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MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

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Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#251
post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> largest battery legally possible on a laptop What do you mean by "legally possible on a laptop"? My current machine (some rugged mobile power house) got 120Wh and I really don't wanna get arrested. Please enlighten me.

It's not allowed to take more than 100wh in carry-on flight luggage (in some countries).

Just shipping the product can be an issue if you use FedEx or similar. I don't think they allow >100wh, and even under this is a pain. Understandably, because they already have had a few crashes likely caused by battery fire.

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Given that OSX and Linux are so similar under the hood and that standing up a VM is so easy Similar in what way?

They both share their roots in Unix. Linux is an open port of Unix whereas OSX is a fork of BSD which is itself also derived from Unix `ls`, `mv`, `cp` and other command line utility functions work relatively similarly across OSX and Linux. OSX has a package manager (brew) that works similarly to Package Managers found on Linux, etc... If you learn to use Linux, switching to OSX is relatively painless compared to Win…

> OSX has a package manager (brew)

To be clear, it's not supported by Apple. I've also been favoring MacPorts, lately because of brew's broken file ownership model.

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#253
post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh?? 64gb of ram, bigger screen, much more powerful GpU, bigger storage options, better thermals, better microphone, better speakers, bigger battery...it’s definitely not just “the same CPU” and a fixed keyboard”...not sure what else did you expect?

The 64GB of ram alone makes the new 16" a completely different machine. It really can't even be compared to the previous generations. 64 opens up a lot of possibilities in the media creation space that, realistically, were just not there with 32, and were pretty much impossible with 16 gig. Given a choice, I would much rather have had the 64 gig rather than a new keyboard. A keyboard you can put a cover on. There's n…

If 64GiB of ram makes that difference, doesn't that work belong on a workstation with the power to handle it?

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#254
post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is something I don't get. It would have been reasonable to design the keybord that it can be exchanged, even if it some effort. While I like the improvents of this iteration, it shouldn't be that unrepairable. A MB Pro is an expensive device, but that is ok, if you get the appropriate quality. Making the machine a write off, if there is a problem after the mandatory Apple-care runs out, does mean it is much less…

They do it for stiffness, which does improve the typing experience.

You can have screws at the same spots as rivets, the stiffness argument seems to be weak IMHO.

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#255

Would have hoped a note on the screen cable for this one. Wasn't a breaking/failing ribbon cable the biggest problem after the keyboard for that last couple of years models?

There is also the 'orange spot' problem, a manufacturing defect which Apple have successfully suppressed but which appears to be a mounting class action against them akin to the "peelgate" situation .. no mention if the new 2019 models have this same issue ..

Apparently what happens is the liquid crystal particles separate from the grid and float around the screen, creating orange splotches that are very, very annoying. If you tilt the screen, over an hour the splotches will move around .. I've gotten to the point where I don't take my MBP 2018 off the desk just so that I don't have to watch the progress of the splotches over the day ..

Very annoying. I hope they've fixed it, and I hope Apple are forced to replace these screens.

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#256

Most important point: Apple fixed the keyboard by ditching the flawed keyboard used for the past 3 years and returning to the Magic Keyboard scissor switch design. Comparing the 'new' keyboard to the Magic Keyboard: "side by side, we're hard pressed to spot any differences. Scissor switches, keycaps... There's slightly less space surrounding these new keys, and pundits will celebrate those reconfigured arrow keys—but…

The Magic Keyboard design is not the 2012-2015 MBP keyboard design, it's the design from their line of external keyboards. iFixit's jokey intro is misleading in this regard.

I wish Apple released a butterfly switch external keyboard. I know I am in a minority here but I really loved these new flat keyboards on Macbooks and I'd love to have a keyboard like that for my Windows PC.

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 64GB of ram alone makes the new 16" a completely different machine. It really can't even be compared to the previous generations. 64 opens up a lot of possibilities in the media creation space that, realistically, were just not there with 32, and were pretty much impossible with 16 gig. Given a choice, I would much rather have had the 64 gig rather than a new keyboard. A keyboard you can put a cover on. There's n…

If 64GiB of ram makes that difference, doesn't that work belong on a workstation with the power to handle it?

Sure.

But how you gonna get that workstation to the location where the client is shooting?

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

+1. The serviceability of ThinkPads had always been a great (if not hidden) feature, almost allowing Ship-of-Theseus-ish rolling upgrades like a desktop. Even though the build quality has generally declined since the T410 era, this at least has been preserved (I have a company-issued P50 and it's still a few screws away from changing RAM and SSD).

This is part of why I bought an E4xx instead of a T4xx, the RAM isn't soldered on in the E4xx line, so that's at least one thing I can fix that I can't on a T4xx.

Only the TXXXs models come with soldered memory. I can easily change memory, SSD, keyboard etc on my T470.

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#259
post #50

Call me crazy but I must be the only person who enjoys typing on the old butterfly keyboard. Yes I was one of those people who originally thought the travel was too small but after using it for a couple hours I found the low travel was a huge relief to Carpal Tunnel and I also typed much faster. Maybe I have the only keyboard that “works” but I love me some butterfly keyboards.

You can count me in. I was expecting Apple to fix the problems with the butterfly keyboard (I didn't have any but seems like a bunch of them stopped working). Instead, they went backwards. Maybe it's the right move and the butterfly is really broken.

But it was a nice typing experience for a while. At least, until I get the new Mac!

Re: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown

#260
post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Counterpoint: Apple's laptops have lasted me longer than any other computer I've had. I'm not sure that buying this is a net negative.

I have had my mid-2012 RMBP since 2012 and I haven't had to repair it yet (I might be an outlier). I'm hoping to trade in my 2012 and get the 16" and have it last another 7 years.

I have a 2014 MBP and the battery still last 4-5 hours!
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