The Computers: Two 13" touchbar MBP with basic configuration, 8 GB ram.
Well, I've just gotten back from a NY trip and another planned for next week. I've used the new tMBP on two shoots, writers meetings and more. My wife has been using an identical machine for her job as a wound care specialist. I've been processing work from my shoots (mainly Nikon D800 and D810) using the machine alone and with twin Dell 27" 4K@60 monitors.
From LA to NY, the battery was fine with 21% remaining when I landed. Coming back I plugged in because I was playing Bioshock and that murders the battery!
Overview:
We like these machines a lot. The screens and keyboards are great. The touchbar, thus far is of minimal use, but we'll have to see how that changes when more software uses it. Touch ID, trackpad, speakers...all of the upgrades make these the best MBP units we own.
Battery life:
No complaints. Very good battery life that compares well with our 15" rMBP.
Ports:
On the surface, it's annoying to not have even one standard USB port. In practice, on jobs and in actual usage, it's actually more convenient. Everything works and I don't have to deal with various cables. I terminate my older plugs with adapters, so no issue there.
Screen, Keyboard, Trackpad and Speakers:
I bundled these all together to keep it short. They're ALL better. A few will need time to adapt to a new keyboard, but any thread with actual users prove that it's a home-run. The brighter screen is a great for locations where stray light is an issue.
Price:
This is fairly priced when you look at so many upgrades overall.
What's Missing and not to our Liking:
1) I Think Apple should have kept a single SD card slot. I don't need it for photography because a card reader was always part of the kit, but a SD slot (where it would fully retract into the body) would have been a way to give cheap removable storage. Given that we can't upgrade SSD on these machines, this would have been a great move and I hope they consider it next year.
2) I want to be able to adjust the brightness on the touchbar or even turn it off.
3) Put a bit more space between the USB-C ports.
4) Upgrade the camera. I rarely use it, but the spec is way outdated.
5) Though this is not aimed at the tMBP, where is the external keyboard to match this unit? Space gray with touchbar and same improved keyboard, please! How about a gray mouse while you're at it?
6) This will sound a bit silly...but how about little lights for the ports? They can be hard to see in the dark! Maybe they'd come on via a magnetic sensor.
So most of the above is nit-picking, but I'd love the SD slot back for the reason I outlined, but NOT if it sticks out! It has to go into the case fully or what's the point? Even micro-SD would work fine.
My score for the new 13" tMBP....is four out of five stars.
R.
Well, I've just gotten back from a NY trip and another planned for next week. I've used the new tMBP on two shoots, writers meetings and more. My wife has been using an identical machine for her job as a wound care specialist. I've been processing work from my shoots (mainly Nikon D800 and D810) using the machine alone and with twin Dell 27" 4K@60 monitors.
From LA to NY, the battery was fine with 21% remaining when I landed. Coming back I plugged in because I was playing Bioshock and that murders the battery!
Overview:
We like these machines a lot. The screens and keyboards are great. The touchbar, thus far is of minimal use, but we'll have to see how that changes when more software uses it. Touch ID, trackpad, speakers...all of the upgrades make these the best MBP units we own.
Battery life:
No complaints. Very good battery life that compares well with our 15" rMBP.
Ports:
On the surface, it's annoying to not have even one standard USB port. In practice, on jobs and in actual usage, it's actually more convenient. Everything works and I don't have to deal with various cables. I terminate my older plugs with adapters, so no issue there.
Screen, Keyboard, Trackpad and Speakers:
I bundled these all together to keep it short. They're ALL better. A few will need time to adapt to a new keyboard, but any thread with actual users prove that it's a home-run. The brighter screen is a great for locations where stray light is an issue.
Price:
This is fairly priced when you look at so many upgrades overall.
What's Missing and not to our Liking:
1) I Think Apple should have kept a single SD card slot. I don't need it for photography because a card reader was always part of the kit, but a SD slot (where it would fully retract into the body) would have been a way to give cheap removable storage. Given that we can't upgrade SSD on these machines, this would have been a great move and I hope they consider it next year.
2) I want to be able to adjust the brightness on the touchbar or even turn it off.
3) Put a bit more space between the USB-C ports.
4) Upgrade the camera. I rarely use it, but the spec is way outdated.
5) Though this is not aimed at the tMBP, where is the external keyboard to match this unit? Space gray with touchbar and same improved keyboard, please! How about a gray mouse while you're at it?
6) This will sound a bit silly...but how about little lights for the ports? They can be hard to see in the dark! Maybe they'd come on via a magnetic sensor.
So most of the above is nit-picking, but I'd love the SD slot back for the reason I outlined, but NOT if it sticks out! It has to go into the case fully or what's the point? Even micro-SD would work fine.
My score for the new 13" tMBP....is four out of five stars.
R.
