Not sure if this merits a new post but I've seen some opened for less. I recently went to see the MacBook in stores and got to spend awhile with several units at my local Apple Store in Indy.
Form Factor: the first major impression I got was the form factor, it's stunning. Yes, we've all seen how thin it is from a computer screen but to see it in person and handle it, it's basically a piece of paper. even though the laptop was locked into its charger, it's weight was not even as heavy as a few hundred page notebook. And after handling it and using it for a little while, it made the MacBook Air behind me look like a toy. Mainly because of the form factor and the ugliest bezel in the world.
The keyboard: the keys are much more flush with the device, which is compelling on a visual scale more than one may visualize. The keys are literally crafted with the form factor, and you can see everything apples said about them (increased size, thinness, uniformed pressing) The keys are very thin, as they need to be, and typing on them was more of a clicking than a pressing experience. It's probably one of my favorite parts about the laptop. If you haven't noticed they've changed the typography on the keyboard as well and it adds to the visual integrity of the laptop. Id like to see the backlight sometime.
The trackpad: Now, I've read some interesting things on this form about the trackpad. Let me clear this up first: It does not move, I don't know who said this and it's kinda funny they think so because it's impressively deceptive. The electromagnetic taptic engine makes the clicks feel much more rewarding, and without a fraction of the force needed. No more diving board force required, just touch it. Apples been able to craft the amount and type of feedback you feel and they've succeeded. I wouldn't want to go back to any other trackpad at all.
The display: To cut to the chase it's a retina display, but there's more. The actual thinness of the bezel allows a more integrated experience. Another thing to mention is the thinness of the actual display. Now, when I used a display model the aluminum hinge did not nearly have as much resistance, I was able to open the laptop without needing to hold the base. This is something I actually wasn't too fond of, I like the stability of my previous MacBook Pro. When I over to another model it wasn't as weak of a hinge, but it may vary. If you're ordering one I'd be conscious of this.
The performance: now this is why I actually came to see it, I wanted to push the machine and see where it tapped out. It should be noted that this was the 1.1 model. I loaded 6 HD YouTube channels, of john Oliver of course, and it handled them perfectly. I ran this for about 20 minuites straight and all was solid, no UI lag. However, when I tried to load a seventh I got some UI Lag. Should be noted that I was also running iMovie in the background. The back side did experience some heat, but as soon as I closed out of safari the cool down was fast. Again, I was trying to find the point where it experienced any issue. To test it again I went and opened about 20 YouTube videos in auto definition and it was able to handle it with no latency, although at this point I had the unit on mute because it sounded like murder. In my rough hour of using a few of them, I would definitely say the 1.1 could run any software alone, however it may not be able to multitask major major processes well. If you're doing what you actually need to do on the machine it will handle it. I don't think anyone here can watch seven HD videos simultaneously, and if you do its probably time to change the way you organize yourself rather than get a machine that can run your useless tasks.
TLDR: Overall, the form factor was the most stunning thing about the laptop, the keyboard and trackpad were so irreplaceably perfect, I couldn't image going to another device without these things. Same can be said for the retina display. And the performance should be able to run what you need. If you're buying a 1.1 and you're organized and focused with your tasks you'll see no issues at all.
For anyone who has questions I'll keep looking at this post to answer any that you have.
To note I've ordered the 1.3 model already, and im intending the machine to be my primary device for graphic design.
Form Factor: the first major impression I got was the form factor, it's stunning. Yes, we've all seen how thin it is from a computer screen but to see it in person and handle it, it's basically a piece of paper. even though the laptop was locked into its charger, it's weight was not even as heavy as a few hundred page notebook. And after handling it and using it for a little while, it made the MacBook Air behind me look like a toy. Mainly because of the form factor and the ugliest bezel in the world.
The keyboard: the keys are much more flush with the device, which is compelling on a visual scale more than one may visualize. The keys are literally crafted with the form factor, and you can see everything apples said about them (increased size, thinness, uniformed pressing) The keys are very thin, as they need to be, and typing on them was more of a clicking than a pressing experience. It's probably one of my favorite parts about the laptop. If you haven't noticed they've changed the typography on the keyboard as well and it adds to the visual integrity of the laptop. Id like to see the backlight sometime.
The trackpad: Now, I've read some interesting things on this form about the trackpad. Let me clear this up first: It does not move, I don't know who said this and it's kinda funny they think so because it's impressively deceptive. The electromagnetic taptic engine makes the clicks feel much more rewarding, and without a fraction of the force needed. No more diving board force required, just touch it. Apples been able to craft the amount and type of feedback you feel and they've succeeded. I wouldn't want to go back to any other trackpad at all.
The display: To cut to the chase it's a retina display, but there's more. The actual thinness of the bezel allows a more integrated experience. Another thing to mention is the thinness of the actual display. Now, when I used a display model the aluminum hinge did not nearly have as much resistance, I was able to open the laptop without needing to hold the base. This is something I actually wasn't too fond of, I like the stability of my previous MacBook Pro. When I over to another model it wasn't as weak of a hinge, but it may vary. If you're ordering one I'd be conscious of this.
The performance: now this is why I actually came to see it, I wanted to push the machine and see where it tapped out. It should be noted that this was the 1.1 model. I loaded 6 HD YouTube channels, of john Oliver of course, and it handled them perfectly. I ran this for about 20 minuites straight and all was solid, no UI lag. However, when I tried to load a seventh I got some UI Lag. Should be noted that I was also running iMovie in the background. The back side did experience some heat, but as soon as I closed out of safari the cool down was fast. Again, I was trying to find the point where it experienced any issue. To test it again I went and opened about 20 YouTube videos in auto definition and it was able to handle it with no latency, although at this point I had the unit on mute because it sounded like murder. In my rough hour of using a few of them, I would definitely say the 1.1 could run any software alone, however it may not be able to multitask major major processes well. If you're doing what you actually need to do on the machine it will handle it. I don't think anyone here can watch seven HD videos simultaneously, and if you do its probably time to change the way you organize yourself rather than get a machine that can run your useless tasks.
TLDR: Overall, the form factor was the most stunning thing about the laptop, the keyboard and trackpad were so irreplaceably perfect, I couldn't image going to another device without these things. Same can be said for the retina display. And the performance should be able to run what you need. If you're buying a 1.1 and you're organized and focused with your tasks you'll see no issues at all.
For anyone who has questions I'll keep looking at this post to answer any that you have.
To note I've ordered the 1.3 model already, and im intending the machine to be my primary device for graphic design.
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(already sold mine 2014 Pro 13 inch)
