Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I currently have the 256 GB m3 and I'm debating whether I want to return it and get the 256 GB m7. I am waiting from some reviews but there has been tasks that will make my rMB stutter a little bit.
 
I have the m3 space grey model. Thinking of returning mine for the m5 for extra storage and gold version ...
 
I currently have the 256 GB m3 and I'm debating whether I want to return it and get the 256 GB m7. I am waiting from some reviews but there has been tasks that will make my rMB stutter a little bit.

When does it stutter? what sort of tasks etc?

I only use my rMB 2015 base model for web surfing, iTunes and email. So its just light usage and its been fine. But when I got the Surface Pro 4 core m3 I ended up returning it within my return period for the i5 version because I use it for work and was more likely to be put under periods of sustained processor usage once in a while for calculations etc. Since then I think I could have got away with the m3 version as the fan on my surface pro 4 never activates during my normal use except during big software and firmware updates

BTW As a user using word, excel, publisher and some statistical programs I never noticed any perceivable difference between my surface pro 4 m3 and i5 models. Even boot up was indistinguishable... additionally, even the battery runtimes were practically identical

Its always difficult judging on whether to move up to the next processor option...
 
Last edited:
When does it stutter? what sort of tasks etc?

I only use my rMB 2015 base model for web surfing, iTunes and email. So its just light usage and its been fine. But when I got the Surface Pro 4 core m3 I ended up returning it within my return period for the i5 version because I use it for work and was more likely to be put under periods of sustained processor usage once in a while for calculations etc. Since then I think I could have got away with the m3 version as the fan on my surface pro 4 never activates lol only during big software updates etc

Its always difficult judging on whether to move up to the next processor option...

I do have to agree, it's a difficult decision. I just got it on Thursday but for example last night I was watching a 1080p MKV in VLC and doing some light browsing in Safari, I was watching the CPU usage and it was getting pretty high and Safari was a little choppy (I may have been torrenting a file or two in Transmission I can't remember) . Another consistant example is when I load the top tracks in iTunes I get the color wheel for the first 20 seconds or so if I try to scroll and in general Apple Music in iTunes seems to be really choppy for me.

I'm going to use it for about a week, wait for reviews and such before making a decision though. I have been impressed with how well bootcamp runs though.
Edit: I do love this computer though. Coming from the 2011 MBP the screen is awesome. I really enjoy the keyboard as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: darrylsvochak
I do have to agree, it's a difficult decision. I just got it on Thursday but for example last night I was watching a 1080p MKV in VLC and doing some light browsing in Safari, I was watching the CPU usage and it was getting pretty high and Safari was a little choppy (I may have been torrenting a file or two in Transmission I can't remember) . Another consistant example is when I load the top tracks in iTunes I get the color wheel for the first 20 seconds or so if I try to scroll and in general Apple Music in iTunes seems to be really choppy for me.

I'm going to use it for about a week, wait for reviews and such before making a decision though. I have been impressed with how well bootcamp runs though.
Edit: I do love this computer though. Coming from the 2011 MBP the screen is awesome. I really enjoy the keyboard as well.

Probably a good idea to use it a bit longer before changing it out. In the meantime some good reviews should come out and give us a better idea of battery life compared to the 2015 versions.

The best things about this laptop for me (and I have 2015 base version) are the screen, keyboard, trackpad and its size. Battery life and performance are more fine for me but I rarely have a lot of things happening at the same time.
 
Probably a good idea to use it a bit longer before changing it out. In the meantime some good reviews should come out and give us a better idea of battery life compared to the 2015 versions.

The best things about this laptop for me (and I have 2015 base version) are the screen, keyboard, trackpad and its size. Battery life and performance are more fine for me but I rarely have a lot of things happening at the same time.

Yeah I would like to get it up and running for a little after the initial set up and I'm still downloading apps and such. Yes hopefully! I can't comment on battery life just yet because most of the time its plugged in.
 
Yeah I would like to get it up and running for a little after the initial set up and I'm still downloading apps and such. Yes hopefully! I can't comment on battery life just yet because most of the time its plugged in.

I made the mistake of returning my initial purchase of the rMB last summer. Had it a few days or so and wasn't sure so took it back for a refund. Realized a few weeks later how much I liked it and that its performance was completely fine and I should have spent two weeks with it first. Once I installed everything and it was all settled etc its been running great.

I was even concerned about the macbook getting hot! lol Now Ive had mine about 9 months it rarely gets warm lol So i'm glad I went back and stuck with this purchase and now Im on the verge of buying applecare before my 12 month warranty is up.
 
Not on your life.....
Love my new M5 512GB machine.......great battery life and she seems much snappier than my 2015 Macbook.
Can you please characterize the difference in battery life between the 2015 and 2016? I have the 2015 1.3 and the only issue I have ever had with it is I wish I got better battery life.
 
Can you please characterize the difference in battery life between the 2015 and 2016? I have the 2015 1.3 and the only issue I have ever had with it is I wish I got better battery life.


Only had the machine for 2-days and have no hard numbers.....
But, I usually run the same type apps......word, excel, email, surfing, and some Parallels with WIN10, etc.

Seat of the pants monitoring during usage, it's noticeably better. I easily get 1-hour more life.......if not more.
Never seen the battery monitor (Health) show life like this either.......my Apple 2015 never showed more than 90% out of the box.

Couldn't be happier returning my 2015 MacBook for the 2016 model.

Battery.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmfangio
Only had the machine for 2-days and have no hard numbers.....
But, I usually run the same type apps......word, excel, email, surfing, and some Parallels with WIN10, etc.

Seat of the pants monitoring during usage, it's noticeably better. I easily get 1-hour more life.......if not more.
Never seen the battery monitor (Health) show life like this either.......my Apple 2015 never showed more than 90% out of the box.

Couldn't be happier returning my 2015 MacBook for the 2016 model.

Battery.jpg
Thanks for this!
 
I do have to agree, it's a difficult decision. I just got it on Thursday but for example last night I was watching a 1080p MKV in VLC and doing some light browsing in Safari, I was watching the CPU usage and it was getting pretty high and Safari was a little choppy (I may have been torrenting a file or two in Transmission I can't remember) . Another consistant example is when I load the top tracks in iTunes I get the color wheel for the first 20 seconds or so if I try to scroll and in general Apple Music in iTunes seems to be really choppy for me.

I'm going to use it for about a week, wait for reviews and such before making a decision though. I have been impressed with how well bootcamp runs though.
Edit: I do love this computer though. Coming from the 2011 MBP the screen is awesome. I really enjoy the keyboard as well.

Go in to System Preferences then iCloud and see if Safari is checked off. If it is, uncheck it and see if your performance problems and CPU usage change. I did this and it made a world of difference. One of the processes with iCloud Safari sync was hogging my CPU and Safari was choppy until I made this change. Since then it has worked like a charm.
 
I do have to agree, it's a difficult decision. I just got it on Thursday but for example last night I was watching a 1080p MKV in VLC and doing some light browsing in Safari, I was watching the CPU usage and it was getting pretty high and Safari was a little choppy (I may have been torrenting a file or two in Transmission I can't remember) . Another consistant example is when I load the top tracks in iTunes I get the color wheel for the first 20 seconds or so if I try to scroll and in general Apple Music in iTunes seems to be really choppy for me.

I'm going to use it for about a week, wait for reviews and such before making a decision though. I have been impressed with how well bootcamp runs though.
Edit: I do love this computer though. Coming from the 2011 MBP the screen is awesome. I really enjoy the keyboard as well.

There seems to be a huge performance jump between the m3 and m7. Geekbench has the m7 performing 23% faster in this comparison: https://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/compare/6194257?baseline=6228507

Also testimonies from people with the m7 say it runs very very smoothly, which obviously isn't what you're experiencing. So there seems to be a big real world performance difference.

Since you're already having issues I think the m7 or m5 upgrade makes sense for you.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.