Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I'm also thinking of waiting for a refresh for a couple of reasons. To wait to see if there are any first gen issues and maybe it'll also have the Nvidia 1660 and maybe a surprise like an optional TouchBar. FaceID plus the expected 1080p camera etc...

Here’s my take, which is worth what you paid for it :)
  • First gen issues: keyboard would be the most likely to have a problem, it’s the only first gen component that comes to mind

  • NVidia anything: 0% chance as long as Jensen is CEO imo

  • Optional Touch Bar: 0% chance until at least 2024

  • FaceID: I would guess maybe a 25% chance

  • “expected” 1080p camera: 50/50. I do expect improved quality overall but might very well remain 720p.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zdigital2015
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.

I think my word choice was perfect. And more people have liked my comments than disliked them. 🙂

A product that’s inconvenient to hold and lug around (due to its need for additional hardware) is a product that’s inherently less portable than one which is easy to lug around (without the need for additional hardware).

My 2015 MacBook Pro is inherently more portable than my thinner/lighter 2017 MacBook Pro, because it consists of less stuff I have to carry.
 
I think my word choice was perfect. And more people have liked my comments than disliked them. 🙂

A product that’s inconvenient to hold and lug around (due to its need for additional hardware) is a product that’s inherently less portable than one which is easy to lug around (without the need for additional hardware).

My 2015 MacBook Pro is inherently more portable than my thinner/lighter 2017 MacBook Pro, because it consists of less stuff I have to carry.
In fact, 2015 Macbook´s Pro are the most wanted on the second hand market.
 
I think my word choice was perfect. And more people have liked my comments than disliked them. 🙂

A product that’s inconvenient to hold and lug around (due to its need for additional hardware) is a product that’s inherently less portable than one which is easy to lug around (without the need for additional hardware).

My 2015 MacBook Pro is inherently more portable than my thinner/lighter 2017 MacBook Pro, because it consists of less stuff I have to carry.
Apple has an entire team dedicated to examining pro workflows. But it’s possible they aren’t familiar with yours.

Some of us here with a background in your profession may be able to help you with your problem, if you’re interested in solving it.

I haven’t really been following your issues that closely, though I understand you want an SD card reader in your laptop. How important is an internal SD card slot to your workflow? Are there other ports you also need?

Not knowing your profession it’s impossible to say, but there could be ways to meet your requirements that I and others might be able to help you with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 0134168
And sure, I don't "need to use the Touch Bar" but you know what I do need to use? The function keys.

I think the Touch Bar is useful. However like you, I usually work docked so the usefulness is greatly diminished. I really had expected Apple offering an external keyboard with Touch Bar.

Anyway, about the function keys; did you know you can configure the Touch Bar in the Keyboard panel of System Preferences? The setting "Touch Bar shows" can be set to Expanded Control Strip. This makes it basically have the same layout as the external keyboard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 0134168
I think my word choice was perfect. And more people have liked my comments than disliked them. 🙂

A product that’s inconvenient to hold and lug around (due to its need for additional hardware) is a product that’s inherently less portable than one which is easy to lug around (without the need for additional hardware).

My 2015 MacBook Pro is inherently more portable than my thinner/lighter 2017 MacBook Pro, because it consists of less stuff I have to carry.
I know it might not seem like it to you but you are in an overwhelming minority here. Apple is clearly listening to and implementing changes were it is deemed necessary to keep its customers. It seems to me that new MacBook Pro 16” is nearly perfect for pro/power users and will probably only get better when all the minor issues are rolled out. You have gone on quite the rant about having to plug in a dongle to use an SD card and the inconvenience of having to swap between a Touch Bar keyboard and non-touch bar keep bar keyboards but it’s obviously not an issue for the vast majority. I think you’re just gonna have to deal with it or keep using your 2015 MacBook Pro, or buy a pc 😬
 
Haven't held an SD card in my hand for at least 2 years now. Ever since the iPhone replaced the digital camera there is no need for most people to have an SD slot. And if you're a photographer you carry around so much weight a dongle is irrelevant. You're in the tiny minority here I would think.
Key word in your post: "I."

Think about that.
[automerge]1573889311[/automerge]
I know it might not seem like it to you but you are in an overwhelming minority here. Apple is clearly listening to and implementing changes were it is deemed necessary to keep its customers. It seems to me that new MacBook Pro 16” is nearly perfect for pro/power users and will probably only get better when all the minor issues are rolled out. You have gone on quite the rant about having to plug in a dongle to use an SD card and the inconvenience of having to swap between a Touch Bar keyboard and non-touch bar keep bar keyboards but it’s obviously not an issue for the vast majority. I think you’re just gonna have to deal with it or keep using your 2015 MacBook Pro, or buy a pc 😬
Pure speculation based on no facts. 0/10 credibility.
[automerge]1573889361[/automerge]
I can't wait to get this machine, it fixes so much I've hated with the 2016-2019 models. I just have to flog off my dumpster fire 2016 MBP first.
Despite my 2 comments above...same. I'll take the tradeoffs.
[automerge]1573889480[/automerge]
I think my word choice was perfect. And more people have liked my comments than disliked them. 🙂

A product that’s inconvenient to hold and lug around (due to its need for additional hardware) is a product that’s inherently less portable than one which is easy to lug around (without the need for additional hardware).

My 2015 MacBook Pro is inherently more portable than my thinner/lighter 2017 MacBook Pro, because it consists of less stuff I have to carry.

This is true. I started using the 2017 15" that my work provided this past summer, ditching my 2014 15" that I gave to my parents. The dongle situation continuously annoys me — and was ultimately unnecessary.

This idea that "Apple can do no wrong" is simply absurd. I don't know why people buy into it. Nor do I understand why "I don't need X so most people don't need X" is the mindset of so many people.

Oh wait. I do. Cognitive biases and arrogance.
 
Great, but How are the SSD and RAM inside? Soldered? One or two SSD sticks? Standard connenctor? RAID? A full take apart – disassembly – teardown would be great. Thanks!
 
Only Apple could market a 'new' scissor keyboard to replace their grossly unreliable butterfly keyboard as a notable feature.
Such a ridiculous price too, not that it surprises me anymore.
 
Only Apple could market a 'new' scissor keyboard to replace their grossly unreliable butterfly keyboard as a notable feature.
Such a ridiculous price too, not that it surprises me anymore.
Wait, I'm no Apple defender here, but how is the price any more ridiculous than the models from the last 2 years?
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Mercurian
The SD card slot is as thin as USB-C and it makes sense to include for people who need it.
Yes it would be very easy to include an SD card slot, but then people wouldn't be forced to buy even more expensive storage upgrades from them.
[automerge]1573890137[/automerge]
Wait, I'm no Apple defender here, but how is the price any more ridiculous than the models from the last 2 years?
You're right, it's not more ridiculous than the last 2 years, which is why I said that it didn't surprise me. I just don't think that the price is reasonable for a laptop.
 
I know it might not seem like it to you but you are in an overwhelming minority here. Apple is clearly listening to and implementing changes were it is deemed necessary to keep its customers. It seems to me that new MacBook Pro 16” is nearly perfect for pro/power users and will probably only get better when all the minor issues are rolled out. You have gone on quite the rant about having to plug in a dongle to use an SD card and the inconvenience of having to swap between a Touch Bar keyboard and non-touch bar keep bar keyboards but it’s obviously not an issue for the vast majority. I think you’re just gonna have to deal with it or keep using your 2015 MacBook Pro, or buy a pc 😬
Macs are Pc´s.
[automerge]1573890255[/automerge]
Macs are Pc´s.
Great, but How are the SSD and RAM inside? Soldered? One or two SSD sticks? Standard connenctor? RAID? A full take apart – disassembly – teardown would be great. Thanks!
Soldered everything.
 
Apple is laughing at ALL of us as they spend the money we gave them. The new MBP is better, but its not what it should be and besides that it replaces utter garbage. Demand everything you want! You worked hard for your money so be slow to give it up. If Apple doesn't make what you want or need, don't buy it. We can't pay them big dollars for mediocrity and expect them to do better. They aren't going to crumble quickly after throwing us this leftover design from 2016. Its NOT a new design people or it WOULD have an SD card reader and a decent web camera. This thing is stinking old crap. DEMAND BETTER!!!! WE control them with our money, not the other way around. Get Woke already.
 
Read my post again.

Yes, dongles do indeed negate portability. The point of having something that's portable is to have something that doesn't need to be tied down to a bunch of dangly crap that makes it annoying to use on a lap or on an airplane.

So you need to use your SD card donglr on an airplane or your lap?
 
Is the keyboard on this Macbook Pro smaller in side to accommodate for bigger speaker grills on the sides?

I cant help thinking compared to my own 2012 MBP i had in the past (with the same speaker grills) they are actually smaller and larger keyboard, while this 2019 MBP is smaller keyboard and larger grills

I'm kinda also surprised Apple decided t go "back" to this grill design, while you had a larger keyboard and no grills from recently.

Personally, i perfer the large keyboard anyday..
 
Can anybody tell me what's the benefit of Apple now using a 16" screen instead of 15.4"?

As far as I can tell there is absolutely no benefit. The footprint of the device has only gotten bigger and heavier. The screen has exactly the same work space scaling resolution. So no benefit there. So basically, content will appear slightly bigger on this 16" display than on the 15" version.

For me it seems they f'd themselves with keyboard and cooling issues in the past. Needed a bigger case. Didn't want huuuge bezels when using a 15.4" screen. So decided to make the screen a bit bigger instead of shrinking the chassis...

:mad:
 
Read my post again.

Yes, dongles do indeed negate portability. The point of having something that's portable is to have something that doesn't need to be tied down to a bunch of dangly crap that makes it annoying to use on a lap or on an airplane.

And sure, I don't "need to use the Touch Bar" but you know what I do need to use? The function keys.

And even if I liked the Touch Bar, the problem is that it exists only on the MacBooks, and not on any of the desktop Macs. So there's no sense in even getting used to using it while I'm on the go if I can't use it when I'm back using my desktop at the office. It causes too much disparity between my portable Macs and my desktop Macs, so it ultimately just gets in the way.
You totally nail it.

I would love to spend 3k on an new MBP since years, but these two points still hold me back on my 2015 MBP. I just want to go to clients and wework and plug in any Minidisplay, HDMI, USB-A Stuff or SD Card without to think about bringing or in worst case forgetting my dongle. Or permanently placing them in several working spaces.

And i want to control volume, brightness, play and so on with a fast and haptic keyboard click.

Hope, it wont take Apple another 4 years Apple to finally get back to that real Pro Layout and Usability.
[automerge]1573893950[/automerge]
You don't need to use the Touch Bar, and a one-ounce dongle doesn't "negate ... portability."

But feel free to avoid it based solely on principle.
Sure you need to use the touchbar since its holds main functionality like Play, Volume, Brightness etc. And why carry an dongle, when it could be avoided like in most other laptops or my actual MBP 2015? No need for that, it just works out of the box!
 
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.
simple question, what's more portable, a computer with ports and slots integrated, or one where you have to carry a bag of dongles for everything you want to connect?
 
CFexpress, QXD, CFast, CompactFlash are all pro formats. SD of course is also used, and soon SD Express.

Don't forget RED Mag. That's the pro-est of the pro! :)

All those Youtubers with RED cameras have been using Mac laptops like this without a card slot.

Yet I never hear them complain that they have to buy a separate RED Mag reader.
 
Is the keyboard on this Macbook Pro smaller in side to accommodate for bigger speaker grills on the sides?

I cant help thinking compared to my own 2012 MBP i had in the past (with the same speaker grills) they are actually smaller and larger keyboard, while this 2019 MBP is smaller keyboard and larger grills

I'm kinda also surprised Apple decided t go "back" to this grill design, while you had a larger keyboard and no grills from recently.

Personally, i perfer the large keyboard anyday..

The thing I most dislike about the 2018 keyboard I have is the size. I’ve not had any problems with dead keys (yet), I actually like the travel, I don’t mind the noise - basically I can type pretty well and can adapt to different keyboards pretty well for the most part. I do however find the keys slightly too big and slightly too far apart and that is the one thing I’ve not adapted too and at this point probably won’t - and that alone makes me make a lot of typos. If this new layout has slightly smaller keys I’m very happy with that
 
I am highly considering getting this MBP instead of the upcoming Mac Pro. I like what Apple did here. I wish we could have a way of upgrading RAM and storage without the stupid soldering component strategy.
Apple could have made us all happy with a simple thing like that.
Please speak only for yourself and not for „us all“.
I don’t need removable RAM and if I need more storage I plug in a tb or usb drive.
 
Couple of questions w.r.t. display resolutions; does the small bump in screen diagonal make a difference to the usability of the 1920x1200 resolution over the 15"? I find it borderline on the 15" at present so wondering if the slight bump in size makes it more comfortably usable?

Additionally, is there an integer scaled resolution (1536x960) or just the scaled resolutions Apple lists on their website? (I'm guessing it still defaults to 1680x1050?).
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.