A lot of forum members are rejoicing today; it truly is a moment of relief. Many will finally upgrade their 2009 and even 2015 models. The 2018 revision is a substantial upgrade in many ways: 32 GBs of 'DDR4 RAM' (finally), T2 chip, Hey Siri, Bluetooth 5.0, Core i9, 4 TB SSD option, standard 4 GB video card. What more could you ask for?
Well, the new MacBook Pro feels like scramble to quiet the doubters. If you follow the community here on the forums and on social media, you read the comments. Apple is not innovating anymore; the touchbar is useless; the keyboard is crappy; everyone is doing DDR4 except Apple.
The new MacBook Pro starts to look more like a check box for feeds and speeds. Its not about bringing performance to the table with true value and innovation.
It still does not correct a lot of whats still wrong with this new generation:
- The keyboard is said to be better improved in terms of being quieter but it could potentially still fail. Its possible Apple was working on correcting it for this 3rd gen update, but time was against them, so they had to release what was available. This suggest, the actual improved keyboard will be coming in the June 2019 revision.
- After Phil Schillers insistence on going with LPDDR3 RAM then backtracking by going around it with a larger battery, there will be a potential for impact on battery life. We don't know for sure, but we will likely see the results over the coming months. In 2019, we will see the right type of DDR4 RAM accompanied by Canonlake which will lead to guaranteed performance and improved battery life. Apple might also pull out another surprise, built to order 64 GB configuration.
- Apple is still doing 256 GB of storage on the entry level 15 inch. Maybe, just maybe, Apple will bump this to 512 on the 15 inch model in next years rev.
- We have been on 14 NM process technology since Broadwell; since then, its been only 14+++. The 10 NM technology is coming for sure with Canonlake with guaranteed performance improvements across the board. Wouldn't you rather just jump from that Early 2015 MBP 13 inch with Broadwell to that? You would certainly be seeing more bang for your buck.
- Graphics seems to be at a stand still on the MacBook Pro, its not considered the best of breed. Its possible the work between Intel and AMD will require a little more time to deliver the value Apple needs. This would suggest we will see a more uniform lineup instead of the have and have not configurations we now see on 13 and 15 models.
- Bluetooth 5.0 is the only substantial network upgrade, but Apple is likely to introduce 802.11AD which will promise GB downloads. So, thats something you might want to wait for.
- The default and customized configurations are very expensive, even if you can afford it. I think Apple is using the best, but the best cost a lot. If you want to rollout all of these to a team of videopgraphers, its an expensive investment. The new generation has yet to see an attractive price drop. With 2019 likely to be the last of this generation, I think Apple will for the first time introduce a price drop and or more affordable specs.
- The year 2019 will be the last of this revision before Apple embarks on a redesign. This itself would make it worth the wait. The 2015 was the last revision of the MBP introduced in 2012 and so far it has been a reliable purchase. I think if you want to avoid 2016 all over again, the 2019 would be the best way to save yourself from the disadvantages of early adopter syndrome.
- Knowing that macOS 10.15 will be our first full taste of running iOS optimized apps for Mac, there is likely to be exclusive synergies between the 2019 MBP and 10.15. Yes, upsell, which means, if you want to use whatever new snazzy feature Apple introduces in 10.15 exclusive only to 2019 MBPs, example: Continuity requiring certain model Macs; or Apple Watch used to authenticate on your Mac.
So, those are just some of my thoughts. If you have been running a 2013 or earlier MBP, you will likely find the value out of the 2018 revision, but if you can stretch and squeeze a little more, you might get a way better reward in 2019.
Well, the new MacBook Pro feels like scramble to quiet the doubters. If you follow the community here on the forums and on social media, you read the comments. Apple is not innovating anymore; the touchbar is useless; the keyboard is crappy; everyone is doing DDR4 except Apple.
The new MacBook Pro starts to look more like a check box for feeds and speeds. Its not about bringing performance to the table with true value and innovation.
It still does not correct a lot of whats still wrong with this new generation:
- The keyboard is said to be better improved in terms of being quieter but it could potentially still fail. Its possible Apple was working on correcting it for this 3rd gen update, but time was against them, so they had to release what was available. This suggest, the actual improved keyboard will be coming in the June 2019 revision.
- After Phil Schillers insistence on going with LPDDR3 RAM then backtracking by going around it with a larger battery, there will be a potential for impact on battery life. We don't know for sure, but we will likely see the results over the coming months. In 2019, we will see the right type of DDR4 RAM accompanied by Canonlake which will lead to guaranteed performance and improved battery life. Apple might also pull out another surprise, built to order 64 GB configuration.
- Apple is still doing 256 GB of storage on the entry level 15 inch. Maybe, just maybe, Apple will bump this to 512 on the 15 inch model in next years rev.
- We have been on 14 NM process technology since Broadwell; since then, its been only 14+++. The 10 NM technology is coming for sure with Canonlake with guaranteed performance improvements across the board. Wouldn't you rather just jump from that Early 2015 MBP 13 inch with Broadwell to that? You would certainly be seeing more bang for your buck.
- Graphics seems to be at a stand still on the MacBook Pro, its not considered the best of breed. Its possible the work between Intel and AMD will require a little more time to deliver the value Apple needs. This would suggest we will see a more uniform lineup instead of the have and have not configurations we now see on 13 and 15 models.
- Bluetooth 5.0 is the only substantial network upgrade, but Apple is likely to introduce 802.11AD which will promise GB downloads. So, thats something you might want to wait for.
- The default and customized configurations are very expensive, even if you can afford it. I think Apple is using the best, but the best cost a lot. If you want to rollout all of these to a team of videopgraphers, its an expensive investment. The new generation has yet to see an attractive price drop. With 2019 likely to be the last of this generation, I think Apple will for the first time introduce a price drop and or more affordable specs.
- The year 2019 will be the last of this revision before Apple embarks on a redesign. This itself would make it worth the wait. The 2015 was the last revision of the MBP introduced in 2012 and so far it has been a reliable purchase. I think if you want to avoid 2016 all over again, the 2019 would be the best way to save yourself from the disadvantages of early adopter syndrome.
- Knowing that macOS 10.15 will be our first full taste of running iOS optimized apps for Mac, there is likely to be exclusive synergies between the 2019 MBP and 10.15. Yes, upsell, which means, if you want to use whatever new snazzy feature Apple introduces in 10.15 exclusive only to 2019 MBPs, example: Continuity requiring certain model Macs; or Apple Watch used to authenticate on your Mac.
So, those are just some of my thoughts. If you have been running a 2013 or earlier MBP, you will likely find the value out of the 2018 revision, but if you can stretch and squeeze a little more, you might get a way better reward in 2019.
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