First impressions of 13" Pro

[ryannel2003]

Well after ordering a brand new non-touchbar 13" Pro yesterday from the Apple Store online I decided to check out Best Buy's website tonight and see if they updated their inventory. Just so happened the store 30 miles from me had a Space Grey 13" Pro in stock. Just picked it up about 30 minutes ago and am starting to transfer all my data over from the old laptop. Here are my first impressions so far:

-Definitely lighter and smaller than the previous Pro. Not that the old computer is a heavyweight but holding the two in each hand you can definitely tell the difference.
-I absolutely LOVE the new keyboard. From my short time using it I can tell the key stability versus the old Pro really helps with my typing. It also has more depth than the 12" MacBook keyboard as well. This will definitely depend on user preference.
-Space Grey is gorgeous. It does smudge though so I'll have to keep this one wiped down a lot more often.
-The screen is absolutely stunning. I don't know how they could have possibly improved on the previous computer display but they somehow did.
-Speakers are much clearer and louder with better bass response. ABBA sounds much better

That's pretty much it so far. I'll post my impressions more in depth once I've integrated it into my workflow.

 

[Spink10]

IM glad you are enjoying the keyboard...I still have trouble typing on the wife rMB.

 

[Sensamic]

Is the new keyboard really better than the MacBooks? This is my main concern.

 

[0388631]

That touchpad is huge.

 

[ryannel2003]

Is the new keyboard really better than the MacBooks? This is my main concern.

I think the keyboard is better. To be honest though I didn't have much of a problem typing on the 12" MacBook's myself. This keyboard is definitely better than that one, though.

 

[thadoggfather]

that screen looks kinda dingy?

its not actually like that is it?

congrats on purchase though, body looks nice!

 

[poorcody]

Given the larger trackpad, any problem with resting your palms on the trackpad as you type?

 

[mattopotamus]

Is the keyboard closer to the magic keyboard?

 

[ryannel2003]

that screen looks kinda dingy?

its not actually like that is it?

congrats on purchase though, body looks nice!

Poor lighting and focus on the camera. In person the screen is a definite improvement.

Given the larger trackpad, any problem with resting your palms on the trackpad as you type?

Is the keyboard closer to the magic keyboard?

No issues with my typing interfering with the trackpad that I've noticed. I haven't done a ton of typing with it yet so I'll have to investigate further. The keyboard and trackpad are closer to each other.

 

[poorcody]

Thanks!

Can you stay up all night using it so you can tell us how long the battery lasts?

 

[thadoggfather]

This machine was 1499 right?

Do you feel like it's ok by apple standards or still getting taken for a ride a bit? Just curious

Jealous of the p3 screen. Come to love my pro9.7 and 7+

 

[theitsage]

I bought and sold 12" MacBook retina twice because I could not get used to the keyboard. The good news is the new MacBook Pro's keyboard definitely has more travel and it feels more natural touch-typing.

 

[ryannel2003]

This machine was 1499 right?

Do you feel like it's ok by apple standards or still getting taken for a ride a bit? Just curious

Jealous of the p3 screen. Come to love my pro9.7 and 7+

I think the price of the machine is a bit high, especially considering it's supposed to be a MacBook Air replacement. However Apple typically charges a premium for newly designed products so once the initial price shock wore off for me I realized this is typical Apple. I'm sure the price of this machine will be down to $1299 or less next year.

 

[BondFancy]

Are you worried about scratches on the space grey?

 

[thadoggfather]

I think the price of the machine is a bit high, especially considering it's supposed to be a MacBook Air replacement. However Apple typically charges a premium for newly designed products so once the initial price shock wore off for me I realized this is typical Apple. I'm sure the price of this machine will be down to $1299 or less next year.

Good point! keep us posted with your favorite feature about the new machine in due time!
[doublepost=1477708609][/doublepost]

Are you worried about scratches on the space grey?

if rMB is any indication, should hold up decently.

haven't babied my rMB (but haven't beat it up either) and its held up pretty well,

 

[SaddleSC]

Here are my first impressions so far:

-Definitely lighter and smaller than the previous Pro. Not that the old computer is a heavyweight but holding the two in each hand you can definitely tell the difference.
-I absolutely LOVE the new keyboard. From my short time using it I can tell the key stability versus the old Pro really helps with my typing. It also has more depth than the 12" MacBook keyboard as well. This will definitely depend on user preference.
-Space Grey is gorgeous. It does smudge though so I'll have to keep this one wiped down a lot more often.
-The screen is absolutely stunning. I don't know how they could have possibly improved on the previous computer display but they somehow did.
-Speakers are much clearer and louder with better bass response. ABBA sounds much better

That's pretty much it so far. I'll post my impressions more in depth once I've integrated it into my workflow.

I just picked up my new Silver MBP 13" base model at the Apple Store this evening and I agree with everything you have said. The size and weight feels about the same as my old 13" MBA and the form factor is great. The new keyboard is a MASSIVE improvement over the keyboard on the rMB and is one of my favorite parts of the new MBP.

Rather than deal with the smudges and scratches on the Space Grey (which I have on my rMB) I decided to go with classic silver and am very happy with the way it looks.

The screen is amazing...bright, crystal clear, amazing blacks, super sharp and great color.

The speakers are loud and full-sounding with good bass and nice stereo separation...very enjoyable to listen to

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[ryannel2003]

Here is a good picture of the screens side by side. Left is the old Pro and right is the new one. In the first picture both screens are set at 50% brightness with the keyboard backlight at the same level. The second picture is with both screens at 100% brightness and the keyboard level remaining at 50%.

 

[thadoggfather]

looks nice! can we get more pics with
a different wallpaper to compare?

something like this would be interesting-
https://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/details/3086/silhouette.html

or if you dont want to do that, maybe something like the rice fields stock wallpaper to show off green differences, or the red canyon stock one beneath that?

also any way to rest the new one over top of the old to see how much smaller the footprint is of the non-screen body portion?

 

[Abaganov]

Side by side the older MBP look so outdated, the individual backlit keys are gorgeous.

 

[ryannel2003]

 

[motime]

I thought the new screen would be much brighter than this as compared to the old one.

 

[ryannel2003]

Side by side the older MBP look so outdated, the individual backlit keys are gorgeous.

I was thinking the same thing last night. Still a beautiful design, but definitely tired.

 

[mikeo007]

Is the individual backlighting new this year? It looks really good!

 

[thadoggfather]

dang quite a bit more detail and pop on the new model, and brightness

can you do those two stock wallpaper? the green field and red cave? just in case that interfacelift jpeg isnt P3 optimized, and stock wallpapers are

 

[ryannel2003]

I thought the new screen would be much brighter than this as compared to the old one.

It's more noticeable in person. I wouldn't say the difference is dramatic. but it's definitely brighter and richer.