Re: Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple's 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac

[lenron brown]

I must agree functionality is very important. I am glad these
computers pack a bit of a punch now, but I am unhappy about other
things. Hoping my 2014 lasts quite a while.

On 8/13/18, 'Devin Prater' via MacVisionaries
 wrote:
> Well, I care about sound and functionality, but you’re right otherwise.
> Sound quality and 3D/surround sound is a big thing for me.
>
>> On Aug 13, 2018, at 6:12 AM, Raymond Foret Jr 
>> wrote:
>>
>> No wonder some sighted people are so shallow.  All they care about is the
>> damn screen!  We tend to care about actual functionality.  Is it any
>> wonder they’re such dunderheads?
>>
>>
>> Sent from the first computer with built-in screen reader access for the
>> blind:
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> The constantly barefooted Ray
>>
>>> On Aug 12, 2018, at 8:05 PM, M. Taylor >> > wrote:
>>>
>>> Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple’s 2018
>>> 13-inch
>>> MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac
>>> By Chance Miller
>>>
>>> Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro has been available for almost a month now and
>>> despite the fact that the update was announced via a press release, this
>>> year’s revision brings some notable changes. While everything looks the
>>> same
>>> on the surface, the 2018 MacBook Pro packs more power, an improved
>>> keyboard,
>>> and more.
>>> Switching from a 12-inch MacBook
>>> For the past year, I’ve been a loyal user of Apple’s 12-inch MacBook.
>>> While
>>> I was fond of its small and easily portable profile, I grew tired of the
>>> cramped 12-inch screen size and inferior processor and other internal
>>> specs.
>>> Coming to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, I was worried the added weight and
>>> thickness would be jarring – but what I’ve actually found is that the
>>> added
>>> screen real estate and processing power are more than worth the
>>> additional
>>> heft.
>>> The 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs in at 3.02 pounds, which compares to the
>>> 2.03
>>> pounds of the 12-inch MacBook. While a 50 percent increase in weight may
>>> seem like a lot on paper, it really comes down to your needs.
>>> Personally,
>>> I’m at a point where I’d rather have additional power and screen real
>>> estate
>>> than a machine that is 1 pound lighter.
>>>
>>> In fact, a few times over the last three weeks with the 13-inch 2018
>>> MacBook
>>> Pro, I’ve wondered if I would like the 15-inch model even more. In
>>> general,
>>> however, I’ve been able to qualm this internal questioning by adjusting
>>> the
>>> resolution of the display. By default, the MacBook Pro 13-inch ships at
>>> a
>>> scaled resolution that appears like 1440×900. Personally, I’ve found it
>>> incredibly beneficial to change this setting to the next step up, which
>>> “looks like” 1680×1050, according to Apple.
>>> Ultimately, what I’ve found is that for my needs, the 13-inch MacBook Pro
>>> is
>>> a perfect size. As a student, I get the portability I need, paired with
>>> enough screen real estate and horsepower underneath the hood for
>>> anything
>>> I’ll throw its way.
>>> True Tone makes a difference
>>> On the surface, the addition of True Tone technology doesn’t necessarily
>>> sound like a big change. Much like on the iPhone and iPad, however, it’s
>>> hard to go back once you’ve experienced it.
>>> True Tone is Apple’s display technology that automatically adjusts the
>>> color
>>> and intensity of your display (and Touch Bar) based on your
>>> surroundings.
>>> Apple touts that True Tone makes things “appear more natural,” with more
>>> of
>>> a yellow tint than the classic blue tint of most computer displays.
>>> The True Tone technology in MacBook Pro (2018) uses advanced
>>> multichannel
>>> sensors to adjust the color and intensity of your display and Touch Bar
>>> to
>>> match the ambient light so that images appear more natural.
>>> Just because I’m a fan of True Tone, however, doesn’t mean it’s for
>>> everyone. On a pro-grade machine, there are plenty of use cases where
>>> True
>>> Tone just doesn’t make sense – including photo and video editing,
>>> graphic
>>> design, and much more.
>>> Thankfully, Apple makes it relatively easy to disable True Tone. Simply
>>> head
>>> to System Preferences, choose “Displays” and look for the True Tone
>>> check
>>> box. Once you uncheck True Tone, you’ll immediately notice a difference
>>> in
>>> your display’s temperature and color.
>>> For me, True Tone support has been a long time coming for the Mac – but
>>> it’s
>>> nice that Apple makes it easy enough to disable in instances where it
>>> doesn’t make sense.
>>> Keyboard
>>>
>>> Ah, the controversial keyboard. I don’t really have a lot to say here as
>>> I’ve been a fan of the Butterfly keyboard. I was an early adopter of the
>>> 12-inch MacBook when it first launched in 2015, so I’ve become accustomed
>>> to
>>> it over the years.
>>> The improvements Apple has made since 2015 are certainly notable. This
>>> time
>>> around, the company touted that the keyboard is “quieter,” while
>>> teardowns

Re: Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple's 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac

['Devin Prater' via MacVisionaries]

Well, I care about sound and functionality, but you’re right otherwise. Sound 
quality and 3D/surround sound is a big thing for me.

> On Aug 13, 2018, at 6:12 AM, Raymond Foret Jr  wrote:
> 
> No wonder some sighted people are so shallow.  All they care about is the 
> damn screen!  We tend to care about actual functionality.  Is it any wonder 
> they’re such dunderheads?
> 
> 
> Sent from the first computer with built-in screen reader access for the blind:
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> The constantly barefooted Ray
> 
>> On Aug 12, 2018, at 8:05 PM, M. Taylor > > wrote:
>> 
>> Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple’s 2018 13-inch
>> MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac
>> By Chance Miller 
>> 
>> Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro has been available for almost a month now and
>> despite the fact that the update was announced via a press release, this
>> year’s revision brings some notable changes. While everything looks the same
>> on the surface, the 2018 MacBook Pro packs more power, an improved keyboard,
>> and more.
>> Switching from a 12-inch MacBook
>> For the past year, I’ve been a loyal user of Apple’s 12-inch MacBook. While
>> I was fond of its small and easily portable profile, I grew tired of the
>> cramped 12-inch screen size and inferior processor and other internal specs.
>> Coming to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, I was worried the added weight and
>> thickness would be jarring – but what I’ve actually found is that the added
>> screen real estate and processing power are more than worth the additional
>> heft.
>> The 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs in at 3.02 pounds, which compares to the 2.03
>> pounds of the 12-inch MacBook. While a 50 percent increase in weight may
>> seem like a lot on paper, it really comes down to your needs. Personally,
>> I’m at a point where I’d rather have additional power and screen real estate
>> than a machine that is 1 pound lighter.
>> 
>> In fact, a few times over the last three weeks with the 13-inch 2018 MacBook
>> Pro, I’ve wondered if I would like the 15-inch model even more. In general,
>> however, I’ve been able to qualm this internal questioning by adjusting the
>> resolution of the display. By default, the MacBook Pro 13-inch ships at a
>> scaled resolution that appears like 1440×900. Personally, I’ve found it
>> incredibly beneficial to change this setting to the next step up, which
>> “looks like” 1680×1050, according to Apple.
>> Ultimately, what I’ve found is that for my needs, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is
>> a perfect size. As a student, I get the portability I need, paired with
>> enough screen real estate and horsepower underneath the hood for anything
>> I’ll throw its way.
>> True Tone makes a difference
>> On the surface, the addition of True Tone technology doesn’t necessarily
>> sound like a big change. Much like on the iPhone and iPad, however, it’s
>> hard to go back once you’ve experienced it.
>> True Tone is Apple’s display technology that automatically adjusts the color
>> and intensity of your display (and Touch Bar) based on your surroundings.
>> Apple touts that True Tone makes things “appear more natural,” with more of
>> a yellow tint than the classic blue tint of most computer displays.
>> The True Tone technology in MacBook Pro (2018) uses advanced multichannel
>> sensors to adjust the color and intensity of your display and Touch Bar to
>> match the ambient light so that images appear more natural.
>> Just because I’m a fan of True Tone, however, doesn’t mean it’s for
>> everyone. On a pro-grade machine, there are plenty of use cases where True
>> Tone just doesn’t make sense – including photo and video editing, graphic
>> design, and much more.
>> Thankfully, Apple makes it relatively easy to disable True Tone. Simply head
>> to System Preferences, choose “Displays” and look for the True Tone check
>> box. Once you uncheck True Tone, you’ll immediately notice a difference in
>> your display’s temperature and color.
>> For me, True Tone support has been a long time coming for the Mac – but it’s
>> nice that Apple makes it easy enough to disable in instances where it
>> doesn’t make sense.
>> Keyboard
>> 
>> Ah, the controversial keyboard. I don’t really have a lot to say here as
>> I’ve been a fan of the Butterfly keyboard. I was an early adopter of the
>> 12-inch MacBook when it first launched in 2015, so I’ve become accustomed to
>> it over the years.
>> The improvements Apple has made since 2015 are certainly notable. This time
>> around, the company touted that the keyboard is “quieter,” while teardowns
>> revealed that the new keyboard actually features an additional silicon
>> membrane to prevent debris from getting under the keys.
>> This change fixes the biggest problem I had with the Butterfly keyboard:
>> keys getting stuck because of debris like crumbs getting underneath. Perhaps
>> it’s because I’ve used the Butterfly keyboard for three years, but I’ve
>> grown very fond of the low key travel and have no 

Re: Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple's 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac

[Raymond Foret Jr]

No wonder some sighted people are so shallow.  All they care about is the damn 
screen!  We tend to care about actual functionality.  Is it any wonder they’re 
such dunderheads?


Sent from the first computer with built-in screen reader access for the blind:

Sincerely,

The constantly barefooted Ray

> On Aug 12, 2018, at 8:05 PM, M. Taylor  wrote:
> 
> Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple’s 2018 13-inch
> MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac
> By Chance Miller 
> 
> Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro has been available for almost a month now and
> despite the fact that the update was announced via a press release, this
> year’s revision brings some notable changes. While everything looks the same
> on the surface, the 2018 MacBook Pro packs more power, an improved keyboard,
> and more.
> Switching from a 12-inch MacBook
> For the past year, I’ve been a loyal user of Apple’s 12-inch MacBook. While
> I was fond of its small and easily portable profile, I grew tired of the
> cramped 12-inch screen size and inferior processor and other internal specs.
> Coming to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, I was worried the added weight and
> thickness would be jarring – but what I’ve actually found is that the added
> screen real estate and processing power are more than worth the additional
> heft.
> The 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs in at 3.02 pounds, which compares to the 2.03
> pounds of the 12-inch MacBook. While a 50 percent increase in weight may
> seem like a lot on paper, it really comes down to your needs. Personally,
> I’m at a point where I’d rather have additional power and screen real estate
> than a machine that is 1 pound lighter.
> 
> In fact, a few times over the last three weeks with the 13-inch 2018 MacBook
> Pro, I’ve wondered if I would like the 15-inch model even more. In general,
> however, I’ve been able to qualm this internal questioning by adjusting the
> resolution of the display. By default, the MacBook Pro 13-inch ships at a
> scaled resolution that appears like 1440×900. Personally, I’ve found it
> incredibly beneficial to change this setting to the next step up, which
> “looks like” 1680×1050, according to Apple.
> Ultimately, what I’ve found is that for my needs, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is
> a perfect size. As a student, I get the portability I need, paired with
> enough screen real estate and horsepower underneath the hood for anything
> I’ll throw its way.
> True Tone makes a difference
> On the surface, the addition of True Tone technology doesn’t necessarily
> sound like a big change. Much like on the iPhone and iPad, however, it’s
> hard to go back once you’ve experienced it.
> True Tone is Apple’s display technology that automatically adjusts the color
> and intensity of your display (and Touch Bar) based on your surroundings.
> Apple touts that True Tone makes things “appear more natural,” with more of
> a yellow tint than the classic blue tint of most computer displays.
> The True Tone technology in MacBook Pro (2018) uses advanced multichannel
> sensors to adjust the color and intensity of your display and Touch Bar to
> match the ambient light so that images appear more natural.
> Just because I’m a fan of True Tone, however, doesn’t mean it’s for
> everyone. On a pro-grade machine, there are plenty of use cases where True
> Tone just doesn’t make sense – including photo and video editing, graphic
> design, and much more.
> Thankfully, Apple makes it relatively easy to disable True Tone. Simply head
> to System Preferences, choose “Displays” and look for the True Tone check
> box. Once you uncheck True Tone, you’ll immediately notice a difference in
> your display’s temperature and color.
> For me, True Tone support has been a long time coming for the Mac – but it’s
> nice that Apple makes it easy enough to disable in instances where it
> doesn’t make sense.
> Keyboard
> 
> Ah, the controversial keyboard. I don’t really have a lot to say here as
> I’ve been a fan of the Butterfly keyboard. I was an early adopter of the
> 12-inch MacBook when it first launched in 2015, so I’ve become accustomed to
> it over the years.
> The improvements Apple has made since 2015 are certainly notable. This time
> around, the company touted that the keyboard is “quieter,” while teardowns
> revealed that the new keyboard actually features an additional silicon
> membrane to prevent debris from getting under the keys.
> This change fixes the biggest problem I had with the Butterfly keyboard:
> keys getting stuck because of debris like crumbs getting underneath. Perhaps
> it’s because I’ve used the Butterfly keyboard for three years, but I’ve
> grown very fond of the low key travel and have no complaints there.
> In terms of quietness, there’s certainly a very subtle difference, but
> nothing worth writing home about. It’s still louder than the old MacBook Pro
> keyboards, but I personally don’t think that’s a huge issue. It is, however,
> hard to ignore that Apple likely isn’t touting the true improvements 

Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple's 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac

[M. Taylor]

Comment: First impressions after nearly a month with Apple’s 2018 13-inch
MacBook Pro, 9 to 5 Mac
By Chance Miller 
 
Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro has been available for almost a month now and
despite the fact that the update was announced via a press release, this
year’s revision brings some notable changes. While everything looks the same
on the surface, the 2018 MacBook Pro packs more power, an improved keyboard,
and more.
Switching from a 12-inch MacBook
For the past year, I’ve been a loyal user of Apple’s 12-inch MacBook. While
I was fond of its small and easily portable profile, I grew tired of the
cramped 12-inch screen size and inferior processor and other internal specs.
Coming to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, I was worried the added weight and
thickness would be jarring – but what I’ve actually found is that the added
screen real estate and processing power are more than worth the additional
heft.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs in at 3.02 pounds, which compares to the 2.03
pounds of the 12-inch MacBook. While a 50 percent increase in weight may
seem like a lot on paper, it really comes down to your needs. Personally,
I’m at a point where I’d rather have additional power and screen real estate
than a machine that is 1 pound lighter.
 
In fact, a few times over the last three weeks with the 13-inch 2018 MacBook
Pro, I’ve wondered if I would like the 15-inch model even more. In general,
however, I’ve been able to qualm this internal questioning by adjusting the
resolution of the display. By default, the MacBook Pro 13-inch ships at a
scaled resolution that appears like 1440×900. Personally, I’ve found it
incredibly beneficial to change this setting to the next step up, which
“looks like” 1680×1050, according to Apple.
Ultimately, what I’ve found is that for my needs, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is
a perfect size. As a student, I get the portability I need, paired with
enough screen real estate and horsepower underneath the hood for anything
I’ll throw its way.
True Tone makes a difference
On the surface, the addition of True Tone technology doesn’t necessarily
sound like a big change. Much like on the iPhone and iPad, however, it’s
hard to go back once you’ve experienced it.
True Tone is Apple’s display technology that automatically adjusts the color
and intensity of your display (and Touch Bar) based on your surroundings.
Apple touts that True Tone makes things “appear more natural,” with more of
a yellow tint than the classic blue tint of most computer displays.
The True Tone technology in MacBook Pro (2018) uses advanced multichannel
sensors to adjust the color and intensity of your display and Touch Bar to
match the ambient light so that images appear more natural.
Just because I’m a fan of True Tone, however, doesn’t mean it’s for
everyone. On a pro-grade machine, there are plenty of use cases where True
Tone just doesn’t make sense – including photo and video editing, graphic
design, and much more.
Thankfully, Apple makes it relatively easy to disable True Tone. Simply head
to System Preferences, choose “Displays” and look for the True Tone check
box. Once you uncheck True Tone, you’ll immediately notice a difference in
your display’s temperature and color.
For me, True Tone support has been a long time coming for the Mac – but it’s
nice that Apple makes it easy enough to disable in instances where it
doesn’t make sense.
Keyboard
 
Ah, the controversial keyboard. I don’t really have a lot to say here as
I’ve been a fan of the Butterfly keyboard. I was an early adopter of the
12-inch MacBook when it first launched in 2015, so I’ve become accustomed to
it over the years.
The improvements Apple has made since 2015 are certainly notable. This time
around, the company touted that the keyboard is “quieter,” while teardowns
revealed that the new keyboard actually features an additional silicon
membrane to prevent debris from getting under the keys.
This change fixes the biggest problem I had with the Butterfly keyboard:
keys getting stuck because of debris like crumbs getting underneath. Perhaps
it’s because I’ve used the Butterfly keyboard for three years, but I’ve
grown very fond of the low key travel and have no complaints there.
In terms of quietness, there’s certainly a very subtle difference, but
nothing worth writing home about. It’s still louder than the old MacBook Pro
keyboards, but I personally don’t think that’s a huge issue. It is, however,
hard to ignore that Apple likely isn’t touting the true improvements of this
year’s keyboard design due to legal reasons and the multiple class action
lawsuits it faces.
As someone who is a fan of the Butterfly keyboard, Apple has done nothing
but make improvements since 2015. I’d personally wager that the keyboard is
now to the same quality of the much-loved 2015 MacBook Pro. Not everyone
will be a fan of it, but I no longer have any complaints.
Touch Bar
In 2016, my colleague Ben Lovejoy wrote that he wondered if Apple had
“invented a cool piece of tech and