Got new MacBook 2016 and its going back

[lisag]

If it is plagued by problems, this flagship will become a major iceberg.

It's a Mac, I really doubt the new machines will be plagued by problems 🙂 It's not that, it's a matter of whether the prices are too high to avoid losing market share/alienate customers and whether they're giving their customers the features and hardware they want.

I've used Macs since 1988, and PCs for about as long (assuredly, using Windows PCs wasn't enjoyable until Windows 7). Current Windows hardware offerings and Windows 10 are quite enjoyable (though sometimes hit with driver issues when a new gen architecture hit, as when Skylake first shipped). I review them all, respect what the various companies are doing (or try to do). It's good to see innovation, as someone with a very long Mac background, I'd like to see Apple continue to drive useful innovation and not fall prey to their own cult of thinness and dubious touch screen replacements (as their execs described the Touch Bar, minus the "dubious" of course).

 

[TechZeke]

It's a Mac, I really doubt the new machines will be plagued by problems 🙂 It's not that, it's a matter of whether the prices are too high to avoid losing market share/alienate customers and whether they're giving their customers the features and hardware they want.

I've used Macs since 1988, and PCs for about as long (assuredly, using Windows PCs wasn't enjoyable until Windows 7). Current Windows hardware offerings and Windows 10 are quite enjoyable (though sometimes hit with driver issues when a new gen architecture hit, as when Skylake first shipped). I review them all, respect what the various companies are doing (or try to do). It's good to see innovation, as someone with a very long Mac background, I'd like to see Apple continue to drive useful innovation and not fall prey to their own cult of thinness and dubious touch screen replacements (as their execs described the Touch Bar, minus the "dubious" of course).

I personally think the price is way too high, even for Apple. Although it seems to be selling. Granted, I always pay for my Tech with saved-up cash. If we are being frank, the vast majority are paying with credit at this price range. If I had $3,000+ in credit line then a $200 price jump means little for most and Apple probably knows this.

On side note, I get far more OS issues with my SP4 versus my Late 2013 15" rMBP. One thing that Apple has to be commended for, is that even their newest machines run out of the box as advertised.

Also, I'm of the opinion that touch screens don't belong on every computer. Despite loving the touch screen and pen capability for school on my SP4, I never wish I had a touch screen when using my Macs. Apple's excellent trackpads and keyboards more than make up the need for a touch screen. As with my SP4, the main value of touch is pen capability. I don't even think Microsoft expects people to be using the touch screen while browsing the web on their Surface Studio.

 

[Rob_2811]

It's a Mac, I really doubt the new machines will be plagued by problems 🙂 It's not that, it's a matter of whether the prices are too high to avoid losing market share/alienate customers and whether they're giving their customers the features and hardware they want.

I've used Macs since 1988, and PCs for about as long (assuredly, using Windows PCs wasn't enjoyable until Windows 7). Current Windows hardware offerings and Windows 10 are quite enjoyable (though sometimes hit with driver issues when a new gen architecture hit, as when Skylake first shipped). I review them all, respect what the various companies are doing (or try to do). It's good to see innovation, as someone with a very long Mac background, I'd like to see Apple continue to drive useful innovation and not fall prey to their own cult of thinness and dubious touch screen replacements (as their execs described the Touch Bar, minus the "dubious" of course).

Thats the crux of the issue really. That keyboard on a Pro laptop for the sake of saving 0.3 mm in thickness. What were they thinking?!

As soon as they mentioned that it was using the new style keyboard it was deal breaker for me, i've just got myself a good deal on the 2015 model. What difference does it make if the keys are bigger if there is absolutely no key travel or tactile feedback? Anybody who touch types is going to have a hard time with that keyboard, the touchbar is in very similar territory.

The touchbar is practically an admission that people want touch on a notebook. The old Steve Jobs argument about people not wanting to keep raising their arm to touch the screen went out of the window when they released this.

 

[FrankySavvy]

Surprised of the the NON-PRO comments. The build quality on the 13" MBP is some of the best Apple has done. The display is simply amazing (huge upgrade)! The speakers are loud and clear and I actually really love the sound and tactical feel of the new keyboard. Space Grey is gorgeous BTW!

 

[RetinaFarts]

I review them all, respect what the various companies are doing (or try to do). It's good to see innovation, as someone with a very long Mac background, I'd like to see Apple continue to drive useful innovation and not fall prey to their own cult of thinness and dubious touch screen replacements (as their execs described the Touch Bar, minus the "dubious" of course).

You're falling victim to the thinness circle jerk.

 

[NJRonbo]

Thanks- glad you enjoy the reviews 🙂 I'm not happy with Apple's current direction for "Pro" laptops. It think it's just fine and dandy if they want to make a really high end Ultrabook that's not Pro in terms of features but suits a certain segment's needs. If they called this the 13" MacBook, I'd be down with that (err, maybe not the prices though). But I like my Pro Mac laptops to have currently still in use ports, a very good (normal) keyboard, good dedicated graphics for the 15", and to not be priced 50% to twice as high as the competition for the similar hardware. I've paid the Mac tax for years at 20 to even 30 percent at times, but these prices are just not good. They're in danger of losing all those Windows switchers who came on board with the more affordable (though still expensive) 13" MacBook Air, and veteran Mac users who don't have that kind of money to spend. I already own a 2015 15" Retina MacBook Pro, so I'll personally wait to see what Apple does in the future.

Lisa,

Just wanted to say that I have been watching your reviews for a long time, and I think you do a terrific job.

Glad to see you here. Hope you continue to participate.

Most of us feel the same way you do about the Mac Tax. It is really getting out of hand.

 

[Mr. Chewbacca]

There's only a couple ways to explain this

• You have a broken laptop
• You're a fool and don't know how to turn on the keyboard light
• You're lying and this "mini review" was about a laptop you never bought but wanted to sound angry at apple

Or he got a macbook and thought is was a macbook pro?

 

[mctrials23]

If your trackpad is making a horrible creaking sound when you press it then its not right and you should take it back. Other than that, how hard are you pressing it? It takes a tiny amount of force to register a click and not that much to register a "deep" click.

 

[killaz05]

I keep seeing the OP saying that the base model macbook pro doesn't feel pro coming from a maxed out 15" macbook pro of just last year. It will feel like a lesser machine for sure. I had a 12" macbook and the typing was different sure but not something that I couldn't get use to and it wasn't horrible. Now I have a mid 2015 base 15" because I needed more power. The keyboard is a fine keyboard but the new backlighting makes it look cleaner for sure. I think either his macbook pro was defective or he accidentally didn't have it setup, it happens.

I love Lisa G and her reviews. I go to read her thoughts on everything.

This latest "base" 13" macbook pro is in an interesting spot in the lineup and I think people are getting hung up on the pro designation. This version of the macbook pro is to replace the 13" air and give users an entry into the macbook pro line. Maybe if it was just labeled macbook, people wouldn't be so upset but people would be a little confused between macbook 12" and macbook 13" when purchasing. I'd say this particular laptop is meant for an everyday consumer, similar to the macbook 12". It is pricey but Macs have usually been pricey and they last (usually) longer than PCs. You do get a lot of higher spec components with this laptop compared to some others and specifically the macbook 12". If you want a true "pro" macbook then you will have to wait for the higher spec models. Maybe a "base" 13" macbook pro with touchbar will meet the OP's needs better.

 

[Nick11Mac]

You can read (and watch) my impressions here (longest review I've ever written in 15 years, but the video is a reasonable length LOL): http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/13-inch-Apple-MacBook-Pro-Late-2016.htm

Thanks for sharing the link to your review. Very thorough, well written and informative. Added to what I've been learning about the 2016 MBPs.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

About the keyboard, I'm still not a big fan after having both 2015 and 2016 rMB. And I actually had to have apple replace the 2016 rMB keyboard twice, due to an uneven space bar and sticky keys not coming back up.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Then the track pad.....its far to big. Yes it doesn't click stuff when you rest you hand/s on it, but you feel it move underneath....horrible

How does that work considering it is static and doesn't actually move?

 

[Beau10]

Anybody who touch types is going to have a hard time with that keyboard

I type 110 WPM and have been trying out the 12" Macbook for the past couple weeks. I could never get along with it in the store (mistakes galore), but after a few days of use I put up near 100 WPM numbers with minimal mistakes. You do adjust -- my finger touch has gotten lighter, and as a programmer my quick typing bursts actually do feel quicker due to the less amount of movement/pressure needed.

That said, I just don't find it particularly enjoyable. Going back to my 13" rMBP is just a flat-out more satisfying experience.

 

[neteng101]

even the images F5 and F6 are the backlit keyboard buttons,

I tried a display model at Best Buy and it just refused to light up - those keys both showed an icon indicating the backlight was off and neither key seemed to do anything to turn it on. Maybe an ambient light sensor thing but I've always been able to have the backlight always on with the older models.

 

[Marshall73]

I tried a display model at Best Buy and it just refused to light up - those keys both showed an icon indicating the backlight was off and neither key seemed to do anything to turn it on. Maybe an ambient light sensor thing but I've always been able to have the backlight always on with the older models.

You can enable the ambient sensor which will control the light, if you disable it then you can set the keyboard brightness manually.

 

[geachy92]

Or he got a macbook and thought is was a macbook pro?

Apart from MacBooks also have backlit keys. In fact I'm fairly sure Apple don't sell a notebook without them.

 

[bjet767]

Back light controls are middle function keys, screen should be left keys and volume right. While I haven't seen new 13" this is standard Apple.

 

[BenTrovato]

Why do people who have 1 year old maxed out systems buy new ones? What a waste!

 

[Ampidire]

Why do people who have 1 year old maxed out systems buy new ones? What a waste!

Because they want to? Because that's how they spend their money? Because their company has allotted cash to spend on hardware and they use it for these? Different strokes for different folks, po-tay-to, po-tah-to, etc.

 

[bevsb2]

After reading many negative comments here about the new keyboard and being one of those older people who don't like change, I made a trip to the Apple store today to check out the new 13 inch MacBook Pro. I was surprised to find that typing was easy on the new keyboard and I don't think I'll have any problem with it. I was also afraid that maybe I shouldn't have ordered space gray, but it looks great and I'm so glad I'm getting that color. After playing with it today I'm even more excited about getting the 15 inch model. I'm currently using the 2012 15 in rMBP and it's been a great computer with no significant problems over the past 4 years - "it just works". 🙂

 

[jerryk]

Why do people who have 1 year old maxed out systems buy new ones? What a waste!

Some people buy phone every year, some by them every other year, other have 5 old phone. Who cares, it's their money.

 

[zhenya]

Thats the crux of the issue really. That keyboard on a Pro laptop for the sake of saving 0.3 mm in thickness. What were they thinking?!

As soon as they mentioned that it was using the new style keyboard it was deal breaker for me, i've just got myself a good deal on the 2015 model. What difference does it make if the keys are bigger if there is absolutely no key travel or tactile feedback? Anybody who touch types is going to have a hard time with that keyboard, the touchbar is in very similar territory.

The new keyboards actually have much better tactile feedback than the previous keyboards ever did. They are perfect for touch typists for this reason, in fact. The snap is so positive it is actually reminiscent of a mechanical switch.

 

[myscrnnm]

The touchbar is practically an admission that people want touch on a notebook. The old Steve Jobs argument about people not wanting to keep raising their arm to touch the screen went out of the window when they released this.

I like the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro. What I don't want is a touchscreen display. There's a reason why Apple does not make a touchscreen laptop, and why they may never do so. Apple is very concerned when it comes to user experience. If a product doesn't work perfectly, they either won't make it or won't release it until it's ready for prime time (I know nothing is perfect, so I use that term loosely).

The problem with touchscreen laptops is that no hinge is stable enough to provide a solid surface to manipulate with your fingers. Your screen will either be wobbling because the hinges are too weak, or the laptop will be flipping on the table because its weight cannot support the force of your fingers. It also leaves behind a ton of unsightly fingerprints, especially since MacBooks have glass displays. Finally, macOS is not optimized for a touch-sensitive interface, which Apple was wise to do. iOS was built around a touchscreen, and that's how any touchscreen-based device should be designed. Windows 8 was a failure because Microsoft tried to make an operating system that was based on mouse-input work on tablets, and ended up alienating both user bases.

The Touch Bar is great because it takes the MacBook line one step closer to having a touch interface, but maintains the familiarity of the traditional macOS. I for one am very excited to start using the Touch Bar, and also to see developers come up with new ways to implement it in different programs.

 

[BenTrovato]

Some people buy phone every year, some by them every other year, other have 5 old phone. Who cares, it's their money.

That's different than what I'm saying. People buying a maxed out system won't see a benefit from a new purchase within 12 months. Then they get upset and return the item. The proof is in the first post.

 

[Zellio]

Some people buy phone every year, some by them every other year, other have 5 old phone. Who cares, it's their money.

Buying a new phone every year made since until recently. The phones were heavily subsidized, and they weren't all that great until the past 3 years or so.