Does anyone else feel like the MacBook is kind of slow and not very snappy?

[brewer08]

My basic unit just came today. I think it is snappy as hell. I love it

 

[Hieveryone]

Nope. Wrong. Logic doesn't work. An i5 processor is faster, but if that speed is not necessary in a particular use case, and size and weight are given a higher priority, then the rMB is clearly superior to a MBPr.

In fact, I have an MBPr and I use only a fraction of its capabilities because all I use it for is writing, surfing, email and running PowerPoints. The rMB can do all of that while being more conveniently portable. I don't need the i5 in the MBPr because I have a Mac Pro on my desk where I do all my heavy computing.

By your logic that Mac Pro is clearly superior to the MBPr with more than twice the capabilities for only twice the price, but that isn't true at all. They're used for two totally different purposes.

Then of course there's the aesthetic appeal. The rMB is better looking and comes in space grey and gold. The MBPr only comes in silver. Clearly the rMB is superior at any price if colour is your priority!

I disagree. These are two notebooks. Very comparable. One has better specs. One has worse specs. Yet, they're basically the same price.

Simple.

 

[aristobrat]

Do we really need to go back in time by 3+ years in CPU performance to get this kind of portability?

Apparently we do, based on the list of companies who see fit to power their ultraportables with the Core M processor.

Acer Aspire Switch 12
Apple New MacBook 12
Asus Transformer T300FA
Asus Transformer T300 Chi
Asus Transformer Book V
HP Elite x2 1011 G1
HP EliteBook Folio 1020
HP Pavilion 360 11-n108tu
Dell Venue 11 Pro 7140
Lenovo Yoga 3 11
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2
Nec LaVie U
Panasonic Let’s Note RZ4
Samsung ATIV Book 9 NP930X2
Toshiba Portégé Z20t

----------

I disagree. These are two notebooks. Very comparable. One has better specs. One has worse specs. Yet, they're basically the same price.

Simple.

There is a $200 price difference in favor of the notebook that has the worse specs.

I don't think that when most people look at "$1299" and "$1499" (or "$1499" and "$1699") that they consider them "basically the same prices".

I think most people consider $200 (15%) as a notable difference in prices.

 

[Hieveryone]

Apparently we do, based on the list of companies who see fit to power their ultraportables with the Core M processor.

Acer Aspire Switch 12
Apple New MacBook 12
Asus Transformer T300FA
Asus Transformer T300 Chi
Asus Transformer Book V
HP Elite x2 1011 G1
HP EliteBook Folio 1020
HP Pavilion 360 11-n108tu
Dell Venue 11 Pro 7140
Lenovo Yoga 3 11
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2
Nec LaVie U
Panasonic Let’s Note RZ4
Samsung ATIV Book 9 NP930X2
Toshiba Portégé Z20t

----------


There is a $200 price difference in favor of the notebook that has the worse specs.

I don't think that when most people look at "$1299" and "$1499" (or "$1499" and "$1699") that they consider them "basically the same prices".

I think most people consider $200 (15%) as a notable difference in prices.

1299 + 79 = ~1400 vs 1499

Small difference ~7%

 

[aristobrat]

1299 + 79 = ~1400 vs 1499

Small difference ~7%

Which one of the use cases that he mentioned require that adapter?

 

[Mcdevidr]

The price is comparable to other notebooks with similar specs. Only the one cheap asus with lower specs is cheaper. why is price still an argument here?

 

[dexterbell]

My point is that the new MB is overpriced since for only 7% more you can get a SUPERIOR computer from the exact same manufacturer, Apple.

Superior in some ways, inferior in others. The MacBook has a better display, keyboard and trackpad all in a thinner and lighter package.

 

[Hieveryone]

Superior in some ways, inferior in others. The MacBook has a better display, keyboard and trackpad all in a thinner and lighter package.

It does.

Here is a solid review for anyone interested.

Actually, I'm surprised by this video. He was playing games and said 4k video runs smooth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJnqPhw8Inw

 

[newellj]

No superior is not subjective. Is an F on a math test superior to an A on the same math test?

Same thing. An i5 processor is superior to a mobile processor and it doesn't weigh that much more.

3.46lbs vs 2lbs and you're getting a superior laptop for only 7% more on the price.

If 1.46lbs makes something too heavy to carry then a gym membership needs to be a priority.

That's why it's overpriced. If it's all you need then it's great for your use but the price is too high given you can get a much better laptop for only a little bit more.

But if someone wants to pay it, I'm not saying they shouldn't. It's your money, your life. Free to buy whatever you want.

You can't have it both ways. 3.5 pounds is clearly, objectively and grossly inferior to 2 pounds.

If you need an i5, you should buy an iMac.

 

[HengenJL]

Let me preface this by stating my last Apple laptop was the 2005 PowerBook G4 1.5GHz machine and before that was the 1993 PowerBook Duo 230. Obviously laptops have greatly advanced since my last Apple laptop.

I purchased the 1.2GHz / 512SSD MacBook from BestBuy with the education discount and 10% movers coupon, hurray for saving money! I was blown away by how fast the machine is compared to the PowerBook G4. Setup was smooth sailing and I was up and running in 15min. From there I began installing various programs and did not really notice much slow down at all during the installs. I have had iTunes, iBooks, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Safari, Transmission, Steam, and a couple other applications open all at the same time and I did not notice too much lag when switching between the programs. I am very happy with the MacBook.

The MacBook is my secondary computer that will be used primarily for my return to college in the fall. I expect this machine will easily suit my needs for quite some time.

 

[Maclee2010]

After 4 days of heavy business use on my 1.1/256, I believe that the benefits of the new rMB far outweigh the downsides. I find this machine a joy to use coming from an i5 8GB rMBP. Don't miss it a bit and paid for $1000 of this one...

 

[SpitUK]

It does.

Here is a solid review for anyone interested.

Actually, I'm surprised by this video. He was playing games and said 4k video runs smooth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJnqPhw8Inw

OMG, he has my photo from interface lift as his background!!!!!! That is cool. The beach one at the start.

 

[Traverse]

"Never argue with stupid people, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."

I've never heard that quote before! I love it!

----------

I would have been the first guy in line to buy a 1080p IPS 11" MBA, I know what you are saying...

How would you have used a 1080p display on an 11" screen?

 

[Traverse]

I disagree. These are two notebooks. Very comparable. One has better specs. One has worse specs. Yet, they're basically the same price.

Simple.

It's not about specs; it's about what people value. Why can't you see that?

Don't get me wrong, I see where you're coming from. If I needed a computer it would be a no brainer: for the same price I can get a MBP with better performance, more ports, better graphics....

However, I have a 15" rMBP for that. I want an ultralight notebook for on the go use and to take in between grad classes and my TA office (and other areas around campus). I wouldn't by a 13" MBP to complement my 15" MBP, that makes no sense (to me).

I also know users who only do iPad-level work on their system, but need the occasional flash or desktop feature. The new MB is fine for them and has the aesthetic mobile appeal. Why buy a heavier, larger product with more processing power if you're not going to use that power?

 

[iRun26.2]

so you think their going to be able to eventually grab the power of a quad core i7 and make it into an efficient rMB?

Some day, without a doubt. It's s matter of when.

 

[JKNorth]

So mine finally arrived and I've been pounding away on it tonight installing software and updating settings etc. After a couple of hours I have some observations.

Only saw a beachball a couple of times during the OS setup and only lasted for a few seconds. Immediately updated to the latest version.

No UI lag whatsoever. And yeah I took a video, which I can upload later. And that's with transparency turned on.

When I had multiple installs, downloads, and copies going on, the Activity Monitor showed around 75% processor usage. So it handled it just fine. Made me chuckle though because in comparison my Mac Pro is pretty much flatlined in AM until I edit video. It only ever goes bonkers with Handbrake.

So for day to day needs it's definitely snappy enough. Increase the load and you need to have a little patience, but it still moves along acceptably. Certain tasks I wouldn't do, but for things like 4K video editing and large file conversions you need to pick a better tool for the job, like the Mac Pro. (Among other reasons, editing 4K video on a 12" screen vs. a 28" 4K monitor is really hard on the eyes.)

But, YMMV. It all comes down to expectations. I'm not expecting the MacBook to be any kind of replacement for a MacBook Pro, let alone a Mac Pro. But it seems some people do. They are bound to be disappointed.

 

[Hieveryone]

It's not about specs; it's about what people value. Why can't you see that?

Don't get me wrong, I see where you're coming from. If I needed a computer it would be a no brainer: for the same price I can get a MBP with better performance, more ports, better graphics....

However, I have a 15" rMBP for that. I want an ultralight notebook for on the go use and to take in between grad classes and my TA office (and other areas around campus). I wouldn't by a 13" MBP to complement my 15" MBP, that makes no sense (to me).

I also know users who only do iPad-level work on their system, but need the occasional flash or desktop feature. The new MB is fine for them and has the aesthetic mobile appeal. Why buy a heavier, larger product with more processing power if you're not going to use that power?

I agree. You can even get a 15" in the refurb store for that price.

But the 15" might be too big and too much depending on what the person wants!!

I stil the the 13" is light enough to where it's worth the extra weight.

 

[Yamisky0]

Nope.

 

[Traverse]

I agree. You can even get a 15" in the refurb store for that price.

But the 15" might be too big and too much depending on what the person wants!!

I stil the the 13" is light enough to where it's worth the extra weight.

I contemplated a 13" rMBP as a "take with me everywhere" system and then I'd dock it when I get home to my external monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

The thing is, I already have the 15" rMBP with 750M. That's a big drop in power, plus the hassle of selling it. I'm thinking of a 15" rMBP + rMB combo for a few years and then I'll consolidate my next purchase on an maxed out 13" (unless the 15" is dramatically redesigned in 3 years which is possible). The only thing I wish my 15" had was a 1TB SSD vs the 512, but it was a free replacement by Apple for my 2011 MBP that died, so I can't complain.

 

[jovi.jia]

I have zero lag scrolling and that was while installing office at the same time. I don't have a way to check the gpu, I can't imagine that just resizing a window for a split second causes throttling, you really think that?

I guess it is not the cpu, it is mainly because of the IO, maybe and GPU. The reason I conclude this, is that the lag happens while re-sizing and scrolling, these are all signaled from touchpad(?), you guys and test it with a mouse to see if it reoccur.

 

[Hieveryone]

I contemplated a 13" rMBP as a "take with me everywhere" system and then I'd dock it when I get home to my external monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

The thing is, I already have the 15" rMBP with 750M. That's a big drop in power, plus the hassle of selling it. I'm thinking of a 15" rMBP + rMB combo for a few years and then I'll consolidate my next purchase on an maxed out 13" (unless the 15" is dramatically redesigned in 3 years which is possible). The only thing I wish my 15" had was a 1TB SSD vs the 512, but it was a free replacement by Apple for my 2011 MBP that died, so I can't complain.

That sounds like a good plan to me. If you have a 15" then I would not get the 13"

I would get the rMB to take that around with me.

I'm definitely starting to see WHY the rMB makes sense and for WHO it makes sense for.

This is a perfect situation where the 15" isn't very portable, and the rMB would be a perfect computer for on the go.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jovi.jia]

I've kept my current MacBook for longer than 5 years. In fact it's been nearly 7 years now. I wasn't defending my own replacement schedule, I was pointing out that the person you quoted obviously doesn't care what his Mac will be like in 5 years based on his/her previous buying habits.

I'm guessing you are trying to say the rMB will be unusable with a Core-M CPU in 5 years. Please explain how you've come to that conclusion given that I'm typing this post on a MacBook running a 2.0GHz Core2Duo from 2008?

This machine is really a solid one, I updated memory to 8G, and added a 128 SSD two years ago, now the condition and performace of runing the newest Yosemite give me no reason to update a nMB(actually no money), Core M in nMB is more powerful than Core2Duo

 

[mattopotamus]

I contemplated a 13" rMBP as a "take with me everywhere" system and then I'd dock it when I get home to my external monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

The thing is, I already have the 15" rMBP with 750M. That's a big drop in power, plus the hassle of selling it. I'm thinking of a 15" rMBP + rMB combo for a few years and then I'll consolidate my next purchase on an maxed out 13" (unless the 15" is dramatically redesigned in 3 years which is possible). The only thing I wish my 15" had was a 1TB SSD vs the 512, but it was a free replacement by Apple for my 2011 MBP that died, so I can't complain.

The rMB is my take everyone machine. I'll even dock if for use at work. I do light task though . I was doing this with the pro, but I come nowhere near using that pro power.

 

[clukas]

Here's a video I made just now. It's actually performing better than most times, which is saying a lot...

YouTube: video

 

[Hieveryone]

The rMB is my take everyone machine. I'll even dock if for use at work. I do light task though . I was doing this with the pro, but I come nowhere near using that pro power.

It's good to hear stories like this. I am not implacable when it comes to the new MB. Like I said the snappiness was an issue for me but a lot of you who use it for minimal stuff will probably be fine.