I do 4k video as a hobby and software development. I run a maxed out iMac and performance wise it's alright but even it has room for improvement. The faster SSD in the 2016 mbp is better for 4k but I was really hoping they'd go nvidia. I don't know why they switched back to AMD. I was happy with the 750m in my 2014 maxed out macbooks at the time, although it was slightly dated even then. Side by side the 2016 screen looks nicer than the 2014 and cosmetically it's nicer however performance wise they're both not good at all for what I need.
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Real MBP Review
- Thread starter CaptRB
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I do 4k video as a hobby and software development. I run a maxed out iMac and performance wise it's alright but even it has room for improvement. The faster SSD in the 2016 mbp is better for 4k but I was really hoping they'd go nvidia. I don't know why they switched back to AMD. I was happy with the 750m in my 2014 maxed out macbooks at the time, although it was slightly dated even then. Side by side the 2016 screen looks nicer than the 2014 and cosmetically it's nicer however performance wise they're both not good at all for what I need.
I want to point out, I've been following Mac advocacy since the 80s, and that's always been one of the big excuses: It's just jealous people who can't afford them.
No, if the machine worked for me, I'd have kept it.
The dGPU 2015 really wasn't much cheaper here, it's very expensive either way, and I totally prefer the new keyboard over the old mushy versions.
I'm sure the 2015 retina would also have been be a really good upgrade in performance and screen but no regrets here
I mean, if you go buy a maxed out Dell XPS you're going to be spending several grand on that as well. Historically I haven't cared about Apple's prices because their machines last really long. And if a component breaks you have apple care or 3 years down the road can usually replace the component yourself on the cheap. This second option is sadly no longer true for macbooks. You'll need to replace the logic board for every single malfunction the device experiences and that really sucks.
Apple build quality used to be worth the extra penny. That used to be a true fact in my mind. Lately I've been annoyed at imperfections with my iMac, Sierra, new MBP, etc, and I'm beginning to question why Apple still commands premium prices as their products transcend downward into mediocrity.
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Fair point. @CaptRB - play nice! But "Real Review" probably refers to the fact that he has one and is reviewing firsthand experiences as opposed to just commenting theoretically as some have done. If you were in the camp that loved the machine and wanted to exchange information and just enthusiasm, these downer arguments and "Apple is doomed" comments get tiring and evoke a defensive response. But yeah, we all should just word things better. This is an internet forum though, so I am not hopeful for civility.
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I am, hence my happiness with my MBP. It took a little needling and understanding, but now I can get 9 hours whenever I want with "normal light usage" like browsing, music, video. Whole other thread on this "Battery life on 13 and 15 inch.." where I frequently get annoyed by the common statement "I just unplugged my MBP and the time remaining says 3 hours. This is unacceptable for a $XXXX laptop." People just need to get educated on what the machine is doing, when and why it's kicking up CPU cycles, etc. There are plenty of painless fixes. But people who are set on complaining will just continue. If you want your s**t to just work, like me, then there are steps you can take that don't sacrifice your experience. Of course Apple should have optimized the software and been more transparent about what the battery is doing, so you have a right to return it if it's not good out of the box.
Oh, so everyone that doesn't like the direction that Apple is taking is either "trolling or clickbating because they can't afford these new computers."
Okay, got it.
To add to the point, how can you honestly complain if they have a no questions asked, 100% satisfaction guarantee? They stand behind their product, and you can bring it back if you think it sucks. Easy.
My Charger Hellcat can do 0-60 in the mid 3 second range and has a top speed of 205 MPH. My friends SRT 392 Challenger does 0-60 in the mid 4 second range and has a top speed of 180 MPH. Why friends older 911 is slower than both with a barely sub 5 second run and top speed of 170 MPH.
In all three cases these cars generally eclipse the needs of a skilled driver. Both are fast and the extra speed of may Hellcat his rarely a factor. They are ALL fast enough.
These MacBooks are the same deal. My 12 year old son is using a 4 year old MacBook Pro and it's excellent. It's plenty fast for his videos, Minecraft and homework assignments. Lots of people are fine with even older versions. The last couple of Pro versions haven't made too many people unhappy. Apple designers know that these processors are still excellent, even if they're a generation old. They will serve a majority of users just fine.
So Apple went after other stuff...better screen, keyboard, speakers and added some new features while making the build even more impressive. Next year we'll see a bump in speed and likely RAM. Wait for that if need be or use what you have. Apple doesn't cater to the rare one off who needs 32 GB of RAM. They cater to the masses and these new laptops hit a sweet spot for a mass market, which is a moving target.
As a person who's doing heavy PP work with high MP cameras, I do hit the limits of these machines from time-to-time. So I work within those parameters and switch to the desktop as needed.
This is the best series of laptops Apple has built thus far. That doesn't change if it doesn't meet "everyone's" usage envelope. If I need a 4 door car, it doesn't make the 2 door Porsche 911 a bad car. Need four doors? Buy a BMW M5 or Hellcat Charger!
Cheers,
Robert
CaptRB, curious to know what photo software you are using on you MBP. I have my finger poised on the purchase button on a fully loaded 15 inch but holding off until I see how the problems posted shake out.
I use Adobe Photography CC plan and also Final Cut and Logic Pro on my aging (and now officially obsolete) 2009 Mac Pro.
I use Adobe Photography CC plan and also Final Cut and Logic Pro on my aging (and now officially obsolete) 2009 Mac Pro.
I am using Photoshop and Lightroom. I work with D800, D810 and D500 Nikon DSLRs shooting mainly still-life and occasional portrait work.
R.
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What direction would that be? They just revamped the screen, sound, keyboard, added a touch bar interface and made them faster. Next year we'll likely see them leap ahead for speed as well. USB-C is going to be the standard and cheap adapters let everything work easily and cheaply
Did you want a slower notebook with the old screen?
Sorry, but I think MOST of the people here are full of crap. Only ONE person posted a viable reason why he needs more than what these machines can do and frankly, he's best served by a desktop anyway.
Most of you don't have the machine and are parroting what you've heard, choosing to ignore the positive reviews. Sorry, I don't ride the hater train and I don't go nuts over gear I have no experience with.
R.
You call that improvements?
Worse keyboard. Gimmick touch bar. No ports that I actually use.
Okay, better display and speakers, but that's about it.
Also, SSD is soldered so tough luck recovering any data not backed up if your logic board fails.
Worse keyboard? How much time have you spent on it? The keyboard is perfect precision. Every previous Mac keyboard feels spongy, wobbly and leaks light at the edges. So how long did you use it for? After a few hours of usage, did you try a typing test?
No, not "okay." The display is gorgeous. It's a HUGE improvement in color and brightness. That's not a small deal for power users. Speakers are less important to me since I own top level audio gear to connect, but still nice.
So far the touch bar is great for writing. I heard Final Draft will utilize it among others. Have you been using it?
Yeah...I prefer if they didn't solder this thing, but if you don't back up your drive, you deserve what you get. I back up every day, like any professional. The SSD is not a factor.
I have twin displays connected and I bought two tiny adapters. 30 bucks. So what? Tell us how this machine doesn't work for you because, thus far, you're not spewing out much sense.
R.
I gave it a chance.
The keyboard is definitely worse: there simply isn't enough key travel.
I had to type a lab report so I thought I would just try it. I mistyped constantly and had to look down at the keys.
As for the touch bar: it just makes no sense.
Why would I want to look down and reach over the keyboard so that I can interact with a tiny strip when I should be looking at the screen instead?
The display is definitely nicer.
My problem with the lack of ports (other than USB-C) is that I can't plug in anything I have without an adapter.
Sure, I can carry adapters around with me, but why would I want to do that?
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@CaptRB
BTW, I like how you went to the front page article "Users Find Some New MacBook Pros Suffer From Majors Graphics Issues" and accused anyone one who issues of sour grapes.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...er-from-major-graphics-issues.2019261/page-26
BTW, I like how you went to the front page article "Users Find Some New MacBook Pros Suffer From Majors Graphics Issues" and accused anyone one who issues of sour grapes.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...er-from-major-graphics-issues.2019261/page-26
Well...you sound like a student rather than a professional user, so I think a MacBook Air would make you happier. But point by point:
No, writing a paper (how did that even happen if you don't own it?) is not enough. Some people take time to adapt. I hated the apple keyboards after years of PC IBM types. But the finger memory changes over time. Not everyone adapts as quickly as I do. My wife took a few days and she's 75 WPM. But a less wobbly keyboard will and does work better. It's simply physics. The key travel is fine after a day or two. I got used to it fast. You don't own one, so you have no idea.
The touch bar offers predictive text capability that is very intelligent. Word is that it will offer thesaurus and other capability on the fly. I guess you have vision issues because the touch bar is mounted below the screen and I came see it fine and amazingly, my fingers can reach it in an instant since it's just exactly where the old function keys were. Wait for software developers to get busy before deciding it's of no use.
What are you trying to plug in? Screens? Leave the HDMI adapter at the end of your screens. Why would you carry it? I bought a USB adapter for a few dollars. It's tiny and you can drop it in your bag for the rare times you may need it. If I'm shooting, I need the same adapter I used before because these machines don't take pro CF cards anyway. I have a tiny SD card reader, which also takes micro SDs and even has micro USB with no drivers. Makes a great flash drive too! 15 bucks!
Sounds like you need a MacBook Air or regular Macbook. You can get them maxed out for about 1500.00 without buying stuff you don't need. You can also get a refurb of a nice notebook.
R.
LOL vision issues, wow. You cannot help but constantly jibe at people can you?
MacBook Air aren't much good for running multiple virtual machines. Besides, the display isn't exactly great.
I can adapt to drinking polluted water. That doesn't mean that it's very good.
...which you can do the same thing by just looking on the screen
Nah, my vision is just fine. I just look straight at the screen. I wouldn't be looking at the old function keys anyway unless I was changing the volume.
The HDMI cable runs to the projector. I can't leave my adapter connected because someone else might take it.
The "rare times" that you mentioned just happens to be everyday.
Aside from what's mentioned above, MacBook Air has a terrible display and the regular MacBook has terrible keyboard and lack ports.
LOL
A foaming at the mouth hardcore Apple fanatic... Nothing wrong with that until he starts and keeps putting everyone down who disagrees with his point of view...
Meh! I am considering returning mine and picking up a 2015.. Saw a BNIB one on eBay for $1079 (which is $850 less than what I paid for my 2016 base TB)
Hm, this kind of reads like a troll review to me. I'll be waiting for the real reviews to come in.
You should read his other comments.
Here is but a couple of examples.
Which 2016 MacBook Pro do you own and are using? Or are you another guy in the balcony who's bashing stuff without knowledge or experience?
Note I did not "jibe" the poster who actually intelligently explained why he needed 32 GB. Say something reasonable and you'll get a reasonable response.
Thus far, and almost universally people here have had nothing substantial to offer because they have no experience with the product.
BTW, my initial reaction to the new TMBP was to be angry and plan on going PC. Then I snapped out of it, visited my friend (she's at the Genius Bar at my local store in LA) and spent some serious time on it. I still wasn't sure, so I ordered two of the 13" models. End result: They're keepers, better in every respect. That's called FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE AND it's worth more than your ignorance.
Ports? Dongles? Are you people on drugs? That's your issue? 30 bucks worth of adapters is your issue? Remember all the crying when they pulled the CD drives out? Same nonsense. USB-C is the future. It's faster and can charge your MacBook from other sources. And it's backward compatible.
Haters always need something to hate. When the 2017 MacBook is faster we'll here all new complaints, like with EVERY other model.
Same old, same old, which is why some people deserve every "jibe" they get.
R.
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And YOU don't own a new MacBook either, which is why you're here, right? Buy something else.
R.
Yeah, this is pretty questionable. I can't take any reviewer seriously unless they mention a 2016 Charger Hellcat.