People with the 2016/2017 MacBook Pro , what are your thoughts after this long time

[lec0rsaire]

For those who think that the keyboards are NOT an issue (such as "... but my uncle's 2017 is working just fine"):


https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewansp...dirty-butterfly-broken-keyboard/#51cde76a3fca

http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-macbook-pro-keyboard-fix-is-absurd-2017-10

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/macbook-pro-keyboard-failure-rate-double-older-models/

http://bgr.com/2017/10/19/macbook-pro-2017-keyboard-not-working/

https://9to5mac.com/2018/05/03/macbook-pro-keyboard-petition/

https://theoutline.com/post/2402/the-new-macbook-keyboard-is-ruining-my-life?zd=1&zi=amvd3fcu

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/02/21/2016-macbook-pro-keyboard-issues/

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/apple-macbook-pro-recall-petition?utm_source=notification

Most of these articles are echoing the experience of one person, this Casey Johnston. She doesn't speak for everyone. There are so many rubbish tech articles these days. People regurgitate pretty much anything these days.
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MBP 15" touchbar, late 2016 here.

My views:

• Keyboard reliability issues are real: after reading about it on the internet, mine broke too.
• It is the most beautiful and well put together laptop in the market, bar none. The space grey is gorgeous.
• Trackpad, like all macs, is best in industry. However, it is unnecessarily huge. No need for such size: it doesnt add to the confort.
• Batery life is so-so, about 5 hours of real world use: skype, browsing, etc
• The touchbar is an absolute gimmick: I never managed to find any real, productive use for it.
• Speakers are amazing: loud and full.
• Screen in gorgeous: crispy and bright. Colors pop and are very accurate.
• Price wise: overpriced, no way around that. I paid almost $3,000 for mine, and I feel it was around $600 too expensive for the specs.

All in all, not very happy with my purchase, specially with the keyboard failure

What browser are you using? Chrome? What processes do you have running on the menu bar? I've been getting a consistent 8-9 hrs with an average of 8.5. I use Safari since it's fast and more efficient than Chrome. If you're using Chrome, try using Safari for a day and see if that gets you a couple of extra hours. I also don't have Flash nor Java installed on this machine and I avoid anything that relies on them. When I'm editing video or doing anything that turns on the dGPU and really puts the CPU to work, my battery life drops to around 5.5 hours. However, this is unavoidable since more power consumes more energy. An iPhone usually lasts 7-8 hours when browsing on a mix of LTE and Wifi using apps but if you play more intensive games, you can drain the battery in 2-3 hours even on the Plus phones.

I agree with the price. It was definitely steep. I wonder how much the OLED Touch Bar with Touch ID and the T1 Secure Enclave cost to manufacture. What kind of yields they had as well. Most likely they spent a lot of cash on R&D for this thing. I think the prices will decrease over time or they will charge the same but offer more. They now include the Pro 555 in the base and the 560 in the $2799 config. Both GPUs are nearly identical to the 455 and 460 which both cost extra cash in the 2016s.
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Overall, I'm really happy with it. I use it for everything I do (think I've put 520 cycles on the battery in roughly the same number of days - this basically goes with me everywhere), and so it's pretty important that it all works well. The only worry is whether the keyboard will fail in the future. If you do buy one (and I would on balance recommend it), AppleCare is probably the way to go. I would be really surprised if Apple didn't initiate a repair programme like they did for 2011 GPUs at some point, however.

I recommend using up as many battery cycles as you can so you can get a fresh battery before AppleCare runs out. $199 out of warranty isn't terrible, but if you can get it replaced for "free" why not. If keyboard or anything else fails on a large number of these machines, then they definitely will start a repair program like they did for the anti-reflective coating damage on the retina MBPs. In some cases people were given a newer machine since they exhausted supplies of older models. http://bgr.com/2017/07/24/macbook-pro-battery-replacement-apple-free-upgrade/ That's pretty damn awesome service. Imagine having a problem later on and getting a 2021 MacBook Pro instead.

 

[clangers23]

I have a 2017 13", I really like it but it's definitely not a long term proposition. Key's routinely sticking and needing a can of compressed air to fix so far. Luckily not permanently stuck.

The fact that Apple can sell a high end product like the Macbook Pro then in all serious suggest owning a can of compressed air to ensure day to day functionality says it all.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT205662

 

[Macbookprodude]

I've been using the 2017-MBP 2.9 GHz i7 about six months and there are things I love and others I don't.

Love

• Screen - simply beautiful screen. I do a lot of photography as a side-business and never used the laptop monitor for editing - until now. Color reproduction, brightness, and resolution are fantastic. I still love my external monitor but use the laptop more than I expected and with great results.
• Speed - really fast. The machine feels MUCH faster than previous versions and the disk I/O is crazy fast.
• Fingerprint Reader - I didn't think this was a big deal, but really like the reader. It's really fast and allows me to quickly login, make payments with ApplePay, or authenticate certain applications.
• Look - I know this is subjective, but I love the dark, metal look of the machine. I miss the light up Apple and startup sounds, but other than that, the machine looks great.

Fine

• Touchbar - eh. I like it for some things, but it's mostly a novelty. If it went away I wouldn't miss it. Doing development as my full-time gig, losing the function keys is killer, however, I'm mostly using an external keyboard with f-keys.
• Keyboard - It's a downgrade, but I'm (mostly) used to it. I find myself making more mistakes than usual, and, although I like the clicking sounds, they can be distracting in a meeting. If I experience any of the failures that others report, that would put the keyboard in the "Hate" column.

Hate

• Lack of Ports - I'm in dongle hell. One for this and one for that, and never the correct one in my pocket. Add an HDMI port and a couple USB A connectors and it would have been fine. Four USB Cs is a disaster. And yes, I REALLY miss MagSafe. Total fail.
• Cost - Simple way too expensive. I understand, "You get what you pay for", but at close to $4,000 (after adding a docking station and lots of dongles) it's far too much for a laptop.

Hope that helps.

Rob

Also, you can't expand it.. only thing you can do is remove the SSD module for a larger one. Memory is soldered to the board.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Also, you can't expand it.. only thing you can do is remove the SSD module for a larger one. Memory is soldered to the board.

The 2016 & 2017 model SSDs are soldered onto the mainboard. There is a special port Apple can connect to if data needs to be migrated from a failed mainboard.

 

[Miltz]

he 2016/2017 models have gotten some bad criticism in the press and from tech reviewers.Therefore, I would love to hear some thoughts on your experiences with it, now that it has been out for some time.

Thanks!

Best laptop I've ever own in every respect - except keyboard durability on the 2016 model.

 

[jerryk]

The 2016 & 2017 model SSDs are soldered onto the mainboard. There is a special port Apple can connect to if data needs to be migrated from a failed mainboard.

Small correction. SSD is soldered on the Touchbar models. So all 15" and the TB 13". SSD is a stick on the non-touchbar 13". But is proprietary.

 

[magbarn]

The 2016 & 2017 model SSDs are soldered onto the mainboard. There is a special port Apple can connect to if data needs to be migrated from a failed mainboard.

I would much prefer the older solution where you can even connect the PCIe based SSD inside a hackintosh and copy the data off of it if you wish, there's also MacBook Pro to PCIe to USB 3.0 adapters available for accessing the SSD drive in a broken MacBook Pro. For the 2016-2017 you're basically up poop creek if you're out of warranty. Apple so far hasn't allowed anyone outside other than authorized service centers access to the data cable AFAIK.

Already have had one keyboard failure on a 2017 MBP 15 and it's only a matter of time before we have another failure. I don't know why posters here would tolerate a defective keyboard that allows double typing. As someone who has to frequently type in passwords to do my work, a double repeating keyboard is a fast way to get your account locked out.

 

[memento mori]

I have the base 13" 2017 one and all in all it's a good machine, the screen, speakers and trackpad being the highlights. That being said, at this price point including 128GB drive is just nickel and diming, I miss MagSafe and even though my keyboard hasn't broken yet, it sucks using machine that you know at the back of your head might be rendered useless because a speck of dust got inside a key.

Still better overall than the Windows competition though.

 

[Naimfan]

Now down to just the 2017 - sold the 2016. Relief. Now to move the 2017 . . .

 

[Frankfurt]

I own the 15” 2017 maxed out version with 1T storage since July 2017.
So far I had no keyboard issues, though recently the “r” feels different. Hence, I think, eventually, I will also experience keyboard issues.

Other than that the MBP is just great in any way. I came from a 2008 MacBook 13” and I use the MBP for both personal and professional use (I run a consulting business).

I would expect to keep the MBP for at least 5 years. We will see if the keyboard will last than long.

 

[ahmedouvix]

almost perfect. keyboard issues of course.

 

[lec0rsaire]

I have a 2017 13", I really like it but it's definitely not a long term proposition. Key's routinely sticking and needing a can of compressed air to fix so far. Luckily not permanently stuck.

The fact that Apple can sell a high end product like the Macbook Pro then in all serious suggest owning a can of compressed air to ensure day to day functionality says it all.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT205662

Compressed air is a must own product for anyone into tech. It’s essential for keeping things clean whether it be a tower, receiver, console, notebook, tv or whatever. Much of it depends on where you live. In the city it’s ridiculous how fast dust seems to come from nowhere. If you have a Costco nearby you can buy a six pack for about $20 instead of $10 a can.

It’s also helpful to wipe down the keyboard after long use with a warm, damp cloth and then drying it with another before closing the lid. Microfiber is even better since it won’t leave any tiny surface scratches on the aluminum. This will prevent the screen from getting filthy and your keyboard as well. I do the same with my guitars after a long playing session before I put them back in the case.

 

[andrewmarich]

Mine has been amazing.. I used to set off the Touch Bar all the time by accident, but I seem to have adapted to that..
Lots of people complain about the keyboard, I quite like it.. Going back to the older keyboards is like walking on the moon..

 

[Queen6]

Compressed air is a must own product for anyone into tech. It’s essential for keeping things clean whether it be a tower, receiver, console, notebook, tv or whatever. Much of it depends on where you live. In the city it’s ridiculous how fast dust seems to come from nowhere. If you have a Costco nearby you can buy a six pack for about $20 instead of $10 a can.

It’s also helpful to wipe down the keyboard after long use with a warm, damp cloth and then drying it with another before closing the lid. Microfiber is even better since it won’t leave any tiny surface scratches on the aluminum. This will prevent the screen from getting filthy and your keyboard as well. I do the same with my guitars after a long playing session before I put them back in the case.

Oddly after over 30 years using computers in extreme conditions a can of "Tinned Air" is not the first thing on my list, rather reliable hardware in the first place. Never had a problem with a keyboard yet, equally I don't purchase garbage...

Currently in the tropics, closing a primary engineering project, no aerosols required

Q-6

 

[Koh Phi Phi]

almost perfect. keyboard issues of course.

How can a $3,000 laptop and "keyboard issues" be on the same sentence that "almost perfect"?

Reliability is #1 requirement for any premium product!

 

[aevan]

Oddly after over 30 years using computers in extreme conditions a can of "Tinned Air" is not the first thing on my list, rather reliable hardware in the first place. Never had a problem with a keyboard yet, equally I don't purchase garbage...

Q-6

Even with your dislike towards the latest MBP I do hope you’re not refering to it as “garbage”. That would be too much, even for you
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How can a $3,000 laptop and "keyboard issues" be on the same sentence that "almost perfect"?

Reliability is #1 requirement for any premium product!

The rest of it is that good.

 

[magbarn]

Even with your dislike towards the latest MBP I do hope you’re not refering to it as “garbage”. That would be too much, even for you
[doublepost=1525569227][/doublepost]

The rest of it is that good.

Lol that’s like saying you have the perfect girlfriend that is a perfect 10 hot, smart, never PMSs, cook and bakes the best, awesome in bed, perfect personality, yet cheats On you every few months with your best friend. That’s the 2016/2017 MacBook Pro Keyboard hahaha.

 

[miloslm]

Please avoid the 2016/2017 MacBook Pro until they solve the keyboard and speaker issues. I wish I can go back in time to buy the 2015 MacBook Pro. I've had too many repairs that I lost count and my purchase is barely 10 months. 4 or 5 repairs for top case and screen replacement and a complete replacement with another MacBook with a new serial number.

 

[tarsins]

Late 2016 15" Macbook Pro, Touchbar, 2.6 GHz i7, 16 GB RAM, Radeon Pro 450, 256GB SSD.
Used every day for programming (so type a lot) and consumption. In all honesty, it's been great. Never let me down.
Best laptop I've owned.

 

[Queen6]

Lol that’s like saying you have the perfect girlfriend that is a perfect 10 hot, smart, never PMSs, cook and bakes the best, awesome in bed, perfect personality, yet cheats On you every few months with your best friend. That’s the 2016/2017 MacBook Pro Keyboard hahaha.

Priceless LOL

Q-6
[doublepost=1525603394][/doublepost]

Please avoid the 2016/2017 MacBook Pro until they solve the keyboard and speaker issues. I wish I can go back in time to buy the 2015 MacBook Pro. I've had too many repairs that I lost count and my purchase is barely 10 months. 4 or 5 repairs for top case and screen replacement and a complete replacement with another MacBook with a new serial number.

Seems a one or two others share your concerns...

Q-6

 

[smirking]

So u login and admin still with password instead of touchID? Why???

I'm wondering if people's typing speeds and habits have something to do with this. I'm like mroy16. I rarely use Touch ID. I'm trying to remember that it's there, but by the time I remember I can simply use the fingerprint reader, I've already typed in most of my password. I'm a very fast typist and login procedures are just baked into my muscle memory by this point. The extra motions of finding the fingerprint reader and breaking away from the keyboard would actually cancel out any time I'd save.

It simply doesn't save me time in many cases and takes too much thought to use. I do believe it's in my best interest to learn to use it and it'll eventually be a convenience. That's why I'm trying to use it, but it's a chore.

 

[miloslm]

Priceless LOL

Q-6
[doublepost=1525603394][/doublepost]

Seems a one or two others share your concerns...
View attachment 760843

Q-6

I swear my MacBook Pro was cursed. Five repairs so the genius specialist decided to replace mine with another one completely new. I hope the speaker and touchid Touch Bar issue is gone. I know the keyboard might act up or the speaker die out again... I wish I was one of those who apparently have no problems whatsoever.

 

[Queen6]

I swear my MacBook Pro was cursed. Five repairs so the genius specialist decided to replace mine with another one completely new. I hope the speaker and touchid Touch Bar issue is gone. I know the keyboard might act up or the speaker die out again... I wish I was one of those who apparently have no problems whatsoever.

It does seem very random with some incurring multiple keyboard issues and others nothing at all. Biggest disappointment is that reliability has taken a retrograde step for the sake of just a few millimetres, nor do I believe a premium product should suffer such regressive issues.

Q-6

 

[MilKat10]

Hey,

Very short: I have a MBP 15 2016 and I would give it a 8 out of 10. A great computer (powerful and fast) but absence of magsafe is a stress factor. Besides that I had / have problems with the keyboard noise and stuck keys. Nothing is broken but it does not feel as sturdy as the previous generations, you feel that a drop or minor shock could leave some nasty dents on the case.
If you take care of it (that is in a pouch / sleeve) and clean it up on a regular basis (twice a month) you should be fine.

/MilK

 

[lec0rsaire]

Just from reading everyone’s thoughts it seems that if you get a a problem free one you’re really happy with it. If you were unlucky to get a lemon, you hate it.

While I have been very happy with mine and have experienced no issues with the keyboard, I will gladly and quickly change my review if and when that happens. I like Apple but I’m not the type of person to cover up defects to protect a company. I think it’s just ridiculous when people do this.

I thought very highly of Samsung back in ‘07 when I bought a high end 1080p LCD tv and it had several blown caps just a year and a half later! To me they provided near Sony quality but for 25-30% less than what Sony was asking for similar quality. $3k and they were telling me to go the hell basically. I would’ve given up on a $400-500 purchase but not $3k. They finally repaired it for free at home but not after nagging them for a couple of weeks. A single bad experience is sometimes enough for customers to never trust a company again.