2016 MacBook Pro question

Seven Costanza

Fred Astaire of SoSH
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2007
3,016
I'm toying with the idea of buying the new MacBook Pro base model. For the more technically inclined- does it make sense for me to upgrade the RAM and processor? I would use this mostly for general internet dicking around, light gaming & light photo/video work. I don't mind ponying up the extra dough if it means I can squeeze an extra year or two of life out of the thing, but if the upgrades are wholly unnecessary I'd obviously like to save the cash. Thanks!

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swiftaw

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2009
3,434
Nothing is user upgradable on the new MacBook Pros (unless you get the one without the touch bar, in which case the SSD is user upgradable), therefore I suggest you get the most storage, RAM, and processor speed that you can afford in order to maximize the longevity of the machine.

For most tasks 8GB of RAM should suffice, but photo/video editing might stretch that.
 

Tony C

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 13, 2000
13,695
yeah, I 'm thinking of getting one. It's definitely pricey for what it is, and the upgrade makes it more so, but all the advice is to upgrade when you buy as you'll be stuck after.
 

derekson

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 26, 2010
6,243
I'm toying with the idea of buying the new MacBook Pro base model. For the more technically inclined- does it make sense for me to upgrade the RAM and processor? I would use this mostly for general internet dicking around, light gaming & light photo/video work. I don't mind ponying up the extra dough if it means I can squeeze an extra year or two of life out of the thing, but if the upgrades are wholly unnecessary I'd obviously like to save the cash. Thanks!

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You'd be better off buying the $1800 model with the new touchscreen keyboard row thing than upgrading the processor in the base model. That model has 28W TDP chips rather than the ULW 15W chips in the $1500 entry level model. It also has faster RAM.
 

JerBear

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 11, 2006
1,582
Leeds, ME
Difference between i5 and i7 isn't huge and I wouldn't pay extra for your expected use. Memory and hard drive are usually worth it.