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New 13-inch MacBook Pro

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Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#501
post #390

It looks like the frustrations just add up when you look at different factors. In this lineup, the first two models are the 8th generation processors whereas the top model (starting at $1799) is the one with the latest 10th generation processors (but that still comes with a stingy 512GB SSD). Another thing is that SSD storage on Apple Macs is expensive, and they can no longer be upgraded after purchase (since they ha…

Image Capture, included with OSX.

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#502

I've a macbook pro 13' 2017 - It's the worst laptop I've used in the past 10 years. It continuously gets smoking hot lot of fan noise and very often kernel panics. I have lost faith in apple macbook especially when price to hardware ratio is higher than anyone else in the industry I expect the machine to just work seamlessly. I'm very soon disposing the laptop and buy a dell or a thinkpad. I'm not looking at apple ag…

Yeah - I've a MPB 15" 2017 and it is also the worst laptop I've ever owned. And it was to replace the MBP that was recalled (long after Apple had denied to me there was any problem and I'd sold it for parts on eBay). Nothing works on this machine! Bits literally fall off! I've got Applecare so the (horrible) keyboard has been replaced, the motherboard, the screen - on and on and on. Laptop of Theseus. I think it's compounded by how it's a MAJOR hassle to get things fixed. They can't even tell you how long it will take (except that it's weeks and there's no courtesy machine, pick up, or indeed anything remotely resembling customer service). I had to make four cross-county train trips to get it fixed last time. You basically have to buy 2 laptops and switch them out.

I've put off buying a new MBP because I just cannot face putting down three grand for something that probably will be even worse than this piece of junk.

I've had an Apple computer since I was 8 years old. I thought I was pretty much in for life but as soon as I can jump ship, I will. :(

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#503

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds like a good business opportunity. What's stopping me from buying them all up at the Apple store and selling them to overseas customers?

> What's stopping me from buying them all up at the Apple store and selling them to overseas customers? Import duties and VAT. VAT accounts for much of the price difference, OP didn't explain which Europe they're talking about, but assuming a 20% VAT a 2999 machine costs $3598.8 to the end-user. Means you're working with a 325.2 price difference, which doesn't even cover import duties. So pretty much as ever, if you'…

> So pretty much as ever, if you're round-tripping to the US, picking up an MBP there is nice.

Just keep in mind that if you stay in the US for less than 6 months, you should be paying VAT on it on your way back (see other comments). Otherwise this probably counts as tax evasion, which comes with pretty hefty fines in some EU countries.

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#504
post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After several years I can unequivocally say I still hate the touch bar. I love touch ID, but the bar needs to go. USB-C was all about standardizing. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, I did love magsafe, but I also love that in theory someday I'll have one cable to rule them all. And I'll be able to charge my headphones/laptop/phone/random device with a usb-c cable instead of needing 8 of them.

I HATE the touch bar. I simply H A T E it. I hate it so much that I started to carry an TKL keyboard all the time with me just to avoid using this piece of sh*t touch bar and internal keyboard (MBP 2017). As a developer it is crucial that I can use my keyboard without any looks but as there is no way to tell which function key you press on the touch bar the bar itself is completely useless for me. Beside the butterfl…

The touch bar forces you to look at what you're doing in a place that should strictly be muscle-memory, and it's a flat surface that isn't safe to touch in an area where you rest your hands.

More than once I've hit the "back" button and inadvertently evicted myself from a browser video call, just by putting my hands on the keyboard.

tl;dr - Glad they brought back the escape key, now get rid of the rest of the touch bar.

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#505

What about the quality of the webcam? I need to do a lot of video conferencing nowadays, and the macbook air 2020 webcam is worse than the rear facing camera of a Nokia 3210.

It's still the exact same potato-cam in every model, from the Air to the $$$ MacBook Pro "16.

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#506

Another year, another laughable release with the same BS language trying to dazzle "Pro" wanna-be's. There is nothing Pro about these machines.

Have you ever been to a FAANG campus? There are thousands of engineers walking around with MacBooks. I’m pretty sure those engineers would be considered to be professional

Where it doesn't matter that the maxed out specs at which point you can call the machine "Pro" cost something like €3000?

I'm sorry, but 8GB LPDDR3 and 256GB SSD with 2 USB-C ports and jet engine fans aren't really that "Pro".

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#507

I was curious how the 13 inch was priced so I compared it to a new Dell XPS 13. Dell has a better processor (maybe, [2]) , but I couldn't find the option to upgrade the Dell to 4TB internal SSD, so I compared both with the 2 TB option. Ram is the same at 32GB. Dell came out to $2399[0] USD and Apple came out to $2999[1] USD. Dell Pros: * Row of function buttons (I've used BTT to customize my touch-bar to the point wh…

I haven't had a Dell in awhile, 4+ years, but I have to say, the Macs that I've had felt just as sturdy as the day I bought it. My personal MBP I got is from early 2017, and my new MBP I got for work less than a year ago feel exactly the same, besides one having stickers I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Every dell I've had starts creaking at the hinges after just a few uses. Doesn't feel as sturdy, the $600 difference is worth the longevity and integrity of the macbook hardware alone.

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#508
post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After several years I can unequivocally say I still hate the touch bar. I love touch ID, but the bar needs to go. USB-C was all about standardizing. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, I did love magsafe, but I also love that in theory someday I'll have one cable to rule them all. And I'll be able to charge my headphones/laptop/phone/random device with a usb-c cable instead of needing 8 of them.

I HATE the touch bar. I simply H A T E it. I hate it so much that I started to carry an TKL keyboard all the time with me just to avoid using this piece of sh*t touch bar and internal keyboard (MBP 2017). As a developer it is crucial that I can use my keyboard without any looks but as there is no way to tell which function key you press on the touch bar the bar itself is completely useless for me. Beside the butterfl…

+1 to TouchBar hate. It was a major factor in "upgrading" my personal machine to a 2020 Air, which is the best (least-worst?) of all worlds: Touch ID + F-keys. Luckily the size/performance tradeoff works for me; but anyone who needs the fastest Mac portable is boned.

My work machine is the new 16" MBP, and while the new keyboard is the best they've ever made, and the return of Esc is welcome, the goddamn TouchBar still drives me up a wall (especially when tweaking audio volume, which is something one wants to do instantly and reflexively).

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#509
Someone else has probably mentioned this, but looks like they're trying to sell off old inventory (8th gen, two ports, etc.) with the lower spec versions. Hopefully they'll refine the product line once those are all gone.

Coming from a 2010 MacBook Pro, I'll be stoked to snag one of the higher end 13" Pros sometime this year. The 16" just isn't portable enough for my taste unfortunately.

Re: New 13-inch MacBook Pro

#510

Good that they went for more less the same setup as in 16 inch model. The escape key and old keyboard switches really do make the difference for me.

But the size of the 16 inch is huge compared to 13 inch. Not too comfy to hold it on my lap when travelling by train. Finally there's an option.

I downgraded from a 2015 retina mbp 15" to a 13", and the 15" just seems monstrous now. I love the size of 12"-13" laptops. They weigh less, are much more portable, and I don't actually need all that real estate.
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