Next Apple laptop, user advice appreciated

[Daisy Cloudskitter]

APPLE RECALLS ( some) MACBOOK PRO BATTERIES
“The recall is said to affect 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina displays sold between September 2015 and February 2017, and Apple is replacing batteries for free on eligible laptops.
The batteries may overheat and pose a fire safety risk.”
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-recall/
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/06/important-notice-for-batteries-in-certain-macbook-pro-units/

I’ve never had a single hardware issue with Apple devices, but the butterfly keyboard problems and now this recall of a “limited number” of older laptops have made me bit wary about replacing my 2015 MB Air.

Imo Apple does itself no favours saying hardware issues only affect ‘a limited number’ of devices.
“18 million Macs were sold in 2018—so even a substantial number of impacted machines could still be considered “limited.”

However, after plenty research I’m ready to bite the bullet and would really appreciate any MBB’er thoughts / experience using either of my replacement choices - 2018 MB Air or 2017 13” MB Pro - particularly if any keyboard issues ?

Thanks !
(PS I’m not a gamer or power user , just usual streaming, browsing, mail, light graphic editing etc)

 

[gfmalan]

Got so irritated when I saw the article on the main page this morning. Why make an issue if there is no issue. They normally recall the notebooks that were assembled with a batch of batteries (or component) that they feel would cause issues. So I'm not worried, at least they do preventative repairs.

I have the 15" MBP with touch bar, and I didn't experience the keyboard issue, and using it now for 2 years, 10 hours a day, I work on notebook direct and not using external keyboard or mouse/trackpad, I love the size of this trackpad. At first it looked stupid, till you work with it.

If I have to re-buy something I would buy the 13" version, so it can be easier for the traveling, this one is heavy, not talking about the total value of equipment you carry with you. I normally leave the notebook at the desk, and only travel with iPad Pro and iPhone.

My first Mac was the 12" MacBook, and I still think that was the smallest best notebook ever. I bought the 256 version, and that was limiting.

I say go4it!

 

[Spizz]

APPLE RECALLS ( some) MACBOOK PRO BATTERIES
“The recall is said to affect 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina displays sold between September 2015 and February 2017, and Apple is replacing batteries for free on eligible laptops.
The batteries may overheat and pose a fire safety risk.”
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-recall/
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/06/important-notice-for-batteries-in-certain-macbook-pro-units/

I’ve never had a single hardware issue with Apple devices, but the butterfly keyboard problems and now this recall of a “limited number” of older laptops have made me bit wary about replacing my 2015 MB Air.

Imo Apple does itself no favours saying hardware issues only affect ‘a limited number’ of devices.
“18 million Macs were sold in 2018—so even a substantial number of impacted machines could still be considered “limited.”

However, after plenty research I’m ready to bite the bullet and would really appreciate any MBB’er thoughts / experience using either of my replacement choices - 2018 MB Air or 2017 13” MB Pro - particularly if any keyboard issues ?

Thanks !
(PS I’m not a gamer or power user , just usual streaming, browsing, mail, light graphic editing etc)

I had the same question a couple of weeks ago after my 2017 Air drowned. Seems like we have the same kind of usage and I considered both equally before going for the Pro. I just figured having the extra oomph and the higher resale value might be handy sometime in the future so why not go for the beefier model.

I had an Air 2103 then 2017 and loved everything about it. I wondered about the keyboard issue as well on the Pro but I'm used to it now and the shallow keystroke and touch sensitive trackpad are great.

 

[Daisy Cloudskitter]

If I have to re-buy something I would buy the 13" version,

Thanks , this is so helpful.

I love my current MBA. Not much travel involved but also use 10 hours a day. Just looking forward to retina screen and better graphics card on the 2018 version. Had a couple of freezes on Affinity photo app, but was learning editing - likely tasking it & CPU beyond their pay grade .

I considered both equally before going for the Pro.

Thanks for great info . Ha, yes I remember your post ! Just couldn't recall whose air went swimming.

Are you finding MBP keyboard responds as fast as the air? On the MBP demo I tested at shop the keyboard seemed slower than the 2018 air next to it ... but I might be bias.

 

[Spizz]

Thanks , this is so helpful.

I love my current MBA. Not much travel involved but also use 10 hours a day. Just looking forward to retina screen and better graphics card on the 2018 version. Had a couple of freezes on Affinity photo app, but was learning editing - likely tasking it & CPU beyond their pay grade .



Thanks for great info . Ha, yes I remember your post ! Just couldn't recall whose air went swimming.

Are you finding MBP keyboard responds as fast as the air? On the MBP demo I tested at shop the keyboard seemed slower than the 2018 air next to it ... but I might be bias.

Yeah, it's instantaneous. The keyboard took a little bit of getting used to because it is more like a touch rather than a press, but I've warmed to it and really getting into this machine.

When I went from the 2013 Air (logic board died) to the 2017, it was like using the exact same machine. Absolutely nothing had changed in the user experience, but now it's like the same but interesting again due to the screen, keyboard and touchpad being different, but yet getting the same familiarity with everyday use.

Look, I'm sure the new Air would be just as awesome, but I'm happy with my choice and the Pro feels a bit more substantial thinking about the specs, but I bet it's exactly the same feel for our usage patterns.

 

[Johnatan56]

There are just so many issues with Macbooks, it's insane, I don't understand how people can spend so much money on something that obviously has a ton of design flaws, throughout multiple iterations with no fixes, and you still buy it.

 

[Genisys]

There are just so many issues with Macbooks, it's insane, I don't understand how people can spend so much money on something that obviously has a ton of design flaws, throughout multiple iterations with no fixes, and you still buy it.

This is in an Apple sub forum, we can't care about your opinion here. Go troll the general hardware sections, your opinion has no value here.

 

[Johnatan56]

This is in an Apple sub forum, we can't care about your opinion here. Go troll the general hardware sections, your opinion has no value here.

I'm here for iPads, those are pretty good, would probably say Apple is the market leader in tablets.

 

[Spizz]

There are just so many issues with Macbooks, it's insane, I don't understand how people can spend so much money on something that obviously has a ton of design flaws, throughout multiple iterations with no fixes, and you still buy it.

And I don't understand why you would think anyone cares about your opinion. Value for money, or indeed your perception of it, was not asked for by the OP. If you want to discuss it, start a thread and stop ruining this one.