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Fixing the MacBook Pro

marco.org

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Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#111

Post by nouveaux »

on_and_off wrote: post #41

I got the last mac book pro at work, coming from a 2015 model I use at home. Pro : - it is lighter. I don't really find it is a very relevant pro, the previous one is already a light device so this isn't really relevant but it would not be fair to do not list it. - touch id is very convenient. It has one huge caveat : it is very capricious. For example each time the mbp crashes, fingerprints are automatically deleted…

I have the 2017 MBP 15" and had my laptop crash several times (htop bug). My fingerprints have never been deleted. Have you verified that it is indeed a security measure? If it is not a security measure, it might be something worth taking the it in to get more scrutiny. Best of luck with the laptop.

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#112

Post by kylec »

brandonmenc wrote: post #36
iscoelho wrote: post #12

I've owned a Macbook Pro 2015. I've also owned about 3 different Cherry Blue MX mechanical keyboards. I pre-ordered the new Macbook Pro 2016 when it originally came out. Here's my take after using it for more than 6-7? months (no clue, time goes by): 1) I am extremely happy with the butterfly keyboard. There is absolutely no issues with it for me and it's my ideal keyboard. I honestly do not understand people who say…

> I am extremely happy with the butterfly keyboard Agree. So much so, that I ordered the new Magic Keyboard for desktop use (which uses similar switches) to replace the previous-generation Apple Wireless Keyboard. The new MacBook Pro keyboard is the best I've ever used. My fingers feel like they're flying over the keys. And I've owned all sorts of mechanical keyboards, ThinkPads, and odd devices like the DataHand. I…

> I ordered the new Magic Keyboard for desktop use (which uses similar switches)

Actually, the Magic Keyboard uses scissor switches. I don't blame you for not noticing, but it does demonstrate that Apple can make scissor switches that appeal to butterfly switch fans.

In the article Marco suggests that Apple replace the problematic butterfly switch keyboard on the MacBook Pro with the keyboard from the Magic Keyboard. Since you like the Magic Keyboard, I assume this would be fine with you?

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#113

Post by kylec »

eitland wrote: post #82
spronkey wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Make it upgradable. RAM and multiple M.2 please. And make it shut the hell up, or let me offload compute to something that has big fans.

> or let me offload compute to something that has big fans. This one puzzles me. Back when I used a MacBook the fact that it was mostly silent was one of the biggest advantages. Also, somewhat honestly: I don’t see any reason why Mac users can't offload to AWS, Azure or Google Cloud?

You're both in agreement - bigger fans are quieter fans

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#114

Post by jseliger »

edlebert wrote: post #7

I would add: the trackpad is way too big. I accidentally touch it all the time when I am typing, which causes my cursor to move.

Yes, that's my big issue too. I bought and returned a 12" MB because I kept accidentally activating the trackpad.

Which is a shame. I thought the keyboard was fine and lots of other things are great.

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#115

Post by raincom »

nappy-doo wrote: post #28
contingencies wrote: post #26

I've got a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) with 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 + 16GB + 1TB SSD. It was an upgrade from an earlier 2011 model which started displaying power issues, overheating and quite literally falling apart. It's fine power wise. The problems are: (1) Screen came with a bad pixel which Apple was like "oh just leave it with us 1-2 weeks and we can swap that out for you" ... totally unreasonable aft…

I have a retina late 2013, and I just sent it in for a battery replacement. They swapped my drive out to a new CPU, and put my old screen on the new CPU's body. I think the cost was like 200$, and took 2 days (delivered to my door). When your machine gets battery problems, take it in ASAP, and get it repaired. I probably got 3-4 more years of life out of this machine with that repair.

Apple replaces the entire top case when you go for retina battery replacement. So, you get a new top case with new keyboard + touch pad + new battery. I don't think they replace CPU. There were times Apple gave out a new MBP when they couldn't get new top cases.

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#116

Post by SirZimzim »

acranox wrote: post #101
csomar wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The touch bar is optional. In my opinion, it is great. The only issue is that it consumes more of your battery. I agree that the new machine is lacking in terms of Battery and Memory (only 16GB!). I'm waiting for the next release.

The models without the touchbar have fewer USB ports. That’s why it’s questionably optional. My work setup uses two external monitors and wired Ethernet. So I’d like three ports and no touch bar. If I want enough ports for my setup, I have to take the touch bar too. I don’t like having to make that kind of choice.

Get a dock

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#117

Post by wyufro »

dsego wrote: post #87
pfg wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a great keyboard! Except for the reliability. Even small bits of dust or other dirt can easily prevent a key from working, and if you're not able to clean it from the outside, you're SOL and need a $400 keyboard replacement because individual keys cannot be removed without breaking them (unlike previous generations).

They can be removed, but with the hooks and clamps you need to be careful and know the right technique.

They’re glued and can’t be placed back if taken. There’s no hooks or clamps, I think you’re thinking of the older keyboards.

I know this firsthand as I’ve removed one key. It’s now lose on the keyboard but mostly works anyway. Still, I have no love for this keyboard, 4-5 keys are semi stuck and have been for some time.

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#118

Post by brandonmenc »

kylec wrote: post #112
brandonmenc wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I am extremely happy with the butterfly keyboard Agree. So much so, that I ordered the new Magic Keyboard for desktop use (which uses similar switches) to replace the previous-generation Apple Wireless Keyboard. The new MacBook Pro keyboard is the best I've ever used. My fingers feel like they're flying over the keys. And I've owned all sorts of mechanical keyboards, ThinkPads, and odd devices like the DataHand. I…

> I ordered the new Magic Keyboard for desktop use (which uses similar switches) Actually, the Magic Keyboard uses scissor switches. I don't blame you for not noticing, but it does demonstrate that Apple can make scissor switches that appeal to butterfly switch fans. In the article Marco suggests that Apple replace the problematic butterfly switch keyboard on the MacBook Pro with the keyboard from the Magic Keyboard.…

> Actually, the Magic Keyboard uses scissor switches.

"similar switches" was a bad phrase to use in my original comment

> I don't blame you for not noticing

I did notice.

In fact, I hesitated to buy the current Magic Keyboard, hoping that they'd refresh it with the exact feel of the laptops. The key travel is about halfway between the old wireless keyboard and the new MacBook Pros. Better, but not perfect.

> Since you like the Magic Keyboard, I assume this would be fine with you?

I greatly prefer the butterfly switches, yet acknowledge that the Magic Keyboard is an improvement over the old wireless keyboard.

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#119

Post by nunez »

I used the tbMBP for a little while earlier this year, and OP is totally right about the keyboard and touch bar. The keyboard is harder and more awkward to type on than its predecessors and the Touch Bar isn’t very useful (though it might be when it comes with Taptic Engine)

Re: Fixing the MacBook Pro

#120

Post by portlander12345 »

iscoelho wrote: post #52
lwhalen wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a $job-provided MBP with the touchbar, and I find it actively evil. I am _constantly_ resting my fingers in the general vicinity of the top row, which triggers F11-type behavior, volume changes, esc-key hits, etc. It is a _damnably_ sensitive gimmick, pressure-sensitivity would improve it, but in general its a solution looking for a problem. In its current incarnation, I do not like it at all.

Where do you rest your hands to be able to trigger it? When I rest my hands I can't even reach that far with my fingers, much less press something by mistake. edit: personally I rest my palm on my desk when I am using the touchpad, and rest my palms on each side of the touchpad when I am using the keyboard.

I’m constantly brushing mine by accident, not sure exactly how. I think it would be improved immensely by just being very slightly harder to trigger, either with pressure or dwell time.
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