Macbook Pro 2015 vs. Macbook Pro 2021/22

[nancyspeed]

My notebook:
Macbook Pro 13" Early 2015; 2.7 Ghz; 8 GB 1867 Mhz DDR3; graphics 6100 l536 MD; 251 GB Flash.

Several things are going wrong with it and it may be time to buy a new one. I am notoriously bad at upgrading and am still running Mojave on it. The hard drive is making a horrible noise and the sound without the earbuds has such a racket it cannot be deciphered.

I do have a 2017 iMac 27" that I work on also running Mojave that I use for work. I have not upgraded because the accounting software I use will not run on Catalina or above.

I've looked on the Apple website and find it too confusing for me to choose. I wouldn't mind a 14". I need battery life. I just do not think I want a MacBook Air. I do not remember why I purchased a MacBook Pro over the MacBook in 2015.

I don't understand if or how some the comparisons on the Apple website would affect my use (if any). I do not play games.

What do I need to avoid or know when buying a new notebook? Should I wait it out another year?

 

[ferrarr]

In my opinion, you would only need a pro if for any reason you use cpu intensive apps. If not the air would suffice.

Also, if you wanted, you could find a 2019 MBA in good condition, that would still run Mojave.

 

[pigoo3]

The hard drive is making a horrible noise and the sound without the earbuds has such a racket it cannot be deciphered.

Sorry...but this is not possible. 2015 13" MacBook Pro's do not have a mechanical "spinner" hard drive...they ONLY have an internal SSD (no moving parts).

If you're hearing some sort of "horrible noise"...the only moving parts inside are the fan/fans.

Nick

 

[Raz0rEdge]

We need a few things from you before we can tell you how to proceed.
* What is your budget?
* What applications do you normally use?
* What do you do on your machine on a day to day basis?

 

[nancyspeed]

Sorry...but this is not possible. 2015 13" MacBook Pro's do not have a mechanical "spinner" hard drive...they ONLY have an internal SSD (no moving parts).

If you're hearing some sort of "horrible noise"...the only moving parts inside are the fan/fans.

Nick

Oh thank you! I did forget that part. I do recall now when I bought it.

 

[nancyspeed]

We need a few things from you before we can tell you how to proceed.
* What is your budget?
* What applications do you normally use?
* What do you do on your machine on a day to day basis?

I really don't have a budget thankfully.
I use it mostly for internet surfing. I do use Pages a great deal also. Don't do social media other than FB. Check into it a few times a week. It always says "this website is using significant memory."

 

[pigoo3]

I really don't have a budget thankfully.

I would say if you're seriously thinking of purchasing a new or "new to you" computer...a good choice is one of the M1 "Apple Silicon" based computer models.

Apple is moving away from Intel CPU powered computers. Every new computer Apple sells now (except the desktop Mac Pro)...is based on an M1 "Apple Silicon" SoC (System on a Chip).

Desktop Mac Pro is expected to be converted to Apple Silicon VERY soon as well.

This is the direction Apple started almost 18 months ago...and most definitely will be continuing in the future (there's already talk of an M2 chip being released soon...and M3 & M4 chips on the drawing board).

* If you wanted a desktop computer...the M1 Mac-Mini would be a good choice.
* If you wanted a portable computer...the M1 MacBook Air would be a good choice.

Make sure to buy from the Apple refurbished area...and save approx 15% vs. new.

HTH,

Nick

 

[nancyspeed]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. It has my my choosing process much easier and given me knowledge I didn't have.

 

[Rod]

Can I just add that I have just done what you are considering, upgraded from a 13”mid 2015 MBP to a 14” 2021 M1Pro MBP. It had almost identical specs to yours and was running the latest macOS (Monterey) perfectly well. The only reasons I updated were; It had a intermittent shut down issue where the device would not reboot, sometimes for hours. I’d had the problem supposedly fixed 3 times but it continued to reoccur. Secondly I was concerned that the next macOS would not be compatible.

If your only problems are a shonky fan and perhaps (I’m just guessing here) insufficient storage and/or years of accumulated dross. Stuff that could be fixed with a new fan and a “clean” instal of the existing or later macOS then that would be a much cheaper solution.

I’m assuming of course the device works in all other respects.
If not then by all means consider the new M1. I bought the new M1 Pro MBP because it’s the second generation of M1’s and I wanted more input/output jacks, no Touch Bar but fingerprint recognition, the faster processor, the MagSafe 3 power connection (like your 2015 MBP) and the 14” screen because my eyesight is not what it used to be.
I am very happy with it but it was not cheap.

 

[nancyspeed]

Can I just add that I have just done what you are considering, upgraded from a 13”mid 2015 MBP to a 14” 2021 M1Pro MBP. It had almost identical specs to yours and was running the latest macOS (Monterey) perfectly well. The only reasons I updated were; It had a intermittent shut down issue where the device would not reboot, sometimes for hours. I’d had the problem supposedly fixed 3 times but it continued to reoccur. Secondly I was concerned that the next macOS would not be compatible.

If your only problems are a shonky fan and perhaps (I’m just guessing here) insufficient storage and/or years of accumulated dross. Stuff that could be fixed with a new fan and a “clean” instal of the existing or later macOS then that would be a much cheaper solution.

I’m assuming of course the device works in all other respects.
If not then by all means consider the new M1. I bought the new M1 Pro MBP because it’s the second generation of M1’s and I wanted more input/output jacks, no Touch Bar but fingerprint recognition, the faster processor, the MagSafe 3 power connection (like your 2015 MBP) and the 14” screen because my eyesight is not what it used to be.
I am very happy with it but it was not cheap.

I'm thinking of the very same unit. I usually keep computers until they are just so very old and worn out and worthless. The older I get the less change I like so going with the 14" M1 sounds easy. I think I will like the 14" screen too. I love my 27" desktop! I don't like the fact that my external speaker isn't coherent anymore along with the fan noise. It's just time I think. I haven't shown my dogs in 2 years so I figure I've saved that expense to not feel guilty spending the money.

 

[Rod]

I think you've made your mind up and there is a lot to like about this model.
That brings us to the question of how best to transfer the data you want/need (as opposed to the stuff you don't) to the new device?

There are two basic methods; use a backup of your old device to restore all your data to the new one as a part of the initial setup or, set the device up (with your Apple account info) as new device and transfer your personal data manually.

Don’t forget that assuming you are logged into iCloud a lot of your data will sync to the new device automatically. Contacts, Books, Photos (if you use iCloud Photos Library, calendars, reminders etc to name just a few. It will only be unique data such as documents, media and some applications. I say some because I have found it's better to download fresh versions of many applications because they will need to be updated versions anyway and because an installer is often required to put all associated files in the right places. This is particularly true with Microsoft Office, third party email clients, VPN apps, and some web browsers.

To use a backup, Time Machine is the obvious simple choice, you will have some limitations over what is restored to the new device but it is by far the easiest method.

To do the task manually would mean making a clone of your device or using a cable connection to your old device and Migration Assistant.

Alternatively you could just set up your M1 as a new device and use a USB thumb drive or external hard drive (with USB-C to USB adaptor) to transfer things like documents, pictures, stand alone apps ect after initial setup.

Do check in System Preferences > Your apple ID > iCloud what you are currently syncing. You might like to add a few things to be synced that are not done by default. Safari for example. That will ensure all your bookmarks are transferred.

Obviously the last method is the simplest one and may serve you well. If you don't have one already an external hard drive at least 1.5 times the size of the internal storage of your new device is a very handy thing to have looking forward as a backup for the new M1.

 

[nancyspeed]

Thanks for your information on transferring documents, etc.

I finally got the new MBP 14" yesterday. When I went to the Apple store they had none and did mentione occasionally some came in and to check but just to order it on the website. So I did with a proposed delivery date of July 27-August 10. I checked back every few days on the website and finally my Apple store had some in stock. So off I went to get it.

I set it up as a new computer and everything migrated over from iCloud (I even had all my passwords written down and correct). Had a few problems with ATT/Yahoo emails (still do but that's not an Apple problem but I'll figure it out). A few new things going on but I'll get everything configured soon the same way my 2015 was. Gosh I love the touch ID!!!!

The only real thing I don't like is the charging cord is really short. The 2015 cord was about 12' long and could plug it in in an outlet near the floor and thread it up to the top of my very high bed to plug in my computer. I'll see what the battery life is on this one and it may be I don't have to worry so much about battery life.

My bookmarks going vertically down the left are all in black and white without the website photo as is my favorite websites that appear in squares when I open Safari. But I'll get it all figured out sooner of later.

But at least I'm going in the right direction.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

My wife recently got the 16" MBP from work and she can use it all day without needing to charge it, so you'll find the battery life is no problem at all.

And congrats on your purchase.