Is The 2016 MacBook Pro A Joke From Apple?
Yesterday, Apple finally announced the first major MacBook Pro upgrade in four years. The Verge has the news.
“The entry-level MacBook Pro starts at $1,499, while the 13-inch model with the Touch Bar runs $1,799. Apple is also keeping around a $1,299 MacBook with the previous design, aimed particularly at enterprise customers. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,399.”
The article adds that while all three can be ordered today, only the entry-level Pro, which doesn’t include the Touch Bar, will be shipped immediately. The other configurations will be shipped in two to three weeks.
Apple has added a new Touch Bar to replace function keys. The usefulness of the Touch Bar depends on the program. Microsoft and Adobe say they will release updates to their current titles in order to make them compatible with the Touch Bar. Many commentators after The Verge‘s article aren’t too pleased.
“Why not just make a touchscreen laptop, Apple?” asks Oz-Ghost.
Apple got dongle happy. The same company that said, “Who wants a stylus” is now telling us we need dongles. Well, as a 2011 MacBook Pro 15 owner, I won’t be upgrading,” says PhatDummy.
Some say it wouldn’t be fair to criticize the MacBook Pro without actually trying it. The main criticism seems to be the price. For example, the 13-inch version without the Touch Bar costs $1499 and includes a 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GHz SSD, and an Intel Iris graphics chip. You can get a PC with much better specs for less.
For example, the high-end Dell XPS 13 comes with a higher-resolution screen, a better processor (Intel i7 as opposed to the Pro’s i5), and a better graphics chip. That costs $1421.99 at Best Buy. And the Dell XPS 13 doesn’t need a Touch Bar because it already has a touchscreen. There is also the HP Spectre x360, which is even cheaper. Paste Magazine explains why the Spectre x360 is a MacBook Pro for PC users.
“When the Spectre x360 launched last year, HP proved that it had the design chops to out-Apple in crafting beautiful, well-made computers. The obsessive attention to details paid off: the machined aluminum Spectre x360 rivals Apple’s 2015 MacBook Air and Pro in design, build quality and craftsmanship, while edging ahead in performance and feature.”
Then, there is the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book. Even though the Surface Pro 4 is said to be more of a MacBook Air replacement (and Apple itself replaced the 13-inch Air with the 13-inch Pro), it is a great alternative for the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The Pro 4 is lighter, offers a higher-resolution screen, and digital inking capabilities.
If you want something that is even more similar to the MacBook Pro, there is the Microsoft Surface Book. Even though the Surface Book has experienced many bugs, Microsoft has offered many updates that make the Surface Book useful. Still, to be on the safe side, you may want to wait for the Surface Book 2.
Perhaps this article is being unfair to Apple. After all, the initial thoughts on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were that they weren’t major upgrades, and Apple was ruining their reputation. However, as reviews and sales prove, both new iPhones are anything but a mistake. One may also point out that no matter how much Windows 10 has improved, it still is no OS X. Many people may be angry with Apple right now, but that could change once they get their hands on one of the new MacBook Pros.
[Featured Image by Stephen Lam/Getty Images]
