Purchasing new MacBook Pro - 2018 15.4" or 2019 16

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I am considering purchasing a new MacBook Pro. I have an opportunity to purchase a mid 2018 - 15.4" unit with a 6 core i9, 32gb of RAM and a 2 TB SSD for a very attractive price. Is there a significant downside to doing this vs. purchasing a new 16" specd similarly (except with an 8 core) for $1,000 more?
 

IWT


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A warm welcome to Mac-Forums. Thanks for your post.

The answer depends on your usage requirements.

The 2018 specs are impressive, with tons of RAM, plenty storage and a speedy Processor. When you say "new", are you meaning - brand new/unused/refurbished or just new to you?

If you are satisfied with the source of that 2018 Mac, then you have a great Mac and there seems little point in spending another $1000 for what amounts to a slightly better CPU.

Opinions from others will vary, but that's my take on your situation.

Ian
 
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A warm welcome to Mac-Forums. Thanks for your post.

The answer depends on your usage requirements.

The 2018 specs are impressive, with tons of RAM, plenty storage and a speedy Processor. When you say "new", are you meaning - brand new/unused/refurbished or just new to you?

If you are satisfied with the source of that 2018 Mac, then you have a great Mac and there seems little point in spending another $1000 for what amounts to a slightly better CPU.

Opinions from others will vary, but that's my take on your situation.

Ian

This is a brand new unit from an authorized and very well respected Apple reseller. My sense is that the $1,000 buys a slightly better CPU, a slightly better GPU and the new keyboard. My sense has been that the the price difference more (much more) than compensates for the incremental improvements that the 2019 16" unit has.
 

chscag

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I agree with Ian. Also.... the 2018 MBP keyboard will be replaced by Apple for free if anything should go wrong with it. IMO, it is not worth spending $1000 more for the 2019 16" model. The specs on the 2018 model are impressive and should provide you with years of use.
 
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I have to say I'm not a big fan of the butterfly keyboard that my MacBook Air has and that the 2018 MacBook Pro you are looking at would have, and I especially hate the design of the arrow key cluster, but I have gotten used to it. If I was looking at a $1000 difference and the cheaper one was more than adequate for my needs otherwise? I'd say go with the 2018. But... I would suggest that before you do so, if you are a heavy typist, that you at least try out the two types of keyboards at a store to see for yourself what the feel is. $1k is a lot more to spend for a better keyboard, but not so much if for your needs and preferences and likes that you just can't come to terms with the difference in how the butterfly keyboard feels. If I was a professional writer or programmer using this all day, I don't know that this keyboard would be cutting it for me.
 
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Just to add my thoughts - do you need the extra CPU and GPU power, better keyboard, larger display, nicer speakers and superior cooling the 16" model provides?

I bought a 16" as I do photo and video editing regularly on my MBP and the upgraded specs were a large factor in me getting that.

I enjoy watching this YT channel. He seems an excellent source of info on (particularly) MacBook Pros:

YouTube
 
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MBAmtloin

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well, you are not going wrong by purchasing either macbook pro, I would test drive both by typing, browsing and getting the overall feel of both macbooks and see which one is more comfortable. I was in the same boat as you last year and just tried both of my options in person at the store.
 

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I spent some time playing on the new 16in MBP at Best Buy the other day. Nice machine, loved the Keyboard. But, if you’re good with the Keyboard on the older MBP I’d agree with saving the bucks
 

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I agree with Chas and IAN overall but still that butterfly keyboard scares me as I have had friends who had issues and had to take it to apple right in the middle of a Graphic project. Also in a few reviews I read they say the cooling is better on the 16" than the older one. Just thought I would throw that out there just in case. Hope it does not rub anyone the wrong way.
 

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As Dennis points out, the keyboard on the 15" can be a future problem so that's something to think about. However, as I indicated to you previously, Apple will replace it free of charge even if it is out of warranty. How long they will do that is unknown.

Also, the replacement means the loss of your computer during the repair time.
 
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I may have posted this in another thread - but as it's relevant. Last Spring I was in need of a new machine, with my Late-2018 MBP giving up the ghost. I've been a laptop user consistently since the early '90s (my first was a PowerBook 160).

But I couldn't do it. Not with the unending reports of the keyboard issues with Apple's laptops.

So I changed my entire working style and splurged on a 5K 27" iMac. Now if my keyboard dies, it's a much cheaper fix. I do miss the ability to flop out on a sofa or work in bed, but this is by far the better investment.

YMMV, of course, as a laptop may be the best choice for you. Becoming stationary is a large adjustment....
 
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I think you've got a pretty good deal. After 27 years as aMac user, I've just bought a brand new MacBook Air from Curry's for £950.00. However, the MacBook Air will only take 2 x 4GB Ram, and so stuck with 8GB RAM . it also only has 2 x 3 C USB ports and headphone phone port. Have had to buy a USB C Adapter adapter with 4 USB ports. It is fast, but I have to say it's a lot slower than expected. Although it was September 2019 model it had the latest version Mojave 10.14.6. Upgrading to Catalina took me 2 downloads to get it to work. I'd advise you download Catalina to an external Drive which is able to boot, and you can use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your your copy to an ext Hard Drive your MacBook Pro.
 
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If you're thinking about it, it probably means you have the ability to afford it. I would get the 16".
If it's important to you, the 16" is hands and feet above the 15" in terms of processing power and graphics rendering performance! Drastic difference!
I won't even bother going through the other commonly known pros/cons about either machines.

Paying for extra space is what is throwing the price out of balance.
I bought a new 15"MBP in 2019, and don't regret it a single bit. However, If given the opportunity to get the 16", I would! I personally don't even care that much about the keyboard drama. All my Macs work fine for me. If something happens, that's what the warranty is for. Would be a different conversation if I had to deal with other company warranties that don't have in-person coverage.

Also, the 15" touchbar MBP is depreciating VERY quickly right now because of the 16". I wouldn't even think about buying a 15" new when they are only selling left over stock. Pick up one that is used and still under warranty. That's the only way I would choose the 15" right now over the 16". You save a TON of money, and it has already gone through great deal of depreciation.
 
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If you're thinking about it, it probably means you have the ability to afford it. I would get the 16".
If it's important to you, the 16" is hands and feet above the 15" in terms of processing power and graphics rendering performance! Drastic difference!
I won't even bother going through the other commonly known pros/cons about either machines.

Paying for extra space is what is throwing the price out of balance.
I bought a new 15"MBP in 2019, and don't regret it a single bit. However, If given the opportunity to get the 16", I would! I personally don't even care that much about the keyboard drama. All my Macs work fine for me. If something happens, that's what the warranty is for. Would be a different conversation if I had to deal with other company warranties that don't have in-person coverage.

Also, the 15" touchbar MBP is depreciating VERY quickly right now because of the 16". I wouldn't even think about buying a 15" new when they are only selling left over stock. Pick up one that is used and still under warranty. That's the only way I would choose the 15" right now over the 16". You save a TON of money, and it has already gone through great deal of depreciation.

I decided to pass on the 15.4". Although these computers appear to be similar, I learned first that the graphics are much better on the 16" (I do a significant amount of photo and video editing). Next my research revealed that in addition to the keyboard issue, that the 6 core i9 processor in the 15.4 had overheating and throttling issues. Notwithstanding a software fix, my sense is that the laws of physics dictate that there will always be a potential problem. My conclusion is that notwithstanding the $1,000 price difference, the 16" will serve my needs much better (It is a major upgrade) now and in the future.

I thank each of you for your very valuable input.
 

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I decided to pass on the 15.4". Although these computers appear to be similar, I learned first that the graphics are much better on the 16" (I do a significant amount of photo and video editing). Next my research revealed that in addition to the keyboard issue, that the 6 core i9 processor in the 15.4 had overheating and throttling issues. Notwithstanding a software fix, my sense is that the laws of physics dictate that there will always be a potential problem. My conclusion is that notwithstanding the $1,000 price difference, the 16" will serve my needs much better (It is a major upgrade) now and in the future.

What you mentioned were all nice positives of the new 16" MacBook Pro (better graphics, the better keyboard mechanism, and better performance...especially if you get the 8-core model). And lastly one of the more "sexy" improvements is the larger 16" display!:) I think the part we weren't sure of was...if all of this was worth an extra $1000 to you (sounds like it is).:)

As far as the issues mentioned for the 2015 15.4" MacBook Pro. If you search the internet hard enough...you will almost always find someone...somewhere complaining about something. Almost no computer model is issue free. If someone wanted to sell me a 2015 15.4" MacBook Pro for a good price...I would take it.:)

Just wait...there will probably be at least some small issues with the 2019 16" MacBook Pro as well (just the way it is). And if there are...I would still take one if the opportunity presented itself as well!:)

- Nick
 

RavingMac

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Ultimately what drives value is the best tool for your needs. I am still using a 2012 15in MBP because it still works and does everything I need (though I am seriously lusting after the 16in MBP, which I can’t justify because I have better places to spend that $2500-3000).
And, with the 2018 MacMini driving a 40in 4K Samsung as my main squeeze, it is hard for me to truly find fault with my set up. So, until something breaks or I find myself unable to do what I need to do, I will nurture an unrequited love for the new 16in MBP.
Though I am jealous, I truly hope you enjoy yours . . .
 
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MBAmtloin

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However, the MacBook Air will only take 2 x 4GB Ram, and so stuck with 8GB RAM . it also only has 2 x 3 C USB ports and headphone phone port. Have had to buy a USB C Adapter adapter with 4 USB ports.

i have 2-c to a usb adaptors for my new laptop that are convenient, my 8GB ram has not slowed me down so far. Mojave is a great OSX you can always return to if needed.

Im reading several article today about dual screen tablets and phones and the preparation for this new way to browse, manage files and watch videos, hopefully this new formatting and chips do not infiltrate into our new laptops this decade.
 

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