Apple Unveils New 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pros With Retina 'Touch Bar'

[bbeagle]

Second, I don't really understand the touchbar-technology; lenovo already abandoned the idea years ago, because their business customers just didn't like it. It didn't work and it was really a pain to use. But, of course, it remains to be seen whether the bar is useful or not...

Lenovo's touchbar was not the same as Apple's touchbar.

Lenovo's touchbar simply made a toggle between 4 modes: home, web browser, web conference and function keys. All black and white, no swiping, not really integrated with the operating system. Nobody supported it. It's nowhere NEAR the same.

Compaq had a touchbar type thing with an LCD display back in the mid-1990s. I had one of their laptops with it - I never used it. It was so useless.

Apple's is not the same at all.

Would I buy their new laptops to get it? Not right now. I've got a 2 year old MacBook pro that works great, so I don't need a laptop. But it's a nice thing to have. A lot more useful than Lenovo's or Compaq's.

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Apple just priced themselves out of the stratosphere. I used to think sub $2K was a lot to pay for a laptop. Now if I were to spec a base 15in MBP with 512GB ssd, it costs $2800 before taxes. Holy Hell that is expensive!!! Not to mention you're making some compromises with the i/o ports!!

You REALLY think that FOUR USB-C/TB3 Ports with 40 Gbps bandwidth are a "Compromise"?!?

Do you have ANY idea exactly how many "traditional" I/O ports you can make out of that much I/O bandwidth???

You just don't get it.

 

[calaverasgrande]

So, there are no build to order memory options anymore? And I don't see any USB-C to anything else adapters offered either.
I'll be getting my SSD upgrade from OWC.

Oh there we go, $50 to adapt my Thunderbolt hardware to work with USB-C TB. So thats another PITA.

 

[aPple nErd]

The good old days when there were 3 15" models, the baseline at $1500 AND it had dedicated graphics....

yup and you could buy a mac pro that was actually upgradable.

 

[thequietaussie]

My favourite part of the keynote was when they actually showed off a competitor's product and told people to go buy it if they wanted an external display because instead of bothering to update their own they discontinued it.

 

[rowspaxe]

Did none of you whiners watch the event??? You can customize the toolbar... so the buttons can stay static for OS use. The magic happens in the apps. Pretty amazing stuff

magical?

 

[bbeagle]

I've already made the switch and although windows has its annoying quirks, I find it much more convenient than a mac most of the time.

You're personal preference is wrong.

I find the exact opposite. I find macs so much nicer to use. I love the integration with all my mac stuff. I can type and respond to text messages from my phone on my mac. Love it. Little things like that.

 

[ayokkay]

I do not like to express myself this way, but I am physically sickened at today's release!
The great feelings last night of an upcoming Apple event, made even the bad things seem good.
Dammit Apple, you must be doing this on purpose. Losing a lot of loyal mac users, key word "LOYAL"

 

[alexandero]

It's the same price point as before. Faster speeds, lighter and thinner, more features... same price. This is a problem how?

1) prices have increased in entire Europe.
2) a better base config (e.g. 512GB SSD and/or 16GB RAM) compared to the 550 days old previous build was to be hoped for.

 

[littyboy]

Windows isn't too bad anymore. I've been Mac only for the past 6+ years, but just decided to build a custom i5-6600K gaming PC and that thing flies compared to what I remember from Windows.

I too have a windows gaming PC. A lot of people don't understand how much windows has improved over the years.

 

[Andrewhamilton737]

I was really looking forward to this upgrade and new MacBook. The MacBook Pro is the best laptop I've ever had but this update sucks.. just like the latest iPhone..

* So to charge or backup my bran new extremely expensive iPhone 7 Plus (without using iCloud/wifi), I have to buy an USB adaptor and can't do it with the original apple cables?

* Also now being made to use the new lightnight headphones I can't use in the bran new MacBook Pro?

* A MacBook Pro without an SD Card is a massive disappointment!

* And to use my (better) non-apple headphones on my new iPhone I need to carry an extra adaptor for the simple pleasure..

Apple you are very quickly making me look elsewhere!

 

[jmelrose]

I wonder when someone will figure out a way to make a game that utilizes the screen of the touch bar as the primary gameplay region.

 

[guzhogi]

The good old days when there were 3 15" models, the baseline at $1500 AND it had dedicated graphics....

I miss those days, too.

Placement looks awkward. Surely it have been better placed at the bottom, either just above or just below the trackpad (or even built in). There is a reason the rarely used function keys were where they were.

Dead on arrival IMO.

I don't see why they don't just ditch the physical keyboard & trackpad and do a big touch screen, kind of like two iPads attached at the long edge.

 

[zipdog]

**WAY** too expensive!!!!

 

[544263]

Find the mistake ;-)

 

[aPple nErd]

You're personal preference is wrong.

I find the exact opposite. I find macs so much nicer to use. I love the integration with all my mac stuff. I can type and respond to text messages from my phone on my mac. Love it. Little things like that.

Well, i still find Mac OS to be better in casual use, but the way you can set up windows any way you want is really nice especially when I play games on my computer and it isn't like the old days when your PC would lock up every couple hours.

I also should clarify, i find apple's hardware to be a better experience but I can put up with plastic to have a computer with ports that i actually use

 

[loon3y]

Things I Don't Like

- No Magsafe
- I have to get a USB-C port and use a USB-HUB to connect
- Need to get another port for VGA if i get the HDMI Port (vice versa)
- Need to get a thunderbolt port for my dock
- Replacement chargers do not come with USB-C cable Or extension
- Trackpad being that big is only asking for accidentally moving the mouse via trackpad
- Expensive than a mother lover
- Going to need to keep carrying the dongle with me If i use my earpods
- Only 4 Ports
- $1200 for 2TB
- Minimal processor upgrade



Things I Do Like

- Space Gray
- Thinner
- Touch Bar
- 4 GB Video Card


Whats next I'm gonna need a dongle for my dongle?
[doublepost=1477598665][/doublepost]

If you don't use a trackpad or a mouse, wtf do you use?

I guess he Alt/Command Tabs everything and uses arrow keys to edit specific lines of text.

 

[bobbie424242]

So now with these overpriced lame things released let's discuss post Tim Cook era

Craig as the new CEO please!

Craig is too busy with his Touchbar Emoji, the pinnacle of both hardware and software in 2016, so no.

 

[jml1982]

I totally agree. After the Windows Surface release, I'm way more interested in those machines now. Before I wouldn't have even considered the thought...

I do not like to express myself this way, but I am physically sickened at today's release!
The great feelings last night of an upcoming Apple event, made even the bad things seem good.
I know Apple is going through what I went through last night, worried and excited about reception of these products.
Ultimately we have the power, they have none. If we buy we agree, if we skip they "may" learn, most likely no though.

Apple is also thinking the following... "they always cry and complain" then they start finding reasons to buy... it may take some time but we will win. It is when you deliberately do something that you know is bad for you.

Dammit Apple, you must be doing this on purpose. You are losing a lot of loyal mac users, key word "LOYAL"

Of to buy older MBP, dammit Apple. Sorry people, truly sorry...

 

[bobdobalina]

edit

 

[CairnsRock]

$1,800 for the "lowest end" 13" MacBook Pro?

Am I the only one who thinks this is a ridiculous "starting price"?

When I bought the MacBook Pro I'm typing on now, -- 2010 13" base model -- it cost $1,050. Not cheap, but reasonable.

Historically, it seemed that Apple's policy regarding new MacBooks was to "add some features", but keep pricing relatively constant. Yes, prices crept up now and then, but still....

.... $1,800 just to get the base model 13" MacBook Pro?

I'll keep using my trusty 2010 model for now. It's still running fine with an upgraded SSD.
If it needs to be replaced, I'll pick up a 2015 MBPro from the Apple refurb store.
At least that's a laptop that will actually represent value for dollars spent...

Dell, Lenovo are probably delighted, lets them back in at a more reasonable price point.

 

[macpanzer]

WT... according to the product page, the NEW macbook pro's have DDR3 (8GB / 16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3) and not even DDR4?

:S

 

[Steve Aviles]

Can someone please explain why take away the MagSafe???

Courage

 

[johnmcboston]

So aside from a monitor, is Thunderbolt used for anything? Surprised to see 3 ports dedicated to it, when it seems USB is where it's at these days.

 

[guzhogi]

so let me get this straight. First the iPhone got rid of 3.5 audio but kept the very specific lightning port, then the macbook loses usb but keeps the audio port while lacking a lightning port for apple brand headphones AND becomes ungodly expensive? what are they smoking?! I want some of whatever it is! And I know this is going to stir up a lot of hardcore apple people, but here comes 1997 again for apple. what are they even thinking at this point?

I agree. Apple's kind of inconsistent. To me, it would make so much sense to eliminate the audio jack on the new MBP, and replace the lightning connector os iOS devices with USB-C/TB 3.