Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MBP 15 2018 for a writer?

A

Abaganov

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 30, 2016
375
239
asking for a friend. she Is a writer and she is concern that the extra large touchpad is not very convient for long hours of typing on a the keyboard, so she is thrown a bit between the 15 vs 13.

money is non issue and she prefer the large screen but just worry that the typing experience on the 13 is superior due to the smaller surface of the touchpad area.

are there any folks here that spend a lot of time writing on the 15" and can comment?

Thanks in advance!
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
The large trackpad doesn't get in the way of typing thanks to the excellent palm rejection, it has never been an issue for me and I type a lot on it. The very few times where I did touch the trackpad per accident, it wasn't while typing. (And conversely there are a number of situations where I find a trackpad of that size to be a big convenience, you rarely ever hit the edges when dragging some files around or doing some three- or four-finger gestures.)

If this is the main criteria/worry then I'd advise she should go with the 15" model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac, artfossil, Falhófnir and 1 other person
I don't even touch the touchpad area while typing so I never had such problem.
I'd go for the 15" inch either way, bigger screen, better viewing experience, better battery life...
 
  • Like
Reactions: artfossil and Abaganov
The touchpad has never gotten in the way - palm rejection works perfectly. I actually like the keyboard and was slightly concerned because of the complaints of the last generation. I have not found any problem so far..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abaganov and artfossil
If she's buying from an Apple Store, she can return it within a couple of weeks. Check before buying, but I've done this. It seems like there are a number of variables (screen and trackpad size, keyboard feel) that could affect her satisfaction. Give one a try!

I should add that I was in marketing for a long time, and have written literally millions of words on Macs. I have an 2013 15-MBP that I use with an Apple BT keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, though I type for long periods on the laptop keyboard, too (like months) - just not as efficiently. The trackpad hasn't been a problem until just the last few months, when I enabled some of the keyboard gestures (mainly, double-tap for right click). Only then did I get cursor hopping troubles. My point is, you can go to SysPrefs-Trackpad and turn all the touch stuff off, and turn on Bottom Right as Right Click. It's all very configurable.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Abaganov, artfossil and Chairman.Jobbie
There are people who complain about the trackpad size, personally I’ve never had an issue with it, nor have heard any complaints from our employees. As others have pointed out, she can try the computer out if she buys at Apple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Plett and Abaganov
I wrote an 85,000 word novel on a 15" 2016 MBP. The large trackpad is a non-issue: never even thought about it honestly. Palm rejection is flawless. Plus I find the larger size is nice for editing.

Also I like writing on the keyboard a lot once I got used to it (took me a good couple of weeks). Found typing faster and easier on the hands.

(Feel free to DM me if she has any other related questions.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac, Abaganov and PhilMacbook
I've written about 10-15,000 words on it since I got it about two weeks ago and it hasn't been a problem. I had a 12" MacBook prior to this and it is no more difficult than that one. The keys do feel nicer than the gen 2 2017 MacBook Keyboard though. Also the screen is so much larger and nicer! Highly recommended for a writer, in my opinion.

One small caveat: if your friend does a lot of typing/writing at coffee shops as I occasionally do, it takes up a lot more desk space than a smaller machine. I don't know what your friend is upgrading from so that may not an issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac, Abaganov and PhilMacbook
The palm rejection of the trackpad is excellent, it shouldn't be an issue for someone who mostly uses the MBP for writing/typing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abaganov
If your friend doesn't like the oversized touchpad (I don't care for it, either), she might consider an Apple-refurbished 2015-design MacBook Pro 15".

These are still available from Apple.
Yes, I realize that it's not "the latest and greatest", but...

... as someone who "types a lot", she'll have a keyboard with considerably more "tactile feedback" (and a far less likelihood that it will get sticky keys)
and
... a touchpad that is "normally-sized"
and
.... many ports that she can actually plug her stuff into without dongles and adapters

If she buys Apple-refurbished, she still gets the Apple 1-year warranty and she can also get AppleCare if she wants it.

That's my recommendation and I'm stickin' to it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac, Abaganov, SDColorado and 1 other person
The trackpad on the 15 inch is not an issue to type (thanks to excellent palm rejection software). The key travel might be more of an issue and worth testing during the 14-day return window.

/MilK
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abaganov
Abaganov said:
asking for a friend. she Is a writer and she is concern that the extra large touchpad is not very convient for long hours of typing on a the keyboard, so she is thrown a bit between the 15 vs 13.

money is non issue and she prefer the large screen but just worry that the typing experience on the 13 is superior due to the smaller surface of the touchpad area.

are there any folks here that spend a lot of time writing on the 15" and can comment?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


If your friend has never owned an apple laptop before, I think she will be ok IF she is not picky about keyboards. If she has owned a prior MacBook, she'll be disappointed in the changes as many of them are regressions in the eyes of quite a few on this board, esp given the across the board increase in price. I think that's what's underlying alot of the disappointment; receiving less laptop for more money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abaganov
On the keyboard issue, it’s tricky. She’s got to try it to see how it feels to her. I hate the first generation butterfly keyboards, and still can’t type well on it even though it’s my main machine. But the third generation on the new MacBook Pros feels as good as, if not better than, the old keyboard. I also echo the sentiment that the trackpad is a non-issue. I love the large size, which makes precise movements possible.
 
I think the trackpad is the same size on both laptops???

Anyway, palm rejection on these things is pretty much flawless, it’s a non-issue.
 
This thread is literally the first and only time I've ever heard anyone complain that the palm rejection of the trackpad isn't flawless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
MacGizmo said:
This thread is literally the first and only time I've ever heard anyone complain that the palm rejection of the trackpad isn't flawless.
Click to expand...
I've seen other people complain about it. For me, its been excellent. Much better then any windows machine I've tried with large trackpads.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
I thought it would be strange to have such a huge trackpad (I was a 13 user), then it haven't caused any issue for me using my 15. I have just ordered another 15 that was just delivered to my home awhile ago. :)
 
maflynn said:
I've seen other people complain about it. For me, its been excellent. Much better then any windows machine I've tried with large trackpads.
Click to expand...

Yeah I write around a thousand words a day, maybe more maybe less and I love the trackpad and keyboard. Moving from the 2016 this feels a LOT better. Not that the 2016 felt bad.

Going back to the 2015 (gfs machine) it’s nice typing on it every now and again, but I couldn’t go back to that much travel again. Once the novelty of a key moving that much goes (100 words or so) I much rather have the new gen.

Would just buy it and see how you fair. I wouldn’t go for a laptop with the 0-9 keys though. That will hinder your writing style.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back