Planning to buy a macbook pro 15" for personal use. Been using company's 2013 Macbook pro and fell in love with it.

However now with the 2016 macbook pro (with touchbar), the choice is a tough one.. since the 2015 version is only slightly cheaper.. both are extremely expensive to begin with. Planning to pay with 24 months installment so less painful. And I see that mac's resell value is high (saw some few years old model still selling at 5k above)

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2015 version
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2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
16GB 1600MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based SSD1
Intel Iris Pro Graphics
RM 8,959.00

Note that I have upgraded the processor to 2.5Ghz (which adds RM460) to be comparable to the 2016 version.

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2016 version (with touchbar)
====================
2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
16GB 2133MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based SSD1
Radeon Pro 450 with 2GB memory
RM 10,199.00

Spec wise they not that different imo.. now lets see the features..

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2015 version features:
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Esc key and Function keys (which are awesome)
Dedicated ports: 2 USB, HDMI, SDCard, Magsafe power
Better feeling keyboard keys
Smaller but more than enough trackpad
No fingerprint sensor
No USB-C ports

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2016 version features:
================
Thinner and lighter
Touchbar is cool (but not sure if would be less convenient than Real Esc Key and Function Keys, I don't get why they can't just add additional touchbar on top of the esc/function keys...)
Fingerprint sensor
One generation newer intel skylake processor
Slightly better battery life
Has USB-C ports
Need to use dongles for everything (and they are not cheap) - USB, HDMI, SDCard
Flat keyboard keys (not sure if able to get used to)
Huge trackpad (hand might not have place to rest on top because will be touching the trackpad)


Now here's my dilemma.. I like the 2015 version and if its 3k or 4k difference from 2016 it will be a no brainer.. but given the fact that they are only 1k difference.. seems not logical to buy a now 1.5 years old model, especially when we are already paying the extremely expensive price of 9k

Please share your thoughts

Thanks for reading

Wah seems like the new macbook pro has major graphic issues: http://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/02/new-ma...raphics-issues/

there are 2 main issues on the new MBP.

1. battery issues
2. gpu issues on "some unit"

Actually lack of usb port is also an issue.

This post has been edited by piscesguy: Dec 19 2016, 12:18 PM

Go for the 2016 MBP15.

1k difference doesn't justify the discrete graphics card alone.
There are many other benefits that you have already pointed out.
I would count brighter screen as a plus too because no one else has a screen that bright, and i like bright screens lol

I think the dongle issue has been overblown.
I've been using a MacBook with a single port for 18 months now and i never had a problem. The left and right charging ports is attractive to me now because i feel less stupid when the charger is on my right (For 2015 models and earlier)

I have a dongle (USB/HDMI/Power) connected to my monitor and charger at the office
I have a dongle (USB/VGA/Power) and charger at home and to travel.
I have a tiny USB-C to USB-A adapter smaller than a 50 cent count attached to my thumb drive all the time.

I agree with apple that when on the go, we seldom need any dongles at all. Given a choice, i would've purchased a dock for my office instead.

Cheers

Thanks for the reply, I had already made purchase before I saw your reply though I end up buying the 2016 MBP 13 inch base model with 256gb ssd. The only dongle I need when on the go is probably the normal USB one. Gonna miss the magsafe though because I liked how it feels when it snaps into place haha.

May I know where I can buy the tiny USB-C to USB-A adapter you mentioned?

Cheers

If you are not in a hurry to purchase one, I would suggest to wait for Apple to smoothen out all of the issues that they are facing now such as the battery and GPU. Better to wait for the next batch IMHO if you are not in a hurry.

I bought it off aliexpress for less than US$1

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32621590621.html

It's not the exact one but similar. I've used it for a year plus without issue.

Hope you like your new MacBook Pro 👍

I am kinda in a hurry so ya.. already bought Seems like the latest OS update fixes the GPU glitch and the battery issue was never an issue in the first place. Fingers crossed.

That's very cheap.. never bought from aliexpress before but I think I'll try this haha. Thanks!

Dear TS, Comment from an actual user who "owns" a macbookpro 2016: it's worthwhile getting it. User experience had been fantastic! didn't find any major issue so far. All those comments on graphics or other issues u can ignore them. Usb C is great, It's a transition. The only thing that I view it as a real issue is battery life. Just not as long as advertise. That's it. The rest u can expect nothing less than what u had hope and experience for.

That's good to know. I'm starting to like USB-C after doing some reading, the cool thing is I can finally use the same power bank that powers my phone to charge the macbook when I'm on the go Time to buy a big capacity power bank.

I have a 2016 15 inch MBP 2.7/1TB/AMD460
I just got mine yesterday. It has some bug here and there but it's overall a very solid device. Now I'm testing the battery runtime (I think max can reach about 7 hours only). Touchbar in photoshop is excellent! I feel like I would utilise the touchbar so much more when adobe updates touchbar support for their entire lineup. The only dissatisfaction is my screen is not uniform (actually only I can notice it I ask my friends they can't see it). The speakers are loud and room filling. (Sounds better than RM300 +- speakers). There is NO graphic issues (maybe cause I updated it). If you have any questions feel free to ask me.

You are very rich man.. I can only have 1TB ssd in my dreams But good to know that the touchbar is useful, had some doubt before this. Can explain more on how touchbar is useful in photoshop? I do some photoshop too just wonder how the touchbar can be used.

I'm still finding how to utilise the touchbar.

One of my favourite feature in photoshop with touchbar is the history viewer... You can slide through all your edits and see the changes you make. Another feature is you can slide through the layer styles and see which style work best for you (if you are pro already you know the calculations and which to use then this feature is not as useful). There are more options like adjusting opacity, brush size, crop and alignment but I don't use those as much as the history viewer. Another great feature of the touchbar outside photoshop is screenshot. Now I can screenshot and choose to save to clipboard so I can paste it immediately. Very useful for me in doing projects.. don't have to save all in desktop.

The speakers.. are phenomenal though. Don't know how it loud it sounds on a 13 but its INSANELY loud and clear on my 15 (even on max volume).

Saying about issues. I am sending my current MacBook Pro for a replacement because when I tilt it from left to right with its lid closed, there is a rattle sound like something is moving inside. Other than that, there are few safari crashes and slow frame rates but I believe the issues will be ironed out soon. The display is great overall but I'm very OCD on display uniformity, my one have a slight pinkish tint on the left (wouldn't notice it unless I purposely stare at it like I'm typing this post now I couldn't see it). No visible screen bleeding.

Very solid product. I believe you will love yours as well.
Keyboard is fantastic. Keep in mind some keys might feel "mushy" at first but the more you press it would kick in and it would feel as tactile as the other keys.
Trackpad is Ok. I prefer the old one with more tactile feedback as this one feels mushy to me and the sound it makes feel like cheap plastic. Getting a replacement soon so I would report back if it's only my unit or all sounds the same...
Touch ID is loose on my one. Loose means like when I place (not click) my fingers on the Touch ID it makes one sound and when I let go it makes another sound like it sticks on my finger. Doesn't bug me too much but the main issue is the rattle sound when I tilt (shake) my computer from left to right. (Noticed it the first time when I try to lift my MacBook Pro and put in sleeve).
Battery life is mediocre. 100% drained to 5% after 5:40. (SAFARI + MUSIC at backgroundONLY) Not really acceptable for the premium price but I hope the future updates will fix it...

This post has been edited by kokhoong0624: Dec 24 2016, 01:43 AM

I wouldn't say ignore them all as yours is working well which is great but it's a electronic device not everyone of them will be flawless.

Dongles.........


Attached thumbnail(s)

Better go 2016.. more future proof.. later everything will go USB C. dont worry much about the USB C issue for now..

edit : sorry just read the earlier post, u already bought one.. just be aware, there are some bugs appointed by users.. which some are quite deadly too..

This post has been edited by jzack: Dec 29 2016, 10:31 AM

haha thanks, already bought the 2016 so no turning back now. Item haven't arrived though, they use the stupid GDEX shipping which everyone is complaining. Even the tracking number is not working gg.