Key Takeaways of 2018 MacBook Pro vs. 2017 MacBook Pro

[Count Blah]

I think removing MagSafe is one of those “mistakes” which has to be made. The whole point is that usb C is so versatile that it can be used for anything. MagSafe can only be used for charging. Why not replace MagSafe with another port which can be used for other purposes when not charging?

It didn't HAVE to be made. Could have still been there, with two USB-C ports on each side.

But customer wishes would have cut into their $$$ - So screw customers, as always.

 

[smirking]

Hollow? No. You make some valid points, but I'm sitting here typing on a notebook with an ethernet port, HDMI, two USB-A, two USB-C, an SD card slot, and audio jack. I'm happy about that. It's incredibly useful to me. It may not be important to *you* but that doesn't make it any more "hollow" than me saying your apologism is hollow.

Awesome. What exactly am I apologizing for?

 

[Frank Dalton]

Awesome. What exactly am I apologizing for?

Your offhanded dismissal of everyone's complaints about ports. Maybe it doesn't quite meet the definition of apologism. But what is your purpose in parsing this particular word to this degree? The point still stands.

 

[alwaysbeincontact]

Surprised by this update so soon was expecting an update later in the year.

 

[subjonas]

Anybody know if DisplayPort version is the same as 2017 mbp? Anybody know what DisplayPort version 2017 mbp is?

 

[Tech198]

Surprised by this update so soon was expecting an update later in the year.

So does this mean Apple will have nothing to show off at WWDC in September?

I was expecting some sort of announcement for new hardware, but not quite this early. Perhaps this list is now shortened. : https://www.macrumors.com/2018/07/11/apple-product-updates-fall-kuo/

 

[pier]

IMO, we're finally at the point where the performance improvement finally makes it "worth it" even if you prefer the old design.

That makes sense, at least for people interested in the CPU bump (virtualization, RAW photographers, audio, etc).

The GPU is still a mobile chip not suited for demanding workflows.

 

[cmaier]

So does this mean Apple will have nothing to show off at WWDC in September?

I was expecting some sort of announcement for new hardware, but not quite this early. Now it probably would be interesting what they do announce. (if any new hardware)

WWDC is not in September.

 

[MoreRumors?]

I like a few of the new key features but I see there is no new change to the Wi-Fi...

 

[longtimelurker]

We are excited to purchase these. You are in the severe minority here

"severe"? Do you have a source for that observation?

 

[koruki]

My key take-away is that I have to sell my already over-mortgaged soul to get one and they will drop support in 6 years or less.

I know right, Apple needs to stop making poor people that need the latest and greatest.

 

[topmounter]

Shamefully, the cheapest Apple laptop with more than one connection port and at least 500GB memory is $2,159 Canadian. And this with the old processor and still limited physical connectivity.

Correction: $999, the MacBook Air has more than one 'connection port'.

 

[longtimelurker]

*501(c)3 organizations

I meant to say that... Thanks.

 

[john123]

That makes sense, at least for people interested in the CPU bump (virtualization, RAW photographers, audio, etc).

The GPU is still a mobile chip not suited for demanding workflows.

Yeah. Unfortunately, that's been the Apple story for quite literally over two decades, and it's pretty clear it's not going to change. I made my peace with that a while back and am really grateful that I, personally, can get by with inferior GPUs for what I do. For those who can't, I definitely sympathize.

 

[code-m]

Look s

And if the client had a DVI connection, you would have needed a 2008 MBP... or a dongle. You can't ever count on your computer to have the ports you need in every situation. It was just chance that they had an HDMI projector and you had something that could connect to it. I've always had a lot of dongles because I always want to show up prepared for anything. At worst, I have one more dongle now.

I showed up to a client's with the wrong dongle once. That was the only time that ever happened. By the follwing week I had a multi-port dongle that would allow me to go from mDP to every popular monitor connector out there.

If you can't stand dongles, just buy a $5 USB-c to USB-A adapter. I have half a dozen of those. Some are assigned to specific devices I use all the time. A couple just ride along in my car and work bag in case they come in handy.

Sell reflect and see what Apple has done to you. Dongles have become like keys on a ring, are you a dongle master (key master)

 

[Mac-key]

As a video/photo professional - all I cared about was getting 32GB of RAM! Of course coming from a 2015 MBP, the more powerful processor and graphics card are HUGE bonuses as well.

 

[fpsBeaTt]

I stopped being their target customer when they started selling stripped down junk.

Your false premise tells me you were never their target demographic.

 

[pier]

And if the client had a DVI connection, you would have needed a 2008 MBP... or a dongle.

Maybe you aren't aware that HDMI is used by all TVs and projectors in the world, and USB-A is still used by the vast majority of mice, keyboards, disk enclosures, and memory sticks.

 

[fpsBeaTt]

Maybe you aren't aware that HDMI is used by all TVs and projectors in the world, and USB-A is still used by the vast majority of mice, keyboards, disk enclosures, and memory sticks.

Maybe you aren't aware that it's a non-issue to use a single USB-C multi-adapter to provide all these ports, and more.

 

[xitongzou]

no upgrade for the non touchbar models... so basically its a price increase. If you want the new specs, you gotta pay up.

 

[fpsBeaTt]

Yeah. Unfortunately, that's been the Apple story for quite literally over two decades, and it's pretty clear it's not going to change. I made my peace with that a while back and am really grateful that I, personally, can get by with inferior GPUs for what I do. For those who can't, I definitely sympathize.

https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/razer-core-x

 

[Killa Aaron]

Key takeaway, more expensive and I want that wallpaper.

I anxiously wait for a new 2018 iMac for Christmas, time to upgrade from my 2011 model.

 

[vipergts2207]

@Zq7r thought the keyboard was fine. That's cool. It's his opinion and it obviously struck a nerve with you, but I'm not sure how an expiration of a warranty on a keyboard makes your 2016 MBP useless. Plug in a keyboard. If it's going to replace your 2011 as a home server, you're not going to be typing on it much anyway.

I have a 2016. My keyboard is fine, but it had its moments. Yes, I'm a bit worried, but as someone who's had virtually every part in a computer die on him once, losing a key or two on a keyboard is the least traumatic failure I can think of in a computer that's more than 4 years old. Even if the entire keyboard dies on me, I can simply plug in one or use a Bluetooth keyboard.

Don't get me wrong. If my keyboard dies on my on day one of year 4, I'll be screaming bloody murder, but at least I'll still be able to get things done.

I won’t be upgrading before the extended warranty period runs out, so using a separate keyboard is quite silly to have to do with a notebook computer. Out of all the issues I’ve had with previous MBPs (GPUs on 2007 and 2011 MBPs) I never thought the issue I’d have with my newest one would be something as basic as a keyboard. At least GPUs have the excuse of being technically complex and made up of billions of transistors. A keyboard is just a series of buttons...

 

[Music Ambulance]

OH MY GOD, why can't you use function keys??? The function keys work EXACTLY the same way they always have, you either use the default setting where to access Function Keys you hold down the fn button or you change the default setting in System Preferences to make the Touch Bar always show Function Keys. This is how Macs have worked for at least a decade. Why do people have so much trouble with this concept?

Ah, because the majority of people bitching about this wouldn't know a function key if it bit them in their butt. That's why.

I use function keys without looking. Got a reply for that?

 

[zeesix]

The 32GB is nice. I'm not sure I can stand the touchbar though. I'm up for a refresh from work (so the price doesn't really concern me), but I'm not sure I want this. MagSafe and the keyboard still seem far superior on my 2015 model.