My impression of the new 16" MacBook Pro (pic)

[Nacho98]

The 16" is a great machine.

Sometimes I wonder how OP is even employable enough to be gainfully employed such to be able to afford new Apple products. Or mom and dad are still doling out the cash I suppose.

Go back to your 2019 if the new 16" sucks so bad. What's so hard to figure out?

 

[AustinIllini]

I disagree with him as well but do we have to resort to ad hominem?

 

[kp98077]

did you get the base mode i7?

 

[MacNut]

I bolded the last line. You hated it so why did you go and buy it?

So he could create another thread about it.

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

I feel like there is more width.

Is it like "OMG!"?

Nope.

But it is noticeable.
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Ouch. Brutal.

Received mine today.
I am with you, the screen size difference IS noticeable, and I like it a lot!

 

[johannnn]

I just received my 16" MacBook Pro in the mail and am currently using the base model 2019 15"

PROS

Keyboard
Escape Key
Speakers

CONS

Feels much heavier
Feels much bulkier
The 16" screen doesn't feel remarkably bigger than the 15"

Overall, I would say I'm disappointed. My hope was the bigger screen would lead to more productivity but I don't think it will.

16/15=1.06666667.
6% bigger screen. Why would that result in significant productivity boost?

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

16/15=1.06666667.
6% bigger screen. Why would that result in significant productivity boost?

It actually makes the screen TALLER and I like it a lot, for me it's a win, but my 16" seems to be noisier than my 15" 2017 with a 4K monitor. Hope it's because Mac OS is doing something in the background...

 

[Hieveryone]

The 16" is a great machine.

Sometimes I wonder how OP is even employable enough to be gainfully employed such to be able to afford new Apple products. Or mom and dad are still doling out the cash I suppose.

Go back to your 2019 if the new 16" sucks so bad. What's so hard to figure out?

It IS a great machine. No denying that. I just don’t think it’s worth an upgrade for me hence my disappointment. The bigger screen doesn’t make a difference to me. I was hoping it would.

but yes it’s plenty fast, great keyboard, speakers are unreal, escape key is nice, 512 GB base model, all a win

and I work myself, I call the shots, nobody can tell me what to do

 

[Marzel]

I disagree with him as well but do we have to resort to ad hominem?

Honestly, I don’t understand some people here either. Isn’t someone allowed to have an opinion (as long as it’s educated). The OP has purchased the device. It’s not a troll case or sth.

 

[waquzy]

I went to the Apple store today and the keyboard does feel so much better than the butterfly one. However, I might be the only one, but I wish it had a smaller top bezel, the wow factor just wasn't there for me when I first saw it.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I see.

Part of the reason these forums have become cesspools.

“You can’t have this product because it’s made for ME and people like me.”

Sort of a variation on “you’re not a pro” or “you’re not pro enough.”

I was completely kidding, sorry.

 

[Hieveryone]

I went to the Apple store today and the keyboard does feel so much better than the butterfly one. However, I might be the only one, but I wish it had a smaller top bezel, the wow factor just wasn't there for me when I first saw it.

The “bigger-ness” of it also takes away the wow factor for me.

the 15” looks more modern. More space age. Sleeker for sure

 

[Paapaa]

I think people will be disappointed to find that screen isn't much bigger really.

Well, 0.6" is 0.6". Not much. Nothing more. The screen size was the least significant update in this model. It mostly affects aesthetics: smaller bezels look nicer. The interesting updates for me are:

• keyboard reliability
• keyboard feel
• keyboard usability (arrow-key layout, physical ESC)
• better performance from better thermal management
• possibility for more RAM/SSD
• a lot more performance for the same price

 

[turbineseaplane]

the wow factor just wasn't there for me

Hey, at least we no longer have a wow factor of:

"wow, me E key isn't working"

 

[cap7ainclu7ch]

As a industrial design major I honestly don't know how there can be so much discussion about two products that are essentially the same in appearance. They are both minimalist laptops, there isn't much to discuss to begin with. One isn't more "modern" than the other because its .6" larger. These discussions are pretty pointless. Spending your time learning about famous artwork would probably be more beneficial if you care so much about design.

As the years go on I only feel more and more confused by the obsession of many with the tiny appearance changes in their products, instead of focusing on the actual performance/usability improvements. My 11 Pro looks the same as my XS but it's a much better phone in so many metrics and probably my favorite phone of all time. It's the same deal with this new laptop. Yet countless people would say that both products are "boring" and not worth it because of that. I'd much rather the improvements they've made with this generation compared to a new design just for the sake of a new design with no actual performance benefits. The MacBook pro is still the gold standard in laptop design and will be for the years to come, even with a screen bezel.

I do have a sneaking suspicion that the community that complains about a lack of physical changes is actually somewhat of a vocal minority and that the recent shift in Apple's design ethos represents the acknowledgment that the majority of users will buy the product if they focus more on usability and performance while still maintaining good design practices. I'm excited to have a bit of "old Apple" back again and I think the sales for the new phones and MacBooks will push them to continue on this trend in the future.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

One reason: bigger screen.

I have a 12" MacBook which I use for just regular stuff but when I really need to get work done and do things I use my 15" MacBook Pro.

If the 16" helps me get more work done and helps me be more productive or is just an overall better experience then it's worth it.

but I don't see myself utilizing the extra space for anything really.

In fact, it just seems like there's more "dead space" to sides of web pages, etc.

Nothing remarkably different at all tbh.

Seriously?????!!!!!!!!!??????????????
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As a industrial design major I honestly don't know how there can be so much discussion about two products that are essentially the same in appearance. They are both minimalist laptops, there isn't much to discuss to begin with. One isn't more "modern" than the other because its .6" larger. These discussions are pretty pointless. Spending your time learning about famous artwork would probably be more beneficial if you care so much about design.

As the years go on I only feel more and more confused by the obsession of many with the tiny appearance changes in their products, instead of focusing on the actual performance/usability improvements. My 11 Pro looks the same as my XS but it's a much better phone in so many metrics and probably my favorite phone of all time. It's the same deal with this new laptop. Yet countless people would say that both products are "boring" and not worth it because of that. I'd much rather the improvements they've made with this generation compared to a new design just for the sake of a new design with no actual performance benefits. The MacBook pro is still the gold standard in laptop design and will be for the years to come, even with a screen bezel.

Well said. It's iconic and timeless - like the Technics SL1200 MKII turntable or Pioneer CDJ.

It's the ultimate pro tool for all creatives and Apple have done a great job with it as with all of their MacBooks in all honesty.

 

[bevsb2]

True, I am still within the return window. Highly considering it.

Type a document while listening to music and see if you really want to return it.

 

[floridaman]

Wow, some very interesting posts. I got the New 16 inch today. It has 32GB ram, 2TB HD, 2.4 I9 and 8GB video card. The keyboard is absolutely amazing compared to the butterfly. The sound is off the charts for a laptop, screen size is noticeably bigger and you have to love the smaller bezels. The screen real estate does make a difference for me in that I have a lot of items in the menu bar and the old 15 inch would cut off some of these when using Safari and other apps. This doesn't happen with the 16 inch screen. I have not been happy with Apple and their poor design with MacBook Pros for the past 4 years. With that being said they really stepped up to the plate this time around. They bumped the memory to 2667, 8 gig video cards, revamped the cooling system, increased the battery size which is definitely noticeable, bigger screen, vastly improved speakers, larger heat sink, option to upgrade to an 8TB HD. We should be praising Apple because I think they over delivered for the first time in years. This potentially will end up being the best laptop you can get. Also, while the MacBook Pro is expensive it is a much better value for what you get now and all the rumors were wrong about this machine coming in at a higher price point. IMO, Apple really did a great job with this model.

 

[pcd213]

I swung by my local Apple store to give the new keyboard a try. It’s certainly an upgrade from the prior design. There’s no doubt about that. I feel more confident that I’m typing the keys I want, and the spacing between the keys feels fantastic. I was a little underwhelmed by the key travel. I think my ideal is 1.5mm. I guess I’ll just have to accept the new design, but sad that I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I suppose I should be happy because it means that I can save some money and get a few more years out of my 2018 MBP without feeling like I need to immediately upgrade the second a new 13” model comes out with the updated keyboard.

 

[The Mercurian]

I also swung by my local store and had a quick type. Impressions:
1. I could not really see the difference compared to a 15" (or my memory of a 15" they didnt' have one on display).
2. Didn't notice the screen size difference when using it. Now maybe if I had my own photos or programs open I would but with the stuff on the shop model 🤷‍♂️
3. Well.... I had a quick type and I didnt' really like the keyboard so much 😱 Why? Well, my biggest problem with the butterfly keyboard is that the keys are too big (as in area) - that hasn't changed, they just feel a bit squishier. Caveats here being I was standing up and I don't normally type standing up and also I had an Apple Genius breathing down my neck as the staff were also drooling over it. I will go back another day and try again.

 

[Velin]

What kind of fool upgrades from the 2019 15” to 16”?

Amateur alert. The "fool" who upgrades is, in truth, a pro user who (i) knows and understands the price of tech is the least important line item in the balance sheet because it's laughably insignificant, and (ii) knows and understands the right tech tool for the job is always worth it, because you'll be on that machine for hours every day. Plainly you are someone who's never had to hire and stroke checks for salary, benefits, medical insurance, and worker's comp/unemployment insurance, nor have you priced seats in a major metro. Desktops, notebooks, and associated tech are a rounding error compared to the real cost drivers.

 

[infinitejest]

Do we know if the gap between the ports on the 16inch is the same as on the 15inch model?
I wanna get one of those but I'm not sure if they will fit.

 

[kp98077]

I went to the Apple store today and the keyboard does feel so much better than the butterfly one. However, I might be the only one, but I wish it had a smaller top bezel, the wow factor just wasn't there for me when I first saw it.

I think apple should do something in the stores to make a new product like this stand out, they just sorta throw I out there.... even the display tables are so low its hard to get an intimate experience with the new machine... whereas when I just Brough mine home much more or a "wow" factor...no doubt the 16" is much better, those 15" keys being flat was ridiculous....

 

[erkanasu]

I just upgraded from the 2019 15" MBP to the 2019 16" MBP (apple exchanged my 2019 for the new 16" one).

My general sense: I was very SATISFIED with the 2019 MBP, the butterfly keyboard worked perfect and I would say I thought the typing experience was between OK to GOOD. the machine was fast as hell.

With the new 16", even though it's a more hefty laptop, I would would say that I am now above satisfied, and LOVE this computer. the bigger screen, loud speakers, and 1TB i9 model all provide incremental updates that is surprisingly great. The keyboard typing experience is a step up. I'd rather write a book here than the butterfly.

Again, I really liked my 15" 2019, great machine. the new 16" feels like the new gold standard for pro to me.

P.S. I did have the 2016 15" and upgraded to the 2019 15" just for the butterfly enhancements they made. the last butterfly version was legit.

 

[bevsb2]

I think apple should do something in the stores to make a new product like this stand out, they just sorta throw I out there.... even the display tables are so low its hard to get an intimate experience with the new machine... whereas when I just Brough mine home much more or a "wow" factor...no doubt the 16" is much better, those 15" keys being flat was ridiculous....

Not only doesn't it stand out, but I had 2 employees yesterday tell me that I didn't need it (I have a 2018 MacBook Pro). I was playing with it for quite a while when a manager brought over an employee to show me all the features and she was very enthusiastic about the new 16". I did end up buying it and am very glad that I did after using it for a day. This is not the first time I was advised that I didn't need to update while in the store. It is nice that Apple doesn't hassle you when you just want to look at or try out a product but I can't imagine that Tim would be happy with telling a customer that they don't need something.