The No Touch Bar 13 Macbook Version

[infernoguy]

So I started off in this 2016 rMBP adventure with a 2015 MacBook Retina.
I needed more than that so I bought a 2016 Retina MacBook Pro nTB and thought I was happy.
Of course I had to play with a TouchBar version and exchanged the nTB for the TB version.
Held on to it for a week and while the speed and 4 USB-C ports were nice, the Touch Bar was just meh.
Exchanged the TouchBar for the nTB today.

Lesson learned: Stick with what works. The Touch Bar is nice but not mature enough. I'll enjoy the nTB and wait for Men 2/3 of the TB.
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The touch bar is a gimmick. It's fun to use, but not efficient as I type without glancing down on the keyboard.

This! nTB is the way to go. Wait until Gen 2/3 for the Touch Bar.

 

[mattopotamus]

So I bought the nTB 8/256 the weekend before last (29th) and I'm coming up to the end of the returns window. I've found the laptop very capable with my use-case - I run the MS Office suite and a few Safari tabs in parallel.

However, I've found that my memory usage seems to remain constant at around 5GB, with roughly 3GB for apps, 1.5GB for wired and .5GB for compressed. During a little stress testing I found that the laptop likes to keep 1.5GB for caching, and so will start adding to the Swap at about 6.5GB usage. I'm concerned that since I'm already using 5GB with current applications, the remaining 1.5GB really isn't enough headroom - I aim to be using the laptop in five years time!

Is 8GB really enough for most users? I don't need a powerhouse (I also use a Windows desktop), but things just feel a little tight on this laptop.

OSX is notorious for using the amount of RAM you have available. Even if you had 16gb, you would see about the same amount of ram (proportionally) being used.

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

Hey guys. 13" NTB owner with 8gb Ram / 2ghz processor and 256gb ssd here. I absolutely love the build quality and screen and keyboard on this computer but I have been experiencing some stutter / lag during scrolling through folders.

I have upgraded from a 2011 model Macbook Air which exhibited none of these problems at all and seemed smoother over all in daily usage.

I made a youtube capture to try show it but it doesn't translate too well in the video. Basically when I'm scrolling through the folders I am scrolling at full speed and you will see the scroll bar motion isn't smooth it skips and stutters. It is most pronounced in the "all my files" section. On my MBA this is 100% smooth.

I also loaded all the same files onto my housemates 2015 base model retina pro and his handles the scrolling flawlessly. I am running the latest update in Sierra and have also tried a clean install of the OS and it hasn't helped. Is this something I should swap the machine out for and try another one? I have 3 days left to decide

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

Also my Finder is consistently using large amounts of ram. Usually around 3gb. I force quit it and start again and it jumps up fairly quickly. Was doing this before and after the reformat with fresh Sierra install.

Have tried changing the preferences in finder under "new finder windows show" from "all my files" to various small folders or the desktop and it makes no difference to the amount of ram its hogging.

 

[mattopotamus]

Hey guys. 13" NTB owner with 8gb Ram / 2ghz processor and 256gb ssd here. I absolutely love the build quality and screen and keyboard on this computer but I have been experiencing some stutter / lag during scrolling through folders.

I have upgraded from a 2011 model Macbook Air which exhibited none of these problems at all and seemed smoother over all in daily usage.

I made a youtube capture to try show it but it doesn't translate too well in the video. Basically when I'm scrolling through the folders I am scrolling at full speed and you will see the scroll bar motion isn't smooth it skips and stutters. It is most pronounced in the "all my files" section. On my MBA this is 100% smooth.

I also loaded all the same files onto my housemates 2015 base model retina pro and his handles the scrolling flawlessly. I am running the latest update in Sierra and have also tried a clean install of the OS and it hasn't helped. Is this something I should swap the machine out for and try another one? I have 3 days left to decide

Was your friends MacBook a 15"? Is so:

Two reasons for this. 1) the air does not drive a Retina display so UI lag has never been an issue. 2) the 15" pros have a dedicated GPU and can handle the retina displays.

The new 13" pros are actually better than the previous 13" pros with UI lag. The 12" MacBooks are unbearable at times.

 

[Broke boi]

anybody else wish they bought a 2016 12 inch MacBook instead of the 13 inch base model?
I need all the portability I can get

 

[doitdada]

I wouldn't go back to a MacBook 12.

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

Was your friends MacBook a 15"? Is so:

Two reasons for this. 1) the air does not drive a Retina display so UI lag has never been an issue. 2) the 15" pros have a dedicated GPU and can handle the retina displays.

The new 13" pros are actually better than the previous 13" pros with UI lag. The 12" MacBooks are unbearable at times.

Thanks for the reply. No it was a 13" 2015 base spec.

So this would be a normal amount of lag people are experiencing with the 13" ntb? it's pretty unbearable at times as I have a lot of folders I go through with lots of files in them and it lags even scrolling through ones full of simple word documents etc. What I don't get is why the dell xps 13 with 4k screen didn't have this issue when I tried it, I don't think they have a dedicated gpu but I'm not sure.

I'll swap it out for another one anyway and if its the same story ill unfortunately have to get a refund I cant justify the $2200 aud for a machine that lags so much from simple scrolling

 

[evec]

Thanks for the reply. No it was a 13" 2015 base spec.

So this would be a normal amount of lag people are experiencing with the 13" ntb? it's pretty unbearable at times as I have a lot of folders I go through with lots of files in them and it lags even scrolling through ones full of simple word documents etc. What I don't get is why the dell xps 13 with 4k screen didn't have this issue when I tried it, I don't think they have a dedicated gpu but I'm not sure.

I'll swap it out for another one anyway and if its the same story ill unfortunately have to get a refund I cant justify the $2200 aud for a machine that lags so much from simple scrolling

It abnormal, even 2015 mb12 have much much better without much lag.
The Finder use few GB also abnormal, which should normally require 100-300MB.
You machine may have some problem (Some time the graphic card problem will affect)
or you should reinstall the system fully.
May Chrome / Virtual machine software may affect the system whenever you open or not, just install and the demons software will remain on system and run all time and make system unstable .

 

[mattopotamus]

Thanks for the reply. No it was a 13" 2015 base spec.

So this would be a normal amount of lag people are experiencing with the 13" ntb? it's pretty unbearable at times as I have a lot of folders I go through with lots of files in them and it lags even scrolling through ones full of simple word documents etc. What I don't get is why the dell xps 13 with 4k screen didn't have this issue when I tried it, I don't think they have a dedicated gpu but I'm not sure.

I'll swap it out for another one anyway and if its the same story ill unfortunately have to get a refund I cant justify the $2200 aud for a machine that lags so much from simple scrolling

There should only be very slight UI lag. Did you just finish setting it up? It could still be indexing causing lag. If it doesn't improve swap it out.

 

[Horizone]

Excel on my base spec model is laggy! This is really frustrating. Anyone having similar problem?

 

[Lou-X]

I never had lag in three months on two external displays on hard multitasking . it's surely software issue

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

There should only be very slight UI lag. Did you just finish setting it up? It could still be indexing causing lag. If it doesn't improve swap it out.

Nope, it had been fully set up for a few days at least when I captured that, it's actually gotten worse since. My 2 weeks is up on Monday so it will be going back then.

Have done 2 complete fresh installs now and let it finish indexing and the lag is still atrocious. Hopefully the swap over process is smooth and painless.

 

[Hieveryone]

Lets discuss this model,

I'm not keen on the touch bar thingy anyway, and in $1499 for the base model (plus shipping right now) this seems like a good option ,but what about the other inferior specs ,

• 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor VS 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor at the Touch Bar version
• 1866MHz memory VS 2133MHz at the Touch Bar version
• Intel Iris Graphics 540 VS 550 at the Touch Bar version

Would the difference in performance be something we would feel? specially regarding the 2ghz professor?

I'm no tech geek, but IMO that's a big enough diff in specs to where I would wait for an update if possible.

I don't want a 2.0 GHz processor. I mean, my late 2013 13" is a 2.6 GHz processor.

 

[4tl4sh]

I'm no tech geek, but IMO that's a big enough diff in specs to where I would wait for an update if possible.

I don't want a 2.0 GHz processor. I mean, my late 2013 13" is a 2.6 GHz processor.

Hello mate!

You don't have 2.0 Ghz but a 2.0 Ghz processor with Turbo Boost, working when needed at Turbo Boost speed, which is ~3 Ghz. You got a lower TDP processor, thus a more efficient one per Ghz because in the moment of truth, you have to compare 3.1 Ghz vs 3.3 Ghz, not 2.0 Ghz vs 2.9 Ghz.

What is a more efficient processor? In this case probably a quieter and cooler one with a nice performance.

Cheers!

 

[Hieveryone]

Hello mate!

You don't have 2.0 Ghz but a 2.0 Ghz processor with Turbo Boost, working when needed at Turbo Boost speed, which is ~3 Ghz. You got a lower TDP processor, thus a more efficient one per Ghz because in the moment of truth, you have to compare 3.1 Ghz vs 3.3 Ghz, not 2.0 Ghz vs 2.9 Ghz.

What is a more efficient processor? In this case probably a quieter and cooler one with a nice performance.

Cheers!

Oh ok but wouldn't it be faster if the boost was always on?

So if I buy a 3.1 GHz processor it will always be boosting I don't have to wait for it to kick in.

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

Just thought I'd update I exchanged my machine today for a new one and I can't fault Apple for how quick and easy their return process is. The genius agreed the UI lag I was experiencing was unacceptable.

Unfortunately I can confirm that my replacement unit has the exact same lag problems + additional new keyboard and trackpad issues. Everything is updated and indexed also.

The tech at Apple told me they are getting heaps of UI lag across all models no matter the specs or screen size and besides that the most common issue is dead or excessively noisy keyboard keys. Said a software update should fix the lag eventually but if I'm not happy just bring it back in 2 weeks for a full refund.

Pretty disappointing that their quality is sliding like this as I really love the look and size of the 2016 models

 

[mattopotamus]

Just thought I'd update I exchanged my machine today for a new one and I can't fault Apple for how quick and easy their return process is. The genius agreed the UI lag I was experiencing was unacceptable.

Unfortunately I can confirm that my replacement unit has the exact same lag problems + additional new keyboard and trackpad issues. Everything is updated and indexed also.

The tech at Apple told me they are getting heaps of UI lag across all models no matter the specs or screen size and besides that the most common issue is dead or excessively noisy keyboard keys. Said a software update should fix the lag eventually but if I'm not happy just bring it back in 2 weeks for a full refund.

Pretty disappointing that their quality is sliding like this as I really love the look and size of the 2016 models

That is very weird. I am extremely sensitive to UI lag, and the 2016 13" pro is the least amount of UI lag I have had on a 13" pro since the introduction of retina displays.

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

That is very weird. I am extremely sensitive to UI lag, and the 2016 13" pro is the least amount of UI lag I have had on a 13" pro since the introduction of retina displays.

No idea why I am getting such bad luck, but yeah scrolling through folders with files is simply unbearable. Plus I can't believe this new one has keyboard and trackpad issues too. Should of just kept the old bloody one and dealt with the lag. Oh well. I'll get a refund and see where these end up in a few months in terms of quality control.

 

[mattopotamus]

No idea why I am getting such bad luck, but yeah scrolling through folders with files is simply unbearable. Plus I can't believe this new one has keyboard and trackpad issues too. Should of just kept the old bloody one and dealt with the lag. Oh well. I'll get a refund and see where these end up in a few months in terms of quality control.

The keyboard issues are pretty common, so I would definitely get AppleCare with these new Macs. I just had mine replaced a few weeks ago b.c a button failed.

 

[Crossbow.Wallaby]

The keyboard issues are pretty common, so I would definitely get AppleCare with these new Macs. I just had mine replaced a few weeks ago b.c a button failed.

Mate is there any chance you could do a screen capture for me of yourself scrolling through a few folders? something with a lot of files in it. Just so I can see how it compares. Would be much appreciated if possible.

 

[Fozzybadfeet]

anybody else wish they bought a 2016 12 inch MacBook instead of the 13 inch base model?
I need all the portability I can get

The 13-inch is a perfect size for me.

 

[Broke boi]

The 13-inch is a perfect size for me.

its pretty uncomfortable to put on my lap

 

[JLVL]

So I have a question. I have an opportunity to buy a 2016 non touch bar 13" with 2.0 i5, 8gb, and a 512GB with FCPX for $1,475. My second option is a 2015 13" with a 3.1 i7, 16bg, with 512gb with AppleCare until 01/2019. for $1,600. I am completely torn...I have not had a chance to see the new version, as I live in an area that doesn't sell any Macs. I had a 2013 15". I mainly use my machine for surfing the web, emails, docs, and maybe some very light photo/video editing. Nothing demanding whatsoever. I every once and a while will connect a usb and that's about it. I am a bit bummed about the new version not offering optical through the audio jack, as that is how I connect my amp. But I am sure I could just use a usb-c to usb and connect that way. Anyhow...I am completely torn on these two, any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[doitdada]

So I have a question. I have an opportunity to buy a 2016 non touch bar 13" with 2.0 i5, 8gb, and a 512GB with FCPX for $1,475. My second option is a 2015 13" with a 3.1 i7, 16bg, with 512gb with AppleCare until 01/2019. for $1,600. I am completely torn...I have not had a chance to see the new version, as I live in an area that doesn't sell any Macs. I had a 2013 15". I mainly use my machine for surfing the web, emails, docs, and maybe some very light photo/video editing. Nothing demanding whatsoever. I every once and a while will connect a usb and that's about it. I am a bit bummed about the new version not offering optical through the audio jack, as that is how I connect my amp. But I am sure I could just use a usb-c to usb and connect that way. Anyhow...I am completely torn on these two, any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

buy the 13" nTB 2016 for 1475 dollars. I have used the machine, and for your use case it is more than enough. Would never go back to a 2015 after using a 2016.
Try squeezing the price down to 1400 paid in cash.

its pretty uncomfortable to put on my lap

I have a 15" and I don't care about using it on my lap. The only annoyance is that I hit the touch bar accidentally in awkward sitting positions. With the no Touch Bar version that won't be a problem. The size and weight without a desk is a challenge at first, but then you appreciate the screen size and you are good to go.

I say this coming from rMB 12".