Contemplating getting a Macbook (2015 12" Retina)

silvagti

silvagti

silvagti

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I need a new laptop and was thinking about the above model. I have a Windows desktop so just want something light/portable with a decent battery and the Macbook seems like a good fit.

I've had a look at a few Windows models like the Asus UX305C but I dislike the AG screen coating on it plus the trackpad is rubbish. I also tried the Dell XPS 13" but that's pricier than the Macbook and I prefer the idea of a fanless model if possible. Had a look at the Microsoft Surface which I also considered but I don't think I'd ever use it as a tablet so I think a laptop would be preferable.

I really like the screen on the Macbook and the form factor in general. Plus, I can presumably install Windows 10 on it if I have any issues with OSX. My only hesitation was the keyboard which seems slightly short on key travel. I can type on it OK but it feels a bit odd.

The Macbook Pro 13" could be another option but I'm not really sure if I need the extra power?

Does anyone on here have a 2015 Macbook ? Would you recommend it or should I go for something else?
 
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From everything I have read, the MacBook is very capable. OSX is so well integrated that you don't really realise you are using the hardware you are.

You can install Windows 10, no problems.

The MacBook Pro for the little not extra size and so on does give you a lot of power but the MacBook cannot be beaten for screen, weight and so on.
 
Fantastic machine, go for the 15" for the little extra money it costs. However they are saying that there will be a big refresh this year. So if you can and don't really need one just yet. I'd wait.
 
Jacksonn said:
Fantastic machine, go for the 15" for the little extra money it costs. However they are saying that there will be a big refresh this year. So if you can and don't really need one just yet. I'd wait.
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You mean the MacBook Pro I think. There is no 15" MacBook, just the 12".

On the MacBook Pro I'd really like to see what they do with it. I've had a rMBP for the past 18 months now and it is a simply fantastic machine. Great power and all-day battery.
 
I have a Macbook, MB Pro, and a Surface.. You can read about my Macbook experiences here.

It's not a bad machine - but don't expect something that will set the world on fire performance wise. I use mine as a way more capable and functional iPad, rather than a full blown laptop for work. Struggles a bit running Windows 10 virtualised for example. Not too bad once it's started up and ready - but if the machine is busy...it's a sludge.

You can see some comparative benchmarks on the units I have here.
 
If you thinking about the Macbook I would a little while longer if you can! There maybe a refresh coming in March with I presume Skylake processors.
 
Just bought a 2nd hand Macbook 12" after also considering a Dell XPS 13.
I dont game on it and use it as MacRS4 said as a more functional ipad!

I've literally only used it for 4-5 hours last night but its a really, really nice bit of kit and OSX seems fine as well (never used OSX before last night but watched a few basics tutorials on youtube beforehand).
I was considering putting Windows 10 on it as Windows is all i have ever used but at the moment and after a brief play with OSX i find i actually like it, easily as much as W10 (the laptop its replacing is running W7 and i prefer W7 to 10 which my daughter has upgraded to on her laptop).

A concern about the XPS13 was the trackpad as i use it all the time and there is reports of it being 'OK' but not great....most of the problems seem to be around the drivers seemingly. This is one reason that led me to look at the Macbook, the trackpad is perfect out of the box in OSX and the gestures are also second nature even after the short amount of time i've had with it.
I bought 2nd hand as i didnt know if i would like OSX so if i did sell it on i wouldnt lose anything/much.
 
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Eatchipz said:
If you thinking about the Macbook I would a little while longer if you can! There maybe a refresh coming in March with I presume Skylake processors.
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This is the one thing that's giving me pause for thought as I'm pretty much certain we'll see a bunch of updates now Skylake is out. I think it's near certain we'll finally get the Retina Macbook air they've been promising for ages as the screen on the current one is seriously dated by modern standards (it's not even 1080p!) and the air itself hasn't seen a form factor update for several years now.

That and I'm still not sure about the keyboard on it? How do owners find it after extended use?
 
Keyboard doesn't bother me in the slightest - on it right now. I don't really notice between moving between my rMBP, the Macbook or the iMac really. If I think about it, yeah, it travel is a bit shallower? That's about it really. No problems with accuracy or comfort.
 
I personally love the keyboard on mine. I use it predominantly as a replacement for my iPad Air2 that I barely use. Seems to fly on Win 10 and OSX. The size and weight are perfect for me as a really portable machine.

For editing pics in Lightroom/Photoshop, I do prefer to use my 13" MBP, but apart from that it does everything I ever need.
 
I'm planning on using it partly as a iPad replacement for my 3 year old iPad so that feedback is good to know. The iPad is OK and I have a keyboard case add-on for it which makes it fine for taking notes and typing up the occasional document but I find it a struggle to be productive on it. It's great for consuming content but I keep wishing I had a laptop in place of it most of the time hence the Macbook plan.

Good to hear the feedback on the keyboard. I'll maybe have another shot at it in store. Do owners reckon it's work paying the extra for the Apple care 3 year warranty? I've heard good things about it but my experience of extended warranties from other places has put me off them for a long time!
 
I've basically stolen the wife's Macbook Pro 13", the screen is fantastic but most of all it's the trackpad that does it for me. How PC laptop manufactures still seem incapable of creating a decent trackpad is beyond me (just copy the Macbook!).

I am a bit disappointed with the keyboard in all honesty, it's fine and does the job but was expecting it to be better, just doesn't have the premium feel I was expecting.

Taking me a while to get my head around OSX but is a nice operating system, Windows 10 been getting on my nerves, massive improvement over 8 but still feels like a bodge job that doesn't know what it wants to be.
 
What's everyone finding the battery life is like? I read reviews stating 9-10 hours but after unplugging the power cable of one in a shop running nothing other than safari (as far as i could see) it only reported around 5 hours?

Is this normal?
 
Been having a play with one in the apple store on the way home, tried disconnecting the charging cable and it seems to be suggesting that it'll last about 5 hours on battery with a bit of safari browsing which seems to match the one in the other store. Does that sound about right? It's not awful but it's about half what apple claim?
 
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My Mid 2014 15" MBP shows just under 8 hours battery remaining after a full charge.

I have Safari, Sublime Text, Preview (view PDF's) and Mail open.
 
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