Find out first what they use on your campus. I would suggest getting your hands on a refurbished MBP with Applecare from Apple themselves. If you find it too pokey, upgrade the internal hard drive to SSD and upgrade the RAM to most possible.
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Are the 2017 Macbook Pro's as bad as people say?
- Thread starter nyy13251
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mj_
macrumors 68000
I'm fairly certain that there is absolutely no correlation between grad school and multi-monitor setups 😉
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The one I have got is refurbished. The new ones were trouble.
1 - bought at apple store, OS got corrupted the next day, fixed it, but decided to take it back anyways
2- they replaced the #1, but gave me the wrong color, I decided to try it anyways, the screen had yellowish hue, so took this one back
3 - returned as I thought I would go for 2015
4 - 2015 was a refurbished one, worked great, but I was not too keen on the keyboard being soft now...)
5 - got 2017 refurb, the space bar key was stuck, but blower worked, but I returned anyway and it was manufactured in june 2017. My friend suggested to get latest ones.
6 - another refurb, made in oct 2017 and it seems to be great, at least so far
I will definitely get an apple care.
I remember when I got late 2008 in Nov 2008 and there were so many talks about how you should not buy right after release, screen was too reflective, etc. It worked for 9 years, with very minor problems, two of them I fixed myself (replaced fans after 7 years), one was the trackpad (apple fixed it). And of course I improved the machine with additional memory and ssd, so it was working great, ok in the end when I finally killed it with the coffee break. It would have worked longer if I was careful.
In 2012 we bought a refurb mid 2010 MBP, working great. I think the refurbs are better than new. Looking at mine right now - looks new.
I did just this. I found a 2015 and it has a great keyboard, regardless if I could "get used to" the new ones. The problem is I don't want to have to get used to a funky feeling keyboard, even if it is rock solid, in a few years after I'm totally invested in the Apple world.
OriginalAppleGuy
Suspended
I've had a 2017 since November '17. Before that I had a late 2008 that still works and is on its 3rd battery. But it's too slow. The biggest thing I noticed between the two is how much cooler the '17 is. From what I read, it's cooler than the '16. The keyboard hasn't been an issue so far. From what I've been reading, it's the '16 model that's had some issues. I seriously doubt it's as bad as people here post.
Always buy the most you can afford within reason. I went with the 15" 560 video and 512 GB drive. Coming from the '08 and various other laptops I've used for Windows, this thing is a dream.
One thing I would NOT do is go with a 2015 model. The technology is too old to last. For laptops, always buy extended warranties. Always. That includes Applecare+ for the MacBook Pro. And yes, it will cover keyboard repairs if need be.
Always buy the most you can afford within reason. I went with the 15" 560 video and 512 GB drive. Coming from the '08 and various other laptops I've used for Windows, this thing is a dream.
One thing I would NOT do is go with a 2015 model. The technology is too old to last. For laptops, always buy extended warranties. Always. That includes Applecare+ for the MacBook Pro. And yes, it will cover keyboard repairs if need be.
Falhófnir
macrumors 603
For basic stuff like OP said? The 2015 is plenty powerful enough, by that logic both 13” pro models and the 12” MacBook are bad buys as they are as or less powerful than the 2015! Maybe new advancements would make a difference if it’s work that really leverages the machines’ power, but otherwise there is literally no reason not to consider the 2015...
mj_
macrumors 68000
If you've had yours since November '17 then it's still too early to come to any conclusions regarding keyboard reliability. My first keyboard lasted a full three months before it started acting up, my second a whopping two months before the first symptoms of impending doom started rearing their ugly heads and another two months from that very moment until the problems were easily and reliably reproducible every time.
Just give it more time 😀
Glockworkorange
Suspended
If you’re considering the 15 inch, your don’t have a choice—-you’re going to get a touchbar.
For your uses and if 13 inches is fine, might be better to go with the 13 inch non-touchbar. You’ll save money you can put toward that iPhone or a larger SSD in the MacBook. 128 and 256 can fill up quite fast.
groove-agent
macrumors 68020
Get the 2015 model with ports, SD card reader, and save a thousand dollars or so. Buying into the 2016/2017 with the threat of an unreliable keyboard is foolish, especially if you're in school. Imagine working on a project, or during exams and your laptop keyboard stops working properly. Now you have to spend valuable time to take it in for repair or replacement, plus having to migrate all your files over etc.
Save your money, buy the 2015. With ports and SD card etc it's much better value esp. when you factor in the peace of mind with a more proven design.
[doublepost=1517034685][/doublepost]
You should try a Dell infinity-edge display. It makes the fat black bezels on the MBP look ridiculous and extremely antiquated.
[doublepost=1517035071][/doublepost]
Looking back in history, aren't the current MacBooks almost always the most powerful MacBooks ever?
Save your money, buy the 2015. With ports and SD card etc it's much better value esp. when you factor in the peace of mind with a more proven design.
[doublepost=1517034685][/doublepost]
You should try a Dell infinity-edge display. It makes the fat black bezels on the MBP look ridiculous and extremely antiquated.
[doublepost=1517035071][/doublepost]
Looking back in history, aren't the current MacBooks almost always the most powerful MacBooks ever?
MPclk2006
macrumors 6502a
Just bought a new MacBook yesterday and I love it, this is an upgrade for me from an early 2011 MacBook Pro which all I did to it was upgrade to 8GB RAM. I do not mind the keyboard, and the huge trackpad is awesome. I will be getting the Apple Care now that I see some posts about the keyboard issues.
aevan
macrumors 601
For me, the latest MacBook Pros are the some of the best laptops you can buy - if they work as intended. I say that in regards to the keyboard that seems to have reliability issues.
Hopefully, these issues are resolved by now or will be by the time 2018 models come. At this point, I’d probably wait for 2018 models since Intel made some nice advancements with CPUs, but overall, these are great computers. Hopefully the keyboard issues will be gone by then, too.
Hopefully, these issues are resolved by now or will be by the time 2018 models come. At this point, I’d probably wait for 2018 models since Intel made some nice advancements with CPUs, but overall, these are great computers. Hopefully the keyboard issues will be gone by then, too.
groove-agent
macrumors 68020
I'm referring to the model, not the date it was actually made. The 2015 model obviously is not the same keyboard as the 2016/ 2017 model.
Regardless of what you might want, your apparent needs dictate something other than a MacBook Pro.
Being a bit of luck for you as the current roster of MBPs are regrettable in many respects, and you can save some money in the bargain.
If you are dead set on a MBP, consider the 2015 model. The 15 inch model is still sold new by Apple, or at times can be found refurbished by them (being a good choice). It comes sans the gimmicky touch bar most have discovered to be rarely used, an annoyance or worse. It does come with an excellent keyboard. As well plenty of power even in the base configuration. However if you will be carting this thing all over campus, 15 inches might become a bit much.
Something new (or, again, refurbished) which might suite you well is a MacBook. For relatively light tasks it should have all the power you need, and in a responsive fashion. It can be and need not prove all that expensive to purchase. Not to mention being compact, light and portable. Negatives could lie in the single port and keyboard.
With any of these modern Mac keyboards be advised and try it in person first. Reports vary but it is usually a love it or hate it proposition. Also know that such a keyboard may experience maladies sooner than later, requiring servicing (that you definitely do not want to pay for).
Another possible and likely choice would be a MacBook Air. It is Apple's still iconic but now ignored stepchild and entry model. But that is to their discredit for otherwise in many respects an excellent choice.
The Air is not as compact as a MacBook or even the newer 13 inch MBPs, but still fairly light. Unlike the MacBook it has a fair number of useful ports, and is decidedly more powerful. If you wish something near the power of a MBP but more svelte, it could be a good choice. Not to mention less expensive.
Negatives of the Air rest principally with its regrettable screen. It is serviceable, okay, but no contest to a retina or even a classic MBP. Then there is the further insult of the wide silver bezel Apple never saw fit to change, as in something more practical and black as with most every other laptop they've ever made. Some manage to overlook this slight, though.
Anyway, you might reconsider just how much you need a MBP, or if so which one. Apple may make amends for past transgressions in their laptop offerings come 2018, but I wouldn't hold your breath. The new models generally have the best specs, if that is all you care about. However in a few more years they too will be out of warranty and Apple will have long since lost interest. That new today will likely in time not weather well in comparison to what may come in future, nor, certainly, to more solid and overall better Apple creations of the past.
Queen6
macrumors G5
Want a Mac opt for the 2015 model, your education is far more important than a slightly thinner & lighter notebook. Peruse the MBP forum and you will clearly see a massive spike in keyboard failure with the 2016/2017 MBP. Understand some are significantly invested in the product and feel duty bound to defend their own purchase decisions.
You may incur no issue with the new design, equally you wont know one way or the other, with the turn around time being up to a week for a repair, nor guaranteed to resolve the keyboard issue. The other factor is the dGPU and if it's a requirement. Gaming Windows or a console is by far the better option.
Q-6
[doublepost=1517085905][/doublepost]
Top post, well thought out and executed.
Q-6
You may incur no issue with the new design, equally you wont know one way or the other, with the turn around time being up to a week for a repair, nor guaranteed to resolve the keyboard issue. The other factor is the dGPU and if it's a requirement. Gaming Windows or a console is by far the better option.
Q-6
[doublepost=1517085905][/doublepost]
Top post, well thought out and executed.
Q-6
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I have read so much about the keyboard issues that I got really sick of it and stranded. It seems like all the 2017 MBP are faulty. Even now, I still have not decided yet. I was about to ship refurb 2015 with dGPU back to apple and stick with 2017 and something tells me to wait - and that is all the fuzz. But, that is why I called a bunch of my friends in design/music/movie industry to see what they would say about their MBP's. Out of all the people I talked to, 6 people, who in total deal with 31 MBP's 2017 on a daily basis, office work/video editing in FCP/music production in Logic / photoshop/lightroom, etc. Only 2 of them had issues with keyboard and they all got away with canned air. Yes, they have been using them for about 5-7 months, may be it is too early. On the other hand, they returned quite a few 2016's as they simply did not like the keyboard. I wanted to see what they were talking about and went to try 2016 - and yes, I got it. I would never buy 2016 model.
Anyways it seems like a double edge sword - we seek advises on different forums and end up with quite biased opinions that make us even more puzzled. One thing I am sure of is that people don't post when they are happy, but they will always voice their opinion when things go wrong. I guess that is why we hear so many unhappy mac campers who had to deal with keyboard issues and that is what stops me from making the right choice.
Anyways it seems like a double edge sword - we seek advises on different forums and end up with quite biased opinions that make us even more puzzled. One thing I am sure of is that people don't post when they are happy, but they will always voice their opinion when things go wrong. I guess that is why we hear so many unhappy mac campers who had to deal with keyboard issues and that is what stops me from making the right choice.
Falhófnir
macrumors 603
True I guess you can say that, though still worth listing as a positive 😉
groove-agent
macrumors 68020
So 2/31 2017 MBPs would imply a 6.5% failure rate over 6 months only. Researching the 2017s (I wanted to buy one) I read an article that the problem is largely dust and debris getting underneath the keys which is why canned air can sometimes fix the problem. Dust is a pretty common thing and shouldn't cause issues in a keyboard on a premium priced laptop.
Assuming there is a 6.5% failure over 6 months, does that mean your chances of having a failure over 3 years (longer exposure to to potential dust and debris) is 39%? How about after your AppleCare expires? Some have suggested selling before this date but I wonder if people are going to avoid buying these models for the same reason why you're trying to sell it.
QUOTE="ruarmani, post: 25754256, member: 1008452"]I have read so much about the keyboard issues that I got really sick of it and stranded. It seems like all the 2017 MBP are faulty. Even now, I still have not decided yet. I was about to ship refurb 2015 with dGPU back to apple and stick with 2017 and something tells me to wait - and that is all the fuzz. But, that is why I called a bunch of my friends in design/music/movie industry to see what they would say about their MBP's. Out of all the people I talked to, 6 people, who in total deal with 31 MBP's 2017 on a daily basis, office work/video editing in FCP/music production in Logic / photoshop/lightroom, etc. Only 2 of them had issues with keyboard and they all got away with canned air. Yes, they have been using them for about 5-7 months, may be it is too early. On the other hand, they returned quite a few 2016's as they simply did not like the keyboard. I wanted to see what they were talking about and went to try 2016 - and yes, I got it. I would never buy 2016 model.
Anyways it seems like a double edge sword - we seek advises on different forums and end up with quite biased opinions that make us even more puzzled. One thing I am sure of is that people don't post when they are happy, but they will always voice their opinion when things go wrong. I guess that is why we hear so many unhappy mac campers who had to deal with keyboard issues and that is what stops me from making the right choice.[/QUOTE]
Assuming there is a 6.5% failure over 6 months, does that mean your chances of having a failure over 3 years (longer exposure to to potential dust and debris) is 39%? How about after your AppleCare expires? Some have suggested selling before this date but I wonder if people are going to avoid buying these models for the same reason why you're trying to sell it.
QUOTE="ruarmani, post: 25754256, member: 1008452"]I have read so much about the keyboard issues that I got really sick of it and stranded. It seems like all the 2017 MBP are faulty. Even now, I still have not decided yet. I was about to ship refurb 2015 with dGPU back to apple and stick with 2017 and something tells me to wait - and that is all the fuzz. But, that is why I called a bunch of my friends in design/music/movie industry to see what they would say about their MBP's. Out of all the people I talked to, 6 people, who in total deal with 31 MBP's 2017 on a daily basis, office work/video editing in FCP/music production in Logic / photoshop/lightroom, etc. Only 2 of them had issues with keyboard and they all got away with canned air. Yes, they have been using them for about 5-7 months, may be it is too early. On the other hand, they returned quite a few 2016's as they simply did not like the keyboard. I wanted to see what they were talking about and went to try 2016 - and yes, I got it. I would never buy 2016 model.
Anyways it seems like a double edge sword - we seek advises on different forums and end up with quite biased opinions that make us even more puzzled. One thing I am sure of is that people don't post when they are happy, but they will always voice their opinion when things go wrong. I guess that is why we hear so many unhappy mac campers who had to deal with keyboard issues and that is what stops me from making the right choice.[/QUOTE]
Falhófnir
macrumors 603
It’s an interesting question - I think this is potentially one of a few cases where the 6 year consumer law thing in the UK could actually be used to effect - if you go in out of warranty and they refuse to replace the top deck for the keyboard FoC, theoretically you could sue them for selling a defective product and you’d probably win with the body of evidence floating about. For that reason I guess they will keep just quietly swapping out top cases to keep people happy until such a time as they find a more permanent solution (if there even is one for the existing design). The issue with that is if people become frustrated with having to take machines in for multiple repairs over the course of it’s life. We can but hope it’s lesson learned and back to the drawing board for the next redesign.
philosopherdog
macrumors 6502a
The new MBP is by far the best Mac I’ve ever used. Don’t believe the haters. Most have never even turned one on and have no idea what they’re talking about.
Well, are you going to do statistics based on a couple of offices using MBP's? But I am sure there is a lot of dust in these offices. These MBP's get used and abused a lot by constant editing, moving around, being used outside, etc. It is totally different when it is your personal machine. I normally take care of my laptops and make sure they are clean. With that being said, I do agree that dust should not cause such problems.
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How long have you been using yours?
The keyboard would be covered by warranty. I bought my Macbook in August and was against the butterfly keyboard in the Macbook based off my experience of one in a bestbuy but after using version 2 I actually like it. My keyboard works just as fine when I bought it
OriginalAppleGuy
Suspended
The technology is 2+ years old. The rapid pace of tech dictates buying what you can afford of the newest technology available. I once advised someone to buy something less than this because they weren't going to do anything intensive. But not too long after they made the purchase, they asked why said machine couldn't do what they wanted. From then on, my only advise is what I would do. The only place I've ever seen people recommend old tech for a new machine is here. It's bad advice. I've only been involved in computers since the 70's so take what I say however you wish.
Maybe but I seriously doubt it. What you've described sucks, but it's not indicative of what others will experience en mass.
I just bought a refurb 2017 15” model yesterday and while it isn’t much for what it’s worth I really like the touchbar useability. There are certain things I wish it did to make it perfect but I’m sure BetterTouchTool can remedy that if it is a big enough issue in the future but in all I like what it brings. I’m not a pro user and I think that’s why this computer feels so perfect for my needs. I like being able to scrub through YouTube videos with the touchbar or controlling font color in apps.