Apple Debuts New 8-Core MacBook Pro With Updated Keyboard

[scoobydoo99]

Even cameras are starting to move away from SD cards. It's convenient but doesn't really make a lot of sense to have such a specialist slot any more. Better to have a general purpose slot and a thumb sized adapter in your wires pouch.

I understand if you don't use it, but the point is, Apple removed it (in part) in their blind pursuit of "thinner and lighter", taking away a convenient port that many found useful. What harm would it do to keep it? Apple:"But that would make it .2mm thicker and .034ounces heavier!"

The MagSafe connector was always a marketing thing. Again, nice to have but not really the basis for choosing a laptop.

I disagree. It wasn't marketing - it was super useful! Besides the benefit of preventing laptops from being pulled off of desks when someone walking by snags the power cord, it prevented the heavy wear that occurs on rigid plugs that get torqued and bent from heavy use.

Overall, these and many, many other feature degradations at Apple are a result of not really knowing how to make products that "just work" anymore. (Hate to bring up comparisons with Steve, but it's true - he had a vision of user-centered design in a sublime package). Tim is just your ordinary businessman, not a visionary. You could pull him out and replace with any exec from Microsoft, and you'd get the same trajectory for Apple.

 

[DNichter]

I think the pro market has simply gotten too small for Apple to serve specifically and still find it worthwhile.

Their recent MacBooks strike me as Apple trying to find some sort of middle ground, where they want their products to appeal to both the mass consumer and the pro user (which makes up about 30% of their Mac user base).

At the expense of appealing more to the former than the latter.

I agree and I can see why that would be a problem for the Pro’s that need such machines. Apple is stuck in this middle ground with the Mac trying to appease mass consumers and Pro’s alike, when they should have just went all in on what Pro’s need. iOS for everyone else.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I agree and I can see why that would be a problem for the Pro’s that need such machines. Apple is stuck in this middle ground with the Mac trying to appease mass consumers and Pro’s alike, when they should have just went all in on what Pro’s need. iOS for everyone else.

I think that might actually happen if they move iOS 13 past some of the real show stopper limitations that most users can agree on. I often wonder if Apple will move the Mac mini, iMac, MacBook and MacBook Air to ARM while keeping the iMac Pro, Mac Pro and MacBook Pro on Intel and going all in on returning certain “Pro” features and living with x86 to keep those users from completely defecting. After all, Marzipan is all about increasing the number of apps in the Mac App Store at the end of the day so that users can move seamlessly between devices, which Apple wants to sell a lot more of.

For 80% of consumers, iOS and an iPad will get the job done, another 15% will want a traditional Mac and the last 5% will make up the Intel contingent.

On the other hand, I may have just written complete fantasy. Time will tell.
[doublepost=1558656231][/doublepost]

I understand if you don't use it, but the point is, Apple removed it (in part) in their blind pursuit of "thinner and lighter", taking away a convenient port that many found useful. What harm would it do to keep it? Apple:"But that would make it .2mm thicker and .034ounces heavier!"



I disagree. It wasn't marketing - it was super useful! Besides the benefit of preventing laptops from being pulled off of desks when someone walking by snags the power cord, it prevented the heavy wear that occurs on rigid plugs that get torqued and bent from heavy use.

Overall, these and many, many other feature degradations at Apple are a result of not really knowing how to make products that "just work" anymore. (Hate to bring up comparisons with Steve, but it's true - he had a vision of user-centered design in a sublime package). Tim is just your ordinary businessman, not a visionary. You could pull him out and replace with any exec from Microsoft, and you'd get the same trajectory for Apple.

Yeah, because the wear and tear simply happened at the other end where the MagSafe wire met the charger body. I had two go south that way no matter how carefully or loosely I wound them. USB-C has worked very well in place of MagSafe, I really cannot say that I have missed it at all...I thought I would, but I do not.

 

[steshaw]

What's wrong with the Touch Bar? I understand people complaining about the missing Esc key, but apart from that, what's the problem with the Touch Bar? I for one like it a lot and use it every day.

I'd be all-in on a new MacBook Pro if it had a hardware Esc key. And wouldn't a hardware power key be nice too? If it must come with a touch bar then the touch bar can go between the Esc and Power keys. That'd be fine with me. Of course, I'd prefer no touch bar and a regular keyboard as that'd reduce the price a couple of hundred dollars or so (and I don't need the touch bar). I understand others like the touch bar, it would just be nice to have the option of a touch-bar-less Pro.

As it is, I'll probably go with a new Air or run Linux on a Lenovo or Dell. I'd prefer to have the raw CPU power locally (of the MacBook Pro) but I use an Air at the moment and do all the heavy lifting remotely on fast, cheap, preemptible machines in the cloud...
[doublepost=1558657385][/doublepost]

Given that they are only promising that the “updated” keyboard “reduces” the problem, I’ll stay away until the rumored 16.5” MBP with the 1mm travel scissor keys, inverted T arrows, and physical escape key next to the touchbar.

I hadn't realised that the rumoured 16.5" MBP had a hardware esc key — that would be awesome (perhaps a hardware power key too). Where did you hear about that rumour?

 

[brian3uk]

So I just got my new 2019 MBP, the basic 13in TB one, and the speakers sound flat and after an hour of basic setup stuff the Touch ID button got so hot it literately burned my finger. Not off to a great start here.

 

[mindsaspire]

So I just got my new 2019 MBP, the basic 13in TB one, and the speakers sound flat and after an hour of basic setup stuff the Touch ID button got so hot it literately burned my finger. Not off to a great start here.

The secret new material in the keyboards is uranium--burns away any trapped dust particles inside but, like the previous keyboard revisions, still needs some more real-world testing.

 

[cmaier]

I'd be all-in on a new MacBook Pro if it had a hardware Esc key. And wouldn't a hardware power key be nice too? If it must come with a touch bar then the touch bar can go between the Esc and Power keys. That'd be fine with me. Of course, I'd prefer no touch bar and a regular keyboard as that'd reduce the price a couple of hundred dollars or so (and I don't need the touch bar). I understand others like the touch bar, it would just be nice to have the option of a touch-bar-less Pro.

As it is, I'll probably go with a new Air or run Linux on a Lenovo or Dell. I'd prefer to have the raw CPU power locally (of the MacBook Pro) but I use an Air at the moment and do all the heavy lifting remotely on fast, cheap, preemptible machines in the cloud...
[doublepost=1558657385][/doublepost]

I hadn't realised that the rumoured 16.5" MBP had a hardware esc key — that would be awesome (perhaps a hardware power key too). Where did you hear about that rumour?

Marco Arment

 

[throAU]

If they make a quad-core 32GB RAM 1TB user replaceable/upgradeable NVME 13" MacBook Pro with a matte screen, scissor-switch based keyboard, physical FN keys, NO T2 (in)security chip, a MagSafe power connector and a USB3.1 type A connector I might be tempted.

Apple will likely charge you $5k for that.

 

[DNichter]

I think that might actually happen if they move iOS 13 past some of the real show stopper limitations that most users can agree on. I often wonder if Apple will move the Mac mini, iMac, MacBook and MacBook Air to ARM while keeping the iMac Pro, Mac Pro and MacBook Pro on Intel and going all in on returning certain “Pro” features and living with x86 to keep those users from completely defecting. After all, Marzipan is all about increasing the number of apps in the Mac App Store at the end of the day so that users can move seamlessly between devices, which Apple wants to sell a lot more of.

For 80% of consumers, iOS and an iPad will get the job done, another 15% will want a traditional Mac and the last 5% will make up the Intel contingent.

On the other hand, I may have just written complete fantasy. Time will tell.
[doublepost=1558656231][/doublepost]

Yeah, because the wear and tear simply happened at the other end where the MagSafe wire met the charger body. I had two go south that way no matter how carefully or loosely I wound them. USB-C has worked very well in place of MagSafe, I really cannot say that I have missed it at all...I thought I would, but I do not.

That’s kind of where my head is at. What you describe seems pretty plausible in my mind. Agree though, who really knows what Apple is thinking. To me, that would be the way to hit on both segments of customers though.

 

[cardfan]

You design for your core group not the masses. The masses don’t really care and will buy what think is cool. But it’s your core or most loyal fans who will deem it that way.

Anyways Apple should fix such kb issues and looks like they whipped out another bandage to get them through this year. But what is disappointing is what they could be doing overall with macs.

Marzipan looks like a step to further integrate iOS and Mac. Could be good. Not that it excites me. I see these apps as limited mobile type apps. I hated windows initial move to layer it’s OS with this type junk in win 8. They even went as far to make such crap apps as default.

But whatever. Apple just isn’t in it to win with macs. They stopped making accessories. They drew back support in education and business. They don’t even mention windows on the Mac page. Marketing is next to nothing for Macs.

I’ll get excited again when Apple decides to. A good first step would be an all Mac event. Otherwise I’ll just stay content and hope I don’t have to make a decision anytime soon as current macs do the job. Maybe 2020 will be the year.

 

[DNichter]

You design for your core group not the masses. The masses don’t really care and will buy what think is cool. But it’s your core or most loyal fans who will deem it that way.

Anyways Apple should fix such kb issues and looks like they whipped out another bandage to get them through this year. But what is disappointing is what they could be doing overall with macs.

Marzipan looks like a step to further integrate iOS and Mac. Could be good. Not that it excites me. I see these apps as limited mobile type apps. I hated windows initial move to layer it’s OS with this type junk in win 8. They even went as far to make such crap apps as default.

But whatever. Apple just isn’t in it to win with macs. They stopped making accessories. They drew back support in education and business. They don’t even mention windows on the Mac page. Marketing is next to nothing for Macs.

I’ll get excited again when Apple decides to. A good first step would be an all Mac event. Otherwise I’ll just stay content and hope I don’t have to make a decision anytime soon as current macs do the job. Maybe 2020 will be the year.

Aside from the normal gripes I see, what are some major changes that Apple could be doing with the Mac? I certainly understand the keyboard, pricing, graphics, soldered parts, etc., but aside from that, I am more so curious on what the future of the Mac would look like to Mac fans in an ideal world?

 

[brian3uk]

So I just got my new 2019 MBP, the basic 13in TB one, and the speakers sound flat and after an hour of basic setup stuff the Touch ID button got so hot it literately burned my finger. Not off to a great start here.

Touch ID is completely dead now. Reset SMC using a potholder. Reinstalled OS and Touch ID won’t start setup. The button is too hot to touch even when powered off for over 30min. Apple Support told me to stop using it and take it to a store since I obviously can’t ship it back due to fire risk. Great product.

 

[insimbi]

Touch ID is completely dead now. Reset SMC using a potholder. Reinstalled OS and Touch ID won’t start setup. The button is too hot to touch even when powered off for over 30min. Apple Support told me to stop using it and take it to a store since I obviously can’t ship it back due to fire risk. Great product.

This is the new 2019 model? How did you get it so fast? I'm still waiting on mine. Sorry to hear that though - that sucks.

 

[forbegos34]

I've been waiting for the new MacBook Pro to get released! Today is the day!

I'll have this purchased within the next two months in case there are any issues with it that are reported...

You should wait, there a rumor of a new 16inch mb pro coming this year.
[doublepost=1558706137][/doublepost]

This is the new 2019 model? How did you get it so fast? I'm still waiting on mine. Sorry to hear that though - that sucks.

This is not the new 2019, just an update of the 2018.

 

[brian3uk]

This is the new 2019 model? How did you get it so fast? I'm still waiting on mine. Sorry to hear that though - that sucks.

Yes. I paid for one day shipping. It was due to arrive today but it came yesterday. I'm super disappointed that it was a lemon right out of the box. I'm going to wait before I decide to order another.

 

[forbegos34]

Yes. I paid for one day shipping. It was due to arrive today but it came yesterday. I'm super disappointed that it was a lemon right out of the box. I'm going to wait before I decide to order another.

No the 2019 model. Not out yet.

 

[Zdigital2015]

You should wait, there a rumor of a new 16inch mb pro coming this year.
[doublepost=1558706137][/doublepost]
This is not the new 2019, just an update of the 2018.

The 16” won’t be out until 2020 and, yes, the new model is “the” 2019 model.

Source: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP794?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
[doublepost=1558708398][/doublepost]

Yes. I paid for one day shipping. It was due to arrive today but it came yesterday. I'm super disappointed that it was a lemon right out of the box. I'm going to wait before I decide to order another.

Sorry that happened to you...i will say that is the first instance I have read about the TouchID button heating up like that...hopefully, Apple Customer Support can make it right.
[doublepost=1558708574][/doublepost]

This is the new 2019 model? How did you get it so fast? I'm still waiting on mine. Sorry to hear that though - that sucks.

The two preconfigured models Apple sells are filtering in to stores fairly quickly now. They have them at my local Best Buy, which is more than a I can say for the 27” iMacs, which are simply trickling in, especially the $2299 model. My local Apple Store says they have the $2799 15” available to pick up today.

EDIT: This doesn’t surprise me as Intel is going to prioritize mobiles CPUs for production over desktop CPUs as mobile outsells desktop by a wide margin.

 

[myrtlebee]

Sure. https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/21/...-keyboard-problems-apple-repair-new-materials

Here's the relevant part:

Some current MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar and 15-inch customers that bring in their keyboards for repair will actually have their keyboards replaced with ones that have these new materials, Apple says. That will only happen for MacBooks that have the third-generation butterfly keyboard today: the 2018 models of the MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air.​

What do they mean "Apple says"? Where is their proof of this?

 

[cam0217]

Such a premium for a computer without an SD slot! There were no updates for months and then the Pro gets 3 updates in less than a year. I'd love one but I think I will wait for a model without a Touch Bar.

Touchbar is definitely useless I have a 2016 macbook pro 15", I never use it except volume and brightness! My laptop has been repaired twice already for keyboard issues that will occur again for sure!

My advice, wait for a complete redesign or go elsewhere!

 

[trillionaire]

Would have expected more of an upgrade, but maybe they will still launch the 16" at the end of the year and introduce everything they've been working on in that one and then update the 13" to similar specs as the 16" next year.

 

[Zdigital2015]

What do they mean "Apple says"? Where is their proof of this?

https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/24/2019-macbook-pro-butterfly-ifixit/

 

[myrtlebee]

https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/24/2019-macbook-pro-butterfly-ifixit/

I wasn’t questioning that Apple tweaked the design. Re-read the conversation.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I wasn’t questioning that Apple tweaked the design. Re-read the conversation.

Multiple sources have been quoted as saying Apple will replace a 2018 keyboard that exhibits the issue with the revised 2019 keyboard, but it was done on background as opposed to a formal PR statement directly from Apple.

"If you bring a MacBook in with an older third-generation (the one with the membrane) malfunctioning keyboard, it will be replaced with this new fourth revision of the MacBook keyboard. So if you have an Air or a Pro that has issues, it will get the new mechanism."

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/21/a...owerful-processors-and-yes-updated-keyboards/

"Also, for existing models with the third-generation keyboard — last year’s new MacBook Pros and the new MacBook Air — if they require a keyboard replacement, they’ll get the new tweaked keyboard with the purportedly more durable mechanism.2"

Source: https://daringfireball.net/2019/05/good_old_fashioned_macbook_pro_speed_bumps#fn2-2019-05-21

 

[Ethosik]

They only put DDR4 in their desktop line, so I stand corrected. The fact I can get an exact-spec (i5/8gb/256) Surface Laptop 2 as the 13" MBP for $1k less is pretty significant, however... not to mention the keyboard will work.

I also don't think power consumption is the issue when they are putting DDR4 in the 15"...

The surface laptop has a base clock speed of 1.6 GHz. Not comparable to the MBP.

 

[Aiu]

Well....