2016 MacBook Pro Denied Recommendation From Consumer Reports Due to Battery Life Inconsistencies

[Burger Thing]

Good. I am happy to see CR putting up this report - especially shortly after the story in Bloomberg.

Apple needs all the kick in the rear they can get. They absolutely deserve it. Sugar coated, semi sponsored glowing reviews will only make things worse.

 

[lobo1978]

I have +10 hrs on normal use with 13 MBPr touch easily. On heavy load I am getting same battery time as with 2015 MBPr.

Internet just needs breaking/viral "news" to fuel GoogleAd and draw our attention.

Like in Matrix - we are all just a mass of tiny batteries feeding companies that make big money.

 

[lincolntran]

Weird. No major problems here on ours, it seems on par with my previous MacBook Pro's.

Anything to get people talking about Consumer Reports though I guess.

Most complains are from people who don't actually own the new MacBook Pro. I've got mine for a while and is loving it. Battery is NOT an issue. It's in line with my other MacBook Pro. People will just look for something to complain. It's common sense that the more things you do with a device, the more battery it'll use and vice versa.

Well crap - now I'm torn. I generally do the opposite of what Consumer Reports recommends as I've had horrible experience with their recommendations in the past, but I had already passed on the new rMBP. Looks like I might have to reconsider it. As for the testing, the results from Consumer Reports seems very odd and I suspect that something is flawed in their testing methodology (unsurprising) as it just doesn't seem like someone would see such a drastic variation in battery life like that.

Most complains are from people who don't actually own the new MacBook Pro. I've got mine for a while and is loving it. Battery is NOT an issue. It's in line with my other MacBook Pro. People will just look for something to complain. It's common sense that the more things you do with a device, the more battery it'll use and vice versa.

It is. It's likely due to not being coded correctly. I use Safari for everything. But that's my preference.

I prefer Safari as well. Chrome is just something that everyone is using because of rumors that it's better then Safari while it's just a rumor. Safari is the best browser out there in my opinion and I use it for both browsing and web development.

The irony is that not a single person on this planet complained the 2015 was too thick. I haven't met anybody online or offline who said they wished it was thinner. Yet they trimmed it down along with the battery.

I've been complaining about how think the MacBook Pro for years. I've been waiting for it to get thinner and now I'm happy with it.

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

No, you should be concerned. What you should not be doing is looking at half of the results and making some sort of conclusion from that. If you don't take the results in their entirety, then you're doing yourself a disservice. If the variability is that great, then somethings wrong. What could it be? IDK. The methodology seemed sound. It's the same methodology they use for every laptop. It's the same methodology they've used for every other Apple laptop that has passed their testing. They purchased off the shelf consumer product; not manufacturer supplied "test" product optimized for reviews. 3 differently configured MBP's. They update the software and run the native browser. They also run multiple tests. Could they have faulty equipment? Sure they could, but it wouldn't explain how simply changing the browser to Chrome got the MBP's to expected battery levels without wild fluctuations. My money is on some software related issue with Safari, but that's just my speculative view. They're sending their data to Apple so I think they feel confident in their methodology and the results.
...

Spot on.

Furthermore, CR reports the following [Do not know Why? steps 1-3 below would be germane on three brand new MBPs, with and without touch bar -- all three had a fresh install without Migration Assistant.]

"... She dug around online, did some experiments, and cobbled together the following tactics for boosting battery life. By using a combination of these adjustments, she was able to get all three versions of the MacBook Pro to show more consistent results. And battery life got to the same ballpark figures that previous MacBooks achieved.

1. Reset NVRAM...
2. Reset Dock Preferences...
3. Reset SMC...

Note: None of this is guaranteed to work, and Consumer Reports' testing of the MacBook Pros is continuing.

If a battery problem persists, take the laptop to the Apple Store. Before you leave home, though, back up the files once more and perform a fresh install of macOS Sierra. No, this isn't likely to fix the problem. But when the guy at the Genius Bar advises you to try it, you can say you already have"​

Like you, I do not fault CR testing.

Were they typically fail is, however, on their reliability analyses, depending wholly on results of questionnaires, and not on independent follow-through testing.

 

[OzyOly]

and that coil whine, even on the new 9360. Also, the SSD speeds suck. 300-400MB/s on seq/write.
Except for the screen, the MBA still blows away the XPS 13.

It only problem is that the MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad drivers have not been reversed engineered for Linux yet.

 

[jidzaporp]

[I generally do the opposite of what Consumer Reports recommends as I've had horrible experience with their recommendations in the past, but I had already passed on the new MBP. Looks like I might have to reconsider it. As for the testing, the results from Consumer Reports seems very odd and I suspect that something is flawed in their testing methodology]

I've been a CU fan and subscriber for 30+ years and I'm curious what reason or evidence you have that CU has flawed testing methods. They've been EXTREMELY accurate with my tests. Their labs and methodologies are renown as the premier testing authority in the entire world. No, they aren't perfect, but I've never seen them totally drop the ball. Trust the tests-they aren't that complicated. MBP runs until the battery depletes. Next test, ditto.
Batteries are the bottleneck of technology, no big surprise that we're seeing battery issues in the mobile industry. We'll get through it.
You are disingenuous, Sir.

 

[jidzaporp]

It only problem is that the MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad drivers have not been reversed engineered for Linux yet.

And neither are the apps that I use on Windows or Mac. Linux is fine for coding and DB admin, but few of us code. We like to surf the web, play games, use MS Word, connect to our mobiles and enjoy life. Some people like to spend their hours figgering out how to rebuild the wheel.

 

[jidzaporp]

My retina tb Macbook 13" lasts less than 3 hours!

RETURN IT!!

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Hey Apple:

MAKE IT THICKER!!!

What you built isn't a MacBook Pro. You can keep selling it, call the the MacBook Executive or something. This isn't a machine for the pro, this is a machine for the CEO. It's thin, it's pretty, and it's underpowered.

Building a real pro portable in 2016 includes things like upgradeable RAM (why can't I have a 64GB or 128GB laptop yet, 16GB is a cruel joke), upgradeable storage (I can put 4TB in a 2012 MBP, EVERYTHING you offer now is a downgrade), BIG batteries, serious graphics chips, and the fastest processor you can put in without melting it down.

 

[nt5672]

The irony is that not a single person on this planet complained the 2015 was too thick. I haven't met anybody online or offline who said they wished it was thinner. Yet they trimmed it down along with the battery.

Apple is so out of touch these days, it would take a moron to not see it.

 

[MacKindaGuy]

This is excellent. From third party reviews like this to the mounting customer backlashes- sends a clear and powerful message (at least I hope) to Tim and his execs that they need to do better and not neglect the Mac line- either through their lack of updates or the spate of issues going all way back to 2011 MBPs.

Folks remember the MacBook Air model released like 6 years ago that came without the keyboard backlights? Public backlash was huge!! And in subsequent release, they put the keyboard backlights back..but of course those were SJ days.

 

[rextilleon]

Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro has failed to receive a purchase recommendation from Consumer Reports due to battery life issues that were encountered during testing. Battery life reportedly "varied dramatically" from one trial to another.

According to a new report that covers the new MacBook Pro, the machine is the first of Apple's MacBooks that has not received a Consumer Reports recommendation.

Consumer Reports says that a laptop's battery generally varies by less than five percent from test to test, but because of the "disparate figures" found in the MacBook Pro test, an average battery life consumers might expect to see could not be determined.

For that reason, Consumer Reports used the lowest battery score, which prevented the MacBook Pro from getting a recommendation. "Consumer Reports finds that all three MacBook Pro laptops fail to meet our standards for recommended models," reads the report.

Some customers who bought a 2016 MacBook Pro began complaining of ongoing battery life issues with the machine shortly after purchasing, which ultimately led Apple to remove the "Time Remaining" battery life estimate in the macOS Sierra 10.12.2 update.

While removing the indicator didn't fix battery life issues, some other tweaks may have been implemented at the same time, as there have been reports of better battery life following the update.

Apple claims that its own internal testing has seen the MacBook Pro performing up to the company's standards, providing up to 10 hours of battery life when watching iTunes movies or browsing the web.

Apple declined to provide a comment to Consumer Reports, but had this to say: "Any customer who has a question about their Mac or its operation should contact AppleCare."

Article Link: 2016 MacBook Pro Denied Recommendation From Consumer Reports Due to Battery Life Inconsistencies

Been a bad year for the folks over in Cupertino--they seem clueless--
[doublepost=1482513930][/doublepost]Earth to Apple Fan Boys--this is not about Chrome vs Safari and battery usage---This is about a conscience decision by Apple to favor form over substance. Concentrate---the battery life is problematic.

 

[nt5672]

honestly i would be pretty happy if they ditched the thin obsession. that IMO is the real reason the product line has suffered.

No, no, no. They do not need to ditch thin. Thin works for some, maybe even a lot of people.

Apple just needs to respect diversity and also make a thicker laptop. Exactly what both America and Apple needs right now, respect for different opinions and respect for different types of computer users. Apple has turned into a biased single minded organization and screw everyone that does not share their single view of society. This is a rot that is at the core of Apple.

 

[aevan]

16GB is a cruel joke

Life is hard.

 

[FrenchRoasted]

No, no, no. They do not need to ditch thin. Thin works for some, maybe even a lot of people.

Apple just needs to respect diversity and also make a thicker laptop. Exactly what both America and Apple needs right now, respect for different opinions and respect for different types of computer users. Apple has turned into a biased single minded organization and screw everyone that does not share their single view of society. This is a rot that is at the core of Apple.

Not sure if this is subtle sarcasm with regards to SJWs. If so, well played.

 

[Mark Holmes]

I've been following MacRumors for many years, and generally people here are the one defending the Apple products. Over Timmy's leadership, the MacRumors people have slowly been getting more and more frustrated, for good reason, with Apple's empty pipeline, lack of focus, old technology, and increasing prices.

Yes, exactly.
My first Apple computer was an Apple II in ninth grade. I've watched Apple at their worst, and at their best. These are not good times. Luckily with the obscene amount of cash they have in the bank, they will be able to recover at some point, but leadership needs replacement, or serious self evaluation.

 

[M2M]

Seems like Safari is the culprit and Apple forgot to probably deactivate debug or logging code (sorry German only):

http://m.heise.de/forum/Mac-i/News-...ach-mal-in-die-Konsole/posting-29691781/show/

 

[Since1987]

I expect this will be received at Apple with the news that future MacBook "Pros" will be limited to 8GB of RAM to increase battery life. And by removing that extra RAM it can be even THINNER and have less ports ( the MOST important consideration for Sir Ive )

So, Apple only makes ONE computer. And Consumer Reports says "NO". That speaks well to the future of MacOS. Oy!!

 

[GoodWheaties]

"You don't like the keyboard" does not equate to "the keyboard is designed bad". I love it, and many people I know do. The new MBP keyboard, alongside the Apple Magic Keyboard are the most enjoyable keyboards I've used, and I type a lot, each day.

You don't have to like them, that is perfectly fine.

I agree that the keyboard is not as bad as people make it out to be. I despised the MacBook keyboard but these are actually decent. I still think I prefer the older keyboards but it's not a deal breaker. Interestingly I tried a full travel mechanical keyboard as well and I actually prefer the shorter travel of the MBP. Granted I've never spent a lot of time with one but that is my experience.

 

[frankdogg]

and we wonder why they got t-shirts for Christmas.

 

[Sylvan]

If Apple does end up "fixing" the issue by enlarging the battery next year, I can't imagine the resale value of these 2016 models will be very good.

 

[Martyimac]

Also - MacBook Pro's haven't been hardware-upgradeable since 2012. You've only noticed it now?

UH, my early 2015 13" rMBP (12,1) is hardware upgradeble, at least the hard drive is. You might want to revisit this statement. You haven't noticed that before now?

 

[jimsong]

I've experienced this firsthand. Before installing the 10.12.2 update, I would periodically experience high battery drain, even after quitting all open programs. A hard reboot would generally solve this and the drain rate would match Apple's estimates. This leads me to believe it's a software issue.

 

[Mark Booth]

This is probably already discussed in another topic, but the implications of the Bloomberg article are that Apple had to put a battery of too low capacity/capability into the 2016 MPBs. The Bloomberg article states that Apple was moving forward with a new and different battery design for the 2016 MPBs but had to abandon that design due to problems. That mean reverting to the older battery design, a design optimized for MBPs with thicker cases.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-20/how-apple-alienated-mac-loyalists

Mark

 

[marty11]

Think so? I'd say the biggest innovation in the past three years is the work done in haptic feedback. Now used across watch, iPhone, MacBook and MacBook Pro, and even in the new Magic Trackpad. Allowed them to make products thinner, remove a moving part which assists in reliability, allows them to better seal the home button giving water resistance to the iPhone while still having the feel of a click, and created a better notification method than the typical vibration for the Apple Watch.

Other makers had waterproof devices before Apple. Other devices were thinner before Apple. This is not innovation, it's catching up.