Apple Launches 2018 MacBook Pros: 8th Gen Core, Up to 32GB of RAM, Third-Gen Keyboard, Quad-Core on 13-Inch and More

[poorcody]

For those wondering about keyboard changes, this paragraph in the Verge article is interesting:

Instead, it’s just hard to trust a keyboard after so many reports that it can be rendered inoperable by a grain of sand and that is incredibly difficult and expensive to repair or replace. This new third-generation keyboard wasn’t designed to solve those issues, Apple says. In fact, company representatives strenuously insisted that the keyboard issues have only affected a tiny, tiny fraction of its user base. (There’s now a four-year repair program for the keyboard in case it fails.)

 

[nordique]

As 2017 MBP TB 13' owners, my wife and I are very happy with the new keyboards. This is coming from someone who has several cherry black and cherry brown mechanical keyboards (Made in USA). I actually like this keyboard because I can type on it really fast and it doesn't require a lot of effort. Yes, I was against the smaller keyboard initially, but I've really warmed up to it. My wife loves hers. Other 2016-2017 MBP owners we've talked to in real life have all had positive things to say about their keyboards. So far, the only people I've talked to that hate the keyboards are those that … don't own one (in real life, not talking about macrumors or implying anything towards you).
[doublepost=1531407383][/doublepost]

Thanks! Was just making sure I wasn't missing something. ​

I used to own one, and I wasn’t too bothered with them - but going back to the older chiclet keyboards made me realize how the new ones were a step backwards in terms of feel. The older ones had better travel (less force on your fingers, felt better, quieter at least quieter than the first and second Gen butterfly)

Not everyone who owns one likes them, though most are content with them

There is hyperbole on the keyboards but they are no longer the best feeling keyboards on a laptop. A lot of the competition has really caught up and surpassed Apple, and it’s sad to see Apple stagnate. Apple had no comparison in that field for over a decade. Now many high end laptops offer incredible keyboards, that just make one question “how come The new MacBooks don’t feel this great?”

Maybe the third Gen keyboards offer more travel and feedback than just quieter sound, but they still require a revisit to fix the core issues. By all accounts the third Gen keyboards are the same sound aside. Second Gen was a step in the right direction but only just a step.

 

[appleuserfanname]

I know a lot of Mac users in the office, none of them have been waiting for or care about the Touch Bar.

Like for me, Magsafe and ports are much more important.

With the uptick in dumb ass users dropping machines or pulling them off a desk, it makes sense they would ditch mag safe. Think about how much the repair line of business will increase. It's 100% Apple-ish to screw consumers while increasing the bottom line.

**** me silly

 

[lec0rsaire]

$400 to go from 512 GB to 1 TB on the high end 15"? Ouch.

32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD makes that a $3600 machine. Plus tax, plus Applecare and you're north of 4 large for what I consider the bare minimum spec for 2018 if you are looking for it to last 7-8 years.

Insane. 1TB should be standard at this point, or it should be a $200 upgrade at worst.

Same cost as back in 2016. No manufacturer gives you 1TB drives for a $200 upgrade. It doesn’t matter if SATA SSDs are much cheaper. NVMe really isn’t.

I would like cheaper prices and all the storage possible but their prices are fair. The 4TB costs a fortune but cutting edge parts are always a ripoff.

 

[drewyboy]

It seems to all be about right but two things will keep me in a holding pattern.

1. Not a fan of TB. I've never used it so I could be won over but it's definitely not a must for me.
2. The new 13" are a few hundred too expensive for me. And before anyone calls me out for being "poor" and that "apple doesn't want my business" I could easily afford it. The fact that I need to even say that tells you how piss poor some folks here are with economic shaming on other.

I'd bite if they upgraded nonTB or if they somehow got the price down to the 1499/1599 range. Don't even talk to me about that joke of laptop called the Macbook that has a single port.

 

[ignatius345]

As 2017 MBP TB 13' owners, my wife and I are very happy with the new keyboards. This is coming from someone who has several cherry black and cherry brown mechanical keyboards (Made in USA). I actually like this keyboard because I can type on it really fast and it doesn't require a lot of effort. Yes, I was against the smaller keyboard initially, but I've really warmed up to it. My wife loves hers. Other 2016-2017 MBP owners we've talked to in real life have all had positive things to say about their keyboards. So far, the only people I've talked to that hate the keyboards are those that … don't own one (in real life, not talking about macrumors or implying anything towards you).

Oh, I bought that ultra thin Retina MacBook as soon as it came out. I gave it a full month, and just hated typing on it. I passed it on to my wife, who seems fine with it -- but she also rejected the beautiful Topre keyboard I plugged into her Mac because it was "too hard to type on" so her judgement is suspect

Like you, I'm a mechanical keyboard fan but I also very much like the previous generation of scissor-switch Mac keyboards because they have some travel and I can feel my fingers bottoming out. And as much as I love my HHKB and even the Cherry MX Brown KUL I had, I actually find I can probably hit more WPM with my MacBook Air keyboard. With the Butterfly switch, I always find myself typing tentatively, and it feels like I'm hitting a sheet of hard plastic with the barest hint of tactile feedback. Can I do it? Sure. Does it feel effortless and get out of my way ergonomically? Not at all. I wanted to get used to it, but I really found myself breathing a sigh of relief every time I went back to my MacBook Air.

I will concede that the second-gen Butterfly switch seems a little more responsive, as does the bluetooth Magic Keyboard, but I wonder if that is because it's got some auditory feedback to it.

 

[MallardDuck]

A step in the right direction, brings it up to par tech-wise with the competition.

At those prices though, the keyboard needs to be perfect for me. Making it quieter alone isn’t going to do it

Apple needs to go back to the drawing board on that imo

Agreed. I got to work on my wife's older model the other day, and it was such a joy.

My overall reaction is 'finally'. At last the specs are somewhat up to the price point, though the $2800 for a 4TB drive is beyond absurd. Just wish it hadn't taken them two years longer than everyone else to get there.

The touch bar is still a battery sucking/price gouging gimmick. Truetone is nice for some users, though that's the first thing that a design/media/video/photo pro will disable (destroys color management). 6 cores is nice, though the thing must run blazingly hot when going full out. Still will look like it's being attacked by a swarm of albino squid with all the dongles.

What I'm wondering though, is are we seeing this now because the fall rumors are an Ax based Mac? Will that be the split - a Pro line on Intel and a second line on Atom?

 

[Dave245]

My kids found out the new MBP hit the streets and so they're excited and the wife things we'll be better off with it. Since I returned the Razer for the express purpose of waiting for the MBP refresh, I think I may as well bite the bullet

I’ve been waiting for a while to see what would be announced so that I can upgrade my now old 2011 MacBook Pro, since the 12” MacBook hasn’t been updated I might get one of these pro models.

The True Tone might be a nice update, I wasn’t expecting that I was thinking they would announce spec updates at some point. The display alone might be a big upgrade from my 2011 MacBook Pro.

 

[Mac Tyson]

With these 2018's out now, will the 2017 (even 2016) come down in price? Maybe get a good deal from some stores that are going to clear these out.

 

[lec0rsaire]

It seems to all be about right but two things will keep me in a holding pattern.

1. Not a fan of TB. I've never used it so I could be won over but it's definitely not a must for me.
2. The new 13" are a few hundred too expensive for me. And before anyone calls me out for being "poor" and that "apple doesn't want my business" I could easily afford it. The fact that I need to even say that tells you how piss poor some folks here are with economic shaming on other.

I'd bite if they upgraded nonTB or if they somehow got the price down to the 1499/1599 range. Don't even talk to me about that joke of laptop called the Macbook that has a single port.

Why not wait and buy a sealed machine for a discount from eBay? Or a refurb in a few months?

 

[BigMcGuire]

Oh, I bought that ultra thin Retina MacBook as soon as it came out. I gave it a full month, and just hated typing on it. I passed it on to my wife, who seems fine with it -- but she also rejected the beautiful Topre keyboard I plugged into her Mac because it was "too hard to type on" so her judgement is suspect

Like you, I'm a mechanical keyboard fan but I also very much like the previous generation of scissor-switch Mac keyboards because they have some travel and I can feel my fingers bottoming out. And as much as I love my HHKB and even the Cherry MX Brown KUL I had, I actually find I can probably hit more WPM with my MacBook Air keyboard. With the Butterfly switch, I always find myself typing tentatively, and it feels like I'm hitting a sheet of hard plastic with the barest hint of tactile feedback. Can I do it? Sure. Does it feel effortless and get out of my way ergonomically? Not at all. I wanted to get used to it, but I really found myself breathing a sigh of relief every time I went back to my MacBook Air.

I will concede that the second-gen Butterfly switch seems a little more responsive, as does the bluetooth Magic Keyboard, but I wonder if that is because it's got some auditory feedback to it.

I'll give that to you. I agree with your post. I liked my MBA 11' 2015 keyboard better. That said, I have gotten used to my 2017 MBP keyboard, it did take some effort.

I'd use my SteelSeries and other mechanical keyboards more if it didn't annoy the hell out of my wife. I've had the neighbors bang on the wall one time (living in an apt years ago) using one of those things. I'm easily 160wpm+ on those things. I miss them.

 

[TechRemarker]

Apple: 32 GB. There. Have it. Ya'll happy now?

No, because still not available for 13in model, only 15in model, and for many they use iMacs for larger screen needs and on mobile they want as light and portable as possible.

 

[MallardDuck]

For those wondering about keyboard changes, this paragraph in the Verge article is interesting:

Yep, they were designed because all Jon Ivy cares about is thin. Functionality and usability is always a secondary consideration for him. His ultimate goal is that we all carry around a single pane of glass with no ports, no buttons, and no switches. The fact that it's not even a good frisbee won't matter - it'll be 'elegant'.

If, as rumors run, he removes the USB port on the phones, my last iPhone will be the previous model. Syncing 256GB of music and media via wifi is not realistic, and there is NO way in hell I'm ever backing my devices up to a consumer grade cloud service.

 

[dspdoc]

Just like good ole’ MR. Apple does something good and releases new hardware and most everyone here is bitching about it. SMH

 

[Scarpad]

I think the smart buyer who has waited this long should wait a little while longer and wait for these to hit the refurb market and save some $$$

 

[BigMac?]

There seems to bu sand under Apples inner workings (in real and referring to their keyboards)

- the 13" has no DDR4
- the 15" which really sound interresting has a 2 year old graphics card -> this all combined to an not any longer defendable price.

When I bought my maxed out 13" with 1TB SSD, 16 GB Ram and so on in late 2013, it was 2500 Euros including apple care (EDU price) now its 3014 without Apple care (EDU) ... I dont think the same RAM type plus unnecessary oledstrip and inflation for 5 years make for more than 500 Euros difference. Hey apple ... stay focused ... 15" would be great with vega, but noch with polaris 21 generation.

Sad.
[doublepost=1531408663][/doublepost]

Just like good ole’ MR. Apple does something good and releases new hardware and most everyone here is bitching about it. SMH

in which world is radeon pro 560X good?

 

[ls1dreams]

Had high hopes for these models, but just...ugh.

- Non-touch bar variants still use the old 7th gen cpu's. WTF.
- The cheapest 15" with 16gb/512gb is $2600. 13" equivalent is $2200.
- Didn't see anything listed on 802.11ax draft spec for the wifi

I'll probably reluctantly still buy one once they hit the outlets for 15% off, but the pricing here is definitely going to make me cross-shop some PC's.

Anyone know roughly how long after release models typically start showing up in the outlet?

 

[drewyboy]

Why not wait and buy a sealed machine for a discount from eBay? Or a refurb in a few months?

I've thought about that. Not of fan of the eBay route but I have done refurb from Apple in the past and have been extremely happy with them. I'll probably re-evaluate around Christmas which hopefully will give enough time for folks to see if the 3rd gen keyboard really is up to par.

 

[Mizouse]

Still waiting for an updated Mac mini.

But this gives me hope we'll finally see a quad core Mac mini again.... maybe even a 6-core mini

 

[timber]

How much more expensive are Apple products in Europe?

It depends, sometimes they are priced somewhat fairly, other times not so much.

For example here the iPhone X 64 is 1120 USD before taxes. This is without taxes, it is not fair to include them to compare. The end user price is 1380 USD and that is what someone will pay. The 256 would be 1290/1560 USD.

 

[MallardDuck]

Had high hopes for these models, but just...ugh.

- Non-touch bar variants still use the old 7th gen cpu's. WTF.
- The cheapest 15" with 16gb/512gb is $2600. 13" equivalent is $2200.
- Didn't see anything listed on 802.11ax draft spec for the wifi

I'll probably reluctantly still buy one once they hit the outlets for 15% off, but the pricing here is definitely going to make me cross-shop some PC's.

Good point on the wifi. That's a reason to wait right there.

 

[TechRemarker]

will anyone updated from a 2017 tho!

Sure some will. If the 13in model had 32GB ram, a lot of us would be upgrading today, but since it does not the other changes are nice to haves but not with upgrading a year old computer for. And a lot of us had hoped a model with either no touchbar, or a redesign that made the touchbar useful, we got neither. But for people with much older computers, I imagine they will upgrade rather than eighting for those two fixes next year. Here's for 2019!

 

[ponchosalazar]

Still a thousand usd above a Dell XPS with similar specs

Apple Tax is just insane now... but as they say, it's not expensive, you don't earn enough

 

[macduke]

They probably will but the desktop chips are already way stronger than their mobile counterparts.

I don't think it's that significant though. The fastest 2017 MBP geekbenches 15551 and the fastest 2017 iMac geekbenches 19328. This new MBP is likely to beat that score handily.

The other possibility is that maybe Apple is going to start cutting back on the performance of the iMac line entirely in favor of the iMac Pro. Perhaps the iMac will be slightly slower than the MacBook Pro from now on. That would be quite unfortunate. The rationale is that the Pro machines are always the fastest.

 

[nordique]

Agreed. I got to work on my wife's older model the other day, and it was such a joy.

My overall reaction is 'finally'. At last the specs are somewhat up to the price point, though the $2800 for a 4TB drive is beyond absurd. Just wish it hadn't taken them two years longer than everyone else to get there.

The touch bar is still a battery sucking/price gouging gimmick. Truetone is nice for some users, though that's the first thing that a design/media/video/photo pro will disable (destroys color management). 6 cores is nice, though the thing must run blazingly hot when going full out. Still will look like it's being attacked by a swarm of albino squid with all the dongles.

What I'm wondering though, is are we seeing this now because the fall rumors are an Ax based Mac? Will that be the split - a Pro line on Intel and a second line on Atom?

Haha the albino squid dongle comment just made me chuckle

Yeah, the touch bar is still too much of a gimmick. I used one, and it just wasn’t great overall.
It was really neat and helpful in some ways but it slowed down work in others.

Interesting thought about the fall products. One never knows, Apple will have to really retool the A based processors to make them desktop caliber, so. But it does make one wonder why the MacBook and base MacBook Pro didn’t get updates, certainly

overall it is nice they finally bumped the specs, but I’ll be waiting for them to really fix the keyboard first. The i9 configuration is a nice surprise for those who want or need one.