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Crazy to get a nTB?

kp98077

kp98077

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 26, 2010
4,328
2,770
Whistler, BC
finsinf it hard to justify the cost difference for what I need. I mainly do emails, web, pics, nothing too heavy. I’ve heard the TB decreases battery?
Need a new MBP as I sold my older 15” while ago, too large for transportation.
Thinking the 128gb nTB model for $1299 anyone have experience with this?
 
Well not only does it have the older processor, it has the old keyboard version too. I took the risk with one myself and had to return it after a month due to keyboard issues. The thing with the keyboard issues is there isn’t just one, but different types of issues, some are not as annoying as others. Some come and go, some you can fix by blowing air or similar. It wasn’t a nice experience but I lived with it till one of the keys started to not always activate and another was in stuck mode.

I wouldn’t bother with the hassle, there is a repair programme for it which should give you an idea of how much of an issue it is. Some people had to use the repair programme several times already for their keyboard and the wait time can be long.

Some people have had no issues going by this forum, but then there are users who said that didn’t have any problems for over a year then made a post to say they are getting issues - so it’s like a ticking time bomb.
 
Ma2k5 said:
Well not only does it have the older processor, it has the old keyboard version too. I took the risk with one myself and had to return it after a month due to keyboard issues. The thing with the keyboard issues is there isn’t just one, but different types of issues, some are not as annoying as others. Some come and go, some you can fix by blowing air or similar. It wasn’t a nice experience but I lived with it till one of the keys started to not always activate and another was in stuck mode.

I wouldn’t bother with the hassle, there is a repair programme for it which should give you an idea of how much of an issue it is. Some people had to use the repair programme several times already for their keyboard and the wait time can be long.

Some people have had no issues going by this forum, but then there are users who said that didn’t have any problems for over a year then made a post to say they are getting issues - so it’s like a ticking time bomb.
Click to expand...

*so you are saying avoid all 2017 MBP keyboards? just trying to understand here.....
 
Slower wifi too.

I would wait. Although, if you happen to get a 30 day return policy and there is an update in 30 days you’re good anyway. Just don’t come back bitching when it’s day 31. :)
 
kp98077 said:
finsinf it hard to justify the cost difference for what I need. I mainly do emails, web, pics, nothing too heavy. I’ve heard the TB decreases battery?
Need a new MBP as I sold my older 15” while ago, too large for transportation.
Thinking the 128gb nTB model for $1299 anyone have experience with this?
Click to expand...

Apple refurb website sells the 128GB nTB model for $1099 with a one-year Apple warranty. Plus there's a four-year replacement warranty on the keyboard that Apple initiated earlier this year. So you're covered.

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals
 
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I just purchased a refurb nTB 13 inch. My keyboard is solid, haven't had any issues yet. I haven't noticed any performance issues with Wifi either.
 
the nTB is a solid machine. Intel hasn't released an equivalent Coffee Lake chip so it will either die next month or continue as it is.

You might think that the Touch Bar MacBook pro is this and that but it costs $500 more. Not worth it for most usage scenarios.
 
kp98077 said:
*so you are saying avoid all 2017 MBP keyboards? just trying to understand here.....
Click to expand...

That is my honest opinion yes. Just wait a month or two to see if Apple bring out Whiskey Lake laptops (which would have the better keyboard), hopefully shouldn’t be long as Windows manufacturers have announced theirs.
 
I've got the 2017 13nTB – it's a great machine, battery life is splendid, but do yourself a favour and stay away from that keyboard. I've got keys failing all the time, stuck keys, sticky keys, not registering keys, double registering keys – it's a prototype keyboard that should never have been sold to regular customers. The repair programme is there, but you'll be without your work machine for some time, only to get another version of the same faulty keyboard. Macbook Air is the better choice here, even though the display is not on par.
 
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Just wait for October, and then buy any macbook with a 3d gen keyboard at least...you will get better BT connection, better display, better components inside in general for almost the same price
 
fokmik said:
Just wait for October, and then buy any macbook with a 3d gen keyboard at least...you will get better BT connection, better display, better components inside in general for almost the same price
Click to expand...

Better WiFi connection potentially too as WhiskeyLake has the WiFi controller baked in to the chip.
 
Ma2k5 said:
Better WiFi connection potentially too as WhiskeyLake has the WiFi controller baked in to the chip.
Click to expand...
Yes for the 12" MB could be a better connection since it has the smallest wifi antennas from all the macs..
 
For your use it would be fine, but if you can, at this point I would wait to see what Apple announces in terms of Macs yet this year. Rumors are pointing to another event where a replacement for the Air will probably be announced and we could see some changes to the nTB then (or it could be discontinued).

That said, the nTB is a good machine and if you don't need much storage the refurbished models at $1,099 are a pretty good deal. I've been using a 2016 nTB as my main Mac since November 2016. It works great for my use, is a solid desktop with my eGPU, and I haven't had any keyboard problems with moderate usage every day. The model has obviously had issues (hence the repair program) but there are lots of users out there for which the keyboard has worked fine.

Anyway, wait if you can and see what happens. You can always get a refurbished nTB is nothing that is announced is to your liking.
 
Ma2k5 said:
That is my honest opinion yes. Just wait a month or two to see if Apple bring out Whiskey Lake laptops (which would have the better keyboard), hopefully shouldn’t be long as Windows manufacturers have announced theirs.
Click to expand...
But the 2018 TB models are safe right ?
 
kp98077 said:
so 2017 is the main offender, 2017 is not good either?
Click to expand...

Some people have problems but most haven't. Why not consider a 2015 13" in good condition? I think the 2016-2018 MBPs are great but the two ports are really not enough on the base 13" imo. Maybe with one of those hubs that connect right to the chassis?
 
Yeah sounds to me for the most part 2017 would be fine. It’s easier for me to get these here especially new in box....
 
kp98077 said:
Yeah sounds to me for the most part 2017 would be fine. It’s easier for me to get these here especially new in box....
Click to expand...

The 2017 are just as likely to get the issue as the 2016. Honestly, go 2018 or wait for the new machines, don't play the roulette on such an expensive device. Apple could have designed a solution where they could implement membrane keys onto the 2016/17 repairs but they didn't due to cost, don't reward them.
 
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Ma2k5 said:
The 2017 are just as likely to get the issue as the 2016. Honestly, go 2018 or wait for the new machines, don't play the roulette on such an expensive device. Apple could have designed a solution where they could implement membrane keys onto the 2016/17 repairs but they didn't due to cost, don't reward them.
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t they be rewarded either way? Buying a 2017 vs 2018; the money is going to the same place.

If anything, buying the 2017 would be better as its cheaper and less profit for them. But they still win either way.
 
AJAAY said:
Wouldn’t they be rewarded either way? Buying a 2017 vs 2018; the money is going to the same place.

If anything, buying the 2017 would be better as its cheaper and less profit for them. But they still win either way.
Click to expand...

In some ways it is better to buy nothing true, because a repair programme which just replaces parts with faulty parts again is just out of order.
 
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