Any reason not to get the new rMB?

[ghanwani]

Other than the usual things--no TB and lack of ports--is (are) there any reason(s) not to get the updated rMB?

I'm on a 2010 MBP which which badly needs an update and this is the only machine in the Mac offerings that I like enough to consider.

My other option would be to go back to Windows, perhaps something like a Dell XPS 13. I hear Windows 10 is going to have a full blown UNIX command line, which is one of the features I really enjoy on OS X.

What do you guys think?

Edit: I saw a post suggesting it's better to just wait till WWDC and see what updates are made to the air and pro lines since that's just 7 weeks away. So I think I'll stay put till then.

(update 5/2/16, 6/14/16)

Here are some of the concerns so far:
- Wait till WWDC to see if there are updates to MBP/MBA. [Done]
- Cost (and potential discounts at WWDC). [Done]
- Keyboard -- not suitable if you hit keys hard, lack of tactile feedback.
- No magsafe. [use Griffin Connector.]
- Chrome with BBC + Facetime results in alternate freezing.
- No TB/lack of ports.
- Small screen size.

 

[geachy92]

Other than the usual things--no TB and lack of ports--is (are) there any reason(s) not to get the updated rMB?

I'm on a 2010 MBP which which badly needs an update and this is the only machine in the Mac offerings that I like enough to consider.

My other option would be to go back to Windows, perhaps something like a Dell XPS 13. I hear Windows 10 is going to have a full blown UNIX command line, which is one of the features I really enjoy on OS X.

What do you guys think?

Edit: I saw a post suggesting it's better to just wait till WWDC and see what updates are made to the air and pro lines since that's just 7 weeks away. So I think I'll stay put till then.

I'm in the same boat as you. Currently got a 2010 13" MBP. I've decided to buy the m5/512 rMB and it's a huge huge improvement.

I've done a few handbrake tests and played around with it all day and it's only stuttered once (and that was within the first hour of turning it on, so likely just settling itself in). I told myself I'd try it for 10 days and then return it if I wasn't sure and wait for the WWDC announcement, but I can't see myself wanting to give it back!

If you can wait then there's no harm in seeing if they do a nice update to the MPB form factor, but I couldn't fault this machine so far.

 

[nutmac]

One reason: 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro. It is widely rumored to be redesigned, which most assuredly means thinner and lighter. I think it's more realistic to expect MacBook Air-level of portability at the most, however, which weighs in 2.96 lbs and measures 12.8" by 8.94" by 0.11-0.68". In comparison, MacBook weighs 2.03 lbs and measures 11.04" by 7.74" by 0.14-0.52".

Second reason: By the time of WWDC announcement, many retailers should be offering discounts on MacBook.

Third reason: Have you tried using MacBook? Its keyboard mechanism is polarizing.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Basically I see four issues:
• Lack of ports. Some people like to stick things into small holes.
• Lack of power. Unless you tax your CPU repeatedly, this shouldn't be a problem.
• Keyboard. Some people just doesn't like it, some people do.
• It is so light and thin that your cat can run off with it.

 

[moxxham]

Yea I'm hanging out for WWDC too...would love a 14 or 15 inch rMB, probably won't be coming out anytime soon though. If not, then a new MBP for me!

 

[Admiral]

I'm pretty confident that we're going to see the 15-watt processor that's been going into the Air now become the standard processor in MacBook Pro.

 

[ka-spot]

I have none.zero.nada if you want it - go for it

 

[deeddawg]

In terms of the system itself, no reason at all not to go with it.

The real question is whether or not it fits your needs, and whether it does so better than the other current or likely short-term alternatives.

 

[ignatius345]

Make sure you try the keyboard first. I'm about 5 days into having mine and I HATE HATE HATE the feeling of typing on this thing.

Will I "get used to it"? Possibly. But that doesn't make it OK. It's the worst Apple keyboard I've ever used. There's almost zero tactile feedback, so I find myself pounding away at it because I can't feel the keys registering. I'm quite seriously thinking of taking it back because it's so unpleasant to type on.

And yeah, the port thing. I knew about it going it, but it's still irritating to have to use a special USB adapter to plug in a standard flash drive, and not being able to charge the computer with an external drive or anything attached.

And also, I guess I took it for granted before, but the Magsafe connector is awesome and now that I'm back to clunkily pushing a connector in (and losing that tripping-over-the-cord safeguard), I miss that too.

All I want is this same computer, maybe 2-3mm thicker, and without the above compromises they made for the sake of thinness.

 

[LouisLoh]

Sounds like you need a MBA with retina display.. You probably bought the wrong computer..

Personally, I'm really starting to like this keyboard. The single port is no issue for me now, after the initial sync. Everything else is now in the cloud.

The only thing I really miss from my 15" rMBP is MagSafe..

 

[ignatius345]

Sounds like you need a MBA with retina display.. You probably bought the wrong computer..

I bought the wrong computer because they don't make the right one. If that MBA with retina display actually existed, I'd have bought it in a heartbeat.

 

[LouisLoh]

I think the upcoming MBPs may be exactly what you're looking for... If you have a spare computer, I'd suggest you return your rMB before the window closes and wait for WWDC.

 

[Vanessa D]

Lack of ports. Some people like to stick things into small holes.

No SD port
I need to put my mini drive into a small hole

hahaha

 

[springsup]

Make sure you try the keyboard first. I'm about 5 days into having mine and I HATE HATE HATE the feeling of typing on this thing.

Will I "get used to it"? Possibly. But that doesn't make it OK. It's the worst Apple keyboard I've ever used. There's almost zero tactile feedback, so I find myself pounding away at it because I can't feel the keys registering. I'm quite seriously thinking of taking it back because it's so unpleasant to type on.

And yeah, the port thing. I knew about it going it, but it's still irritating to have to use a special USB adapter to plug in a standard flash drive, and not being able to charge the computer with an external drive or anything attached.

And also, I guess I took it for granted before, but the Magsafe connector is awesome and now that I'm back to clunkily pushing a connector in (and losing that tripping-over-the-cord safeguard), I miss that too.

All I want is this same computer, maybe 2-3mm thicker, and without the above compromises they made for the sake of thinness.

This seemed like such a perfect opportunity for Apple, as well. I have a 2012 RMBP and the power port is very often on the wrong side of the computer. USB-C would theoretically solve that. That said, my power cord sometimes gets caught around the wheels of the coffee table, so I'm not sure I really want to give up MagSafe, either.

Could they maybe make a USB-C charging cable which breaks near the end? Or some kind of MagSafe USB-C plug? Small parts means people will lose them though. Damn humans, ruining everything nice.

 

[Queen6]

This seemed like such a perfect opportunity for Apple, as well. I have a 2012 RMBP and the power port is very often on the wrong side of the computer. USB-C would theoretically solve that. That said, my power cord sometimes gets caught around the wheels of the coffee table, so I'm not sure I really want to give up MagSafe, either.

Could they maybe make a USB-C charging cable which breaks near the end? Or some kind of MagSafe USB-C plug? Small parts means people will lose them though. Damn humans, ruining everything nice.

this should help to alleviate some concerns:

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/04/griffin-breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-cable-macbook/

Don't use one on my rMB, as never felt I needed on, If you pull in the USB C connector slowly the retention force feels significant, however if you snap away the power cable it disconnects from the notebook very easily.

Q-6

 

[springsup]

Don't use one on my rMB, as never felt I needed on, If you pull in the USB C connector slowly the retention force feels significant, however if you snap away the power cable it disconnects from the notebook very easily.

That's exactly what I had in mind, very cool.

I would use one with a rMB. You don't really want to stress your one and only port if you can avoid it. I had a Galaxy Nexus a few years ago that just plain stopped charging because the fin in the micro USB port was bent from cable stress. I bent it back in shape, but it didn't last long.

 

[Biggie Robs]

Lack of MagSafe is unfortunate, but otherwise there is no reason (sans ports) to not get a MacBook, outside of the obvious "power users."

I love, love, love the keyboard. Apparently some people don't, so make sure you are not one of those people.

Having said all of that, the 13" rMBP coming in June should be an awesome machine if one doesn't want/need super portability. If one can wait, it makes sense to wait until it's released. I couldn't; my late 2011 MBP's HD failed back in January.

 

[ghanwani]

I have tried the keyboard and there will definitely be a big learning curve to use it. I justified that to myself as something that would reduce the chance of repetitive stress injury because I would be forced to slow down!

Anyway, I'm going to wait till WWDC -- it would be really good to have a lightweight retina machine with some ports, so I'm curious to see what shows up. Of all the chassis designs, I like the rMB the best. The edges are too sharp on the MBA and, on the rMB, I find it very easy to pinch my fingers when opening the machine with one hand under the hinge area.

This will be my only machine for home use. But I'm a fairly light user -- only browsing, email, occasionally write-compile-run toy programs. No games.

 

[thadoggfather]

this should help to alleviate some concerns:

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/04/griffin-breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-cable-macbook/

Don't use one on my rMB, as never felt I needed on, If you pull in the USB C connector slowly the retention force feels significant, however if you snap away the power cable it disconnects from the notebook very easily.

Q-6

I was never that worried about it snagging, but just miss the feel of magnetic. and yeah it is good insurance.

just got mine in the mail today

Love imprecisely have the magnet lure it in, it feels surreal on rMB that its now a reality.

not as good as built in magsafe on the pro's of course, without need for adapter, but its pretty clutch

Lifetime warranty is sweet too, seems Griffin stands behind this one

 

[Biggie Robs]

I have tried the keyboard and there will definitely be a big learning curve to use it. I justified that to myself as something that would reduce the chance of repetitive stress injury because I would be forced to slow down!

Anyway, I'm going to wait till WWDC -- it would be really good to have a lightweight retina machine with some ports, so I'm curious to see what shows up. Of all the chassis designs, I like the rMB the best. The edges are too sharp on the MBA and, on the rMB, I find it very easy to pinch my fingers when opening the machine with one hand under the hinge area.

This will be my only machine for home use. But I'm a fairly light user -- only browsing, email, occasionally write-compile-run toy programs. No games.

I'm not saying that you're wrong, but I just don't understand why anyone would consider the rMB keyboard a problem nor hard to get used to. It's easier to type faster on it, so no need to slow down.

 

[izzyfanto]

I'm not saying that you're wrong, but I just don't understand why anyone would consider the rMB keyboard a problem nor hard to get used to. It's easier to type faster on it, so no need to slow down.

I totally agree. Baffles me some of the vehement hate (not this thread, just in general) directed towards the keyboard. My speed has only improved, and going back to the MBA feels like "typing on mashed potatoes"(someone on a MR thread referred to it like that). Love the new keyboard

 

[WickedPorter]

Adding my opinion in on the keyboard ... I love it, and wish my rMBP had the same keyboard. So effortless to type on. My only grief is the keys get shiny with oils from your fingers very quickly, and over time the keys get permanently shiny. I do my best to keep the keys clean with a microfiber after usage in order to prevent this, but I think it's ultimately inevitable. From a different angle; shiny keys == a sign of love and high usage.

Responding to the original topic; the only reason I would hesitate is cost. It's a high dollar machine considering the specs. Justified for me easily once you actually hold it. It's nearly as portable as a naked 9.7" iPad Pro/Air... the power to weight ratio is incredible.

 

[soulreaver99]

If you have the 2015 rMB, then you don't really have a reason to get the 2016. Other than that, it is a solid device with excellent battery life, decent performance, and awesome display. Also, like all Macs, it has the flexibility to run Windows when you need to. I have several applications at work that require Windows, plus I am a huge fan of Windows 10 and the rMB runs it quite nicely

 

[Admiral]

I'm not so sure. I've heard that in respect of video playback, specifically, Skylake has some tremendous performance improvements. If your use case includes downloading episodes of Survivor and playing them back on the plane, for example, this may be worth getting now. I really like my 2015 RMB but that's my one complaint.

 

[ignatius345]

this should help to alleviate some concerns:

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/04/griffin-breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-cable-macbook/

Don't use one on my rMB, as never felt I needed on, If you pull in the USB C connector slowly the retention force feels significant, however if you snap away the power cable it disconnects from the notebook very easily.

Q-6

I don't need another thing to carry around -- much less something that sticks out horribly.

Magsafe, sh*tty keyboard, only one port... I'd happily have another 2mm of thickness to get these things back. The nanosecond they offer something lightweight with a retina display and a half-usable keyboard, I'll have my card out.

That said, they'll probably leave Magsafe out in the future, which is really a shame. I took for granted how nice it is to just lightly snap on the charger with one hand (which had an indicator light, by the way, which is now also gone along with the cord management) vs. dealing with yet another cord you need two hands to attach.