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MacBook Review Roundup: Major Design Appeal, but Too Many Key Compromises
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Well, a 13" MBA of the same specs is the same $1,299.
An 11" MBA starts at $899 and the 13" starts at $999...
Or was that rhetorical to call into question how expensive a retina screen is?
Why not check it out in person and see what you think? If you can get by with one port, and your ok with the keyboard and touch pad, go fo it. You don't want to buy the MBA and have it get a retina screen in 6 months.
Seems like a lot of people feel that this product that has a retina display, 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD should sell for $999 or less.
I don't get that.
You take Apple's cheapest notebook ($899 11" MBA) and customize it with the same 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD that the MacBook comes with, and the price shoots from $899 to $1,199 (which is essentially the same price as this new MacBook)...
It never ceases to amaze me about how people ignore the facts and just make stuff up to please their own opinions.
For instance:
"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."
OK "a weak core M"
Not! The processor is thinner, uses less energy, runs cooler, has video and all at the same speed as my 2014 11" MBA i5. Weak? Wrong.
A worse battery?
Not! The battery is smaller, lighter and lasts longer than the comparble sized MBA review use. Not only that but the 9 hours Apple suggests is usig the higher ghz model.
Sorry wrong again!
Leaving it without ports, again it does have two ports and an improved WIFI radio over just one year ago models. Yes some will want (but probably not use) more ports.
The retina display can be used in any other laptop line. Well it is, so go buy one of those.
And then there's those who call this no different than the iPad Air 2. The simple answer is this; Stop watching all those youtube videos and start using a computer to do something big. Hey maybe you can learn to program your iPad!
And some seem to forget the base models of all those others come with 4 gigs less memory and a smaller SSD.
Hey the rMB will sell well and the specs say it is a great computer, especially for those who travel and a step up form factor over the current 11" MBA.
See you tomorrow!
For instance:
"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."
OK "a weak core M"
Not! The processor is thinner, uses less energy, runs cooler, has video and all at the same speed as my 2014 11" MBA i5. Weak? Wrong.
A worse battery?
Not! The battery is smaller, lighter and lasts longer than the comparble sized MBA review use. Not only that but the 9 hours Apple suggests is usig the higher ghz model.
Sorry wrong again!
Leaving it without ports, again it does have two ports and an improved WIFI radio over just one year ago models. Yes some will want (but probably not use) more ports.
The retina display can be used in any other laptop line. Well it is, so go buy one of those.
And then there's those who call this no different than the iPad Air 2. The simple answer is this; Stop watching all those youtube videos and start using a computer to do something big. Hey maybe you can learn to program your iPad!
And some seem to forget the base models of all those others come with 4 gigs less memory and a smaller SSD.
Hey the rMB will sell well and the specs say it is a great computer, especially for those who travel and a step up form factor over the current 11" MBA.
See you tomorrow!
Performance and specs aside, I still don't understand why Apple didn't just call this the "new" MacBook Air and rebrand the current Air as the "MacBook". Would make more sense IMO.
So this thing is as thin as an iPad, as fast as an iPad, has worse camera, battery life, no 4G, yet it costs 2 times more?
Innovation at its best!
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Actually i would pay 800 for it if it had a better camera and 4G. It would be a good price for what essentially is an iPad that runs OS X.
it runs far more powerful OS, if you didn't notice. Probably you didn't.
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Not from display point of view.
You're right, there's a big difference. The iPad Air 2 is a powerful iOS tool with the fastest processor available for that operating system. Most of the iOS apps out right now don't take advantage of its full capabilities.. and it has a broader range of capabilities because it runs iOS.
The rMB is an OS X laptop that will offer solid performance for basic every day tasks.
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Anorexia is the perfect description. Not to make light of an eating disorder, but Apple's obsession with being thinner for thin sake beyond the point of reason is mindboggling.
The iPads numbers are very deceptive. The processor uses a totally different architecture, and it's VERY good at performing certain tasks thanks to a bunch of limitations that iOS imposes on it (no real multitasking, sandboxed apps, etc). If you put a full desktop OS on it, it would collapse under the weight.
Since my first Mac in 1984, Apple has been leaving ports off, creating incompatible ports, and so on. But somehow, it was all tolerable. But for me, the missing near-universally standard USB port is the deal breaker.
It means you cannot charge your iPhone or the Garmin you want to use in the car tomorrow, read a colleague's USB stick, hook up a friend's scanner or joystick, draw with a Wacom tablet, hook up a friend's drive full of movies, and so on. In the name of (what exactly?), Apple has taken the U out of its serial bus. Once everyone else switches to the new USB, all will be universal again. Until then, it's just too much connectivity with the outside world to give up. At least, for me.
Maybe someone enterprising will come up with a replacement charger that has a couple of spare ports on it, perhaps similar to Plugbug, but with data as well as power.
It means you cannot charge your iPhone or the Garmin you want to use in the car tomorrow, read a colleague's USB stick, hook up a friend's scanner or joystick, draw with a Wacom tablet, hook up a friend's drive full of movies, and so on. In the name of (what exactly?), Apple has taken the U out of its serial bus. Once everyone else switches to the new USB, all will be universal again. Until then, it's just too much connectivity with the outside world to give up. At least, for me.
Maybe someone enterprising will come up with a replacement charger that has a couple of spare ports on it, perhaps similar to Plugbug, but with data as well as power.
With the trend toward wireless devices, I couldn't care less that ultraportables like the new MacBook are getting rid of ports, just like they got rid of built-in optical drives a few years ago.
However, using a 480p camera is a huge step backward (Apple dropped the 480p FaceTime/iSight camera from their other products over 5 years ago) and so is the lack of MagSafe.
Fair. But Mac App Store/OSX Apps >>>>> Google Apps available for Chromebook.
My point was also about someone comparing rMB to a $200 Acer Chromebook. It should be compared to the $1k Pixel - right down the USB-C port(s).
So this thing is as thin as an iPad, as fast as an iPad, has worse camera, battery life, no 4G, yet it costs 2 times more?
Innovation at its best!
2x more? Where's the iPad with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of Storage? It's $699 for 128GB, (or you say 4g, so let's say $829). So let's assume there was a 256 - there'd be a $799 (or $929 model). Where are we at 2x more?
iPad is also hugely thick with a keyboard case on it, and doesn't work with Apps that many people (including me) need. I've only found iPad Keyboard cases clumsy and frustrating. (pressing enter while sending a message and Messages doesn't SEND - it carriage returns?!) I'd much rather have an OSX device like this with a real keyboard.
If you want more weight, you are free to stuff your pocket with an external battery / re-charger -- it will work. BTW, it is rated at 9 / 10 (or up to 11 in light use - though not stated). Of course it can be as little as 3hrs if you run the CPU flat out using geekbench or a game
Apples estimates are generally accurate for most common usages.
So because there would be no iOS without OSX that makes me ignorant? Ok.
Well, from my point of view, as a person who utilizes a lot of the powerful music, design and photography apps on iOS, I can do a variety of things with great ease my iPad Air 2 that I know would prove more problematic if they were full OS apps running on this Macbook. I don't know why that's so hard for you to wrap your head around.
Question
So is Apple officially giving up on the Thunderbolt port idea? That didn't last long.
The MacBook Air was touted as being an incredibly thin 0.68-inch unibody design that weighs only 2.38 pounds.
And now we have the new MacBook that is Height: 0.140.52 inch and a weight of 2.03 pounds.
Because everybody knows that .68 inch was just too freakin' huge and 2.38 pounds was so darned heavy that it was weighing us down so badly and breaking our backs.
So why even bother buying this new behemoth when we know that in just a few short months Apple will come out with something that is only .48 inches thick and 1.98 pounds. Oh yeah, and don't forget that this newer laptop (the one that will be released in a few months) will introduce another new and different type of plug that you'll just have to have right away or die from sadness.
I used to like Apple, but their hipster mentality is just old and predictable. Apple is the company now that Microsoft was in 1980. And just like MS, this Apple will fall off the tree.
So is Apple officially giving up on the Thunderbolt port idea? That didn't last long.
The MacBook Air was touted as being an incredibly thin 0.68-inch unibody design that weighs only 2.38 pounds.
And now we have the new MacBook that is Height: 0.140.52 inch and a weight of 2.03 pounds.
Because everybody knows that .68 inch was just too freakin' huge and 2.38 pounds was so darned heavy that it was weighing us down so badly and breaking our backs.
So why even bother buying this new behemoth when we know that in just a few short months Apple will come out with something that is only .48 inches thick and 1.98 pounds. Oh yeah, and don't forget that this newer laptop (the one that will be released in a few months) will introduce another new and different type of plug that you'll just have to have right away or die from sadness.
I used to like Apple, but their hipster mentality is just old and predictable. Apple is the company now that Microsoft was in 1980. And just like MS, this Apple will fall off the tree.
Yea, well the most people are going to see is the price first, and then everything else, second. I don't blame them. Fast forward in a year or two, and I think we'll probably forget all these arguments though, because it's important to remember that we've been here before several times with Apple in the past. These are just one of those crossroads and people called Apple crazy before are doing the same thing again. Same ol' same ol'.
And like you mention with the CPU, I don't think it's going to matter much at all either. I remember reading one poster saying most people hardly need the amount of CPU power from the MBP. I think this machine is going to be sweet for road warriors, so it sounds like it would definitely be up your alley. For me the one port thing doesn't bother me personally. Call me crazy, but I actually want to see the headphone port gone on all Apple devices. But that's something for another discussion I guess....The only thing that really bothers me is the crummy 480p FaceTime camera. Ugh...
But if history has taught us anything, Apple knows how to clean up their product lines. But it takes time. Like others here have already mentioned: The MBA will remain as a transitional product for a while (my guess is a couple of years), until tech gets cheap enough for the Macbook to supersede it, and at some point, this thing will blossom and take off. It happened when MBA took over for the plastic Macbook. It's currently happening with the retina Macbook Pro taking over the classic Macbook Pro, and it will happen with the Macbook taking over the MBA. It's classic Apple.
Now where was I? Oh yes, waiting for the store to pop back up so I can pre-order my Apple Watch.
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Where did you hear that? This laptop did not REALLY need (like the iPad or iPhone). The Thunderbolt and USB 3.1 do overlap, but the high end the USB 3.1 cannot support due to higher latency and lower bandwidth. For things that have no need of the extra bandwidth and the latency USB is a better solution due to lower cost. For the high bandwidth or where latency are an issue -- Thunderbolt is still the preferred solution. Apple could even have a USB-C connected Thunderbolt 2 (20GBit) port (similar to displayport) if they wanted. Of course a Thunderbolt port (mini) would be required for Thunderbolt 3 (40GBit). The decision on Thunderbolt for Macbook is just that -- a decision for Macbook (based on Macbook needs and use case).
Things that the Thunderbolt are still invaluable for is external storage where it is not an offline backup (i.e. external SAS controller etc.), multimedia add-ons for the Entertainment industry, external PCIe expansion, external Video "card" adapters etc. Basically for things that need the extra performance and where the extra cost can be accounted for. For most USB-3.1 is good enough and more than enough for an ultralight portable of the Macbook's class.
Same can be said of each and every reduction in bulk and weight, a Macbook pro is almost as light so why the air... etc.
Personally, I want the lightest, least bulky laptop that will annoy me the least and still serve my needs... and that is this Macbook. At home, no laptop will due to my preference to 3 - 4 external monitors - one day probably 3 x 40" 4K monitors.... but when I am on the road, laptops like this are a godsend. The iPad even made it into peoples use cases where this Macbook would have been better if it were available at the time since it is almost as un-annoying as the iPad to carry around.
I still do, I am not going back to Windows anytime soon. Apple may one day fall to some other eco-system... but right now Apple is where I am.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+: Positive points that make me want to buy it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Fanless operation
I just can't tolerate noise. I have the option to move a desktop computer away from my ears but this does not apply on laptops.
+ Retina display
The more pixels the better. 16:10 ratio is mandatory for me, I have never been comfortable with 16:9. If only the screen was matte ... I would gladly overpay for such an option.
+ Size/weight, portability
Every 11/13" laptop out there is either too big, too small, too heavy, too wide for the stuff I need to do and I can't do efficiently enough on my iPad while on the go. And yes, people use laptops at bed or on their couch too.
+ Illuminated keyboard keys
Glad they kept this.
+ RAM
Glad they kept the 8GB and made it a default. It's been like a decade since I last bought or built a computer for myself with just 4GB.
+ SSD
PCIe-based. The faster the better.
(+) Upgradeability
No SSD(?) or RAM upgrade but at least I can max the SSD in a made-to-order configuration and replace the batteries(?).
---------------------------------------------
-: Negative things that make me want to pass.
---------------------------------------------
- Connectivity/Expandability
A deal breaker. You can't do anything interesting or practical with just one port. Put 2 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports and a plain USB one and I am sold. WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 is nice but still. Can I spend hours traveling by air/train, maybe use an external USB stick/drive if needed while preparing my keynote, give a presentation with a non bluetooth presenter and a VGA/DVI/HDMI projector, often also needing Ethernet Internet at the same time, and then, why not, using my favourite USB Logitech mouse at the meeting table without looking silly with all the adaptors hanging and without cursing at Apple or myself ?
- Price
Too expensive to justify all the compromises. Plus, the recent decision of increasing prices everywhere is a slap to the face for non-USA customers.
- Battery
With all the hype from Intel for the new low power/performance CPUs and from Apple for filling the empty space with batteries I would expect a better battery life.
- Keyboard
Just not good enough for me. I prefer the old one in MacBook Airs/Pros which is almost perfect sans the ridiculous absence of a Delete key.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????
?: Don't care - can live without it - not sure yet.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????
? CPU
I don't expect a laptop to replace my ultra powerful workstations at home and work. I need a compact portable computer where I can type, do light productivity/creativity/development work and entertain myself while I am on the go. Also use it for presentations.
? GPU
I hate 3D games anyway. As long as it can do ScummVM and MAME I am ok.
? Camera
I don't even do social networks. As long as it can do skype/hangouts/facetime I am ok.
? Trackpad
Not sure yet about the new feel and functionality.
? Illuminated Apple logo
I will miss it. It was iconic. I am already (over)paying for technology, let me feel luxurious once in my life.
? USB 3.1 Gen 1 type-C
Mostly hype, won't make the old USB sticks or existing drives look faster. But it would help if you want to transfer GBs of data back to your main computer using an external USB 3.1 SSD drive. Type C connection looks like it should have been invented right from the start instead of forcing for 20 years the whole world into putting up with archaic ways of connecting peripherals. Again, not enough ports.
+: Positive points that make me want to buy it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Fanless operation
I just can't tolerate noise. I have the option to move a desktop computer away from my ears but this does not apply on laptops.
+ Retina display
The more pixels the better. 16:10 ratio is mandatory for me, I have never been comfortable with 16:9. If only the screen was matte ... I would gladly overpay for such an option.
+ Size/weight, portability
Every 11/13" laptop out there is either too big, too small, too heavy, too wide for the stuff I need to do and I can't do efficiently enough on my iPad while on the go. And yes, people use laptops at bed or on their couch too.
+ Illuminated keyboard keys
Glad they kept this.
+ RAM
Glad they kept the 8GB and made it a default. It's been like a decade since I last bought or built a computer for myself with just 4GB.
+ SSD
PCIe-based. The faster the better.
(+) Upgradeability
No SSD(?) or RAM upgrade but at least I can max the SSD in a made-to-order configuration and replace the batteries(?).
---------------------------------------------
-: Negative things that make me want to pass.
---------------------------------------------
- Connectivity/Expandability
A deal breaker. You can't do anything interesting or practical with just one port. Put 2 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports and a plain USB one and I am sold. WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 is nice but still. Can I spend hours traveling by air/train, maybe use an external USB stick/drive if needed while preparing my keynote, give a presentation with a non bluetooth presenter and a VGA/DVI/HDMI projector, often also needing Ethernet Internet at the same time, and then, why not, using my favourite USB Logitech mouse at the meeting table without looking silly with all the adaptors hanging and without cursing at Apple or myself ?
- Price
Too expensive to justify all the compromises. Plus, the recent decision of increasing prices everywhere is a slap to the face for non-USA customers.
- Battery
With all the hype from Intel for the new low power/performance CPUs and from Apple for filling the empty space with batteries I would expect a better battery life.
- Keyboard
Just not good enough for me. I prefer the old one in MacBook Airs/Pros which is almost perfect sans the ridiculous absence of a Delete key.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????
?: Don't care - can live without it - not sure yet.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????
? CPU
I don't expect a laptop to replace my ultra powerful workstations at home and work. I need a compact portable computer where I can type, do light productivity/creativity/development work and entertain myself while I am on the go. Also use it for presentations.
? GPU
I hate 3D games anyway. As long as it can do ScummVM and MAME I am ok.
? Camera
I don't even do social networks. As long as it can do skype/hangouts/facetime I am ok.
? Trackpad
Not sure yet about the new feel and functionality.
? Illuminated Apple logo
I will miss it. It was iconic. I am already (over)paying for technology, let me feel luxurious once in my life.
? USB 3.1 Gen 1 type-C
Mostly hype, won't make the old USB sticks or existing drives look faster. But it would help if you want to transfer GBs of data back to your main computer using an external USB 3.1 SSD drive. Type C connection looks like it should have been invented right from the start instead of forcing for 20 years the whole world into putting up with archaic ways of connecting peripherals. Again, not enough ports.
I got mine! It's a pity upgrading to 1.3 Ghz makes it 3-4 weeks. I guess I can go to the Apple store and have a look and feel at it while waiting for it to come.