeable between the two, but it really isn't. That force touch trackpad is wizardry, I can't go back to mechanical trackpads now. And that screen, finally. This is what I wanted. I've now seen the light.

TLDR; OP had a long relationship with the MacBook Air and loved it very much, but because of one major issue with it that kept on bothering him (its face), OP broke up with the MacBook Air and is now in bed with the 2015 MacBook Pro and couldn't be happier.

[doublepost=1529036594][/doublepost]I need to know the cost.

 

[Garage Battle]

I've said this many times - the continued retail sku of the previous gen 15" MBP alongside the current MBP is all the proof you need that Apple itself knows the 2016/2017 MBP is not a true pro device.

 

[Hater]

I have a 5TB secondary HDD in my 2012.

Check mate, 2015 losers.