New MacBook Pro fails with lowsy 3 to 4 hour battery life

by jwleaks 9 Replies latest social current

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  jwleaks

  With 2017 fast looming I was looking at upgrading my laptop and was eagerly awaiting the release, and reviews, for the new Apple MacBook Pro series and the promoted longer battery life.

  FAIL ... 3 to 4 hrs for the battery life. Lowsy results also reported by Apple discussion members.

  New MacBook Pros Fail to Earn 'Consumer Reports' Recommendation

  By Jerry Beilinson

  Summary: Yes, it's the battery life.

  Read full report:

  http://www.consumerreports.org/laptops/macbook-pros-fail-to-earn-consumer-reports-recommendation/
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  scratchme1010

  I'm so happy to be from the generation when electronics were made of good quality. The crap that they manufacture today is just appalling. Sad that the newer generation doesn't know better.
  
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  Simon

  I honestly don't understand the push to make things ever thinner. Sure, I don't want an old Compaq luggable ...

  

  ... but is it worth sacrificing such important things as battery life and keyboard quality for a few millimeters of thickness that is really barely noticeable for most people?

  Not that the old keyboard was really spectacular and worthy of the praise it got but the new one feels like typing on a piece of wood. See that pic? THAT is a keyboard. Mac keyboards and mice have always been abysmal, but when they are just terrible people seem to take that as "awesome".

  I was hoping the new MacBook would be a no-brainer upgrade. The fact that it's taken them so long and all they could come up with is that is, well, it's disappointing.

  That's before you start digging into specs - ATI graphics instead of NVidia just feels "cheap" when you should be getting the best. Things seem to be going downhill at Apple - nothing really 'great' coming out and lots of misses.

  But then what are the alternatives? Windows Surface Book or a Dell? Never have I felt so content with my current hardware after such a length of time ...
• 

  scratchme1010

  That's before you start digging into specs - ATI graphics instead of NVidia just feels "cheap" when you should be getting the best. Things seem to be going downhill at Apple - nothing really 'great' coming out and lots of misses.

  But then what are the alternatives? Windows Surface Book or a Dell? Never have I felt so content with my current hardware after such a length of time ...

  I agree, not to mention that there has been a little bit of diversion about what those devices are meant to exist for. They are there to make life more convenient, efficient and fast. Sounds like the way they are produced today causes more problems and costs more money (relatively speaking; it's still better than doing many things manually).

  Microsoft is now focusing on sucking all the information about you that they can, not to mention that their OS is now a peer-to-peer network, meaning that other computers can use your processing power for their purposes. It's a little weird the way technology is today for consumer electronics.
  
• 

  Landy

  Hear that spinning?

  That's Steve Jobs that is.
• 

  Landy

  Although to be fair they've always been a triumph of design over function with a very clunky OS.
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  bohm

  Wasn't the MacBook air supposed to be the ultra-thin option for people who used their computer for checking facebook at Starbucks and the regular MacBook line the people who needed are a fast computer with a long battery life for serious work?.

  IMO, a few extra hundred grams is nothing once you go for a 15.4-inch format because I would either carry it on my back in a backpack which contains several things that weigh a few hundred gram to begin with or because I would have it placed in front of me on a table.

  (I am pretty happy with my lenovo T line laptop. I is reasonable fast and has survived some water in the keyboard so far. Only minus is the trackpad).
• 

  Simon

  Wasn't the MacBook air supposed to be the ultra-thin option for people who used their computer for checking facebook at Starbucks and the regular MacBook line the people who needed are a fast computer with a long battery life for serious work?.

  Yeah, it's like they don't really know what they are making and for who - the product lines overlap too much and make choosing a laptop too difficult. If I want a "power" laptop then I don't want it compromised to be ultra-thin ... because if I wanted something ultra-thin then I'd be looking at the regular MacBook or older Air.

  They had a hit with thin and got ooohs and aaahs when they did the manilla envelope thing for the unveiling of the Air. Now some of the stuff just looks a bit contrived like it's trying to be different for the sake or being new, not because it's anything people really want or need.

  Don't get me started on the ridiculous iWatch ...
• 

  jwleaks

  It's just getting worse for Apple and their new MacBook Pro.

  Seems it won't connect to any printers you have nor to any peripherals nor to you internet router. Why? They MacBook Pro only comes with a Thunderbolt 3/USB-C port. So you also need to buy, and carry if your mobile, a dongle which doesn't come with the laptop.

  http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/12/23/no-apple-did-not-switch-to-usb-c-on-its-new-macbook-pros-to-profit-from-dongle-adapter-sales
  

  https://www.cnet.com/news/macbook-pro-usb-c-accessories-touchbar/
  

  But the MacBook Pro does come with a headphone jack for your headphones or earbuds, which, by the way, are no longer compatable with the new iPhone which has no headphone jack.
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  I've been using Macs since about 2006. Here at work that is all they give us, everything is Apple. In my humble opinion, Apple products began quickly changing for the worst once Steve Jobs died. May be a coincidence but I notice the sacrifices being made in the name of marketing when Steve used to strive for practical functionality. For people who travel a lot weight is key, may be not size but weight. Also, I am sure that in this day an age the airline industry probably appreciates this push for lighter, thinner computers. But after all, those are the numbers that sell a lot. How much futuristic the product looks, not how much more futuristic the product works.