Real MBP Review

[sarc]

- I'm not happy about the 4xUSB-C ports, since I have nothing with USB-C to plug into them, and except for dongles, I won't have anything in the next 2-3 years either. So basically I will be using this laptop the way I've been using my existing laptop, except with dongles. No, I'm not happy about that at all.

You can always get new cables that can replace the ones you are using to usbc. So no need for dongles and no need not to use what you have.

 

[motime]

Forgive me but I'm afraid you're simply ranting here to justify your irrational assessments. You do not have any hands-on experience with the TBMBP and so you're guessing at best whilst hoping the bandwagon you jumped onto is right. Regarding your concerns, pricing is subjective depending on available finance and needs; in any case comparable top-end laptops are priced similarly. As for the reported faults, these vary wildly and are still in the overwhelming minority. For example - I get 10 hours of battery life on my machine without issue.

Do try to form some original opinions based on your own experiences otherwise what's the point of anything?

As I said, I have played around with the new laptops in the store and I did have the 13 inch variant for a few days before I returned it, if you don't want to believe it, I couldn't care less, it is besides the point. Nothing I or anyone else has said in this thread has been made up out of thin air.

Secondly, what top end models are you talking about? The top end 15 inch from last year is almost 1500 cheaper Canadian than the comparable top end model this year. Prices are not subjective, it is a matter of fact. Whether you can afford one or not is another matter but the fact that they increased the prices by a large margin is not debatable for most models.

As far as the battery life goes, go read or watch most of the reviews from credible reviewers who review notebooks year in and year out, and most of them have attested to the fact that battery life lower than last year. This is not to deny that you aren't getting 10 hours, so good for you.

Lack of ports, no magsafe, no sd card slot, hefty price hike, weaker iGPU, similar CPU performance, controversial keyboard, yeah it all sounds very irrational to me.

 

[symphara]

You can always get new cables that can replace the ones you are using to usbc. So no need for dongles and no need not to use what you have.

No peripheral that I use on my laptop I use exclusively on my laptop, so buying USB-C cables wouldn't make any difference. Instead of swapping out dongles, I'd swap out cables.

Then, the one most used piece of hardware is my wireless G7 mouse which I really like, and that doesn't have a cable but a small USB-A transmitter.
[doublepost=1481014859][/doublepost]

Forgive me but I'm afraid you're simply ranting here to justify your irrational assessments.

The problem is that nothing he enumerated can be reasonably labelled as "irrational", so you're just calling him names.

 

[MarcBou]

That is a ridiculous argument to begin with. Who needs to try out the new MacBook Pros to criticize the lack of ports? Lack of SD card slot? Or lack of Magsafe? Or the insane price hike? Or the fact that benchmarks demonstrate modest gains to weaker performance on the new CPU/iGPUs? Or the lack of battery life as attested by most users? These are the things most people have been complaining about, and you can't just dismiss such criticism because they haven't tried out the machines for a month. These are the sort of dismissive tactics people resort to when they run out of arguments and just want to keep justifying their irrational purchases.

Well, I'm not saying nobody can't complain, some people will have valid points for sure, but others make it like is abd for anybody.

For me I don't care about SD card slot, I'm a filmmaker and I work with big cameras, so I allways need adaptors for the cards they have (not SD for sure).

Battery life, some say is bad some sat is good, same with benchmarks.

Lack of ports, not a problem for me either, for video editing I love USB-C 🙂

I'm not an Apple fanboy at all, I never owned anything from Apple, this will be my first macbook and I chose it because it suits my needs. That's all.

 

[motime]

Well, I'm not saying nobody can't complain, some people will have valid points for sure, but others make it like is abd for anybody.

For me I don't care about SD card slot, I'm a filmmaker and I work with big cameras, so I allways need adaptors for the cards they have (not SD for sure).

Battery life, some say is bad some sat is good, same with benchmarks.

Lack of ports, not a problem for me either, for video editing I love USB-C 🙂

I'm not an Apple fanboy at all, I never owned anything from Apple, this will be my first macbook and I chose it because it suits my needs. That's all.

That is all good, I even mentioned such exceptions in my posts.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

As I said, I have played around with the new laptops in the store and I did have the 13 inch variant for a few days before I returned it, if you don't want to believe it, I couldn't care less, but just putting it out there.

Secondly, what top end models are you talking about? The top end 15 inch from last year is almost 1500 cheaper Canadian than the comparable top end model this year. Prices are not subjective, it is a matter of fact. Whether you can afford one or not is another matter but the fact that they increased the prices by a large margin is not debatable for most models.

As far as the battery life goes, go read or watch most of the reviews from credible reviewers who review notebooks year in and year out, not fanboys on macrumors, and most of them have attested to the fact that battery life lower than last year.

Lack of ports, no magsafe, no sd card slot, hefty price hike, weaker iGPU, similar CPU performance, controversial keyboard, yeah it all sounds very irrational to me.

As I said - you're speculating because you're borrowing opinions out of necessity and it seems you're happy to do so to convince yourself you don't need an MBP. This is fine by the way but that doesn't mean its accurate.

I don't care what ranting keyboard warriors tell me here or in videos as I have my own personal experience using the MBP to draw upon. As for the reported faults, as I said these vary and/or will be remedied by exchanges or updates.

Pricing is subjective in that it's feasibility is determined by each user depending on finance and/or the value they attribute to the MBP. The Surfacebook is priced similarly if you want equivalent spec to a mid-tier TBMBP, as are the Razer models. You can't find an actual MBP equivalent however; hence Apple's pricing for a unique product.

Lastly, controversial keyboard - does the keyboard offend your sensibilities in some way? Is it the Eminem of keyboards?

 

[MH01]

Good review and I generally have the same experience.

Though on the battery I can't agree, what is your definition of cranked? Percentage please. On my with brightness on 80% for 30 min I loose 15% battery , brightness set to 30% I loose 3% in 30 minutes. So I can get anywhere from 4 hours to 10 hours just by adjusting the brightness of the screen which is fantastic (screen)

Only feedback , your first paragraph, comes across as insulting to many users as they can afford it, and the apologistists on this site who don't own one are just as bad as the haters! Each feeds the other, rationale users in the middle.

 

[motime]

Pricing is subjective in that it's feasibility is determined by each user depending on finance and/or the value they attribute to the MBP. The Surfacebook is priced similarly if you want equivalent spec to a mid-tier TBMBP, as are the Razer models. You can't find an actual MBP equivalent however; hence Apple's pricing for a unique product.

Lastly, contraversial keyboard - does the keyboard offend your sensibilities in some way? Is it the Eminem of keyboards?

That makes no sense, if that was the case then no one would ever discuss pricing as it is a personal issue. What if Apple was to mark up the price by 5000? You wouldn't expect an uproar?

Yes you can find a MBP equivalent, for a lot cheaper, it is called the 2015 mbp.

Controversial means that the reaction to the new keyboard is a lot more varied and loud as opposed to the reaction to the last keyboard, which pretty much no one complained about. I really don't know why I have to spell this out for you, it is rather obvious.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

That makes no sense, if that was the case then no one would ever discuss pricing as it is a personal issue. What if Apple was to mark up the price by 5000? You wouldn't expect an uproar?

Yes you can find a MBP equivalent, for a lot cheaper, it is called the 2015 mbp.

Controversial means that the reaction to the new keyboard is a lot more varied and strong as opposed to the reaction to the last keyboard, which pretty much no one complained about. I really don't know why I have to spell this out for you, it is rather obvious.

In short, how can you stand by your comments on the new MBPs given you have never used one, the pricing is in line with market comparables and I'm mocking your taking issue with a piece of technology because it's 'controversial'.

 

[symphara]

In short, how can you stand by your comments on the new MBPs given you have never used one, the pricing is in line with market comparables and I'm mocking your taking issue with a piece of technology because it's 'controversial'.

The pricing is certainly not in line with comparable laptops. He gave you a specific example - the 2015 MBPs. But if you look at the 13" competition - HP Envy, Dell XPS, etc. they offer even better specs (Kaby Lake, better graphics, higher resolution touch screens) for a lot less money. If I were in the market for a dual-core laptop, I wouldn't even consider the new MBP. There's no point comparing it to the Surface Book, which is a real 2-in-1.

The fact that the keyboard is 'controversial' is clear as daylight. While I personally don't particularly like it but can live with almost anything, many, many reviewers and people who used it didn't like it, some downright hated it. This was not the case with the previous keyboards. If you cannot understand this, there's no argument you'll understand period.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

The pricing is certainly not in line with comparable laptops. He gave you a specific example - the 2015 MBPs. But if you look at the 13" competition - HP Envy, Dell XPS, etc. they offer even better specs (Kaby Lake, better graphics, higher resolution touch screens) for a lot less money. If I were in the market for a dual-core laptop, I wouldn't even consider the new MBP. There's no point comparing it to the Surface Book, which is a real 2-in-1.

The fact that the keyboard is 'controversial' is clear as daylight. While I personally don't particularly like it but can live with almost anything, many, many reviewers and people who used it didn't like it, some downright hated it. This was not the case with the previous keyboards. If you cannot understand this, there's no argument you'll understand period.

How can anyone plausibly use Apple's own previous line of MBP's as an example as to why the new line is a regression? The new line-up is the 2015 model and then some - brighter and more colourful screens, faster CPU/GPUs (in real terms), better build quality, better keyboard (increasingly believed to be the case now people are adapting), runs cooler and quieter and the TB is full of exciting opportunities for development. From what I have seen here the discontent boils down to pricing, unmeetable expectations (largely wrongfully aimed at Apple instead of Intel) and/or simply being fickle. If you are a spec fan, then yes - many better laptops are out there for you and you should go and buy them. But have you tried the XPS 13/15 and HPs? Just look at their forums like I did and you'll note all the comments concerning buggy UIs, poor build quality, heating issues, loud fans, battery dilemmas, poor after-sale service from the manufacturers and the list goes on.

As for the pricing of the new MBPs, once again - find me an equivalent laptop for the same money. You can't because the MBP is unique in OS and design. The Surfacebook is also unique in many respects, hence why it is also a very expensive machine and so I draw on this as a suitable machine for pricing comparisons. As for value, that depends on each of our needs and personal circumstances and not what a naysayer dictates on here or elsewhere.

Some people just want to believe that the grass is greener on the other side and can only do so by convincing everyone else around them of the same, even if that means causing the people who have shelled out good money for a new MBP unnecessary anxiety.

Because the internet...

 

[bbates123]

7) KEYBOARD - Don't kid yourselves. Once you get use to this keyboard, it flies. Feedback is better. Keys don't wobble. And there's no light leaking at the edges. Last years MacBook feels positively CHEAP by comparison.

This really is a personal preferences thing. I've been using the new keyboard for 2+ weeks now and I'm not in love...I still way prefer more key travel, like in my 2013 rMBP. But really my biggest issue with the new keyboard is it's loud.

 

[symphara]

How can anyone plauisibly use Apple's own previous line of MBP's as an example as to why the new line is a regression? The new line-up is the 2015 model and then some - brighter and more colourful screens, faster CPU/GPUs (in real terms), better build quality, better keyboard (increasingly believed to be the case now people are adapting), runs cooler and quieter and the TB is full of exciting opportunities for development.

You should have noted, while typing that list, that there are virtually no complaints about the screen, except for what appears to be manufacturing defects (uniformity issues). Which should tell you all you want to know, i.e. that people don't complain just for the sake of it.

Faster CPU/GPU? CPU, not so much. GPU, debatable, since for example the 15" got a better dGPU but a much weaker iGPU. Better build quality? Not even sure how to measure that, but based on the number of failures experienced by people on this forum, probably not. Better keyboard? I strongly disagree. That's your opinion, not even the majority opinion.

Ports? For a lot of people, me included, the new ports absolutely suck. MagSafe? That's a regression for sure.

So the question is not whether this new MBP line is plausibly better at everything compared to the previous. It clearly isn't, and even to suggest such a far-fetched thing insults our intelligence. The question is whether the compromises and questionable choices made by Apple with this laptop line can be overlooked and lived with. And this answer is purely subjective and depends on individual needs.

As for the pricing of the new MBPs, once again - find me an equivalent laptop for the same money. You can't because the MBP is unique in OS and design.

Don't be daft. Only if your comparison group includes exclusively laptops running OSX. But that's a meaningless standard for anybody except die-hard Apple fans.

Of course I can find a better 13" laptop, and you can too. Go and configure a 13" HP Envy, you'll get a way better deal and not for the same money, for hundreds less. And while you come to this thread to dismiss forum criticism about the MBP, you use it to explain why HP and Dell make terrible machines.

 

[enzo thecat]

Wow Sherlock, some nifty investigative work there. How the hell does any of that prove I never bought a 2016 model? I purchased 2 2015 models in fact and returned one due to UI lag issues and I did buy a 2016 13 inch model as it is priced closer to the 2015 models. I took it back because the keyboard sucked even after hours of use. I was set on the 2015 models anyway but just wanted to be sure. Who the hell cares anyway? Waste some more time skimming through my posts if it makes your day.

You did no such thing. You are spending hours posting about a device which you do not own, have never owned, and have no intention of buying. Now you've been caught. But even that hasnt stopped you from posting more.

And I am having fun looking at people's posting history. The jealousy/envy of all you naysayers is incredible and I am taking delight in deconstructing the BS, yes. It's just another fun way to use the best laptop ever made (in space gray).

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

You should have noted, while typing that list, that there are virtually no complaints about the screen, except for what appears to be manufacturing defects (uniformity issues). Which should tell you all you want to know, i.e. that people don't complain just for the sake of it.

Faster CPU/GPU? CPU, not so much. GPU, debatable, since for example the 15" got a better dGPU but a much weaker iGPU. Better build quality? Not even sure how to measure that, but based on the number of failures experienced by people on this forum, probably not. Better keyboard? I strongly disagree. That's your opinion, not even the majority opinion.

Ports? For a lot of people, me included, the new ports absolutely suck. MagSafe? That's a regression for sure.

So the question is not whether this new MBP line is plausibly better at everything compared to the previous. It clearly isn't, and even to suggest such a far-fetched thing insults our intelligence. The question is whether the compromises and questionable choices made by Apple with this laptop line can be overlooked and lived with. And this answer is purely subjective and depends on individual needs.


Don't be daft. Only if your comparison group includes exclusively laptops running OSX. But that's a meaningless standard for anybody except die-hard Apple fans.

Of course I can find a better 13" laptop, and you can too. Go and configure a 13" HP Envy, you'll get a way better deal and not for the same money, for hundreds less. And while you come to this thread to dismiss forum criticism about the MBP, you use it to explain why HP and Dell make terrible machines.

Your post oozes with pointless denigration and hypocrisy and so I'll be concise with you -

You and the rest of Naysayer and Co. don't like the new MBPs. So what? Find an alternative and vote with your cash - as you repeatedly note, there are plenty of better laptops out there and so I am sure you will be fine and dandy in pastures new. For the rest of us, we are delighted with our purchases of the best MBP to date and continue to exchange ideas and offer to assist each other regarding the teething problems we are dealing with.

Simple really.

WWHG.

 

[MarcBou]

Your post oozes with pointless denigration and hypocrisy and so I'll be concise with you -

You and the rest of Naysayer and Co. don't like the new MBPs. So what? Find an alternative and vote with your cash - as you repeatedly note, there are plenty of better laptops out there and so I am sure you will be fine and dandy in pastures new. For the rest of us, we are delighted with our purchases of the best MBP to date and continue to exchange ideas and offer to assist each other regarding the teething problems we are dealing with.

Simple really.

WWHG.

Exactly. I've allways been a Windows user, and I was thinking about getting the Dell XPS15 instead of the new MBP. Finally I decided to go for the Apple machine.

I don't imagine myself going to the Dell forums and complaining and whining about their laptop, I just made a decision of what I prefer, based on pros and cons for MY PERSONAL use. It's really easy.
I'm not going to spend my time complaining about something I'm not going to buy.

 

[symphara]

Your post oozes with pointless denigration and hypocrisy and so I'll be concise with you

Honestly, your posts ooze stupidity. You have a simplistic black & white, rudimentary thinking, and poor reading comprehension. I'll leave it here, lest your buffer overflows again.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

Honestly, your posts ooze stupidity. You have a simplistic black & white, rudimentary thinking, and poor reading comprehension. I'll leave it here, lest your buffer overflows again.

Can always trust a keyboard warrior such as yourself to unravel with little to no effort. Congratulations on your predicament.

 

[Capt T]

I would not say I am pissed about it but I do know for a fact I overpaid for what I got.. When I use the computer I am happy with it and I like a lot about it but I don't put blinders on either..

The machine is overpriced, plain and simple.. Do you get a stellar computer that's well built and supported? Yup... Should it cost less that what they are selling them for? In my opinion, yes!

Then why not just use the Lenovo Yoga you purchased and posted about here in the forums. I don't understand why you bought the mac after all the hate you had for it prior to buying the yoga and that you feel you over paid.

As to the glowing apple logo that does not glow when closed and glows when you have it open and using it facing away from you so you don't see it....who the hell cares unless you just want to draw attention to your computer. I for one am glad it no longer glows, as it was not a feature, just a hey look at me, when using it out in public spaces. I don't want people taking notice of my laptop.

 

[Rafterman]

Then why not just use the Lenovo Yoga you purchased and posted about here in the forums. I don't understand why you bought the mac after all the hate you had for it prior to buying the yoga and that you feel you over paid.

As to the glowing apple logo that does not glow when closed and glows when you have it open and using it facing away from you so you don't see it....who the hell cares unless you just want to draw attention to your computer. I for one am glad it no longer glows, as it was not a feature, just a hey look at me, when using it out in public spaces. I don't want people taking notice of my laptop.

To be fair, the Apple glow was a good way to tell when the Macbook is fully shut down.

 

[CaptRB]

You did no such thing. You are spending hours posting about a device which you do not own, have never owned, and have no intention of buying. Now you've been caught. But even that hasnt stopped you from posting more.

And I am having fun looking at people's posting history. The jealousy/envy of all you naysayers is incredible and I am taking delight in deconstructing the BS, yes. It's just another fun way to use the best laptop ever made (in space gray).

This is just so sad. He gets caught lying and just goes on and on and on. There's no sense of shame with people like this. It's essence of trolling. He's not really looking to win or lose; he just wants to engage unhappily with as many people as possible. It's a type of social vandalism.


R.

 

[raqball]

Then why not just use the Lenovo Yoga you purchased and posted about here in the forums. I don't understand why you bought the mac after all the hate you had for it prior to buying the yoga and that you feel you over paid.

As to the glowing apple logo that does not glow when closed and glows when you have it open and using it facing away from you so you don't see it....who the hell cares unless you just want to draw attention to your computer. I for one am glad it no longer glows, as it was not a feature, just a hey look at me, when using it out in public spaces. I don't want people taking notice of my laptop.

The Yoga 910 I purchased went to my son when his PC died and needed replacing.. This info is also found on these forums so you really need to work on your stalking game..

Also, had you stalked properly, you would have seen where I explained why I purchased the MacBook Pro even though I believe that I over paid for it..

Do you not think it's sad that you harass, put down, call names, insult and stalk people who do not share your point of view??

Lastly, I never said a word about the Apple logo so I have no clue where that portion of your stalking related rant came from..

----->>> Meds! Seek them out and for the love of god please take them once prescribed...

 

[enzo thecat]

As to the glowing apple logo that does not glow when closed and glows when you have it open and using it facing away from you so you don't see it....who the hell cares unless you just want to draw attention to your computer. I for one am glad it no longer glows, as it was not a feature, just a hey look at me, when using it out in public spaces. I don't want people taking notice of my laptop.

I admit I was a little disappointed when I heard they removed the lighted logo but the new chrome apple looks like jewelry against the matte case. Its pretty friggin good looking; very classic. And the thing is so thin that I see it was an excellent sacrifice. I'll be a little bummed if it scratches easily...

See how objective I can be in my posts? I'm honest and I accept that there are sacrifices in design for the sake of other advancements. These sycophants that indulge in criticizing the newer technology are not honest. The touch bar is going to be huge. How anyone could say otherwise is ignorant in that they haven't spent time with it and have no vision for the app developer potential.

 

[CaptRB]

To be fair, the Apple glow was a good way to tell when the Macbook is fully shut down.

I use a couple of MacBooks as music servers. The Apple logo does not tell you anything at all, except that some has an Apple and the screen is active.


R

 

[CaptRB]

I admit I was a little disappointed when I heard they removed the lighted logo but the new chrome apple looks like jewelry against the matte case. Its pretty friggin good looking; very classic. And the thing is so thin that I see it was an excellent sacrifice. I'll be a little bummed if it scratches easily...

See how objective I can be in my posts? I'm honest and I accept that there are sacrifices in design for the sake of other advancements. These sycophants that indulge in criticizing the newer technology are not honest. The touch bar is going to be huge. How anyone could say otherwise is ignorant in that they haven't spent time with it and have no vision for what the app developer potential.

Well said.

I think they made a mistake in removing the SD slot and maybe they should have kept a single standard USB, but it ACTUAL use, this just doesn't add up to any issue whatsoever.

This is the difference between READING about something and actual EXPERIENCE.

The same thing happened with my "built in" CD/DVD drives. Before I had the machines I complained, but once I had the newer machines I came to realize that I rarely used the drive. I STILL bought a superdrive...and now that almost never gets used. I have flash drives that do everything better.

Cheers,


Robert