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

[luigiBoschin]

Just embarrassing.

For CR it is!

 

[ackmondual]

For CR it is!

Why would they be embarrassed? For reporting the truth?

 

[ocnitsa]

I honestly don't care what people write - it's just they're totally wrong about the keyboard, everybody who owns one agrees its the best keyboard they've ever typed on - some take a day or two to get used to it, others like it instantly - I was the former. It's like the Magic Keyboard but better. It's far better than the old MacBook Pro keyboard (and its also far better than the MacBook keyboard).

Funnily enough I need a lot less "dongles" and adapters now than I did with the 2015 rMBP. I need 3 USB ports to DJ, the old one only had 2, which meant I had to use a USB hub just to plug them in - not anymore, now I've got access to 4 so they can all be directly plugged in (with a cable that goes in, in either direction, handy in the dark DJ booth!). When i'm at my desk I can sit down and plug in with one single USB-C cable which provides gigabit ethernet and power to the computer which are hidden under the desk. Before I had to plug in an Thunderbolt 2 dongle to Gigabit Ethernet and a separate power cable.

There are actual legitimate concerns, like the battery life, I have a noisy trackpad that needs to be repaired, my friend has graphics problems not fixed by the update. The trolls don't talk about these because they're too busy pushing out non-truths about keyboards, the far superior USB-C/dongles and heat throttling, the later the most ironic has all tests show just how much worse the 2015 MacBook Pro is for it - the new design allows the more efficient Skylake chip to run at full speed with no throttling and a lot cooler (with fans only on half speed).

I don't care if people want to buy one or not, I just can't abide people talking nonsense about technology and continually pushing out incorrect myths the sort which get peddled on memes by morons.

And on that note, have a very Merry Christmas no matter which computer you're using.

You're a pretty vocal proponent for Apple on the forums. Usually very precise in your critical analysis of others' assertions. You might want to tone down generalizations that everyone who owns the new MBP agrees it's the best keyboard they've ever typed on. That seems a bit silly. Full disclosure I don't own the new MBP, but I did a quick test of touch typing on the keyboard and didn't find it terrible or great...just a bit different. I'm sure I could get used to it.

 

[AFDoc]

I stopped "checking it out" when I read it was twenty years ago.

Ok.... the fact that it was 20 years ago means they didn't do it?

 

[GSDLVR123]

I have to say the same thing, although I've only had mine for a day and have yet to charge it. I've been migrating my data, installing apps, messing with terminal, web browsing and researching, transferring 65 GB from iCloud, loading up my mail accounts and compiling in Xcode. I started art 2:30 PM today at 88% battery (that's what it came with) and haven't plugged it in for more than 15 minutes. I'm now at 20% at 11:15 PM. So that's 9 hours or light use with the iCloud syncing, Photo Agent running (to download photos) and Spotlight indexing a way.

No, I do not expect to constantly get 10 hours of use for what I do and I don't see how any sane person would expect that when the lingo is "up to 10 hours". I would expect to get about 4-5 hours. I'm going to drain the battery and charge it up tonight and see how long we go tomorrow.
[doublepost=1482466677][/doublepost]

That's how battery life is tested on all laptops. Apple to apple comparison. That's why it says "up to 10 hours". Anyone expecting to always hit or exceed that are daft.

We had similar results...purchased 2 13" TB models (with 16gb) for my 2 young teens (Christmas gifts) they did light work (set up) and then played games and watched videos - started with 74% on one and 82% on the other and after 7 hours had 22% and 33% left. My older teen was using her 2015 13" MBP (also with 16gb) and seemed to think her battery was lasting a bit longer - but it certainly wasn't a scientific test. They seemed to like the TB and the overall experience was enjoyed by both. I hope these will serve them well - but feel confident Apple will make it right if there is a genuine issue.

We have been very satisfied with Apple's customer service and we own a LOT of Apple products - yesterday alone I gave to my wife and kids: 2 MBP, 5 iPads and 2 series 2 Apple watches. I do own Apple Stock but don't have a blind allegiance to the brand (do not put the stickers on our cars - we actually throw them away - don't get the sticker thing). Apple offers a good value for our family compared to other computer companies we've dealt with and I've dealt with a lot (Dell, HP, Gateway...even purchased the 'first smartphone' - Simon...still have it, lol). I'm old and not a tech expert - but someone who simply appreciates a solid product that lasts for a few years with no worries - Apple has done that while others have fallen short.

A side note...I'm still looking for cases for the the new TB models - I did purchase Thule Gauntlet attache cases - love those but want a cover for the laptop itself. Our other mac laptops have Tech 21 cases on them and we really like those...purchased Speck cases for the iPads I gifted yesterday and they seem fine. It seems I can't find decent protective cases for these yet - any idea when they will be available?

 

[maflynn]

Ok.... the fact that it was 20 years ago means they didn't do it?

It means they have had a clean track record for 20 years and that the controls/checks and balances they put in place have restored the consumer's faith in CR.

 

[Cave Man]

Not saying the battery isn't crap but CR is notorious for making crap up....... Check out Suzuki Samurai review and consequent legal battle.

Not sure what you mean. CR was spot on; the vehicle was prone to roll over accidents and more than 200 deaths occurred from roll overs of the vehicle.

 

[AFDoc]

Not sure what you mean. CR was spot on; the vehicle was prone to roll over accidents and more than 200 deaths occurred from roll overs of the vehicle.

Guess you didn't actually read what happened... they fabricated info.

 

[Martyimac]

Guess you didn't actually read what happened... they fabricated info.

I'm with Cave man, and yes I read what happened. And to stay on topic, I believe, until proven otherwise, that CR's MBP battery results are valid for their testing methodology.

 

[FoxMcCloud]

VM doesn't drain your battery. You get 8 to 9hrs? Gibberish. Two OSs running side by side.
If you lie, don't make it obvious.

What?

 

[dannys1]

You're a pretty vocal proponent for Apple on the forums. Usually very precise in your critical analysis of others' assertions. You might want to tone down generalizations that everyone who owns the new MBP agrees it's the best keyboard they've ever typed on. That seems a bit silly. Full disclosure I don't own the new MBP, but I did a quick test of touch typing on the keyboard and didn't find it terrible or great...just a bit different. I'm sure I could get used to it.

You're right, I shouldn't have used absolutes like "everyone", i'll instead go for everyone I know, or have seen write about it online. Eg my friends who've also bought one, myself (genuinely think its the most satisfying keyboard I've used in 30 years to type on) and any online feedback I've seen from users, eg...

(I agree with them on the all even arrow keys btw, not been sure on that and i've owned four Macs with them now)

I was more taking aim at the trolls who just push out cliche after cliche like "it's got a crap keyboard and no ports" when they've based it nothing more on reading nonsense and memes online about butterfly keyboards and silly photos The Verge created with 15 dongles laying on top of a MacBook for clicks.

As I said, there are many legit gripes (mainly software for me, I must have filed 10 radars with Apple for Sierra recently) but a lot of it by certain groups on here is empty and repetitive rhetoric based on non-truths.

 

[Cave Man]

Guess you didn't actually read what happened... they fabricated info.

Where did you read that CR fabricated information regarding the roll over?

 

[wjw0111]

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

The waterproof was a very small part of my post, not sure why you zeroed in on it. My point was that haptic feedback and the Taptic Engine were the big innovation. I don't use non-Apple devices, but have others been using such technology? I think using the new trackpads, Watch notifications, etc is a huge innovation that helped them get to waterproofing, but that's a small piece of the puzzle of the amazing and revolutionary advances Taptic allows.

 

[diddl14]

You'r joking, right?

The joke seems to become true..
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ge-and-ports-to-the-2016-macbook-pro.2025482/

 

[DudeDad]

My 13/Touch Bar was returned yesterday. The guy barely opened the box, did not look at the computer to see its condition (pristine, by the way), did not check to see if the charging block and cable were there (of course they were), and did not ask me why. The return process took less than 2 minutes. I guess they don't want to customers to see/hear about returns.

If they fix the terrible battery life, I'll buy it again. Until then, my 2013 Air will do just fine.

 

[Martyimac]

My 13/Touch Bar was returned yesterday. The guy barely opened the box, did not look at the computer to see its condition (pristine, by the way), did not check to see if the charging block and cable were there (of course they were), and did not ask me why. The return process took less than 2 minutes. I guess they don't want to customers to see/hear about returns.

If they fix the terrible battery life, I'll buy it again. Until then, my 2013 Air will do just fine.

Interesting, even with no extra details, this post tells me/us a LOT!!!