2018 MacBook Pro Models Now Available for In-Store Pickup in the United States

[colinh]

Hundreds? Really? Of course everyones' needs are different, but I'm doing fine with two USB-C to USB-A 3.1 cables at $9 each. And a USB-C to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet adapter for $15.

Do you leave the dongles attached permanently? Of course, you might want to attach a Bluray drive and printer and ethernet and external hard drive so you might want a USB hub.

I have to say, my laptop with bluray drive attached to a USB hub attached to a USB dongle --- it doesn't look as elegant as it might.

I'd have appreciated even a single USB-A port - for USB drives etc.

And of course when, in say 10 years, everything does indeed come in USB-C ... then they'll come out with USB-D. Because it's 0.2 mm thinner.

 

[citysnaps]

These high prices are about one single thing only: making the switch to ARM-based Macs look mightily attractive. This year or next, the offer will be Intel-based Macs for a lung and a kidney; ARM-based Macs for a fair dollar.

Apple's future, at least with respect to Macs, is beholden to Intel's roadmap. Lukewarm performance and feature updates along with schedule delays, create a ton of uncertainty for Apple. Thus Apple moving toward their own CPUs. There are many advantages, including developing new architectures and being able to keep their secret sauce secret. Apple's processors will be full-custom and not ARM-based. Intel options, for the long-term, will not be available.
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Do you leave the dongles attached permanently? Of course, you might want to attach a Bluray drive and printer and ethernet and external hard drive so you might want a USB hub.

I have to say, my laptop with bluray drive attached to a USB hub attached to a USB dongle --- it doesn't look as elegant as it might.

I'd have appreciated even a single USB-A port - for USB drives etc.

And of course when, in say 10 years, everything does indeed come in USB-C ... then they'll come out with USB-D. Because it's 0.2 mm thinner.

No, I use a USB-C to USB-A 3.1 CABLE ($10) whenever I need to attach my laptop to a USB device. Just like the "old days."

 

[Rohirm]

The touch bar should be an additional thing above the physical function keys. I use function keys very often and need to feel the keys.

 

[john123]

The original 15" Retina started at $2199 with 256GB flash storage, GeForce GT 650M and world's highest-resolution notebook display at that time. And now, here we are, 6 years later with the same amount of base storage and the same resolution display, but $200 more expensive? Pure greed if you ask me.

They are a business. And apparently, based on the sales data, the market will happily bear this price. So I wouldn't expect them to do anything differently, and indeed, to do otherwise would be in violation of their fiduciary obligation to their shareholders.

$2199 in 2012 = $2305 in 2018. So, an "outrageous" $94 price increase after adjusting for inflation. And TrueTone, Touch ID, Touch Bar, TB 3 . . . .

Inflation is not the appropriate economic lens to use when talking about technology.

 

[clauzzz203]

It is strange why you are comparing an entry level consumer product to a pro level product. It took Apple approximately 20 years to even introduce a pro level iMac. I am not sure what you are alluding, however the original iMac was marketed as a quick and simple solution for the masses to get on the internet. It furthered the appeal with its bondi blue and translucent white colour scheme that resembled hard candy.

It was refreshing departure from the traditional beige boxes on the market at the time, that is why it succeed in a later revisions. The original released version was under-speced, tbh SCSI was a nightmare for most users and USB offered a simple I/O option for the majority. One cannot Compare the transition of SCSI to USB-A to that of USB-3 to USB-C.

Ethernet, HDMI ports are not going anywhere soon. Many third-party manufacturers still used these in their products as no one has to purchase an additional dongle, wire to connect and it is far more cost effective compared to USB-C. Even present implementations of USB-C products are a complete mess, these MBP USB-C models are beta-tester machines. The true MBP upgrade will have an AMOLED/microLED SuperRetina display, these 2016 MBP are stopgap products.

I don't agree with your points but I fear counter-arguments will accomplish nothing. I'm a consultant and have never seen anyone need any other port than display, which USB-C has while being all-in-one.

 

[seeforyourself]

I hate the fact they don’t have the 32GB in store for pick up. Why? Why?

They do. You need to get the i9/ 32gb ram/1tb option. They always have that option in stock in stores only.

 

[kstotlani]

Coming from a mid-2010 15” mbp, I cannot wait to receive my order.

I should create an account on the dell forums to “discuss” my distaste for windows machines, so I can offset some of the crying in here.

Is there a dell forum?

 

[radiology]

They do. You need to get the i9/ 32gb ram/1tb option. They always have that option in stock in stores only.

That’s crazy...but you are right.

 

[OC40]

Is there a dell forum?

A two second search;
https://www.dell.com/community/Dell-Community/ct-p/English

 

[code-m]

I don't agree with your points but I fear counter-arguments will accomplish nothing. I'm a consultant and have never seen anyone need any other port than display, which USB-C has while being all-in-one.

Through your own admission one would require a dongle or some sort of hub (additional expense and item to carry) to connect with clients projectors/monitors/televisions.

How many projectors/monitors/televisions have replaced HDMI with only USB-C? Please be honest with yourself and cease protecting Apples ridiculous decision to not deliver a transitional I/O product. Why are other Apple products iPhone, Apple TV, iPad, etc have not adopted a USB-C if it is such a versatile connector. If your counter argument is that the USB-C connector is too large height wise, then other phone manufacturers have certainly accomplished “magic”, hold on I thought that was Apples marketing word.

Why have one USB-C port on the MB and a legacy 3.5mm headphone jack, why not two USB-C ports as it is so versatile? Apple is contradicting its own design decision. The visionaries that were Woz and Jobs have been replaced with delusions of Cook and Co.

 

[clauzzz203]

Through your own admission one would require a dongle or some sort of hub (additional expense and item to carry) to connect with clients projectors/monitors/televisions.

How many projectors/monitors/televisions have replaced HDMI with only USB-C? Please be honest with yourself and cease protecting Apples ridiculous decision to not deliver a transitional I/O product. Why are other Apple products iPhone, Apple TV, iPad, etc have not adopted a USB-C if it is such a versatile connector. If your counter argument is that the USB-C connector is too large height wise, then other phone manufacturers have certainly accomplished “magic”, hold on I thought that was Apples marketing word.

Why have one USB-C port on the MB and a legacy 3.5mm headphone jack, why not two USB-C ports as it is so versatile? Apple is contradicting its own design decision. The visionaries that were Woz and Jobs have been replaced with delusions of Cook and Co.

All the projectors in the office have 6-7 dongles strapped to the video cable to acomodate various legacy laptops, one of them is for the new macs.. the monitors are ordered with video cables to suit the laptop of the owner

If you check my post history you’ll see i criticise Cook plenty but not in this case.

 

[AgentAnonymous]

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is $2500 base price with 256GB of flash storage. I think it is on sale right now for $150 off, back to school thing like Apple does, but it normally costs more and has the same base storage. That flash storage is also much slower than whatever Apple is doing here with their flash. The point is that similarly spec’d laptops are comparable in price.

No they're not. Microsoft is the only one you could find remotely in the same ballpark (because they're also trying to offer a "premium" brand-name device), but the base configutation you're talking about actually includes a 4k screen and a GTX 1060 with 6GM VRAM so it's not really comparable. To upgrade to a 4k screen and a GPU with 2GB more VRAM on the Apple checkout page, you'd probably be adding over 1000 dollars to the 2400 dollar base 15 inch config.

 

[Feenician]

but the base configutation you're talking about actually includes a 4k screen and a GTX 1060 with 6GM VRAM so it’s not really comparable

You’re right, by cherrypicking two specs in their favor. Now what about the CPUs and the SSDs? Not really comparable...

 

[code-m]

All the projectors in the office have 6-7 dongles strapped to the video cable to acomodate various legacy laptops, one of them is for the new macs.. the monitors are ordered with video cables to suit the laptop of the owner

If you check my post history you’ll see i criticise Cook plenty but not in this case.

Wow, what a mess? Either those projectors are 15-20 years old and have no HDMI or those computers that clients bring are 10-15 years old have no HDMI.

I have projectors for 10+ years, all have HDMI, no dongle needed. All my MBP have had HDMI for at least 5 years and PC laptops for 10 years. Another situation where Apple did not adopt HDMI on its computer lineup sooner, it was ADP or DVI before HDMI.

Ever ask yourself why the 13” MBP does not have 4 USB-C and 15” MBP not 6 USB-C ports if so versatile. Actually since there are so great one USB-C is all that is required, why include 2-4? Tons of room on the sides and on the MoBo.

 

[AgentAnonymous]

You’re right, by cherrypicking two specs in their favor. Now what about the CPUs and the SSDs? Not really comparable...

I'm right, period. It's a PCIe SSD and a i7-8650U. When it gets refreshed (it hasn't been updated in 9 months), like the Macbook Pro just did yesterday, it will have the Coffee Lake equivalent of the i7-8650U.

 

[Feenician]

I'm right, period. It's a PCIe SSD and a i7-8650U. When it gets refreshed (it hasn't been updated in 9 months), like the Macbook Pro just did yesterday, it will have the Coffee Lake equivalent of the i7-8650U.

Not all PCIe SSDs are equivalent. Far from it. In fact the one in the SB2 can’t even sustain write performance, half that of a 2015 MBP, never mind a 2018.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Micro...-i7-GTX-1050-Convertible-Review.263954.0.html



As for the cpu, as you say “When it gets refreshed“. What you’re now claiming is that because it will get refreshed in the future it makes it better now? I don’t think I have to point out why that’s wrong.

 

[chucker23n1]

Wow, what a mess? Either those projectors are 15-20 years old and have no HDMI or those computers that clients bring are 10-15 years old have no HDMI.

I have projectors for 10+ years, all have HDMI, no dongle needed. All my MBP have had HDMI for at least 5 years and PC laptops for 10 years.

Cool. What about laptops with DVI? mini-DVI? VGA? mini-DisplayPort? DisplayPort?

Plenty of laptops don't have HDMI. Only the retina generation of MacBook Pros had DVI; the one before that had mini-DisplayPort, and the one before that had DVI. The one after it has USB-C. So what?

 

[CrashTestWalrus]

Are you getting the 32GB version?

Yes, I ordered the 32GB with 4TB of flash storage. Admittedly it was overkill, and expensive, but I ordered it on my 2012 Retina MBP so I figured if it lasts nearly as long it would be fine. I honestly could probably get another year or so out of my current MBP but I am out of storage, if only has a 512GB drive, and I’d need to change out the drive to keep using. Plus it’s just time for a new laptop.

 

[code-m]

Cool. What about laptops with DVI? mini-DVI? VGA? mini-DisplayPort? DisplayPort?

Plenty of laptops don't have HDMI. Only the retina generation of MacBook Pros had DVI; the one before that had mini-DisplayPort, and the one before that had DVI. The one after it has USB-C. So what?

HDMI has been an established connector for 10-15 years, it works everyone has the cables and many thrid-party devices have multiple connectors for flexibility purposes. If I remember correctly it was Apple that choose proprietary ports at the time mini/DisplayPort and prior to that it was DVI. Had Apple just incorporated HDMI sooner we would not have required mini/DisplayPort etc. Now when HDMI is prominent their decided to ditch it for USB-C that is not established with conflicting support specifications.

In short Apple chose to ditch HDMI (established) for USB-C (expensive) for video output purposes. What was the harm in having x3 USB-C ports and one HDMI port. Or x1-2 USB-C port, x1 HDMI, x1-2 USB-3 ports, Apple is marketing that USB-C is versatile so one is all that is neeed.

 

[CrashTestWalrus]

No they're not. Microsoft is the only one you could find remotely in the same ballpark (because they're also trying to offer a "premium" brand-name device), but the base configutation you're talking about actually includes a 4k screen and a GTX 1060 with 6GM VRAM so it's not really comparable. To upgrade to a 4k screen and a GPU with 2GB more VRAM on the Apple checkout page, you'd probably be adding over 1000 dollars to the 2400 dollar base 15 inch config.

Well you actually can’t upgrade those parts, so there is that. You can get an external of both and they would be a bit pricey. Personally I would rather that Apple went back to the nVidia cards, but that doesn’t appear to be in the cards anytime soon. The point I was making was that if you go looking for laptops that are comparably spec’d, and I did, the MacBook isn’t so much out of line with them. There are also some things that just aren’t happening with the MacBooks, like nVidia screens and built in 4K monitors, on the same token there are some things happening in Apple laptops that aren’t going on with Windows machines. The speed of the flash storage for example, Apple is clocking in at 10 times faster performance than other laptops. That is insane. These machines aren’t cheap, both Windows and MacBooks. There are plenty of professionals who need that type of portable machine, though. There being options is a good thing, though. Honestly, if I could have gotten a surface book 2 with 2 TB of flash storage and 32GB of RAM I would have been using one right now.

 

[chucker23n1]

HDMI has been an established connector for 10-15 years,

That's great. And yet plenty of laptops don't have it. As a result, it is perfectly standard for conference rooms to offer a bunch of adapters.

it works everyone has the cables and many thrid-party devices have multiple connectors for flexibility purposes. If I remember correctly it was Apple that choose proprietary ports at the time mini/DisplayPort and prior to that it was DVI.

Are you asserting that DVI, mini-DisplayPort or DisplayPort are proprietary? The last Apple-proprietary display connector was ADC, and that was a long time ago.

Had Apple just incorporated HDMI sooner we would not have required mini/DisplayPort etc. Now when HDMI is prominent their decided to ditch it for USB-C that is not established with conflicting support specifications.

The Dell laptop my colleague just got doesn't have HDMI. Instead, he got a dongled dock that includes HDMI and Ethernet.

 

[jasonhedgepeth]

Pretty solid update.

Looking forward to getting mine soon.

 

[BayouTiger]

None of the Surface devices have HDMI, mDP only, not does the XPS13, others have a mini-HDMI and require a dongle as well. HDMI is fading. Many conference rooms I visit offer some sort of wireless casting functionality. We use the built in Chromecast function on our LG monitor. Many PC laptops now use Displaylink in some form to connect to external displays. It works decently, but is far from optimal.

There is no way I would drop three grand on a laptop that is focused on yesterday’s tech.
[doublepost=1531691047][/doublepost]I did go by my local Apple Store and they did have the 13” 2.7/16/1TB available so I cancelled my order and picked one up. Hope to bring it online tonight!

 

[millerb7]

The original 15" Retina started at $2199 with 256GB flash storage, GeForce GT 650M and world's highest-resolution notebook display at that time. And now, here we are, 6 years later with the same amount of base storage and the same resolution display, but $200 more expensive? Pure greed if you ask me.

Yep. I was waiting very patiently for this to drop. Saw specs + price, scoffed, and bought a Huawei Matebook X Pro i7 with better specs and way cheaper.

I’m disappointed. I’m a huge Mac fan and still think they make the best mobile devices around... but man their desktops and laptops have been sucking HUGE for the past few years. I’ve now moved off Apple and into Windows for laptop and desktop situations.
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I guess I should post a picture of my desk where I have a single wire to my ElGato dock that has GBe, audio, several USB devices, AND two monitors, one 4K and one 3440x1440. Even charges he laptop.

Of course this is not unique to the MBP, my X1Carbon connects to the same stuff via a single TB3 cable as well. I love TB3. In fact my X1C has a full complement of ports but the only ones that ever see a cable is the TB3.

Care to give your pro/cons on the X1 Carbon?

 

[BayouTiger]

Care to give your pro/cons on the X1 Carbon?

The X1C is an excellent piece of hardware. Not only lighter than a 13”MBP it has a truly excellent feel to it and it balanced really well. The 1080 screen on my Gen5 is not as good as the Mac,but the gen6 HDR screen should be comparable. It also has a full set of ports and unlike the XPS, the TB3 ports are very well implemented. Hardware wise it is equal to the MacBook Pro. Cons for me are that I hate 16x9 screens. I do CAD and work with drawings in Bluebeam all day and in today’s world of ribbons and such, there is just too little vertical real estate. Microsoft actually gets this better than anyone.

And then there’s Windows 10, the best Windows yet, but it still ain’t MacOS. Quick look is indispensable for me as I search thousands of PDFs and other docs. It’s amazing to me what Windows users put up with as normal functionality. The worst thing is the way MS has taken over control of your housekeeping. Nothing like being at a job site and having to report and having windows go into an update for an hour, despite how tightly I have it locked down in GPE.

What’s more is that every time MS updates it (which I no longer have any control over) they tend to break something in either their networking features (directAccess is especially vulnerable) or the machine signature making me reregister apps like Niagara Workbenc.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, but you asked.....