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Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

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Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#51
We repair these as part of our business, and to be clear, both the keyboards and the screens are failing on these at an alarming rate.

iFixit detailed the issues with the screens, which (in Apple's unending quest for "thinness") use a thinner flex cable to connect the display to the rest of the laptop. This thinner cable is prone to breakage, and we are already seeing 2016-2017 MacBook Pros in our shop regularly for this issue.

Since Apple built the flex cable into the display, the only solution (even from third parties like us) is a new display. At $600-$700 each, this is unacceptable.

And, like the keyboards, this is a part that's pretty much guaranteed to fail (unless you basically never open your laptop.)

Apple hasn't announced a fix yet, even with a petition with over 11,000 signatures, and more screens failing by the day.

From the time the keyboard issues happened, I made a strong recommendation to avoid buying these. If you can do your work on a PC, do so. (Personally, I now use a Dell XPS 15 as a "desktop replacement", and kept my old 2013 MacBook Pro around too.) If you need a Mac, consider a desktop version (with a SSD!), or stick with the 2015 or older MacBooks.

Even if you think the keyboard issues are fixed, consider too that this is the 4th generation of these keyboards--and Apple promised that the 2nd and 3rd generation would fix these as well. This plus the screen issues means switching to PC if you need speed should be a serious consideration.

iFixit article on "stage light" display issues/"flexgate": https://ifixit.org/blog/12903/flexgate/

Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#52

The arrow keys and touchbar make that machine completely unsuitable for writing code, at least for me. My right hand needs to unconsciously lock on to the arrow keys, and that's just impossible with that layout. There's nothing to grab on to. My new iMac keyboard sits in a drawer collecting dust solely because of the arrow keys. And the butterfly mechanism is unproven and untrustworthy, I don't care how many times th…

There is some claim that they've fixed the keyboard issue.

Aside from that, across 2 MacBook Pro's and a MacBook Air, I've had 0 keyboard issues. I don't know if I've just gotten lucky, kept my keyboard clean, or what, but it just has never been a problem for me.

Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#53
post #7

Wish there was an option to buy a 15 inch with no touch bar. I cannot find any suitable use for it on my current model, and I often hit items inadvertently due to the lack of tactile feedback

I've been using MacBook Pro's with the touch bar for a while now, but I just picked up a MacBook Air (in addition to my MacBook Pro). It has a mechanical top row, with just the Touch ID button at the end and it's fantastic. It's so nice to have those keys back! I would pay $100 extra for a MacBook Pro without the touch bar. Here's the keyboard in all its glory (if you're curious): https://www.apple.com/newsroom/image…

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Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#54
post #44

As someone who is desperately wanting to upgrade from a mid-2012. I say big deal. No better display like oled. Looks like the same keyboard to me. Oh the material has changed? Who cares, it's the same failing mechanism. More CPU eh? Means it'll just get hotter much quicker and there will be more throttling to be fixed via software. At this rate, for Apple to get my $$$ again they'll have to release a 16" [oled] macbo…

The thing is, they don't even need to push the envelope. I would have been happy with a classic MBP with upgraded hardware but without USB C ports and no touchbar. It's just that they keep introducing stupid, useless gimmicks.

IMO they needed one transitional design where they replaced the thunderbolt (is that right? I get all their storm-named ports mixed up) ports, and maybe the charger port if they must, with USB-C, but kept HDMI and at least one USB-A. I use the SDCARD port all the time but I could see their getting rid of it. The other stuff? Gimme a break, going all USB-C from a state of no USB-C? WTF was I supposed to plug into it without an adapter or buying all new peripherals and drives?

Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#57

Any news on their broken keyboard design? I might bite if they've fixed this. Oh and no touch bar.

>The MacBook Pro keyboard mechanism has had a materials change in the mechanism. Apple says that this new keyboard mechanism composition will substantially reduce the double type/no type issue. Apple will not specify what it has done, but doubtless tear-downs of the keyboard will reveal what has been updated.

They say it's improved. But check back in a year or so to see if it works, because the 3rd gen revisions didn't end up fixing it before.

If you have a 3rd gen butterfly keyboard, replacements will now use the 4th gen.

If you have a 1st or 2nd, they'll continue to replace the failing keyboards with more failing keyboards. Lucky me!

In other news for the 2016 MBP, there's a new repair extension program for the "Oops we made the display ribbon cable too short" issue. Haven't had that problem myself, but this was an expensive goddamn laptop and I'm not optimistic about its resale value or lifespan after the 4 year repair window is up. Multiple known design flaws that cost $600-$800, and in the keyboard's case are just putting in more of the same failure-prone parts.

Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#58
I just upgraded my 13" 2015 Macbook Pro's SSD from 256GB -> 1 TB for ~100 USD. With 16 GB of RAM, a great keyboard that's given me no issues, recently replaced screen lamination under warranty, and now a faster and larger SSD, I see absolutely no reason to upgrade to the new generation of Macbooks in the next few years.

Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#59

I just can’t see myself spending that much on a laptop. I can’t productively use my laptop for day to day use without connecting it to two external monitors and keyboard anyway. You can get an 8 Core 27 inch 5K iMac $100 cheaper, with less thermal constraints. Sure I would take one if my company paid for it.

Having one desktop-powerful machine that can turn into a laptop when you unplug it from its dock and go with me anywhere is well worth the extra $100. And I'm saying this as someone with a dedicated desktop just for rendering/games. The desktop gives me customization and upgradability but the fact that I lose portability is huge and I'll never, ever own just a desktop machine. I'd prefer to own a laptop that can do my desktop duties when docked.

Re: Apple introduces 8-core MacBook Pro

#60
post #8

> Apple introduces first 8-core MacBook Pro, the fastest Mac notebook ever You can use phrase "the fastest Mac notebook ever" each year when a new notebook released.

Apple is well-known for never talking about competition. They like to pretend it doesn't exist and only compare their products to the previous series.
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