New 13" MacBook Pro nTB

[GoldfishRT]

Before being completely irresponsible and buying the 2018 15" I had purchased a nTB 13" and was totally happy with it. I just wanted more graphics performance. For email/video/productivity I notice no real difference between the two. If that's all you're doing and you really really hate the Touch Bar I'd say go for it.

With that said, unless the better screen really has a ton of value the new Air can be had for several hundred cheaper from other retailers and is roughly as fast. The TouchBar model 13" is now substantially faster and can even go toe to toe with older 15" models and you can probably find one for $1500 open box.

 

[Falhófnir]

I don't need one now, I can wait.

In which case it might be prudent to see what comes next year with a rumoured transition to custom ARM chips. I guess depends on if you can hold off for probably another good 18 months yet?

 

[Apples555]

In which case it might be prudent to see what comes next year with a rumoured transition to custom ARM chips. I guess depends on if you can hold off for probably another good 18 months yet?

I'm a very patient person.

I of course understand that current MBPs are extremely powerful and will handle anything thrown at them in 2019. However, I'm mostly interested long-term, as a company would when buying computers for their workforce. How would it fare in 2025? This includes factors like MacOS support, repairability, quality of construction etc.

I'll wait and see. I might get one of the last x86 machines for interopability with Windoze.

 

[Trusteft]

Well then...this might change my timetable.

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/apple-mac-arm-cpus-2020-intel,38668.html

Read carefully what it says there.
It's not Intel that claims this.
It's Axios who claim this based on some (fantasy?) unnamed Intel employees.
As far as I am concerned, it's all clickbait at best.

 

[lambertjohn]

The 2017 nTB MBP is a fine computer. Get it with 16GB of RAM from Apple's refurb website and there's nothing it won't run. That's the beauty of OSX; it pretty much runs the same on all of Apple's recent MacBooks. If I could get a nTB MacBook Pro at a decent price (not full retail,) I would have no issues owning one. But the price would be the deciding factor for me.

 

[frocco]

Did I get a good deal for a 2018 MBP 2799.00 list for 2399.00?
I can return it for a MBA for 1199.00

 

[lambertjohn]

Did I get a good deal for a 2018 MBP 2799.00 list for 2399.00?
I can return it for a MBA for 1199.00

you probably could have gotten a better deal on Apple's refurb website. Same computer, same warranty, hundreds of dollars less. But of course, that's only if one is available for sale.

 

[oak1971]

MacOS is unparalleled IMO, and what I'm buying the computer for really.

Windows used to be decent, but they found a way to ruin it.

 

[track14]

Apple needs to update the non-touchbar Macbook Pro. The 2017 model is not a good buy at this time. I've come so close to getting a 2019 13" MBP but I just refuse to do it until there is a non-touchbar option.

 

[lambertjohn]

Apple needs to update the non-touchbar Macbook Pro. The 2017 model is not a good buy at this time. I've come so close to getting a 2019 13" MBP but I just refuse to do it until there is a non-touchbar option.

Microcenter's got the 256gb 2017 MBP nTB for $999 and I think that's a pretty good buy. Other than the clackety keyboard, it's still a good computer.

 

[Apples555]

I bought a new 2 port 13" MacBook Pro when my 2010 Pro finally died.

It's fantastic! The only things I really miss are the MagSafe power adapter, regular function keys, and, of course, ports...But so thin!

Also, I love the keyboard. I don't understand why it's disliked, unless the disappointment is more about the reliability than the typing experience.

 

[Apples555]

Unfortunately, this 2019 developed an intermittent key on the butterfly keyboard as expected despite my best efforts to keep it clean, be gentle, etc. It must be material fatique of some kind, because I did my best to not let the keyboard get dusty as the rumors say is the cause. It was replaced by Apple, but I don't have high hopes for reliability. I really thought it was just a few individual users that abused their computer like Apple implied, but guess not. Oh well, I guess I'll look into a new computer when the 4-year extended warranty is up.

On the bright side, they gave me a brand new battery.