Hey everyone! I'm looking at upgrading my 2013 MacBook Pro and getting a newer one. I'll be using it mostly for Logos 8 and with Apple Pages. I'd like to keep the cost around $1500, give or take a little. I'd love any suggestions! Thanks!
I have a few pieces of advice:
1) Try to get a 2018 model. The keyboards on the 2015-17 MacBooks can be prone to problems. The 18's have that fixed.
2) Try to get at least 512 GB SSD. You seem like you like to keep your MacBooks a long time, so this will help with future-proofing.
3) Use the Apple Refurbished Store. You get the same one-year warranty as a new one, and a couple hundred off the price. Most of my macs have been from the Apple Refurbished Store...never regretted it. https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
4) This is the one that I would get within the constraints of your budget ($200 over). I am not happy with the 8 GB RAM, but to go to 16 would be way over budget. You would save $300 off from new.
I have a few pieces of advice: 3) Use the Apple Refurbished Store. You get the same one-year warranty as a new one, and a couple hundred off the price. Most of my macs have been from the Apple Refurbished Store...never regretted it. https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
I can't recommend Apple refurbished computers enough. They come in a white box, but they look brand new. It is definitely the way to go.
Thanks Levi and Bill! I appreciate it. Long story short, since it's exclusively for my church study, I found out my budget is a little higher (very thankful!). What would you say about this one? Refurbished-154-inch-MacBook-Pro-22GHz-6-core-Intel-Core-i7-with-Retina-display-Space-Gray
If you are confident that the SSD is big enough, that's a fine choice. I have a 2016 15" MacBook Pro, and I really like the extra screen space.
I think that's enough - I don't do videos or many photos and I don't have much music on my MacBook. Right now I'm using 167GB of my 256GB. Is it possible, say in 3 years, to expand the SSD on the 2018 MBP?
No, upgrading is not possible...personally, I would spend the $150 more and get the 512 GB SSD. I can see my wife rolling her eyes. [:P]
However, It's possible that an external drive would give you the extra storage you might need later, especially videos and so forth. You have to make that decision.
I am little jealous—it's fun deciding on a new computer.
Thanks, Levi. Yes, it is pretty fun! But there are so many options it's a little daunting! I also just saw on B&H Photo's website that their new prices on the 2018 MBP's are pretty competetive. You're probably right about the storage, and my wife would do the same thing!
Also, since you've been helpful, have you used the touch bar, and if so, is it a good thing to have? Seems like it, but I've not used one.
Again, I appreciate your feedback!
Overall, I like the touch bar. I use colors a lot in my sermon and it's easier to select a font color with it. However, I tend to accidentally touch the Escape "key" and the Pause "key" on either end. If you don't like the dynamic touch bar, you can make to just show the function keys. If they discontinued it tomorrow, I wouldn't miss it. It's useful, but not indispensable.
I've bought from B&H before...they can have really good prices.
Levi is an old pro[:D]
so listen to him. But, I recently bought a MBP and there is one decision that I wish I had acted upon besides getting 512 SSD. I wish I had opted for the dedicated graphics card. L8 is a hog of a program and it heats the device up. Something I have been told that the dedicated graphics card reduces although as some have complained in the forums does not eliminate. Grist for the mill.
Thanks! Appreciate it! I know a bit about MBPs, but I’m not an expert. Does the MBP I linked above have a dedicated graphics card?
Does the MBP I linked above have a dedicated graphics card?
I can't tell for sure from the specs. Would prefer it said something like ...card discrete GPU with 4GB GDDR5 memory. But, if one of the forumites can't answer this is a good question for the rep.
Yes...15 inch Macbook Pros have both a discrete (or, a low-performance GPU that is on the mainboard and uses a part of system RAM) and a dedicated graphics card (or, high-performance, in this case, a Radeon Pro Graphics 555X).
In the macOS System Preferences, under Energy, you can either allow the OS and Apps to switch between the two automatically, or you can choose to always use high-performance (at the expense of battery life). I wish they would allow you to choose to always use low-performance also (to conserve battery life). However, I have been generally happy with the automatic mode.
Thanks! Good to know! I might have more questions tomorrow, but that’s it for now. I appreciate the help!
I did think of another question. I currently plug a USB mouse and an HDMI monitor into my MacBook Pro. Which adapter would you recommend to get this done with the USB-C On the new MBP?
There are lots of good adaptors out there. I recommend switching to usb-c type cables when you can. For instance, I use this cable to connect my Macbook Pro to our video projector. And these adaptors are good for usb cables you can't switch out yet.
I also just saw on B&H Photo's website that their new prices on the 2018 MBP's are pretty competetive.
Apple Insider has Price Guides => https://prices.appleinsider.com/15-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar-mid-2018 that include B&H (plus noted Adorama discount of $ 50 to $ 300 using an Apple Insider coupon)
You're probably right about the storage, and my wife would do the same thing!
I Fix It has a teardown of 2018 MacBook Pro => https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_15"_Touch_Bar_2018 that shows RAM and Storage are soldered to the logic board (trackpad is realistically the only replaceable item)
+1 [Y]
Keep Smiling [:)]
If your 2013 MacBook Pro has a SSD that is still big enough for you, then I don't see a need for an upgrade. When I upgraded from my 2013 MacBook Pro to the 2017 model, I did not notice that big a performance improvement for Logos.
Armin
Thanks, Armin, I did think the same thing, but it's annoying that my battery is weak and I can't use it very long without a power cord. Also, I heard going from 8GB RAM to 16GB RAM and moving to a 8-core i7 with dedicated graphics will make things much faster. Logos 8 runs fine on my 2013 MBP, but it does lag a little. I also figure now is a good time to sell my 2013 MBP since the battery does hold a little charge. But I don't totally disagree with you!
Hi Shane,
Sure, things will be faster. But probably not as much as you hope. I expected a more noticeable increase of speed. If this was not also my work computer (i.e, work paid for it), I would have regretted having spent so much money for an insignificant increase in speed.
Having said this: If you have battery problems, this certainly is a big argument.
Thanks Armin. Good point. I will lower my expectations for speed! And if I do upgrade, I'll miss the magsafe power cord and the USB ports. It's not a totally easy decision! I guess what sways me is the fact that right now since my 2013 MBP is running strong (minus a bad battery), I can sell it for a decent price. This might not be the case in 8 or 12 months. It's sort of a game I suppose! Thanks for comments - I do listen!
Levi (and others), thanks again for the help! I really appreciate it. I found out I could shop on Apple with a military discount, so I ended up getting a refurbished July 2018 MacBook Pro 15.4, 2.6GHz, Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512SSD, Radeon Pro Graphics 560X. Should last me quite awhile, and it should be great for Logos 8!
Blessings in your labors,
Shane
Excellent, Shane! Glad to help!
This one is great: https://www.hypershop.com/collections/hyperdrive
