MacBook Pro 2017 vs 2018 / cores vs RAM

[Builds]

Hi.

I'm an average user - 15-20 tabs on Chrome, Excel, Mail, VLC, some Photoshop editing from time to time, and one game which I play on lowest settings. I can buy right now one of two options. For my purposes, which of the following would be better? (I know there are more ideals variations, but I'm asking specifically of these two, which is the better one)

- MacBook Pro 13 2017 with i5 Dual Core 3.1GHz and 16GB of RAM (Iris 650)
OR
- MacBook Pro 13 2018 with i5 Quad Core 2.3GHz and 8GB of RAM (Iris 655)

Thanks for your time

 

[lclev]

The 2018 Macbook Pro - better keyboard. The models prior to the 2018 model have an issue with dust getting under the keys and they quit working. The 2018 model has a new membrane that protects against dust.

While the faster processor and more memory of the 2017 is tempting I would go for better keyboard. Also the 2018 has the newer "Coffee Lake" CPU - 2.3 @ Geekbench speed of 16445 where as the 2017 has the "Kaby Lake" CPU - 3.1 @ Geekbench speed of 8962 . So while the 2018 CPU looks slower it is not.

That is my 2 cents!

Lisa

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The quad core 2018 is definitely better than the dual core 2017 for performance perspective. With your use case, you might be OK with 8GB of memory, but 16GB would be ideal. Since the MBP's must be chosen with the total memory at build time, you might want to look at the refurbished list to see if there is a 2018 quad core with 16GB of memory.

 

[pigoo3]

Agree with Ashwin. Since the RAM on MacBook Pro's is not upgradeable...if I were purchasing a brand new/newish MacBook Pro in 2018...unless the price on a unit with 8gig of RAM were so AWESOME I couldn't pass it up...I would definitley go with 16gig of RAM.

In my case I would keep/use the MacBook Pro for at least 5 years...thus computing needs now & 5 years from now must be considered.

- Nick

 

[lclev]

Yes, if you can find a 2018 MBP with 16GB of memory that is even better.

Lisa