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MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

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Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the article they cite the MBP as being the most popular notebook for developers so this niche must be important, otherwise why list it?: > Already the most popular notebook for developers around the world, the new MacBook Pro can compile code faster and run multiple virtual machines and test environments easier than before. What we want is a functional keyboard. They are losing this market-share quickly but you're…

Right. But it doesn't say developers are the majority of MBP users.

Then make it an option, or risk losing the segment. When my company gave me a 2015 MBP I was really impressed with it, it seemed like the perfect hardware. I knew when I upgraded my personal laptop it'd be a Macbook Pro.

Then they started handing out post-2015 MBP to others and so I've used them a bit. There is zero chance now that a MBP will be my next laptop.

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#252
post #96
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, how do you exit vim insert mode without an ESC key?

I'm yet to see a serious VIM user who didn't remap ESC to caps lock yet. Regardless of keyboard configuration.

HHKB users probably haven't as that key is Ctrl on their keyboard.

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recently switched from macOS High Sierra to Fedora. I felt that Fedora was smoother, way more responsive on the same hardware (and yes, comparing fresh macOS to fresh Linux install), more consistent and more intuitive, and more usable. The only thing I can think of that's better on macOS is the touchpad, which to the best of my knowledge is a gift given to us mortals by the gods. Oh, and the macOS default wallpaper…

> The only thing I can think of that's better on macOS is the touchpad, which to the best of my knowledge is a gift given to us mortals by the gods. I'm absolutely unwilling to give up the Mac trackpad. When I see people who aren't artists using mice I have to question their value system, or assume they haven't discovered the absolute joy that is "tap to click". Obviously the configuration matters a great deal.

On my Thinkpad the whole touchpad depresses like a giant keyboard button. Yes, there is slightly more force than on an apple Touchpad, but you don't accidentally click by tapping, which is nice.

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#254

I want a thicker laptop. Apple is oblivious that Pros want _more_ functionality, not less. Editions that would frustrate their supply line but be incredible: - MBP Engineer: 32GB+ RAM, 2+ NVMe SSD, 10gbe, dedicated real A12 ARM chip for simulating iOS - MBP Scientist: 32GB+ RAM, an FPGA with fun Apple SDK, dedicated GPU - MBP Video: 4 SDI ports (integrated BMD DeckLink Duo 2), timecode BNC, dedicated GPU, 10gbe - MBP…

An edition with an Nvidia GPU would certainly be appreciated, even after years of Apple exclusively pushing AMD GPUs there's still a non-trivial amount of software that doesn't work on them. There's been a mass-defection from Mac to Windows in the motion graphics industry just because they want/need Nvidia GPUs to run their preferred renderers.

Completely agree. Nvidia's typical performance is also way ahead of the GPUs Apple is integrating.

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#255
post #6

If only they might restore the escape key in the 15 inch model...

This complaint always strikes me as trolling of the highest order. As though a 2018 laptop should definitely be designed to accommodate software structured for the limitations of 1970. In 2050, when the world has moved to direct neural interfaces, vi trolls on HN will still be saying "but my escape key!" I've never failed to hit the software escape key on my 15. Not one time since the past rev was released. What is t…

Do you per chance look/glance at the keyboard while you type? That's the only way your comment makes sense.

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#256
post #36

> The new keyboard has the same dimensions and look as its two predecessors, but the keys feel just a little bit different. They're quieter, for one thing. They have a softer, less click-y feel that is a little closer to the pre-2016 models' chiclet keys. We found the new keyboard to be a little nicer to type on, but it's not a radical difference. It's unlikely to convert the detractors, but it's a welcome iteration…

They didn't do that because it is not what most people want. Apple has to make changes that will sell more laptops to the masses to maximize shareholder value. The niche developer/macrumors posters will never be happy regardless of what Apple does. Better to focus on the 90% of customers who buy products and make up 10% of the complaints then to focus on the 10% of customers who make up 90% of the complaints.

Internet hearsay (Apple store/reseller staff quoted in podcasts etc.) often mentions that the MacBook Air is (was?) their best-selling laptop. It has no TouchBar, more keyboard travel, a smaller trackpad, arguably more useful ports, and longer battery life. If the trade-offs in the latest MacBook Pro were universally loved, why wouldn't they spread into Apple's other, more popular product lines?

I honestly don't see how their current laptop line-up makes any sense for consumers (and shareholders). If the TouchBar really makes it easier for non-nerds to find shortcuts, why only offer it in high-end laptops?

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#257
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They didn't do that because it is not what most people want. Apple has to make changes that will sell more laptops to the masses to maximize shareholder value. The niche developer/macrumors posters will never be happy regardless of what Apple does. Better to focus on the 90% of customers who buy products and make up 10% of the complaints then to focus on the 10% of customers who make up 90% of the complaints.

The niche developer/macrumors posters will never be happy regardless of what Apple does The "niche developer/macrumors posters" were extremely happy with it before, and were hearty advocates of it. Further, I would say that developers/enthusiasts comprise a very high percentage of macbook purchasers.

"Further, I would say that developers/enthusiasts comprise a very high percentage of macbook purchasers."

And you base this assumption on?

Every action from Apple in these last few years have gone towards the wishes of the average developer/enthusiast.

Worse keyboards, useless gimmicks, gimped CPUs, fewer ports, less repairability/configurability.

If they consider developers/enthusiasts as their main audience, they have a really weird way of catering to them.

And since Mac sales have been at least steady over the last years, developers/enthusiasts have a really weird way of showing their discontent.

https://bgr.com/2018/01/14/mac-sales-2017-marketshare-pc-dec...

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recently switched from macOS High Sierra to Fedora. I felt that Fedora was smoother, way more responsive on the same hardware (and yes, comparing fresh macOS to fresh Linux install), more consistent and more intuitive, and more usable. The only thing I can think of that's better on macOS is the touchpad, which to the best of my knowledge is a gift given to us mortals by the gods. Oh, and the macOS default wallpaper…

> The only thing I can think of that's better on macOS is the touchpad, which to the best of my knowledge is a gift given to us mortals by the gods. I'm absolutely unwilling to give up the Mac trackpad. When I see people who aren't artists using mice I have to question their value system, or assume they haven't discovered the absolute joy that is "tap to click". Obviously the configuration matters a great deal.

I prefer the trackpad on my (personal) X1 carbon to the trackpad on my (work) Macbook Air

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#259
post #88
post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I need more than one tap to change the brightness, volume or skip to the next song. I discovered recently that you could just do a "quick swipe" (very fast) on the button in the right direction on both the volume and brightness virtual button to apply the expected effect. Good enough for my usage.

No need to "quick swipe," you can just tap-and(-hold-and)-swipe. This is really easy and allows for fine-grained control

Wow, makes the whole thing much more pleasant to use. Pretty bad that I only discover this now, after a year and a half.

Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros

#260
I don't mind about touchbar being there or not, just make escape key physical again :-(

It's not that hard, I mean, esc takes half the size of a regular key. Right below it in old Macbooks we have a full sized key just for ~` they could make the space of this full sized key contain instead two half sized keys.

The top would be esc, the bottom would be ~`. If you notice the Macbook already has this, for the up/down arrows. They are two half sized keys taking the footprint of a single full sized key.

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