MacBook Pro - 2016 vs 2017

hoogie

hoogie

hoogie

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I have just taken delivery of a 2017 MacBook Pro non touch, for £1,300 with Edu discount. However, I have since seen you can get the 2016 model refurbished for around £1,150.

I'm considering returning the 2017 release and going for the 2016 instead and saving some cash.

Is the 2017 model considered significantly better than the 2016?

I don't do any video editing, and will mainly be using the system for web browsing, email, word processing, coding and some basic photo editing.

Any point in spending extra for the 2017 edition?

I'm aware that in addition to the Kaby Lake upgrade there is also an increase in CPU clock speed and memory speed. Which makes me think the 2017 may be a better long term solution.

Thanks
 
The SSDs are meant to be significantly faster. Search for Geekbench scores for the 2016 and 2017 models, that will give you an idea of CPU % performance increase. Battery life will be slightly better with 2017 model. 2017 model has h265 hardware decoding, which will mean much better battery life for watching video going forward (as all video shifts to h265). All in all a number of small but useful and noticeable improvements. Highly worth the £150 extra.
 
The 2017 is much faster at certain tasks, like h265 decoding (the 2016 model can't even play some heavy 265 videos), and it's faster in FCPX BruceX tests. Plus better battery life.

You're on to a winner with the 2017 model.
 
rotor said:
The SSDs are meant to be significantly faster. Search for Geekbench scores for the 2016 and 2017 models, that will give you an idea of CPU % performance increase. Battery life will be slightly better with 2017 model. 2017 model has h265 hardware decoding, which will mean much better battery life for watching video going forward (as all video shifts to h265). All in all a number of small but useful and noticeable improvements. Highly worth the £150 extra.
Click to expand...

SSD is 50% faster from the 2015 model not 2016.

https://youtu.be/aIJykyhJZoI
 
I'd probably keep the 2017 model. You can't trade in Apple refurb items in store if you want to go down that route in the future (although you would probably get more selling privately anyway).
 
Deffo keep the 2017 model. The h265 decoding is probably worth it alone really. £150 isn't much in the grand scheme of things and it will be a little more future proof.
 
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