Which Macbook Pro - 2015 or 2018

[oddfodder]

Hello,

I'm a long time Mac user (since 1997) and I'm thinking of upgrading my Mac Mini. Aside from normal internet, word processing, etc I do some video editing on Adobe Premiere Elements (this is the cheapie version but I push it pretty hard) and will be doing some music mixing on Logix X pro.

Because of budget restrictions, I'm concerning myself most with the processor and amount of RAM. I've narrowed it down (unless someone has a better idea! to (both refurb from the apple website, both pushing my budget limit hard, as I'd hope to spend a couple of hundred less):

13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 - $1,659.00

Originally released July 2018
Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID sensor
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch
16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
256GB SSD
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655

complete specs:

2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, with 128MB of eDRAM
16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
256GB SSD
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
Charging
DisplayPort
Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
VGA, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
Three microphones
3.5 mm headphone jack
802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Height: 0.59 inch (1.49 cm)
Width: 11.97 inches (30.41 cm)
Depth: 8.36 inches (21.24 cm)
Weight: 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg)3

And

15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.2GHz Quad-core Intel i7 - $1,699.00

Originally released May 2015
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics

complete specs:

2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage
Intel Iris Pro Graphics
MagSafe 2 power port
Two Thunderbolt 2 ports (up to 20 Gbps)
Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
HDMI port
Headphone port
SDXC card slot
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter (sold separately)
Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (sold separately)
Stereo speakers
Dual microphones
Headphone port
Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone
Support for audio line out (digital/analog)
802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
Height: 0.71 inches (1.8 cm)
Width: 14.13 inches (35.89 cm)
Depth: 9.73 inches (24.71 cm)
Weight: 4.49 pounds (2.04 kg)

It seems to me there are pros & cons to both. I like the bigger screen and faster processor, but the newer model has the latest gen processor. I'm a little nervous buying something from 2015 - but maybe that's naive - and I'm unclear if there's a big difference between the SSD and the PCIe-based flash storage. I'm also not sure if the 665 at the end of Intel Iris Plus Graphics in the newer model is a big deal.

After a little more research, apparently some people still hate the keyboard on the 2018, even though it's supposed to be better than the '16 & '17. Most seem to love the 2015 keyboard. I wonder how that factors in?

Any input or ideas is much appreciated!

 

[Premium1]

For what you said you use the device for, I think the 2019 13.3" pro would be a better option (and cheaper). I think you could get by with 8gb of ram (check reviews to see users video editing with the device). $1399 (can be cheaper if a student) https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro#mn_p

 

[oddfodder]

Interesting, thanks. If I go this route, I'd likely do it with 16gb ram as this is pretty important for editing. But that's still a little cheaper. What advantages do you think this has over the 2015 I listed? Obviously, newer (although smaller), but the 2015 has the 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor as opposed to the 1.4GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i5 processor on the newer one.

Does the newer processor really make up this difference between the i5 and i7 (and 2.2 as opposed to 1.4)?

 

[JML5150]

Interesting, thanks. If I go this route, I'd likely do it with 16gb ram as this is pretty important for editing. But that's still a little cheaper. What advantages do you think this has over the 2015 I listed? Obviously, newer (although smaller), but the 2015 has the 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor as opposed to the 1.4GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i5 processor on the newer one.

Does the newer processor really make up this difference between the i5 and i7 (and 2.2 as opposed to 1.4)?

Newer isn't always better. I would suggest you try to play with a 2018 and ask yourself if you are really gonna use the Touch Bar and get your hands on the new keyboard. Do you use USB-C or are willing to purchase adapters for peripherals? Look up any recalls. Search real user feedback on both machine.