Marco Arment Argues the 2012—2015 MacBook Pro is 'Best Laptop That Has Ever Existed'

[yegon]

Do you work for Microsoft?

Lol

Naah, nondescript IT firm that I’d rather not name.

I love Apple stuff, my personal 2013 15” MBP is still a champ. My opinion of the latest MacBooks, specifically their keyboard, is merely based on what I’ve seen at work on a pretty large scale. Of course it’s anecdotal, but it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that there’s a grave design fault when (roughly) 120 of over 300 laptops have had to be “fixed” due to keyboard issues.

The “fix” appears temporary given that over 50% of them exhibit the same issue after a while.

I would NOT be comfortable owning one of these laptops personally once Apple Care has expired. Having said that, I fully expect there to be a program put in place by Apple around 2019 offering continued support out of warranty, to avoid class action lawsuits.

 

[Remy149]

Do you remember your first replay to my comment?

I've been asking these "professionals": "Show me the device you cannot connect, a professional one". Still waiting for an answer...
Can you connect iPhone X to the 2017 MBP?

Is there something about additional cables?
I am still waiting for the answer.

I sure can connect mine I own a usb type c to lighting cable or can connect over WiFi

 

[SnarkyBear]

Wrong! The best laptop that ever existed were the 2006-2009 white polycarbonite Macbooks--easy to upgrade and repair, classy looking, and reasonably priced.

 

[nextuser]

I waited and waited for Apple to simply stick a retina display in the Macbook Air, but it never happened. IMO that would have been the best laptop.

I always resisted getting a Macbook Pro 2012-2015 because they were just slightly too heavy, when compared to the Air.

I personally don't think that USB-C is the future, I see USB-A being the dominant connector for a long time. They're everywhere, even in airplane seats.

 

[Michael Scrip]

In regards to ports...

Apple should have kept what the older Macbook Pros had: two USB-A ports and two Thunderbolt ports... but changed them to Thunderbolt 3 in these new models.

That way... it'd be easy to use your current USB devices... but you could also use newer USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 devices, monitors, etc. It'd be the best of both worlds.

Notice how people are freaking out about the loss of USB-A ports on the current Macbook Pro... while there is less freaking out about the loss of Thunderbolt 2 ports.

I'm guessing not many people ever used the old Thunderbolt ports. Some people might use one Thunderbolt port for a monitor... but I'm having a hard time imagining both Thunderbolt ports being used by most people.

All that being said... I do like the idea of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. Finally one port that can do nearly everything. No more single-use ports.

I just think Apple was premature in going "all in" on USB-C/Thunderbolt 3.

 

[likegadgets]

I have a maxed out 2012 15" and a Maxed out 2016 15" - Performance wise on day to day, the 2012 performs as good as the 2016. I use external monitors so the toolbar is useless to me in the 2016. I use too many adapters with the 2016. Both have 16GB Ram, though the 2016 has a 2TB SSD vs 750 on the 2012. I agree that the 2012 is the best MacBook Pro I have ever owned.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Included with wither X or MBP?

No, because 90% of iPhone owners don’t have modern computers.

 

[Archer1440]

After the stunt he pulled with his ad-blocker, I have as much interest in Mr. Arment's opinions as I have in those of a typical housefly.

 

[TMRJIJ]

View attachment 735993
Wrong! The best laptop that ever existed were the 2006-2009 white polycarbonite Macbooks--easy to upgrade and repair, classy looking, and reasonably priced.

Classy but not quality though. The shell is chipping off the edge of my screen on my 2008 model.

 

[Rogifan]

And why do we care what he thinks?

 

[TMRJIJ]

After the stunt he pulled with his ad-blocker, I have as much interest in Mr. Arment's opinions as those of a typical housefly.

That’s offensive to all houseflies, sir.

 

[fairuz]

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

Yes. The 2014 and 2015 models weren't big upgrades, but 2013 was a big one (Iris graphics vs HD, PCIe SSD vs SATA). Actually, the 2015 one has a slightly worse keyboard: The keycaps themselves feel cheaper. It's weird. I was a bit disappointed when I upgraded from 2012 to 2015 13" rMBP, which I only did because my 2012 one for some reason died in every way possible.

 

[btrach144]

Do you work for Microsoft?

I do and a few of use have Macs as secondary work machines. While some hate it more than others, nobody complains as much as that guy

 

[Internet Enzyme]

I like my macbook pro, except it's the base model so it's not capable of some tasks that I wish it was capable of. I also never even open the laptop anymore. It's always in closed-display mode. Right now it's sitting a few feet away from me as I am using a bluetooth keyboard and wireless mouse, with it being connected to a 40 inch 4K Ku6300 TV via displayport 2. So maybe a updated mac mini would fit me far better.

 

[itguy06]

Obscure website? O-:

Tumblr, while popular in some circles, I'd bet the majority of people have no idea what it is.

It is good for porn though.

 

[mox358]

It is a black eye on Apple that you can’t connect an iPhone and MacBook out of the box, no contest.

That being said if you just dropped $2000 on a laptop and $1000 on a phone I doubt the $20 cable is where the line should be drawn.

If you’re going to embrace USB-C you might as well start by upgrading to and carrying USB-C cables/accessories.

 

[itguy06]

In regards to ports...

Apple should have kept what the older Macbook Pros had: two USB-A ports and two Thunderbolt ports... but changed them to Thunderbolt 3 in these new models.

Like the HP I'm typing this on. One USB-A 3.0 port, 2 USB-C Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI and a SD card reader. It's the laptop that Apple should have built.

 

[deeper]

my only personal terror is the future usb - D..

 

[artfossil]

The best Mac laptop ever was the 1998-1999 Wallstreet/PDQ version. They were the last Macintosh of any kind to support Apple's floppy drive (critical for making 400K/800K disks for vintage Macs), support LocalTalk (again, critical for network sharing among vintage Macs), and the rainbow Apple logo. No contest.

I loved my Wallstreet/PDQ—loved the stealthy look and the finish and the Zip and other swappable drives.

I don’t miss its weight—7.8 pounds! No wonder I carted it around campus in a rolling bag.

I’m happy to be in 2017.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

You may have a single port, but you need an adapter for the iPhone, an adapter for the networking, an adapter for the monitor, a power port that will send your mac flying if you trip over it, an adapter for your external hard drive, an adapter for RAID, etc.

I'm glad that I'm using the "best laptop that has ever existed," lol.

I don't have adaptors for any of those things. You do realize they make RAIDs that have USB-C cables and there are USB-C to Lightning cables, right? No adaptors needed.

When I get home, I connect a single cable to my machine to have all those devices connected, along with power. Have fun taking 5 minutes each time you're coming or going plugging in a half dozen different cables.

 

[cmwade77]

Honestly, I find four USB-C ports to be enough, I spent about $20 to replace all of my cables that I use to USB-C to Micro-USB, etc.

But now I can EASILY charge my Macbook from a portable charger, my car, etc.

 

[KPOM]

I disagree. The 12” MacBook is closer to Steve Jobs’ ultimate vision for the notebook. It’s made to be wireless and simple.

 

[maziar.d]

i completely agree. i'm planning on using my 2015 13 inch pro for as long as i can. it's perfect for me, the right amount of ports, (i use the usb ports, sd card, hdmi out regularly), the magsafe charging port is the best charging port ever, apple was crazy to ditch it, the size is great, the trackpad isn't HUGE, etc. apple messed up by getting rid of all of the ports, it was way too soon for that. they should have done what everyone else did and add two usb-c ports and keep every thing else.

 

[KPOM]

You may have a single port, but you need an adapter for the iPhone, an adapter for the networking, an adapter for the monitor, a power port that will send your mac flying if you trip over it, an adapter for your external hard drive, an adapter for RAID, etc.

I'm glad that I'm using the "best laptop that has ever existed," lol.

How often do you actually connect an iPhone to a Mac? And there is a USB-C cable now that enables faster charging of the latest iPad and iPhone.

For the rare times I do need to connect, I found a USB-C hub with 3 USB-A, pass through power, Ethernet and HDMI in a package smaller than an iPhone SE. It was $70. Sure beats lugging around a heavy notebook.
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i completely agree. i'm planning on using my 2015 13 inch pro for as long as i can. it's perfect for me, the right amount of ports, (i use the usb ports, sd card, hdmi out regularly), the magsafe charging port is the best charging port ever, apple was crazy to ditch it, the size is great, the trackpad isn't HUGE, etc. apple messed up by getting rid of all of the ports, it was way too soon for that. they should have done what everyone else did and add two usb-c ports and keep every thing else.

Clearly they are trying to push the market forward and encourage USB-C/TB3 devices. Retaining legacy ports is why VGA won’t die on the Windows side.

 

[rtdunham]

I bought a new top-of-the-line MBP with TB but sadly can’t type effectively on the keyboard the way I can on my MBA. So the 2015 MBP offers me the keyboard I like and some additional ports and a retina screen, compared to the alternative of the current model MBA. So I’ll definitely investigate the specs further. I’ve been unhappy by the two choices on display in the stores. I’ll sell my MBP and either get the 2015 model or keep my MBA. For some of us at least, Arment’s article is of value.