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Regent Street London - impressions, light testing
- Thread starter terencedriver
- Start date
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I was quoting the OP here. Not my words.[/QUOTE]
I did try to lower myself to see if that made a difference. I tried to ensure the line from my elbow to my wrist was horizontal. Its the small size that makes it feel cramped. I guess a ten inch keybaord will never feel as comfy as a bigger one and for some uses this matters to others it doesn't.
What's the internet connection got to do with fluidity of the UI? Nothing. So that's not an excuse.
And I did my testing by killing all running apps from previous users first. So the line about lots of users is invalid.
Explain what is wrong with the "fluidity" of the UI. Because I've been using MacBooks since 2007 and the UI on the rMB is the same experience as all my previous MacBooks (four total, six if you include my wife). I've also used three Air models in the last five years and the user experience is the same. The OS is the same as all other laptops and the UI is the same. There is no lag or staggering when using the OS, therefore I do not understand your point.
So, please explain what "fluidity" issues you saw on the rMB that is not on the Air or Pro?
Got a chance to try one in Regent Street today.
It's amazing.
Looks very small closed but open it up and the brilliant screen is all you can see. Doesn't feel cramped to type on at all.
I love the keyboard. Don't know why all the reviewers called it weird - it's one of the most solid keyboards I've used. I'm a touch-typist and I think I probably use quite a lot of force when tapping at the keys, and the MacBook's keyboard is satisfyingly clicky. My Pro's keyboard feels a little spongy in comparison.
Now I have finally managed to see one in person, and looking at the benchmark reports of the 1.3, I almost regret buying my Pro. If the MacBook had launched on time it would have been a serious contender for my cash.
The Pro has a bigger screen, it's a step up GPU-wise, and it has a slightly more powerful CPU - but it's not an order of magnitude better. Nothing like. Looking at people's reports it seems that the Core M is definitely not an Atom.
The MacBook is super-light. That weight is a big deal for people like me who carry their machine everywhere they go. The MacBook is 70% lighter than the Pro.
But it wasn't available to see on the 10th, and 4-6 weeks is too long of a wait for me. I'll have to check back in a couple of years down the line. Hopefully there'll be a 14" with at least 2 USB-C ports.
It's amazing.
Looks very small closed but open it up and the brilliant screen is all you can see. Doesn't feel cramped to type on at all.
I love the keyboard. Don't know why all the reviewers called it weird - it's one of the most solid keyboards I've used. I'm a touch-typist and I think I probably use quite a lot of force when tapping at the keys, and the MacBook's keyboard is satisfyingly clicky. My Pro's keyboard feels a little spongy in comparison.
Now I have finally managed to see one in person, and looking at the benchmark reports of the 1.3, I almost regret buying my Pro. If the MacBook had launched on time it would have been a serious contender for my cash.
The Pro has a bigger screen, it's a step up GPU-wise, and it has a slightly more powerful CPU - but it's not an order of magnitude better. Nothing like. Looking at people's reports it seems that the Core M is definitely not an Atom.
The MacBook is super-light. That weight is a big deal for people like me who carry their machine everywhere they go. The MacBook is 70% lighter than the Pro.
But it wasn't available to see on the 10th, and 4-6 weeks is too long of a wait for me. I'll have to check back in a couple of years down the line. Hopefully there'll be a 14" with at least 2 USB-C ports.
Doesn't work for the OP - fair enough.
There's no law that says "You have to like this".
I've yet to see one in person - and even then, I'll probably be torn between this and something that can actually run Fusion...
But I'm not buying a 15" just so that I can max out the cores twice a year...
There's no law that says "You have to like this".
I've yet to see one in person - and even then, I'll probably be torn between this and something that can actually run Fusion...
But I'm not buying a 15" just so that I can max out the cores twice a year...
So I went into the store and played with one again. I like it more every time I do. I stressed it with most of the apps open and playing 4k YouTube. It performs incredibly. I'm even more excited about getting one
So I had a pre-ordered rMB in Gold. I finally got a chance to see the range in the Regent Street store. First impressions were shocked at the size and lightness of the device. It is insanely thin, but I love it. The screen is by far the most beautiful thing about it.
Then noticed that the keyboard was COMPLETELY different in terms of touch typing. As most people browsed, I spent about 15 minutes on this website:
http://www.typingtest.com/index.html
I just stood and touch typed my way to see how good my touch typing skills were with the keyboard. People around me started doing the same! It's amazing how you can judge the keyboard much better when you have to do a task of actually writing an article.
Nonetheless, after about 15 minutes I was convinced that I'd love using the new keyboard, It really feels effortless after a while.
My biggest surprise? The fact that the Space Grey looks insanely gorgeous compared to the Gold and Silver. I felt that the lighting in the store didn't do the Gold one any justice but the Space Grey was stunning. It's by far the best looking and slick option that they have (just an opinion, before others come rushing in looking for my head on a stick). I ended up cancelling my pre-order and ordering the Space Grey, which means I'm again at the back of the line and have to wait an extra 2 weeks, which is worth it. Now time to find a thin sleeve bag for it.
Then noticed that the keyboard was COMPLETELY different in terms of touch typing. As most people browsed, I spent about 15 minutes on this website:
http://www.typingtest.com/index.html
I just stood and touch typed my way to see how good my touch typing skills were with the keyboard. People around me started doing the same! It's amazing how you can judge the keyboard much better when you have to do a task of actually writing an article.
Nonetheless, after about 15 minutes I was convinced that I'd love using the new keyboard, It really feels effortless after a while.
My biggest surprise? The fact that the Space Grey looks insanely gorgeous compared to the Gold and Silver. I felt that the lighting in the store didn't do the Gold one any justice but the Space Grey was stunning. It's by far the best looking and slick option that they have (just an opinion, before others come rushing in looking for my head on a stick). I ended up cancelling my pre-order and ordering the Space Grey, which means I'm again at the back of the line and have to wait an extra 2 weeks, which is worth it. Now time to find a thin sleeve bag for it.
I have 3 laptops here: new MB, 13" rMBP (2014) and 2013 13" MBA.
I've loved my MBA but today given the choices we have, I would'd t buy one. The 13" MBP has gotten smaller and lighter with better battery life. It is actually smaller than the 13" MBA. Retina screen is so much nicer.
At the same time I find the performance on the MB perfectly fine. I'm using it mainly for web and mail along with some light photography. If I wanted to do more important photo work I want to be using my 15" MBP (with 2x 27" Thunderbolt displays) . Not too many taxing tasks. I don't do video editing.
I tried the MB out in the store and it is the worst place to type standing with a table at the wrong height. With it on my lap or on my desk I am faster and more accurate (yes mine arrived more than a week ago.)
I think there are a lot of people that don't need a heavy duty machine to check Facebook, pay bills and a bunch of lightweight tasks. I haven't felt constrained by the single port yet
I don't regret the MB one bit. I think this computer has the best most refined build quality in any laptop I've ever used.
I've loved my MBA but today given the choices we have, I would'd t buy one. The 13" MBP has gotten smaller and lighter with better battery life. It is actually smaller than the 13" MBA. Retina screen is so much nicer.
At the same time I find the performance on the MB perfectly fine. I'm using it mainly for web and mail along with some light photography. If I wanted to do more important photo work I want to be using my 15" MBP (with 2x 27" Thunderbolt displays) . Not too many taxing tasks. I don't do video editing.
I tried the MB out in the store and it is the worst place to type standing with a table at the wrong height. With it on my lap or on my desk I am faster and more accurate (yes mine arrived more than a week ago.)
I think there are a lot of people that don't need a heavy duty machine to check Facebook, pay bills and a bunch of lightweight tasks. I haven't felt constrained by the single port yet
I don't regret the MB one bit. I think this computer has the best most refined build quality in any laptop I've ever used.
Why didn't you just contact Apple and ask them to change the colour. I was having an online chat with them and about to do this and they said that was fine, but I changed my mind in the end.
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It's people like you that make avoid Apple Stores and buy my Apple products from John Lewis instead.
If you read what I said properly you'll see I tuped for a total of half and hour but in five minute chunks so as not to hog the machines too much.
Buy it. Not happy? Return it in 14 days
I don't believe that anyone can realistically assess a laptop by just using it for a mere 30 minute period not to mention in a non-daily-life condition i.e. store front.
Seriously, to me, the best way to assess this rMB is to buy it and try it for a couple of days under your daily life conditions (e.g. office, living room and cafe).
If you end up don't like the rMB, you can always return it to Apple.
I don't believe that anyone can realistically assess a laptop by just using it for a mere 30 minute period not to mention in a non-daily-life condition i.e. store front.
Seriously, to me, the best way to assess this rMB is to buy it and try it for a couple of days under your daily life conditions (e.g. office, living room and cafe).
If you end up don't like the rMB, you can always return it to Apple.
Sounds to me like he didn't like it. Who are you to question his opinion?
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I don't believe that anyone can realistically assess a laptop by just using it for a mere 30 minute period not to mention in a non-daily-life condition i.e. store front.
Seriously, to me, the best way to assess this rMB is to buy it and try it for a couple of days under your daily life conditions (e.g. office, living room and cafe).
If you end up don't like the rMB, you can always return it to Apple.
You can assess anything in 30 mins. The OP clearly didn't like it.
I was there for an hour moving between the rMB and rMBP to compare experiences.
I don't believe that anyone can realistically assess a laptop by just using it for a mere 30 minute period not to mention in a non-daily-life condition i.e. store front.
Seriously, to me, the best way to assess this rMB is to buy it and try it for a couple of days under your daily life conditions (e.g. office, living room and cafe).
If you end up don't like the rMB, you can always return it to Apple.
I beg to differ on one particularly massive point: the new rMB is all about looks, so the assessment you challenge is rightfully based entirely on first impressions - which is supposed to be the deal-maker or -breaker for this product.
We all know and understand it's not meant to be a powerhouse despite the price, but its display, slim figure and light weight are designed to win the consumer over - some of them at least, others will either not like it or have expectations that cannot be met.
Quite honestly, I played with one for just a few minutes, I hated the keyboard, but was very impressed by the thin chassis; it's so thin that it does make the lappy feel fragile. As for the actual performance, I'm not sure what we're missing - of course it's going to run everything in some capacity, at least for the time being (except games, possibly).
It would be obviously a bad purchase if it lagged or seemed overly slow, Apple doesn't make that sort of silly mistake on carefully-prepared first impressions for a new product.
and did this rational thought of yours say to you?
My rMBP is less than a year old so replacing it already is foolish, and I need the bigger screen for work.
Expected criticism?
Oh, so now you have given yourself certain rights? - LOL!
My opinion was and still is that he is an anti fanboy. Deal with it.
Some people can be very immature. I guess we just have to take his advice and "deal with it".