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

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I'll say that right now.

I'm going to dump the 13 inch macbook pro for this as soon as the store opens tomorrow. I need word, excel, mail, web, keynote, pages, quickbooks, etc. I don't give a flying leap about pictures (I don't think i have even taken a picture in about five years) or movies.

I want to drop that worthless 2 pounds of weight in a machine I carry around 24/7/365.

Ah just like with Watch rationalizations, we have to find flaws with existing Apple products to rationalize these new ones.

With Watch, suddenly we have to "fumble around" with our iPhone or strain to pull it out of pockets. Or we have to cook up odd scenarios where having a screen on our wrist so we can get an emergency text really will work better than getting that same text on the phone screen we're probably checking 50 times a day.

With MB, the pro is now far too heavy and the Air has a terrible screen. We don't need ports anymore because everything we do is wireless. Etc.

Hop in a time machine and go back a few months before we knew the Watch or the MB was coming. Post those gripes against iPhone or MBA or rMBP and you would be skewered. Did iPhones, MBA and rMBP change recently to become so problematic? Of course not.

Remember when our rationalizations for new Apple products were based on obvious greatness vs. competitor products? Remember how we didn't have to beat down an iPhone to rationalize the new iPad or beat down an iPod to rationalize an iPhone? How did we get here, where some of the best reasons we can conjure for buying these 2 new things come at the expense of other Apple things?

 

[WrQth]

Yes, like Cook did with the floppy disk, SCSI ports, FireWire, CD/DVD drive, upgradeable memory, releasing the original MacBook Air in 2008 with one port (and at $1,800), etc...

Oh, but wait... That was someone else's spirit and reign...

But most of the products which had those pieces removed were still great products for the majority of users. Can the same be said of the rMB and Watch?

 

[tongxinshe]

"I'd totally sacrifice all of the power of a modern laptop, and use something with the speed of a 2011 MacBook in order to just have it a TINY bit thinner!" - said no one, ever.

To me these just seem like Apple showing off what they CAN accomplish now, and nothing more.

You missed the real *only* advantage the new MacBook has -- the retina display, or in other words, high resolution.

 

[BCWorld]

Classic apple: they either release a product that's outdated upon arrival or a product that too far ahead of its time. When will they get it right?

 

[jamesryanbell]

The Verge review seems like the general gist of what most people are saying. (Point being that the speculation seems to be right on point)

 

[Breaking Good]

I am typically extremely pro-Apple, but the prices of the dongles for this MacBook (in addition to the price of the MacBook) are indefensible.

Price for the multi-port dongle that I just bought for my Dell XPS 13 was $75.00 from Dell.

Now, to be honest, that was list price. I decided to buy the bundle that also included their new power pack. So with the two bundled and several discounts applied I think it was $125 for both.

So how much is the dongle for the new MacBook?

The more I look at the new MacBook, the more I think it should be viewed as an iPhone accessory rather than a personal computer.

I realize it is a rather expensive accessory, but it seems primarily designed to do things that are extremely difficult to do on the iPhone's screen and virtual keyboard.

I see a lot of people complain about the price and I understand the new MacBook is expensive. But I really don't think it is any different than comparable Windows devices.

My Dell XPS 13 is a very nice device. But as I use it, it becomes apparent to me where Dell skimped on quality. For example, the rear corners of the top come to sharp edges that catch on my computer sleeve as I try to put it away. On the other hand, by father's MacBook Air fits together perfectly in that area with no sharp edges.

With Apple, you pay a lot. But you also get a lot.

 

[LordVic]

Finally, someone who get's it and Apple's design philosophy!

Most others are as breathless as they were when the 2008 MacBook Air was introduced with one port, 2 GB of RAM, and an 80 GB spinning disk - for $1,800. I remember that time well with all those sporting squinty-eyed sneers barely able to contain themselves bleating out predictions of doom.

Time will tell

but the Original MBA wasn't the resoundign sucecss it is today until the 2010/2011 product year where they dropped the price to start at 999 and they put in the i5 generation CPU. before that it was an oddity that few people were buying.

I think that is what will happen here too. in a year or two from now, there will be a 4gb/128gb model that starts at $999 with a more reobust CoreM or i5 CPU in it and it will replace the MBA and sell fantastically.

but right now? I think it's a "wait and see" product

 

[linuxcooldude]

As expected. Pricing and the lack of ports are problematic. The compromise is way to big. But some people around here will find an excuse (you are not the target audience, great machine, future of macbooks etc.) and spend happily their money for it.

Is it really an excuse, or are you trying to enter the Indy 500 with your Ford Focus? Its just one of many models you need to choose whats the best for you. If this MacBook is not for you plenty of options out there.

 

[maflynn]

Great! More negative reviews means less button mashing tonight.

No question, people are now seeing that you're paying a premium for a slow computer with so-so battery life, that may have some heat issues, and/or a keyboard that you need to get accustomed too (less key travel).

The more I see these reviews the more I see this not selling as well as Apple had hoped.

 

[baryon]

I like the general idea of the new MacBook but I wonder: if the iPad can pretty much do everything except for the heaviest, professional-type of work that require peripherals, serious video editing, Photoshop, etc, and the MacBook can't do that either, then what's it meant to be used for? It's an iPad with a keyboard that is meant to do the stuff the iPad does but on OS X.

Sure it's nicer to be able to actually multi task and download files and all that, but it's not like those are the main reasons Apple expects you to buy it. What type of typical use is it for? At least the MacBook Air was quite a powerful laptop that easily does everything, even moderate high-end stuff.

Sure you can further create sub-sub categories that go between the Air and the iPad, but I guess this machine is for those who want a real computer just because they prefer it to an iPad for basic stuff. I see it as a replacement for the iPad for those who don't like tablets, because it makes little sense to have both an iPad and the MacBook as they overlap a lot.

 

[QCassidy352]

Most others are as breathless as they were when the 2008 MacBook Air was introduced with one port, 2 GB of RAM, and an 80 GB spinning disk - for $1,800. I remember that time well with all those sporting squinty-eyed sneers barely able to contain themselves bleating out predictions of doom.

And that model didn't sell all that well and wasn't really much of a good buy. The MacBook Air only became a category-changing best seller when the price came way down and the functionality came way up (more ports, ssd standard).

Same could very well happen here -- if apple pays attention to the response -- in a subsequent generation.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You know you can get an iPad for a fraction of the price of this right?

...or an iPad with a keyboard also for a fraction of the price AND drop another "worthless pound" from his load.

----------

Everyone's missing the key selling point. You can buy it in GOLD!......

I know you're joking (and it's a good one) but boy that's close to a nerve.

 

[thekeyring]

So you think a product is perfect so long as it performs the one trick YOU need it to? People don't need 15 USB accessories, but being plugged into power, an ethernet connection, and having a couple USB devices plugged in at the same time doesn't sound like something only "idiots" would do.

No, and if that's your use case, get another device, like the 13" MacBook Pro.

By "idiots" I was referring to people who take a thin and light device and compare it to their machine that's clearly built for a power user, or at least someone who needs two or three ports.

 

[BrianKonarsMac]

This looks basically like an iPad with a keyboard in terms of capabilities & performance - I wish it were more like a Surface Pro with a removable keyboard in that regard. I'm certainly not the target audience for this... in all honesty, it seems like it is purely a test to see how far they can push the Apple tax without impacting sales. A fool and their money...

 

[neuropsychguy]

I won't buy one because it doesn't fit my needs. The MacBook certainly has limitations but most people won't care. Most people who use computers really don't know a GHz from a GB. They'll see a beautiful computer that works well enough for what they want to do. Is the computer overpriced? Maybe (Apple almost always has large profit margins on products) but it's still an impressive machine. Wait until the next model if you really need an ultra thin, ultralight 12" laptop geared towards extreme portability but want more performance.

 

[GalileoSeven]

"I'd totally sacrifice all of the power of a modern laptop, and use something with the speed of a 2011 MacBook in order to just have it a TINY bit thinner!" - said no one, ever.

To me these just seem like Apple showing off what they CAN accomplish now, and nothing more.

Pretty much this. IMO, with the way the Air and Pro lines are developing (in addition to the ever-present rumors of an 'iPad Pro'), there's pretty much no plausible middle ground or niche for this to fill. If someone can make a use case for this though, more power to em.

 

[citysnaps]

Time will tell

but the Original MBA wasn't the resoundign sucecss it is today until the 2010/2011 product year where they dropped the price to start at 999 and they put in the i5 generation CPU. before that it was an oddity that few people were buying.

I think that is what will happen here too. in a year or two from now, there will be a 4gb/128gb model that starts at $999 with a more reobust CoreM or i5 CPU in it and it will replace the MBA and sell fantastically.

but right now? I think it's a "wait and see" product

Yes, that's how product roadmaps work. Apple releases new products with the most reasonable technology at the time. With time, as Intel and other vendors improve their products and reduce prices corresponding to their roadmap, Apple incorporates that better technology and reduces price as well.

Nothing new here...

 

[thekeyring]

I think the number of compromises on the MacBook, combined with its price, go beyond the removal of the optical drive on the original MacBook Air. When you add that to what I suspect many (clearly not everyone) might have been hoping for in a new MacBook Air, I think you get a lot of disappointment.

I am going to quote oneMadRssn, as he succinctly posted almost exactly what I am feeling:

"I suspect the reason there has been so much animosity towards this Macbook (a bit from me as well) is because they were hoping for a different product. Most people were hoping for a redesigned Macbook Air with a Retina display, but same class of CPU, same ports, same battery life.

Instead, Apple releases a dilemma - it's asking people to sacrifice ports and much more cash for a retina display, lower weight, and thinness. Plus, adding insult to injury, Apple has removed an very popular and well regarded feature - magsafe. To say nothing of the lower battery life rating. I don't blame people for being pissed at this dilemma.

Before the choice between MBA and MBP was relatively simple. Now for people with aging MBAs, the choice between rMB and MBA is not only tough, but it's forces a sacrifice: retina or ports - one of those has to go if you want a slim and light mac, can't have both."

That's a great point, but one could argue the choice is now simpler: Retina MacBook or 13" MacBook Pro? Lots of people said that the Pro is so thin Apple should have only one lineup of notebooks that range from 11" to 15".

So, you can go thin, light, retina, ports = 13" MacBook Pro, or super-thin, ultra lightweight, retina display, but lack of ports/power with the MacBook.

 

[AliMacs]

Tim: Jony - come with me, we must speak about some concerns...

Ive: Sure, as long as we talk about the next ipad Air I have in mind!

Tim: Jony - I respect your professional perspective on industrial designs. I love how thin our products have become. I have grown to accept how thin and all compromises that come with thin design.

Ive: What do you mean compromises? I design my products with the utmost respect for natural forms and functions always come second due to the way the forces of nature have on aesthetics. I don't know where this conversation is headed and I don't care because when Jobs' left me the reign, he told me to go balls deep in my designs.

Tim: Well, i respect your design decisions but I don't appreciate how apple is now perceived as being a form over function company. Look at the incoming reviews of our newest products and it shows that they do not care for having thinner devices especially at the expense of losing functionality; basic ports even.

Ive: You don't know what you are talking about, Tim. It's unapologetically thin because it can be and should be. Speak to me when you have mastered how to design thin products. If you are going to talk down to me about my designs, at least give me an example of something truly terrible in design...(gets cut off)

Tim: iOS 7.0 - it's an abomination and in fact I'd actually give Forstall a phone call just to have him come back and redo what you have destroyed.

Ive: Tim, Go F--- yourself. I'm done. I was going to surprise you with my next iPad AIR design but you obviously don't appreciate my designs. The next iPad won't even have a headphone jack because we will use the lightning port only. Not only does it not have the headphone jack, it will be 1/3rd thinner than the iPad AIR - and i've been getting feedback from your dumb tech teams telling me my designs causes flaws like holding the right side of the iPad air 2 results in screen distortions and some bulls--- about speakers vibrating because the back shell is already too thin. I'll tell you what, I'll remove the speakers and make the backside even thinner just because I can. Once you see the iPad i have in the lab, you will understand how paper thin i can get these devices.

Tim: Jony- You're out of your mind. Next meeting we have, i'm going to announce your replacement...

Ive: you know you love me because I make apple charge people for adapters and that nonsense you complain about and when next quarters profits are announced, make sure you come by and kiss my a--.

 

[LordVic]

Yes, that's how product roadmaps work. Apple releases new products with the most reasonable technology at the time. With time, as Intel and other vendors improve their products and reduce prices corresponding to their roadmap, Apple incorporates that better technology and reduces price as well.

Nothing new here...

no, but you don't want to fail too much on the initial offering or you / board / customers whomever run the risk of losing faith in that roadmap.

I think they would have been better off dropping $200 of the price of this right now, selling it at $999 and using the same Atom CPU thats in the Surface 3.

yes, it's lower performing in single core tasks. Multicore seems about the same, but the price difference in the chip is astronomical. I believe the Core M is currently around $200 / chip and the Atom is around $15 / chip

 

[tejeshwarsekhon]

So i was going to buy the rMB but after seeing the reviews i think i will wait. Will buy a MBA 11" this year & maybe 2 years later i will buy the rMB.

One question guys, Will HD6000 improve overall graphics of the mac or only for gaming & videos over the HD3000 (on my 2011 mac).

 

[racer1441]

You know you can get an iPad for a fraction of the price of this right?

Cool. I can't seem to find the link to the iPad that runs OS X. Send that over and I'll buy one.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I actually use time capsule, Apple TV, iPhone wifi sync, and photostream, but I STILL think the lack of ports is a problem because:
1) I have a wired mouse I really like. Sure I could get a Bt mouse, but my mouse is excellent, and I already own it
2) sometimes plug my phone in, such as to update iOS or make a local backup.
3) cameras other than iPhone/iPad would benefit from either usb or sd slot.
4) use of external hard drives either to make a fully cloned (bootable) backup or to offload media if ssd is filling up
5) charging/syncing random peripherals, such as gps watch and BT headphones

Maybe some people are in a fully wireless world already. I use many, many wireless services, but this is still a bridge too far for me.

Very good post. In my case, I work with lots of corporate clients where having ports is simply necessary. Sure they have wifi too but it's almost always locked down, so it's often easier for them to permission a wired ethernet port than grant access to various resources through internal wifi. Need to print something? It's often easier to connect to a printer with USB than wirelessly if it's not the printer back home (and already set up).

Hotels often have wifi and wired. Even pricey hotel wifi can seem overloaded (slow) so the wired connection tends to be the better option. Conceptually, the traveler is also more secure connecting via wired instead of wireless. And so on.

I get that some are completely wireless and probably don't need this for work/travel so they don't have to be ready for what clients/employers might throw at them at distant sites... and good for them... but for everyone that can make that punch, I'd imagine there at least more than one other that can counter it.

And carrying the adapters in the bag to be ready for anything should count against "lightest".

It shouldn't be so long now until Apple decides to jettison the battery to make it thinner. When they do, I expect some of this crowd to spin it as "now we can get whatever size battery we want". Keyboard & Screen can be ejected next, "now we can get whatever keyboard or screen we want". Eventually, there will be just an absolute thinnest & lightest USB 5 hub branded a Macbook Nano Air or something like that, "our thinnest & lightest Macbook" ever... and some of us will gush to no end for it. Call it out as a glorified USB hub and 5 guys will call you a troll. And I'm only about half joking here

 

[26139]

Huh...

Seems a perfect second computer, or a primary one for 90% of computer users that never do more than surf the web, send email, and create word docs.

Methinks us "power" users and reviewers are doing non-techies a disadvantage by comparing what it does to our needs, not the audience it was likely built for.

It's not something I would buy, though if I had an iMac it would be great or wrote/surfed solely for a living.

 

[avanpelt]

That new keyboard was a solution that was looking for a problem that doesn't exist. I have not heard or read a single pundit (even the staunch Apple defenders) who said that the new keyboard felt amazing from the get go. Many of them said it grew on them the longer they tried it out; but that is essentially damning with faint praise.