Sorry if this is the wrong place for this. Might be a little long. I know there are a lot of people on the fence about the new rMB versus other computers, so I wanted to give you my impressions after using this as my main machine for the last week.
A couple precursors: I'm coming from a 2012 rMPB 15" which I am keeping to do any heavy lifting I might need to do. The rMB is a secondary computer for being on the road and out and about. However, I have used it almost exclusively since I bought it to test it out. Second, I am a journalist and amateur vlogger. My use case is mostly Safari and Microsoft Word. I've used it a little bit for QuarkXpress 8, some light Lightroom and Photoshop, and have edited three vlogs so far in FCPX.
First, I was concerned whether it could handle FCPX. I've edited three 10-20 minute 1080p videos for YouTube on it without so much as a hiccup. The only difference between this and my rMBP is it takes longer to export. That's it. Otherwise, cake. Every other use case, no problems. It rarely stutters, and when it does, it's nothing major. I love this computer, and could easily use it as my only computer. It will be my primary work computer.
I have an old MBA 11" 1st gen at work, and it's amazing that this thing is actually SMALLER than that computer, because it FEELS bigger. Obviously the screen is larger, but that computer feels to cramped to be a primary machine. This one does not.
Now, issues I have:
-I was not sure if I would like the keyboard. However, after using it for a week, I love it. Except when I don't. I find that even with the shorter throw, you have to hit the keys harder. I feel like I'm pounding on them when I type. It still feels better than my MBP though. Also, I tend to miss the period key all the time. I don't hit it hard enough, or there's a problem with it, because I often have to go back and put the period in. I think I'm just not hitting it hard enough.
-The trackpad. I love Apple's trackpads, and after playing with this one in the store, I really thought I was going to love this even more. But I don't. It fascinates me that it doesn't actually click. However, I find when I click it, sometimes it clicks too easy. I am used to clicking with my thumb and dragging and sometimes it feels like it unclicks but the item is still selected. It's weird. After a week I really don't like it, and wish I could have my old trackpad back. I can deal with it, and I will. But I much prefer the old style.
Overall, this thing is amazing, and I totally recommend it. The screen is beautiful. The battery life is magnificent. Even with the annoyances of the trackpad, I give this thing a 9.5 out of 10. I would love one more port, but I bought the $80 Apple HDMI dongle, and it does what I need it to do without much annoyance. My favorite thing: I can stick this thing in my iPad bag! It's so small and light, it really makes the 11" air feel like a brick.
If you're on the fence, I HIGHLY recommend you buy one of these and try it for a week. For most, I think you will find that you LOVE this computer.
A couple precursors: I'm coming from a 2012 rMPB 15" which I am keeping to do any heavy lifting I might need to do. The rMB is a secondary computer for being on the road and out and about. However, I have used it almost exclusively since I bought it to test it out. Second, I am a journalist and amateur vlogger. My use case is mostly Safari and Microsoft Word. I've used it a little bit for QuarkXpress 8, some light Lightroom and Photoshop, and have edited three vlogs so far in FCPX.
First, I was concerned whether it could handle FCPX. I've edited three 10-20 minute 1080p videos for YouTube on it without so much as a hiccup. The only difference between this and my rMBP is it takes longer to export. That's it. Otherwise, cake. Every other use case, no problems. It rarely stutters, and when it does, it's nothing major. I love this computer, and could easily use it as my only computer. It will be my primary work computer.
I have an old MBA 11" 1st gen at work, and it's amazing that this thing is actually SMALLER than that computer, because it FEELS bigger. Obviously the screen is larger, but that computer feels to cramped to be a primary machine. This one does not.
Now, issues I have:
-I was not sure if I would like the keyboard. However, after using it for a week, I love it. Except when I don't. I find that even with the shorter throw, you have to hit the keys harder. I feel like I'm pounding on them when I type. It still feels better than my MBP though. Also, I tend to miss the period key all the time. I don't hit it hard enough, or there's a problem with it, because I often have to go back and put the period in. I think I'm just not hitting it hard enough.
-The trackpad. I love Apple's trackpads, and after playing with this one in the store, I really thought I was going to love this even more. But I don't. It fascinates me that it doesn't actually click. However, I find when I click it, sometimes it clicks too easy. I am used to clicking with my thumb and dragging and sometimes it feels like it unclicks but the item is still selected. It's weird. After a week I really don't like it, and wish I could have my old trackpad back. I can deal with it, and I will. But I much prefer the old style.
Overall, this thing is amazing, and I totally recommend it. The screen is beautiful. The battery life is magnificent. Even with the annoyances of the trackpad, I give this thing a 9.5 out of 10. I would love one more port, but I bought the $80 Apple HDMI dongle, and it does what I need it to do without much annoyance. My favorite thing: I can stick this thing in my iPad bag! It's so small and light, it really makes the 11" air feel like a brick.
If you're on the fence, I HIGHLY recommend you buy one of these and try it for a week. For most, I think you will find that you LOVE this computer.
