Hi guys.

A long time of Windows user, now it's time for me to change to Mac.

Planning to buy 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016. My daily working is based on typing document (Excel, Word), editing pictures, downloading movies HD, transferring data and surfing internet.

I want to have a laptop which is fast to open apps at one time (safari, excel, word, playing music etc) because I will do a multitasking task. I hate being stuck or hang when opening any apps. Also, I'm a bidder, so need smooth laptop during bidding in website. Fast loading is necessary.

So, is it better I upgrade base model (2.0GHz with 256GB SSD) to 16GB RAM or just take base model for Touch Bar (2.9GHz and 8GB RAM)?

This post has been edited by Effaw995: Mar 1 2017, 02:32 PM

Based on your usage that you described, more RAM will help you. I don't think a higher processor clock speed can help you much with your usage. More RAM will help you keep things running smoothly when you open so many different applications.

16GB RAM will certainly help for your usage. Whether to get the 2016 13" MBP or the 13" MBPTB, it all boils down to your budget. No matter how one prefers the physical function keys of the non-touch bar version, nobody can deny that the touch bar is indeed very useful for all sorts of people. The non-touch bar version does have better battery life as it doesn't need to power a second display (i.e., the touch bar), but it does have a considerably slower processor and only two USB Type-C ports (compared to 4 ports on the touch bar version). This lack of ports is significant because once you charge your MacBook Pro or leave it charged while it is being used (with the charger taking one of the USB Type-C ports), you would then only have practically one single functional port. A multi-port dongle could remedy this, but it nevertheless is still an issue to be considered.

Since you are contemplating on upgrading the 13" MBPTB from 8GB RAM to 16GB (which you need to pay a hefty amount for the upgrade on RAM alone), and if you are not that tight on budget plus if you are okay with a larger laptop, the base model 15" MBPTB (with 16GB RAM already onboard) will suit your needs perfectly. Reason being the Quad Core i7 with hyper-threading technology on the 15-incher is much better for CPU-intensive apps.

Also, the 15-incher tends to give slightly better battery life for light-to-average usage than the 13" MBPTB due to the larger battery capacity on the 15-incher. You can look around for reviews to confirm this. Personally, I'm very happy with my MBPTB 15-incher's battery life too.

This post has been edited by shockk: Mar 1 2017, 06:19 PM

I concur, if you can afford the 15-inch it would be the best solution and the screen is worth the extra space and weight it takes.

If there isn't enough budget, personally I would take the Touch Bar version and get a faster processor because based on what you mention about the task that you would perform, honestly I am doing all of that using just a 2015 MacBook 12 and it runs fine without any issues.

I would choose the touchbar and a faster processor because MS Word and Excel still requires a bit more processing power rather than RAM and I noticed that when I swapped my 2015 rMBP 13 to a 12-inch MacBook. Both had 8Gb of RAM but excel calculations were taking longer (due to the processor difference).

Then I will go choose 16GB RAM. Running smoothly during running different applications is my priority. Thanks bro.

But ain't that due to Core m vs Core i processor? The Core m processor is actually pretty weak. In fact the A10 chip found in their mobile devices are quite close in terms of performance with the Core m.

When he compares a 2.0GHz vs 2.9GHz Core i5 processor, not to say there won't be any difference but it wouldn't be very obvious based on the applications he use.

But then again, even 8GB RAM can still handle such tasks so it wouldn't be a bad idea to go with the touchbar model and settle with the latest that Apple has to offer.

Yes bro. My budget is up to base model 13 inch MacBook Pro Touch Bar. I've tried Touch Bar function and yes it's really useful. Easy to navigate just by tapping on it rather finding on the screen. But when you talk about battery life, just agreed with you. Touch Bar will used more battery. Yours, how's about your battery life on your 15-inch MacBook Pro Touch Bar?

Yes, 4 ports is flexible. I only used port for charging iphone and pendrive. 15-inch specs is really great since it has quad-core. But my budget is limit to 13-inch since I'm comfortable with small lappy for travel. Still thinking if I have enough budget to upgrade 8GB RAM MBPTB 2.9GHz to 16GB RAM, then it will be really good..hehe..

Bro, I have noticed that even I upgrade to 16GB RAM for 13-inch MacBook Pro base model, it still have 1866MHz memory compared to stock 13-inch MacBook Pro Touch Bar which is 2133MHz.

So what is different? Is it 8GB RAM 2133MHz is better than 16GB RAM 1866MHz?

But they have a different which I don't have answer, 8GB RAM 1866MHz vs 8GB RAM 2133MHz, seems second one is more powerful. But if we put 16GB RAM 1866MHz, is it more power than 8GB RAM 2133MHz?

When come to processor, if I get only 2.0GHz, I cannot sure if it can handle game like Call of Duty. What I know, a game like COD needs a better processor, is it true bro?

I'm really zero when comes to processor..hahaha

For games the graphics GPU plays a bigger role. With the Macbook 13", don't expect much in terms of gaming.

True, it is obvious for applications like MS Office whose applications aren't fully optimised yet for Mac OS versus the native Mac apps where it performs very very well.

For gaming, try considering getting an external graphics dock like the RAZER Core or similar ones from brands like Asus, etc.

Chuck in a GTX1060 minimum to the dock and your ready to rock. Hehe.

Yup. Sadly optimisation still lacks in the Mac version of MS Office but I'm glad they added in proper Touch Bar support which I do find very useful for my workflow.

Then 15-inch will handle better in gaming..hehe

After tried using Numbers, I think I love it. Easy and smooth.

I rarely playing games nowadays. But maybe install some of lighter games for a fun..

Thanks bro..

Then TS has to definitely install Bootcamp and run windows in order to fully utilise the Razer Core.

Then no worries. The integrated GPU in even the 2016 MBP is quite decent for certain games.

Yes, Bootcamp surely is a must for an optimal gaming experience.

I believe the Razer Core is quite a challenge to acquire in Malaysia, but I noticed that the Asus XG Station 2 seems to be selling already - saw the demo unit at the Asus ROG Showroom in Low Yat Plaza.

Was there a review somewhere which mentioned that the Macbook Pro non-TB versions doesn't fully utilise Thunderbolt 3? If that is correct then all the more TS has to get the TB version hehe.

I wouldn't mind some extra power with an external graphics core but sadly my 12 inch Macbook doesn't have a Thunderbolt 3 connectivity hehe.

Guys, as I know Thunderbolt 3 in MacBook Pro is up to 40Gbps data transfer.

My question, is it the power processor boost the data transfer?

If that, means 2.9GHz is more faster transferring data compares to 2.0GHz?

Faster and smooth data transfer is one of my main criteria.

It depends on what you deem the transfer of data. If it is a simple copy and paste then normally it is more of a disk to disk transfer where the bottleneck could be the transfer protocol or the spinning platter or the speed of the SSD. If it is being processed from a program then the processor plays an important part.