This is so frustrating. I'm a longtime/loyal Apple customer, but they refuse to make any hardware lately I'm willing to buy. I don't want a laptop with a touchbar. They don't make any desktop computers: Their last Mac Pro was a disaster, the Mac Mini hasn't been updated in many years, and the iMac Pro is just a (powerful) laptop on a desk. I need to upgrade my home computer and I guess I'm switching to Linux?
MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
531–540 of 1001 posts
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#532> 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.
That niche of developer/macrumors posters USED to be happy with everything Apple did. Under Steve Jobs, it seemed like Macbooks got cheaper every year, with more value. Now, every year the price goes up, but less value.
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#533Earlier quoted context omitted.
My favorite is when my hands naturally come to rest near the top of the keyboard at least once a day they land on the brightness control in the touchbar and dim my screen to black.
Just an aside ... I set my lower-right "hot corner" to "sleep screen" on all macs I use - including desktop imacs ... That way you can just drag the mouse to the lower-right corner and black the screen anytime you like ...
Lower right for me is Mission Control, and has been for years. It would be a tough unlearning experience on your computer ;)
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#534I’m glad to see that Apple has finally updated its MacBook Pro line, but it’s a little too late for me. After using Macs for nearly 12 years, I bought a Dell XPS 15 9570 a week after WWDC 2018 (I couldn’t put off a new computer purchase any longer), and I couldn’t be happier. It turns out that Windows 10 really shines on a computer with six processor cores, a 4K display, and a NVMe SSD, a dramatic improvement from th…
How is the build of the XPS15 compared to a MBP? One thing I've always appreciated about Apple is their aluminum and absolutely solid builds. Their exterior builds is one of the reasons I buy their products. I know the new keyboard has issues for a lot of people but it has not been a problem for me and I enjoy typing on it.
A aluminium body adds significant weight when compared to composite materials; it can also attenuate radio and be prone to warping. IMHO, it is not an obvious choice for a laptop casing. The X1 Carbon is significantly lighter than a MacBook Pro, despite having a better (deeper) keyboard and a removeable battery.
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#535Earlier 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…
What does wanting a functional keyboard have to do with being a developer? All laptop users use the keyboard, not just software developers.
Developers are more likely to use software that's designed for multiple platforms, without priority given to the Mac. (I guess if you assume not all developers live their life in Xcode.)
This means that developers are more likely to be regularly using software that actually depends on the keys they stripped off to make the touchbar, and/or software with sub-par to nonexistent touchbar support.
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#536> 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…
Do you speak on behalf of all "developers?" The 2016 revision is Apple's fastest-selling iteration of the MBP. I notice you don't quote two paragraphs right before that: > The butterfly keyboard design Apple introduced in 2016 has been divisive. Some people really like it, claiming it has fast travel and a sturdy, responsive feel to it. Others feel it's uncomfortable to type on. We haven't seen a keyboard this polari…
>Do you speak on behalf of all "developers?" The 2016 revision is Apple's fastest-selling iteration of the MBP.
Isn't that mostly because they let the Macbook Air languish, rather than either upgrading it or letting it drop to netbook-level pricing.
So lots of people (myself included) who wanted a Mac laptop bought the Pro one instead.
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#537Does anyone have any thoughts on this other than the keyboard?
I thought most people use their MacBook the same way I do — docked to a full size keyboard and big monitor 95% of the time.
So I don’t really care much about the keyboard. I almost never use it.
What do you guys thing about the other upgrades? Would you get this assuming you didn’t care about the keyboard?
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#538Earlier quoted context omitted.
Identical desk setups at home and work. Carry it back and forth. Awesome setup actually.
What you really need is one of these fashionable carrying bags for the 27 inch iMac. https://www.amazon.com/Lavolta-Carrying-Case-Apple-27-inch/d...
I believe my dad’s old Osborne luggable was heavier than a 27” iMac. Of course, it came in it’s own case and a whopping 4” monochrome text only monitor.
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#539Earlier quoted context omitted.
> The niche developer/macrumors posters will never be happy regardless of what Apple does. Haven't done a survey, but quite a few folks I know who work at Mac shops report that their employers have been steering clear of the new MacBooks and just trying to keep the older models they already have alive, while also looking seriously into the feasibility of switching to PCs running Linux if they don't get their act toge…
Maybe 2019 will be the year of the Linux desktop? :)
Every time one of the big boys screws up, we all hope for this. Then the relevant players in the Linux community fail to get their shit together and the cycle repeats itself.
Re: MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros
#540Faster CPU and more memory while still running OSX? My only complaint is it doesn't come with a GPU upgrade.
I love the touchpad, the os, and the thunderbolt ports. The 10% of the time I have my computer undocked the keyboard doesn't bother me and interacting with the touchbar never was a problem. I'll buy one with the i9 and 2TB SSD within the next 72 hours to replace my 2016 MBP.