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Which Macbook Pro Should I Get?

S

Samtastic95

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 31, 2016
11
0
UK
I am looking to buy a new Macbook for my Birthday in March and I was wondering what one should I get?

I am planned to be developing games for Mac and iOS. The programs I'll be using will be things like Unreal Engine, Unity3D, Maya for viewing my graphic files my freelancers sent me, and running programs like Cubase and Logic.

Should I get one with the AMD Radeon or the AMD Vega?

I've been looking at this particular machine with an Intel i9, AMD Vega 20 4GB and a 1TB SSD.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-inch-...-6-core-i9-32gb-1TB-SSD-Vega-20-/292819762774

Update: I currently have a Macbook Pro from late 2013 and it has integrated graphics.
 
If you don't have an urgent need, I would hold off. Just my opinion, but there are too many challenges with the current model. Keyboard issues, T2 issues, audio issues, etc.

If you do get a current generation, I'd ensure you also get AppleCare with it.
 
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Just remember that whatever you purchase now is going to stay the same until you upgrade it with your wallet later.

I always recommend purchasing the best GPU and highest amount of RAM that you can afford with a minimum of a 1TB SSD.

I would also recommend purchasing from Apple directly - NOT from some eBay reseller. Whatever you do, make sure that you purchase AppleCare+ for these machines.
 
There are some retailers where I live that have a 2 year warranty. So if the Mac breaks, I can send it back to the retailer and they will repair it.
 
Samtastic95 said:
I am looking to buy a new Macbook for my Birthday in March and I was wondering what one should I get?

I am planned to be developing games for Mac and iOS. The programs I'll be using will be things like Unreal Engine, Unity3D, Maya for viewing my graphic files my freelancers sent me, and running programs like Cubase and Logic.

Should I get one with the AMD Radeon or the AMD Vega?

I've been looking at this particular machine with an Intel i9, AMD Vega 20 4GB and a 1TB SSD.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-inch-...-6-core-i9-32gb-1TB-SSD-Vega-20-/292819762774

Update: I currently have a Macbook Pro from late 2013 and it has integrated graphics.
Click to expand...

Howard2k said:
If you don't have an urgent need, I would hold off. Just my opinion, but there are too many challenges with the current model. Keyboard issues, T2 issues, audio issues, etc.

If you do get a current generation, I'd ensure you also get AppleCare with it.
Click to expand...

And now potentially display or display flex cable issues. See if you can wait, or if you can get your hands on a 2015 Pro.
 
macintoshmac said:
And now potentially display or display flex cable issues. See if you can wait, or if you can get your hands on a 2015 Pro.
Click to expand...
Yeah I hear great things about the 2015 Macbook Pro and it's also cheaper and has USB 3.0 ports. What's the graphics performance like comparing against the 2018 Macbooks?
 
Samtastic95 said:
Yeah I hear great things about the 2015 Macbook Pro and it's also cheaper and has USB 3.0 ports. What's the graphics performance like comparing against the 2018 Macbooks?
Click to expand...

Graphics performance will be a reason you'd want the 2018 models with Vega. However, consider the myriad of issues these laptops seem plagued with.
 
they also have significantly less powerful CPUs. I don't know. Just wait for 2019... Difference between 2015 and 2013 is only marginal.
 
Reading some of these replies am I right ion thinking that there seems to be quite a lot of potential "issues" with the 2018 MBP? Should I be concerned, what should I be looking out for?
My MBP:
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
Processor 2.2Ghz Intel Core i7
Memory: 16Gb 2400Mhz DDR4
Graphics Intel UHD graphics 630 1536 Mb
 
cheddar-caveman said:
Reading some of these replies am I right ion thinking that there seems to be quite a lot of potential "issues" with the 2018 MBP? Should I be concerned, what should I be looking out for?
My MBP:
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
Processor 2.2Ghz Intel Core i7
Memory: 16Gb 2400Mhz DDR4
Graphics Intel UHD graphics 630 1536 Mb
Click to expand...

I would add AppleCare if you don’t have it. We don’t really know how large these issues are, but they seem to be large enough.

The most obvious one is the Kernal Panic related to the T2 Bridge OS. You’ll be notified if it happens.
The keyboard issue - you’ll start to see repeating keys.
 
Maybe I am a sole survivor, but I have a 2017 MBP with no issues at all, so it is entirely possible to get a great machine dispute all of the reported issues on new gen machines.

Having said that, I bought Apple Care on my machine and would advise anyone buying a 2016 or later model MBP to do the same. These are non-user repairable models, so if something does break you’re sol.

Also, I still have to say that buying a now 4 year old computer is something that should be done with caution. That makes it old enough to only have a few more years before it is made “Vintage” by Apple, and honestly the hardware is becoming outdated. I’d personally get one of the newer 2018 machines with their better processors, and get Apple Care as CYA.
 
OK, I entered my S/N into the Apple Care purchase and it comes up "This serial number is no longer eligible for an AppleCare plan".
Why would that be?
 
cheddar-caveman said:
Should I be concerned
Click to expand...

Concerned? Yeah.

Paranoid. No.

Most of us who aren't having any problems don't spend lots of time visiting all the threads to report that we're not having any problems.

For all the obsessive talk about the issues affecting the current generation of Macbook Pros, they're not as fragile as people make them out to be. I've dropped my 2016 MBP from 3 feet with the lid open by accident and it's no worse for the wear. If I did that with one of my old unibody MBPs, something in the spine would have snapped.

Just get AppleCare and rigorously use your new machine in the first two weeks while you're still within the return window in case you get a lemon. Otherwise, enjoy your computer, be productive with it, and don't waste time worrying.
 
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