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MacBook Pro 2017
- Thread starter nickb1984
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Do you know if that device is being sold because of keyboard or other issues? I am in the camp of Mac users who have chosen to skip the butterfly keyboard generation of MacBook Pros (2016-present) due to the error-prone design leading to abnormally high failure rates. If I were to buy any used MacBook Pro, it would be a 2015 or earlier model.
I think that's a decent price for that machine; I just have concerns about buying any MacBook Pro with a butterfly keyboard on the used market. If I were looking at the used market, I'd only purchase one that already has AppleCare. I think the 2017 model is part of a program that allows several more years of extended keyboard warranty, however, my concerns in this regard still stand.
I’ve asked the seller to confirm any current or historic keyboard issues and they have said that there are not any. Still a risk though.
As you’ve skipped the butterfly models - may I ask have you kept an older model or switched to another product?
As you’ve skipped the butterfly models - may I ask have you kept an older model or switched to another product?
I have kept my MacBook Pro late 2013 and also purchased a Surface Pro 2017, which has become my new daily driver. Like most people on this forum, I prefer OSX, but I wasn’t willing to risk the hardware problems. Windows 10 has been just fine (more than fine) and I do still have my older MBP as a backup, although truth is, I rarely use it now.
That’s interesting, thanks. I’ve looked at the Surface Pro 6 recently. What has your experience been like with the machine. Biggest positives/any negatives?
I love the size, ports, magnetic power cable, kickstand, touchscreen and pen, the convertibility to a tablet, and the fact the Microsoft and Adobe apps (main things I need) run so well on Windows.
I missed the superior Mac trackpad (more and better gesture support in Adobe), the familiarity and comfort of the OS, and the instant-on of OSX. Also the battery life is better on the MacBook Pro. Also, I now have to run Malwarebytes to keep malware at bay. Never worried about that on the Mac. Also, I miss airdrop and iMessage (I have an iPhone and iPad).
It was a frustrating weeks-long transition to Windows because I had to retrain my muscle memory, find replacement utilities (like Seer to replace the inbuilt Mac Preview), and I had to get used to new ways of doing some basic things. But now, I prefer the Surface and rarely use my MacBook.
At this point, I have grown so fond of the Surface form factor and touch screen that I won’t consider another Mac unless Apple offers something similar. OSX isn’t enough of a draw anymore to tolerate hardware problems.
I missed the superior Mac trackpad (more and better gesture support in Adobe), the familiarity and comfort of the OS, and the instant-on of OSX. Also the battery life is better on the MacBook Pro. Also, I now have to run Malwarebytes to keep malware at bay. Never worried about that on the Mac. Also, I miss airdrop and iMessage (I have an iPhone and iPad).
It was a frustrating weeks-long transition to Windows because I had to retrain my muscle memory, find replacement utilities (like Seer to replace the inbuilt Mac Preview), and I had to get used to new ways of doing some basic things. But now, I prefer the Surface and rarely use my MacBook.
At this point, I have grown so fond of the Surface form factor and touch screen that I won’t consider another Mac unless Apple offers something similar. OSX isn’t enough of a draw anymore to tolerate hardware problems.
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It is nothing like the iPad tablet experience. The iPad is the best tablet there is in terms of responsiveness and apps. I wouldn’t even think of them in the same device category. The Surface is not instant-on, battery life is shorter, and there are far fewer tablet specific apps for Windows (but of course all the full apps also work in tablet mode, and that is HUGE).
I use (and really like) the Surface tablet mode for things like drawing directly on the screen in OneNote, Photoshop or Microsoft Whiteboard. There is a touch mode for Illustrator and Indesign as well, and some really good apps made for Windows in tablet mode. I especially appreciate the kickstand and wish my iPad had one. I love that you can rip that keyboard off whenever you want, and your apps don’t miss a beat. You don’t have to be in “tablet mode” to use your Surface as a tablet.
The other huge advantage of the Surface in tablet mode is that you can still use the mouse. This means a lot more utility in some apps like Excel that are painful to use with touch only on the iPad. I find myself taking the keyboard on and off my Surface depending on how I want to use it. It is very liberating having the option to use touch, pen, keyboard, mouse, Wacom tablet, or any other external device with it, whenever you want. You will find it hard to go back to a non touch screen.
Overall I am very happy with my Surface. If there were a Mac in a similar form factor, I have no doubt it would be a runaway winner. My trusty old MacBook Pro 2013 feels quaintly “last generation” by comparison.
May I ask what your primary use would be for this new Mac, or whatever other computer you may get?
I use (and really like) the Surface tablet mode for things like drawing directly on the screen in OneNote, Photoshop or Microsoft Whiteboard. There is a touch mode for Illustrator and Indesign as well, and some really good apps made for Windows in tablet mode. I especially appreciate the kickstand and wish my iPad had one. I love that you can rip that keyboard off whenever you want, and your apps don’t miss a beat. You don’t have to be in “tablet mode” to use your Surface as a tablet.
The other huge advantage of the Surface in tablet mode is that you can still use the mouse. This means a lot more utility in some apps like Excel that are painful to use with touch only on the iPad. I find myself taking the keyboard on and off my Surface depending on how I want to use it. It is very liberating having the option to use touch, pen, keyboard, mouse, Wacom tablet, or any other external device with it, whenever you want. You will find it hard to go back to a non touch screen.
Overall I am very happy with my Surface. If there were a Mac in a similar form factor, I have no doubt it would be a runaway winner. My trusty old MacBook Pro 2013 feels quaintly “last generation” by comparison.
May I ask what your primary use would be for this new Mac, or whatever other computer you may get?
Sure. I commute 2.5 hrs each day so it will be my entertainment and work devise on the train. Also, my daughter will use it for school, she’s 8 so computers are starting to play a bigger role at school.
I also plan enrolling in some online educational (masters or MBA). So it would be the main driver for a surface.
Also, I’m looking to use it for my FT subscription to access the e-paper (amazon subscription) in the morning!
I also plan enrolling in some online educational (masters or MBA). So it would be the main driver for a surface.
Also, I’m looking to use it for my FT subscription to access the e-paper (amazon subscription) in the morning!
Well, a Surface (or other windows tablet) might be a good option. Do you already own an iPad? Are there certain apps you must use?
I basically would not recommend the newest MacBook Pros because of the likelihood of hardware failures, but I would recommend older MacBooks or Windows devices. I also think the iPad is a great device if you don’t mind the restrictions of iOS.
Most of the young kids in schools here are on chrome books. Cheap and good enough for little kids. I wouldn’t let the little ones use my work Surface Pro.
I basically would not recommend the newest MacBook Pros because of the likelihood of hardware failures, but I would recommend older MacBooks or Windows devices. I also think the iPad is a great device if you don’t mind the restrictions of iOS.
Most of the young kids in schools here are on chrome books. Cheap and good enough for little kids. I wouldn’t let the little ones use my work Surface Pro.
I have a 2017 nTB MBP. It’s given me zero trouble whatsoever. Also, keyboard’s under warranty until at least 2022.
I’d go for it - if it fails it’s a free fix. The keyboard issues are true, but way overblown IMO. I’ve had two of the things (1st one was stolen) and both were flawless.
I’d go for it - if it fails it’s a free fix. The keyboard issues are true, but way overblown IMO. I’ve had two of the things (1st one was stolen) and both were flawless.
There are definitely nice things about the new models and many people like theirs. But The keyboard issue is widespread enough for Apple to acknowledge it and offer free repairs (they didn’t at first) and to promise one day turnaround (it used to be at least a week). There will be those who have had multiple keyboard failures, those who have had none, and those who have not had one yet. The bigger issue is that they replace the failed keyboard with exactly the same style of keyboard... there is not a permanent fix for it. This may not be a Mac you will be able to use in 5-10 years, unlike the trusty older models.
I am not willing to risk buying a machine with failure-prone parts, and would not recommend it to others. But f you do choose to get the new MacBook Pro, then I would make sure that you have an Apple store nearby, and that you have a backup machine if (when?) your MBP goes in for repair.
By the way, the keyboard is the most publicized problem, but there are also reports of “stage lighting” from a cable in the hinge that wears too easily, crackling speakers, and bridge OS errors on some models. I don’t know how widespread those issues are compared to the keyboard issue.
Good luck in your decision!
I am not willing to risk buying a machine with failure-prone parts, and would not recommend it to others. But f you do choose to get the new MacBook Pro, then I would make sure that you have an Apple store nearby, and that you have a backup machine if (when?) your MBP goes in for repair.
By the way, the keyboard is the most publicized problem, but there are also reports of “stage lighting” from a cable in the hinge that wears too easily, crackling speakers, and bridge OS errors on some models. I don’t know how widespread those issues are compared to the keyboard issue.
Good luck in your decision!
Sounds like a decent price for a decent product, but the cautions of others are real. I had a 2008 MBP, then a 2012 MBP, then wanted to get a 2016 MBP and found the keyboard to be awful for typing...at least for me. The failure issue is remediated by the now-extended warranty, but I still don’t like typing on it. So instead I got an iMac with a 3rd-party good, fast keyboard and love it. Obviously I’ve given up portability but the machine is pretty amazing. Should Apple improve the MBP keyboard, and get rid of the Touch Bar silliness (for me), and return to the MagSafe power connector, I’d get another one in a heartbeat. For now, too much I don’t like.
So for you, this appears to be a fair deal assuming the product tests without failures (use TechToolPro or other testing product, and the Apple diagnostics that come with the machine itself). Any plusses would include active AppleCare, processor and GPU upgrades, purchased software licenses, and so on.
So for you, this appears to be a fair deal assuming the product tests without failures (use TechToolPro or other testing product, and the Apple diagnostics that come with the machine itself). Any plusses would include active AppleCare, processor and GPU upgrades, purchased software licenses, and so on.