How pleased are you with your 2018 MacBook Pro?

[gendish]

Two days ago I bought myself the 2018 MacBook Pro 15" and so long I'm satisfied with the product. I know it's a short period but I've been using apple products before and not been having any bigger issues with my products.

I've been reading MacRumors forums for quite a while and one can easily get the impression that the 2018 MacBook Pro is a bad piece of hardware when spending time here. Problems with keyboards, BridgeOS (speakers) and other sorts of difficulties with the MacBook Pro is being handled.

It is hard to form a proper understanding when it comes to the MacBook Pro's and how big of a problem it is with the machine on a bigger scale. I suppose people not having problems take their time coming here and arguing how unproblematic their machines are.

Therefore, my two questions are:

1. Is your MacBook Pro 2018 problem free?
2. Will you get a 'screwed' understanding of the MBP if you are reading these forums before deciding buying?

 

[leman]

1. No problems whatsoever, a solid performer and nothing to complain about
2. Not nessesarily, provided you think critically and make sure to consider all the relevant aspects

 

[Naimfan]

1. No.

2. No.

Overall satisfaction: 3/10.

I appreciate the 6 core cpu - it's noticeably faster/more powerful than the quad-cores before it. And disgusted with just about everything else.

 

[ales876]

1. no problems, using it since Friday.
2. I see it all relatively. When do you come to such a forum? When you have a complain. Nobody is telling you that he's happy with his machine directly. The problems are unacceptable in this price range, yes. I have some friends who bought themselves a machine, 100% no problems. So what does that tell me?

I like it. Eventhough this six core is to much for usage. I think four core would have been enough.

 

[maflynn]

1. Is your MacBook Pro 2018 problem free?
2. Will you get a 'screwed' understanding of the MBP if you are reading these forums before deciding buying?

1. I don't have any coil whine, keyboard is fine, no KPs; So yes it seems problem free.
2. I hope not, the biggest concern right now is the durability and longevity of the keyboard. I think I'm ok and I have the repair program in my back pocket

When I got my 2012 rMBP back in the day, I said it was the best laptop I've ever had. That remains the case. I don't feel that this laptop is the best. It feels well made and does everything I throw at it, so I'm a satisfied owner but overall I'm not bowled over by it. I think other laptops have better designs, better components and are upgradable. If wasn't for wanting to be in the apple ecosystem I would have gotten a different laptop.

 

[SDColorado]

1) No. I went through 3 before returning the last and looking at some alternatives. The first had constant KP's. The second I won't really count since it arrived with physical damage right out of the box (sharp nicks). The 3rd had keyboard issues similar to, though not as bad as Naimfan.

2) I hope not as well for the owners of them. Well I do appreciate forums can be a magnet for people who DO have issues. I also think it would be naive to think that just because you see more issues on a forum such this that there aren't a significant amount of people who do have issues. 3 out of 3 machines I had in my possession had some kind of issue. That just indicates to me that it isn't some statistically small number as Apple likes to indicate with the repair programs.

Like Maflynn, I think the biggest selling point on the 2018 MBP isn't the hardware, it is MacOS and the Apple ecosystem. Yes, they have a nice display and a great trackpad and of course MacOS. Beyond that... the reputation for reliability and "it just works" have taken a hit.

 

[northernmunky]

1. Problem free
2. No, I find most people who have a problem with the 2017/2018 Macbook Pro are people who are simply resistant to change. I seem to encounter people every day complaining about the ports. Just get a single USB-c to USB-A and stop whining! The changes are great, the only think I really miss is Magsafe.

Anyway, I got the Core i9 and love it.

 

[Fireproof!]

1. The only problem I had was "crackling audio" which was fixed with an update. Otherwise it's been problem free and I've loved it. It's fast, quiet, and I like the newer keyboard vs. the 2017 (I upgraded and gave my 2017 to my daughter).

2. It's typical for MORE people to comment on forums about problems they are having (looking for solutions or commiserating, etc.) than people commenting to say "my computer is fine - just wanted to let you know." Hopefully most people understand that.

 

[Bending Pixels]

Extremely pleased

 

[upandown]

Love my 13

 

[dscottj]

I've had my base 15" since July and think it's great, and I think it's a significant improvement over my late 2013 MBP. No problems whatsoever. It just works.

 

[ghostface147]

Got a 2018 15" MB Pro back in August. It replaced my 2011 17" MB Pro. I do miss the screen real estate of the 17", but don't miss the weight. Sold it for $300. The new laptop is very fast, very light, and I do like the keyboard and the sound it makes. I do notice that the keyboard and trackpad get dirty much quicker from my natural finger oils. I just have to wipe it clean more often. I wish it wouldn't turn on by itself, but don't mind that the start-up chime is gone. If I was walking into work late and turned on my Mac, everyone knew it was me since I'm the only one that uses a Mac. I never had any of the initial issues owners did with audio crackling and whatever the other issue was.

Overall, I'm a satisfied 2018 MB Pro owner.

PS - Yes I know there is a way to disable the automatic power on via a few terminal commands, but I've read about some instabilities with it. I'll live with it.

 

[Pangalactic]

1. No, it wasn't. Had my F key stuck on day three, then came the crackling speakers, then came the Surface Book 2 that fixed all that in one go

2. Forums are very indicative of the problems Apple has. Especially the "Bridge OS crash" threads and such, which are over 80 pages long and still not a single comment from Apple. In other words, Apple is pretending that "it just works" when it clearly doesn't.

Does that mean all the machines have problems? No, of course not.
Does that mean Apple has an absurd failure rate I would expect from a $300 Acer and rapidly declining customer service? It absolutely does.

 

[1096bimu]

1.Yes
2.Yes although there are undoubtedly problems like crackling speakers and bridge OS crashes. the actual ratio of problematic units among total units distributed is much much lower than what is implied in forums like these.

 

[darkloki]

is it worth upgrading to if you have a 2016 version? I've convinced myself that a Face ID version with an even better camera has to be coming next/soon right? I mean touch-id has now become the way of the dinosaur but I guess I don't even use touch id anymore because I've been using my watch to unlock my Macbook.

 

[mdnz]

1) No, I refunded mine after I had 3 faulty units which makes me to believe almost all of them have some sort of fault.
2) N/A.

 

[ascender]

1. Is your MacBook Pro 2018 problem free?
2. Will you get a 'screwed' understanding of the MBP if you are reading these forums before deciding buying?

1. Yes!
2. Yes!

For overall satisfaction, I give this MBP a 9/10 on my scale which is totally subjective.

 

[SDColorado]

is it worth upgrading to if you have a 2016 version? I've convinced myself that a Face ID version with an even better camera has to be coming next/soon right? I mean touch-id has now become the way of the dinosaur but I guess I don't even use touch id anymore because I've been using my watch to unlock my Macbook.

Honestly I wouldn’t if the 2016 is still meeting your needs. The only reason I did is that my wife’s old MBP finally kicked the bucket and she needed a replacement. So I gave her my 2016, which still worked and continues to work perfectly, only to enter this mess of 3/3 with problems/issues

BUT if the 2016 is no longer meeting your needs and you believe you could benefit from the upgraded specs, then roll the dice

 

[stevemiller]

1. Problem free
2. No, I find most people who have a problem with the 2017/2018 Macbook Pro are people who are simply resistant to change. I seem to encounter people every day complaining about the ports. Just get a single USB-c to USB-A and stop whining! The changes are great, the only think I really miss is Magsafe.

Anyway, I got the Core i9 and love it.

I think this type of broad strokes mentality is no better than the opposite argument that everything about the newer models is crap.

People with kernel panic issues, speaker issues and keyboards getting stuck are not just “resistant to change”

And I’d argue I’m a forwards minded person who embraces change but can still see poorly thought out implementations on certain things like the touch bar. It’s not just the idea. The fact that BTT improves the experience as much as it does suggests apple just didn’t think things through and hasn’t bothered to evolve it one bit in the two years it’s been around.

All that said, so far I’m mostly ok with the laptop. Biggest frustration is having to waste time finding adapters that aren’t defective because this computer doesn’t connect to anything out of the box.

 

[ales876]

I think this type of broad strokes mentality is no better than the opposite argument that everything about the newer models is crap.

People with kernel panic issues, speaker issues and keyboards getting stuck are not just “resistant to change”

And I’d argue I’m a forwards minded person who embraces change but can still see poorly thought out implementations on certain things like the touch bar. It’s not just the idea. The fact that BTT improves the experience as much as it does suggests apple just didn’t think things through and hasn’t bothered to evolve it one bit in the two years it’s been around.

All that said, so far I’m mostly ok with the laptop. Biggest frustration is having to waste time finding adapters that aren’t defective because this computer doesn’t connect to anything out of the box.

In addition to that, many people who get those KPs use some additions like external monitor and stuff, which it seems will create them. So if you do it without any thing stuck on it, you should be fine. (and no, this Clearly does not excuse the **** which is happening with the T2 Chip.

 

[88Keys]

1. Had a 13inch but returned for a 15inch, but both have been problem free.
2. In a way, I comb through the forums and sometimes I get the feeling that I shouldn't be enjoying my MacBook Pro as much as I do.

 

[ales876]

1. Had a 13inch but returned for a 15inch, but both have been problem free.
2. In a way, I comb through the forums and sometimes I get the feeling that I shouldn't be enjoying my MacBook Pro as much as I do.

May I ask why you returned it? I actually plan to give the 15 back for a 13.

 

[davidec]

It's been perfect for me, I did get some cracking of the speakers but that seems to have dissipated. I love it, not convinced on the sound of the keyboard as it is still noisy and it would be great if it was noise free, feels good to type but is tapping noise necessary in 2018? Powerful, quick, stays cool, light, beautiful. Really glad I bought the silver.

 

[jerryk]

I have been happy with my 2018 15" MBP. Still not a huge fan of the keyboard, but it seems to work OK.
Hex core was definitely an upgrade from the 2015 quad core. Drive may be faster, but I cannot tell a difference. Screen seems a little different, but still is very good.

 

[LogicalApex]

1. My current one is problem free. I did have to get my first one exchanged as one of the USB C ports just stopped working for no reason. No physical damage or anything just decided it no longer liked working. Second machine has been problem free.

2. Like all forums they are skewed heavily toward those who are seeking solutions or are having problems. So you'll see a similar reality for any popular product on any forum. That doesn't mean that there aren't real issues though so you have to read a bit to gauge how pervasive an issue is.

This 2018 MBP is my first Mac in over 20 years. So I am not as tied into the valuation of if it makes sense to upgrade from older models or not and I'm not experiencing kernel panics, keyboard issues, or anything else others are experiencing. For me the machine has amazing battery life and performance and is holding up very well for my needs.

The only thing I would change is a higher resolution display... But then I probably wouldn't be as amazed by the battery life.