Is the new MacBook Pro a dud?

[Dave245]

I sometimes feel like I made a mistake in buying the base 15". I fell into the trap of thinking I need 16gb of ram in my portable to run illustrator, photoshop, and some web dev apps (brackets, sass, atom), and for what I do on the go 8 would be plenty, and the 13" more portable.

Ultimately it depends on what you're doing. I still have 2 days to make up my mind on the 15"/13". I'm honestly not sure what to do.

But unless you're doing a lot of heavy lifting, I'd say 8gb is probably enough, only my opinion based on my usage.

If you don't need the 15" I would get the 13" it's cheaper for a start. I'm looking at the 13" because I've seen it in person and it's nice and compact to carry around but also not too small that I couldn't work on it. The most apps I use would be Pixelmator, Photos app Safari, Pages and word processing apps as I write a lot.

 

[AZhappyjack]

The fact that I am still using a 2010 mbpro that periodically reboots itself indicates that imho, yes, they are duds at worst, overpriced and underwhelming at best. I find myself perusing ASUS machines on Amazon when nobody is looking or plotting another hackintosh construct.

The fact that you are using a 7+ year old Apple computer it pretty telling in and of itself. Most Windows computers that are that old have long been rendered obsoleted by Microsoft and an OS that either doesn't work or is no longer supported. Apple still lists the min-2010 Macbook as able to run the latest version of macOS... and it runs it pretty well, I might add.

 

[csurfr]

So I returned the 15" today and picked up the base 13" with touch bar. They had the 13" i7 3.3/16/512 in stock but my reasoning was because of my overpowered iMac. I resisted.

Here is a pro tip. When setting up the MacBook Pro right out of the box. Do NOT Check "turn on FileVault". Wait until you've updated to 10.12.4.

The first machine we opened crashed upon installation and was done for. No update, just a bunch of restarts over and over. The Apple rep that was with me immediately exchanged the machine, not knowing what was causing the problems. We opened another new one and one of the leaders came over, a very nice lady who said "uncheck those two boxes (iCloud account and FileVault)". I did so during initial setup and the 10.12.4 update went through smooth as can be.

My guess is that since the drive is still encrypting when trying to install an OS update bad things happen. I had a hunch that's what caused it, but it was essentially confirmed when the new machine worked flawlessly.

 

[MrGuder]

I

So I returned the 15" today and picked up the base 13" with touch bar. They had the 13" i7 3.3/16/512 in stock but my reasoning was because of my overpowered iMac. I resisted.

Here is a pro tip. When setting up the MacBook Pro right out of the box. Do NOT Check "turn on FileVault". Wait until you've updated to 10.12.4.

The first machine we opened crashed upon installation and was done for. No update, just a bunch of restarts over and over. The Apple rep that was with me immediately exchanged the machine, not knowing what was causing the problems. We opened another new one and one of the leaders came over, a very nice lady who said "uncheck those two boxes (iCloud account and FileVault)". I did so during initial setup and the 10.12.4 update went through smooth as can be.

My guess is that since the drive is still encrypting when trying to install an OS update bad things happen. I had a hunch that's what caused it, but it was essentially confirmed when the new machine worked flawlessly.

I've never heard of that tip before why would turning on file vault before a Sierra update matter?

 

[csurfr]

I

I've never heard of that tip before why would turning on file vault before a Sierra update matter?

Because it's in the middle of encrypting your drive contents right before / during the os update. Things can apparently get wonky. And in my experience they did. I'm sure if you let it finish encrypting you're probably fine. It's just during that process that it seems to get a little angry.

 

[Dave245]

So I returned the 15" today and picked up the base 13" with touch bar. They had the 13" i7 3.3/16/512 in stock but my reasoning was because of my overpowered iMac. I resisted.

Do Apple stores have only the base models in stock? I'm in the UK so it might differ.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

Personally I think it's the best MBP Apple have ever made. Others feel the complete opposite.

There's always a potential new model around the corner. Buy what you need to, when you need to. Ultimately if you get your money's worth from using it for your work, it doesn't matter which gen it is. If a better option for you is an older MBP or a Windows machine, then buy that.

I don't feel it's as well made or reliable as my past MacBook pros. My 13" MacBook Pro has already had to be repaired 3 times, once for my left speaker blowing out, he next was for a Keyboard replacement, and the last was a thermal paste issue. I may have to send it in again for sticky keys towards the top row.

Mind you, it has been replaced 2 times as well.

 

[polee]

I don't feel it's as well made or reliable as my past MacBook pros. My 13" MacBook Pro has already had to be repaired 3 times, once for my left speaker blowing out, he next was for a Keyboard replacement, and the last was a thermal paste issue. I may have to send it in again for sticky keys towards the top row.

Mind you, it has been replaced 2 times as well.

Hmmm this is worrisome

 

[csurfr]

Because it's in the middle of encrypting your drive contents right before / during the os update. Things can apparently get wonky. And in my experience they did.

Do Apple stores have only the base models in stock? I'm in the UK so it might differ.

The stores here have the base models and the 3.3 i7/16gb/512gb configuration for the 13". I'm not sure about the 15" configuration in stock.

I called the "store" which sends you to a support team. They didn't show that top end 13" in stock. But they do have it. That's here in Seattle, at least.

 

[Dave245]

The stores here have the base models and the 3.3 i7/16gb/512gb configuration for the 13". I'm not sure about the 15" configuration in stock.

I called the "store" which sends you to a support team. They didn't show that top end 13" in stock. But they do have it. That's here in Seattle, at least.

That's good that they do that because some people want more than the base model. I'm not sure if they do the same here in the U.K. tho.

 

[dudeslife]

The fact that you are using a 7+ year old Apple computer it pretty telling in and of itself. Most Windows computers that are that old have long been rendered obsoleted by Microsoft and an OS that either doesn't work or is no longer supported. Apple still lists the min-2010 Macbook as able to run the latest version of macOS... and it runs it pretty well, I might add.

We are discussing the NEW macbook pros. I don't have a problem with the old ones. In fact, I consider it superior to that crap they shoveled out recently. That's why I didn't "upgrade". I will wait until the next "refresh" and see what happens. My random rebooting problems are most likely the fault of Sierra (the back alley abortion of operating systems that I am being forced to beta test under the guise of a "release")

Now that Windows has Scrivener, Comic Life, and TextExpander to go along with Photoshop, Campaign Cartographer (wine on mac), and Fantasy Grounds (wine on mac), my 6 most used apps, the lure of a crippled macbook pro is not as enticing.

It seems that Developers are seeing the handwriting on the wall, as more of those "mac apps" we used macs for are becoming available for windows.

 

[csurfr]

We are discussing the NEW macbook pros. I don't have a problem with the old ones. In fact, I consider it superior to that crap they shoveled out recently. That's why I didn't "upgrade". I will wait until the next "refresh" and see what happens. My random rebooting problems are most likely the fault of Sierra (the back alley abortion of operating systems that I am being forced to beta test under the guise of a "release")

Now that Windows has Scrivener, Comic Life, and TextExpander to go along with Photoshop, Campaign Cartographer (wine on mac), and Fantasy Grounds (wine on mac), my 6 most used apps, the lure of a crippled macbook pro is not as enticing.

It seems that Developers are seeing the handwriting on the wall, as more of those "mac apps" we used macs for are becoming available for windows.

Crippled? Seriously? You have no idea what you're talking about if you honestly believe that.

And your random reboots are probably not sierra related, and more likely caused by some other software you are running.

 

[ipponrg]

It seems that Developers are seeing the handwriting on the wall, as more of those "mac apps" we used macs for are becoming available for windows.

Just a thought, perhaps they are making it available for Windows to reach to a wider audience? I figure the more people that buy your product means that you make more money. I admit I could be totally wrong on this one, and they don't care about making money because they feel Mac is a less capable platform than Windows.

 

[dudeslife]

Crippled? Seriously? You have no idea what you're talking about if you honestly believe that.

Everyone here knows about the battery life. As long as you accept their underachievement, it will never get better. Tim Cook is the worst thing that could happen to mac users.

And your random reboots are probably not sierra related, and more likely caused by some other software you are running.

no. I use a small number of apps and I never had an issue until sierra. it's a perpetual beta.
[doublepost=1494068607][/doublepost]

Just a thought, perhaps they are making it available for Windows to reach to a wider audience? I figure the more people that buy your product means that you make more money. I admit I could be totally wrong on this one, and they don't care about making money because they feel Mac is a less capable platform than Windows.

Interesting timing on the decision to make apps more "widely available". Don't get me wrong, I too am a fanboy (check my sig) but I no longer have faith in a company that puts more focus on a useless douchebag watch and car than it's notebooks.

 

[maflynn]

That's why I didn't "upgrade". I will wait until the next "refresh" and see what happens.

That's my situation. I don't think the MBP is crippled but I do think it has a number of shortcomings in specific areas that impact me directly and while I don't expect Apple to address all of those shortcomings, I do hope they fix the one I'm currently most concerned about. They keyboard, it seems almost on a daily basis we have someone posting that their keys are stuck, popping off, or failing in some ways. While this may not be indicative of everyone, the volume of posts/threads is sufficient to give me pause.

I can live with USB-C and while I can make do without USB-A, SD or HDMI, the keyboard has me concerned. Plus, after paying nearly 3k for a machine, and seeing the number of issues, I'm not sure we're getting the premium experience that Apple promotes its laptops as.

 

[dudeslife]

I can live with USB-C and while I can make do without USB-A, SD or HDMI, the keyboard has me concerned. Plus, after paying nearly 3k for a machine, and seeing the number of issues, I'm not sure we're getting the premium experience that Apple promotes its laptops as.

no SD makes me wish that ridiculous teapot designer would retire or just go work on their stupid car. maybe he can make it as thin as a skateboard

 

[nitromac]

The fact that you are using a 7+ year old Apple computer it pretty telling in and of itself. Most Windows computers that are that old have long been rendered obsoleted by Microsoft and an OS that either doesn't work or is no longer supported. Apple still lists the min-2010 Macbook as able to run the latest version of macOS... and it runs it pretty well, I might add.

I wouldn't say that... I was using the same PC for gaming since 2007 up until December last year when I built a new one. At that point it had a 9 year old CPU + motherboard and a mid-tier graphics card from 2012. Windows has pretty great long term hardware support, and the performance actually increased upgrading to Windows 10. I can't say the same for my 2012 MBP which has gotten slower and slower with every subsequent release of OS X...

 

[csurfr]

Everyone here knows about the battery life. As long as you accept their underachievement, it will never get better. Tim Cook is the worst thing that could happen to mac users.

Whatever you say. I actually own one of the machines and my battery life is as good as my old 2015 was. Sierra doesn't act weirdly on any of our business machines either. No random reboots, or crashes.

It's easy to sit and complain when you're doing so from your position, right? No one here is going to change your mind. Apple is always wrong, Tim Cooks sucks, I want this, that, and the other. But hey, you got it.

 

[CaptRB]

Whatever you say. I actually own one of the machines and my battery life is as good as my old 2015 was. Sierra doesn't act weirdly on any of our business machines either. No random reboots, or crashes.

It's easy to sit and complain when you're doing so from your position, right? No one here is going to change your mind. Apple is always wrong, Tim Cooks sucks, I want this, that, and the other. But hey, you got it.

Yeah...look, the post that's causing these responses is coming from a place not based on facts.

I have the 13" and 15" Touch Bar machines and I recently sold my 2015 15" rMBP. I get better battery life out of the new machines. In fact, my 15" gives my MacBook Air a run for the money when doing basic stuff. 8-10 hours is easy. My 2015 MacBook usually got an hour less and was a brick of a machine.

We hear a lot of stories in these forums.


R.

 

[plexdk]

Indeed, I have no problems as well. I get an hour or two better battery than the 2015 15", these machines rock - and are certainly faster, with the overall faster architecture. I really dont understand all the hate - oh and another thing, the new keyboard is superb, I actually type faster and more accurate. Now the old one feels all mushy, and is kinda speed limiting.

 

[jackoatmon]

is teh new aston martin a dud ?!

 

[leman]

Speculations here or there, the fact is that the Mac sales doing as good as ever, and that they have increased compared to last years. This suggests that the 2016 is a strong performer, people seem to buy them and people seem to like them. Critics of the 2016 model might say that the increase of revenue has nothing to do with the the newest models and that people are buying refurbs or old macs in millions of units. Well, if someone wants to choose that interpretation, thats their business.

P.S. I am not a finance person, so I don't know how its done, but my understanding is that the revenue figures report the correct revenue, that is, it takes any refunds into account (please correct me if I am wrong). If this is so, then critics also can't claim that the revenue is only high because people were buying these units and then returning them — as the returns will not increase the revenue. Furthermore, simple calculations show that Apple's revenue per unit has increased significantly from the last few years, which suggests that the majority of the revenue indeed comes from sale of more expensive models rather then cheaper models like the MBA or MB12". But again, I am not a finance person, so my calculations might be totally off here.

 

[CaptRB]

LOOK...there are forums and then there's the REAL WORLD.

I live and work in LA. I am a pro photographer and also a writer. I work with Hollywood folk of all sorts, not to mention editors, designers and still life shooters like myself.

The new MacBooks are a hit. I have yet to meet a soul who upgraded and regrets it. Like me, they find these new machines to be the first bit of a stale product line in YEARS.

These are premium machines with premium pricing. Sure, you might get a defective one, but it's unlikely. You may wait for the next generation and get an even better machine and THAT unit will be defective. Any time you pick a product from a shelf and pull out a dollar, you take a risk to some degree. That's life.

I enjoy life and all of the generous things in it. I don't cripple that by worrying about someone's story about a bad port or a sticky keyboard. Life's too short for that nonsense. The proof that my way is best is that I've been using these new Touchbar machines for several months and enjoying the heck out of them.

End of story...which happens to be factual.


R.

 

[SDColorado]

We have 9 pages here talking about whether or not the new MacBook Pro is a dud or not. Over on notebook review there are 175 pages to date discussing issues with the Dell XPS 15. They are absolutely not bad machines either, but you will seldom see people pop in just to randomly report that they have had zero issues. You usually only tend to hear from those folks with no problems when someone asks "has anyone else had x issue." I would post a link, but not sure if it violates the rules to direct traffic to another forum?

Forums tend to magnify problems due to the very nature that a large percentage come to them simply because they had a problem to begin with. They just aren't representative of the vast majority of owners, who very likely aren't registered on MacRumor anyway.

 

[HalloweenMisfits]

I'm a college student and don't care about the touch bar and the non touch bar version is $1449 before taxes and dongle purchases (I don't care about USB-C either, nothing I have uses it).

The new Surface Laptop is touting 14 hours of battery life and with a student discount the 8GB/256GB version can be had for $1169.

I love my current Late 2013 Retina Pro, but battery life is suffering after 400 charge cycles. I can use my current Retina Macbook Pro for home use as a media player, music production in garageband, and other uses while I could also have the Surface Laptop for it's ridiculously high battery life.