Apple Debuts New 8-Core MacBook Pro With Updated Keyboard

[Martius]

No they have not added the 2019. Someone posted a link to an article with a typo and now being spewed as fact. They added the 2018 to the repair extension. The 2019 is an improved design. Stupid article wasn't proofread and of course MR readers took off with it.

I always check my sources, so do you?
https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks/

 

[Stella]

I would think that you would want an external SD Card reader/writer at that point as Apple's SD Card slot on the 2012-2015 was not noted for its speed? Apple sells a USB-C SD Card reader that people say is quite fast...I am sure that Transcend, Sandisk, Lexar, TrippLite, Xcellon or Delkin Devices has a FAST, reliable USB-C reader that would be a better choice for you.

Absolutely fair point. Though, there are still many reasons why people may find the internal SD slot useful - not having to carry around another device. The reader / writer doesn't have to be the fastest for many, just good.

 

[dwsolberg]

"Substantially reduce" keyboard problems? Not "eliminate" keyboard problems?

Eliminate is a pretty tall order, but I'm not going to trust this keyboard until it's been out for a while and people have looked at the keys and tested the mechanism against dust particles.

 

[b92b0b33ef5340e]

Any benchmarks out yet?

 

[linxy33]

I really would like to see the iFixit tear down of the new keyboard. I am more than curious what the new material is...

Timcookium / Jonnyivicusium

but maybe just maybe its aluminium-plasticus Pro X

 

[Kung gu]

So the 13" shows a 'new' label, but I only see it maxing out to "2.8GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7". Does the 8 core only go into the 15"? Anyone know what may have changed to make the 13" display as new?

The clock speed and turbo speed is higher.

 

[mikethemartian]

I think most people complaining about the keyboards and throttle don't even use a MBP. I have the 6 core 2018 with 2 external monitors and run LR and PS at the same time without any problems. I've been using a 2017 MBP for a while too, and have never seen a problem with the keyboard getting stuck. But then again, I'm not sitting in my parent's basement and eating chips over it either.

You prefer Cheetos?

 

[nephron8]

Man that 8 core i9 is gonna throttle big time

forget throttling .
after all intel mitigations,
how much would it deliver performance wise?
40% less is what apple only said .
how much in real.life?

 

[curtvaughan]

A couple of things:

• Have you actually used a 2018 MBP? If not, then you really don't have much of a basis for your opinions.
• While transcoding video with all 6 cores maxed out for a prolonged period of time, I am not getting any throttling - so that pretty much negates your entire post.
• I'm not entirely sure what the firmware update Apple pushed out did (as they didn't go into the details), but if I had to guess it involved both power management and fan speed - if either wasn't working properly, throttling could occur.
• The CPUs in servers (typical Intel Xeons) are drastically different than the CPUs used in consumer machines, let alone laptops. Server CPUs are not optimized for power efficiency as they simply don't need to - hence the massive heat sinks. Mobile CPUs, by their nature, are less powerful than desktop or server CPUs, but as a result are significantly more power efficient and thus produce less heat.

This guy did not have your experience:

https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/17/2018-macbook-pro-cpu-throttling/

I can't argue with your experience, but due to reviews like the above and many others over the last year, I won't risk buying this machine, especially at its current premium price. That you don't have the issue does not negate the experiences of those who do. The same applies with regard to display problems (due to wearing of a cable) and the keyboards. A significant number of people have reported and demonstrated problems, enough to make shelling out thousands of dollars a bit of a risk, at least for someone on with my budgetary issues.

 

[mikethemartian]

I'm still keeping my 1996 Macintosh Performa. I can't stand computers that are not white. I can't explain why, but I resist change so I'll keep my old stuff forever.

C'mon, USB-C and keyboard complaints are getting old.

If USB-C was really displacing USB-A then you would have expected less complaints about it given the current MBP design has been out for at least two years now.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Apple today announced the surprise launch of new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, which are the fastest Mac notebooks ever at the top of the line. The updated machines feature Intel's 8th and 9th-generation processors, with high-end models featuring eight cores for the first time.

According to Apple, the new MacBook Pro offers two times faster performance than a quad-core MacBook Pro and 40 percent more performance than a 6-core MacBook Pro. The new 13-inch machines are using updated quad-core processors, with the 6 and 8-core options limited to the 15-inch models.

Aside from new processors, the updated MacBook Pro machines continue to feature the same design, despite rumors that Apple would introduce a 16 to 16.5-inch MacBook Pro in 2019. There are some internal updates, though.

Though not mentioned in the press release, The Loop confirms that the new machine has an updated keyboard. The new keyboard uses a new material that Apple says will cut down on the failure problems that users have seen.Apple did not explain what the "new materials" in the butterfly keyboard are, but said that the update will significantly cut down on issues like double key presses and missed key presses.

According to The Verge, some existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models that experience keyboard failures will have their keyboards replaced with the new 2019 keyboard that Apple has developed. Unfortunately, only MacBooks with the third-generation butterfly keyboard can get the updated 2019 keyboard, which includes the 2018 MacBook Pro and the 2018 MacBook Air.

Apple is speeding up keyboard repair times in its retail stores, and extending its Keyboard Service Program to include the 2018 MacBook Pro and 2018 MacBook Air models, along with the new 2019 machines. The repair program lasts for four years after the first retail sale of a Mac machine.

The MacBook Pro continues to feature "the best Mac notebook display ever" with 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color gamut, and True Tone technology. It is equipped with Apple's T2 security chip, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and immersive stereo speakers like prior machines. The new MacBook Pro models are priced starting at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively, for the 13 and 15-inch models. The new machines are available today through Apple's online store and will be coming to Apple retail stores later this week. Apple has not updated the non-Touch Bar 13-inch MacBook Pro machines.

Article Link: Apple Debuts New 8-Core MacBook Pro With Updated Keyboard

Damn, what a surprise! The new 4th generation butterfly keyboard seems promising too.

 

[project_2501]

"Substantially reduce" keyboard problems? Not "eliminate" keyboard problems?

THIS.

Apple can't get a keyboard right even after 5 years?

A keyboard. It's not like we haven't had working keyboards for .. I don't know... half a century.

 

[dogslobber]

Does it come with a keyboard that works?

You can use Siri instead. Keyboards are overrated!

 

[nouveau_redneck]

I joined this board just so I could like your comment.

They need to fix the keyboard.

Perhaps you were in such a hurry to post about fixing the keyboard, you forgot to read the article.

 

[The Phazer]

Anyone who pays money for a machine with a butterfly keyboard at this point is a idiot.

It's a failed design, and needs to be scrapped entirely. Who would trust their "improvements" when they said exactly the same about the Air, and if anything that was even worse?

 

[dwaite]

I'll believe it after the new keyboard has been out 6 months to a year. People thought the 2nd gen butterfly keyboard would be the fix... it wasn't. People thought the 3rd gen would be the fix ... it wasn't. Forgive me for having doubts about the 4th gen.

This isn't a 4th gen. It is a materials change to the 3rd gen. That is why 3rd gen computers with keyboard problems may get the new changes.

 

[bruno7]

Pro?
Still no matte display option?
Still with that stupid TouchBar thingy? Why on earth you can get 13'' without TB and 15'' not is beyond me.

2799$ in US.
3768$ in Czech Republic.

Nice.

I am so happy my 2010 MBP with matte display still works and is perfectly fine with High Sierra....

My next MBP will be a 2015 one. And I'll keep it till it dies.

 

[nephron8]

the johny boy needs to give up his fascination for thinner and thinner. thats killing entire product lines .


ipad pro bendgate
macbook keyboards are still not sorted .
iphone lesser battery due to thinner devices .launch of official battery packs .

doesnt that all take away all rhe craze of thinner devices .

tim and johny .give up your thin device philosophy .

 

[QCassidy352]

$1800 for a 13” with 8GB RAM and a 256 GB drive. Wow. I paid $1500 for my 13” MBP with the same back in late 2013. Now, I grant you that the components in the 2019s are a lot faster, but still. Apple seems to have permanently stagnated in terms of what they consider sufficient RAM and storage space.

 

[joeswamp]

C'mon guys! Fourth times a charm! This keyboard won't have any problems.

Amazing to me they have been trying to rescue this disaster for five years. Their laptops are so expensive because the price needs to include the cost of the keyboard program.

And they still kept the touchbar <groan>...

 

[noraa]

Will the chassis overheat non-stop and cause the computer to throttle itself, basically being a "spec sheet cheater?"

No, as for the umpteenth time, the 2018 did NOT have throttling issues.

Are the new models still using ddr3 ram instead of ddr4 and charge $200 to upgrade 8gb of ram to 16gb of ram? (8gb of ddr3 is $30-$40 btw. )

Do some of your own research, ALL 2018 models already had DDR4 *head palm*

Will the ram and ssds be soidered to the motherboard, and not allow for upgrades?

More than likely, yes. That's not going to change anytime soon. And is, unfortunately, being adopted across the industry

Will they still offer 256gb and then $200 to upgrade to 512gb (512gb drives are 50 to $100)?

The SSDs in the MBPs are insanely fast. The closest you'll find that is comparable in speed is the Samsung 970 Pro, which is currently $160 on Amazon for 512gb.

One thing is for sure, people will keep buying mediocre and sometimes defective Apple products at a premium price, which is part of the problem.

I'm going to assume you've never used the new MBPs, so your "opinion" is essentially useless.

 

[project_2501]

what's the point of these fast CPUs?

since the 2016 models the terrible thermal design means they throttle

you're paying for fast CPUs that can't go fast

 

[Plutonius]

wow this forum is 90% trolls, I don't even know why I'm bothered commenting.

And what do you consider trolls ?

I just see many people with different viewpoints on the new MBP.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Funny how mine, and everyone else at work works just fine...yet people like you insist its a failure/disaster *eye roll*. A few people having issues doesn't mean the entire thing is a flop.

About 50% of users have issues with the keyboards prior todays release. Anyhow I give Apple the benefit of the doubt and will get one these latest for work. For private usage I will keep my 2013.

 

[noraa]

This guy did not have your experience:

https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/17/2018-macbook-pro-cpu-throttling/

I can't argue with your experience, but due to reviews like the above and many others over the last year, I won't risk buying this machine, especially at its current premium price. That you don't have the issue does not negate the experiences of those who do. The same applies with regard to display problems (due to wearing of a cable) and the keyboards. A significant number of people have reported and demonstrated problems, enough to make shelling out thousands of dollars a bit of a risk, at least for someone on with my budgetary issues.

That video was made BEFORE Apple fixed the throttling issues via a firmware update.

I'm amazed by how many people still think there are throttling issues, when Apple fixed the problem.