Considering the current Macbook Pro

[mentaluproar]

I have a 15 inch early 2013 rMBP. I just got it back from a free logic board replacement due to repeated sleep of deaths (thanks Apple!). It took some working, as macOS disk utility does NOT like my transcend jetdrive, but it's up and running again.

Unfortunately, the battery is right at 80% health and now I'm having trouble with the E key missing frequently and just the past few days, the D key is starting to go. I have a desktop setup for it, so I could just use the external keyboard, although I am subject to ritual power management tantrums regarding external monitors. I can dance around that issue, and the battery life is annoying, but not crippling. The jetdrive is only a pain in the ass when I need to install the OS, so it's fine now. But as a laptop, this keyboard is maddening. I was hoping to wait for the fall but I might have to do this sooner than I'd like.

I played with the current macbooks at the apple store today. First one I tried had a busted X key. I couldn't get it to register no matter what. That didn't inspire confidence. Second one I tried worked fine. I hated the feel of the keys though. I type hard. Every keyboard I use has to endure an all out assault. These keys are horrible. The limited travel makes them feel like they are fighting back when I type. It's as painful as typing on the ipad pro keyboard. That's a big mark against it. Still, Apple isn't likely to bring back the keyboards I like and short of getting a Surface Pro or Book (with ****** wifi and OS) I'm just going to have to adapt.

I tried the touchbar and honestly, I like it. I don't use the top row much and this would likely see more attention from me than the physical touch keys.

I read the touchpad has an annoying tendency to bow or bend rather than behave as one solid flat piece. I didn't have that issue on the display units, nor did the chassis seem to flex in any way.

I know the credo is buy when you need it and right now, I need-ish. I've heard the GPUs are disappointing, but surely they are an improvement over my 650m, aren't they? I know I'll need adaptors but it's a transitional thing, I get that. Are the current macbook pros really so terrible?
[doublepost=1514597200][/doublepost]Of consideration is my insurance covers this machine and will reburse me for the value when it was purchased if it's deemed too expensive to fix. I know this can be fixed with a new upper assembly, but that's not exactly cheap either.

 

[Fishrrman]

If there's any way possible, hold out until 2018.

Too many keyboard problems. On the 2017 MBPro's as well as on the 2016's.

I sense that "Keygate™" (I take credit for the name) is only going to get worse for Apple as time goes by.

 

[leman]

If you are typing with a lot of force, yes, the keyboard is going to hurt. If you re-train yourself to type softly though, it’s rather comfortable. The new keyboard is also more precise and doesn’t wobble as much as the old one. Reliability does seem to be an issue though. Over the last week I noticed that my „b“ key seems to aim for an early retirement

 

[tkermit]

These keys are horrible. The limited travel makes them feel like they are fighting back when I type. It's as painful as typing on the ipad pro keyboard. That's a big mark against it. Still, Apple isn't likely to bring back the keyboards I like and short of getting a Surface Pro or Book (with ****** wifi and OS) I'm just going to have to adapt.

I think it's too early to say that. Wouldn't surprise me to see Apple come out with a keyboard design that's much closer to the old one in 2018.

 

[mentaluproar]

Then I’ll wait. Worst case scenario it completely dies and insurance kicks in.

 

[SapperMike]

I had the 2013 13 inch MBP and passed on to my son. I looked at the newer models but felt like I was getting less for my $. I ordered the reliable 2015 13 inch with all the ports and 16g ram for a lot less. It’s nice that we can still find the older models that are still sealed in the original box.

 

[DanGoh]

What I wouldn't give to have the latest Intel processors in the body of my 13" 2013 Macbook Pro. The keyboard and trackpad are perfect, I have ports I use regularly, MagSafe, and the fans rarely turn on, big 70 Wh battery (I think it's that size).

I agree that if you can, you should wait and hope the next gen addresses the keyboard issues.

 

[4RunnerHeaven]

I have a 15 inch early 2013 rMBP. I just got it back from a free logic board replacement due to repeated sleep of deaths (thanks Apple!). It took some working, as macOS disk utility does NOT like my transcend jetdrive, but it's up and running again.

Unfortunately, the battery is right at 80% health and now I'm having trouble with the E key missing frequently and just the past few days, the D key is starting to go. I have a desktop setup for it, so I could just use the external keyboard, although I am subject to ritual power management tantrums regarding external monitors. I can dance around that issue, and the battery life is annoying, but not crippling. The jetdrive is only a pain in the ass when I need to install the OS, so it's fine now. But as a laptop, this keyboard is maddening. I was hoping to wait for the fall but I might have to do this sooner than I'd like.

I played with the current macbooks at the apple store today. First one I tried had a busted X key. I couldn't get it to register no matter what. That didn't inspire confidence. Second one I tried worked fine. I hated the feel of the keys though. I type hard. Every keyboard I use has to endure an all out assault. These keys are horrible. The limited travel makes them feel like they are fighting back when I type. It's as painful as typing on the ipad pro keyboard. That's a big mark against it. Still, Apple isn't likely to bring back the keyboards I like and short of getting a Surface Pro or Book (with ****** wifi and OS) I'm just going to have to adapt.

I tried the touchbar and honestly, I like it. I don't use the top row much and this would likely see more attention from me than the physical touch keys.

I read the touchpad has an annoying tendency to bow or bend rather than behave as one solid flat piece. I didn't have that issue on the display units, nor did the chassis seem to flex in any way.

I know the credo is buy when you need it and right now, I need-ish. I've heard the GPUs are disappointing, but surely they are an improvement over my 650m, aren't they? I know I'll need adaptors but it's a transitional thing, I get that. Are the current macbook pros really so terrible?
[doublepost=1514597200][/doublepost]Of consideration is my insurance covers this machine and will reburse me for the value when it was purchased if it's deemed too expensive to fix. I know this can be fixed with a new upper assembly, but that's not exactly cheap either.

I just bought mine from BH, and it's the 15" 2017, i7, 2.9, 16gb. 560 video, 512gb SSD. Finally got it setup last night with my dock Elgato TB3, and Dell 34" Ultrawide curved monitor. It's sitting on my Rain mstand. So far, it's been great. Very fast, and does everything I need it so far. I sold my gaming system for it as I rarely game any more. So I haven't installed Windows yet to try any gaming. But per what I saw online, it can handle some gaming if needed. And more serious owners can get a eGPU.

The keyboard takes some getting use too I think. Since I will only use the keyboard when I am not docked, it's not that big of a deal for me.

 

[Falhófnir]

As someone who genuinely hated the 2015-2016 MacBook keyboard, the gen two feels ok to me. Not great, but it's serviceable. The reliability on the other hand... if I'm paying this much for a machine, I don't want to get 1-2-3 years down the line, a key to go and make it worthless unless I fork out for a top case replacement. I also do a significant amount of typing, so this is a big issue for me, perhaps less so to others (though you make it sound like keyboard comfort and reliability is quite important to you). At this point I'd honestly wait and see what happens in 2018; it could be as soon as march-april that a refresh is pushed out, or it could be WWDC again in the summer, or if it's a big enough crap up they feel the need to cut this design cycle short, it could even be late in the year. We don't yet know but if you can soldier on a little longer we should start getting an idea of the magnitude of the update and when it's due.

 

[mentaluproar]

I feel like I'm cheating on it. I love my little macbook but time happens to all things.

 

[mj_]

I absolutely love the new keyboard. Yes, it takes some getting used to and yes, it's a muscle memory thing but once I got used to it (I'd say it took me 3-4 weeks max) I was typing much faster on the 2016 keyboard than on any other keyboard ever before (110+ wpm). That's only one side of the coin though, the other side is that the butterfly switches are incredibly unreliable and will break sooner or later. While still in warranty Apple will replace the entire top case including battery and touchpad, but it doesn't fix the problem itself which are the hyper sensitive butterfly switches. Once you're out of warranty you're looking at $500 (nTB) or $700 (TB) every time the keyboard breaks. And all it takes is a single speck of dust or regular exposure to heat over a few weeks.