HATE the Body on new M1 MBPs - Squared-Off, Cheap Feel???

[GanleyGanley]

I do audio recording and saw a video last night where the engineer 4x stacked a 42 track session in Logic on a 10 core 14" with 16 gigs ram. It played flawlessly. He also mentioned that perhaps the boxy design has made for better speaker sound. That sounds like a good thing as well. And yes, I agree, heat issue were killing me on my Intel macs. I guess I was just frustrated that Apple went with BOX on the new mbp and phones as well.

 

[leman]

While I do completely understand your point, it sounds like your complaint is that there’s one less port, but you still only want to use one cable for all your connections anyway - so it wouldn’t have a practical effect… or maybe I missed something in the comments?

Also, couldn’t a dock include ethernet so you wouldn’t need to use a separate port for that?

Well, until now I didn't really need a dock since the four ports were plenty for mixed connectivity (some of which involved single-cable solutions and some of which did not, e.g. I used ethernet via a separate cable until now). But with three ports I will probably need to get a dock. Of course, a dock will simplify my setup further but that's an additional expense...

 

[arche3]

Stop obsessing over a few milimeters. It is a great tool and a huge improvement over the previous models. If a perceived thickness is bothering you then perhaps this is not a machine for you. Get on with life!

Noone is obsessing. It seems like you are on here screaming at me. Get a life.

 

[arche3]

That's less than a mm difference... I hope mine arrives soon so that I can have a real look. On paper it doesn't sound like there should be much of a noticeable difference.

It's a pretty dramatic difference in hand. But the performance is light years ahead. So good.

 

[ouimetnick]

Actually given the thermal design for these SOC’s, and given they are generally more efficient than the previous Intel+GPU configs, I’m surprised Apple went with a thicker design. I’m sure over time they will work on getting the enclosure more sleek without compromising thermals.

Anyone know what the average power draw/heat output was of the outgoing core i9 model?

Who knows (besides Apple) what their plans are for the next 4 years or so that this chassis stays around. They may put even more powerful and slightly hotter running chips in it in the future, and having that a thicker chassis might give them more headroom. I doubt they'd go for a hotter chip, but who knows.

 

[ururk]

Having gone from a:

Titanium PowerBook G4->Aluminum G4->Unibody 15->Unibody 13 Retina->14 M1 Pro

I am quite pleased with the 14". My only gripe - I liked how much "easier" the tapered design of the unibody was to pick up from a table. It doesn't creak (prior to the unibody design, the multi-piece chassis always had some flex), has full sized function keys, and is sufficiently thin enough for a machine with this kind of power.

I was a bit concerned with the feet - but I agree with an earlier poster. On some of my unibodies (and coworker's), the feet prematurely wore or fell off, so I think Apple's move to a stiffer material was warranted.

 

[bmustaf]

I saw the new M1 MacBook Pros - "16" and 14" tonight. The body is squared off and thicker than my 2013 MBP. WHAT??? And it feels cheap, not like the former Airplane Grade aluminum. You knock on it and it feels hollow-ish. And the bottom feet are harder than previous models, almost like a cell phone case that is hard plastic and sort of hits the desk too hard. I am pretty disappointed. Why, Apple, Why? I waited years to upgrade. Almost tempted to get a deal on an older one now.

This is the conundrum of form & function. Sometimes you can have both, but in things like a machine like the MacBook Pro, where physics (thermals, volume for battery, etc) matter, you have compromises to make the way I see it.

We saw what Jony Ive's "make it look sexy" did to the MacBook Pro (it basically took the "Pro" out of anything but the label on the box, machine, and marketing materials).

We've seen what the return to maximizing internal volume has done (if you round the edges softer, even a slight amount, guess what? Your internally usable space is actually vastly reduced...for what? An aesthetic? Maybe useful in a museum piece or a consumer product, but remember the "Pro" part?), it's vastly improved the performance (alongside the new SoC) primarily (e.g. behind the M1 Pro & Max SoC) because of more room for a battery (remember, these types of batteries don't have rounded edges, they're rectangles) and more room for airflow.

If you want thin and sexy, that is GREAT, you probably will love the Air. If you want maximum performance, you'll probably love the Pro.

If you want both, maybe keep dreaming (for now). I'm happy to see the extra weight, size, bulk, and brick come, because it's actually filled with bits that work properly for the intended applications rather that just "looking" fast when I take it out of the case and then have to put it back, burning hot an hour later because of an exhausted battery without finishing the task I actually wanted to.

 

[archi penko]

So you are ranting about the screen of the new macbooks but you show a dent in an old model. That won't get your argument far now will it!!??

Um, this is the photo a new model. Why would I post a photo of the old model? The new 2021 MacBook Pro. You can see the original post here:

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :(

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :( screen is not damaged and it works yet. it only has this visible damage. could there be any more problems? and is there any way to fix it?

forums.macrumors.com

[EDIT: okay, i am mistaken]

 

[tmoerel]

Um, this is the photo a new model. Why would I post a photo of the old model? The new 2021 MacBook Pro. You can see the original post here:

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :(

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :( screen is not damaged and it works yet. it only has this visible damage. could there be any more problems? and is there any way to fix it?

forums.macrumors.com

No it is not the new macbook pro 2021. The new one is not rounded on the top, the trackpad is a lot bigger on the new one and the Apple logo on the back is not white as on this photo. Stop telling untruths!

 

[Micka88]

I saw the new M1 MacBook Pros - "16" and 14" tonight. The body is squared off and thicker than my 2013 MBP. WHAT??? And it feels cheap, not like the former Airplane Grade aluminum. You knock on it and it feels hollow-ish. And the bottom feet are harder than previous models, almost like a cell phone case that is hard plastic and sort of hits the desk too hard. I am pretty disappointed. Why, Apple, Why? I waited years to upgrade. Almost tempted to get a deal on an older one now.

Is it a kind of jewellery or decoration ? Or a working device for various tasks ? (where just the display, keyboard and processing matter)

 

[Vermifuge]

Um, this is the photo a new model. Why would I post a photo of the old model? The new 2021 MacBook Pro. You can see the original post here:

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :(

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :( screen is not damaged and it works yet. it only has this visible damage. could there be any more problems? and is there any way to fix it?

forums.macrumors.com

Nice try... but I haven't seen a trackpad that small in a while. Illuminated apple logo? this is not a 2020/2021 MacBook

 

[leman]

This is the conundrum of form & function. Sometimes you can have both, but in things like a machine like the MacBook Pro, where physics (thermals, volume for battery, etc) matter, you have compromises to make the way I see it.

We saw what Jony Ive's "make it look sexy" did to the MacBook Pro (it basically took the "Pro" out of anything but the label on the box, machine, and marketing materials).

We've seen what the return to maximizing internal volume has done (if you round the edges softer, even a slight amount, guess what? Your internally usable space is actually vastly reduced...for what? An aesthetic? Maybe useful in a museum piece or a consumer product, but remember the "Pro" part?), it's vastly improved the performance (alongside the new SoC) primarily (e.g. behind the M1 Pro & Max SoC) because of more room for a battery (remember, these types of batteries don't have rounded edges, they're rectangles) and more room for airflow.

If you want thin and sexy, that is GREAT, you probably will love the Air. If you want maximum performance, you'll probably love the Pro.

If you want both, maybe keep dreaming (for now). I'm happy to see the extra weight, size, bulk, and brick come, because it's actually filled with bits that work properly for the intended applications rather that just "looking" fast when I take it out of the case and then have to put it back, burning hot an hour later because of an exhausted battery without finishing the task I actually wanted to.

Mac computers were always about form AND function, it's just that different designs focused on different aspects. Sure, the new models are minimally larger and heavier, but that doesn't mean Apple has not been paying attention to form. These laptops are still absolute designer pieces.

Frankly, I think that this dichotomy form VS. function is a bit silly. Both are two interleaved aspects of design. Did the Touch Bar models prioritized form before function? Hardly. They prioritized portability and compact form over having HDMI, that's it. Apple always seemed to produce the most compact laptop for the given power level, and these new Macs are no exception. Just that the power level criterion has been minimally readjusted.

 

[Madonepro]

cool, dont buy one then. nobody cares.

This post sums up todays world.

It is crass, ill-informed, arrogant and shows scant regard for a fellow human.
Unless you are a moderator, best to leave what is appropriate to post to them.

And be kind, you know not of this person, and as often been said it’s better to say nothing if you can’t say anything nice!

And no doubt, I’ll be the next to be abused/insulted. Whatever…

 

[fa8362]

This post sums up todays world.

It is crass, ill-informed, arrogant and shows scant regard for a fellow human.
Unless you are a moderator, best to leave what is appropriate to post to them.

And be kind, you know not of this person, and as often been said it’s better to say nothing if you can’t say anything nice!

And no doubt, I’ll be the next to be abused/insulted. Whatever…

Pot Kettle much?

 

[tmoerel]

This post sums up todays world.

It is crass, ill-informed, arrogant and shows scant regard for a fellow human.
Unless you are a moderator, best to leave what is appropriate to post to them.

And be kind, you know not of this person, and as often been said it’s better to say nothing if you can’t say anything nice!

And no doubt, I’ll be the next to be abused/insulted. Whatever…

Sorry no, this does not sum up todays world.
What does sum it up is that people cannot handle the truth anymore and get offended at the slightest bit of criticism. Soft snowflakes seem to highjack these forums with their 'I am offended' mentality and their horrible sense of entitlement.

 

[darkus]

I saw the new M1 MacBook Pros - "16" and 14" tonight. The body is squared off and thicker than my 2013 MBP. WHAT??? And it feels cheap, not like the former Airplane Grade aluminum. You knock on it and it feels hollow-ish. And the bottom feet are harder than previous models, almost like a cell phone case that is hard plastic and sort of hits the desk too hard. I am pretty disappointed. Why, Apple, Why? I waited years to upgrade. Almost tempted to get a deal on an older one now.

Agree.

Tech accomplishments (including that beautiful display) aside, this does not feel like an apple product we’ve come to know and love.

Feels tin like in some respects, the display lid has a wobble to it we don’t see on Apple laptops due to the materials, hinges and gaps.

I have my own 2 personal theories on why it feels like such a step backwards: 1) covid. Without people in the office and natural competition that arises a lot of the attention to detail is lost. Attention to detail is what makes Apple, Apple. 2) thus is a heavy machine and apple purposely had to go with lighter materials and design (which is inherently cheap feeling) in order to best keep the weight to a reasonably level.

I’m hoping theory #2 is correct, because if it’s the result of #1 we are in store for a slew of new subpar products.

As I’m guessing may have been the case with you, I was fully reading to buy a 14 this week, but didn’t like the feel and details of it so I’m going to sit on the fence and see what the next Air refresh has in store.

 

[leifp]

LOVE the Body on new M1 MBPs - Squared-Off, Exquisite Feel!!!​

 

[mac.ross]

I really like the body on the new MBP, just received my 16" a couple days ago.

I really liked the previous design too when I got my first MacBook Pro back in 2013 (Late 2013 15" Pro) but it just felt really dated the past several years, especially with plenty of Windows manufacturers essentially copying the same style of design.

The new design feels sturdier and more utilitarian and minimal which I really like, it feels like it has a lot more heft to it even though I know that it doesn't compared to my Late 2013 MBP.

 

[robertosh]

Some things have odd designs, take the US Military Humvee, it's not pretty by any means but it will get our troops out of almost anything imaginable. The new MBP is the same, who cares what it looks like, it's ready for anything and does everything with ease.

I think that is not a fair comparison, design is on Apple DNA so I always expect a nice design from an Apple product.

 

[3Rock]

Um, this is the photo a new model. Why would I post a photo of the old model? The new 2021 MacBook Pro. You can see the original post here:

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :(

i fell down and dropped my macbook as well :( screen is not damaged and it works yet. it only has this visible damage. could there be any more problems? and is there any way to fix it?

forums.macrumors.com

Nope. Not the new model at all. Please get your eyes checked and look at the color of the Apple logo. It shows white but the new one is black as you have now been told.

 

[dgdosen]

I think one thing that's happened (at least with me) is that throughout the time where we might have complained about Apple making devices too thin -- as with a butterfly keyboard and smaller batteries -- we've gotten accustomed to those thin machines and are a bit sorry to see them go.

As for me, I now want the power of Mnext in a device as thin and light as the Macbook circa 2018. I think this decade will (continue to) be one of leapfrogging perf improvements, so no matter what, always be ready to want a new computer every 6-12 months.

 

[fa8362]

Agree.

Tech accomplishments (including that beautiful display) aside, this does not feel like an apple product we’ve come to know and love.

Feels tin like in some respects, the display lid has a wobble to it we don’t see on Apple laptops due to the materials, hinges and gaps.

I have my own 2 personal theories on why it feels like such a step backwards: 1) covid. Without people in the office and natural competition that arises a lot of the attention to detail is lost. Attention to detail is what makes Apple, Apple. 2) thus is a heavy machine and apple purposely had to go with lighter materials and design (which is inherently cheap feeling) in order to best keep the weight to a reasonably level.

I’m hoping theory #2 is correct, because if it’s the result of #1 we are in store for a slew of new subpar products.

As I’m guessing may have been the case with you, I was fully reading to buy a 14 this week, but didn’t like the feel and details of it so I’m going to sit on the fence and see what the next Air refresh has in store.

Speak for yourself. I couldn't possibly disagree more. I've been using Macs since '86. These new laptops are more "Apple" than any that have come before. In terms of performance, they are the best non-gaming laptops on the market and better than any laptop Apple has ever produced by far. Lastly, these new laptops were designed before the pandemic, so Covid has absolutely nothing to do with their design.

 

[darkus]

Speak for yourself. I couldn't possibly disagree more. I've been using Macs since '86. These new laptops are more "Apple" than any that have come before. In terms of performance, they are the best non-gaming laptops on the market and better than any laptop Apple has ever produced by far. Lastly, these new laptops were designed before the pandemic, so Covid has absolutely nothing to do with their design.

Yes the technical improvements are very welcome, as I mentioned. I think this thread was about the aesthetic design.

How do you know this was designed before the pandemic? Seems like a very long time to keep this design under wraps. Is that a known fact?

The design of this and everything else in the lineup seem very different, so that’s why the question of design timeline comes to mind. But as I mentioned, it’s just a random theory I had from seeing something similar happen in my own industry.

 

[tRYSIS3]

The design of this and everything else in the lineup seem very different, so that’s why the question of design timeline comes to mind. But as I mentioned, it’s just a random theory I had from seeing something similar happen in my own industry.

How is it different? The iPhone, iPad and new MacBook Pros all share similar design cues...

 

[darkus]

How is it different? The iPhone, iPad and new MacBook Pros all share similar design cues...

The differences to me are: the iPhone, Mac mini, Mac Pro, iMac, Apple TV have very thin seams and gaps with generally highly chiseled edges (when present). The result is a device that “feels” like it’s been CNC machined from a single block.

This one has more rounded edges with larger gaps and feels like it’s several pieces screwed together. The large font engraving is also uncharacteristic of small fine and precise text on devices, when present.

Before someone says “but it’s boxy”, every laptop is boxy, that’s not the design element that has defined an Apple product for say the last 10 years