Where to go from 2014 Macbook Pro 15"?

[BenBuzz]

Hello all, looking for some advice as I am so long out of the laptop/tech scene I have no idea what is hot or not these days!

I am looking for a replacement for my 2014 Macbook Pro 15", I couldn't believe I have had it over 6 years and it has been an incredible workhorse. Aside from it being a bit on the slower side now and the fact the battery is totally shot, I could probably run it for another year just fine, but am thinking about where to go next..stick with Mac or go back to Windows...

Current specs;
Intel Core i7 2.2GHz
16Gb 1600MHz DDR3
Intel Iris Pro 1536Mb
256Gb SSD

Just headed to the Apple website to find they've swapped the old 15" for a 16", fair enough...although £2400 for the 'base' model seemed a bit on the steep side! So thought I'd ask the experts opinion on what else is out there...

In terms of use - a bit of everything, nothing majorly heavy...I do a reasonable amount in Lightroom and Photoshop but otherwise it's just general browsing and Office. I run some software for work which is Windows-only and so I have to run Parallels Desktop (but have so successfully for 5 years, I really like it). I am notorious for running lots of stuff all at once and constantly swapping between them, but seeing as my current machine can still handle this OK, I don't see why a new one can't!

Screen-wise I want to stay at around the 15" (-16") mark. I have been used to the Retina display for a long time now and I think I am going to struggle to take a backwards step in terms of resolution.

Design/Build - I love the all-aluminum/metal chassis on my current Macbook, I am sure this makes a difference in terms of how long it has lasted. It gets chucked into my bag, chucked around my truck, generally abused and holds up superbly. I seem to recall the aluminium chassis was fairly unique to Macbook Pro when I bought it, but I am sure there are many other offerings now?

So far in terms of alternatives I think I have come up with...
-The base 16" MBP, 2.6Ghz AMD (£2400)
-Dell XPS 15", Intel i7, UHD+ display (£2300)
-Look for a 2019 15" MBP ???

Anything else to consider, etc. gratefully received! Thanks in advance.

[mmm-five]

I'd suggest waiting until the 16" Apple Silicon MBP is released.

If the 13" is anything to go by, it will be half the price, and will fly.

[mikef]

Apple Silicon is unlikely to run parallels anytime soon though. Normally I would have said - if you want this one to last 7 years as well, go,for the highest spec MacBook Pro you can. But I really do wonder what support there will be for Intel CPUs in future releases of Mac OS, so maybe look for a bargain on a 2018 or 2019 MBP

[steveatesh]

Op, according to the reviews the new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro 13 are both faster than any previous Intel powered Mac Book of any derivation. And considerably cheaper than what you are looking at too.

This is a first generation computer that is proving to be a formidable piece of hardware.

If I was you and my current Mac is working and good for a year I’d hang on for the M2 or whatever it will be called in the next MacBook laptops.

They will be even quicker and should be here next year along with the replacement iMac .

Current software runs under Rosetta 2 until it is reconfigured for the new Silicon.

As for Parallels it might be here sooner rather than later if it’s important:

https://www.parallels.com/blogs/parallels-desktop-...

[mmm-five]

mikef said:

Apple Silicon is unlikely to run parallels anytime soon though. Normally I would have said - if you want this one to last 7 years as well, go,for the highest spec MacBook Pro you can. But I really do wonder what support there will be for Intel CPUs in future releases of Mac OS, so maybe look for a bargain on a 2018 or 2019 MBP

In that case, the OP can buy an M1 MBP for £1200 and spend £500 on a decent Windows laptop - or just convert the old MBP into a Windows-only machine using Bootcamp*

This is what I did with my father's 2012 MacMini when I bought him an M1 Mini (he only used Parallels to run some model railway control software).

Edited by mmm-five on Wednesday 23 December 10:42

[phope]

Get a cheap replacement battery for now and see what 2021 brings with the next round of Apple Silicon powered MacBooks?

[mikeiow]

phope said:

Get a cheap replacement battery for now and see what 2021 brings with the next round of Apple Silicon powered MacBooks?

I’d say this!
2014 was peak Apple, perhaps until the new ones prove themselves......ports a-plenty, we have 3 in the family, and a “hot spare” - I’ll be gutted when mine bites the dust. My battery is still good for 5+ hours, but I’m also (happily!) stuck on El Capitan for s/w reasons......

Will consider the new ones in a year or so...

[BenBuzz]

Morning all - firstly many thanks for the replies, really useful and interesting to hear that things 'Macbook' haven't necessarily all changed for the better since 2014..! I will scout out some sort of battery replacement and await the M1 chips on the 16"...

[Blackpuddin]

Still using my 2010 MBP, admittedly only for browsing and word processing, screen is smashed and I've just replaced the battery, probably the 4th or 5th, still on original non solid state drive, all still works fine. Wish Mac did a simple MB for less money, otherwise I guess I'll go for an Air when this finally gives up.

[Tony1963]

Maybe look for a local independent upgrade specialist, see if there’s anything they can do to prolong its useful life.
My mid-2014 15” Pro is still going strong, just gets a bit hot at times.