Do you like the new MacBook?

[QCassidy352]

I'm a "thin" junkie... The new Macbook makes the Air look thick like the pro :3.

From apple.com, the macbook is .14 to .52 inches thin, and the 13" air is .11 to .68 inches thin. So the air goes from just a hair thinner at its thinnest to a few hairs thicker at its thickest. They're all but equal in that respect. Lighter, yes, by .93 lbs, but thinner? Only by the tiniest of margins.

 

[happyslayer]

Almost perfect for me. I'm not too worried about the "port controversy;" having to use a dongle, even an--oh my Gods!--$80.00 one doesn't bother me all that much since it would only be occasionally. My only concern is testing out the new keyboard. I do a lot of writing on my laptops and the keyboard needs to be good. So, I'll test it prior to (probably) purchasing it. And--bonus!--I think I've already got a buyer lined up for my 2014 rMBP 13.

 

[HellasLEAF]

I voted it's cool.

I really like it.

I would say that personally, for me, i'm not ready for the future yet. Too comfy on the air.

 

[shenan1982]

I hesitate to talk to you since you seem so angry and defensive about a computer, but do you actually travel without external hard drives or a camera or lightning cable? And why are you comparing the travel weight of the new MacBook to the Pro rather than an Air?

I didnt mean to offend you by calling out the dongles but with a single port for charging AND everything then it would seem that the $79 charging dongle would be an essential for any traveler.

I sound angry? LOL... I am defensive, because the computer is priced right in line with comparable spec'd PCs and people are whining, it's annoying.

I'm comparing travel, because those who say it should have all the ports they need only have one option... the Macbook Pro... even the air doesn't offer the full gamut of ports, and it's not comparable because the Air doesn't have a retina screen.

Yep, a $79 probably is essential for any traveler. I don't take external hard drives, nor cameras that require connectivity. My camera has bluetooth\wifi, and what do I need an external hard drive for? I backup to the cloud, and my current Air has 256GB storage, what more do I need when traveling? True road warriors know they only take the essentials. Back to the $79 dongle, yeah, I think most people are going to want\need it, but say Apple had packaged it with the computer, and priced the computer at $1399, you'd be whining that you're being forced to pay for something many people won't even need\use. So there's clearly no winning with you. This way Apple gives you choice. I thought the price tag on this laptop was going to be $1500, so even with the extra accessories, I'm looking at $1450, so I'd say it's an excellent value... think I'm just a blind defender of Apple? Think again, and read my post history. I'm the first to trash them for bad products, but I think they hit the nail on the head for this one.

 

[sdilley14]

Looks incredible. And I like the new tech with the keyboards and trackpad. I just wish the system as a whole had a bit more power. It's a nice start though.

I'm really glad to see they're offering an aluminum laptop in multiple colors now. Seems like the only laptops they've ever offered in a color besides silver have been constructed of plastic. Hopefully they are using this MB as a "test run" and will eventually offer the MBP and MBA in different colors. I would LOVE a 13" MBP in Space Grey.

However, I will admit that I'm a little sad to see that they did away with the "light up" Apple logo. But the new style logos look really great, too!

 

[Yaboze]

I voted It's cool and I love the design, but for me, it's a bit underpowered.

I'd rather get the new 13" rMBP.

 

[Rachel Faith]

No. Underpowered. Will run hot. And not even able to drive a thunderbolt?

 

[jm5309]

I love what I've seen of it. It's gorgeous. I'm going to buy it.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

It's cool.

And based on how revision B turns out, I will most likely get one. It suits all my needs when I am on the go, as a scientist and hobby writer. The only time I will use the single port is for presentations, and I usually don't present for 9 hours straight..

The only cons for me are:
• 9 hour battery life. Would like 12 hours to be on the safe side.
• Price, obviously. Prices have sky rocketed in Europe.
• 480p camera. I will be doing Facetime conversations, and 480p is just on the low side in 2015 I think. I want to look good! 8)

I will wait for the Skylake model, and see reviews on the keyboard and CPU speed. I will probably get a long with the current CPU, but at that low end, you'll always want a bit more for the future.
I am also quite curious to see if it has h265 hardware support. Can anyone tell just by looking at specs?

 

[matt550]

I like it, a lot. But with the one port I won't be buying it.

 

[lchlch]

...

I will wait for the Skylake model, and see reviews on the keyboard and CPU speed. I will probably get a long with the current CPU, but at that low end, you'll always want a bit more for the future.
I am also quite curious to see if it has h265 hardware support. Can anyone tell just by looking at specs?

From what i've read it has a hybrid H.265 decoder. So it won't be as efficient but probably good enough.

 

[oldmacs]

I like it is an individual computer, but will hate it if Apple decides to remove all the ports from its Macbook Pros.

 

[maflynn]

I like it, and I think it's cool. I do question Apple's decision to make a third computer line when for intents and purposes the MB is a MacBook Air with a retina screen.

 

[powersteer]

Actually this new MacBook is what Apple is all about. For true bold people.

I'm proud to say I'm getting it (as long as it doesn't stutter and drop frames during my tests). I'm not afraid of being at the front end of the tech curve. I'm a true blue Apple user, not afraid of getting it wrong. Change back to a MBA if it doesn't work.

Think different (remember the advertisement? Are those ppl featured in that ad afraid of failures?)

I know its not for me, but to be honest I really don't get who this is for:

Power Users/Media Pros:
+ Retina Screen
- Less Power (Intel M)
- No SD Slot
- One Port (Many Dongles)

Students:
+ More Portable
- Much more Expensive than MBA options

Travellers:
+ Thin and Light
- 480p FaceTime Camera
- Despite all the battery hype, its still the same 9hrs as the Air
- One Port (Many Dongles) means more bulk to carry and lose


It definitely looks good and the color options are nice. But the lack of MagSafe, Downgraded keyboard, Less Power and expensive Dongles doesn't really make it clear what the target user is.

 

[kazmac]

I quite like the look of it and the concept. I'd have to see how it performs and how my peepers and wrists respond to it.

I am not crazy about the price (or the very low student discount), but if it turns out that this is a great computer for me, I might try it.

 

[crsh1976]

No you can charge the laptop at the same time as having a USB device plugged in. You'd need an adapter like that $79 adapter thing.
Remember, this new Macbook uses the universal USB-C connector, so any company can make a charger or hub for it. The MagSafe is proprietary so nobody can make anything for it. I bet there will soon be a dock that both charges the machine and gives you ports to plug in.

And there you have it, an adapter plus a hub or dock plus peripherals; that doesn't sound like a traveller-friendly setup.

 

[Traverse]

I am very interested in it.

I have a 15" rMBP docked at home and I take an old iPad and a logitech ultra thin keyboard cover with me to school. I take notes, browse the web, and do casual productivity on the iPad and use my 15" MacBook Pro for the heavy lifting.

I'm thinking of the new MB as an iPad replacement. I'll miss out on some iPad apps and games as well as the VERY useful form factor, but a full MB would be much more versatile. Even now I have to undock my MacBook Pro and take it to school at times.