Is it worth getting a newer MacBook Pro ?

Sootchucker · 31 Oct 2017

I've been toying with the idea of upgrading my 3 1/2 year old MacBook pro, but looking at the current line up, for what I want to pay, I'm not 100% there's a huge difference and was wondering if anyone could give me a steer ?

Basically I have a late 2013 13" MacBook Pro (with Retina Screen). It has the Core I5 (4258U) processor running natively at 2.4ghz. 8GB of ram and a 256GB SSD.

It seems the newer equivalent is now running a newer version of the I5 (the 7360U) running at 2.3ghz. From what I can see on line, the new processor / graphics array is around 20-25% faster than my PC. However on the newer MacBooks, I do loose the USB3 sockets and the SD card slot in favour of USB-C sockets (meaning I'll have to use cable adapters). Looking at the equivalent unit on Apple's website, it looks like a new one would cost £1,449.00, which seems to be a lot for a relatively modest performance increase (on paper at least).

I'm not interested in the new touch bar stuff, and TBH, the new MacBook Pro's do look a bit underwelming. Is there anything I'm really missing that makes a new MBPro a worthy investment or am I better off sticking with the current unit (which works perfectly and is in mint condition). I think, if I'm honest it's a bit like GAS, and I don't really need it ?

Kodiak Qc · 31 Oct 2017

Sootchucker said:
a new MBPro a worthy investment

I have problems in my operations with small screens.
When the MacBook Pros 17" will be out, they will most
certainly be replaced by iMacs at this point.

cambsno · 31 Oct 2017

I was toying with the same thing - mine is 4yo I think and is either 2.4 or 2.6 with a 512GB SSD. I find the SD slot very useful with it being worth around £650 if I sold, so would need best part of £1k to upgrade and for what? No speed or processing issues for me!

RaphaelSamad · 31 Oct 2017

My suggestion would be to stick with what you already have if you are happy with it. There is a modest improvement in performance but I have seldom seen a marked improvement unless you go from something nearer 5 years old to a new one. One thing that you might want to invest in rather than new hardware is some 'cleaning' software to keep your MacBook cleaner and running more efficiently. I use CleanMyMac 3 and it seems to work well and helps to ensure that I get rid of junk / temp downloads etc.

wave01 · 31 Oct 2017

I still have my 2010 21.5 iMac. It’s still going strong just upgraded to high Sierra it runs lightroom and photoshop. Why upgrade

cambsno · 31 Oct 2017

RaphaelSamad said:
My suggestion would be to stick with what you already have if you are happy with it. There is a modest improvement in performance but I have seldom seen a marked improvement unless you go from something nearer 5 years old to a new one. One thing that you might want to invest in rather than new hardware is some 'cleaning' software to keep your MacBook cleaner and running more efficiently. I use CleanMyMac 3 and it seems to work well and helps to ensure that I get rid of junk / temp downloads etc.

Have thought about using something like that but always sceptical about what difference it makes

Sootchucker · 31 Oct 2017

Thanks guys, pretty much what I thought you would say

@ Kodiak, I hear you and of course when it comes to editing bigger is always better, but I travel quite extensively with my Macbook (it's been all over the world with me) and fits in nice and snug in my backpack, so wouldn't really want anything much bigger and heavier.

RaphaelSamad · 31 Oct 2017

cambsno said:
Have thought about using something like that but always sceptical about what difference it makes

Yes, I have been sceptical and I used to use 'Clean' type software on my Windows PCs and these worked with varying levels of success. However, CleanMyMac 3 seems to do a good job of finding stuff that can be deleted. Also, after a few years of using it regularly, it does not seem to have deleted anything important which should have been kept.

JohnM100 · 31 Oct 2017

I think your MBP has some life in it yet. I also agree that the loss of ports on newer machines is a bit of a pain.

A good clean out: recondition SSD (e.g. Diglloyd tools) or a backup then deauthorise and clean install should make a difference in responsiveness, though Macs don't tend to have the same bloating slowdown issues as PCs.

Byker28i · 31 Oct 2017

Basically I have a late 2013 13" MacBook Pro (with Retina Screen). It has the Core I5 (4258U) processor running natively at 2.4ghz. 8GB of ram and a 256GB SSD.

Still a decent spec, especially when you think of the high spec the MBP start out at.
It does sound a bit GAS (which seems to be part of the Apple marketing plan?)

asaspasas6 · 31 Oct 2017

if you happy how it works, why change then? I would keep it another year or so and see what other new MPB's will be released. I have 13" 2015 and not planning on upgrading yet

Do not like idea of not having physical esc key

Sootchucker · 31 Oct 2017

Agree, have decided to keep it. With the new MBP and Iphones, it seems that since Steve Job's death, real innovation at Apple seems to have taken a step backwards ?

noneforit · 6 Nov 2017

I have a late 2013 MBP and was umming and ahhhing about an upgrade.

Popped into John Lewis to play with the new ones and apart from the 'its shiny and new' feeling, I really didn't notice any marked improvement from general clicking around.

The newer ones are thinner and seem a little lighter but its just not worth the upgrade.

Mine is fine, it certainly doesn't seem slow so it would just be ab upgrade for the sake of it.

LancsLee · 28 Nov 2017

Bit of an old thread but earlier this year I was looking at the new MBP, primarily for music (recording and performing), but also for photo editing. Yes the new MBP looks nice and has the touch bar but it is what's missing that made me buy a 2015 MBP. No card slot, USB3 or Thunderbolt ports just USB-C. If you're new to the Mac then this may not be a problem but I have lots of peripherals that need this connectivity. Yes, you can buy various hubs but it's just extra bits and cables to carry about. Managed to pick up a Late 2015 15" MBP with 16Gb of RAM and a 1TB SSD for around £1200 less than the new equivalent MBP. Apparently the latest MBP will have the newer Intel processors which are supposedly much faster than last years, but TBH my MBP is plenty fast enough for me.
For desktop use my old 2012 Mac Mini was slowing down a bit but throwing in a 1TB SSD has given it a new lease of life. The 2012 Mac Mini was the last one with a decent processor in it that could be user upgraded. Since then Apple have reduced the spec.

kzsolt87 · 28 Nov 2017

I used my 13" MBP (2012, first retina display) till ~May. It was still running smoothly and did not feel laggy at all. I would still use it, but I got a great offer with business account and did not hesitate to switch to the new MBP 15" with touch bar. Of course, now I realise how much faster it is...

Eloise · 28 Nov 2017

LancsLee said:
No card slot, USB3 or Thunderbolt ports just USB-C. If you're new to the Mac then this may not be a problem but I have lots of peripherals that need this connectivity. Yes, you can buy various hubs but it's just extra bits and cables to carry about.

Just to "correct" this myth a little. The new MacBook Pro doe have Thunderbolt - only its Thunderbolt 3 which connects via USB-C ports: yes you need an adaptor for this.

But USB-C IS USB3.0 (actually USB3.1) - one describes the connector the other the interface. The correct comparison would be to say the MacBook Pro have no USB-A ports. To convert old peripherals to the USB-C port requires just replacing the cable. Its only with a few devices which have fixed (eg. something like a mouse) or non-standard cables (various camera manufacturers used an 8pin mini-USB connector) where you need to use an adapter. You will of course need adaptors for monitors.

Long term; everything is going to go USB-C. Now you have a choice currently between machines which have USB-A; some like the MacBook and MacBook Pro which have only USB-C and most new Windows machines which have a combination. Now you might think the combination is the best way ... but IMO its not. With a combination then you have to make a decision about what peripheral you plug into what port; and think about combinations of peripherals and you might end up needing more adapters and cables than with the MacBook Pro. A little short term hurt (changing cables out) for a lot of long term gain.

I actually find the iMac more frustrating than the MacBook Pro with its choice of ports. The MacBook Pro decision really should be Apple standing up claiming to be "brave" for swapping.

(I will accept the loss of the SD card slot is frustrating for photographers and Apple's "dream" of wireless transfer just isn't there and the dropping of the HDMI port is equally frustrating. I would also argue Apple should be either supplying a USB-C charger and Lightning to USB-C cable with their iPhones and iPads or providing two cables with them)

For desktop use my old 2012 Mac Mini was slowing down a bit but throwing in a 1TB SSD has given it a new lease of life. The 2012 Mac Mini was the last one with a decent processor in it that could be user upgraded. Since then Apple have reduced the spec.

I assume you mean the "last one" that could have memory upgraded? You can still (afaik) replace the HDD on the later 2014 Mac Mini the same as you could in 2012.

Back to the OP question ... I still find my Late 2013 MacBook Pro 15" works well for Lightroom and light Photoshop.

LancsLee · 28 Nov 2017

So, in my case I use an audio interface plugged into one USB port and a musical keyboard plugged into the other. A clean setup with minimal cabling, no adaptor cables etc. A lot of studios and musicians invested heavily in equipment supported by previous Apple port choices such as Firewire 400/800, hence why you will see lots of older Mac Pros still running, usually with older releases of OSX that fully support the required hardware drivers. We're talking in some cases of tens of thousands of pounds investment in equipment that is still fully functional, just not fully supported in either the latest hardware or software from Apple.
Hopefully Apple can address this market with the next Mac Pro, as the 'trash can' Mac Pro was not a great product.

Eloise · 28 Nov 2017

I'm assuming you were responding to my comment above so...

LancsLee said:
So, in my case I use an audio interface plugged into one USB port and a musical keyboard plugged into the other. A clean setup with minimal cabling, no adaptor cables etc.

Surely both those devices have detachable cables? If so then a USB-B (standard or mini or micro) to USB-C cable gives you just as clean setup with minimal cabling.

A lot of studios and musicians invested heavily in equipment supported by previous Apple port choices such as Firewire 400/800, hence why you will see lots of older Mac Pros still running, usually with older releases of OSX that fully support the required hardware drivers. We're talking in some cases of tens of thousands of pounds investment in equipment that is still fully functional, just not fully supported in either the latest hardware or software from Apple.

The Firewire issue is (I agree) a problem. But then "specialist" hardware often ends up left running on older systems because compatibility gets left behind - this is true of Windows just as much as macOS.

Hopefully Apple can address this market with the next Mac Pro, as the 'trash can' Mac Pro was not a great product.

Well with respect the 'trash can' Mac Pro *is* a great product (IMO). However it was a dead end product and didn't fulfil the needs of many users nor keep up with developing technologies as they couldn't adapt it (the cooling especially) to newer processors / GPUs. Okay I'll agree it turned out to be not a great product due to its limitations!

cambsno · 28 Nov 2017

Sootchucker said:
Agree, have decided to keep it. With the new MBP and Iphones, it seems that since Steve Job's death, real innovation at Apple seems to have taken a step backwards ?

Don't think so, removing the earphone socket and normal USB on the Mac is pretty innovative. What are we really expecting and needing from new phones - faster processor, better battery life - not sure what else can be added without it being a pointless gimmick?

LancsLee · 28 Nov 2017

Eloise said:
I'm assuming you were responding to my comment above so...

Surely both those devices have detachable cables? If so then a USB-B (standard or mini or micro) to USB-C cable gives you just as clean setup with minimal cabling.

The Firewire issue is (I agree) a problem. But then "specialist" hardware often ends up left running on older systems because compatibility gets left behind - this is true of Windows just as much as macOS.

They do have detachable cables, just found it easier to use the USB ports, and the TB port for another audio interface. If the new MBP had been supplied with the Kaby Lake processor on release last year then the purchase would have been more attractive, and I do think that Apple should have waited to launch the new MBP with this processor rather than the Skylake.
As for the difference between Windows and Mac OS for compatibility, this is where the 'trash can' fell down. With a PC you can add in legacy cards and peripherals to newer hardware to support interfaces for 'specialist' hardware. Granted, it is a faff but workable.

What would I really like to see in a MBP? The ability to support more than 16Gb of memory. Virtual musical instruments are typically exhausting memory before straining the CPU. I understand that there are power consumption hurdles to overcome, and that it is the same for most laptop manufacturers,