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MacBook Review Roundup: Major Design Appeal, but Too Many Key Compromises

It's such a shame that the specs are what they are.

I love the design, the size, just amazing. But no ports, that's hard to take. And performance of a 2011 Air? Not really good enough.

If it had the speed of a current Air, with the addition of the retina display, that might be quite the thing for those that don't need to go Pro.

But as it sits, I'm not sure I'd be interested. Even if I didn't already have a Pro that I really like.
 
ZCT said:
And performance of a 2011 Air? Not really good enough.
Click to expand...

The headlines saying it was the same power as the 2011 Macbook Air actually used the top of the line i7 as a comparison. The average increase in "stock" processors performance inclusive of the 2011 upgrade is 30% (25% in 2011, 2% - 7% for every year after that), and they did not even bother to use the stock processor from 2011.

The reviewer obviously had a bias by trying to slant the story by not comparing Apples to Apples -- but attempted to slant the story unfairly.

A little more power than you give it credit for.

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Icaras said:
Yep, eventually. Probably in a couple of years. It's days are definitely numbered.
Click to expand...

Probably with the fall revamp of the Macbook Pro line.... which will probably encompass what is now Macbook Airs.
 
Performance wise this laptop is basically on par with the iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 weighs less, has better apps (that are cheaper), and a retina display that is a touch screen. Plus you have the option for cellular. Add a 3rd party keyboard cover and you essentially have a better and cheaper version of the new one port MacBook
 
PortCity said:
Performance wise this laptop is basically on par with the iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 weighs less, has better apps (that are cheaper), and a retina display that is a touch screen. Plus you have the option for cellular. Add a 3rd party keyboard cover and you essentially have a better and cheaper version of the new one port MacBook
Click to expand...

You must have a custom made iPad Air 2 - much more powerful than anyone else :p
 
Honestly, this kind of puts the MB as a potential computer for college back on the table.

Considering I do work almost 100% wireless, and I'm sure in the very near future USB to USB-C connectors will be available third party for like, $20, which is really the only port I'd miss. The most intensive stuff I do is light photo editing with Photoshop and Pixelmator, and Final Cut Pro video editing. That's the ONLY roadblock I'm afraid of.

As beautiful as the MacBook is, and as bad as I want it, I'm still not 100% sold. It's definitely still in the air of "Do I care more about design and portability" vs. "do I care more about performance". For $1299 I can get the MB with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, or get a Pro with 128GB (too small for me) and 4GB. Of course the Pro is way faster, but that doesn't necessarily always matter. Most of my computer usage is schoolwork/safari anyways.

I guess I'll really need to see it in person first.
 
bkkcanuck said:
The headlines saying it was the same power as the 2011 Macbook Air actually used the top of the line i7 as a comparison. The average increase in "stock" processors performance inclusive of the 2011 upgrade is 30% (25% in 2011, 2% - 7% for every year after that), and they did not even bother to use the stock processor from 2011.

The reviewer obviously had a bias by trying to slant the story by not comparing Apples to Apples -- but attempted to slant the story unfairly.
Click to expand...

Interesting, thanks.

I had not looked that closely because I have a relatively new Air and a brand new Pro, so have absolutely no need of a third laptop. Since the new one has no ports and is clearly not designed as an upgrade to my Pro, I had not really paid attention.

Good to know though.
 
Not ready

I don't see the point of spending that kind of money yet. Only one USB-C port? Not for me. Especially when I have to spend $80 to get an adapter. Why on Earth would anyone but fanbois spend this kind of money?
 
Ok let's get a bit better performance comparisons:


Also the test model CPU was not mentioned. Since the article said $1299 for a price I am guessing he got the 1.1 ghz version. If that is the case then the rMB fairs much better.


Yep went GeekBench and all the MacBook 8,1 (the rMB) are the 1.1 and the averages match this score.

So the conclusion is..... the 1.2 and 1.3 will exceed these numbers.

Geekbench Scores
12" rMB 2416/4571
11" MBA i5 2015 2644/5132
11" MBA i5 2014 2491/4784
Mac Mini 2014 i5 2534/4827

Wow I guess the new rMB is a real loser when we compare more Apples to Apples.

Folks the difference in performance will be not be perceivable if you own one of these current models. Notice they are all i5s except the rMB.

With the exception of a lot of ports the new rMB will run most if not all the common programs just fine.
 
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bjet767 said:
Ok let's get a bit better performance comparisons:

Geekbench Scores
12" rMB 2416/4571
11" MBA i5 2015 2644/5132
11" MBA i5 2014 2491/4784
Mac Mini 2014 i5 2534/4827

Wow I guess the new rMB is a real loser when we compare more Apples to Apples.

Folks the difference in performance will be not be perceivable if you own one of these current models. Notice they are all i5s except the rMB.

With the exception of a lot of ports the new rMB will run most if not all the common programs just fine.
Click to expand...

Oh, but it is perceivable....... if you keep your eyes on the Activity Monitor and see the CPU go from 85% idle to 80% idle.... :eek:
 
I will make my decision when I see it on my hands and read some benchmarks.
I will probably buy one and do a test drive for less than 14 days and either keep it or return to Apple if is indeed very bad.
Since most of my use will be watching media, mail and safari, I think it should be OK. What really draws me to it is the size and weight. I want something very light while traveling.
 
BB1970 said:
$999 was the magic price point.
I would have bought one immediately.
Click to expand...

Once the line is no longer constrained -- in the fall... I expect to see a 4GB/128GB model for sale at $999.... (take-away $300 in options).
 
Not in the market right now, but if I was then having only one physical connection port would be a deal breaker for me. Need at least one of those USB ports on each side. Among other reasons, ports fail and you need the backup.

I'll stick to the Air for the foreseeable future.
 
Miat said:
Not in the market right now, but if I was then having only one physical connection port would be a deal breaker for me. Need at least one of those USB ports on each side. Among other reasons, ports fail and you need the backup.

I'll stick to the Air for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...

You must be very hard on your ports.... I have NEVER had one fail.

If it did fail the one thing that is nice about having the motherboard so small.... it is not soldered to the motherboard so it would be a matter of unplugging the port, detaching the cable and then putting a new one in. Of course if it were the controller it would be broken, but then all ports would have been dead anyway.
 
bkkcanuck said:
You must have a custom made iPad Air 2 - much more powerful than anyone else :p
Click to expand...

On the geek bench the core M and AX9 scored similarly. This makes since because the core M is also made for tablets. No need for a custom Air 2 the regular is powerful enough as is to keep up with the MacBook.
 
antonis said:
It is also insanely expensive for what if offers (add to this the price of the adapters that might needed since apple includes nothing).

Using a weak core M cpu is a huge step backwards.
Having worse battery is also a step backwards.
Leaving it without ports is a step backwards as well.
The retina display could be used in any other laptop line.

So, all these weaknesses for what ?

The product pipeline from the Steve era is empty. And this new pipeline really doesn't look good. :(
Click to expand...

It is not "insanely" expensive. 1299 is a just bit more expensive than basic MBA which do not have Retina display. Basically, for 200 dollars you get high definition screen which means a lot if you consider MBA screens. Core M can turbo up to 2.9 GHz, yet it is light and fanless. The main draw of the machine is not its gigantic performance (which it doesn't have) but good battery life and Retina display combination with mobility. I see no difference in benchmarks with MBA (mine is MBA 2013). Having a month long very heavy work load with MBA just fine, I would guess that same work load with new Retina MB will be fine as well. Indeed with this hi def screen you get more productivity, less eye strain.

For all of mine heavy workload, I use only one USB port. Guess, that I can still use the port in the Retina MBA, cause its got one. Should I need HDMI and USB3.0, there is adaptor, no big deal. If you constantly use USB 3.0 and HDMI out at same time, you can get MBA, Macbook Pro (both Retina and non-Retina). Or just buy adaptor. I never use HDMI from my macbook, but use instead mini display port- to -VGA adaptor and its just fine.

What do you mean ' retina display could be used in any other laptop line?" Retina for the first time comes to supermobile Macbook Air line and its welcome addition. You don't need it, dont buy it. Others may enjoy it, for example, photographers will greatly appreciate better display and so will graphic artists, publishing and typography people, as well as many who read a lot of PDFs on their notebooks.

As for me, having mobile, long battery Macbook air with retina display is a very good addition to the new product line. I bought iPad mini retina instead of iPad mini first gen and very happy with retina display. No doubts that people will be happy with Retina Macbook air too; if you find the price high for your needs, just wait until new generation comes and you will have discount. If someone can afford it, why not buy the new model? I am even thinking that I could sell my MBA 2013, add 200 dollars and get new Macbook retina. It will be also great cause it can drive external Retina displays too.

Pipeline looks just fine to me. There mobility notebooks like MBA, pro notebooks like MB Pro. You have budget versions for both (non-retina) and Retina versions as well (one Retina model for Macbook Airs). Choice is yours.
 
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bkkcanuck said:
You must be very hard on your ports.... I have NEVER had one fail.
Click to expand...

I have had two USB port failures over about 20 years, one each on two separate Macs. Both failures were ports that were not being plugged/unplugged all the time, just had a 'permanent' connection.

Neither was a practical problem because both machines had multiple USB ports.

Point is there is no port redundancy in this new Macbook, which is not good for something so functionally important. Wireless is not the answer to everything.
 
Miat said:
Point is there is no port redundancy in this new Macbook, which is not good for something so functionally important. Wireless is not the answer to everything.
Click to expand...

Something better. Easy to repair.... not soldered to motherboard.

If it were the chips that failed, all ports on laptops would die.... don't think they have more than one controller in most laptops.
 
I can't wait to see the new Macbook Pros coming out later this year. I'm sure once skylake and the mini thunderbolt port comes out, they will redesign the Pros using all the technology and design principles from the new Macbook (new keyboard, force touch track pad, smaller logic board, new battery shape, thinner display, etc). And eventually the Airs will be discontinued so they will be back to the Macbook and Macbook Pro.
 
antonis said:
How can you even compare a current machine with notebooks from the last decade ? Those old notebooks were useful back then. When they were new, not now. This one, though, is weaker than anything else the very same day it is going on the shelves. It is also insanely expensive for what if offers (add to this the price of the adapters that might needed since apple includes nothing).

Using a weak core M cpu is a huge step backwards.
Having worse battery is also a step backwards.
Leaving it without ports is a step backwards as well.
The retina display could be used in any other laptop line.

So, all these weaknesses for what ?

People think this laptop belongs to the future ? That's just fine. Call me in 5 years and I might buy it (as long as it will no longer be as underpowered as a tablet). But why would anyone pay so much money for this now ?

I'd agree with the point "if you don't need it, just ignore it" if it wasn't for the fact that apple seems to drop the ball too frequently lately. It is more and more clear that they've started to steer things towards a "lifestyle" / "trendy" direction. They do not seem so willing to make real computers anymore, rather than contributing to "thin" fashion.

The product pipeline from the Steve era is empty. And this new pipeline really doesn't look good. :(
Click to expand...
Unless this is one of his ideas that has taken time to get developed while they have waited for the right chip.
 
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