Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
With all the issues lying around the new mbp, I bit the bullet and ordered i7/512/555x/32GB machine. Expected to be delivered on Aug 21. I hope everything will be alright. The first time I hear a crackling speakers or bridge os error, i will send it back for a refund. But seriously, I hope everything will be fine with this machine. Macos is too good to leave for windows alternative for my software development needs.
 
Congratulations :) how are you finding the speed on the 13”? Now that it’s quad core I’m assuming it’s a lot faster than last years dual core? I’m waiting until later this year to see what Apple do with the 12” MacBook and the rumoured 13” new Air but if I decide to go with the Pro the 13” will be the one I get.

Do you use the Touch Bar? How useful is it I’m apps like YouTube? (I can see from your picture there is an option to scrub through the video that looks good).

Also what is you’re battery life like?

I didn't think the 2018 13" i5 would be any quicker than my 2016 15" i7, but there's definitely a noticeable difference in everyday tasks, even loading safari. Where I've noticed a decrease in performance is when hooked up to my 4k 27UD88 monitor - the 13" lags occasionally, for example if I resize the Safari window by dragging the bottom up quickly, it will lag. For standard use, it's fine when connected to a monitor.

I'm going to be installing Windows 10 as a virtual machine, and trying out Xcode tomorrow, so I'll see how it handles these.

I did install Chrome (as Safari no longer supports YouTube 4K videos) and ran a 4k video on YouTube when connected to the monitor, which worked really well. No lag, and the laptop fans didn't kick in.

The TB in my opinion is a gimmick. I don't use it for anything that I couldn't use standard keys for. I don't even use it for scrolling through video, as it's easier and quicker to just use the left/right key, or swiping on the touchpad.

Battery seems decent so far, but once again, I've not had the laptop long enough to test it out fully.
 
I should be receiving my MacBook Pro 2018 15” 2.2/16GB/555/512GB tomorrow, so excited! Although I’m very nervous about all the problems that people have been experiencing with this generation...
 
Just picked up my 2018 13" i5/16GB/1TB from the Apple store - it arrived two days earlier than expected. This is also my first ever Mac - previously only ever used Windows!

First impressions:
- Completely loving the integration with my iPhone/iPad. Like automatically getting wifi passwords, already having passwords to most of the websites I frequent, can easily access websites I was viewing on my iPhone/iPad, air drop, and photo stream actually working well.
- So far it's running quite smoothly although it's getting warm and definitely warmer than my previous laptop - not sure if it's because I'm making it download a million and one photos from iCloud and also lots of things from iTunes? Will see how this goes...
- Trackpad is amazing. Having used it for just 2 hours I am now terrified of going back to my old Windows laptop with a terrible trackpad. So far it's definitely better than any external mouse I have used!

I've stuck a keyboard protector and a trackpad protector on it for now. Trackpad protector because I've wrecked at least a couple of trackpads in the past on my laptops (outside coating starts wearing off and it becomes really sad to use). Keyboard protector because of all the issues I'd heard about dust? Now terrified that this might have effects on the screen though. Thinking about maybe getting a Best Skins Ever for the top/bottom too and the palm rest. But then read some of the threads about how a keyboard protector and a trackpad protector could potentially damage the screen, and starting to feel a bit worried now about having these...

I'm still completely excited about this laptop and the Windows > Mac transition hasn't been too bad... so far. The real test will probably come this weekend when I start moving over all my things and start trying to get more applications...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U and svgn
Here are my first impressions of the 2018 13" MacBook Pro (config: i5/16GB/256). Like the post before me (user sky87), I am also coming from Windows and this being my 1st Mac ever. Be prepared for glowing remarks:
  • The keyboard is really shallow. Very evident after using Thinkpad and Dell laptops. Gonna be interesting to get used to, but I don’t mind it.
  • This thing is fast and quiet. I love the display and the touchpad. Hallmark features of the Mac that PCs still haven’t been able to replicate to this perfection.
  • Tiny quirks: TouchID implementation isn’t universal, only works in some places and not others. Like can’t use it with LastPass, but works to login to the laptop and the Mac App Store.
  • Battery life: I was expecting like 8 hours. Currently showing 3:51 in the menu bar….hmmm. fully charged too. Hey, but this seems better than my pc laptop.
  • After working on this first impressions, battery life went up to 4:51! Nice!
  • Idle temps: 36 degrees C
  • On the design aspect: very slim, very slim and it doesn't really feel like a laptop, seriously. Like something from the future!
  • Gotta figure out how to use the Touch Bar. So easy to carry around
  • Also, all of a sudden, macOS seems more appealing than Windows 10. Why? The design aesthetic. It's all cohesive and all of the menus, submenus, context menus, toolbars are all of the same design. Unlike Windows 10, where some parts are the modern acrylic design, other parts classic Win32, etc. Also the play by MSFT to show you ads on your desktop! Yeah, macOS is better right now. For sure.
  • Update 1: After installing F.lux, discovered there is an inherent issue with the DCPI3 color profile installed on these new MacBook Pro panels and this prevents F.lux from working correctly. Have to wait for an update from the devs, but using Night Shift in the meantime. It looks really bad. The blues appear teal colored and are very bright while the white becomes an off-white, egg-like color which just isn't usable. It reminded just how complex computers are getting now and how much expectations we are putting into these machines. Gone are the days where all a computer had to do was web processing. Simple times those were simple times.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U and svgn
Here are my first impressions of the 2018 13" MacBook Pro (config: i5/16GB/256). Like the post before me (user sky87), I am also coming from Windows and this being my 1st Mac ever. Be prepared for glowing remarks:
  • The keyboard is really shallow. Very evident after using Thinkpad and Dell laptops. Gonna be interesting to get used to, but I don’t mind it.
  • This thing is fast and quiet. I love the display and the touchpad. Hallmark features of the Mac that PCs still haven’t been able to replicate to this perfection.
  • Tiny quirks: TouchID implementation isn’t universal, only works in some places and not others. Like can’t use it with LastPass, but works to login to the laptop and the Mac App Store.
  • Battery life: I was expecting like 8 hours. Currently showing 3:51 in the menu bar….hmmm. fully charged too. Hey, but this seems better than my pc laptop.
  • After working on this first impressions, battery life went up to 4:51! Nice!
  • Idle temps: 36 degrees C
  • On the design aspect: very slim, very slim and it doesn't really feel like a laptop, seriously. Like something from the future!
  • Gotta figure out how to use the Touch Bar. So easy to carry around
  • Also, all of a sudden, macOS seems more appealing than Windows 10. Why? The design aesthetic. It's all cohesive and all of the menus, submenus, context menus, toolbars are all of the same design. Unlike Windows 10, where some parts are the modern acrylic design, other parts classic Win32, etc. Also the play by MSFT to show you ads on your desktop! Yeah, macOS is better right now. For sure.
  • Update 1: After installing F.lux, discovered there is an inherent issue with the DCPI3 color profile installed on these new MacBook Pro panels and this prevents F.lux from working correctly. Have to wait for an update from the devs, but using Night Shift in the meantime. It looks really bad. The blues appear teal colored and are very bright while the white becomes an off-white, egg-like color which just isn't usable. It reminded just how complex computers are getting now and how much expectations we are putting into these machines. Gone are the days where all a computer had to do was web processing. Simple times those were simple times.

give the battery some time to adjust, sure it will get better
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U
give the battery some time to adjust, sure it will get better

Agreed.

When I first got my 13" 2018, the battery average was terrible, as I was syncing from iCloud, updating iPhotos etc. After a few days, things seemed to settle down and I'm getting 8 hours now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U
Despite my order saying it will arrive on the 21st, I got an email saying it was at my Apple Store. So picked up my 15”/2.2/512GB MBP today. Lovely machine. Even smaller in exterior dimensions to my old 2011 MBP.

Not noticed any audio issues or display issues. No Kerbel Panics yet. I’m not going to go looking for them either. Just enjoy my machine. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: svgn
Picked up a base 2018 13 with TB (i5, 8, 256) about 2 weeks ago. After using it for a while, I kind of wish I would have just splurged on the 16gb, but it'll be fine I guess for now since I'm outside the return window. Battery life is excellent so far, well compared to my last laptop anyways.

Did notice I have quite a bit of light bleed on the bottom of the screen though, not sure if I'm too happy about that.
 
Picked up a base 2018 13 with TB (i5, 8, 256) about 2 weeks ago. After using it for a while, I kind of wish I would have just splurged on the 16gb, but it'll be fine I guess for now since I'm outside the return window. Battery life is excellent so far, well compared to my last laptop anyways.

Did notice I have quite a bit of light bleed on the bottom of the screen though, not sure if I'm too happy about that.

If you really want the 16GB, you can ask Apple via chat to extend the return policy to 30 days and they will likely accommodate your request. I just did this to move from a 13" to a 15".
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U
Picked up a base 2018 13 with TB (i5, 8, 256) about 2 weeks ago. After using it for a while, I kind of wish I would have just splurged on the 16gb, but it'll be fine I guess for now since I'm outside the return window. Battery life is excellent so far, well compared to my last laptop anyways.

Did notice I have quite a bit of light bleed on the bottom of the screen though, not sure if I'm too happy about that.
I'll appreciate if you can give some info about your usage and why aren't you happy with 8GB?
 
Picked up a base 2018 13 with TB (i5, 8, 256) about 2 weeks ago. After using it for a while, I kind of wish I would have just splurged on the 16gb, but it'll be fine I guess for now since I'm outside the return window. Battery life is excellent so far, well compared to my last laptop anyways.

Did notice I have quite a bit of light bleed on the bottom of the screen though, not sure if I'm too happy about that.
I’m wavering between 8gb and 16gb Ram on the 13” so would be interested to hear more about your experience please
 
  • Like
Reactions: ales876
It’s less about experience today than about experience in 5 years. Either for you or for whosoever you sell it to.

Future proof.
Future-proofing is overrated. Nobody knows what they gonna release even for the next year. Personally, I am not buying stuff with the idea how can I get some profit from it after 5 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U
Ordered a 15" 2.6/512/560X should arrive next week. I just hope it doesn't come with the crackling speaker issue like the 13" I had.
 
Ordered a 15" 2.6/512/560X should arrive next week. I just hope it doesn't come with the crackling speaker issue like the 13" I had.

I have a big update
[doublepost=1534432307][/doublepost]Spoke with apple and they said an update is gonna be made this week hopefully I said was it gonna be next months Mojave and they said hopefully it will be a high Sierra update as they have fixed the issue

This ^
 
  • Like
Reactions: anshuvorty
Here are my first impressions of the 2018 13" MacBook Pro (config: i5/16GB/256). Like the post before me (user sky87), I am also coming from Windows and this being my 1st Mac ever. Be prepared for glowing remarks:
  • The keyboard is really shallow. Very evident after using Thinkpad and Dell laptops. Gonna be interesting to get used to, but I don’t mind it.
  • This thing is fast and quiet. I love the display and the touchpad. Hallmark features of the Mac that PCs still haven’t been able to replicate to this perfection.
  • Tiny quirks: TouchID implementation isn’t universal, only works in some places and not others. Like can’t use it with LastPass, but works to login to the laptop and the Mac App Store.
  • Battery life: I was expecting like 8 hours. Currently showing 3:51 in the menu bar….hmmm. fully charged too. Hey, but this seems better than my pc laptop.
  • After working on this first impressions, battery life went up to 4:51! Nice!
  • Idle temps: 36 degrees C
  • On the design aspect: very slim, very slim and it doesn't really feel like a laptop, seriously. Like something from the future!
  • Gotta figure out how to use the Touch Bar. So easy to carry around
  • Also, all of a sudden, macOS seems more appealing than Windows 10. Why? The design aesthetic. It's all cohesive and all of the menus, submenus, context menus, toolbars are all of the same design. Unlike Windows 10, where some parts are the modern acrylic design, other parts classic Win32, etc. Also the play by MSFT to show you ads on your desktop! Yeah, macOS is better right now. For sure.
  • Update 1: After installing F.lux, discovered there is an inherent issue with the DCPI3 color profile installed on these new MacBook Pro panels and this prevents F.lux from working correctly. Have to wait for an update from the devs, but using Night Shift in the meantime. It looks really bad. The blues appear teal colored and are very bright while the white becomes an off-white, egg-like color which just isn't usable. It reminded just how complex computers are getting now and how much expectations we are putting into these machines. Gone are the days where all a computer had to do was web processing. Simple times those were simple times.

Another update after using the 13-in MBP for a couple days:
  • I have noticed that MacOS handles High DPI resolution switching ALOT more elegantly than Windows 10 ever does. With Windows 10, if you decide to change the scaling, you have to logout/log in to make sure all apps that can take advantage of the High DPI scaling, do take advantage. There are also a ton of legacy apps that don't follow the rule and things look goofy. However in MacOS, all apps conform to the scaling that you selected and best of all, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOG OUT! The screen nicely fades out and fades back in and you are back! So elegant.
That has been my biggest problem with Windows 10 and now I see why people who are devoted to macOS don't ever want to leave, small touches like the experience I mentioned above just make the experience of using the OS a pleasure.
 
Another update after using the 13-in MBP for a couple days:
  • I have noticed that MacOS handles High DPI resolution switching ALOT more elegantly than Windows 10 ever does. With Windows 10, if you decide to change the scaling, you have to logout/log in to make sure all apps that can take advantage of the High DPI scaling, do take advantage. There are also a ton of legacy apps that don't follow the rule and things look goofy. However in MacOS, all apps conform to the scaling that you selected and best of all, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOG OUT! The screen nicely fades out and fades back in and you are back! So elegant.
That has been my biggest problem with Windows 10 and now I see why people who are devoted to macOS don't ever want to leave, small touches like the experience I mentioned above just make the experience of using the OS a pleasure.
Please don't stop. ^^ Can't wait my first mac experience, hopefully this friday.
 
Last edited:
I'm on the fence. I want to pass my 2014 15" base to my son for University. I'm contemplating buying either the base 13" or 15". I find my current 15" too heavy and big, but it's got thinner and lighter . . . I'm thinking of getting the 13" and if it's just too small on the screen, I'll swap it out. Trying to save money - I mean not spend more than I need to, but also it needs to last me at least 3 years. Any opinions, advice or experiences would be most gratefully received :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ales876
Had a MacBook Air (Early 2014) which I had with CTO 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM. I had originally planned to wait for a refresh to that line or a decent update for the MacBook, but after waiting for such a long time and thinking about getting the non-TB MBP with 256GB SSD, the 200€ upgrade for i5 QC, 256GB standard, touch bar and improved screen / keyboard was a no-brainer.

Arrived a couple of days ago and absolutely loving it. When I was boxing up my MacBook Air I was feeling rather sad, as I had really grown attached to that thing. The design when I got it: Amazing. The battery life: Heavenly!

But this new MBP is something else. Wow. The design, the touchbar (which I actually thought was a gimmick but is proving rather handy), the speakers, the screen () and all in a package that is slimmer and smaller than the previous MacBook Air. Although it was rather pricey and more than I was aiming for, it is - for Apple prices relatively speaking - well worth the money. Just hope this can go through at least 4-5 years on this config. I don't think anyone will struggle with 8GB RAM if they are not producing or cutting multiple streams of 4K video on this thing. Multitasking with iTunes, Mail, YouTube and Safari with 10+ tabs, Garageband in the background playing on a Midi Keyboard, editing a large document on Word... all not a problem at all. Not a single frame drop, iTunes is finally buttery smooth (my iMac 5K stutters like mad when opening albums)... No complaints. Apart from a micro-scuff on the back of the casing, this thing is perfect. I'm normally a bit OCD on that front, but the screen is crystal clear, no bleeding, the keyboard is great and the Touch ID button nice and firm. So this one will be staying with me! Very happy!
 
Another update after using the 13-in MBP for a couple days:
  • I have noticed that MacOS handles High DPI resolution switching ALOT more elegantly than Windows 10 ever does. With Windows 10, if you decide to change the scaling, you have to logout/log in to make sure all apps that can take advantage of the High DPI scaling, do take advantage. There are also a ton of legacy apps that don't follow the rule and things look goofy. However in MacOS, all apps conform to the scaling that you selected and best of all, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOG OUT! The screen nicely fades out and fades back in and you are back! So elegant.
That has been my biggest problem with Windows 10 and now I see why people who are devoted to macOS don't ever want to leave, small touches like the experience I mentioned above just make the experience of using the OS a pleasure.

Another small nitpick:
  • Where is the Power LED? On almost all PCs, there is at least a Power LED, a hard drive indicator and maybe a 3rd LED. On the latest MBP, there is no LED anywhere that I can find. This means that it is hard to tell when the Mac is in sleep mode or is actually turned off. I was confused when I first turned off the laptop as I couldn't tell, now I have gotten used to it. A little disconcerting. TBH.
 
  • Like
Reactions: happyslayer
So I just sort of spontaneously (after like two weeks of research in these forums and on youtube and all over the freaking web!) decided to go ahead and order a base model 15" Pro to most likely replace my 12" MacBook. While I love the extreme portability of the MacBook, my suddenly aging 48 year-old eyes no longer like the little screen. Reading glasses are now almost a requirement for me to use it for any length of time.

I just finished doing the basic setup and am now downloading the latest beta of Mohave (That's what's on my MacBook) so I can do a Time Machine restore of my apps and docs. But while it does that, I figured I'd mess with all the new features. The SSD speed is pretty stunning based on Black Magic, the speakers in this thing are amazing compared to the MacBook (Infected Mushroom is slamming away as I type this :)) and the overall feel is just... fast. Apps that bounced a few times on the MacBook before opening do half a bounce and pop! open. Very nice. Also, I am liking the TouchBar. I had it briefly on a 2016 13" Pro and liked it for the few months I owned it before selling it and going back to a MacBook. For now, I'm happy with it, and especially Touch ID. The new keyboard is quieter than the MacBook with its gen 2, though not dramatically so. To me, it feels about the same as I type... which is good because I love this type of keyboard!

The only thing I'm not so thrilled about yet is True Tone. A little too warm to me so far. I'm gonna leave it on and see if I just get used to it. I probably won't though, since I hated it on the iPad Pro and disabled it. I'll give it a couple days.

The big test will be tomorrow. How I feel at the end of the day after lugging this four-pound "beast" around, especially after having used a 12" MacBook for the last couple years, will be the big test. If its too heavy feeling, it may go back. I've got fourteen days to decide though. But so far... I'm really diggin' it. Especially the speakers!

Glad to be part of the MacBook Pro owners club again!

EDIT: Decided to skip the Time Machine restore and just install all my apps again and re-setup my email and such. A good way to test stuff and then no chance of bringing any unwanted old crap with the restore. Really, really impressed with this laptop. At one point I was installing Office 365 while simultaneously downloading and installing Chrome, Scrivener, Firefox, several network utilities and benchmarks, also synching my Dropbox, iCloud documents and downloading my iTunes library. Got a little warm and the fans kicked in, but damn, everything just went so smooth with no noticeable lag. Very nice! Now, just for grins, I'm going to try installing Elder Scrolls Online since I'm now rocking a laptop with discrete graphics. We will see how that goes...
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.