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12-Inch Retina MacBook Receives Mixed Reviews From Early Adopters

See, having something that weights next to nothing and is really thin.... really are not actual factors in deciding if a computer is great. Those are great for ads, but when it comes to use, Apple has this insane notion that thin/light at all costs is the way to go. It's not. This is why my mid-2012 rMBP is staying put until it breaks. It has everything I need. 15" screen, SD card slot, Thunderbolt, retina, SSD, and the thing still screams. Oh, it also has magsafe, which I absolutely love.

And the sad part, all the things the 12" has wrong with it, Apple is wanting to put in all of their laptops eventually. Take all my ports and functionality away, but damn, the thing is so thin and light.

Right now, with all this watch nonsense, my Apple DEFCON is at about a 2 right now. I'm really in the dumps over this company who would rather make jewelry in get into high fashion. I'd love Tim to spin off just the "computer" division.

The Jobs product pipeline is pretty much officially over, and I don't like the path we are headed down.

Since 2005 I've been drinking the koolaid. The mug is finally empty for me. For me now, Apple is only as good as its computers, and from what I've seen lately, I'm a bit worried about what type of computer I'll be using in about 3 years.
 
wallysb01 said:
That’s usually a RAM issue. The OS is busy writing/fetching stuff on disk that should otherwise be going to/from RAM. Do you have 4GB of RAM by chance?
Click to expand...
This is a new machine with 8GB and a large SSD. It might be a bug is Safari or WebKit as it seems to crop up there most often. It also doesn't seem to matter if the machine is lightly loaded or if I have several apps doing things at the same time. It is very strange as the machine is otherwise very snappy, just every once in awhile it pops up a beach ball for far to long.

The problem is I can't duplicate the problem and thus can't submit a decent bug report.
Sure it does. But I think what this guy wants is the ability to use excel on one half of the screen and safari on the other half.
Click to expand...

Then they should better phrase what they want which is some sort of Windowed UI. Frankly I don't want that, at least not on an iPad 3 sized machine. One thing though that I'd like to see Apple add and support directly is a drop down scientific calculator. I still haven't seen one that works well with "Today".

My point here is that right now iPad works pretty good for me the way it multitasks today. I can accomplish all sorts of things in background while reading mail of cruising the net.
 
furi0usbee said:
see, having something that weights next to nothing and is really thin.... Really are not actual factors in deciding if a computer is great. Those are great for ads, but when it comes to use, apple has this insane notion that thin/light at all costs is the way to go. It's not. This is why my mid-2012 rmbp is staying put until it breaks. It has everything i need. 15" screen, sd card slot, thunderbolt, retina, ssd, and the thing still screams. Oh, it also has magsafe, which i absolutely love.

And the sad part, all the things the 12" has wrong with it, apple is wanting to put in all of their laptops eventually. Take all my ports and functionality away, but damn, the thing is so thin and light.

Since 2005 i've been drinking the koolaid. The mug is finally empty for me. For me now, apple is only as good as its computers, and from what i've seen lately, i'm a bit worried about what type of computer i'll be using in about 3 years.
Click to expand...

+ 100,000
 
I miss the days of the 17" Macbook Pro. Dont worry about weight, i want a terryfyingly powerful laptop with ports to expand.

Imagine a 15-17 inch Macbook pro, with the weight and thickness of the pre retina macbook pros. The amount of power they would be able to fit in there these days would be incredible.

2 x i7 processors
64gb ram
Dual M gpu cards
Retina "1920x1200" (3840x2400)

Bring back the power to the power users!!
 
IMO the real deal will be the next generation MacBook Pro, with an external change, taking the design cues from the new MacBook
 
I agree with all the people likening the new Macbook to the initial rollout of the Air. If Apple can add one more USB-C port to the next iteration of the new Macbook -- and I think they will -- then they'll likely have done enough to silence most of the critics.

Speaking of the Air, my guess is that the new Macbook will eventually replace the Air in Apple's product lineup. It makes sense, too. The "Air" moniker isn't nearly as fitting now as it was 7 years ago, as its lack of heft isn't as impressive in comparison to the rest of the market anymore.

A fair amount of people are criticizing Apple for pushing the "thinner and lighter" agenda too tenaciously. I'd remind those people that these two qualities equate to greater portability, which is a necessity to attract the business of a sizable segment of the market.

The 13" Macbook Pro is a fantastic and (relatively) affordable step up for folks who want a wider selection of ports or desire a little more horsepower, while still maintaining a small and attractive form factor.
 
All people wanted was a MacBook Air with a Retina display. Apple messed up by not simply providing that.

If people want an iPad sized laptop they can get an iPad and one of those iPad Keyboards. I know when I go on holiday or trips I take my iPad, not my MacBook Pro. I'm sure many people are similar to me in that regard.
 
This MB ( 12-Inch Retina MacBook) is a bomb.

There where times in my life I knew the moment I saw it I wanted that PB/MB.

First time I saw the PowerBook 500 series (#2 all time), I knew I was getting that.
Same with PB G3 Pismo (#1 all time).
And my 2007 MB Intel.

All of them in top of all 'Books Apple made.

Then there where ones that made me run for the hills.
PowerBook 5300 series.


rMB does have advances, but not with a single port and the price.
 
-BigMac- said:
I miss the days of the 17" Macbook Pro. Dont worry about weight, i want a terryfyingly powerful laptop with ports to expand.

Imagine a 15-17 inch Macbook pro, with the weight and thickness of the pre retina macbook pros. The amount of power they would be able to fit in there these days would be incredible.

2 x i7 processors
64gb ram
Dual M gpu cards
Retina "1920x1200" (3840x2400)

Bring back the power to the power users!!
Click to expand...

After looking at Apple's current lineup, I just ordered a refurb 17" MBP quad core i7. Fingers crossed about the GPU issues, but on paper the damn thing is half as fast as a 2014 Mac Pro, and with that big screen I can actually use it as a desktop replacement on the road.
 
APlotdevice said:
Except that one the major uses some of those people had for this "iPad plus" was to run graphics programs like Photoshop. Using the touchscreen to directly manipulate the image.

And it's not just how you interact. A tablet can held in your hands while standing up, cradled like a book while slouching on the sofa, or held up while you're laying in bed. All of which is a bit awkward with a laptop.
Click to expand...

How would full photoshop work well on touch? Ask SP3 users, I haven't heard good things.

----------
26139 said:
No they won't, those same people will disregard the starting price and complain about the current price. They'll still want the adapters for free.
Click to expand...

I doubt it. People are mainly saying they're "spending 1300$ for such a limited computer". Price matters.
 
furi0usbee said:
See, having something that weights next to nothing and is really thin.... really are not actual factors in deciding if a computer is great. Those are great for ads, but when it comes to use, Apple has this insane notion that thin/light at all costs is the way to go. It's not. This is why my mid-2012 rMBP is staying put until it breaks. It has everything I need. 15" screen, SD card slot, Thunderbolt, retina, SSD, and the thing still screams. Oh, it also has magsafe, which I absolutely love.

And the sad part, all the things the 12" has wrong with it, Apple is wanting to put in all of their laptops eventually. Take all my ports and functionality away, but damn, the thing is so thin and light.

Right now, with all this watch nonsense, my Apple DEFCON is at about a 2 right now. I'm really in the dumps over this company who would rather make jewelry in get into high fashion. I'd love Tim to spin off just the "computer" division.

The Jobs product pipeline is pretty much officially over, and I don't like the path we are headed down.

Since 2005 I've been drinking the koolaid. The mug is finally empty for me. For me now, Apple is only as good as its computers, and from what I've seen lately, I'm a bit worried about what type of computer I'll be using in about 3 years.
Click to expand...

I agree with you rMB opinion,

not with the jewelry division.
I am certain Apple Watch is exactly what Jobs would make, perhaps not as you see now, but would make. That is his whole mantra, smaller, lighter, most of all simple and intuitive.


But yes, this obsession over thin and light has gone to ludicrous level.
I want LONGER BATTERY LIFE, NOT AS EXPENSIVE, and new features more often.

Not SamSmug often, but less than the 2 year cycle Apple seems to do.
 
I love it, but I won't buy it.

I think this MacBook would be perfect for me (if it was great performance-wise), it's an amazing piece of design and engineering. It looks absolutely stunning and impossibly thin. Most of those 'compromises' people have been complaining about doesn't bother me at all. I never edit videos, I rarely play demanding 3D games, all of my file transfers are done wirelessly so it doesn't matter to me if it has just one port. What bothered me though was the lack of performance, I need to use programs like CAD on a daily basis so having an Intel Core M chip just won't cut it.

I really hope they can take the innovations from this MacBook and put some of it into the 15-inch MacBook Pro with dedicated graphics, because that's what really suits my needs.
 
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tentales said:
All we wanted was a Macbook Air with Retina display. Apple over-designed this one.
Click to expand...

That's called the Macbook Pro with Retina Display. If Apple were to add a retina screen to the current Air, they'd also raise the price, which would put it roughly on par with the Macbook Pro. The Pro is nearly as thin and higher powered anyway. Of course people wanted a Macbook Air with Retina display at the same price as the current Airs, but that was never going to happen.
 
I can't be the only one wondering: If wireless accessories are the future and ports are the past as so many apologists say, why is there a headphone jack when Bluetooth is available?

I know the sound quality is less over BT, but why is that important over having just 1 more port for so many other accessories/use options?



I also wonder if Apple will even put the retina display in the air now? I'm kinda looking at the 13" rMBP to replace my 15" MBP in a year or two, but I would get a 13" rMBA instead... But without an upgrade on the display I'm not really going to take the Air as a serious option.
 
I think I'm... not going to get one.

-The keyboard is not that great
-the performance really took a hit
-the camera was a complete downgrade
-the ports are an issue
-and it's too small.

Refurb air here I come.
 
adore the new macbook

This replaces a MacBook Air for me (I gave my air to a family member) & I have a MacBook Pro as my main computer. I wanted this as a light portable unit. It's wonderful! So small & light with an amazing display. Does everything I need in a tiny & gorgeous body. Keyboard took me less than 5 minutes to get used to; track pad took me maybe a minute to get used to. I love it. People come over to me to see it all the time when I am out and are wowed.
 
Michael Goff said:
How would full photoshop work well on touch? Ask SP3 users, I haven't heard good things.
Click to expand...

Like what? Okay, I've heard that the stylus has connection issues and the thing overheats, but those are technical issues. Realize that most professional digital graphic artists use some kind of stylus input, be it a desktop tablet or a stylus-enabled screen. (Usually Wacoms)
 
I find it funny that of the 2 "bad" reviews posted for this article, both of them have actual problems with other aspects and not actually the MacBook.

The first one complained about not having USB-C adapters and found it awkward to type on on his lap because of how light it was. The problem with these "issues" is that they aren't really issues with the MacBook. The pundit doesn't articulate exactly what he needs USB for anyway but this device is literally designed to move away from the constant need for peripherals. Many of us (including myself) haven't used a USB peripheral in YEARS. As for the typing experience, I am literally typing this post on a MacBook on my lap and not bobbling it around what so ever.

In terms of the next post, the first gripe (which sounds less the issue) is the keyboard. He said it wasn't for him. I personally don't understand the constant griping about the keyboard. I work a job where typing is my most completed activity. I am using a DasKeyboard Professional (blue switches) all day long at work. For years I used a crappy Dell keyboard at work. At home I have an iMac with a standard Bluetooth keyboard and a custom Windows PC with another DasKeyboard (red switches). Now I have this retina Macbook. With all this variation, you would think it would be difficult to acclimate. It's not. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I understand people have preference, but the constant discussion about this keyboard is confusing. It's really not all that different from a normal keyboard.

However, the main gripe in the second post is not about the MacBook. It's about managing multiple laptops and a Mac Mini. Again, this has not about the MacBook, it's about this users overall experience.

And yet the title of this post implies the reviews of the MacBook are mixed. Sounds wrong to me. They don't sound mixed at all. They all say the computer is fantastic, but doesn't fit into my current life.
 
IMO... Hopefully Apple will understand that making things thinner and lighter must not come at the expense of basic functionality - connectivity, battery, durability. People buy laptops and phones to USE them on a daily basis... not for their aesthetics or design by themselves.

We get it Apple, your designers must have something to do, but not at the expense of user's needs. I wonder, how thin is thin enough for Apple's design crew?
 
JackANSI said:
I can't be the only one wondering: If wireless accessories are the future and ports are the past as so many apologists say, why is there a headphone jack when Bluetooth is available?

I know the sound quality is less over BT, but why is that important over having just 1 more port for so many other accessories/use options?
Click to expand...

Because sometimes on a conference call you just can't take the risk of the battery on BT headphones dying? I keep both wired and BT headphones for just that reason.

----------
diazj3 said:
Hopefully Apple will understand that making things thinner and lighter must not come at the expense of basic functionality - connectivity, battery, durability. People buy laptops and phones to USE them on a daily basis... not for their aesthetics or design by themselves.

We get it Apple, your designers must have something to do, but not at the expense of user's need. How thin is thin enough?
Click to expand...

which is funny because the new MB is the most usable laptop I've ever had because it is small enough and light enough to take everywhere.

I just can't get over this thread. There are plenty of people for which the MacBook "ticks all the boxes" and they like it. Because it doesn't work for some people doesn't mean that it is garbage.

For me a 17" MBP is completely useless but, I'm not going to diss someone who really wants to use that sized laptop.

That's what so crazy about this thread. There are plenty of people very happy about the MB...I'm typing on one right now.
 
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