Which model to get?

[kuebby]

Hi all,

Hope this type of thread hasn't been beat to death too much. My 2015 rMBP is going molasses slow lately, despite just replacing the battery. I don't use too many intensive applications--which shows why using a 2015 was acceptable at all (occasional Handbrake, MP3/FLAC conversion, or PDF conversion for examples). I do like to keep my computers for quite a while, I'd rather spend a little more and be able to keep it longer (before the 2015 I had a 2012 rMBP that lasted me 9 years--I'm really disappointed in the 2015, but it's studdering watching YT videos lately).

Anyway, someone I know is selling some M mac laptops, and I'm curious which one folks would recommend:
a) M1 Pro 14" 16GB 1TB--new, 1700
b) M1 Pro 16" 32GB 512GB--new, 1650
c) M2 Pro 14" 16GB 1TB--used, 1800
(I have a 15" now and like the screen size, but I have an external 27" on my desk which is where I compute 90%+ of the time, so I'm definitely considering a 14")

I've also considered a Mac Mini, but I do occasionally take my computer on the go and I don't have an iPad or anything else except a phone to use portably. TIA for any help.

 

[MayaUser]

For just 100 more compared to the M1 pro to take the 14" M2 pro is a bargain, but if your use cased needs more RAM, then b) is the way to go for sure

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

It has been beat to death. Any of those you listed are fine, get what you’re comfortable spending money wise.

 

[kuebby]

For just 100 more compared to the M1 pro to take the 14" M2 pro is a bargain, but if your use cased needs more RAM, then b) is the way to go for sure

Thank you, that was basically my thought process on the issue too.

 

[LuisN]

Hi all,

Hope this type of thread hasn't been beat to death too much. My 2015 rMBP is going molasses slow lately, despite just replacing the battery. I don't use too many intensive applications--which shows why using a 2015 was acceptable at all (occasional Handbrake, MP3/FLAC conversion, or PDF conversion for examples). I do like to keep my computers for quite a while, I'd rather spend a little more and be able to keep it longer (before the 2015 I had a 2012 rMBP that lasted me 9 years--I'm really disappointed in the 2015, but it's studdering watching YT videos lately).

Anyway, someone I know is selling some M mac laptops, and I'm curious which one folks would recommend:
a) M1 Pro 14" 16GB 1TB--new, 1700
b) M1 Pro 16" 32GB 512GB--new, 1650
c) M2 Pro 14" 16GB 1TB--used, 1800
(I have a 15" now and like the screen size, but I have an external 27" on my desk which is where I compute 90%+ of the time, so I'm definitely considering a 14")

I've also considered a Mac Mini, but I do occasionally take my computer on the go and I don't have an iPad or anything else except a phone to use portably. TIA for any help.

Check processor's thermal compound

 

[Basic75]

I'm really disappointed in the 2015, but it's studdering watching YT videos lately

There must be something wrong, even a 10 year old Intel i3 should have no problem playing a video. Have you checked the fans for dust and lint? Have you tried wiping the disk and installing from scratch?

 

[mr_roboto]

(before the 2015 I had a 2012 rMBP that lasted me 9 years--I'm really disappointed in the 2015, but it's studdering watching YT videos lately).

There must be something wrong, even a 10 year old Intel i3 should have no problem playing a video. Have you checked the fans for dust and lint? Have you tried wiping the disk and installing from scratch?

Youtube has begun preferring VP9 and AV1 codecs in nearly any browser which supports them. Safari now supports these codecs, but in older Macs there is no hardware decoder for them. This can cause problems like stuttering and excessive heat.

@kuebby, you should try using browser extensions to force Youtube to serve you H.264 encoded video instead. Firefox and Chrome have "h264ify" extensions:

h264ify - Chrome Web Store

Makes YouTube stream H.264 videos instead of VP8/VP9 videos

chrome.google.com

h264ify – Get this Extension for 🦊 Firefox (en-US)

Download h264ify for Firefox. Makes YouTube stream H.264 videos instead of VP8/VP9 videos

addons.mozilla.org

I don't know of a Safari equivalent offhand but it's probably out there.

 

[OrenLindsey]

I would get the M2 Pro, unless it's badly used (which I can't imagine it being that bad since the M2 Pro just came out this year). Definitely get one of the 14 inch ones. Go for A or C.