I don't have any complaints on the build quality of the new machines as mine is flawless and it's well built.. Then again, build quality is one of the reasons I don't mind overpaying for Apple products..
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Just looked at the new Mac Book Pro
- Thread starter digitalcuriosity
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So i've had my 13" tMBP for just over a week and used to at home mostly. I think Apple has been getting unfairly beat up regarding this product.
I upgraded from an original 2008 unibody MB. So far, IMHO:
-the new screen is fantastic, and with smaller bezel
-new speakers defy logic with how good they sound (considering the space they are operating in).
-the new keyboard feels good as well...less spongy and 'faster' if that makes any sense
-touchpad, i like the size on the new 13"
-light weight, smaller, thinner
-faster (obviously), but also quieter
-everything seems and feels 'tighter'...example, the bezel of the indentation for the keyboard is smaller
-build quality, design and workmanship
The cons for me:
-No magsafe type charing
-no indicator for sleep/charging/battery life when the machine is asleep
-USB-C sortof...just the shock of the change, although im sure its future proofed
-I miss the startup chime
And so far, i dont really care one way or the other for the touchbar. Miss the escape key tho.
Cheers
I upgraded from an original 2008 unibody MB. So far, IMHO:
-the new screen is fantastic, and with smaller bezel
-new speakers defy logic with how good they sound (considering the space they are operating in).
-the new keyboard feels good as well...less spongy and 'faster' if that makes any sense
-touchpad, i like the size on the new 13"
-light weight, smaller, thinner
-faster (obviously), but also quieter
-everything seems and feels 'tighter'...example, the bezel of the indentation for the keyboard is smaller
-build quality, design and workmanship
The cons for me:
-No magsafe type charing
-no indicator for sleep/charging/battery life when the machine is asleep
-USB-C sortof...just the shock of the change, although im sure its future proofed
-I miss the startup chime
And so far, i dont really care one way or the other for the touchbar. Miss the escape key tho.
Cheers
The 2015/16 models are both of exceptional build quality. The 2015 model is thicker and with a bigger footprint and so it will feel more robust in the same way that we all reminisce about older phones feeling more solid because they had more heft to them.
But make no mistake, the 2016 is crafted to perfection and if anything it somehow feels denser and 'tighter' than the 2015.
As an aside, I think the SB is very well made but for me it handles more like a toy.
But make no mistake, the 2016 is crafted to perfection and if anything it somehow feels denser and 'tighter' than the 2015.
As an aside, I think the SB is very well made but for me it handles more like a toy.
I just wanted to check with the OP and ask if I can borrow his 8 track player!
I played with a TB 13" today at the Apple store and really wanted it. But at the end of the day I'm going to replace my MBP with a Mac Mini. The iPad Pro takes care of my needs on the road.
I gave my Late 2011 15" MBP to my father (65 years) to hold. Then, I gave him my Late 2016 13" MBP with Touch Bar.
His comment: While the weight is a significant difference, the density feels the same.
Meaning: The new notebook feels as solid as the old.
Funny click bait! Yum!
I'm not upset about the missing superdrive as I can still use the cassette drive from my Atari 800.
Robert
i do not own the new MBP but did play around with it, like the OP. I do take issue with some of apple's decisions regarding the product, but build quality is NOT one of them. Like its predecessors, the thing is rock solid. Best build quality of any laptop, period. Can i have some of what you're smoking OP?
Maybe you should look again? The build quality of these new models is pretty much incomparable to the old unibody with their flexing undercover...
Welcome to the 2016!
Good morning! Your post is constructive how exactly?
Strange, I thought this thread was bumped form 2008 or something, but was posted yesterday?
Funny
Funny
build quality from my 13" cMBP compared to the 2016s is soooo much better its not even funny. I had the same machine you had how do you think that design and materials used is better or higher quality? Im impressed with the solid build of the new 15" MacBook pro. Haven't played around with the 13" yet. Have you checked out the MacBooks also? Same quality build as the new machines. A big upgrade over my 2011 cd drive MacBook pro by far.
So big and heavy == better build quality?
I just posted my thoughts in regards to the new Mac Book Pro, if others find them to have quality of build and like how they have removed items that people used without needing special interface devices, i say thats your right enjoy it.
You are being far too reasonable and affable for this forum. Note how your posts attract ridicule from the usual crowd of "Apple can do no wrong" posters.
Not true the op is entitled to their opinion of course, I mean it's clearly nonsense they are the best made computers I have ever interacted with but hey if you don't like it don't buy it.
I love my Surface Book, its an awesome computer, but that doesn't mean the MBP isn't a great computer
Just blurting out a random subjective statement is not being "reasonable". Its a public discussion forum, not "impressions anonymous". Starting a thread without any intention to actually have a discussion is an insult to other users here. Why can't we have a civilised discussion about the points raised by OP? For instance:
- Why does the OP think that the build quality has declined?
- Why does the think that offering only industry standard universal ports was a mistake?
- In what form or fashion does is modern MBP "lot less"?
Chances are, heavens forbid, that we might actually learn something from each other and deepen our understanding. Sounds much more enticing to me than a "here is my opinion cause I think I'm that important and now bye don't care what you think".
Its only a forum man, relaaaaax
I'm super relaxed
I just also wanted to be reasonable, for once.
The biggest issue I have, and the one that prevents me from purchasing a new 15" TB is the lack of a USB port. Having to buy and manage a dongle is plain wrong. Apple should have provided 1 or maybe 2 USB 3 ports for people while we got hubs or other devices to connect all of our drives, scanners, etc. to the new system.
OWC will not have their new Thunderbolt 3 hub out until sometime next month per their website. That is $300 ($280 during pre-order).
Just is very difficult at this time to upgrade the computers I'm using because of price or features of the newer systems.
OWC will not have their new Thunderbolt 3 hub out until sometime next month per their website. That is $300 ($280 during pre-order).
Just is very difficult at this time to upgrade the computers I'm using because of price or features of the newer systems.
First, it has 4 USB ports, just newer ones. Second, given the fact that the new ports are universal ones, it kind of seems a waste of space to include limited-functionality older ones. Third, to connect your drives scanners or anything else, you don't need any dongles. You just need new standard-compliant USB cables. Or, a single cable and a USB hub (which you probably already own if you want to connect 3+ USB devices to your laptop).
Fourth, my desk looks like this nowadays. Single little connector that does everything: power, ethernet, card reader, USB, HDMI. Not possible with old ports. Saves spaces, makes the desk cleaner and also makes things much more user-friendly. Cost? Around $90.
Sorry but that's one ugly looking hinge.
I wouldn't compare the new MBP to the SB in terms of build quality and looks.
Microsoft is still trying to sale a hybrid laptop/tablet combo and still makes no sense imho.
The SB is very expensive for a hybrid device, fully specced they retail for over 4000$?
Pfftt I'll buy a silly looking Alienware with a gtx1080 before the SB.
Now the day Apple makes an Ipad capable to run and support mac OS (maybe the ability to run both mac os and ios) , I will be all over that.
That would actually be amazing.
Also in 1 to 2 years down the line when every other device supports and comes equipped with USB C, Apple will win again.
I will laugh at all this laptop with no usb c ports and they are going to need dongles to support usb c lol
I wouldn't compare the new MBP to the SB in terms of build quality and looks.
Microsoft is still trying to sale a hybrid laptop/tablet combo and still makes no sense imho.
The SB is very expensive for a hybrid device, fully specced they retail for over 4000$?
Pfftt I'll buy a silly looking Alienware with a gtx1080 before the SB.
Now the day Apple makes an Ipad capable to run and support mac OS (maybe the ability to run both mac os and ios) , I will be all over that.
That would actually be amazing.
Also in 1 to 2 years down the line when every other device supports and comes equipped with USB C, Apple will win again.
I will laugh at all this laptop with no usb c ports and they are going to need dongles to support usb c lol
Attachments
I got a surface book (512/16/dedicated graphics: was top of the range when I bought it) last year and have actually been a bit disappointed in it for what it cost (well over £2k).
The screen is certainly gorgeous and mine seemed fast at first.
However, the trackpad stutters, battery life is poor and performance wise it's not brilliant when pushed hard.
I initially bought it and the dock with the intention of using it as my only machine (including working as a desktop replacement) but I ended up getting an iMac and only use it when I'm on the road.
Having said that, I've also got a rMB and prefer even that to my surface book if I'm honest as it's far more portable and not that much slower in use so only use my surface book if I'm going to a meeting where I might want to use OneNote or when I need to use a Windows machine
I have actually realised that the best setup for me is a desktop machine backed up by a really light notebook so I wouldnt buy either another surface book or MacBook Pro (the last one I had was a 2 generation ago 15")
Please note that my comment was specific, that USB3 ports were missing. For a transition it might have been good to supply one or two USB3 ports.
First, it has 4 USB ports, just newer ones. Second, given the fact that the new ports are universal ones, it kind of seems a waste of space to include limited-functionality older ones. Third, to connect your drives scanners or anything else, you don't need any dongles. You just need new standard-compliant USB cables. Or, a single cable and a USB hub (which you probably already own if you want to connect 3+ USB devices to your laptop).
Fourth, my desk looks like this nowadays. Single little connector that does everything: power, ethernet, card reader, USB, HDMI. Not possible with old ports. Saves spaces, makes the desk cleaner and also makes things much more user-friendly. Cost? Around $90.
do you really think apple is going the right way?
7.9 inch, 9.7 inch, 12.9 inch ipad
4 inch ... 5.5 inch iphone
Apple is getting more fragmented every year. Before, I hear that it was a breeze developing for Apple devices because of limited resolutions and sizes, and now ... they're all over the place.
The SB I played with yesterday had none of the traits that you mentions. The keyboard and trackpad were simply outstanding.