First Reactions: New MBP nTB 13"

[0989383]

On Monday I got a new MacBook Pro 13" non-TB from the Apple Store with Apple Care.. It's been a few days now and it's succeeded at it's first work-week with appropriate workloads of work and play, and I must say the entire experience is phenomenal.

This thing flies. It turns on and is ready to go in seconds! The vibrancy of the screen of any Mac has always been best in class but this one really shines, you don't even need a Windows PC next to it to see the difference! Oranges in particular just glow. It's blindingly bright for a laptop.

The speakers are also best in class. It's comparable to my Bowers & Wilkins C5 earphones, almost.

The keyboard whilst a bit odd initially has proven to allow me to type so much more accurately and quickly than ever before, my fingers don't catch on keys between presses like they did on an older MBP which I believe led to the keys breaking off over time. The backlighting makes a rMBP look like a toy in comparison to how the leaking light is absent and everything is balanced.

The thin profile is also unbelievable, to think this is a 'Pro' and not an 'Air'.. I remember seeing the Unibody's in store in 2008 thinking "How could they be so thin?!" - this thing is so light and thin that when I lifted my gf's rMBP it actually felt heavy - a laptop that formerly I considered thin and light beyond any other comparable laptop!

Battery life like any Mac of the past decade is also great. Unlike i5 7200U processors I've used in some of the latest Windows laptops, this thing lasts all day - but even when you actually use it for real work it never fails to deliver. None of the switching over to 'Power saving mode' lol

SketchUp models of great complexity can be worked on for hours with Apple Music in the background. Photos can be edited, organised and shared for more hours than I have to do so! Downloading updates and files on Safari, lightning fast and no fuss. Minecraft works great on full settings.

iCloud essentially brought all of my data and settings back leaving the setup process literally 15 minutes plus download time, and with fiberoptic broadband this was quick too.

It's honestly just great to be back on the Mac, have everything how I like it and most importantly a machine that isn't going to stand in the way of my desire to study, research, play and manage my photos and videos over the years. Everything has it's place, it's safe and backed up. I could not find the same satisfaction with Windows on my ThinkPad even when I moved completely to OneDrive to get the full integration effect. It was honestly easier setting up Exchange and Outlook accounts on Mac Mail than it was on MS Outlook, what does that tell you?

I'm all for the iPad being the future but I must say, this experience - even at Apple's current pricing - is something I really took for granted with my last Mac and was stupidly trying to avoid for as long as possible. Like many others, I'm back again. But this time, I think it's for good.

Space Grey is amazing, originally I was disappointed to see the Mac line be offered in 'fashion orientated' colours, but when you see this thing in person honestly it blows you away. Hopefully we'll get that iMac Pro black colour eventually?

The Touch Bar would have been cool, I don't understand the hate it gets, but was frankly out of reach for me price wise. I'm still quite happy with Apple's offering at £1,249 here. Though expensive, I have been unsuccessful at finding any other machine, OS and experience comparable to this anywhere else. Period.

 

[imagineadam]

On Monday I got a new MacBook Pro 13" non-TB from the Apple Store with Apple Care.. It's been a few days now and it's succeeded at it's first work-week with appropriate workloads of work and play, and I must say the entire experience is phenomenal.

This thing flies. It turns on and is ready to go in seconds! The vibrancy of the screen of any Mac has always been best in class but this one really shines, you don't even need a Windows PC next to it to see the difference! Oranges in particular just glow. It's blindingly bright for a laptop.

The speakers are also best in class. It's comparable to my Bowers & Wilkins C5 earphones, almost.

The keyboard whilst a bit odd initially has proven to allow me to type so much more accurately and quickly than ever before, my fingers don't catch on keys between presses like they did on an older MBP which I believe led to the keys breaking off over time. The backlighting makes a rMBP look like a toy in comparison to how the leaking light is absent and everything is balanced.

The thin profile is also unbelievable, to think this is a 'Pro' and not an 'Air'.. I remember seeing the Unibody's in store in 2008 thinking "How could they be so thin?!" - this thing is so light and thin that when I lifted my gf's rMBP it actually felt heavy - a laptop that formerly I considered thin and light beyond any other comparable laptop!

Battery life like any Mac of the past decade is also great. Unlike i5 7200U processors I've used in some of the latest Windows laptops, this thing lasts all day - but even when you actually use it for real work it never fails to deliver. None of the switching over to 'Power saving mode' lol

SketchUp models of great complexity can be worked on for hours with Apple Music in the background. Photos can be edited, organised and shared for more hours than I have to do so! Downloading updates and files on Safari, lightning fast and no fuss. Minecraft works great on full settings.

iCloud essentially brought all of my data and settings back leaving the setup process literally 15 minutes plus download time, and with fiberoptic broadband this was quick too.

It's honestly just great to be back on the Mac, have everything how I like it and most importantly a machine that isn't going to stand in the way of my desire to study, research, play and manage my photos and videos over the years. Everything has it's place, it's safe and backed up. I could not find the same satisfaction with Windows on my ThinkPad even when I moved completely to OneDrive to get the full integration effect. It was honestly easier setting up Exchange and Outlook accounts on Mac Mail than it was on MS Outlook, what does that tell you?

I'm all for the iPad being the future but I must say, this experience - even at Apple's current pricing - is something I really took for granted with my last Mac and was stupidly trying to avoid for as long as possible. Like many others, I'm back again. But this time, I think it's for good.

Space Grey is amazing, originally I was disappointed to see the Mac line be offered in 'fashion orientated' colours, but when you see this thing in person honestly it blows you away. Hopefully we'll get that iMac Pro black colour eventually?

The Touch Bar would have been cool, I don't understand the hate it gets, but was frankly out of reach for me price wise. I'm still quite happy with Apple's offering at £1,249 here. Though expensive, I have been unsuccessful at finding any other machine, OS and experience comparable to this anywhere else. Period.

We literally just bought the same machine with 256Gb from Best Buy! I'm so excited! We have had crappy cheap windows machines for the past 15 years. Can't wait to use this machine. Will write back in a couple days after I use it some!

 

[imagineadam]

Quick question.

What software version did yours come with?

I actually had to go and exchange ours today because it had a dent in the cover...

So I haven't even started it up yet and I'm waiting till the wife gets home tonight to fire it up for the first time! Super excited!

But just wondering if I will need it update it to the latest high Sierra or whatever it is and if I should or shouldn't!

I know having used iOS for many years now it's best to just use the main iOS version the phone comes with for the best performance. Just wondering if the same goes for MacBook pros? Thanks everyone.

 

[0989383]

Quick question.

What software version did yours come with?

I actually had to go and exchange ours today because it had a dent in the cover...

So I haven't even started it up yet and I'm waiting till the wife gets home tonight to fire it up for the first time! Super excited!

But just wondering if I will need it update it to the latest high Sierra or whatever it is and if I should or shouldn't!

I know having used iOS for many years now it's best to just use the main iOS version the phone comes with for the best performance. Just wondering if the same goes for MacBook pros? Thanks everyone.

Came with Sierra, updated it right away to High Sierra. No issues whatsoever

 

[GtrDude]

On Monday I got a new MacBook Pro 13" non-TB from the Apple Store with Apple Care.. It's been a few days now and it's succeeded at it's first work-week with appropriate workloads of work and play, and I must say the entire experience is phenomenal.

This thing flies. It turns on and is ready to go in seconds! The vibrancy of the screen of any Mac has always been best in class but this one really shines, you don't even need a Windows PC next to it to see the difference! Oranges in particular just glow. It's blindingly bright for a laptop.

The speakers are also best in class. It's comparable to my Bowers & Wilkins C5 earphones, almost.

The keyboard whilst a bit odd initially has proven to allow me to type so much more accurately and quickly than ever before, my fingers don't catch on keys between presses like they did on an older MBP which I believe led to the keys breaking off over time. The backlighting makes a rMBP look like a toy in comparison to how the leaking light is absent and everything is balanced.

The thin profile is also unbelievable, to think this is a 'Pro' and not an 'Air'.. I remember seeing the Unibody's in store in 2008 thinking "How could they be so thin?!" - this thing is so light and thin that when I lifted my gf's rMBP it actually felt heavy - a laptop that formerly I considered thin and light beyond any other comparable laptop!

Battery life like any Mac of the past decade is also great. Unlike i5 7200U processors I've used in some of the latest Windows laptops, this thing lasts all day - but even when you actually use it for real work it never fails to deliver. None of the switching over to 'Power saving mode' lol

SketchUp models of great complexity can be worked on for hours with Apple Music in the background. Photos can be edited, organised and shared for more hours than I have to do so! Downloading updates and files on Safari, lightning fast and no fuss. Minecraft works great on full settings.

iCloud essentially brought all of my data and settings back leaving the setup process literally 15 minutes plus download time, and with fiberoptic broadband this was quick too.

It's honestly just great to be back on the Mac, have everything how I like it and most importantly a machine that isn't going to stand in the way of my desire to study, research, play and manage my photos and videos over the years. Everything has it's place, it's safe and backed up. I could not find the same satisfaction with Windows on my ThinkPad even when I moved completely to OneDrive to get the full integration effect. It was honestly easier setting up Exchange and Outlook accounts on Mac Mail than it was on MS Outlook, what does that tell you?

I'm all for the iPad being the future but I must say, this experience - even at Apple's current pricing - is something I really took for granted with my last Mac and was stupidly trying to avoid for as long as possible. Like many others, I'm back again. But this time, I think it's for good.

Space Grey is amazing, originally I was disappointed to see the Mac line be offered in 'fashion orientated' colours, but when you see this thing in person honestly it blows you away. Hopefully we'll get that iMac Pro black colour eventually?

The Touch Bar would have been cool, I don't understand the hate it gets, but was frankly out of reach for me price wise. I'm still quite happy with Apple's offering at £1,249 here. Though expensive, I have been unsuccessful at finding any other machine, OS and experience comparable to this anywhere else. Period.

First few days are the easiest.

Then....?

 

[0989383]

First few days are the easiest.

Then....?

It's amazing. Though covered in fingerprints and bits of dirt from intensive usage already! I don't regret Apple Care as it's giving the the confidence to type at full speed etc not be scared about things like the hinges loosening etc as I'll take it back to Apple if it can't withstand this reasonable use.. after all it's Pro right!?

It makes doing my uni work, personal compute tasks and media just such a pleasure to do. Worth every penny I think, especially if it can make 5 years - my target before needing to buy a new one.

The keyboard is phenomenal and quiet, actually the quietest keyboard I've used. I can hear the nasty HP laptops in my lecture halls bottoming out and making high pitch clicks whereas the MacBook Pro is like a precision typing machine and has a firmer sound - of what is audible. Point is, the feel encourages lighter typing once you get used to it and I think it's quieter. The wide keys, short gaps between them and butterfly mechanism has improved my accuracy so much at speed, I don't know how anyone who actually intensively uses a MBP can complain about it? It's superior in every way to every other keyboard I've used.. and no.. I don't game.

Screen is the brightest I've ever seen and so vibrant. Speakers still amaze me this far in. Battery lasts all day, from 9am to 630pm when I'm about ready to throw it out the window due to spending all day studying.. yesterday it was at 23% at around 730pm actually. And I use it on auto brightness, key lights on etc taking no battery saving measures. It lasts all of my day.

As for the lack of USB ports, well, firstly, I bought the thing, so there should be no complaining or crying about it. It was quite clear. Everything I do is on iCloud so I don't plug my phone in. I charge it by the wall anyway for faster charge time and so it doesn't drain my MBP battery in general. The iPhone SE battery gets me through the day easily. The only thing I was thinking I'd need an adapter for was Time Machine, but since all my valuable files are on iCloud I decided it'd be pointless anyway. A Mac has never let me down in the past 8 years in terms of data loss. The few file transfers between Windows PCs we did wirelessly over the network so that wasn't an issue. I'm amazed at how easy ditching the USB has been compared to the big deal everybody made, which I used to sort of understand, but not anymore.

I got some rubber feet from eBay for under the Mac, it'll save the built in ones and also lift it above the surface by a few millimetres to stop dirt and grit scratching it too easily. Though I accept over time that'll happen no matter what. Going without a Spe*k clip on case as they have no intention of responding to their customers with issues despite 7 years of loyal usage as well as the fact my old MBP being in one from day one ended up having the worst condition aluminium of any Mac of mine when it was taken out.. Might as well enjoy it. I bought a sleeve for when it's in my bag, it's thick and cushioned for transport. As for on the desk, it's down to me to keep food and drink away from it, stop it from being stolen and not place it on dodgy edges etc. I wonder if the Space Grey will ever look washed out and bad as a result of intensive use in the next couple of years.

Still keeping my Avatar as the Unibody MBP as it was my 'dream Mac' back when I first got into Apple and though it's time with me is gone it's a nice little tribute. Today it's a few models old but someday maybe it'll hold the merit of the old 1984 Mac avatars I see ;-)

So far in it's all good. Even 128GB storage, the only detail I was worried about - but couldn't afford another £200 for 256GB - is all fine as my files are all on iCloud. I can download individual files when needed, work on them then offload them again. The Mac is great at that. Whereas on Windows controlling OneDrive was a nightmare, you had to list the folders you wanted kept downloaded .. then manually go uncheck them.. No thanks!

I'm paying a premium for the Mac, one other students in my area don't seem to understand. But as I see it, a hairdresser will have thousands of pounds of their bespoke equipment and products. A mechanic will have a costly cabinet of great tools like Snap-on, a Taxi driver might have a nice saloon car that's quick and comfortable for their job... I'm studying to be an Accountant so the bespoke tool I need really comes down to a great, reliable computer that's a pleasure to use - and a fancy chair.. (working on that one). So I think it's nice to have this MBP for the next few years, and hopefully in 5 years time money will be less of an object in getting the next one.

I've been across everything this year - cheap and expensive Windows PCs, iPads, etc - and it all led me back here.. nothing else compares. Not saying you can't get by with them, and if you 'like' Windows that's different too. But I don't. I bought into the Apple ecosystem and fell in love with it, but rather, forgot all about it for all those years because it was performing as technology should, as a tool for everyday life where you think about what you're doing and less about the technology at play. It'll probably go back to being that way now, the Mac will be there, reliable and well above the minimum requirements for what I need it to do.

As I've said before on grounds of specs, go buy a £2,000 Alienware or Razer and tell me all about the specs. I'll care when it can start up and go as quickly as my MBP can. ;-)

That's my thoughts on the Machine just over a week into it. Hope this helps people who are interested, or provides some entertainment quality.

 

[alias99]

C

It's amazing. Though covered in fingerprints and bits of dirt from intensive usage already! I don't regret Apple Care as it's giving the the confidence to type at full speed etc not be scared about things like the hinges loosening etc as I'll take it back to Apple if it can't withstand this reasonable use.. after all it's Pro right!?

It makes doing my uni work, personal compute tasks and media just such a pleasure to do. Worth every penny I think, especially if it can make 5 years - my target before needing to buy a new one.

The keyboard is phenomenal and quiet, actually the quietest keyboard I've used. I can hear the nasty HP laptops in my lecture halls bottoming out and making high pitch clicks whereas the MacBook Pro is like a precision typing machine and has a firmer sound - of what is audible. Point is, the feel encourages lighter typing once you get used to it and I think it's quieter. The wide keys, short gaps between them and butterfly mechanism has improved my accuracy so much at speed, I don't know how anyone who actually intensively uses a MBP can complain about it? It's superior in every way to every other keyboard I've used.. and no.. I don't game.

Screen is the brightest I've ever seen and so vibrant. Speakers still amaze me this far in. Battery lasts all day, from 9am to 630pm when I'm about ready to throw it out the window due to spending all day studying.. yesterday it was at 23% at around 730pm actually. And I use it on auto brightness, key lights on etc taking no battery saving measures. It lasts all of my day.

As for the lack of USB ports, well, firstly, I bought the thing, so there should be no complaining or crying about it. It was quite clear. Everything I do is on iCloud so I don't plug my phone in. I charge it by the wall anyway for faster charge time and so it doesn't drain my MBP battery in general. The iPhone SE battery gets me through the day easily. The only thing I was thinking I'd need an adapter for was Time Machine, but since all my valuable files are on iCloud I decided it'd be pointless anyway. A Mac has never let me down in the past 8 years in terms of data loss. The few file transfers between Windows PCs we did wirelessly over the network so that wasn't an issue. I'm amazed at how easy ditching the USB has been compared to the big deal everybody made, which I used to sort of understand, but not anymore.

I got some rubber feet from eBay for under the Mac, it'll save the built in ones and also lift it above the surface by a few millimetres to stop dirt and grit scratching it too easily. Though I accept over time that'll happen no matter what. Going without a Spe*k clip on case as they have no intention of responding to their customers with issues despite 7 years of loyal usage as well as the fact my old MBP being in one from day one ended up having the worst condition aluminium of any Mac of mine when it was taken out.. Might as well enjoy it. I bought a sleeve for when it's in my bag, it's thick and cushioned for transport. As for on the desk, it's down to me to keep food and drink away from it, stop it from being stolen and not place it on dodgy edges etc. I wonder if the Space Grey will ever look washed out and bad as a result of intensive use in the next couple of years.

Still keeping my Avatar as the Unibody MBP as it was my 'dream Mac' back when I first got into Apple and though it's time with me is gone it's a nice little tribute. Today it's a few models old but someday maybe it'll hold the merit of the old 1984 Mac avatars I see ;-)

So far in it's all good. Even 128GB storage, the only detail I was worried about - but couldn't afford another £200 for 256GB - is all fine as my files are all on iCloud. I can download individual files when needed, work on them then offload them again. The Mac is great at that. Whereas on Windows controlling OneDrive was a nightmare, you had to list the folders you wanted kept downloaded .. then manually go uncheck them.. No thanks!

I'm paying a premium for the Mac, one other students in my area don't seem to understand. But as I see it, a hairdresser will have thousands of pounds of their bespoke equipment and products. A mechanic will have a costly cabinet of great tools like Snap-on, a Taxi driver might have a nice saloon car that's quick and comfortable for their job... I'm studying to be an Accountant so the bespoke tool I need really comes down to a great, reliable computer that's a pleasure to use - and a fancy chair.. (working on that one). So I think it's nice to have this MBP for the next few years, and hopefully in 5 years time money will be less of an object in getting the next one.

I've been across everything this year - cheap and expensive Windows PCs, iPads, etc - and it all led me back here.. nothing else compares. Not saying you can't get by with them, and if you 'like' Windows that's different too. But I don't. I bought into the Apple ecosystem and fell in love with it, but rather, forgot all about it for all those years because it was performing as technology should, as a tool for everyday life where you think about what you're doing and less about the technology at play. It'll probably go back to being that way now, the Mac will be there, reliable and well above the minimum requirements for what I need it to do.

As I've said before on grounds of specs, go buy a £2,000 Alienware or Razer and tell me all about the specs. I'll care when it can start up and go as quickly as my MBP can. ;-)

That's my thoughts on the Machine just over a week into it. Hope this helps people who are interested, or provides some entertainment quality.

I am trying to use iCloud more frequently for file storage but it seems like it stores everything locally as well as in the cloud. How do you manage to use it and not take up space locally?

 

[0989383]

C


I am trying to use iCloud more frequently for file storage but it seems like it stores everything locally as well as in the cloud. How do you manage to use it and not take up space locally?

Go to your Mac Settings, iCloud and then click 'Options' on iCloud Drive. At the bottom of the new dialogue box, it has the option shown in my screenshot. Check it

 

[0989383]

It's great.. I mean, today, had the Mac out since 9.15 following through slideshows, doing calculations, taking notes right through to around 1. Then got home at 2, resumed note making for an hour. Spent an hour reading it back. An hour of music and browsing after and 62% of battery remains! Love this thing.

 

[The Game 161]

Had my 2017 macbook pro with touch bar for a few days and love it so far. Not used the touch bar enough as of yet but can see it will be useful in certainly situations.