Macbook pro for developer

[thachhuynh]

I am mobile developer and I intend to buy a macbook pro for my work because I have to develop both android and iOS app. I am hesitant between macbook pro 2015 13.3" MF840 like new (99%- i5 2.7 - 16G RAM, bus 1866 - 256GB SSD) and macbook pro 2017 13.3" brand new MPXQ2 (i5 2.3 - 8G RAM, bus 2133 - 128G SSD). In my country, they have the same price so I am a little confused. I want to buy the new one 2017 but I do not know that 8G RAM is enough or not (because I have not use XCode before). Anyone can give me an advice ?

Update: I can change the 2015 13.3" one with 2015 15.4" MJLQ2 (99% - i7 2.2 - 16G RAM bus 1600 - 256 SSD)

 

[robvas]

Go for 16GB

 

[csurfr]

There are a lot of developers that use machines with only 8gb of ram. Android Studio and Xcode will run fine with it. Your build times will be a bit slower on the 2017 since you’re only getting a dual core i5 as opposed to a quad i7, but still respectable.

Does the 2015 have any warranty left? That would be a pretty big driving force for me.

There is a thread with essentially this same topic in the buying advice sub forum. Have a read.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-mac-for-programming.2110583/

 

[thachhuynh]

There are a lot of developers that use machines with only 8gb of ram. Android Studio and Xcode will run fine with it. Your build times will be a bit slower on the 2017 since you’re only getting a dual core i5 as opposed to a quad i7, but still respectable.

Does the 2015 have any warranty left? That would be a pretty big driving force for me.

There is a thread with essentially this same topic in the buying advice sub forum. Have a read.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-mac-for-programming.2110583/

I have just update, they are both 13.3" and i5 version

 

[csurfr]

I have just update, they are both 13.3" and i5 version

Well in that case I’d still ask about the warranty on the 2015.

 

[Toutou]

Have you tried the 2017 keyboard? Both machines are fine, the RAM and SSD in the 2015 are a nice addition, while the 2017 is more portable and a bit nicer, but also the 2017 keyboard is weird.
Get the one that feels better.

 

[thachhuynh]

Well in that case I’d still ask about the warranty on the 2015.

No apple care any more, just shop's warranty in 12 months

 

[LennartOlsen]

I am a software engineer and got the 2017 non-touchbar model, its fine - but for the love of god dont go for the 128gb SSD model. Actually i dont think you would be able to have both android studio and XCode at the same time (xcode downloads the entire Application ≈10gigs for a new update).

I had the 2015 model, the 15inch model is a beast, especially the Iris model, it would go for days without needing a recharge - I would properly go for that if i had the chance when buying my current model.

Though the out of warranty part is a tough one to swallow.

 

[thachhuynh]

I have about 1300$, any other better choice ?

 

[Toutou]

I am a software engineer

Same but I actually do have the 128G model.

dont go for the 128gb SSD model. Actually i dont think you would be able to have both android studio and XCode at the same time

and I actually do have them both at the same time. Android Studio, Xcode, RubyMine, PyCharm, a Linux VM, ten gigs of music and a few little games.
It's doable. Not very convenient but totally doable

 

[thachhuynh]

Same but I actually do have the 128G model.

and I actually do have them both at the same time. Android Studio, Xcode, RubyMine, PyCharm, a Linux VM, ten gigs of music and a few little games.
It's doable. Not very convenient but totally doable

Do you think 8G RAM is enough ?

 

[sergeyz]

I would choose the 15-inch model if I did not care about battery life - it's about 5 hours for a 15-inch model. While the 2017 13" runs on a battery for about 2.5 hours longer. As for me - 15" is much more comfortable for software developing.

 

[Toutou]

Do you think 8G RAM is enough ?

SW development tends to be pretty RAM heavy, especially when running VMs or emulators. Mine has 4G and the bottleneck is just there and it's pretty limiting. 8 gigs should help things.
But to be honest, if I was you, I'd definitely get the 16/256 quad core 15". That thing is a proper development tool.

 

[cambookpro]

I run Xcode fine with 8GB of RAM. I'd like 16, but usually I'm hitting that bottleneck with programs such as After Effects rather than Xcode.

 

[impulse462]

I would choose the 15-inch model if I did not care about battery life - it's about 5 hours for a 15-inch model. While the 2017 13" runs on a battery for about 2.5 hours longer. As for me - 15" is much more comfortable for software developing.

what? 13”tb has less battery life than 15” from my experience. Unless you’re using the dGPU on at all times then I see what you’re saying

 

[Ghokun]

2015 15.4" MJLQ2 (99% - i7 2.2 - 16G RAM bus 1600 - 256 SSD)

This one here

 

[sergeyz]

what? 13”tb has less battery life than 15” from my experience. Unless you’re using the dGPU on at all times then I see what you’re saying

13" w/o TB has more battery life - 1.5h longer than the one with TB.

 

[impulse462]

13" w/o TB has more battery life - 1.5h longer than the one with TB.

Oh without touchbar. Yeah that has the best battery life