Macbook Pro (2016)
Discussion
leglessAlex said:
Maybe I'm just too used to Apple products as that's certainly what they do in my experience.
It's pretty straightforward, really. Some devices are designed to be user-upgradeable in certain ways, while others aren't. Want to upgrade memory in your iMac or Mac Pro? No problem. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201191
But, want to upgrade anything internally in an MPB, iPad or iPhone - No way! (at least, not easily, and not without voiding warranty)
Windows PC have typically had more upgradeability, often by simply accessing memory/HDD/SDD modules via removable panels underneath. This costs in terms of device bulk and elegance. Ultrabooks from all vendors are typically less easily serviceable than bulkier 'enterprise' products, so no surprise that XPS ram isn't upgradeable.
Generally I'd prefer *anything* (car/computer/camera/etc) that's user-serviceable/upgradeable over something that's not, but that's not the way the world seems to be going.
Light reading : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_Vehicle_Owners...
My MacBook has now been dispatched. However, i've decided i want one with more storage, so i'm going to send it back!
What i've found is that Apple employees appear very confused with regards to their returns policy, and whether custom MacBooks can be refunded. The retail store says no refunds on custom models, but apple online chat said refunds as normal. I then called them as obviously this was confusing. The rep on the phone says no refunds on custom items, but then i ask to speak to a supervisor, who then stated refunds as normal. So all this is confusing, but i'm confident refunds are ok.
So i've ordered another MBP for delivery at the end of the year. I'll keep the first one until the second comes, then send it back. Returns at this time of year have until 8th Jan for return
What i've found is that Apple employees appear very confused with regards to their returns policy, and whether custom MacBooks can be refunded. The retail store says no refunds on custom models, but apple online chat said refunds as normal. I then called them as obviously this was confusing. The rep on the phone says no refunds on custom items, but then i ask to speak to a supervisor, who then stated refunds as normal. So all this is confusing, but i'm confident refunds are ok.
So i've ordered another MBP for delivery at the end of the year. I'll keep the first one until the second comes, then send it back. Returns at this time of year have until 8th Jan for return
Went into the Regent Street shop today for the first time after its refurb. Clearly the company is becoming less and less about computers full stop based on the layout, product bias and vibe. Had a play with a new pro. Can see the use of the touch with the apple versions of office products etc. Clearly the MS products need to catch up. Torn now with a duty free purchase the MacBook is 1000 and the 13 pro with touch 1400
Well I said bye bye to Apple and I've bought a Lenovo P50. It has the same battery life, 4k screen, and 2, 1 TB PCIe drives that according to Sisoft Sandra are in the top 5 fastest drives it's ever recorded (!). That's also with 32 GB RAM and a Xeon processor. Technically less mobile but as I said battery life in reality is the same as the Mac.
It's running Windows 10, had it a couple of weeks now. Not used 10 before and am pretty happy with it so far. It's not as integrated as MacOS of course, but it's easy to transition as all the gestures on the track pad are the same. It also has just about every port you can think of. The keyboard smashes the Mac into the ether.
OK it's ugly (I actually like it, it looks like it means business and it does), it's heavier, but it makes me a lot happier than the Mac and frankly I'm over the moon that my Office apps are not crashing every ******* five minutes which was becoming an utter bore.
So, that config above cost me exactly the same as the new Macbook Pro. I highly recommend taking a look at the P50 if you're a proper pro user/developer/support tech. The only criticism I have of it is the slightly offset mousepad that takes a bit of getting used to and the pad itself could be a bit more sensitive but that's it. The keyboard totally destroys the Mac so that's a big advantage for me.
Ports - USB, Thunderbolt, Displayport, HDMI, SD, Ethernet and a couple of card slots I have no idea what they do lol. It's also designed to be able to open it up and upgrade it, as a PC should be.
PS build quality is superb huge improvement on my last one from three years ago.
It's running Windows 10, had it a couple of weeks now. Not used 10 before and am pretty happy with it so far. It's not as integrated as MacOS of course, but it's easy to transition as all the gestures on the track pad are the same. It also has just about every port you can think of. The keyboard smashes the Mac into the ether.
OK it's ugly (I actually like it, it looks like it means business and it does), it's heavier, but it makes me a lot happier than the Mac and frankly I'm over the moon that my Office apps are not crashing every ******* five minutes which was becoming an utter bore.
So, that config above cost me exactly the same as the new Macbook Pro. I highly recommend taking a look at the P50 if you're a proper pro user/developer/support tech. The only criticism I have of it is the slightly offset mousepad that takes a bit of getting used to and the pad itself could be a bit more sensitive but that's it. The keyboard totally destroys the Mac so that's a big advantage for me.
Ports - USB, Thunderbolt, Displayport, HDMI, SD, Ethernet and a couple of card slots I have no idea what they do lol. It's also designed to be able to open it up and upgrade it, as a PC should be.
PS build quality is superb huge improvement on my last one from three years ago.
Lagerlout said:
're a proper pro user/developer/support tech. The only criticism I have of it is the slightly offset mousepad that takes a bit of getting used to and the pad itself could be a bit more sensitive but that's it. The keyboard totally destroys the Mac so that's a big advantage for me.
The mousepad is centered on the space bar, the big difference is the numpad. How is the TouchPad anyway? From my experience, the MacBook consistently has one of the best, while I would put Lenovo dead last ..
ZesPak said:
Lagerlout said:
're a proper pro user/developer/support tech. The only criticism I have of it is the slightly offset mousepad that takes a bit of getting used to and the pad itself could be a bit more sensitive but that's it. The keyboard totally destroys the Mac so that's a big advantage for me.
The mousepad is centered on the space bar, the big difference is the numpad. How is the TouchPad anyway? From my experience, the MacBook consistently has one of the best, while I would put Lenovo dead last ..
I run a Lenovo y50-70 along side a MacBook pro.
Trackpad is rubbish on the Lenovo. Seriously hard to use, hard to even click the buttons on it, which are within the pad and not easily identifiable. If trackpad is essential, then go elsewhere! However I can't see how any serious professional can use a trackpad for work at any rate, it's more a surfing-the-web thing IMO.
Apart from that, the Lenovo is amazing. fast, upgradable. I changed the 500GB SSD for a 1TB one, and doubled the Ram to 32 incredibly easily.
W10 is okay. In all honesty it's the programs you have within the OS that matter. Once I am in program, it's as easy to switch between then in both iOS and W10, not too sure why you need a flashy OS, just so long as it's quick, works and doesn't crash.
Efbe said:
ZesPak said:
Mr Whippy said:
ZesPak said:
Mr Whippy said:
Nicely considered styling and a decent out of the box software config can't be hard, but everyone else appears to make it so, at least on higher powered stuff... as soon as you get to gaming level hardware everything has to have multi-coloured keyboards and red stripes ffs!
So I can see why Apple are appealing on that front
Dave
I must be missing something, but aren't these gaming machines nearly desktop performance machines, picking up the performance baton where the likes of the MBP and XPS stop? So I can see why Apple are appealing on that front
Dave
In terms of MBP performance there are plenty well designed machines from nearly any brand, no?
The only thing I've found that really suits all my criteria bar aesthetics is the MSI GS73VR.
These are some basic games on the high end MBP, 4300$:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DGU9lV6H4I
What about Razer Blade? It has a RGB keyboard but you can just select a colour you like.
Try looking at the X1 range, though I haven't played with one, the X1 yoga does look cool.
I got a GS73VR and it's overall a nice machine. I just wish it was better made (as in solid, not slightly bendy when picking it up at one end), and didn't have a loose battery (sigh)... these are areas where I know buyers enjoy the Apple experience... stuff is just solid and 100% reliable, and if it's not you just walk into a shop and they swap it for you. Easy peasy vs sending stuff back and waiting days and all that crap.
I can entirely buy into the MBP/Apple thing for their laptops. It's just a shame it comes at such a huge extra cost!
dmsims said:
Just walk into a shop?
That's beyond funny, first you have to make an appointment
Last time I did that there none for 10 days
Then you have to get to the store park and wait
I will have the onsite warranty thanks
Apple's onsite warranty?That's beyond funny, first you have to make an appointment
Last time I did that there none for 10 days
Then you have to get to the store park and wait
I will have the onsite warranty thanks
Do they break that often that you'd worry about having to make an appointment at a shop?
It's *still* better than boxing it all back up and sending it off for a fix or replacment that most other manufacturers provide.
dmsims said:
Just walk into a shop?
That's beyond funny, first you have to make an appointment
Last time I did that there none for 10 days
Then you have to get to the store park and wait
I will have the onsite warranty thanks
Depends where you are. That's beyond funny, first you have to make an appointment
Last time I did that there none for 10 days
Then you have to get to the store park and wait
I will have the onsite warranty thanks
Appointments available here usually within the next 30mins... if none available, they will see you reasonably quickly as a walk-in
GCH said:
Depends where you are.
Appointments available here usually within the next 30mins... if none available, they will see you reasonably quickly as a walk-in
Region is a big argument. It's on a country by country basis. Here in Belgium, there's one store in the entire country. I think I got 3 years next business day on-site for my XPS... for free on top of it (was a promo at the time). Support for my Samsung was sadly lacking but I've been impressed with the Dell in the past, I had some issues with a display flickering half a decade ago, called them and they'd have it replaced. He arrived only to see I had the "lesser" model, he replaced it FOC with a higher res display. Taking it into a store or sending it through mail all sounds incredibly stone age after that Appointments available here usually within the next 30mins... if none available, they will see you reasonably quickly as a walk-in
.Mr Whippy said:
Apple's onsite warranty?
Do they break that often that you'd worry about having to make an appointment at a shop?
It's *still* better than boxing it all back up and sending it off for a fix or replacment that most other manufacturers provide.
1. Where is this onsite warranty ?Do they break that often that you'd worry about having to make an appointment at a shop?
It's *still* better than boxing it all back up and sending it off for a fix or replacment that most other manufacturers provide.
2. Yes they do break (a lot) IME
3. Other manufacturers can provide an onsite warranty for circa £100 p.a. which is a lot more convenient
Did you do any research on this or are just spouting rubbish for the sake of it ?
dmsims said:
Mr Whippy said:
Apple's onsite warranty?
Do they break that often that you'd worry about having to make an appointment at a shop?
It's *still* better than boxing it all back up and sending it off for a fix or replacment that most other manufacturers provide.
1. Where is this onsite warranty ?Do they break that often that you'd worry about having to make an appointment at a shop?
It's *still* better than boxing it all back up and sending it off for a fix or replacment that most other manufacturers provide.
2. Yes they do break (a lot) IME
3. Other manufacturers can provide an onsite warranty for circa £100 p.a. which is a lot more convenient
Did you do any research on this or are just spouting rubbish for the sake of it ?
They aren't any more or less reliable than other manufacturers IME.
Not sure how other manufacturers onsite support can be any different than Apple's support.
What makes you think Apple don't do on-site warranties?
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