New MacBook Pro (Touch Bar)

[Ruud Van Driver]

My 15" MBP is just about ready to buy the farm and needs replacing. Anyone have the new MBP with Touch Bar and, if so, is it worth the upgrade and not insignificant price hike?

[SMD]

Can you get by with a MB Air? If so then I would skip Mbp altogether. Made the switch three or four years ago and will never go back.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by SMD

Can you get by with a MB Air? If so then I would skip Mbp altogether. Made the switch three or four years ago and will never go back.

I need the bigger screen for working at home in Singapore. I recently bought a 12" MacBook back in May and whilst it's a great machine, the screen is too small.

I have an iMac at home in the UK and that's more like it but I have the space for it whereas in Singapore I don't. 15" MBP is the only feasible choice

[brandrea]

Can you dock it to a larger monitor? The 12" is the way to go for travel IMO

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Can you dock it to a larger monitor? The 12" is the way to go for travel IMO

That would certainly be the route I would take!!

The new MB does look good Paul but like you I have 2 IMacs here at my house and I am too cheap to buy another large capacity so I make due with my MB Air 12".

[SMD]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Can you dock it to a larger monitor? The 12" is the way to go for travel IMO

This. Though I think it's 13"

[texex91]

Originally Posted by SMD

This. Though I think it's 13"

It is--perfect size. 13" not 12" on MB Air.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Can you dock it to a larger monitor? The 12" is the way to go for travel IMO

It's purely for working on reports and stuff at home, whilst balanced on my lap. I might use it on the coffee table but if it's serious then I go on to my dining table When I travel I use my company Dell XPS 13. Pretty good machine but I hate carrying it home at weekends on the bus and then back to work on Monday. Doesn't sound like a huge issue prima facie but when I'm carrying my gym bag and office duds, it got to be a PITA after a while.

Originally Posted by Muzz

That would certainly be the route I would take!!

The new MB does look good Paul but like you I have 2 IMacs here at my house and I am too cheap to buy another large capacity so I make due with my MB Air 12".

Sorry Steve, something about that post gave me another green-tea-keyboard moment

I have a great set-up in the UK, 27" iMac with a 27" Thunderbolt display, which is perfect for working from home.

When I'm back in Singapore, maybe I can connect the 12" MacBook to my TV and use that as a monitor That would be a much more economical solution. I just need a lead and an adapter instead of shelling out the thick end of S$5k for a whole new machine.

Originally Posted by SMD

This. Though I think it's 13"

MBA is 11" and 13" whereas the MacBook is 12".

[Dan_lie]

I have the new touch bar pro, Its really good.

I was pointed to macrumors website for advice when buying and its the only one worth buying now.

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

I was originally going to just buy an Air, which is what I was coming from but after reading that forum, I changed my mind.

Apparently the Air is being phased out and the MacBook is half way through its life cycle.

I really like the new pro and it touch bar is really cool, I got the 13" one as I already have the largest older pro for work. It pretty much weighs the same as the Air, the screen is amazing, battery is great and the speakers are really loud.

I thought about the price difference between just buying another Air too. All I really use a laptop at home for is the web and a few personal emails. So regarding the Air becoming obsolete, it wasn't that big of a deal for me. I took into consideration how long all my Macs have lasted me (I bought the air in 2011), and after breaking down how much they cost me a year I just bought the new pro.

Im really happy with it and its cool space grey too! I know its not the most technical review and I'm not the most computer literate person either but I hope it helps.

[masterserg]

The Air has a really low screen resolution. The 13 TB is smaller than the air anyway, though not really a super exciting upgrade.

There is pretty limited support for the TB outside of the native Apple apps as of today. Hopefully Microsoft will add support for Office soon. Check the keyboard though ... I am not sure I like it.

I'd say, if you need a new laptop, and want to stay with Apple, then it's a no brainer ... assuming you like the keyboard. They are light, reasonably fast, with ok battery and ok screen.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by masterserg

The Air has a really low screen resolution. The 13 TB is smaller than the air anyway, though not really a super exciting upgrade.

There is pretty limited support for the TB outside of the native Apple apps as of today. Hopefully Microsoft will add support for Office soon. Check the keyboard though ... I am not sure I like it.

I'd say, if you need a new laptop, and want to stay with Apple, then it's a no brainer ... assuming you like the keyboard. They are light, reasonably fast, with ok battery and ok screen.

Weight 2.96 (Air) vs 3.02 (Pro) - I'm impressed, had no clue it was so light. I might go check it out, as screen is 100x better.

Great just what I need another $2k TRF enabling

[sco]

I have an air from 2012, still works perfectly. The new pros are cool, but you will be missing a lot of common ports. You will need the dongles!!

[Dr.Brian]

I'm getting the new 15" MBP. It's heavier, but I like the screen size. Going from 12 to 15 inches is 50% more screen area. When I'm doing a split screen project at home, I can't go smaller without needing a second device. I have a thunderbolt at work that I should probably move home instead. I don't do much work in my office.
Not sure about the touch bar, but I'm sure it will work out fine. I just don't know anyone with one yet. I have a loaner that's 12 or 13" at the moment, and I definitely notice the difference from my old 15" MBP. But it is significantly lighter if that's a big consideration for you.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by sco

but you will be missing a lot of common ports. You will need the dongles!!

Oooooo, I knew there had to be a down side

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by texex91

Oooooo, I knew there had to be a down side

There's also the downside of it being more that $2k if you want a 15" too, especially if you want to upgrade the procesor and opt for the larger memory than the standard 512GB.

Just sayin'.............

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by texex91

Oooooo, I knew there had to be a down side

Do you really use all those ports? I barely use ONE USB every now and then. I'll take the convenience of being able to plug the power from either left of right side any day.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Just been chatting with Apple; I can pick up an adapter for less than £50 to connect my 12" MBP to my TV via HDMI. Even better, I can mirror the screen through my Apple TV.

I'm back in Singapore in a couple of weeks so will give it a try then and if it works out, then I can save myself S$5,000

[Exploradori]

I have been a devoted mac fan for more than a decade. Have had a couple of MBPs and iMacs. And you know what? I went last week to see the new Mac with touchbar, and I wasn't impressed at all. I think apple has run out of ideas and wants to overcharge us for nothing (ie, see apple watch). Here's what surprises even me: i am seriously considering going back to a Microsoft machine. Went to the store this weekend and was positively surprised. We'll see, but I think it might happen.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Exploradori

I have been a devoted mac fan for more than a decade. Have had a couple of MBPs and iMacs. And you know what? I went last week to see the new Mac with touchbar, and I wasn't impressed at all. I think apple has run out of ideas and wants to overcharge us for nothing (ie, see apple watch). Here's what surprises even me: i am seriously considering going back to a Microsoft machine. Went to the store this weekend and was positively surprised. We'll see, but I think it might happen.

The Surface Book is solid ... if you like Win 10.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by Exploradori

I have been a devoted mac fan for more than a decade. Have had a couple of MBPs and iMacs. And you know what? I went last week to see the new Mac with touchbar, and I wasn't impressed at all. I think apple has run out of ideas and wants to overcharge us for nothing (ie, see apple watch). Here's what surprises even me: i am seriously considering going back to a Microsoft machine. Went to the store this weekend and was positively surprised. We'll see, but I think it might happen.

Are you feeling okay? Windows

I would give up computing if I was forced to go back to that operating system.

Noticed you can get MB Pro w/o bar, hmmmm....

[77T]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Just been chatting with Apple; I can pick up an adapter for less than £50 to connect my 12" MBP to my TV via HDMI. Even better, I can mirror the screen through my Apple TV.



I'm back in Singapore in a couple of weeks so will give it a try then and if it works out, then I can save myself S$5,000

I've used the hdmi adapter for years and it is hard for me to relate to the short length of the standard cables so bought some 10' cable. Have also mirrored via Apple TV and the latency (though slight) was a real pain when doing spreadsheets.

On the Touchbar - I see it as one more item for failure in future. Plus some of the software in the OS doesn't allow dragging Apps from the dock to the bar for a double stack. It may be in 10.12.2 but the stores haven't upgraded their display stock here yet.

If you don't need USB, the new MBP may be fine but ohhh that price!

[Runnin' Rebel]

Here some info Paul:

I have the 13' pro with DVD drive and they don't make that with the drive anymore the Apple Store told me last week. They don't have DVDR in any of the new models they said. They didn't know why.. but I couldn't be happier with the Retina display, it's amazing.



Macs can also drive external displays — extra monitors you buy and plug in. It's useful if you want a laptop on the go but more of a desktop-like setup when you're home or at the office.

MacBook can connect to USB-C displays or HDMI (with an adapter) up to 3840x2160 at 30Hz or 4096x2160 at 24Hz.

MacBook Air can connect to a single 3840x2160 display over Thunderbolt.

MacBook Pro 2015 can also support up to two 3840x2160 external displays over Thunderbolt — 5120 x 2880 resolution at 60Hz on a single external display for the highest-end MacBook Pro with AMD Radeon R9 M370X graphics. They can also support 1920x1080 at up to 60Hz, 3840x2160 at 30Hz, or 4096x2160 at 24Hz.

internet copy

[Wesley Crusher]

I cannot see myself using the touch bar at all. Maybe I'm just not Apple's target user, but it seems pretty pointless to me. I played with it at the store and I just don't think it's worth it. I am still on my MBP from 2013, but if I get a new one, it will be the model without the touch bar.

I am fine with Apple moving away from most of the ports in favor of USB-C, but I will miss the MagSafe charging port.

[bayerische]

Don't buy the Air, its soon a 10 year old computer although updated. But last update was almost two years ago.

This is a good website to check how "current" Mac's are;
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac


Get the MB 12" or then if a larger screen is needed and it must be mac, there's not much else than the Pro with touch bar.

[rr-nyc]

I've been eyeing a new 13" MBP to replace my perfectly good late 2013 model. I love the new size but on the fence about the touch bar. I keep hearing that battery life sucks if you have it/use it

[artschool]

Originally Posted by Exploradori

I have been a devoted mac fan for more than a decade. Have had a couple of MBPs and iMacs. And you know what? I went last week to see the new Mac with touchbar, and I wasn't impressed at all. I think apple has run out of ideas and wants to overcharge us for nothing (ie, see apple watch). Here's what surprises even me: i am seriously considering going back to a Microsoft machine. Went to the store this weekend and was positively surprised. We'll see, but I think it might happen.

i am the same as you. i have a old 15inch pro and a 13inch MBP plus all the other kit thunderbolt display etc.

i called up to buy the new 13inch MBP and the spec has hardly changed. I am not one bit interested in the touch bar, so i left it.

i am now looking at the surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMklcdzcNcU

[Marcela]

Just yesterday I started using my new 15" MacBookPro (2.6GHz, Intel Core i7, 16GB, space gray).
Taking baby steps with it now :-).
The Set up was pretty easy, transfer of Documents from my previous MBP will take some time.
I am mostly using the mouse, although the touchpad is very comfortable. Getting used to the touch bar.
Screen is truly excellent.
It is substantially thinner than my older MBP.
I am confident that it will travel well.
So far, so good, happy. ��