a realistic review for professionals

[zhenya]

This "future state" is further away than you think....

I think you'll find that a lot of people still prefer to use a mouse instead of a trackpad - even an Apple one, which is the best in the business.

He wasn't saying that people no longer use mice - but rather that most mice sold today are wireless. Further - someone who has the budget to spend $1300+ on a new laptop can certainly afford the less than $50 that a good Bluetooth mouse costs.

Apple was definitely not targeting the market who insists on using their wired mice with the new MacBook.

 

[johngwheeler]

He wasn't saying that people no longer use mice - but rather that most mice sold today are wireless. Further - someone who has the budget to spend $1300+ on a new laptop can certainly afford the less than $50 that a good Bluetooth mouse costs.

Apple was definitely not targeting the market who insists on using their wired mice with the new MacBook.

Yes, my answer wasn't very precise. What I wanted to say was that a lot of people are still using USB mice, even with wireless adapters. I have the excellent Logitech Anywhere mouse, but this still requires a small USB receiver. I also have an Apple Magic Mouse, but it's not as good ergonomically as the Logitech one. In my experience, I don't see that many Bluetooth mice around, but they obviously exist.

The rMB would clearly need to use Bluetooth, because you're not going to waste your precious port on a mouse!

 

[newellj]

Yes, my answer wasn't very precise. What I wanted to say was that a lot of people are still using USB mice, even with wireless adapters. I have the excellent Logitech Anywhere mouse, but this still requires a small USB receiver. I also have an Apple Magic Mouse, but it's not as good ergonomically as the Logitech one. In my experience, I don't see that many Bluetooth mice around, but they obviously exist.

The rMB would clearly need to use Bluetooth, because you're not going to waste your precious port on a mouse!

OK, but I've been using BT mice for years for exactly this reason even with machines with a couple of USB ports. The rMB didn't change my mouse needs or preferences - there are plenty of good BT mice out there.

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

Here is a review from a highly informed viewpoint:
http://redmonk.com/gearmonk/2015/04/11/why-buy-a-macbook/

A decent review. Still, not quite fair, because, I can't see operating it without the combination dongle. I always dock laptops like MBP and use an external keyboard, mouse, and display when I can.

All the time. Like 100% of the time when I am docked. When mobile, no but then again I usually dont have usb devices to use when mobile

Agreed.

He wasn't saying that people no longer use mice - but rather that most mice sold today are wireless. Further - someone who has the budget to spend $1300+ on a new laptop can certainly afford the less than $50 that a good Bluetooth mouse costs.

Apple was definitely not targeting the market who insists on using their wired mice with the new MacBook.

That is what bothers me about this machine. It seems like an updated $900 white plastic macbook. The price is a bit steep for a lower-performance office-automation (in other words, not for photo/video stuff) laptop.

The original reviewer mentioned weight. I'm kind of a large person, and, the extra pound of another machine doesn't bother me. In fact, I think I like a heavier machine.

But, I'm still interested in this machine because of the Core-M processor, quiet, and very long battery life. I just think it is about $200 overpriced.

 

[zhenya]

That is what bothers me about this machine. It seems like an updated $900 white plastic macbook. The price is a bit steep for a lower-performance office-automation (in other words, not for photo/video stuff) laptop.

The original reviewer mentioned weight. I'm kind of a large person, and, the extra pound of another machine doesn't bother me. In fact, I think I like a heavier machine.

But, I'm still interested in this machine because of the Core-M processor, quiet, and very long battery life. I just think it is about $200 overpriced.

Do you really remember the white MacBook? We had one in the house until just recently. By modern standards it is extremely heavy. Like nothing similar at all with this new MacBook other than name. We're not talking a pound or even two difference. Those old MacBooks weighed 5lbs to the new ones 2lbs! It's a magazine vs. an old history 101 textbook! Totally, completely different class of device. Your money is going towards that extremely low weight, rather than power that for many users will largely be unused and just a liability to potentially waste precious battery life.

 

[CharlesN]

This is my thought process too.

Retina iMac / MacBook / iPhone

The perfect setup with no device overkill or redundancy.

Absolutely.

iMAC 3.5GHz iCore 7 as main workstation, with all ports etc ...
MacBook for on the road (Office, WM Ware)
iPhone 6

I have had my SG 1.3GHz for a week. I can do everything I was doing on my retina Macbook Pro (high spec). Proof I didn't need that much power on the road.

Agree 100% with the article at the start of the thread. Performance was main concern, need not to be worried about it anymore! It runs fast.

----------

A decent review. Still, not quite fair, because, I can't see operating it without the combination dongle. I always dock laptops like MBP and use an external keyboard, mouse, and display when I can.



Agreed.



That is what bothers me about this machine. It seems like an updated $900 white plastic macbook. The price is a bit steep for a lower-performance office-automation (in other words, not for photo/video stuff) laptop.

The original reviewer mentioned weight. I'm kind of a large person, and, the extra pound of another machine doesn't bother me. In fact, I think I like a heavier machine.

But, I'm still interested in this machine because of the Core-M processor, quiet, and very long battery life. I just think it is about $200 overpriced.

I really the Macbook market is Not for:
1) People who wants more ports (buy a MacBook Pro if you are not bothered by weight).
2) People who want to use this as their main computer and yet expect super duper performance to throw video editing etc ...

This is for:
1) People who wants to have a nice lighter laptop than the rMBP, whilst having a good workstation at home. I see this machine as my travel companion. I am happy with the port limitation on the road.
2) People who want to use it as their main machine but not expecting high performance.

If you always connect your laptop to keyboard, display, mouse .... I think you would get better value for money with a rMBP.

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

Do you really remember the white MacBook? We had one in the house until just recently.

Remember it? I have still have one in use! (Not my primary machine.)

By modern standards it is extremely heavy. Like nothing similar at all with this new MacBook other than name. We're not talking a pound or even two difference. Those old MacBooks weighed 5lbs to the new ones 2lbs! It's a magazine vs. an old history 101 textbook! Totally, completely different class of device. Your money is going towards that extremely low weight, rather than power that for many users will largely be unused and just a liability to potentially waste precious battery life.

Yeah, apparently everyone but me loves these tiny machines. The only time I ever notice a 5 lb *book is if I am carrying two of them. Or, my old Toshiba, which weighs almost as much as two MBPs. I still prefer the keyboard on my original unibody MBP.

But, I still like the concept for the new Macbook, as an actual lap machine, using a few watts with no fan. I still wish it had a separate mini-DP port, and a separate USB 3.0

This is for:
1) People who wants to have a nice lighter laptop than the rMBP, whilst having a good workstation at home. I see this machine as my travel companion. I am happy with the port limitation on the road.
2) People who want to use it as their main machine but not expecting high performance.

If you always connect your laptop to keyboard, display, mouse .... I think you would get better value for money with a rMBP.

Agreed.