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Would you buy a 2018 MBP today?

  • No

    Votes: 202 62.3%
  • Yes

    Votes: 122 37.7%

  • Total voters
    324
My answer was yes until this past couple weeks where my 2017 MPB keyboard started failing. I imagine most people would say the same until they experience the issue themselves.
Yep, so many "well I"VE never had a problem, LOL, why r u here wasting our time complaining so much?" posts in threads like this. If it happens to me, it's a tragedy; if it happens to others, who gives a ****?
 
I have to ask because of all the garbage I’m reading on MR about the ‘18 MBPs like keyboard issues, thermal issues, screen flickering, flexgate etc. etc. The list is a little alarming to say the least. So would you feel comfortable buying a new MBP today?

I love Apple, but hate the keyboard and the touchbar on my Macbook Pro 2018. Tried to be as positive as I could be, but over time - can't stand those two items.
 
Honestly, they’re decent computers, although they do have some issues. Fan noise in the higher tier models, the keyboard, lack of ports. The one thing I’m worried about right now isn’t the hardware now. It’s the software. Apple clearly hasn’t been putting a lot of resources in developing Mac OS for a few years now. I have the feeling that Apple is sneakily getting rid of OS X and will drop a hybrid OS on us as soon as they’re announcing their move to ARM. I don’t think the Pro devices will be moved to that any time soon, but overall OS X in its current form is on its way out. If you want a computer that lasts you several years, I’m not sure the Mac platform is overall a good choice at the moment.

That said: I’ll enjoy the heck out of my Apple devices until Apple will inevitably force me to switch to another platform. And yeah, I’d buy the 2018 MacBook Pro. The next version will just be a computer as well and won’t miraculously change everything over night. And the stupid butterfly keyboard is very likely here to stay.
 
Honestly, they’re decent computers, although they do have some issues. Fan noise in the higher tier models, the keyboard, lack of ports. The one thing I’m worried about right now isn’t the hardware now. It’s the software. Apple clearly hasn’t been putting a lot of resources in developing Mac OS for a few years now. I have the feeling that Apple is sneakily getting rid of OS X and will drop a hybrid OS on us as soon as they’re announcing their move to ARM. I don’t think the Pro devices will be moved to that any time soon, but overall OS X in its current form is on its way out. If you want a computer that lasts you several years, I’m not sure the Mac platform is overall a good choice at the moment.

That said: I’ll enjoy the heck out of my Apple devices until Apple will inevitably force me to switch to another platform. And yeah, I’d buy the 2018 MacBook Pro. The next version will just be a computer as well and won’t miraculously change everything over night. And the stupid butterfly keyboard is very likely here to stay.

If they did that, I'd buy the next Mac Pro with hefty specs which would hopefully last me for the next decade. Or consider a Hackintosh.

I'm making a life change at the end of the year so I'll be more desktop-oriented and would love a desktop but I don't like the iMac concept and I'd want a graphics card so I'd prefer to not use the Mac Mini with eGPU. I don't need the power of a Mac Pro but I'd like something with a similar concept and the Mac Pro is Apple's only mid-powerful desktop that's not integrated with the screen.
 
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No. I'll buy a MacBook pro 2015 in June once the new machines are out, and wait a year to two years for version two of the new laptops, once they fix the display cable issues and the keyboard. The ports aren't a problem for me, or how thin they are. The keyboard is. If they fixed the keyboard, the new machines are great, but the keyboard is too big of an issue for me to buy or recommend buying


Same for me. I am not only "against" the keyboard for the quality reasons alone, I just can't stand writing on it. If I have to choose between ****** Windows with a great keyboard, and great macOS with a **** keyboard, then I go for the Windows machine. Sad but true.
 
No I wouldn't, because I already bought a 2018 MBP last July and don't need a second one right now. ;)

If I hadn't bought one back then and held off until now, then at this point I would probably hold off a few months longer, especially with the rumors about a 16-16.5" redesign this year. The earliest we could see a refresh would be at WWDC which is less than 2 months away now, and even if we don't get it until October, that would still seem worth the wait (for anyone who can wait, of course, and doesn't need a new one right now).

What I'd hope for is a slightly thicker redesign with a brand-new, issue-free keyboard with slightly more key travel (though not necessarily as much as the old ones), better thermals and an iPhone X-style type-of display improvement. What I'm expecting though is a brand-new but equally thin or thinner keyboard design, a thermal design that hasn't changed much from what we have now, and maybe another 1-2mm shaved off the thickness of the machine, because it's Apple. But honestly, as long as the keyboard issues are a thing of the past once-and-for-all and reliability is the focus this time around, I personally wouldn't really mind either way.
 
Same for me. I am not only "against" the keyboard for the quality reasons alone, I just can't stand writing on it. If I have to choose between ****** Windows with a great keyboard, and great macOS with a **** keyboard, then I go for the Windows machine. Sad but true.
My fear is they will feel the need to make a touchscreen KB so they can say they've moved forward, rather than be seen to go back. At that point we will realise that actually things could be a lot worse and will be clamouring for the 'instant classic' butterfly KB back :p Unfortunately Apple now seem insistent that if something doesn't require over-engineering it's not worth bothering with...
 
My fear is they will feel the need to make a touchscreen KB so they can say they've moved forward, rather than be seen to go back. At that point we will realise that actually things could be a lot worse and will be clamouring for the 'instant classic' butterfly KB back :p Unfortunately Apple now seem insistent that if something doesn't require over-engineering it's not worth bothering with...
I have a slight fear of that, but I'm not too worried. Yet. If they do, I'll just have to adjust my work flow so I don't buy apple laptops anymore (after my 2015 I'll be buying in June dies I mean, in like three or hopefully four years). I need mac os on my main machine, but I've privilege enough so that I can easily work (and love working) on an iMac. benefit of that is I get to pick my keyboard there. for a laptop, I'd just switch over to a Thinkpad. Most of what I need is already on windows (shudders). Hell, I even looked into Linux. Until I have to do that, I sure as hell won't.
 
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I have a slight fear of that, but I'm not too worried. Yet. If they do, I'll just have to adjust my work flow so I don't buy apple laptops anymore (after my 2015 I'll be buying in June dies I mean, in like three or hopefully four years). I need mac os on my main machine, but I've privilege enough so that I can easily work (and love working) on an iMac. benefit of that is I get to pick my keyboard there. for a laptop, I'd just switch over to a Thinkpad. Most of what I need is already on windows (shudders). Hell, I even looked into Linux. Until I have to do that, I sure as hell won't.

I'm looking at an iMac for home as I'm retiring later this year and won't need to haul a few MacBook Pros around to work and back.
 
I'm looking at an iMac for home as I'm retiring later this year and won't need to haul a few MacBook Pros around to work and back.
Do it. Honestly unless you have specific needs for portables iPads are great, and I think iMac's even with the old design are unsung hero's of the mac lineup. This iMac I'm writing this on right now is the best computer I've ever owned.
 
Do it. Honestly unless you have specific needs for portables iPads are great, and I think iMac's even with the old design are unsung hero's of the mac lineup. This iMac I'm writing this on right now is the best computer I've ever owned.
Yeah the 2019 iMacs are an absolute gift given Apple's recent redesign record. Remain relatively good value, and pretty rock solid. Almost makes me hopeful for the next MBP redesign, even if we do have to wait until 2021 for it. Unfortunately, not breaking something isn't quite the same as fixing it, so we will have to see.
 
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Yeah the 2019 iMacs are an absolute gift given Apple's recent redesign record. Remain relatively good value, and pretty rock solid. Almost makes me hopeful for the next MBP redesign, even if we do have to wait until 2021 for it. Unfortunately, not breaking something isn't quite the same as fixing it, so we will have to see.

I fail to see how these are good value. 2600$ for an i5 with 8gb of RAM and a hard drive from 2001, all built in a 10-year-old design? That’s insane. The version I’d need to being able to work efficiently would be around 3800$ - for that price I can get 2 MacBook Pros and an external screen.
 
I fail to see how these are good value. 2600$ for an i5 with 8gb of RAM and a hard drive from 2001, all built in a 10-year-old design? That’s insane. The version I’d need to being able to work efficiently would be around 3800$ - for that price I can get 2 MacBook Pros and an external screen.

I'm getting the 21.5 inch model with 8 GB of RAM and probably 512 GB of SSD and adding a 2 TB External SSD for $249, and 32 GB of RAM for under $300. I can run the 21.5 inch display at QHD. It's harder to do that on my 15-inch MacBook Pros. One other factor is desk space. The MacBook Pro takes up more space on my desk than an iMac would and I need the space to fit in three large displays.
 
No. I’ve gotten a new MacBook Pro every new generation since 2009 and I can tell you that these MacBook pros are garbage.

I’ve owned a 2016 AND a 2017 too (5 MacBook pro’s total). The 2016 had so many keyboard issues that Apple REPLACED my computer for a new 2017 one.

Sure enough I’ve already had to repair the 2017 4 times already with the keyboard. The 2017 year has a tweaked keyboard from the 2016, but still experienced the issue but not as much.

I heard the 2018 is better, but there is still people to experience the same issue.

Wait until they redesign the laptop again! My next repair on my MacBook Pro will grant me another replacement, but I don’t want to deal with the 2018.
 
unfortunately yes, my brother is starting college in a place far far away this year and hes using a mac pro at home right now, he doesn't want to switch to windows since hes been using osx since he was 7 when i got him a mac lol.

so despite the butterfly keyboard, flexgate, useless touchbar, soldered memories, chips overheating, i have to get him a mbp this summer.
 
Disclaimer: This is just an anecdote of my personal experience and my opinion on this topic. I do not mean to insult or offend anyone. Nor am I shilling for Apple. Had I experienced multiple keyboard failure I would be VERY pissed off that this is happening on an expensive premium device.

Yes. I'm still very happy with my 2016 15" bought right when they started shipping in 11/2016. I have only positive things to say about it. Of course I'm disappointed that Apple released the Kaby Lake refresh just 6 months after but it's not their fault that Intel was way behind schedule and Apple simply couldn't wait any longer. It had been almost 1.5 years since they released the mid-2015 15" rMBP.

I went to an Apple Store as soon as the mid-2018 launched last year because I wanted to try out the 3rd get silicone keyboard. I was immediately impressed with it. Not only was it much quieter than mine but it had more stability as well. I could type lighting fast on it. I was bummed when a couple of employees told me there was no way to retrofit the 3rd gen keyboard on my 2016 because it just wouldn't fit even though the chassis itself is exactly the same.

Some people have still complained about the 3rd gen keyboards. Casey Johnston is probably the loudest one.https://theoutline.com/post/7315/ap...uck-insanely-bad?utm_source=contributor_pages. I understand that she's frustrated but she has a HUGE ego. Who the heck is she to get a personal apology from Apple? She's just one of thousands and thousands of freelance journalists and I wouldn't exactly call most of her work journalism.

If you read the article you'll see that she wasn't familiar with compressed air! Then she was annoyed that Apple doesn't sell it! Anybody who has owned computers and electronics knows that compressed air is essential to maintain your stuff. I just this stuff when I wasn't even a teenager to clean out my Packard Bell tower! No one had to tell me that removing the dust accumulated in my computer was a good idea.

I understand that the scissor design doesn't fail because crumbs or debris fall on it but unfortunately the butterfly design, due to how low profile it is, does. It's really not that hard to wash your hands and avoid eating while using your computer. It's also not a big deal to wipe your keyboard and display with a microfiber cloth at least once a week to keep it clean. It's a good idea to wipe down your phones too. A lot of bacteria accumulates on them and it's just good hygiene to clean stuff that you use a lot. I'm sure people would be shocked to learn that their phones are covered in bacteria. Just because you can't see it with the naked eye doesn't mean it isn't there!!!
 
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unfortunately yes, my brother is starting college in a place far far away this year and hes using a mac pro at home right now, he doesn't want to switch to windows since hes been using osx since he was 7 when i got him a mac lol.

so despite the butterfly keyboard, flexgate, useless touchbar, soldered memories, chips overheating, i have to get him a mbp this summer.

Why not a 2015 model?
 
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Very small sample, and in these forums, it tends to pull out the negative more than the positive... unfortunately.....

..and we’re nearly 300 days into the cycle. I’m sure some people selected no because they’re holding out for the next generation, not because they think the current model is trash.

I felt comfortable enough to pick up my 2018 model at the end of February. Yes, I’d like Apple to glue and solder less, but I still prefer this machine over the more upgradable Windows laptops I tried. The design, build quality, display, speakers, trackpad, and macOS are all top-notch. Everything that I need to perform well, performs better on my MacBook and iMac vs Windows. I enjoy the typing experience on the new keyboard. I keep an “uppercase ghostcover” on it, just like I did with the 2015 model I used to own. I also have a cover on my magic keyboard. I like to keep crap off the keys. No issues with the machine at all yet.
 
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If my second (2015) MacBook Pro gave up its ghost, I wouldn't buy a new-design (2016-present) model.

I'd take my OLD 2010 MBP out-of-the-box (still have the original box, and the MBP looks great) and use that instead. It still runs pretty good!
 
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I had to return my first purchase (MBP 13" 2018, 2500 € = 2800 USD ) because the aluminium (silver color) had discolouration issues. The very left part of the trackpad had a different color. They had to replace the whole top case, because can't just replace the trackpad. The Apple store employees (Vienna, Austria) been a bit rude but eventually got the job done.

Also, it has an audio problem. When listening with headphones there's clicking and crackling noises. Spent 4 hours on the phone with support and ZERO outcome. I ended up buying a third party software (from Rogue Amoeba) which can filter output from selected apps and removes the noises.

Other than that it's a fine machine.



Additional note: a friend of mine has a laptop with touchscreen. After using that I feel like my MBP is super dated. Touchscreen indeed is super convenient. But on the upside less fingerprints...
 
If my second (2015) MacBook Pro gave up its ghost, I wouldn't buy a new-design (2016-present) model.

I'd take my OLD 2010 MBP out-of-the-box (still have the original box, and the MBP looks great) and use that instead. It still runs pretty good!
My 2010 MB PRO -- when "pro" actually meant something -- is still running like a champ. I wish I could just upgrade the processor, graphics and add some TB ports and it would be good to go for lots while longer.
 
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