Why MBP2018 have so many issues?

[Painter2002]

If the MBP2018 were like the 2014 rMBP 15", no complain. I would have bought it. The main issue is I have tried the 3rd gen butterfly keyboard several times in different stores but I can't seem to like it. As you said, why spend that much money on a laptop that uses that keyboard. Perhaps I just try out the Thinkpad and if I don't like it, then return it and just buy a MBP. At least the Thinkpads have a better keyboard.

In a perfect world I am sure there are a ton of us who would love to have a refreshed version of the 2014/15 MacBook Pros, but unfortunately that is not reality. Technology is always changing and we have to choose what is best for each of us based on what is available.

To what others have said, based on prior posts that you have made, it seems that a MacBook Pro is not a good fit for you. I believe (correct me if I am wrong), but you have already purchased and returned at least one unit. You need to really look at what you are needing a laptop for, and how it will best suit you. Perhaps a Dell XPS or any of the other high-end models are good. But no machine is perfect. Just some are better suited to certain individuals than others.

Also, I use a Thinkpad for work, and I can tell you the same thing that @Newtons Apple said, they have their own host of issues. And their build quality is nowhere the same as a MacBook Pro. Not saying that they aren't a great notebook and might suit you well. But again this is my opinion based on my use.

Ultimately you will have to make compromises somewhere along the line, but pick a machine that has the strengths you truly need and the compromises you can live with. And most importantly, don't stress so much on all the negativity; being truly honest, it is not worth stressing so much about the issues of a computer on a machine you will likely keep less than 4 years anyways. If you legitimately buy a laptop and it has a serious issue (i.e. keyboard, CPU throttling, or other), that's one thing, but constantly posting about issues related to a machine you may or may not buy isn't going to help you make a choice, or help change the way Apple makes their computers.

 

[macpcf]

Use ThrottleStop to undervolt the CPU and that should help

Thanks for the reply

 

[GerritB]

Did you play any games on it (the main reason I use bootcamp)? I wonder apple is going to fix the throttling issue in bootcamp as well.

Use ThrottleStop to undervolt the CPU and that should help

It's not fixed by Apple but you can use Intel's XTU/Throttlestop and install the drivers from Bootcampdrivers.com. Without the drivers your computer will still throttle the GPU even though your CPU and GPU are within the 60's degrees Celsius. It's not ideal but it works until a patch comes around

 

[macpcf]

No I am afraid I do not a lot play games, my favorite game is making a living and keeping my company running smoothly.

Thats a great game
[doublepost=1533052727][/doublepost]

It's not fixed by Apple but you can use Intel's XTU/Throttlestop and install the drivers from Bootcampdrivers.com. Without the drivers your computer will still throttle the GPU even though your CPU and GPU are within the 60's degrees Celsius. It's not ideal but it works until a patch comes around

Thanks for the reply

 

[groove-agent]

I disagree. My MBP is problem free, and I'm so happy I took the plunge.

If you don't think Apple is the right machine for you, there are plenty of other computer makers. I'm enjoying my machine and I'm not sweating the small stuff.

I hope you knocked on wood when you typed that. It's probably too early to tell.

 

[macpcf]

It's not fixed by Apple but you can use Intel's XTU/Throttlestop and install the drivers from Bootcampdrivers.com. Without the drivers your computer will still throttle the GPU even though your CPU and GPU are within the 60's degrees Celsius. It's not ideal but it works until a patch comes around

Another dumb question, is it safe to play with the cpu power settings in these macs? I have done this with desktops but i am quite new to mac ecosystem. The only thing I used was mac fans control on my macbook 2015. I always wonder, playing with these system settings using third party software may have unwanted repercussions.

 

[maflynn]

I hope you knocked on wood when you typed that. It's probably too early to tell.

Of course, and I have no way to tell what the future will bring, but as of right now, its defect free and I'm enjoying the experience

 

[macintoshmac]

Bolded the important part. OP, you spent years analyzing and over-thinking the purchase of a laptop.

@hajime, I'm pretty sure no matter what laptop you finally decide to buy, you will be unhappy with unless you change your expectations and line of thinking. Every laptop makes decisions and compromises on design, thermal management, components, and performance. There is no holy grail of laptops that offer everything.

The 2018 MBP is a fine machine, but as I said earlier, you seem to really hate apple, or at least what apple is in 2018 and if that's the case it may be a mistake to spend so much money on a product that you don't like. If you really don't like the butterfly keyboard (and I totally get that), then why spend almost 3k on a 15" or over 2k for a 13" that uses that keyboard ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If you plan on using windows which it seems you might be based on your other posts, then a Dell, Asus, MSI, Lenovo or Razer are excellent choices. There are other fine PC makers as well, I just highlightd a handful.

So true. There could be a chance that the laptop format is just not for him.. perhaps the power of a desktop would satisfy his requirements

 

[leman]

Did you play any games on it (the main reason I use bootcamp)? I wonder apple is going to fix the throttling issue in bootcamp as well.

I play games on it and I haven't seen any throttling. From what I've seen, you will probably only see throttling if your CPU is pushed to the max — which means prolonged demanding multicore workload. I doubt that there are any games that do anything like that. Cinebench ray tasing tests don't really translate to gaming, since the CPU utilisation is very different between the two.

 

[GerritB]

Another dumb question, is it safe to play with the cpu power settings in these macs? I have done this with desktops but i am quite new to mac ecosystem. The only thing I used was mac fans control on my macbook 2015. I always wonder, playing with these system settings using third party software may have unwanted repercussions.

On the MacOS side I used Volta, but after the Apple update I had to disable and remove it as I had drops to 800Mhz for no reason while it was installed. Those stopped when I completely removed it.

On Bootcamp I would advise you to read a tutorial if you use Throttlestop. intel Xtu is pretty safe if you use it to lower speeds as they get reset on restart.

Throttlestop can lock some things down if you press the wrong buttons (Happened to me). You can still correct it but it takes some time to figure it out.

 

[macintoshmac]

Not just laptops, but life is an exercise of comprise. If someone doesn't realize this, they will have a difficult time. Life is too short to obsess over something as trivial and mundane as a laptop.

There is a nugget many could use. Perhaps, we might see a lowered negativity here if this statement was made into a "thought before posting".

 

[macpcf]

I play games on it and I haven't seen any throttling. From what I've seen, you will probably only see throttling if your CPU is pushed to the max — which means prolonged demanding multicore workload. I doubt that there are any games that do anything like that. Cinebench ray tasing tests don't really translate to gaming, since the CPU utilisation is very different between the two.

Thanks for the info. Its good that at least you can use it for some casual gaming

 

[limo79]

Hello, usually each generation has only one main issue but for the 2018 models, there are multiple. How come? Is it because Apple is trying to put to many things in a small chassis?

Most of laptops have irritating problems so they key thing is to react quickly and prepare patch. In the past each MBP gen has some annoying problems like wireless connectivity problem with routers, failed dGPU chips, software glitches and freezes etc. This is not a problem of smal chassis because eg. crackling speakers may be a hardware and / or software issue with mainboard design, drivers or Mac OS. Customers notice some freezes on YT (again possibly software problem with OS, driver). Bad thing that first time we read about coil whine issue on Mac which was never be a problem. Keyboard problem is unacceptable. In case of thermals multicore chips like Coffee Lake chips should get redesigned cooling system but Apple did not want to make a step back in case of portability (dimensions, weight). I can agree that MBP 2018 has a bad start but I am not surprised observing Apple products. I hope that Apple fix all problems soon in software and new hardware board revision will not be needed in case of audio pop ups. Regarding coil whine problem on SSD situation may be worse because eg. changing chip supplier is not so easy when you sign a contract. SSD controller redesign inside chip is also not so easy. Maybe some PCB layout change can help and add some pi filter components can help or change inductor supplier or to another parts (depends what is the source of noise).

 

[fathergll]

[doublepost=1533049613][/doublepost]
More specifically, the MBP is a balance of power, heat and design in a small enclosure. [/QUOTE]


I've thought about going back to a windows laptop but I have to admit on average Apple really does provide extremely solid balance. The Dell might sway me but the ability to bootcamp both OSs along with the resale on Macbooks is tempting.