Apple: Hardware News and Discussion Thread
#2681
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Whiskers (12-22-2016)
#2682
Senior Moderator
New MacBook Pros Fail to Earn Consumer Reports Recommendation - Consumer Reports
December 22, 2016
Apple launched a new series of MacBook Pro laptops this fall, and Consumer Reports’ labs have just finished evaluating them. The laptops did very well in measures of display quality and performance, but in terms of battery life, we found that the models varied dramatically from one trial to another.
As a result, these laptops are the first MacBooks not to receive recommended ratings from Consumer Reports.
Complaints about MacBook Pro batteries have been popping up online since the laptops first went on sale in November. Apple says that these computers should operate for up to 10 hours between charges, but some consumers in Apple’s support forums reported that they were only able to use their laptops for three to four hours before the battery ran down.
Apple declined to comment on our test results until they better understand the issue, but emailed this statement: “Any customer who has a question about their Mac or its operation should contact AppleCare.”
The MacBook Pro battery life results were highly inconsistent from one trial to the next.
For instance, in a series of three consecutive tests, the 13-inch model with the Touch Bar ran for 16 hours in the first trial, 12.75 hours in the second, and just 3.75 hours in the third. The 13-inch model without the Touch Bar worked for 19.5 hours in one trial but only 4.5 hours in the next. And the numbers for the 15-inch laptop ranged from 18.5 down to 8 hours.
Those were just a few of the results; we tested battery life on these laptops repeatedly.
Typically, a laptop’s battery life may vary from one trial to another by less than 5 percent. To arrive at our final battery life score we average those measurements together.
However, with the widely disparate figures we found in the MacBook Pro tests, an average wouldn’t reflect anything a consumer would be likely to experience in the real world. For that reason, we are reporting the lowest battery life results, and using those numbers in calculating our final scores. It’s the only time frame we can confidently advise a consumer to rely on if he or she is planning use the product without access to an electrical outlet.
Battery life is an important attribute for a laptop, and it it represents a significant portion of our overall score. After factoring together our complete test results, Consumer Reports finds that all three MacBook Pro laptops fail to meet our standards for recommended models.
This is a real departure from past MacBooks. Most Apple laptops have scored well in our battery test, typically lasting much longer than the manufacturer has claimed. For instance, a previous 13-inch MacBook Pro model lasted an exceptional 19 hours in Consumer Reports testing.Consumer Reports tests hundreds of laptops each year, using identical procedures in highly controlled conditions.
New MacBook Pros Fail to Earn Consumer Reports Recommendation
Yes, it's the battery life. Lab tests reveal problems in three different MacBook Pro models.
By Jerry BeilinsonDecember 22, 2016
Apple launched a new series of MacBook Pro laptops this fall, and Consumer Reports’ labs have just finished evaluating them. The laptops did very well in measures of display quality and performance, but in terms of battery life, we found that the models varied dramatically from one trial to another.
As a result, these laptops are the first MacBooks not to receive recommended ratings from Consumer Reports.
Complaints about MacBook Pro batteries have been popping up online since the laptops first went on sale in November. Apple says that these computers should operate for up to 10 hours between charges, but some consumers in Apple’s support forums reported that they were only able to use their laptops for three to four hours before the battery ran down.
Apple declined to comment on our test results until they better understand the issue, but emailed this statement: “Any customer who has a question about their Mac or its operation should contact AppleCare.”
What We Found
We tested three MacBook Pros: a 13-inch model with Apple’s new Touch Bar, which sits above the keyboard; a 13-inch model without the Touch Bar; and a 15-inch model. (All 15-inch MacBook Pros come with the Touch Bar.) All three machines were bought at retail, just like all products rated by Consumer Reports, from sports coupes to countertops. We do this to ensure that the models we test are identical to the ones a consumer would purchase.The MacBook Pro battery life results were highly inconsistent from one trial to the next.
For instance, in a series of three consecutive tests, the 13-inch model with the Touch Bar ran for 16 hours in the first trial, 12.75 hours in the second, and just 3.75 hours in the third. The 13-inch model without the Touch Bar worked for 19.5 hours in one trial but only 4.5 hours in the next. And the numbers for the 15-inch laptop ranged from 18.5 down to 8 hours.
Those were just a few of the results; we tested battery life on these laptops repeatedly.
Typically, a laptop’s battery life may vary from one trial to another by less than 5 percent. To arrive at our final battery life score we average those measurements together.
However, with the widely disparate figures we found in the MacBook Pro tests, an average wouldn’t reflect anything a consumer would be likely to experience in the real world. For that reason, we are reporting the lowest battery life results, and using those numbers in calculating our final scores. It’s the only time frame we can confidently advise a consumer to rely on if he or she is planning use the product without access to an electrical outlet.
Battery life is an important attribute for a laptop, and it it represents a significant portion of our overall score. After factoring together our complete test results, Consumer Reports finds that all three MacBook Pro laptops fail to meet our standards for recommended models.
This is a real departure from past MacBooks. Most Apple laptops have scored well in our battery test, typically lasting much longer than the manufacturer has claimed. For instance, a previous 13-inch MacBook Pro model lasted an exceptional 19 hours in Consumer Reports testing.
Battery Testing Details
Consumer Reports tests hundreds of laptops each year, using identical procedures in highly controlled conditions.
For the battery test, we download a series of 10 web pages sequentially, starting with the battery fully charged, and ending when the laptop shuts down. The web pages are stored on a server in our lab, and transmitted over a WiFi network set up specifically for this purpose. We conduct our battery tests using the computer’s default browser—Safari, in the case of the MacBook Pro laptops.
During the tests, we set each laptop screen to remain on. We use an external meter to set the display brightness to 100 nits—a typical level you might use indoors or out. And, we turn off any automatic brightness adjustment in the laptop’s settings.
We also update every computer's operating system before we begin any testing. We began our tests several weeks ago, but repeated the battery tests using macOS Sierra 10.12.2 after it was released. We saw no difference in the results.
Increasingly, we see that the performance of all kinds of products—not just computers and smartphones—can be influenced by software updates. If Apple updates its software in a way that the company claims will substantively change battery performance, we will conduct fresh tests.
Once our official testing was done, we experimented by conducting the same battery tests using a Chrome browser, rather than Safari. For this exercise, we ran two trials on each of the laptops, and found battery life to be consistently high on all six runs. That’s not enough data for us to draw a conclusion, and in any case a test using Chrome wouldn’t affect our ratings, since we only use the default browser to calculate our scores for all laptops. But it’s something that a MacBook Pro owner might choose to try.
Consumer Reports has shared diagnostic files pulled from all three computers with Apple in the hope that this will help the company diagnose and fix any problem. We will report back with any updates.
#2683
Team Owner
For my use I don't notice much battery difference over my old one. I don't mind the keyboard on the new one but I do prefer the trackpad of my old pro over this one. Even though this one is bigger the old one felt better to me. This one has a clunky feel to it.
I'm happy with it, but I will be purchasing a dock for it. Really the old one could have used a dock too.
I'm happy with it, but I will be purchasing a dock for it. Really the old one could have used a dock too.
Last edited by doopstr; 12-23-2016 at 03:16 PM.
#2684
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Consumer Reports...because much like their dealing with cars....they are a "credible" source...
I may not be excited by the new MBP...but consumer reports is the LAST place I'd be looking at buying advice for tech...appliances, sure....tech, cars, etc...no
I may not be excited by the new MBP...but consumer reports is the LAST place I'd be looking at buying advice for tech...appliances, sure....tech, cars, etc...no
#2685
Needs more Lemon Pledge
For things like battery life, I have no problem trusting them. If it was an analysis of UI or features, not so much for a computer.
#2686
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im thinking I'm gonna buy a used 2015.... in 2018
#2687
Go Giants
old people do.
#2688
Team Owner
Also just wanted it kick in that the speakers on my 2016 mbp are far superior to my old machine. Good sound with nice stereo separation.
#2689
Team Owner
So CR disables browser cache during their testing, because no one runs their computer that way.
Consumer Reports Reverses Course, Recommends New MacBook Pro After Repeat Testing - Mac Rumors
Consumer Reports Reverses Course, Recommends New MacBook Pro After Repeat Testing - Mac Rumors
Last edited by doopstr; 01-12-2017 at 07:03 PM.
#2690
Go Giants
Either way, CR should have contacted Apple first before publishing the first results due to the fact that the results were all over the place
#2691
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Spec bumped Mac Pros announced.
they also announced they're working on a new Mac Pro and Apple branded displays.
The existing Quad-Core model with dual AMD FirePro D300 GPUs is now 6-Cores with dual D500 GPUs and 16GB of RAM for $2,999, while the 6-Core model with dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs is now 8-Cores with dual D700 GPUs and 16GB of RAM for $3,999. There remain no Thunderbolt 3 ports or any other hardware changes.
Essentially, this means the existing $3,999 model is now the $2,999 base model, while an 8-Core model with dual D700 GPUs is the new high-end option. Both models are equipped with 256GB PCIe-based flash storage, four USB 3.0 ports, six Thunderbolt 2 ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, and one HDMI 1.4 port.
Essentially, this means the existing $3,999 model is now the $2,999 base model, while an 8-Core model with dual D700 GPUs is the new high-end option. Both models are equipped with 256GB PCIe-based flash storage, four USB 3.0 ports, six Thunderbolt 2 ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, and one HDMI 1.4 port.
#2692
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Phil Schiller 2013: "Can't innovate anymore, my ass"
Phil Schiller 2017: "The current Mac Pro, as we’ve said a few times, was constrained thermally and it restricted our ability to upgrade it."
Phil Schiller 2017: "The current Mac Pro, as we’ve said a few times, was constrained thermally and it restricted our ability to upgrade it."
#2693
Stage 1 Audi S5
Any one own a MacBook? I have a late 2008 aluminum Macbook (first solid aluminum I believe) and while I updated memory and hard drive, it has been, amazingly good but is randomly shutting down now. I bought a Macbook yesterday and damn, the keys are freaking crazy to type on, do you get used to it? Any other feedback, wondering if I should keep it. I have a work laptop so this is an AZ computer and random browsing so I don't need much.
Also, I thought they were stupid but damn, I love my Airpods.
Also, I thought they were stupid but damn, I love my Airpods.
#2694
Go Giants
The new keyboard takes about a week to get used to, but once you do, its good. I had the 2015 MacBook, then the 2016 MacBook and then the 2016 MacBook Pro with touch bar. Great machines.
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Whiskers (04-17-2017)
#2696
Stage 1 Audi S5
Much easier now and what a difference from my my OLD 2008, in every way. I had them side by side and the 2008 is a beast.
DF4QdGp.jpg
m0yOrTb.jpg
Just installed a Matte skin from Best skins Ever and this is the only place you can really see it, awesome protection and finish.
LK4Bz3A.jpg
DF4QdGp.jpg
m0yOrTb.jpg
Just installed a Matte skin from Best skins Ever and this is the only place you can really see it, awesome protection and finish.
LK4Bz3A.jpg
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Whiskers (04-29-2017)
#2697
#2698
Go Giants
I souped up a 2009 White MacBook with 4GB and a 200GB SSD.
#2700
Go Giants
Lets do this!
#2701
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#2702
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Time for Wsklar to nut his pants
#2703
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I'm still running El Capitan LOL
#2704
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High Sierra that's "Fully Baked"
#2705
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APFS file system with High Sierra
#2706
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New iMacs models!
#2707
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Kaby Lake, 64GB RAM in 27" 32GB on 21"
Discrete graphics in the 21.5" 4K
Discrete graphics in the 21.5" 4K
Last edited by Mizouse; 06-05-2017 at 12:50 PM.
#2708
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Kaby Lake for 12" MacBook and MacBook Pros.
Mhz bump for MacBook Air
Mhz bump for MacBook Air
#2709
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iMac Pro???
5k display, space grey.
Up to 18-core Xeon processor.
up to 128gb ram
radeon vega graphics.
4 TB3
10Gb Ethernet port
1080p FaceTime camera
starts at $4,999
5k display, space grey.
Up to 18-core Xeon processor.
up to 128gb ram
radeon vega graphics.
4 TB3
10Gb Ethernet port
1080p FaceTime camera
starts at $4,999
Last edited by Mizouse; 06-05-2017 at 12:59 PM.
#2712
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#2713
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"One last thing"
rumored speaker here we go!
rumored speaker here we go!
#2715
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HomePod
similar design to 2013 Mac Pro
similar design to 2013 Mac Pro
#2716
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Similar design to the 2013 Mac Pro
A8 chip
7 beam forming tweeter array
spatial awareness
Works with Apple Music
works with "hey Siri"
works with HomeKit
$349
white and space grey
ships in December
A8 chip
7 beam forming tweeter array
spatial awareness
Works with Apple Music
works with "hey Siri"
works with HomeKit
$349
white and space grey
ships in December
Last edited by Mizouse; 06-05-2017 at 02:26 PM.
#2717
#2718
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
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at $349
#2719
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Did you guys actually expect it to be affordable?
#2720
I knew it would be more. I was expecting something like $50-$100 more than Amazon Echo ($179). But 2x the price of an Echo? Though I know there will be people lining up to buy one.
Is there anything the HomePod can do that the Echo or Google Home can't do? I'll have to try to find a comparison chart somewhere.
Is there anything the HomePod can do that the Echo or Google Home can't do? I'll have to try to find a comparison chart somewhere.
Last edited by AZuser; 06-05-2017 at 03:07 PM.