Recommend Me a MacBook Pro - Current Sweet Spot for Value?

Switchblade88 on 13/09/2020 - 22:54

So with much consternation, I have to acquire a Macbook Pro for a workmate. He's using it for Logic Pro for mastering an album, and his current 2010 Macbook isn't cutting it (USB3 is a boon to have nowdays… who'd have thought??)

I am not a Mac guy; I can't usually stomach Apple's usual lack of value. But alas, I'll put my derisions aside for the good of the music!

What's the current sweet spot for a used Mackbook Pro 15"? We've got about $2500 set aside, and obviously need as much RAM and SSD space as possible - although being easy upgrades I'm more inclined to spend on a better CPU/GPU upfront. But I don't know what's on the market at the moment.

Suggestions?

Computing Apple Computer Laptop

Comments

  • mskeggs on 13/09/2020 - 23:33
    +1

    My 2012 Mac book pro would handle this fine.
    It was $600 (less ebay discount) a couple of years ago so I am pretty confident you can choose any current Apple computer.
    Maybe a mac mini and a monitor and keyboard would give you the best bang for buck?

  • Bearinator on 13/09/2020 - 23:38
    +2

    The RAM & SSD's are soldered onto the newer MacBooks, so you might want to consider that as well, as the configuration you choose is the one you'll end up with.

    • Switchblade88 on 14/09/2020 - 09:47

      Really?

      Ew. But thanks for the info, that'll change my searches

  • forged on 14/09/2020 - 00:22
    +1

    Logic isn't too demanding unless you're doing something insane with it (100+ tracks). Just about anything recent would do fine.
    GPU doesn't matter at all. I guess a big SSD is nice but you can always grab a cheap USB3 external SSD which would work fine.
    8GB RAM is probably fine. 16GB might be nice but probably not necessary.
    Maybe it'd be good to go quad core CPU, which would limit you to 15" MBP or 2018/2019/2020 13" MBP.

    I'd actually agree with getting a Mac Mini + monitor instead, seems like better value, more comfortable, and more quiet (important!) unless he needs it portable for some reason.

    • Switchblade88 on 14/09/2020 - 09:54

      Portability is important, but we'll likely invest in an ultrawide regardless when he's actually mixing and editing

  • witonline on 14/09/2020 - 06:03
    +1

    Go have a look at the benchmarks on Geekbench - late 2013 15” with a 2.6 i7, 16gb ram and 512 ssd was an anomaly in terms of processing power, the 2016 spec’d out 15” I upgraded to benchmarked just marginally better. Def recommend this model as the best bang for buck used Mac, should be able to find one under $1000

  • AustriaBargain on 14/09/2020 - 09:27

    What about the new quad core iPad Air? It's basically what a Pro was a few years earlier, in a smol package. He'd need some hubs and dongles or whatever, but honestly it's a time saver because you can plug in and unplug all your peripherals at once, instead of sitting there daintily plucking each cable out of your computer before you can just pick it up and carry it away.

    • Switchblade88 on 14/09/2020 - 09:59
      +1

      Yeah, but

      • iPads don't run Logic Pro
      • Don't come in 15"
      • Don't have a KB/M as standard
      • Don't have USB ports
      • AustriaBargain on 14/09/2020 - 10:14

        I meant MacBook Air, not iPad Air. According to Wikipedia Logic Pro will run on the MacBook Air, which runs on MacOS. There is no 15 inch Air though.

  • nubix on 14/09/2020 - 10:07

    Hope it's not against the rules, but I have an 2019 Space Grey, 8 core, 512GB 15" that's been on the shelf for the last 6 months which I'm happy to let go for $2500.

    iirc paid about $3700 for it and used it for 6 or so months before upgrading to the 16" in November.

    • OzCheapo on 14/09/2020 - 10:17

      Outside of main topic but what's your thoughts about the 16" vs the 15" and why upgrade for the extra inhc?

      • cauilfield on 14/09/2020 - 10:55

        16" has a proper keyboard, 15" runs with a crap keyboard you would want to avoid by all means

        • OzCheapo on 14/09/2020 - 11:33

          I'll have to visit the Apple store to find out XD

      • nubix on 14/09/2020 - 13:15

        Better battery life, graphics is a big improvement so don't need to change computer to play dota.

        Honestly I think the old keyboard isn't so bad - after a few years with the older keyboard, I think I type faster on that with the shorter travel and lighter stiffness. And the keyboard is so unreliable Apple will conveniently replace it along with a new battery when you have problems with it >_>

        I didn't notice the extra weight going to the 16, but lifting the 15 now, the lower weight is obvious!

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