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Apple has removed a lot from the new Mac Book Pro.
- Thread starter digitalcuriosity
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One thing that does always intrigue me, is how these machines are somehow unsuitable for 'pro' users. They are more powerful, lighter, and more portable - still have great displays. What makes them somehow less 'pro'? Or is it "The new MacBook Pro isn't pro because it doesn't have an SD Card slot and I'm a photographer so everyone should need one of them"
Other than YouTubers who seem to need an 18 core iMac Pro to take close up shots of an iPhone unboxing in 8K, I do wonder what sort of mammoth tasks these machines are unsuitable for. 32 GB of RAM would be nice, probably my only minor gripe; and I somehow manage to use a 2017 13" TB MBP for 'pro' usage just fine.
Other than YouTubers who seem to need an 18 core iMac Pro to take close up shots of an iPhone unboxing in 8K, I do wonder what sort of mammoth tasks these machines are unsuitable for. 32 GB of RAM would be nice, probably my only minor gripe; and I somehow manage to use a 2017 13" TB MBP for 'pro' usage just fine.
VR for a start.
It’s the usual story of the apps becoming more powerful offering more options thus requiring more power. It’s a vicious circle that I enjoy.
I just sold my 13” MBP TB as it was way too slow and couldn’t cope with what I wanted it for.
Horses for courses.............
LOL. I agree for the most part. But the lack of a 32GB RAM option kind of hurts in this regard. I regularly work on 1GB layered Photoshop files. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the difference between 16 and 32GB is dramatic... and that's on a more powerful desktop. If we're talking about much less powerful laptops, I would suppose it even more so. I highly doubt a brand new 15" MBPro with the highest end video card would outperform my 2013 iMac with a 4GB video card and 32GB of RAM. If it did, it would be so minor that it's not even worth talking about.
The problem is that I (and I suspect most pros who are only holding out for more RAM) just don't know. It's not like Apple has demo units that they'll let you take to the office for a week to test out before buying. We just don't know if the more powerful GPUs, processors and I/O in these new MBPs are so much better that they overcome the lack of 32GB of RAM. Given that I keep my Macs for 5+ years, I'm not willing to take a chance.
The thing that really holds computers moving forward is companies not taking the decision to remove legacy ports. As long as legacy ports are there you get that catch 22 situation where consumers go for legacy devices are they are cheap and manufactures don’t put enough focus in new tech which means prices are slow coming down. More companies who make computers need to stop playing it safe by including legacy ports really.
While the MacBook Pro's speakers are fairly good for inbuilt speakers you aren’t getting the quality of sound out of them to really notice the improved quality from a CD though
It costs a few dollars to buy a new cable for your peripheral buy a new bloody cable.USB A has been around for 20 years, usb c should get similar
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Apple give a 14 day money back no questions asked return policy on all its products buy it use it for a week return it if you don't like it.
VR is still a new enough area that I wouldn't expect any laptop to handle it. "Pro" label or not, a laptop is not and never will be as powerful as a true desktop workstation. Insisting that Apple's upper line needs to meet the highest possible usage case is ridiculous - the overwhelming majority of people don't need that much power. And to appease those who do, Apple released the iMac Pro, with a large emphasis on VR development. Now, whether you like that device is another story, but don't blame a laptop for not being a workstation.
Most people who complain that the MacBook Pro isn't "Pro" enough just like to complain. Every once in a while you'll find someone with a good use case, but they're few and far between.
The GPUs for 3D tasks are the ONE area I would say Apple still needs a lot of work in.
Having said that, I wouldn't do VR work on a Mac anyway - I bought a Windows machine for that.
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Nah - there are plenty of high-end Windows laptops that do VR just fine. I have an Alienware for VR. Having said that, the Alienware is FAR from ideal for everyday stuff (which is why I have the MacBook Pro).
I know.
I was making the point that there are lots of other applications that need more power, which this person was not aware of.
We had a 2005 17" MBP and a 2007 17" MBP. Both were heavy and we lugged them when traveling.
My 2015 15" MBP is much more portable and works well for me. The newer model MBPs left me cold, especially the keyboard and as a touch typist of the old school, the feel of a keyboard is very important.
While I understand your frustration... is it just the one peripheral?
I say... buy a TB2 to TB3 dongle and leave it connected to the end of the cable.
You already have a cable hanging off the device... what's another 6 inches?
/thatswhatshesaid
Lord... I hope they did their homework and designed enough future capability into the USB-C port.
They got lucky that they were able to cram a few more pins into the existing USB-A port when they went from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0... but it reached its limit.
Since they designed the USB-C port from scratch... and it was to be used for all sorts of things (power, USB data, Thunderbolt data, video)... let's hope it can last for another 20 years or longer.
We might not need a USB-D port for a long time... if ever!
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What of my reply indicated I felt the optical drive needed to be in the computer these days?
Seeing the future, I took the path of buying my own external optical drive and it stays at home nearly 100% of the time. Having it has been useful for me and I don't regret buying it.
Some folks won't need an optical drive ever. They shouldn't be required to buy one or have it thrust-ed upon them in terms of cost and weight for those few who sometimes need an optical drive.
We should not forget the weight of the charger, they are also lighter now. Arthritis in both shoulders and a bad disc middle of my back, so yes, 1.58 lbs over any length of time is HIGHLY noticeable by me.
MBP 2007 - 17" monitor: Weight: 6.8 lbs.
MBP 2015 - 15" monitor: Weight: 4.49 ibs.
So the weight difference is even more for my use case coming from a much older MBP with a larger screen.
I so hope that image of the Osborne 1 comes through. I had one of those beasts and it was properly classified as a luggable.
The quirks of C/PM meant the user had to be very careful when changing the disks in and out to remember to press CRTL+C so the new disk's directory would be read into memory. Otherwise the user risked overwriting their disk's directory information and losing the disk.
But it sure was fun.
At the end of the day haters, if it was THAT bad, you wouldn't be sticking about trolling on an Apple forum.
The latest MacBook Pro's are hands down the best machines on the market, bar for gaming or high process intensive products. If you need to ask why, maybe you aren't the people who should be criticising the use of the word 'Pro'...
The latest MacBook Pro's are hands down the best machines on the market, bar for gaming or high process intensive products. If you need to ask why, maybe you aren't the people who should be criticising the use of the word 'Pro'...
It's like non of these complaining users ever went to college or university and carried a large knapsack full of books?! Some users really need a fitness plan to get into shape so that a nearly 2 lbs difference of a notebook doesn't fatigue their frail bodies.
The Reality Distortion Field is strong in this one . . .
... or, you know, has a different opinion...
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Don’t forget, there are users who like that Apple is continuing to develop and refine their computers and there are those who think that Apple Laptop design reached perfection in 2008 and would prefer Apple to stop making actual computers and instead sell upgrade components.
They’re good machines, most of us like them. That doesn’t put them above criticism, they have their share of issues and controversial design choices, and what is this forum for if not discussing those? For the most part it’s kept civil, and most of the criticism is based on something rather than empty complaining, despite what some allege. I would certainly dispute ‘hands down’ the best on the market - they have a decent claim to the title, but the competition is stiffer than ever and, again, the current crop of machines aren’t without fault.
I'm currently in college, and let me tell you how appreciative I am of the fact that my MBP is barely noticeable in my backpack...Sure I could handle a bunch of textbooks, but as of right now, there are only 3 items (aside from misc pens and stuff) in my backpack...MBP 13...MBP charger, and a single subject notebook. So the difference of a couple pounds is most certainly noticeable and if I don't have to carry it around then I don't want to. My backpack is on my back for hours a day...its nice that it can sit there without me even noticing. I'll save the weight for squats at the gym...
I don't think I've gone more than a month without carrying a backpack since Grade2 - inclusive of vacations, college (2yrs), and various places of employment in A/P, A/R, or I.T. all requiring a laptop and every year weighing 10lbs or more! I'm not exaggerating in the least in any way!! Saving 3-7lbs isn't much when you're using a backpack vs a side/saddlebag. And knapsacks like Timbuk2/Crumpler makes them a LOT more comfortable to use.
School (Elementary, K12, and College)
Work (18yrs)
Jiu-Jitsu (1yr)
usually walking more than 800meters in 1 or both direction for each ... several times walking 50kilometres just because I stayed out late past running transit hours. Maybe it's because I've always been fit, never driven a car for very long (heavy right foot led to a few years of suspension and too afraid I still have that foot and may kill someone), and well just cannot allow myself for being lazy and taking my own too legs for granted. I'm not super big or strong but my legs I enjoy and since track & field I still manage 4sets10 x 185lbs, maxing out 225lbs for 6reps in proper form for Deadlifts, 450lbs x 10reps max for Leg Press. I don't even work out every 2 days yet getting more consistent by the week. I'm 44yrs old ... how old are you or what's your excuse for handling a few pounds variance of 10lbs in a knapsack (weight suspended over 2 shoulders)? Sorry I stand by my original post.
You're still in college and if you're fully "able" physically and not suffering from MS or similar degradation ... start getting in shape it'll help you for the many years of your life going forward and not worrying about 1-2lbs in a laptop in a knapsack. But I get you ... LOVE the 2013-current MBP and their style and size.
PS: Here in Toronto in Jiu-Jitsu, there is a guy under 30 who has MS, gets to 2hrs class every 3 days in a wheelchair adjusted car. Yet he REFUSES to receive help taking off his shoes, walking 7m to the stairs, going UP 30 steps of stairs, and then PUMMELS the arrogance out of just about everyone else on the matt ... ALL without his crutches! He's freaking incredible in skills and determination, and he's NOT lazy. He'll walk down those stairs as well. If I lost even 10% of control of my legs or mobility I'd seriously loose it. We're talking about 2lbs difference in a laptop on our back here ... consider his troubles.
Cheers.
Look, we get it. You don't care about the weight of a notebook. But there are people who do. I routinely bring a shoulder bag with me on location which carries a MacBook and 4 kg worth of camera equipment. The bag itself is 1.4 kg, which brings the total to about 7 kg. Wearing 7 kg on one shoulder for sometimes 8 hours or more without the option to put it down doesn't make my shoulder feel good, and I don't care if you say I should work out - I feel fine with my current fitness. I just won't make this bag any heavier than it absolutely needs to be, so I'm in the boat where I'm glad for every 100 grams Apple is able to shave off the MacBook Pro.
The problem if it is a problem is Apple has rebranded over time into a lifestyle device brand. Slimmer and slimmer laptops means slimmer and slimmer keyboards. Most people recognise that the Thinkpads have the best keyboards around but for a MacBook Pro to have that would obviously mean thicker laptops. I don't know if Apple is brave enough for that. When they go in a direction they have a lot of cognitive dissonance against have a varied line up.
That is ENTIRELY a subjective matter. There is no such thing as “the best keyboard around” unless you’re talking for you and you alone.
Personally, I LOVE the keyboard on my 2017 MBP (and i don’t care for Thinkpad keyboards, present or past).
I didn't say theres something wrong with the MBP keyboard. I can use any keyboard with training. The Thinkpad keyboard is generally recognised as the best in the industry though and there's no point arguing against it otherwise a lot of people will laugh.
You can laugh all you want, that doesn't mean "best keyboard" is any less subjective.
