Apple MacBook Pro 15" Retina - 2017 (Scratch & Dent) 16GB Intel Core i7 15 Inches 512GB MPTT2LL/A Space Gray

[a2zeke]

Thinking of buying this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro 15" Retina - 2017 (Scratch & Dent) 16GB Intel Core i7 15 Inches 512GB Scratch and Dent MPTT2LL/A Space Gray from Apple R Us (operated by Diamond Assets). 500 nits + Touch bar + P3 wide color. Haven't had a Mac since 2009, but looking to go Apple again.  Is 2017 a good year?  good package?  cons of this machine?  is refurbished ok? is $975 a good price?  $2799 was original price.

 

Alternatively, looking at Apple MacBook Pro 15" Retina MJLT2LL/A (2015) 16GB 512GB (Scratch & Dent) 16GB 2.8 Core i7 15 Inches 512GB Scratch and Dent MJLT2LL/A Silver for $850, Originally $3199. only 300 nits & no P3 & no Touch bar. Is 2015 a good year? Also from Apple R Us.

 

Or any suggestions?  I need 15-17 inch screen, 300 nits is good ( 500 is much more desirable).  Thanks.

[BondiBlue]

That's not a terrible price, but I would not buy that model. It has the butterfly keyboard, and Apple doesn't offer free replacement keyboards forever. The 2015 would be more reliable, but it's up to you to decide if you want to pay that much for an old model. The 2015 MacBook Pro is one of the best in recent years behind the current M1 MacBooks and the 16" MacBook Pro. 

[Roswell]

You want to skip anything from 2016 to 2018 for models bigger than 13 inches because of the keyboard, among other problems.

 

Not sure about whether or not they ditched butterfly on the 13 inch models in 2019 or 2020 though.

[BondiBlue]

1 hour ago, Roswell said:

You want to skip anything from 2016 to 2018 for models bigger than 13 inches because of the keyboard, among other problems.

 

Not sure about whether or not they ditched butterfly on the 13 inch models in 2019 or 2020 though.

All 13" and 15" MacBook Pros from 2016-2019 have the butterfly keyboard and the issues it brings. The 2018 and 2019 MacBook Air also has it. 

[a2zeke]

Thank you, That actually helps a lot. Now looking for 2019 MacBook Pro 15".  Any suggestions as to where to look for best price?  Been checking Apple R Us, and Cal State Electronic Inc.

[BondiBlue]

6 minutes ago, a2zeke said:

Thank you, That actually helps a lot. Now looking for 2019 MacBook Pro 15".  Any suggestions as to where to look for best price?  Been checking Apple R Us, and Cal State Electronic Inc.

Is there a reason you're looking for that particular model? It's affected by the keyboard issues just like the 2017 you mentioned earlier. 

[a2zeke]

I thought that keyboard was dropped for 2019.  Is 2020 a safe bet?  May be out of price range for me, however.  Been looking at 2015s, found some for between $600-700

[BondiBlue]

10 minutes ago, a2zeke said:

I thought that keyboard was dropped for 2019.  Is 2020 a safe bet?  May be out of price range for me, however.  Been looking at 2015s, found some for between $600-700

In 2019 Apple made two separate larger MacBook Pros; the 15" and later the 16". The 15" model still used the butterfly keyboard, but the 16" does not. The 16" MBP is actually still the current model available from Apple today, but you can find used units online. The only 2020 MacBook Pros are 13" models with either Intel CPUs or the M1 SoC. 

[a2zeke]

OK, thanks again.  NOW looking for a 2019 16 inch MBP.  As an aside, don't know where you are, but your screen name reminds me of my trip to Sydney when I was a senior at university.  Been hoping for years to return, but back then I had a housemate whose parents got free airline tickets.  The cost of a ticket today would buy me a brand new MBP 16'. Appreciate your help.