MacBook - my honest review

[Hieveryone]

There is much to love about the new MacBook.

1. The keyboard is good. It is great for fast typing. You get your terse feedback and move on quickly to type your next letter.

2. The form factor. Do I really need to praise it? It's light, it's thin, and you can carry it around all day everyday everywhere

3. The performance. It's not bad. Browsing the web, opening up apps, watching YouTube, is all kosher.

4. The speaker. It sounds amazing. I listen to music and I must this speaker is really good.

There is also a few things that are not so great. But only a few minor things.

1. The screen is a tad small. It is beautiful. But for using word or writing a paper for school your eye might be strained.

2. That one port is not a huge problem most of the time. But you might need to buy the dongle. Misplacing the dongle would be a huge problem for me.

3. Gaming. I've never played a game on one bc I was limited to the Apple Store model, but I don't suspect you can do heavy gaming at high res. Why? It has no fan.

Bottom line:

If you are looking for an iPad Air with El Capitan, this is your Mac.

 

[Eric8199]

OP: Thank you for your review. I assume you do not own the machine, but are reviewing it from one you used at the Apple Store?

I love mine, personally. Only thing I wish for is a little bit more speed. It's ALMOST fast enough to be my primary computer. The lack of ports isn't a deal breaker, but it can be a pain sometimes. I have the Apple dongle with HDMI, and kind of feel like it's a necessary purchase.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

That one USB-C port still bothers me now and then. Would've loved to be able to charge it from one side and connect an iOS device, MIDI device, flash drive, or anything, on the other side.

Anyone who is at least a mid-level power user is automatically resorting to hubs and other contraptions to do what nearly every other notebook can do natively.

You would've thought they would add at least another USB-C port on the right side by the 2016 model. Oh well, maybe next year.

 

[Hieveryone]

That one USB-C port still bothers me now and then. Would've loved to be able to charge it from one side and connect an iOS device, MIDI device, flash drive, or anything, on the other side.

Anyone who is at least a mid-level power user is automatically resorting to hubs and other contraptions to do what nearly every other notebook can do natively.

You would've thought they would add at least another USB-C port on the right side by the 2016 model. Oh well, maybe next year.

Another USB C would definitely help. A lot actually. In fact it would make it a much more compelling buy for a lot of people.

I think Apple is just trying to find compelling ways to differentiate the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook, and one could even argue the IPad Air.

 

[orioncrystalice]

Seeing all the love for the little thing is great. I started skeptic, had to see and try one out in person, and I eventually got hooked. The sooner they ditch the Air and get aggressive in updating and competitively pricing the MacBook, the better.

 

[mflpf]

I'm considering getting one to use primarily for travel. Are they powerful enough to use Photoshop and/or Lightroom?

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Anyone who is at least a mid-level power user is automatically resorting to hubs and other contraptions to do what nearly every other notebook can do natively.

The question is, which one of those other computers is just 0.14–0.52 inch thin and 2.03 lbs? I don't think Apple ever intends to add an additional port to the 12-inch MacBook. From what I've read, they didn't want any ports at all. I bet it killed them to even add the headphone jack.

I suspect for port lovers, the picture will become much clearer when Apple releases new MacBook Pro models with 2-3 USB-C ports of which 1 or 2 will support Thunderbolt 3. That is the machine for you guys. People like me who wanted what the OP said - an iPad Air sized device that runs OS X - are more than happy with the MacBook.

 

[Hieveryone]

The question is, which one of those other computers is just 0.14–0.52 inch thin and 2.03 lbs? I don't think Apple ever intends to add an additional port to the 12-inch MacBook. From what I've read, they didn't want any ports at all. I bet it killed them to even add the headphone jack.

I suspect for port lovers, the picture will become much clearer when Apple releases new MacBook Pro models with 2-3 USB-C ports of which 1 or 2 will support Thunderbolt 3. That is the machine for you guys. People like me who wanted what the OP said - an iPad Air sized device that runs OS X - are more than happy with the MacBook.

You nailed it. I think there is a big market for the MacBook. I just think too many people muddle it's purpose by saying it doesn't do this or it doesn't do that. Well, it's not supposed to.

 

[TigerMSTR]

You nailed it. I think there is a big market for the MacBook. I just think too many people muddle it's purpose by saying it doesn't do this or it doesn't do that. Well, it's not supposed to.

The MacBook is the Apple laptop 90% of people should be buying. It's a small minority's who has a need for the additional power of the MacBook Pro, and I'd wager that includes most self-professed "power users".

I'm ignoring the Air since that product is clearly on death row.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

You nailed it. I think there is a big market for the MacBook. I just think too many people muddle it's purpose by saying it doesn't do this or it doesn't do that. Well, it's not supposed to.

I think the issue is that the MacBook was the first "new Mac" in a long time and the first case redesign of any portable Mac since the rMBP's in 2012. As a result, there is pent up demand from many Mac users for something new and the "power users" were disappointed that the shiny new golden, silver, and space gray MacBooks were not suitable for their needs so they revolted.

As I said, the new MacBook Pros should level things out and allow the MacBook to be viewed in the context that it should be.

 

[rrm998]

I'm considering getting one to use primarily for travel. Are they powerful enough to use Photoshop and/or Lightroom?

I've taken the MB on two trips now, working with over 4.5K photos along the way. I use both Lightroom (primarily) and Photoshop (when needed). I used to take a 15" MBP so I've been surprised by how well the Macbook works with those products.

Photo editing is plenty responsive. Importing images goes pretty well unless you try to do 1:1 previews. You will need a lot of patience for that. Standard preview rendering goers fast enough -- about 10 minutes for 400 JPGs. I don't shoot RAW so I can't speak to that.

Photo export can also take a long time. I save that work for my iMac when I get home.

 

[where is it]

That one USB-C port still bothers me now and then. Would've loved to be able to charge it from one side and connect an iOS device, MIDI device, flash drive, or anything, on the other side.

Anyone who is at least a mid-level power user is automatically resorting to hubs and other contraptions to do what nearly every other notebook can do natively.

You would've thought they would add at least another USB-C port on the right side by the 2016 model. Oh well, maybe next year.

You can do that.

Just buy the media adaptor (I think it is called). The three port one with a USB, USB-C and HDMI holes.

I connect my iPhone for testing Xcode builds while charging at the same time.

http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MJ1K2ZM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

 

[maflynn]

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[Ma2k5]

I have no complaints about it - but my only reason for wanting to return it, is to see the new RMBP 13 @ WWDC (potentially).