Hands-On With Apple's New 16-Inch MacBook Pro

[chafey]

I tried it out today at the Apple store and the thermal management seems much improved. I ran Geekbench 5 CPU Benchmark and didn't hear the fan come on once - the bottom was warm but not burning hot like prior generation. The keyboard was the biggest surprise - I wanted to like the butterfly but after trying out the scissor keys on the 16", it is clear that butterfly is not as good. I tested the GPU and it seems to be in the middle between a RX580 and a Vega 56. Ended up buying one, looking forward to delivery next Thursday Nov 21

 

[jlocker]

Is it really?

LPDDR4/WiFi 6 are pretty meh when you consider that after next summers refresh, the refresh after that which is likely to come within 6-12 months is potentially a lot bigger: 10nm, new screen options (miniled/OLED/10bit HDR/4K+/120hz?), FaceID etc

Something better is always around the corner but what you’ll be getting is summer is really not items which are worth waiting for for a long term commitment, it is not often so little is around the corner - this is a golden purchase opportunity imo.

FYI my 802.11ac computer is running at 800mbps on my WIFI 6 router with 120 wide channel. So it is not slow.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I also have gigabit internet hitting an easy 800Mb to 980Mb over wifi!

What is your set up to get 800-980Mbps internet over Wi-Fi?

 

[jlocker]

I tried it out today at the Apple store and the thermal management seems much improved. I ran Geekbench 5 CPU Benchmark and didn't hear the fan come on once - the bottom was warm but not burning hot like prior generation. The keyboard was the biggest surprise - I wanted to like the butterfly but after trying out the scissor keys on the 16", it is clear that butterfly is not as good. I tested the GPU and it seems to be in the middle between a RX580 and a Vega 56. Ended up buying one, looking forward to delivery next Thursday Nov 21

The chips are so new Apple has not gotten the final tweaks from AMD for the 5500M with 8gb of ram.

 

[Wando64]

The only benefit of upgrading your own RAM is saving money buying third-party RAM.

whilst that is certainly a benefit, I’d say that the bigger benefit is actually to be able to upgrade in the first place.
Or should we all get 64GB RAM and 8TB SSD just in case our needs might change in the future?

 

[Ma2k5]

FYI my 802.11ac computer is running at 800mbps on my WIFI 6 router with 120 wide channel. So it is not slow.

Yep indeed it is, having a WiFi 6 router is usually more than enough to benefit from most of the features even if all your products aren’t WiFi 6.

 

[ctyrider]

That's what's so annoying though. Why? Why are they not coming back? The SD card is the most modern and common storage medium for image acquisition. Pro photographers aren't taking pictures with their iPhones and AirDropping them to their Macs. So if Apple's going to slap a "Pro" moniker on their products, then they ought to actually make them tailored for real pros, not just hipster iPhone photographers.

All wodern dSLR cameras have WiFi and Bluetooth. You can transfer media wirelessly without fiddling with removing and re-inserting SD sticks.

Apple doesn't make holes in the side of their laptops for niche ports to accommodate 0.05% of people who think they might need them. They'd rather use that space for extra battery, which is something we all benefit from.

SD / USB-A / HDMI / DP ship has sailed and its not coming back - deal with it.

 

[jlocker]

What is your set up to get 800-980Mbps internet over Wi-Fi?

Have the latest Netgear AX router I got in Feburary and on my computer I have the Netgear 802.11AC network adapter the fastest newest model that support DFS channels. It supports DFS running at channel 100 that gives me a 120 wide channel for data. It is all about finding channels that do not have users on them. I am the only one one these channels so i get max bandwidth and i am in a crowded neighborhood.

 

[MEJHarrison]

Portability is about having something that's clean, simple, and doesn't require additional components in order for it to function.

Perhaps the reason you're having so many issues making your point is because you seem to be choosing the wrong words. For example...

"By the time I get my computer, and all the other accessories needed to make it work, it's just not worth it and I end up leaving it all at home". -- That's "killing portability".

"Now there's one more thing I need to carry". -- That's "inconvenient".

Something that's clean, simple and doesn't require additional components is "well designed", NOT "portable".

Perhaps if you pick the right word, you'll get different responses.

 

[jlocker]

People worry about memory cards, when a majority of cameras now have WIFI or blutooth built into them camera or a highspeed data port on the camera. My friend has a older camera and he has a wifi wireless memory card reader he keeps in this bag and just send the data over wirelessly. And you want a memory card slot so dirt, dust and crude can get into the computer? Wireless data is better than physical cards. Do you know how many SD cards that I have zapped by taking them out of a camera and putting them into a reader, a lot. I worked for Kodak for 8 years and wireless is a lot better data transferring method.

 

[LeeW]

Apple doesn't make holes in the side of their laptops for niche ports to accommodate 0.05% of people who think they might need them.

Absolutely and I will admit to being one of their many enablers in that regard. I wanted as thin and light as possible and if that meant sacrificing ports and having to use a dongle occasionally then so be it.

Dongles have moved on in any event, they don't need to "dangle" off the side of the machine anymore, I have this one.

Satechi Type-C Pro Hub Adapter with USB-C PD (40 Gbps), 4K HDMI, USB-C Data, SD/Micro Card Reader, USB 3.0 - for M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air (Space Gray)

Satechi Type-C Pro Hub Adapter with USB-C PD (40 Gbps), 4K HDMI, USB-C Data, SD/Micro Card Reader, USB 3.0 - for M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air (Space Gray)

www.amazon.com

Sure, it's an additional cost, but again, I got what I wanted even if Apple took my desire for thin and light further than expected

 

[otozuz]

... I still think there's a massive group of Pro users who just don't want the Touch Bar at all. Especially since it doesn't exist for any of the desktop machines...

Shhhhh! Don't say that or they will add it to the Magic Keyboard!

(sorry for the "shhh", I didn't mean to be rude, it was just part of the joke)

 

[Quu]

All wodern dSLR cameras have WiFi and Bluetooth. You can transfer media wirelessly without fiddling with removing and re-inserting SD sticks.

Apple doesn't make holes in the side of their laptops for niche ports to accommodate 0.05% of people who think they might need them. They'd rather use that space for extra battery, which is something we all benefit from.

SD / USB-A / HDMI / DP ship has sailed and its not coming back - deal with it.

I like Thunderbolt 3, I do. But if you did a survey of people using those ports on their MacBook Pro for anything beyond charging it would probably be not much higher than 0.05% either.

Ifixit did a teardown today and showed that internally there was a lot of open voids that could be used for a MicroSD or SD slot or more Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports or something else entirely etc

But I still bought one and I will be using the Thunderbolt 3 so for me personally the laptops port arrangement is perfect.

 

[Westside guy]

I'm looking forward to trying out this keyboard for myself, although I'll be waiting until they update the 13" in a similar manner.

I'm still happily using a 2015 MacBook Pro, but eventually this thing will die so...

 

[LeeW]

I like Thunderbolt 3, I do. But if you did a survey of people using those ports on their MacBook Pro for anything beyond charging it would probably be not much higher than 0.05% either.

Ifixit did a teardown today and showed that internally there was a lot of open voids that could be used for a MicroSD or SD slot or more Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports or something else entirely etc

Ok, but if the 0.05% was true why fill up the voids with ports nobody uses?

 

[Westside guy]

Shhhhh! Don't say that or they will add it to the Magic Keyboard!

If they actually did that, you'd probably have to charge the darn thing twice a day...
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I like Thunderbolt 3, I do. But if you did a survey of people using those ports on their MacBook Pro for anything beyond charging it would probably be not much higher than 0.05% either.

You should know better than to argue with The Faithful.

 

[Quu]

Ok, but if the 0.05% was true why fill up the voids with ports nobody uses?

I dunno, I'm just saying his reasoning for them not keeping the SD doesn't really hold up cause even the Thunderbolt ports are not being used to the same degree. But out of all the ports we could get having four Thunderbolt 3 ports that are USB-C seems the most optimal (Power, GPU docks, Screens, USB sticks and all the other things that can use it.)

 

[Somian]

question:

Do they still run the screen at a non-native default resolution? How to the graphics scale settings look? The default should say "looks like 1536x960" for proper native 2x hdpi.

The 15" was native 2880x1800, but the "native" setting in macOS was falsely set to 3360x2100 ("looks like 1680x1050"), creating moire effects and making everything slightly blurry. Not to mention the decreased battery life due to this decision.

 

[zephonic]

I think the display is a step up from the 15". The size of icons and dock seem better proportioned now. This is the first laptop display that feels like it could adequately replace my 22" 1080p LG display.

 

[LeeW]

I dunno, I'm just saying his reasoning for them not keeping the SD doesn't really hold up cause even the Thunderbolt ports are not being used to the same degree. But out of all the ports we could get having four Thunderbolt 3 ports that are USB-C seems the most optimal (Power, GPU docks, Screens, USB sticks and all the other things that can use it.)

My simplistic view is really that one universal port such as USB-C whilst not as convenient for some as a dedicated SD, HDMI or other port is a better way to ultimately provide you with all the port access you will ever need, it makes sense to me at least.

 

[zephonic]

question:

Do they still run the screen at a non-native default resolution? How to the graphics scale settings look? The default should say "looks like 1536x960" for proper native 2x hdpi.

The 15" was native 2880x1800, but the "native" setting in macOS was falsely set to 3360x2100 ("looks like 1680x1050"), creating moire effects and making everything slightly blurry. Not to mention the decreased battery life due to this decision.

Yes, that always bugged me as well, and it made for inefficient use of display real estate. I just spend 30 minutes at the Apple Store with the 16", and seems to me they have fixed that.

It almost feels like a proper desktop display (says the guy coming from an ancient 22" 1080p).

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I have the late 2016 MacBook Pro. No keyboard issues, thank goodness. So, I'm going to upgrade to the new 16" MacBook Pro. Getting the i9/64GB/8GBGraphics/4TB version. Space gray.

I can't even imagine how much that will cost. Compare it to a Windows PC with the same hardware and it is probably at least 1k cheaper. But hey enjoy it!
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Can you please test for VM environments (Parrallel or VMFusion)? Would be interested whether 16gb ram is sufficient to run Windows and MS Office products (mainly excel) smoothly using the base configuration or whether 32gb is needed. Thanks!

In 2019 if you need a VM on a Mac to run MS-Office and other Windows apps......seriously get a Windows Laptop. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from and something you will like for sure. Heck the Surface line is really filled out at this point, with all kinds of options.
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Straight up, if you’re complaining about this computer and don’t think it’s amazing, nitpicking over little things, then you’re not a professional. Period. This computer is for professionals and this computer helps me and the like make money. It’s a tool to create and and get work done. There’s nothing about this computer that shouldn’t be getting work done for 99.9 percent of us. If you can’t make this machine work for you, then you’re an idiot.

Hmmm I would wait for thermal testing by all of those Youtube guys like David Lee. If it throttles like crazy when doing video work....then no thanks.

 

[zephonic]

I can't even imagine how much that will cost. Compare it to a Windows PC with the same hardware and it is probably at least 1k cheaper. But hey enjoy it!

That seems to be a popular view, but I haven't been able to find a Windows laptop with identical specs at that price point.

 

[lowkey]

Seriously SD cards are as close to obsolete as you can get in new equipment. you want to include an SD slot. What about a mini SD slot? What about a CF card slot? I’ve got both of those on my music gear but it would be ridiculous to include every slot everyone could ever use in a new laptop that is a portable computer.

each of those card formats can be connected to the MBP using an adapter. If you are carrying an SLR with an SD card, is the reader going to take up any more space than your camera, case, lenses and camera charger? I doubt it.

if I need to connect my CF card to my computer I’m going to have my sampler with me, which is way bigger even than the laptop, so using an adapter won’t make any different.

I'm baffled by the way some people think that because they don't need a feature (like SD slots or physical function keys) then nobody needs that feature and thus it should be expunged for everybody, let they suffer the appalling ignominy of having a computer with a slot or key that they don't use.

Personally, I like the sound of the touch bar (but I'm using an iMac at the mo', so it will have to wait until I upgrade to Catalina and can use an iDevice). However, I'm also aware that there are people who spend all day pounding a particular pro application and have memorised the function keys. They could have found room for both - especially as nobody was asking for the trackpad to be made even larger than the largest-in-the-business one in the pre-2016 MBP.



I'm not one of those pros. However, I've got a phone that takes SD cards. I've got 4 Raspberry Pis that take SD cards. I've got a Fire TV that takes SD cards. I've got a module in my Eurorack synth that takes SD cards. Other people have GoPros, dashcams etc. that take SD cards. You can get low profile fit-and-forget SD cards that are perfect for (say) storing a music or photo library on without wasting fast SSD.

Sure, there are adapters. Know what's better than needing an adapter? not needing an adapter! Know what the downside is of having a (tiny, cheap) SD card reader in your laptop that you don't use? None!

 

[ctyrider]

I dunno, I'm just saying his reasoning for them not keeping the SD doesn't really hold up cause even the Thunderbolt ports are not being used to the same degree. But out of all the ports we could get having four Thunderbolt 3 ports that are USB-C seems the most optimal (Power, GPU docks, Screens, USB sticks and all the other things that can use it.)

So you just refuted your own point. So what if Thunderbolt 3 accounts for a small percentage of the peripherals? TB3 ports are *also* USB-C ports with Power Delivery, which can be used for wide variety of things. If Apple were to include ANY ports - TB3 ports would be the most optimal.

Also, TB3 ports are used by way more than 0.05% of users. Many of us use 5K displays for which you need TB3.