Macbook Pro with touch bar

[anonymous-user]

Hello, I’m in the market for a new Macbook Pro. I hear the models with touch bar have uprated processors and graphics over the non touch bar models. The only problem is the 2019 models are around £1750 for the 13” with no upgrades, and I can pick up a brand new sealed one for £1249, however it’s a 2018. It’s for my son, he’s finishing his GCSE’s tommorow and I thought it might be nice to get him something as he has never owned anything (no computer, ipad, tv, bike etc) and he’s of age now, and he’s always wanted a Macbook Pro with the touch bar thing. Apparently the non touch bar ones are a waste of money as they have a very negligible difference over the Macbook air. We already have a 2012 macbook air and a 21.5 iMac. I gave him an old 10 year old windows computer I had somewhere but it barely works, and I think it’s time he had something nice.

Does the 2019 macbook pro have any advantages over the 2018? Or should I just buy him an iMac? Only problem is he sleeps in a very small room and thus the iMac would either not fit or use up all the space on his table. Best i get a tape measure out then while he’s out

It’s not a suprise, I did promise the whole family would chip in for him if he did well, best hope he does too so my pockets don’t get raped

[BBenzzz]

I have a 2018 MacBook Pro (15 inch) with touch bar etc and even if there were (minute) improvements up to the 2019 model I can't see how they would be of benefit to anyone unless they were using them to their very maximum potential.


Cracking computers, mine handles 4k drone footage and gopro clips like it's nothing.. Yet to really test it!

[tim0409]

Go for the 2018 model of MBP given the savings. As per the previous post, the difference in performance is negligible; the only other difference is that they have tweaked the keyboard to reduce the failures that have plagued the design. However, the 2018 model has a 4 year Apple warranty on the keyboard due to the high failure rate, and if it does need to be replaced they will use the 2019 keyboard.

I personally am not a fan of the touch bar, but if your son wants one go for it; he is a lucky boy!

[MYOB]

Does he actually need the touch bar buttons? I ask because I understand in the next OS update, the touch bar features will be rolled out to all Macs via a side bar.

If so, perhaps a mac air might be a cheaper option.

Depending what he will be using it for, there won't be any real difference in regular usage.

[anonymous-user]

MYOB said:

Does he actually need the touch bar buttons? I ask because I understand in the next OS update, the touch bar features will be rolled out to all Macs via a side bar.

If so, perhaps a mac air might be a cheaper option.

Depending what he will be using it for, there won't be any real difference in regular usage.

Macbook pro’s with the touch bar have touch ID, which the base MBP’s dont have (although thr MBA has) and from what ive seen now the touch bar would be useful to him. If I’m wrong, correct me, but does macOS Catalina require an iPad for the side bar functions? Since Macs aren’t touchscreen surely there is little point in the on screen functions? I would throw my money if Apple introduce a touch screen Macbook, as long as it’s not £2,000+ in which case I will shoot myself.

I have suggested a 27” iMac (which he prefers to the 21.5) but that would take up nearly his whole table, albeit with a superior screen experience. I can’t see much advantage of a MacBook Pro for home use, however I can trust him with it for sixth form as his mates have them and I let him take my 11” late 2012 Macbook Air to school and he looks after it as were a baby which makes me happy.
He’s getting a job in the summer, maybe I will buy him a 2017 5K 27” iMac and tell him to buy a Macbook pro himself.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 13th June 14:07

[andygo]

If he is thinking of uni at some point a laptop might be more useful. And he can always hook up a monitor to a macbook, although the cheaper ones have just 2 ports, one of which has to be available for charging.

[5150]

I believe Apple UK are offering 0% finance deals on their products....worth considering for a large outlay such as that....

[gregs656]

For a teen, I would 100% buy a macbook as it is more flexible. You can always plug in an external display but you can't take your iMac to lectures.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks. The 0% finance looks very appealing... looks like that’s what I’m going to choose on top of my son’s student discount site that’s logged in to the computer

Does anyone know if Apple still make the Lightning (is that what it was called?) display? And is the macbook pro 4k compatible ?

[super7]

5150 said:

I believe Apple UK are offering 0% finance deals on their products....worth considering for a large outlay such as that....

Yep they are...... got my Macbook pro with Touchbar from their outlet store on 0% finance.

Edited to add...... Macbook Pro's now come with 4 usb-c type connectors. You'll need a USB hub to get standard USB's and HDMI ports etc.

Resolution of a Macbook Pro is only 2560 x 1600. Get a WQHD or QHD screen unless you really want a 4K one.

Edited by super7 on Thursday 13th June 17:29

[DoctorX]

O/T but clocked this today. Seems like a deal, as far as about to be replaced Apple gear goes:

https://www.johnlewis.com/apple-macbook-12-inch-in...

[robsa]

DoctorX said:

O/T but clocked this today. Seems like a deal, as far as about to be replaced Apple gear goes:

https://www.johnlewis.com/apple-macbook-12-inch-in...

That is an excellent buy! I have a 2015 Macbook 12" and absolutely love it, although the battery is now down to 60% of original capacity.

[stewies_minion]

Typical only the gold one's left. At that price I think I'd have had a grey one. That gold. FFS.

[Troubleatmill]

stewies_minion said:

Typical only the gold one's left. At that price I think I'd have had a grey one. That gold. FFS.

Put a skin on it - and suck it up

[DoctorX]

stewies_minion said:

Typical only the gold one's left. At that price I think I'd have had a grey one. That gold. FFS.

Silver ones on Amazon for £765....

[tim0409]

I’ve just bought a 12” Macbook Space Grey in the US whilst on holiday before changing my mind and going for the Air; I thought I would keep it and sell it when I got back but didn’t count on them being on sale here! £799 is a very good price for what is a great machine.

[21TonyK]

Troubleatmill said:

stewies_minion said:

Typical only the gold one's left. At that price I think I'd have had a grey one. That gold. FFS.

Put a skin on it - and suck it up

We had the "insistence" that daughters MBP had to be space grey to match her phone... week later they were both pink

[andygo]

Amazon seem to have some good price reductions on 2019 macbooks as well as older versions at the moment. Very tempting except that there seem to be several rumours (I know, I know) of impending updates.

Flippin' Apple....

[tog]

The only problem with the Touch bar Macs is that they have a touch bar... I have one and the Touch Bar is a hateful waste of space. Give me keys next time.

[tim0409]

andygo said:

Amazon seem to have some good price reductions on 2019 macbooks as well as older versions at the moment. Very tempting except that there seem to be several rumours (I know, I know) of impending updates.

Flippin' Apple....

They have just registered 7 new model numbers in the Eurasian database which means new models are indeed imminent; speculation is updates to 12” MacBook and Air. The Macbook is still a cracking deal at £799 as the rumoured performance updates aren’t going to be massive.