Underwhelmed by the new MBP 16"

[Jimmy James]

I almost always take a form following function approach. I don’t want change for its own sake or to meet a spec sheet where the there is no practical benefit or otherwise introduces drawbacks.

Critically, I’m more than underwhelmed by posts essentially expressing disappointment because it looks the same.

 

[pcd213]

Agreed, but the other member was asking about innovation in other machines,

I have a bright 4k display with more ports, a better keyboard (Thinkpad), replaceable/upgradeable ram, storage and battery, and that battery lasts me all day - granted it won't last as long as MBPs but it does what I need it too. All for less then what apple is charging.

What model?
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Feel like major display changes outside of slightly larger are reserved for the 'full redesign' which usually would have happened in 2020 (don't think this is it) - most likely the rumoured mini LED display which is supposedly now happening in 2021 is meant for this machine, so that's where I'd expect to see all the big display improvements. I'm guessing that one actually could well come with a higher price tag, though!

Is that the latest rumor, 2021 is when mini LED will launch?
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Sometimes I think the people that are underwhelmed just can't afford it and want a excuse not to buy it.
I am happy they are going back to a scissor KB and have a escape key. All we need now is to lose the whole touchbar.

This is a bad take, and you know it. The OP and others are allowed to be underwhelmed by a product without having someone claim they can’t afford it. Be a better person. If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

 

[Rogifan]

Marco Arment (who now apparently gets press briefings and review units seeded to him) was raving about the keyboard on ATP. That’s all Apple cares about.

 

[pcd213]

Marco Arment (who now apparently gets press briefings and review units seeded to him) was raving about the keyboard on ATP. That’s all Apple cares about.

I was surprised and filled with confidence by how he raved about the new keyboard design. That made me feel positive. I’m still really looking forward to trying it in a store.

 

[gugy]

People love to whine like the OP.
Th MBP is a very solid upgrade and the best of all the price is the same of the previous generation.
Add the large upgrade options of RAM and storage and larger screen. It's a big deal IMO.
I'm considering it instead of buying the new Mac Pro.

 

[maflynn]

What model?

I have the Thinkpad X1 Extreme.

 

[LeeW]

As someone who has had their fair share of issues with the MBP, I appreciate this update.

There were two major issues with the previous gen, the keyboard and the thermals.

What have they done? Replaced the keyboard and improved the thermals. In addition, they made the screen bigger, battery bigger, done something with the touch bar at least and increased the base storage, all for the same price as the last one.

I think there is a bit of "sorry" from Apple by them giving a bit more for the same money which is not usually their way of thinking, you can argue there is nothing revolutionary in terms of the tech but Apple is not going to be about that right now, they are trying to right some wrongs with this release and regain some confidence, maybe they will achieve that, time will tell.

I also appreciate the willingness to accept that a bit bigger, thicker and heavier is actually ok, **** you Jony!

 

[pcd213]

I have the Thinkpad X1 Extreme.

That's a beautiful and powerful machine

 

[thadoggfather]

Im glad they added more travel to the keyboard to the tune of double the amount,

I don't feel like its something I need to rush out and hunker down all that coin for, at the same time.

the t-shaped arrow keys don't matter to me, and I don't have the touchbar version 13" 2016 so I still don't feel super swayyed. I love that something better is out there though and not just part of the rumor mill.

I just hope more key travel is the standard, for whenever I'm up for an upgrade and considering migrating machines. Though I still may give current Windows competition (or current when Im in the market) serious consideration. Even Microsoft's hardware is looking pretty lust-y to my eyes

 

[maflynn]

That's a beautiful and powerful machine

Its not as sexy as a MBP, but its quite a capable machine.

 

[Ries]

I need a new MacBook Pro, my 15" 2011 isn't supported any more and there is like a ton of Mac OSX features that I don't have because of it. But I feel like a better 14" will pop up any day. Same thing, but Ice lake 28w, LPDDR4 and WIFI 6 for a-lot less. I would rather have that.

 

[Falhófnir]

Is that the latest rumor, 2021 is when mini LED will launch?

Yep, well, 'between late 2020 and mid 2021' is the exact wording; I'm just inclined to think 2021 will be the year now - next year they can get the ARM transition going if they're doing it, and the year after would be when they'll finally unveil the really potent hardware for it. Could do it all in 2020, but I feel like they will want to let this 16" have it's moment for more than just 6-12 months?

Kuo: High-End iPad and MacBook With Mini-LED Displays to Launch Between Late 2020 and Mid 2021

Reiterating a prediction he shared in April, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Apple plans to release high-end iPad and MacBook models with...

www.macrumors.com

 

[bierdybard]

Touch screens
faster screens, 144hz, 120hz
OLED displays
4k Displays
Extremely powerful GPUs
Upgradeable ram/storage/battery
better keyboards - the Lenovo keyboard is water resistent. There's a YT out there that shows someone pouring multiple pitchers of liquid on a running laptop and it doesn't bat an eyelash.
Facial recognition.
convertable laptops
Full dual screen configurations
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You flaunt the Lenovo, yet...

I grabbed a specced-out X1 Extreme Gen 1 a few weeks ago, getting frustrated with 4th gen and needing and upgrade. The screen was beautiful, I loved the keyboard, I really appreciated having the ability to upgrade.

I had to return it after less than a week because it had TERRIBLE performance. UI was sluggish, animations were choppy... my 6-year-old 13" MacBook Pro beat the pants off of it from a day-to-day usability perspective. It's entirely possible that somebody who doesn't use Macs much doesn't even notice; hell, it even took me a couple of days to really realize what was going on, and even then the full extent of it wasn't apparent until I had to pick up my old MBP to take care of something.

All the bells and whistles in the world mean nothing if you can't get the basic user experience right.

 

[CHA05 R31GN5]

I have the Thinkpad X1 Extreme.

Now, that one is impressive. I've been looking for a replacement for this '17 MBP and I'll definitely keep it in mind. Looks thin and light enough. I don't need a MBP that matches the depth of my phone and is pitiful for heat dissipation.
Specifically looking at that GEN2. I assume you've got the GEN1.

 

[maflynn]

I had to return it after less than a week because it had TERRIBLE performance. UI was sluggish, animations were choppy..

That's not been my experience - its been a fine machine, one of the best I've ever owned ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

my 6-year-old 13" MacBook Pro beat the pants off of it from a day-to-day usability perspective.

If you're happy with your 6 year old MBP, good for you.

It's entirely possible that somebody who doesn't use Macs much doesn't even notice;

Or your experience isn't typical

 

[HarryWild]

Would of order the 16” if Apple would offer a state of the art wi-fi 802.11xa aka wi-fi 6 to future proof this MBP! But cheapskate Apple let it pass, not wanting to pay $12 more of the 6!

 

[cap7ainclu7ch]

Would of order the 16” if Apple would offer a state of the art wi-fi 802.11xa aka wi-fi 6 to future proof this MBP! But cheapskate Apple let it pass, not wanting to pay $12 more of the 6!

Or maybe it isn't supported by the current top of the line Intel chips and they didn't want to sacrifice PCIE lanes for a separate wifi chipset. This is a great update and the exclusion of wifi 6 doesn't change that.