Buy 2018 MBP15 - Safe to dive in?

[Bo15]

I'll be in Portland next week and want to upgrade from my 2016 MBP15 to a new stock 2018 MPB15 2.6/512 with AC+. I can use my Govt discount and purchase tax-free there (save about $475). Do you think it's safe to dive in with the stock they'll have and minimize the issues some have had? I can wait but not sure when I'll be back to an Apple store in a tax-free state. Thanks.

 

[jerryk]

I'll be in Portland next week and want to upgrade from my 2016 MBP15 to a new stock 2018 MPB15 2.6/512 with AC+. I can use my Govt discount and purchase tax-free there (save about $475). Do you think it's safe to dive in with the stock they'll have and minimize the hardware issues some have had? I can wait but not sure when I'll be back to an Apple store in a tax-free state. Thanks.

It is still early, but I upgraded from 2015. But I am curious why a 2016 owner would upgrade. Better processor but not a lot of other major changes

 

[chabig]

Do you think it's safe to dive in with the stock they'll have and minimize the hardware issues some have had?

What hardware issues? Seriously.

 

[M.Rizk]

Personally I say dive in only if you have an Apple Store near you. I don't, so I am waiting till users stop reporting Bridge OS and crackling speaker issues.

 

[Bo15]

What hardware issues? Seriously.

Fair enough; I'll change it to issues. Could be SW but sure seems like a lot of issues and returns.

 

[Falhófnir]

What hardware issues? Seriously.

Off the top of my head:
Keyboard - too soon to say if fixed, but they’ve done something about it at least

Popping noise from chassis - unknown, though the chassis has been reconfigured around the larger battery

Staingate - still a thing as far as I’m aware

T2 chip kernel panics - update being worked on as we speak I believe

 

[maflynn]

Popping noise from chassis -

I have no popping from my MBP.

Staingate - still a thing as far as I’m aware

I thought that was addressed in 2015

T2 chip kernel panics - update being worked on as we speak I believe

Its been an issue since the introduction of the iMac Pro, so I don't envision a quick fix. Btw, (knocks on wood), I've not incurred this issue, so its not affecting everyone.

 

[p8blr]

Personally I say dive in only if you have an Apple Store near you. I don't, so I am waiting till users stop reporting Bridge OS and crackling speaker issues.

I'm in the same boat. I'm crossing my fingers that all the problems with the 2018s can be fixed with software, but seeing as the iMac Pro still has Bridge OS issues I'm not getting my hopes up... The nearest store I have that sells Apple products is a Best Buy and the Apple salesman there recommended I wait a few months for Apple to get all the issues worked out, with either software or quiet hardware updates. I had no idea they did this, but he claimed that in years past Apple had their store return all of their Macs in stock and they replaced them with the exact same models but with "fixed" hardware. Not sure if this is true, but I hope so.

 

[dannyar]

I don't see a reason to wait. Theres always a chance you get a machine with issues anywhere and anytime you buy. These issues are not widespread and apple has been good in the past about addressing any widespread issues that may come up with their machines. Buy it, enjoy it, hope you don't have any main issues and don't worry about the what ifs. I haven't had a single issue with my 2018 15" .

 

[Bo15]

I'm in the same boat. I'm crossing my fingers that all the problems with the 2018s can be fixed with software, but seeing as the iMac Pro still has Bridge OS issues I'm not getting my hopes up... The nearest store I have that sells Apple products is a Best Buy and the Apple salesman there recommended I wait a few months for Apple to get all the issues worked out, with either software or quiet hardware updates. I had no idea they did this, but he claimed that in years past Apple had their store return all of their Macs in stock and they replaced them with the exact same models but with "fixed" hardware. Not sure if this is true, but I hope so.

I was wondering the same. Also, I wonder how fast an Apple store turns over their stock of MBPs

 

[mr.anthonyramos]

I don't have issues with mine.

Works faster than my personal mid-2014 MBP when doing my work/hobby related tasks (Photography). Hexacore MacBook Pros are a huge step honestly from Quad Core MBPs. Potential is there, I expect Apple to fine tune a bit more and by next month with Mojave, I think we will have a more refined MacOS experience.

 

[Falhófnir]

I have no popping from my MBP.


I thought that was addressed in 2015


Its been an issue since the introduction of the iMac Pro, so I don't envision a quick fix. Btw, (knocks on wood), I've not incurred this issue, so its not affecting everyone.

It’s an issue that’s been going since at least the 2014 models (I’ve only seen 15” versions affected) but seems to be worse (much louder) on touchbar models - there are numerous YouTube clips demonstrating it for various models. Overall I don’t think you’re necessarily any worse off than you would have been buying any model since (at least) the 2014, and perhaps the chassis difference may have helped if Apple have been able to isolate what’s causing it... but it remains something to be aware of

Staingate updated to include 2017 models, so still very much an issue - nothing has been said about the 2018s having a different (I guess it would be billed as ‘improved anti-reflective coating’) anti glare coating, So assumption is they are still vulnerable:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/17/apple-extends-free-staingate-repairs/

It does seem to be quite an uncommon fault, perhaps the higher volume of MBPs sold will spur more effort to find a solution - particularly if it’s Apple’s intention to make their own chips a larger and larger part of the Mac logic

 

[mr.anthonyramos]

It’s an issue that’s been going since at least the 2014 models (I’ve only seen 15” versions affected) but seems to be worse (much louder) on touchbar models - there are numerous YouTube clips demonstrating it for various models. Overall I don’t think you’re necessarily any worse off than you would have been buying any model since (at least) the 2014, and perhaps the chassis difference may have helped if Apple have been able to isolate what’s causing it... but it remains something to be aware of

Staingate updated to include 2017 models, so still very much an issue - nothing has been said about the 2018s having a different (I guess it would be billed as ‘improved anti-reflective coating’) anti glare coating, So assumption is they are still vulnerable:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/17/apple-extends-free-staingate-repairs/

It does seem to be quite an uncommon fault, perhaps the higher volume of MBPs sold will spur more effort to find a solution - particularly if it’s Apple’s intention to make their own chips a larger and larger part of the Mac logic

I think these people might be applying something to their screens or some sort of friction is happening there. One MacBook Air, 3 MacBook Pros not including my latest one, I have yet to experience staingate.

 

[eagerwu]

It is still early, but I upgraded from 2015. But I am curious why a 2016 owner would upgrade. Better processor but not a lot of other major changes

I own both 2017 and 2018 mbps. 2018 mbp has the truetone screen, which is very attractive to me.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I have had ZERO PROBLEMS on my 2018 2.6/16/512 !

Best laptop I have ever owned.

 

[jerryk]

I own both 2017 and 2018 mbps. 2018 mbp has the truetone screen, which is very attractive to me.

I really do not find the True Tone to be a big deal. I had it my iPad pro and I really do not thing it works that well. I need to try it on my calibrator and see if it works better on my 2018 MBP. To my eye the compensation still looks off on my 2018 MBP

 

[maflynn]

I have had ZERO PROBLEMS on my 2018 2.6/16/512 !

Best laptop I have ever owned.

I'm not quite ready to say that the 2018 MBP has unseated my current best laptop (2012 MBP), but its right up there.

 

[theISHkid]

Off the top of my head:
Keyboard - too soon to say if fixed, but they’ve done something about it at least

Popping noise from chassis - unknown, though the chassis has been reconfigured around the larger battery

Staingate - still a thing as far as I’m aware

T2 chip kernel panics - update being worked on as we speak I believe

Don't forget about Audio problems some people are having, as well as BootCamp still having throttling issues.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I'm not quite ready to say that the 2018 MBP has unseated my current best laptop (2012 MBP), but its right up there.

I am not so lucky to have an old friend/laptop! I gave the almost new Thinkpad P51 to a needy college bound family member. I worked a good part of the weekend on my MBP and the more I use it the more I like.

 

[Csayno]

Just got my 15" 2.2 with upgraded 512 ssd. No problems as far as I can tell. Installed the patch and everything seems fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. I say dive in. If you have a legit Apple store nearby go for it. I don't and took the chance. Everything's all good!

 

[Adeel_]

Just got my 15" 2.2 with upgraded 512 ssd. No problems as far as I can tell. Installed the patch and everything seems fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. I say dive in. If you have a legit Apple store nearby go for it. I don't and took the chance. Everything's all good!

How is the temperature of the cpu ? Did you get the 560x also ?

 

[fokmik]

Bridge OS is still on version 1 since the iMac, no updates until now...so i guess with the new version the sound and errors that some have, will be gone. Mojave already have better audio drivers, so i expect an update soon on HS too

 

[maflynn]

How is the temperature of the cpu ? Did you get the 560x also ?

I have a 2.2 with 512GB SSD(but not the higher end GPU). My temps are floating in the mid 50s to 60s doing light work, jumps to the 70s and 80s pushing it harder. I control the temps via the Volta app, i.,e., limiting the wattage reduces the heat

 

[Csayno]

How is the temperature of the cpu ? Did you get the 560x also ?

I don’t. I have the 555x. Temperature seems fine. I haven’t done anything to push my computer just yet. However, pre-patch, I was watching a YouTube video while it being plugged in and the keys got warm. While being in air-conditioning. So take it what’s it worth, I’d say that’s normal with MBP.