Opening these things like opening a lockbox. The lid is so solid I love it. I can't stand wobbly LCD screens. I always have to use two hands to open my XPS.
Agreed, the lighted power end is A+.
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Anyone else abandoning ship?
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Opening these things like opening a lockbox. The lid is so solid I love it. I can't stand wobbly LCD screens. I always have to use two hands to open my XPS.
Agreed, the lighted power end is A+.
one big reason i left was their support for their products are dismal and short, thinking i would buy a replacement ever year or so.
No. Going to use MacBook Pro 2013 late model till it dies.
No windows for me since win 8.
Certainly that's Apple's expectation for mobile devices, turning over frequently. The short-sightedness with computers another matter, with the designs being overly self-serving. Nothing new for the 2019 that really interests, as it's mostly more of the same and Apple's mostly talk these days.
Q-6
How long are you prepared to wait? the issues with the 3rd gen didn't start cropping up until 4 months later. What you can do is, is determine if the cooling will be improved as that will be immediately available.
I hope the add the SD card slot back. I use it frequently in photography and it's nice not having to use an adapter. My 2014 model is getting old but still useful.
Nope, never going to happen. Those ports are gone forever, much like magsafe. There were things that made the MBP special, but those are long gone
I’ve been a little inspired, I still need a new computer but may pick up a core i5 iMac 5K from 2017, then stick in a fast core i7 and SSD storage drive and max out the RAM, others have done this and made the machine incredibly fast. Plus you have thunderbolt 3 I think for an EGPU. Snazzy Labs did exactly this.
Either way it’s one hell of a lot better machine then the 2017 MacBook Pro.. I have had four of them, but now they are just way overpriced, have as yet untested possibly faulty keyboards and will thermal throttle a lot.
Sorry but no way am I spending thousands on something that’s purposely designed to never reach its full performance potential, and has a severely flawed keyboard...
Take the new MB Pros launched this week, want the top spec GPU option? Well that’s ONLY available on the 8 core model.. thanks, an option designed to make you spend more for no reason..
Here in the U.K, the best laptop I’ve seen is the Surface Book 13”, not cheap but more exciting then a Mac Book Pro, shame about Windows hmm..
I doubt they will even show the new Mac Pro next at WWDC, just over a week to go and zero leaks? Nah.. but if they do show it and price it as I expect, at a ridiculous price, how many will jump ship from that?
Either way it’s one hell of a lot better machine then the 2017 MacBook Pro.. I have had four of them, but now they are just way overpriced, have as yet untested possibly faulty keyboards and will thermal throttle a lot.
Sorry but no way am I spending thousands on something that’s purposely designed to never reach its full performance potential, and has a severely flawed keyboard...
Take the new MB Pros launched this week, want the top spec GPU option? Well that’s ONLY available on the 8 core model.. thanks, an option designed to make you spend more for no reason..
Here in the U.K, the best laptop I’ve seen is the Surface Book 13”, not cheap but more exciting then a Mac Book Pro, shame about Windows hmm..
I doubt they will even show the new Mac Pro next at WWDC, just over a week to go and zero leaks? Nah.. but if they do show it and price it as I expect, at a ridiculous price, how many will jump ship from that?
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Here is something you might like. It is an extended file manager for Windows: https://www.xyplorer.com/?dark#shot
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Well ARM did come a long way from 2013...
Plus if Apple goes with ARM we know their A series blow everything else out of the water.
No, we don't know that. I don't know where this idea that Apple is going to suddenly become the King of Chip makers. It is not so simple as people think. Running small apps such as you find on IOS is very very different than running something such as AutoCad or Final Cut Pro, or Logic with it's numerous plug ins. I am talking about professional use.
i love the sd slot on the XPS and the transfer speed is incredible. since i edit with nikon software using .raw then convert to HD, very soon microsoft will include raw image support in their next update. using an external usb jack was tedious and not alway dependable with the air.
I have a 2014 15 MBP and a 2015 15 MBP. Both machines are fine and take care of my current needs. I run both of them and partition my workloads. So how long can I wait? I got ten years out of my 2008 MBP so let's say that I'm prepared to wait until 2024. I am hoping that 2015 15 MBPs drop in price on the used market now that the 2019s are out. If I do see one in good shape at a good price, I'll just replace the 2014 so that I'll have two high-spec 2015s. Those would keep me going until 2025. I strongly suspect that Apple will get their act together by then.
Of course a Windows mobile workstation is always an option. It would be great to run heavy, sustained workloads on an i9 and know that your mobile workstation can handle it without throttling. I only see that happening on thick and heavy 17 inch mobile workstations. And Apple isn't anywhere in sight in that game.
I could hope for a 1 inch 16.5 inch MacBook Pro.
It still somewhat burns me that RAM and Storage cost so much on the MBPs. A peek into the Windows world shows that RAM and Storage are far easier to do and you can put far more in the Windows systems.
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I'm now a Lenovo X1 Carbon owner. Still have my work-issued 13" rMBP but no longer using it as my combined work + personal machine as I was before.
I've been on the edge for a while... my main gripes on the Mac side are the usual: thermal/cooling, Bootcamp + eGPU issues for gaming (mostly hard hangs, thermal related from what I can tell), keyboard (mostly feel for me, but reliability reports don't give me any warm fuzzies either), useless touchbar/no physical function row, and T2 issues.
Despite those gripes, I stuck around on Mac mostly because of MacOS and the look/feel of the MacBook line. I was 100% Windows for most of my life, until:
Windows definitely still has its quirks. UI inconsistency with new/Universal apps (seemingly dying?), Settings everywhere, some in the new Settings app, some in the old control panel, some only in the registry. DPI scaling was a huge issue with previous versions but does appear to be decent in recent versions. Color profiling is flat out broken ... has been since I started caring about color profiles (Win7 days). The trackpad experience is a total joke compared to Mac ... two finger scrolling is either 1. barely tolerable or 2. downright annoying depending on where you are in the OS or what app you're using... and those settings I mentioned earlier? Some of them have an affect while others don't, again all depending on the app you're in ... but mostly the two-finger scroll settings (or any "Precision Touchpad" customization) simply don't exist or don't work. No Time Machine equivalent, 3rd party or built-in.
So ... wrapping this up. I don't think a "perfect" laptop exists anymore... I felt like we were getting pretty close with the 2015 MacBook models, then, well ... 2016-2018 happened. Windows machines are seemingly getting a bit better but still have their issues with OS and hardware quality.
I'm going to stick with the Lenovo for the time being until the next MacBook redesign... and my days of Mac may be limited if ARM is the future, as I need a Bootcamp / Windows option for work and some mild gaming. Time will tell I suppose ...
I've been on the edge for a while... my main gripes on the Mac side are the usual: thermal/cooling, Bootcamp + eGPU issues for gaming (mostly hard hangs, thermal related from what I can tell), keyboard (mostly feel for me, but reliability reports don't give me any warm fuzzies either), useless touchbar/no physical function row, and T2 issues.
Despite those gripes, I stuck around on Mac mostly because of MacOS and the look/feel of the MacBook line. I was 100% Windows for most of my life, until:
- Windows-based laptop manufacturer quality seemed to nose-dive in the mid-2000s ... seems to have recovered a little since then but still hard to find slim/sleek/solid/rigid blocks of aluminum + glass like MacBooks.
- Windows 8. 'nuff said. What a disaster. Worse than Windows 98, Me, and Vista in my opinion.
Windows definitely still has its quirks. UI inconsistency with new/Universal apps (seemingly dying?), Settings everywhere, some in the new Settings app, some in the old control panel, some only in the registry. DPI scaling was a huge issue with previous versions but does appear to be decent in recent versions. Color profiling is flat out broken ... has been since I started caring about color profiles (Win7 days). The trackpad experience is a total joke compared to Mac ... two finger scrolling is either 1. barely tolerable or 2. downright annoying depending on where you are in the OS or what app you're using... and those settings I mentioned earlier? Some of them have an affect while others don't, again all depending on the app you're in ... but mostly the two-finger scroll settings (or any "Precision Touchpad" customization) simply don't exist or don't work. No Time Machine equivalent, 3rd party or built-in.
With that, here are my Lenovo X1C (Gen6) Hardware first impressionsThe Good
- It's incredibly light. I was worried that the box might be empty when I picked it up from FedEx.
- Rigid chassis, everything nice and solid/seemingly well built. Some sort of MIL spec compliance too, apparently.
- The keyboard ... it's just dreamy. Seriously. This is an absolute pleasure to type on.
- Not nearly as much of a fingerprint magnet compared to the MacBooks.
- The touchpoint/nub ... almost forgot about these but they still make em and they're still pretty convenient!
- The display ... I opted for the 2560 x 1440 HDR 500-nit display glossy. It's very nice ... could do with a little less "gloss" though and perhaps a sheet of glass covering it like the MacBook. This is some sort of glossly polymer film.
- The touchpad is nice, but it's not a force touch with haptic. It has potential but is currently limited by bad software/drivers, as mentioned above.
- Two TB3 ports, HDMI, 2 USB-A ... microSD reader. Nice.
- Battery life AND performance is impressive so far... especially with undervolting using ThrottleStop. And no heat issues whatsoever ... average temps around 45C with normal use.
- Premier support with next-day in-home service ... parts are shipped overnight from a US-based warehouse (see below).
- I opted for the Premier support plan, and I've already had to use it. Thankfully, it's next-day in-home service. The screen came with a thin outline of the trackpad permanently etched in to it ... immediately noticeable when opening the lid for the first time. Apparently, at some point in the short life of this machine, something must have mashed the screen in to the keyboard/trackpad. Tech came today to replace the screen... I called yesterday morning. Not bad for service.
- Unfortunately, the replacement screen was bad... left-side didn't light up. Not exactly getting warm fuzzies over this ... they'll be back tomorrow to attempt another replacement.
- While the tech was in my home replacing the screen... I was able to witness the screen replacement process first hand. I was a little surprised to see that the raw LCD assembly simply sits snug in the top lid and is held in place by a sticker. You heard that right. The bezel around the display on the X1C is actually a disposable, adhesive-backed sticker that holds the LCD assembly in the lid. Yay for simple, but unsettling to say the least ... and a pain to get everything lined up perfectly when putting it back together.
So ... wrapping this up. I don't think a "perfect" laptop exists anymore... I felt like we were getting pretty close with the 2015 MacBook models, then, well ... 2016-2018 happened. Windows machines are seemingly getting a bit better but still have their issues with OS and hardware quality.
I'm going to stick with the Lenovo for the time being until the next MacBook redesign... and my days of Mac may be limited if ARM is the future, as I need a Bootcamp / Windows option for work and some mild gaming. Time will tell I suppose ...
I'm not sure how to respond, you're giving them 6 more years to get things right, seems like an extremely low assessment of what they could do, conversely if they need 6 more years then do you really want to spend 3,000 to 4,000 on a product from them that took so long to get it right?
Think about it this way, their keyboards have been failing since 2015, and its now 2019, The thermal performance of the 2018 MBPs is inadequate, and I'm presuming that the 2019 will be just as bad. Owners of the 2016 have to contend with Flexgate, I'm not sure of 2017 is in the same situation. They've struggled to fix the T2 chip, staingate and other gates.
my opinion of apple is they've chosen form over function, and while the laptops look great, Apple has been cutting corners and making poor design choices when it comes for function (like cooling)
I just popped a 512GB SSSD into my laptop, my battery can easily be replaced, if I do need a keyboard, that can be done without getting a new top case. Apple has chosen a path of disposable products, and it limits the consumer.
My tasks are not your tasks, but when I work either in a VM, PS, LR, and various other tasks, my i7 stays very cool. I don't think you need a thick heavy mobile workstation, you just need something that has proper thermal designs and many windows machines already have that. Like I said however my idea of pushing a machine may not be yours and YMMV
[doublepost=1558606420][/doublepost]Let me say its not all rainbows and unicorns in the Pc/windows world but I do believe having a laptop that has proper cooling, an awesome keyboard, does not use proprietary chips is a huge plus. On the PC side, we have issues, headaches and head scratchers but I think all of the issues I've gotten have been minor and fall into the realm of quarks
Edited for clarity
Man I would switch to the X1 Extreme gen 2 immediately, if I wasn't so deeply rooted in macOS.
I would have to go the Linux route with Windows inside a VM, and would miss so many apps I use all the time for development on my Mac.
It's such a shame, all I would want is current hardware in the body of my 2014 MBP. It would be glorious. :/
I would have to go the Linux route with Windows inside a VM, and would miss so many apps I use all the time for development on my Mac.
It's such a shame, all I would want is current hardware in the body of my 2014 MBP. It would be glorious. :/
LOL,
I said the same thing when Lenovo rolled out the X1 Extreme last year. For my usage and needs, I'm not that deeply rooted in macOS. There are features and apps that I gave up, to be sure. I miss the tight integration of the iPhone and the mac, yet for me, the positives of the X1E outweighed the positives of staying with the mac ecosystem. My usage and needs are different then you and others, so what worked for me, may not for you.
I feel i have more freedom and less annoyances by switching to windows recently. All my computing projects are faster and less logins. I started developing a website using expressions which was free and has all the functions that dreamweaver has. The Dell is much stronger extension wise (bluetooth-usb-wifi wise). The integration with my dell and firestickTV is solid and the bluetooth and usb connection are more reliable. the ipad will is not recognizing the dell XPS whereas the dell wants to connect with the ipad.
I'm very happy i switched to windows and do not miss anything i was deeply rooted in just 2 weeks ago.
I'm very happy i switched to windows and do not miss anything i was deeply rooted in just 2 weeks ago.
I know what I would get into, I recently used Linux on my desktop at home for some weeks when my mac was out for repair (twice).
I absolutely loved how fast and snappy everything felt, and the native docker support is a huge plus.
But it's also Linux, and I'm a noob. I would loose so much time fiddling around with it, probably destroy my installation in the process multiple times. The possibility to use the xcode ios emulator would be a pretty big loss, too. I don't develop ios apps, but use the emulator for ios safari debugging.
I absolutely loved how fast and snappy everything felt, and the native docker support is a huge plus.
But it's also Linux, and I'm a noob. I would loose so much time fiddling around with it, probably destroy my installation in the process multiple times. The possibility to use the xcode ios emulator would be a pretty big loss, too. I don't develop ios apps, but use the emulator for ios safari debugging.
As far as I know there is a sticker over the screen connector in the carbon (to keep dust away), but the LCD screen fits snugly in a frame. There is something that looks like a sticker on the bottom of the LCD screen to keep the connection wires in place and to prevent it sliding from the frame. After that the bezel is placed over it and clicks in place. This bezel also keeps the LCD screen firmly in place. Point here is: The bezel is not an adhesive sticker in itself.
Also see this YouTube video:
I have opened some Lenovo's (including X1 carbons) in my time and all the X1 carbons I know of are constructed more or less that way. Other brands (I will mention no names) choose to glue in everything, which seems worse (and even more disposable) to me.
I can imagine if a technician breaks the bezel by accident he has to replace it (it is a bit flimsy on its own), but it is by no means meant to be disposable.
Do you have a carbon with bezels I am not aware of
?Edit:
I just noticed the YouTube film above is a bit old (2014).
Here also a repair on a recent X1 carbon (2018). The video is a bit long, but in the second half he starts to disassemble the screen:
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integration is what keeps me around.. Doing calls and taking iMessages on the Mac during meetings beats everything in the world for me... Same goes for Safari users and passwords and etc..
Too deep in it, heck I have the highest iCloud storage sub and have multiple Time Machine copies laying around
I've got the Lenovo X1 and some models from HP on my shortlist for now. All of these have some half-height network port. Does using that require an adaptor or can you buy network cables that have this kind of plug built in?
Also, if you had to compare trackpad quality with the MBP - how do the X1 carbon/extreme and e.g. the Zbook series fare? Who makes the nicest trackpads (ideally without dedicated buttons, just like the MBP).
Also, if you had to compare trackpad quality with the MBP - how do the X1 carbon/extreme and e.g. the Zbook series fare? Who makes the nicest trackpads (ideally without dedicated buttons, just like the MBP).
I have the X1 Carbon/G6, and the trackpad is no where close to the MBP or MBA IMHO. It's too small, and the drivers are only so-so with regards to responsiveness and accuracy. I do like the laptop, and overall pleased even though it's Windows 10
I have a dual boot w/ Pop OS and it's not too bad. I opted to the WQHD Screen/Matte vs the Glossy due to need and availability. I may check out the G7 when it's released and see how that one looks. The only gripe about the screen I have now is the 300 Nits and being a tad dark.
Do you have a carbon with bezels I am not aware of
Edit:
I just noticed the YouTube film above is a bit old (2014).
Here also a repair on a recent X1 carbon (2018). The video is a bit long, but in the second half he starts to disassemble the screen:
I do, apparently. This is on the latest generation with the HDR screen... the bezel is a disposable sticker. There are no clips. I removed it after the tech left and re-placed it because he didn't get it lined up properly, one side was overlapping lid.
I ordered a couple of extras just in case the adhesive fails and I need to re-apply a new one. They are pretty cheap / OEM part from China. The Lenovo part number is 01YR448. here's a link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/123185630201
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I have the X1 Carbon/G6, and the trackpad is no where close to the MBP or MBA IMHO. It's too small, and the drivers are only so-so with regards to responsiveness and accuracy. I do like the laptop, and overall pleased even though it's Windows 10
Agree on the trackpad ... though the hardware seems solid, I believe most of our problems are driver/software related. As an example, try two-finger scrolling in Edge vs Chrome... way better in Edge. Wish I liked Edge... hoping the new Chromium-based Edge has the better software support for Precision Touchpads just like current Edge.
I'm using Mac since 2008 and Windows + Linux since forever. I had the black macbook, imac 2008 and rMBP 15" 2013 fully loaded : 16gb, 512gb SSD, i7 and dual GPU.
I also have 2 servers, and main PC is 32gb with i7, all SSD and have dual 4k screens.
Last year I was not attracted by the price of Macbook so I checked the thinkpad laptops. I ended up with a t580 : 32gb ram, 2tb ssd, 4k screen, sd card, dual video cards, hello-compatible camera and fingerprint.
It was a very nice deal, but in the end, it's still no mac.
Why Windows still sucks
- my rmbp 2013 still has a superior battery life (~8h) than my 8 months old thinkpad (which have dual batteries which last at it's best ~6h with light tasks).
- the wallpapers are not processed via the color calibration module. So even if my monitors are calibrated, my wide gamut monitors images don't match the standard sRGB ones. If I open Photoshop on my wide gamut and load the same wallpaper, the colors will appear correctly since the color profile is loaded from the image. Windows background engine's bypass the profile. If I plug the same 2 monitors on my mac, it's all good since ICM is integrated at it's core.
- privacy: none. Even if you disable everything via the gui, so still have to use scripts to turn off almost everything. When you think you have caught everything, well you don't. Text that you type is any application is tracked.
https://news.softpedia.com/news/win...ivate-in-google-chrome-incognito-525862.shtml
- even nvidia drivers add telemetry by default, that you have to delete the service every time you update your drivers.
- if you encrypt your drive, your private key is automatically sent to your onedrive bucket which they have access.
Encryption is weaker than Mac's T2 chip. They had major flaws with it
- crapware by default, games and random app are pushed to your start menu every now and then. I have a 5000 lines powershell script to handle privacy setting and crap but I still got new ones with this week 1903 update. Every uninstalled crap, came back.
there's plenty more to say.. the OS itself is real nice, but you're the product, they spy, impose crap.
The grass may look greenier but it was planted on a big turd.