Real MBP Review

[aioriya]

I haven't seen a lot people mention it, but don't skip apple care this year, better safe than sorry. I've already experienced some intermitted graphics issues and I hope they're not hardware related and nothing serious. But with the multiple issues getting reported on these new models, I definitely feel Apple Care is a must this year and it should be when you are buying these very expensive machines which are barely repairable.

 

[motime]

I haven't seen a lot people mention it, but don't skip apple care this year, better safe than sorry. I've already experienced some intermitted graphics issues and I hope they're not hardware related and nothing serious. But with the multiple issues getting reported on these new models, I definitely feel Apple Care is a must this year and it should be when you are buying these very expensive machines which are barely repairable.

Can't you purchase extended Apple care towards the end of your first year? We are covered for a year.

 

[aioriya]

Can't you purchase extended Apple care towards the end of your first year? We are covered for a year.

Yep, I believe you can buy Apple Care anytime within the one year warranty.

 

[MH01]

Can't you purchase extended Apple care towards the end of your first year? We are covered for a year.

That is correct, you have until the end of 12months, from date of purchase to get AppleCare.

 

[CaptRB]

I like it but for the trackpad--the extra size is useless to me and only means that I can no longer have "secondary click" set to the bottom right corner like normal because my palm rests there and keeps accidentally clicking the bottom right. But part of my criticism of the trackpad is the fact that I've never used a ForceTouch trackpad before (my last MBP was from 2012) and I don't really like the ForceTouch feature, so I just turned it off (but I just don't like the feel of the trackpad as much as my 2012 Mac). I also don't care too much for the keyboard. It's not that it's terrible, but I would've preferred the older keyboard as I prefer the feel of it and I am not typing as well on this keyboard as I did on the old one. That's just my personal preference.

And for me the TouchBar isn't really useful. Doesn't mean I "hate" it, but I could do without it and if they had offered a 15" non-touch, I would've purchased it. I find it distracting and I find it making the tasks I'd like to accomplish with function keys cumbersome.

I also wish it had optical audio out because I used it all the time on my old MBP. I never used the SD card slot much though.

Otherwise I don't see too many issues. The display is far superior to any past MacBook and it's much much faster than my 2012 one.

Battery life so far seems good. I hate Chrome and never use it, plus I always dim the screen a lot when on battery. I'm getting 12 hours remaining at the moment.

Disclaimer: I'm not a "hater" just because I'm criticizing it. I'm also pointing out what I like about it. But I own one, I'm using it right now, so I'm allowed to criticize it if I want to.

Your points come from actual experience. Thanks.

I can get good life out of the battery, dim display and keyboard light and watch the apps. But then it occurred to me...when do I sit down for a 9 hour marathon of writing of PP photo work with no outlet? Answer is NEVER. I'm okay with the trackpad so far. Keyboard may take you more time, but not everyone will love it. I haven't seen 12 hours. 7-9 is typical when working and that's really good considering the other advancements.
The more I use it, the more I like it. I agree with the complaints on ports. One USB and SD would not have killed them.


R.

 

[raqball]

I haven't seen a lot people mention it, but don't skip apple care this year, better safe than sorry. I've already experienced some intermitted graphics issues and I hope they're not hardware related and nothing serious. But with the multiple issues getting reported on these new models, I definitely feel Apple Care is a must this year and it should be when you are buying these very expensive machines which are barely repairable.

Apple Care + on these machine is going to be a must have! They are absolutely non repairable so if anything happens after the 1st year, to the trash bin it will go if you don't have the coverage.. I have not purchased Apple Care + yet but plan on doing so before my 1-year is up...

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Your points come from actual experience. Thanks.

I can get good life out of the battery, dim display and keyboard light and watch the apps. But then it occurred to me...when do I sit down for a 9 hour marathon of writing of PP photo work with no outlet? Answer is NEVER. I'm okay with the trackpad so far. Keyboard may take you more time, but not everyone will love it. I haven't seen 12 hours. 7-9 is typical when working and that's really good considering the other advancements.
The more I use it, the more I like it. I agree with the complaints on ports. One USB and SD would not have killed them.


R.

One thing I will disagree with most reviews on is that I do not miss MagSafe. I like being able to have the power cord attach to the computer from either side. I plug my laptop into different places throughout the day (often) and outlets are not always on the left hand side and I'd often have the cord bend around in a weird angle and that might've been why I had to replace the power cord twice on my 2012 MBP. Now I don't picture that happening, not to mention you only have to replace the USB-C part not the entire power cord and adapter (assuming that's where it breaks, but that's where it did on my last one). So on that note, I'm glad they got rid of Mag Safe.

 

[JohnnyGo]

One thing I will disagree with most reviews on is that I do not miss MagSafe. I like being able to have the power cord attach to the computer from either side. I plug my laptop into different places throughout the day (often) and outlets are not always on the left hand side and I'd often have the cord bend around in a weird angle and that might've been why I had to replace the power cord twice on my 2012 MBP. Now I don't picture that happening, not to mention you only have to replace the USB-C part not the entire power cord and adapter (assuming that's where it breaks, but that's where it did on my last one). So on that note, I'm glad they got rid of Mag Safe.

+1

 

[CaptRB]

One thing I will disagree with most reviews on is that I do not miss MagSafe. I like being able to have the power cord attach to the computer from either side. I plug my laptop into different places throughout the day (often) and outlets are not always on the left hand side and I'd often have the cord bend around in a weird angle and that might've been why I had to replace the power cord twice on my 2012 MBP. Now I don't picture that happening, not to mention you only have to replace the USB-C part not the entire power cord and adapter (assuming that's where it breaks, but that's where it did on my last one). So on that note, I'm glad they got rid of Mag Safe.

You know....that's right! Magsafe did drive me nuts because it was often on the wrong side. But I do like the way it connects.

Win some, lose some.


R.

 

[thesaint024]

I like it but for the trackpad--the extra size is useless to me and only means that I can no longer have "secondary click" set to the bottom right corner like normal because my palm rests there and keeps accidentally clicking the bottom right. But part of my criticism of the trackpad is the fact that I've never used a ForceTouch trackpad before (my last MBP was from 2012) and I don't really like the ForceTouch feature, so I just turned it off (but I just don't like the feel of the trackpad as much as my 2012 Mac). I also don't care too much for the keyboard. It's not that it's terrible, but I would've preferred the older keyboard as I prefer the feel of it and I am not typing as well on this keyboard as I did on the old one. That's just my personal preference.

Yeah, I don't get the ginormous trackpad on the 15" version. What is the logic in that? They didn't put a ginormous keyboard in it. For the most part I think 13" and 15" users have the same interaction with the computer, neither group is known to have bigger hands. I only bring this up because the 13" trackpad seems perfectly sized, if not a little big too. There's rarely lifting to get the cursor across the built in screen. I think this issue with palm rejection might have been avoided with just having the same sized inputs as the 13". I don't know what the ... Apple was thinking with the gigantic trackpad. Maybe someone with a 15" will weigh in and enlighten me how it changed their workflow for the better?

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I still say the giant trackpad was due to them originally planning on adding Pencil support but then at the last minute couldn't get it finished, so we ended up with a larger trackpad but no Pencil support.

The way they described the trackpad size at the event seemed kind of half-baked too, like they really had to come up with something to justify it.

I had no issue with the old trackpad size on the 2012 model. Seemed perfect to me.

 

[CaptRB]

Apple Care + on these machine is going to be a must have! They are absolutely non repairable so if anything happens after the 1st year, to the trash bin it will go if you don't have the coverage.. I have not purchased Apple Care + yet but plan on doing so before my 1-year is up...

Isn't it 250.00 on these machines? I think I'll wait near the end of the standard warranty before deciding. I hate spending on warranties! It's the one area where I get cheap.


R.

 

[thesaint024]

Isn't it 250.00 on these machines? I think I'll wait near the end of the standard warranty before deciding. I hate spending on warranties! It's the one area where I get cheap.

Yes, $250 for 13", $350 for 15". I know what you mean about warranties. I generally don't, but it's case by case depending on what it does for me or covers me for. I got it on mine because this is my primary work computer, and I wanted the right to be outraged if they couldn't fix a problem. These things are always a gamble that you always hope you lose (by it not breaking).

 

[JohnnyGo]

I still say the giant trackpad was due to them originally planning on adding Pencil support but then at the last minute couldn't get it finished, so we ended up with a larger trackpad but no Pencil support.

The way they described the trackpad size at the event seemed kind of half-baked too, like they really had to come up with something to justify it.

I had no issue with the old trackpad size on the 2012 model. Seemed perfect to me.

Apple is planning something BIG for the trackpad (pun intended). Pencil support: certainly. Touchbar like functionality: maybe

 

[sarc]

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 don't buy one and complain about it. You know what you will be getting yourself into by getting one. Get a 2015 model and you will have no issue.

 

[Freshjs59]

Yes, $250 for 13", $350 for 15". I know what you mean about warranties. I generally don't, but it's case by case depending on what it does for me or covers me for. I got it on mine because this is my primary work computer, and I wanted the right to be outraged if they couldn't fix a problem. These things are always a gamble that you always hope you lose (by it not breaking).

Buy the machine on most major credit cards and they double the manufactures warranty. I know american express does it and they are good about those kind of things! Dropped my iphone 7 plus, completely shattered and as part of the purchase protection, they paid for me to replace my phone

 

[thesaint024]

Buy the machine on most major credit cards and they double the manufactures warranty. I know american express does it and they are good about those kind of things! Dropped my iphone 7 plus, completely shattered and as part of the purchase protection, they paid for me to replace my phone

Agree with you, but there is a lot of fine print with card coverages. I think I used a credit card warranty or replacement just one time in my life. Most of the time things happen outside of the window or isn't covered for some reason. I take advantage of these things too, and as aware as I am about these credit card benefits, it often doesn't apply. I'm somewhat of a card connoisseur too. I always use credit cards for any purchase just because of these ancillary benefits. Amex often times is the best with these benefits. The other side of the Apple Care is the tech support though. So the 3rd year of coverage and the tech support make it worth it to me. I don't always get Apple Care. I think this is the first time on a Mac, but I've gotten it here and there on iPhones. I opted this time because this is my work computer and I need to minimize downtime with it, should anything happen. Like I said, it's a gamble that you want to lose.