12-Inch Retina MacBook Receives Mixed Reviews From Early Adopters

[nevermind13]

Perhaps some buyers should wait for the second generation?

The rMB is sexy, but i don't like to pack a bunch of adapters. I bought a MBA, was not satisfied, got a rMBP. This is a real powerful machine, it manages all tasks. Even Windows per Parallels .

 

[KPOM]

Wait, your explanation for why one port is okay on this is because one port is okay on something that is less than half the price?

So how much does the 256GB iPad cost?

 

[TWSS37]

Struggling to manage two laptops isn't really a fair criticism of the rMB.

It is when you have to use a second to make up for the shortcomings of the primary.

 

[Kojemica]

a over-priced, under-powered macbook?

it's no wonder why its getting mixed reviews.

 

[TWSS37]

My review...

A $1300 netbook with one port and a horrible keyboard.

Sounds "mixed" to me

 

[KPOM]

It is when you have to use a second to make up for the shortcomings of the primary.

The MacBook will be my only Mac.

 

[SockRolid]

All we wanted was a Macbook Air with Retina display. Apple over-designed this one.

“If I’d asked my customers what they wanted, they’d have said ‘A faster horse.’”
- Henry Ford

 

[TWSS37]

Say what you will, scoff all you want, but this machine wants to be what Microsoft already has put out - the Surface Pro 3.

 

[Michael Goff]

So how much does the 256GB iPad cost?

Nothing, it doesn't exist.

 

[TEBnewyork]

The opinions are mixed. People like me who know what we are buying like it. People expecting a MacBook Pro in miniature form don't.

I wasn't going to buy it but went to see it at the store on the 10th. I went home and ordered it. I've had it for two weeks now. Perfect for me.

I was a devoted MBA user but just got a new 13"MBP for work. I was pretty shocked when I put them side by side and found that the MBP was smaller.

The new MB makes my MBA (2013) feel really dated. I don't really use ports that often on the Air...SD reader is it. All else is done with Airdrop, Dropbox etc. Don't need to connect to external displays.

The new charger is nice much smaller and lighter than MBA and MBP chargers with cable that detaches.

 

[Kojemica]

“If I’d asked my customers what they wanted, they’d have said ‘A faster horse.’”
- Henry Ford

yes, but preferably with the same number of doors...

 

[Steve121178]

3) There is no glowing Apple logo at the back. A deal-breaker for me

How is that a deal breaker? I don't understand. It looks tacky anyway in 2015. Good riddance to it.

 

[RogerWilco]

Keep whining and belly-aching -- on the next rev Ive will take away the shift key.

 

[doelcm82]

Sorry you only need $80 adapter if you want the multi-port adapter. USB can be bought for $10.

Some people like to think they're required to pay $80 for the multi-port adapter.

As long as everyone who even glances at the rMB gets sent a bill for $130 ($80 for an adapter, and $50 for a 40 watt equivalent LED bulb), the rMB is never going to take off.

 

[Kojemica]

Keep whining and belly-aching -- on the next rev Ive will take away the shift key.

it will be called force shift. you simply press down hard on a letter to make it uppercase.

 

[apolloa]

Yeap, this a good MacBook, it is not any way shape or form a MacBook PRO. And neither is it designed to be, it is also not designed to showcase what the next MacBook Pro will be like becuae it compromises an awful lot, the Pro does not.

The new MacBook is a netbook, end of, albeit a very nice one. It will suit a lot of certain people very well but as per the article, it isn't going to suit a fair few current MB Pro users.

 

[Glideslope]

More to come......

What do people expect? Apple is now Form over Function. I can hardly wait for the "MacBook Paper."

 

[tillsbury]

I don't get this as a news article at all.

One review says "I knew it was small and light and had only one port, but I don't like it because it's small and light and has only one port"

The second review says they're returning it because it's hard to maintain and sync two laptops.

What has this got to do with the rMB?

Lots of hating going on, and comparisons with the rMBP13 at the same price. Yes it is. You can have bigger and more power, or smaller and less power, you get the choice. That's been the same throughout the computer industry for years. It's not like Apple won't let you buy a rMBP13 any more, so why on earth bring up the comparison?

 

[MTD's Mac]

I love mine for lots of reasons, but one complaint I have a hard time understanding is the single port.

Yes, a USB-A port would be convenient for plugging in my flash drive without the need for an adapter. But another USB-C port would be useless, especially with so few accessories out there right now.

Battery life on this computer is excellent. So you charge overnight, use all day. This means never using it when it's charging, if you don't want to.

Think about watch: you either use (wear) it, or charge it, not both at once, by design. iPhones and iPads are largely the same, and now Macs are too.

 

[smulji]

I don't think it will take 2 years for USB-C to catch on. With Apple being an early adopter, and so many companies chasing Apple, we'll see USB-C spread like wildfire now.

Same thing was said about Thunderbolt and that hasn't caught on as well as some had hoped.

 

[TEBnewyork]

Yeap, this a good MacBook, it is not any way shape or form a MacBook PRO. And neither is it designed to be, it is also not designed to showcase what the next MacBook Pro will be like becuae it compromises an awful lot, the Pro does not.

The new MacBook is a netbook, end of, albeit a very nice one. It will suit a lot of certain people very well but as per the article, it isn't going to suit a fair few current MB Pro users.

And if Apple thought it would they would have replaced the MBP. They didn't.

I'm not quite sure though what it compromises. You could say port or CPU...but not everyone needs that. I can't use the MB as my primary machine but I hate unplugging my rMBP from 2x27 Thunderbolt displays because my screen layouts all get screwed up. So, MB is zero compromise for my use case.

 

[Michael Scrip]

The new charger is nice much smaller and lighter than MBA and MBP chargers with cable that detaches.

And another thing... you can charge the new MacBook with one of those external battery packs since it uses USB for charging.

That would be nice if you're set up somewhere and you can't be near a power outlet. You might be able to eek out a few more hours without being chained to a wall.

Dell actually sells an external battery pack as an accessory to their new XPS 13.

But since the new Macbook uses plain ol' USB... you can use any external battery (with a USB-A to USB-C cable)

To me... that's a killer feature.

 

[inhalexhale1]

I don't get it. If you returned this because it wasn't powerful enough, or weren't satisfied with one port....you're definitely a "ohhh shiny" buyer, and didn't buy based on need. All of these things were obvious from the day it was announced.

 

[ColdShadow]

It needed 2 USB-C ports,free included USB-C adapter and lower price tag.
at current state,it's a very compromised and definitely over priced.
No thanks.

 

[Michael Goff]

I don't get this as a news article at all.

One review says "I knew it was small and light and had only one port, but I don't like it because it's small and light and has only one port"

The second review says they're returning it because it's hard to maintain and sync two laptops.

What has this got to do with the rMB?

Lots of hating going on, and comparisons with the rMBP13 at the same price. Yes it is. You can have bigger and more power, or smaller and less power, you get the choice. That's been the same throughout the computer industry for years. It's not like Apple won't let you buy a rMBP13 any more, so why on earth bring up the comparison?

I agree. We shouldn't make value comparisons at all and the rMB lives in a bubble. :|