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Marco Arment Argues the 2012—2015 MacBook Pro is 'Best Laptop That Has Ever Existed'
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Yes, but doing so requires something called a "cable," which is a wire with connectors on the ends. One connector plugs into the iPhone, one into the MBP. Voila!
This is no surprise. The 2013-2015 MBP is demonstrably better for the reasons he mentions. I SO wanted to like the new version, but the gutting of many of the most useful design and performance capabilities drove me right to the Apple Refurb store to buy a max-spec 2015 version with a real keyboard, magsafe, SD card slot and other useful connections, etc. And that touch bar...yikes! But this is the direction of Apple today - the days of designing for how people use their devices are long gone - now you have to adapt to new ill-conceived designs. But it’s not just Apple...take a drive in a new BMW if you want to see another example of a race to the bottom in search of pleasing the undiscerning masses versus savvy enthusiasts.
Personally, I'm on board with removing old-style ports and moving forward with the future, though it does seem a bit "too soon" to have ditched the old USB ports altogether. Ditching built-in ethernet (a while back), bulky monitor connectors, and DVD drives all made sense because keeping them would significantly limit their ability to decrease size/weight of the laptop. But surely they could have left a couple of full-sized USB ports on there for another year or two.
Then there's the aspect of going a little too far with the obsession with thinness. Decrease size and weight, yes. But if you get to the point that in order to shave off another millimeter you have to decrease usability/comfort of the keyboard, you've gone too far. FWIW, I got a 2016 15" MBP w/touchbar from work. I had no problem adjusting to the new keyboard, but I still think the old keyboard is better. And that new one is noisy, too (and my wife is hypersensitive to it and complains to me about it when I'm typing on it).
Personally, I'd say the current-gen MacBook Air is probably the perfect laptop, except that it needs a retina screen. Of course, Apple would say that that's what the current-gen MBP 13" is since it's the same weight as the Air.
I don't have any strong opinions pro or con about the Touchbar. Right now it seems like more of a gimmick feature to me, but I'm fine with it.
I honestly don't miss MagSafe, though. Every one of my MacBooks has required replacement of at least one power supply because of the connector (at the end connecting to the laptop) eventually getting twisted/split/frayed, which ends up being an $80 replacement.
Then there's the aspect of going a little too far with the obsession with thinness. Decrease size and weight, yes. But if you get to the point that in order to shave off another millimeter you have to decrease usability/comfort of the keyboard, you've gone too far. FWIW, I got a 2016 15" MBP w/touchbar from work. I had no problem adjusting to the new keyboard, but I still think the old keyboard is better. And that new one is noisy, too (and my wife is hypersensitive to it and complains to me about it when I'm typing on it).
Personally, I'd say the current-gen MacBook Air is probably the perfect laptop, except that it needs a retina screen. Of course, Apple would say that that's what the current-gen MBP 13" is since it's the same weight as the Air.
I don't have any strong opinions pro or con about the Touchbar. Right now it seems like more of a gimmick feature to me, but I'm fine with it.
I honestly don't miss MagSafe, though. Every one of my MacBooks has required replacement of at least one power supply because of the connector (at the end connecting to the laptop) eventually getting twisted/split/frayed, which ends up being an $80 replacement.
I disagree. I prefer the 2015 13" MacBook Pro. 
I had to use one of the newer models for a couple weeks while mine was in the shop, and I never did take to the keyboard. Also I actually use some of those ports and the SD slot, dammit!
I had to use one of the newer models for a couple weeks while mine was in the shop, and I never did take to the keyboard. Also I actually use some of those ports and the SD slot, dammit!
...or more likely nothing at all. You need an adapter for most situations.
Ok, I should ask it differently. You buy a new MBP and you buy magic mouse 2. You come home. You need to charge it. Can you do it?
Well, he's a developer and probably uses his machine to make a living. It's pretty understandable. Emojibar, shallow keys that are prone to suffering from everyday dustiness, no physical escape key, premature dongle life, Apple's fraudulent battery claims, faulty units, software bugs that effected nMBP, same amount of max RAM, soldered storage... It may be a fashion statement for some and an instrument for some. Different strokes for different folks.
He might.
I remember when retina MacBook Pro first came out, folks were complaining about lack of optical drive, removable battery, user upgradable RAM and hard disk, and Ethernet port.
Now folks are complaining about lack of USB-A ports (mostly remedied with USB-A to USB-C cables), SD slot, and MagSafe.
The only legitimate complaint, which I share the sentiment, is the keyboard. Lack of Escape key when there's clearly a space for it, keyboard mechanism that can easily fail with tiny specks of dust, and lack of Touch Bar improvements on macOS High Sierra.
No, he's comparing. One laptop vs. another. It's called a comparison, not a complaint.
Oh... the mouse... and this is really "Professional's" problem? Really?
)))And if you have mcpro 2017 and new mouse, you probably have classic usb charger at home for any other appliance. And if not, you can buy the cable. That is what professionals do - they solve problems.
BTW: are you one of those guys, that can always find a problem for a solution?
))
You should see a doctor about that.
Word. It boggles the mind Apple’s flagship iPhone can’t be charged by its flagship laptop... unless you buy a dongle. Steve is rolling over ...
nope, I am the guy the likes simplicity and aesthetics. See the picture. I found a solution. But Apple made it ugly.
Oh... the mouse... and this is really "Professional's" problem? Really?
And if you have mcpro 2017 and new mouse, you probably have classic usb charger at home for any other appliance. And if not, you can buy the cable. That is what professionals do - they solve problems.
BTW: are you one of those guys, that can always find a problem for a solution?
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Totally agree with Marco. Newer ones have way too many design compromises with little reward to show for it, and the new keyboard, whether you like the feel of it or not, is a disaster. 30%+ failure rate at our place, ridiculous price to fix it. Price is irrelevant as all have been done under warranty and they’ll get junked after 3 years, but maaan I wouldn’t like to be a personal user of those keyboards outside the warranty period. The keyboard is a ticking time bomb.
If you like esthetics, then buy this:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0X2AM/A/usb-c-to-lightning-cable-1-m?fnode=97
or use iphone classic usb charger.
The rMBP 2013 Haswell Model is arguably one of the best bang for the buck in the past 10 years for Macs.
This model came with the following:
- Haswell chipset which allowed for double the graphics of 1st rMBP
- 1st MBP with great battery life (on par with current models)
- reasonable price compared to the year before and current models
- Machine runs like new all these years later
- capable of running all of apples new stuff...such as Apple Watch unlock
- Held up for two years before a real upgrade, b/c 2014 was another Haswell bump
- This was the last real substantial intel speed bump until it seems Coffee Lake
Opinion:
- Has the real trackpad
- Storage and Ram options are still compatible with recent models
- Useful ports
This model came with the following:
- Haswell chipset which allowed for double the graphics of 1st rMBP
- 1st MBP with great battery life (on par with current models)
- reasonable price compared to the year before and current models
- Machine runs like new all these years later
- capable of running all of apples new stuff...such as Apple Watch unlock
- Held up for two years before a real upgrade, b/c 2014 was another Haswell bump
- This was the last real substantial intel speed bump until it seems Coffee Lake
Opinion:
- Has the real trackpad
- Storage and Ram options are still compatible with recent models
- Useful ports
Why do I need to buy an additional cables? It should be a no brainer. I buy a new MbP, I buy a new mouse. The cable that is included with the mouse doesnt allow me to connect it to the new mbp. What is the point to have this cable it I need to buy a different one?
[doublepost=1510783670][/doublepost]As a person who uses both, I know that you get less with 2017. Same performance and a lot less comfort. But you pay more.
Love my 2015, with one exception: I’ve had a constant problem with the paint on the keys rubbing off. I keep my fingernails trimmed, so I don’t know what the cause is.
Oh — and the screen delamination issue. But Apple will replace that — if you can give up your computer for a week.
I do wish Apple would make another 17” MacBook Pro. Would really be helpful for us developers.
Oh — and the screen delamination issue. But Apple will replace that — if you can give up your computer for a week.
I do wish Apple would make another 17” MacBook Pro. Would really be helpful for us developers.
I was going to write down something caustic and really sarcastic but I refrained under the spirit of being a good sport.
