2018 MacBook Pro Review(hrtapps.com)
hrtapps.com
2018 MacBook Pro Review
http://hrtapps.com/blogs/20180712/
497 comments
The touchbar is such an FU to developers. It still hasn't found any real use. They're not rolling it out to other models. Basically, it's a little fun "experiment" that they've imposed on all their PRO users, thus demonstrating they no longer really care about this user group.
Personally, I'm waiting for the next generation of Surface devices to come out, and I'm going to see if I can make WSL work for me.
Personally, I'm waiting for the next generation of Surface devices to come out, and I'm going to see if I can make WSL work for me.
Am I the only person on here who is bothered by the specs of the base models? For $2400 you get a 2.2 Ghz machine with a 256 GB ssd and 16 GB of Ram. That was seriously overpriced and it hasn't budged in this new release. Seems like you've got to spend well north of 3K to get a reasonable machine. That is way over the market.
The model in the review is fully loaded. Apple will charge you a cool $3200 to upgrade to that 4TB ssd mentioned in the review. Apple's habit of gouging on peripherals is not... endearing.
Also, aren't many premium laptops 4K at this point?
The model in the review is fully loaded. Apple will charge you a cool $3200 to upgrade to that 4TB ssd mentioned in the review. Apple's habit of gouging on peripherals is not... endearing.
Also, aren't many premium laptops 4K at this point?
I've been combing over the reviews on youtube and I came across this link [0].
> A teardown of the hardware on Friday, however, reveals a new silicone membrane encases each key that potentially serves as a dust-repelling feature to protect against malfunctions.
I'm going to give it a bit, but if it turns out to be the case that for dust at least the problem is resolved. They'll definitely get a purchase from me. I'll have to get used to the reduced travel after working with a late 2012 for 5+ years!
[0]: https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/07/13/2018-macbook-pro-...
> A teardown of the hardware on Friday, however, reveals a new silicone membrane encases each key that potentially serves as a dust-repelling feature to protect against malfunctions.
I'm going to give it a bit, but if it turns out to be the case that for dust at least the problem is resolved. They'll definitely get a purchase from me. I'll have to get used to the reduced travel after working with a late 2012 for 5+ years!
[0]: https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/07/13/2018-macbook-pro-...
I don't begrudge Apple their quest for thin and light. All else being equal, of course everyone wants that.
But they have three portable product lines: the MB, and Air and the Pro. Surely the point of that is to allow them to differentiate? It seems strange that "thin and light" is the priority above all others, for all three.
I'd happily sacrifice a couple of millimetres and a few ounces of my 2016 MBP to a return to the 2015-era keyboard.
But they have three portable product lines: the MB, and Air and the Pro. Surely the point of that is to allow them to differentiate? It seems strange that "thin and light" is the priority above all others, for all three.
I'd happily sacrifice a couple of millimetres and a few ounces of my 2016 MBP to a return to the 2015-era keyboard.
It’s shocking how expensive Macs have gotten. I paid around €2300 for my 2014 15” and today’s equivalent tier is over €3k. For this I get a faster thinner machine without MagSafe and a variety of ports.
It seems that the only viable upgrade path is to convince your employer to stump up the cash.
It seems that the only viable upgrade path is to convince your employer to stump up the cash.
Apple lost me two years ago. While I was a big macOS fan and developer, I now work under linux.
I was very surprised to see how far linux has gotten as a desktop workstation. Including very good apps (darktable, ardour, inkscape and even gimp which had an horrible interface at the time).
I still think macOS had a superior UI (I say "had" because I haven't touched a mac since sierra) and that the hardware was beautiful. But my main workstation which has 3x 27'' monitors attached to it, was less than 2000$ (without the monitors of course).
I was very surprised to see how far linux has gotten as a desktop workstation. Including very good apps (darktable, ardour, inkscape and even gimp which had an horrible interface at the time).
I still think macOS had a superior UI (I say "had" because I haven't touched a mac since sierra) and that the hardware was beautiful. But my main workstation which has 3x 27'' monitors attached to it, was less than 2000$ (without the monitors of course).
I have a 2015 Macbook. I like it, but I know that my next work computer will likely be a desktop dual booting linux and windows. Containers and kubernetes hog RAM like crazy, my laptop is used at the same desk 99% of the time, and for the price of a macbook I could build a phenomenal desktop that I can easily upgrade as necessary.
Has the power supply been redesigned so the cord doesn't fray in 18 months? This has really irked me.
Touch Bar kills it.
I am a touch typer. I use the escape key constantly. I use the function keys frequently. Like every other touch typer I know, none of us want to look at our fingers to type anything, let alone to look down and navigate around a microscopic touch screen menu that requires you to not only look at your fingers but to move your hands away from the micro-screen to see what you're trying to tap on. I have no idea how they decided any of that was a good idea, let alone for a machine aimed at professionals.
I'm thrilled to see 32gb RAM finally, but I'll pass. Wake me up when they remove the Touch Bar.
I am a touch typer. I use the escape key constantly. I use the function keys frequently. Like every other touch typer I know, none of us want to look at our fingers to type anything, let alone to look down and navigate around a microscopic touch screen menu that requires you to not only look at your fingers but to move your hands away from the micro-screen to see what you're trying to tap on. I have no idea how they decided any of that was a good idea, let alone for a machine aimed at professionals.
I'm thrilled to see 32gb RAM finally, but I'll pass. Wake me up when they remove the Touch Bar.
Cons: Keyboard, Touch bar, lack of ports, cost
Pro: Great display. Build quality. MacOS
It's too bad all the cons except cost are new to the latest generation ( post-2015 ) MBP.
Pro: Great display. Build quality. MacOS
It's too bad all the cons except cost are new to the latest generation ( post-2015 ) MBP.
That automatic display makes me think about the bad experiences I have with the hardcoded adaptive contrast on my XPS-13 9350. It makes it unusable for pro grade photo editing since the features can't be turned off and the monitor therefore can't be calibrated. In addition, when trying to use the nightlight feature of the new gnome stack, the color temperature swings wildly with subtle color changes on the page caused by things such as scrolling, or highlighting text.
A review where it's not being compared against other laptops but against older macs is only marginally useful.
Of course it's going to be faster. The problem with Mac is not that it's slow, it's the lack of innovation.
Of course it's going to be faster. The problem with Mac is not that it's slow, it's the lack of innovation.
By removing the Esc key, Apple declared its side on the emacs vs vi wars.
Year 2018, price 2000euros, specifications: 8gb RAM (non-upgradable) and just 256GB of SSD. Most smartphones have higher specifications. That is just a rip-off, imo. Shame on you, Apple!
So they’ve caught up to Windows laptops on specs but still have that abomination of a keyboard. After all the complaints.
Not the best review but I feel it is more for others looking to use it for things similar to the author (CFD).
It is nice to see some keyboard and screen improvements though. I am looking forward to mine arriving on the 26th and will write up a review from a software developer perspective if I get the time.
It is nice to see some keyboard and screen improvements though. I am looking forward to mine arriving on the 26th and will write up a review from a software developer perspective if I get the time.
It is interesting that the review has a photo of the laptop in the author's most likely working environment, at a desk.
The laptop is closed and an Apple keyboard with PHYSICAL FUNCTION KEYS has been placed on top.
It is also interesting that the review doesn't mention the touchbar AT ALL.
The laptop is closed and an Apple keyboard with PHYSICAL FUNCTION KEYS has been placed on top.
It is also interesting that the review doesn't mention the touchbar AT ALL.
Wow the Blackmagic is huge!! I had no idea they were so big! Is there just 1 graphics card in there?
Is the MacBook Air dead, then? Light and powerful isn't a valid niche anymore?
I'm curious what the author thinks about the OpenCL deprecation in future versions of macOS. How will this deprecation influence his CFD work on macOS.
I assume an OpenCL -> Metal 2 migration will solve the problem.
I assume an OpenCL -> Metal 2 migration will solve the problem.
Finally adding 32GB gets a big thumbs-up from me, somebody at Apple is finally listening.
I'll have to check the keyboard, however I don't expect any improvement - maybe it'll get stuck a bit less, but I bet travel will still be atrocious.
The MBPr was released in 2012 and redesigned in 2016, so I guess we might expect the next big iteration to come in 2020 or so; then it will take a year or two to work out the bugs, as it always does. This model is clearly the mature version of the 2016 design. It's a good time to buy.
I'll have to check the keyboard, however I don't expect any improvement - maybe it'll get stuck a bit less, but I bet travel will still be atrocious.
The MBPr was released in 2012 and redesigned in 2016, so I guess we might expect the next big iteration to come in 2020 or so; then it will take a year or two to work out the bugs, as it always does. This model is clearly the mature version of the 2016 design. It's a good time to buy.
The Macbook he's describing costs $8,379.00 Canadian.
$8,379.00
For a Macbook.
$8,379.00
For a Macbook.
I didn't realize that the esc key was gone before I ordered my new 15". I haven't had a "touch bar" model yet. Why didn't the touch bar take off with developers? I read Apple said you can develop functionality into apps to utilize the touch bar. Why didn't this happen?
The keyboard is one of the last reasons why someone would want a laptop vs. a tablet. I loved my MacBook Air, but no Apple laptops for me until they fix the keyboard. But hey, I am sure they found a market for this stuff. It is just not for touch typists.
Why would anyone pay 2k to use a crappy keyboard? It's unbelievable.
I still admit macos is a nice *nix os.
I still admit macos is a nice *nix os.
> 2880x1800 resolution
That's a bit of shame that they still haven't up since the introduction of the very first 15" Retina. Default scaling on the new 15" looks blurry as it's not 1:4 pixel matching.
That's a bit of shame that they still haven't up since the introduction of the very first 15" Retina. Default scaling on the new 15" looks blurry as it's not 1:4 pixel matching.
So, Apple has send him a high-end model (32GB of RAM!, dedicated GfX chip) and the verdict is, that this is worthy of the "Pro" in the name.
Interestingly, he left out the price.
Interestingly, he left out the price.
I still don't get why there's no 32 GB option on the 13" as a non-Intel card. Where's the "PRO" in this version, except the price?
Man I like MacBooks, but they need to make one with a touchscreen, bring back the function keys and give me a better keyboard before I’ll buy a new one again.
Many, many developers: "We hate this keyboard. It is atrocious! Give us back the old one please!"
Apple: "We have listened to your needs. The keyboard is now 8% quieter, and the touchbar is mandatory!"