Anyone else abandoning ship?

[KarmaRocket]

I actually don't mind the butterfly keyboard. Weirdly I seem to type faster and make fewer typing errors on it. I've had no issues so far with my 2018 MBP (i9 32GB 560X) *knock on wood*

What really bothers me are the touch bar and trackpad. Usually when I'm typing my hands hover over the keyboard. My fingers just slightly touch the touchbar and either hit the esc key (especially when on a browser and my fingers are on cmd-W to close a browser window) or the siri button (when I sometimes overreach a bit hitting the delete button). It gets quite annoying at times. I really hope they go back to physical keys for the function keys. At times my thumbs hit the trackpad and move the cursor somewhere else and I have text in places it shouldn't' be. Honestly I do have an unorthodox way of typing, so it might be me, but I'm used to it and it never happened on my older 2013 MBP.

 

[EdwardC]

I've abandoned Apple Laptops but not Apple. Picked up a Mac Mini 2018 i5/256, upgraded the RAM to 32GB. I also plan on picking up an eGPU shortly. Without the eGPU it is a halfway house between a 13'' and 15'' MacBook Pro power wise, with the eGPU it beats the 15'' and for half the price. Then got an iPad Pro Gen 3 12.9 256GB for portability.

My reasoning is - A. Flexibility of having good specs on 2 different types of machine. B. Cost vs Power. C. I don't want the Touchbar. D. No keyboard worries.

I like your plan, you will have a very nice combination that hopefully eliminates any issues.

 

[petvas]

Oh yeah - I forgot to mention the $300 Touchbar that most nobody wants to pay $300 extra for. lol

At first I also thought that the Touch Bar is a gimmick, but it actually is very helpful for me. Many apps support it and especially the autocorrect feature is cool. I like having the Touch Bar and I think it is really a good idea.

 

[MattG]

I recently upgraded from a 2014 MacBook Air to a 13" MacBook Pro, the 2017 model without the TouchBar, because it was the only model that seemed to even remotely make sense for me to buy. I really wanted something bigger than 13", but the only option Apple has with a bigger screen is the baseline MacBook Pro for more than double the price of what I paid. It's ridiculous that there's that big of a gap in their product line. There are home users/pro-sumers who want a laptop with a bigger screen.

It's getting harder and harder for me to justify buying Macs in general these days. I think about how I got my sister and parents to switch years ago. Today if they had to buy new equipment I don't know if I could justify trying to get them to buy Apple again. I have trouble convincing myself now, let alone my family. Aging hardware, some models that haven't been updated in years and are still selling for way more than they should be... I use Windows 10 all day long at work...it's not as pretty as Mac OS but it ain't horrible. Little by little I'm considering the idea of becoming an iPhone/iPad only household where Apple is concerned, and switching to something else for the rest. Just doesn't seem worth it anymore.

 

[petvas]

That's the problem with Windows 10. It's not as great as macOS. It is ok, but not as elegant as macOS.
Personally I am not thinking to go back to Windows any time soon. I understand that the Mac hasn't been in the focus of Apple for many years now, but I believe that there is enough choice out there if you want to get a great Mac and of course want to spend the money Apple demands..
Having said that, I would like to see Apple have a laptop for under 1000$. I also do not understand why the Air exists, especially at this price point. I think that Apple has brought a great upgrade in the Mac mini series, and that the iMac is a great machine, even if it uses outdated CPUs..
Overall I would like Apple to return to yearly updates for all Macs it produces. They don't have to be design updates, but at least CPU, RAM and graphics card updates, especially for the people that always need the most current hardware.
For my needs, the 13" MacBook Pro is more than enough. I have the 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM model and it really flies..

 

[Garage Battle]

If Apple doesnt address flexgate with an improved fix, and any new sku Macbook isnt a drastic departure from the existing keyboard im absolutely done with them.

 

[dspdoc]

I recently upgraded from a 2014 MacBook Air to a 13" MacBook Pro, the 2017 model without the TouchBar, because it was the only model that seemed to even remotely make sense for me to buy. I really wanted something bigger than 13", but the only option Apple has with a bigger screen is the baseline MacBook Pro for more than double the price of what I paid. It's ridiculous that there's that big of a gap in their product line. There are home users/pro-sumers who want a laptop with a bigger screen.

It's getting harder and harder for me to justify buying Macs in general these days. I think about how I got my sister and parents to switch years ago. Today if they had to buy new equipment I don't know if I could justify trying to get them to buy Apple again. I have trouble convincing myself now, let alone my family. Aging hardware, some models that haven't been updated in years and are still selling for way more than they should be... I use Windows 10 all day long at work...it's not as pretty as Mac OS but it ain't horrible. Little by little I'm considering the idea of becoming an iPhone/iPad only household where Apple is concerned, and switching to something else for the rest. Just doesn't seem worth it anymore.

As I sit here typing this on my brand new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme, I couldn't agree with you more. I am beginning to think that many of us should start embracing Apple for who they are now. A consumer iOS device company, not a computer company. At least not in a logical way when it pertains to the price to performance ratio. And Windows does NOT suck, contrary to the popular belief that Apple fans have.

 

[maflynn]

That's the problem with Windows 10. It's not as great as macOS

That's more personal preference in all honesty. Its not as great for you and your needs, which is fine. Objectively, Windows has a set of strengths and weaknesses, as does macOS. How those strengths or weaknesses line up dictate which platform works the best.

 

[turbineseaplane]

And Windows does NOT suck, contrary to the popular belief that Apple fans have.

So funny you say this..
I am running a dual boot Hack right now and yesterday I was in Windows installing XP11 and tweaking some things and I decided to login to a few sites I use on macOS, etc -- before I knew it, I'd spent the whole afternoon in Windows mostly without noticing.

Obviously software concerns beyond general use can be different, but I was sort of surprised how little care my mind paid to all that time in Windows all day.

 

[petvas]

That's more personal preference in all honesty. Its not as great for you and your needs, which is fine. Objectively, Windows has a set of strengths and weaknesses, as does macOS. How those strengths or weaknesses line up dictate which platform works the best.

Everything we say in this forums is subjective. We shouldn't have to point that out every time we write something. Of course it is my opinion. Having said that though, there are some things in Windows that are not implemented well, and of course it's up to us to judge if they are a showstopper or not:

• There is no integrated TimeMachine alike solution. I have been using Acronis, but it was never as good as TimeMachine
• Windows is split between two worlds. The Win32 apps and the UWP apps. It's a mess, but of course someone could choose to ignore it.
• The photos app is not as reliable and feature rich as the one in macOS
• Windows Update is a big mess. Unless you are using WSUS it is not possible to select which updates to install
• The Microsoft AppStore is weak.
• Even the most expensive Windows laptop, the Surface Book 2, has issues when switching from tablet mode to desktop mode. Performance is not particularly as smooth as on macOS. Clumsy is the word that best describes Windows apps..

These things might not bother a lot of people, but if you value elegance, performance (not for games), and general smoothness of the OS, then macOS is the only choice..

 

[turbineseaplane]

Windows is split between two worlds. The Win32 apps and the UWP apps. It's a mess, but of course someone could choose to ignore it.

I'm a little worried this might soon be a "con" for macOS actually
[doublepost=1552668730][/doublepost]

The Microsoft AppStore is weak.

Do you think the Mac App Store is great?
[doublepost=1552668768][/doublepost]

Even the most expensive Windows laptop, the Surface Book 2, has issues when switching from tablet mode to desktop mode.

Hold on - let me go try to switch into "tablet mode" on my spouse's MacBook Pro to see how I fare..
Will report back..

 

[The Samurai]

Everything we say in this forums is subjective. We shouldn't have to point that out every time we write something. Of course it is my opinion. Having said that though, there are some things in Windows that are not implemented well, and of course it's up to us to judge if they are a showstopper or not:

• There is no integrated TimeMachine alike solution. I have been using Acronis, but it was never as good as TimeMachine
• Windows is split between two worlds. The Win32 apps and the UWP apps. It's a mess, but of course someone could choose to ignore it.
• The photos app is not as reliable and feature rich as the one in macOS
• Windows Update is a big mess. Unless you are using WSUS it is not possible to select which updates to install
• The Microsoft AppStore is weak.
• Even the most expensive Windows laptop, the Surface Book 2, has issues when switching from tablet mode to desktop mode. Performance is not particularly as smooth as on macOS. Clumsy is the word that best describes Windows apps..

These things might not bother a lot of people, but if you value elegance, performance (not for games), and general smoothness of the OS, then macOS is the only choice..

Agree with the above, for me its all about the ecosystem. I love how I can reply and view iMessages from whichever device I happen to be using - my watch, iphone, mac or iPad. If I had to give up 3 of these devices, it would have to be in this order (in order of amount of tears lost):

- Watch
- iPad
- iPhone

 

[petvas]

I'm a little worried this might soon be a "con" for macOS actually
[doublepost=1552668730][/doublepost]

Do you think the Mac App Store is great?
[doublepost=1552668768][/doublepost]

Hold on - let me go try to switch into "tablet mode" on my spouse's MacBook Pro to see how I fare..
Will report back..

The MacApp Store is not great, but it is significantly better.
The MacBook does not have a tablet mode for many reasons. One of them is that these kind of things never really work well. On the Surface Book 2 you cannot use tablet mode on battery for more than 1,5 hours. It is pretty unusable.

 

[maflynn]

• There is no integrated TimeMachine alike solution. I have been using Acronis, but it was never as good as TimeMachine

• Windows is split between two worlds. The Win32 apps and the UWP apps. It's a mess, but of course someone could choose to ignore it.

• The photos app is not as reliable and feature rich as the one in macOS

• Windows Update is a big mess. Unless you are using WSUS it is not possible to select which updates to install

• The Microsoft AppStore is weak.

• Even the most expensive Windows laptop, the Surface Book 2, has issues when switching from tablet mode to desktop mode. Performance is not particularly as smooth as on macOS. Clumsy is the word that best describes Windows apps..

And i can provide a bullet list of what macOS falls down on and/or refuting those bullets. That's my point, you measure the advantages/disadvantages of both and make an informed decision

 

[turbineseaplane]

The MacBook does not have a tablet mode for many reasons. One of them is that these kind of things never really work well. On the Surface Book 2 you cannot use tablet mode on battery for more than 1,5 hours. It is pretty unusable.

None of which is a "pro" for macOS, nor a "con" for Windows.

You're intermixing hardware and specific App types and all sort of things into the debate.
I'd recommend tightening the focus if you're going to make direct comparisons.

"Hardware" is something most people consider a win for Windows at this point, simply because the ecosystem of Win hardware has drastically improved and the very nature of having all those options is a big plus right now, especially in light of the declining reliability of what Apple is selling.

 

[SDColorado]

Do you think the Mac App Store is great?

I hear you on that. I generally feel App stores are weak outside of IOS devices where it is the only option you have for software installation.

 

[maflynn]

The MacBook does not have a tablet mode for many reasons. One of them is that these kind of things never really work well. On the Surface Book 2 you cannot use tablet mode on battery for more than 1,5 hours. It is pretty unusable.

And yet, many people love the tablet mode. I don't know about the battery life of the SurfaceBook, but there are plenty of other PCs that provide a lot more flexibility then the MacBook provides.

 

[dspdoc]

I think they should change the name of MacRumors to iRumors...

 

[petvas]

None of which is "pro" for macOS, nor a "con" for Windows.

You're intermixing hardware and specific App types and all sort of things into the debate.
I'd recommend tightening the focus if you're going to make direct comparisons.

"Hardware" is something most people consider a win for Windows at this point, simply because the ecosystem of Win hardware has drastically improved and the very nature of having all those options is a big plus right now, especially in light of the declining reliability of what Apple is selling.

I disagree. It is all about everything is put together, how everything works together, and not about specific features.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

I disagree. It is all about everything is put together, how everything works together, and not about specific features.

Yes you disagree, based on your own preferences. Others have their preferences based on their own use cases. Basically there is nothing to disagree or to agree upon. The same glove does not fit everyone.
Why this urge to try convince others to have your preference?

 

[petvas]

Yes you disagree, based on your own preferences. Others have their preferences based on their own use cases. Basically there is nothing to disagree or to agree upon. The same glove does not fit everyone.
Why this urge to try convince others to have your preference?

I don't care what others think or do or choose to use. I am just expressing my opinion. What is the problem?

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

I don't care what others think or do or choose to use. I am just expressing my opinion. What is the problem?

There is no problem at all, but if you don't care what others think or use why try to convince them otherwise? Seems a bit contradictory.

 

[petvas]

I am not trying to convince anybody. I am in a forum and I am writing my opinion about the topic being discussed. You are doing the same, so why? This is the point of having a discussion forum. People state their opinions. You are entitled to agree or disagree. Some people might agree with you, other might not.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I disagree. It is all about everything is put together, how everything works together, and not about specific features.

If it's not about specific features, why are mentioning "Time Machine" as a "pro" for macOS?
[doublepost=1552676864][/doublepost]

You are entitled to agree or disagree. Some people might agree with you, other might not.

"Up is up and sometimes it's down, but either way is a direction so everything is great and I agree, but I don't and this is my opinion".

lol

 

[petvas]

Because it's a feature that deals with securing a computer's configuration and data. It compliments the OS nice.