Why I returned a 13” M1 MBP Turd

[mangoman]

It’s been YEARS since I started a thread on this forum. So for what it’s worth, I’m rarely so fired up. Here’s why:

I rarely ‘early adopt’ but decided to break my rule and buy a 13” MPB, M1 laptop (16GB RAM, 2TB drive).

In the last three days, it’s been a Beach Ball Hell. I thought it was just Adobe apps (as usual, Adobe’s apps appear to be developed in silos and currently not written for the M1 architecture), so I deleted ‘em, reinstalled ‘em. Still lots of lag and beach balls. Especially Illustrator (and the files were simple/small).

What was more troubling was the general lag, beach balls and “Application not responding” issues with Apple native apps: Mail, Safari, Notes, etc.—even the Finder kept hanging. After three Apple Support calls, reinstalling Big Sur, more troubleshooting, I boxed this turd and sent it back.

I wish Apple would spend less on glitzy marketing presentations and more on real world testing before shipping product. I hope your experience has been better than mine. But at this point, I’m buying the latest 16” MBP, spending nearly twice as much, and hoping it’s not another beach ball-inducing, overhyped handwarmer.

EDIT: To confirm, the turd shipped, but I’m willing to try the M1 again. Cancelled the 16” order and opted for Round 2 of a 13” M1 MBP.

 

[LiE_]

Let's be fair, this sounds like an isolated case, specific to your machine.

If I was you, my next step would have been to get a replacement and see if that resolves your issues. You may have got a lemon, it happens unfortunately.

 

[leman]

You possibly got a lemon. My own experience is nothing but smooth and when you look at the comments here and around the internet it seems that people are very happy with their M1 machines.

 

[GiantKiwi]

You possibly got a lemon. My own experience is nothing but smooth and when you look at the comments here and around the internet it seems that people are very happy with their M1 machines.

There are no native Adobe apps yet. It's been plastered on every sodding tech news site around the world.

Seemingly the epitome of PEBKAC.

 

[smacx]

Maybe try setting it up from scratch. If you migrated your old Mac to the M1, you could have bad extensions transferred which cause the problems.
I also had some problem with some extensions (LuLu)

 

[leman]

There are no native Adobe apps yet. It's been plastered on every sodding tech news site around the world.

Seemingly the epitome of PEBKAC.

I’ve been using multiple Intel apps on my M1 and they all run great. No Adobe stuff though.

One important note: I did have an issue with bad lag in Steam, but it disappeared after I installed the 11.1 beta. Supposedly it fixes an issue with Rosetta.

 

[MK500]

You got a lemon; it happens to all products. Like most; my Air has been flawless. In fact it has been the best Mac I’ve ever owned, and I’m sure I‘ve purchased dozens in my life.

 

[mangoman]

There are no native Adobe apps yet. It's been plastered on every sodding tech news site around the world.

Seemingly the epitome of PEBKAC.

Easy, tiger. I acknowledged the non-native fact in my post. The more pressing issue was the native Apple apps not working. Maybe the PEBKAC is yours, too?

 

[mangoman]

You got a lemon; it happens to all products. Like most; my Air has been flawless. In fact it has been the best Mac I’ve ever owned, and I’m sure I‘ve purchased dozens in my life.

Great to hear, and agree that this one must have been a lemon. Thanks for sharing the positive report.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

There have been a few reports like yours but the overwhelming majority have been very positive. Definitely sounds like a replacement would be a good step as it is likely just a faulty unit.

 

[SnacksGU]

I would try purchasing another turd if I was you. Turds vary. Sounds like you had a rough one.

 

[mangoman]

There have been a few reports like yours but the overwhelming majority have been very positive. Definitely sounds like a replacement would be a good step as it is likely just a faulty unit.

Thanks, Larry. Taking that route and placing a new M1/13” order. And willing to wait for the upgraded specs.

 

[kp98077]

Yeah seems very odd!

 

[gank41]

Adding myself to this thread for when I get mine. Same model & specs. I don't use any of the Adobe apps, though, and I'll be setting up as a new machine (unfortunately). The differences underneath the hood with the M1 machines as opposed to the Intel machines are worth the extra time with setting it up from scratch.

 

[mangoman]

Adding myself to this thread for when I get mine. Same model & specs. I don't use any of the Adobe apps, though, and I'll be setting up as a new machine (unfortunately). The differences underneath the hood with the M1 machines as opposed to the Intel machines are worth the extra time with setting it up from scratch.

I think setting up as new is a fine call to make. Why not, right? New architecture, new setup. I’m sure some crusty troll will weigh in to say how stupid we both are for thinking this way. Please let us know how things work out for you when yours arrives.

 

[gank41]

I think setting up as new is a fine call to make. Why not, right? New architecture, new setup. I’m sure some crusty troll will weigh in to say how stupid we both are for thinking this way. Please let us know how things work out for you when yours arrives.

I will for sure. And try and keep the trolls out of mind. There’s been more of a toxic nature to some of the posts on here lately, but all you can do is report it and ignore it. I’ve had run ins with my fair share as well.

 

[richard371]

I set mine up as new as my 6 year old iMac is so unorganized. No issues just waiting on pioneer to update a driver for the m1 so my dj controller will work. Ill have to keep my iMac until then lol. Maybe you can try another and setup as new. Might get a golden egg this time and no turd.

 

[beastforum]

For what it’s worth, I think yours may have been faulty. I have the mbp 13” m1 and I’ve never seen the beach ball. Even Rosetta apps and programs are instant for me. I have the 16gb ram so unused if that makes the difference but mine is SNAPPY in anything that I throw at it.

 

[Luposian]

I plan to be an "M1 purist". Everything M1 native. Nothing needing to run in Rosetta 2. I can afford that, getting back on the Mac wagon after so long in the "PC Mac" hate camp since 2005. Wow... been "Meh"ing Apple/Mac for 15 years! Time flies! All started with that WWDC announcement in 2005 and Tiger 10.4. Finally, I can pick back up where I was, with my Power Mac G4 DA! Feels good to want to have a Mac again.

 

[mangoman]

For what it’s worth, I think yours may have been faulty. I have the mbp 13” m1 and I’ve never seen the beach ball. Even Rosetta apps and programs are instant for me. I have the 16gb ram so unused if that makes the difference but mine is SNAPPY in anything that I throw at it.

Great to hear glowing reviews like yours. Thanks for sharing it. Renews my hope for another try with M1...

 

[mangoman]

I plan to be an "M1 purist". Everything M1 native. Nothing needing to run in Rosetta 2. I can afford that, getting back on the Mac wagon after so long in the "PC Mac" hate camp since 2005. Wow... been "Meh"ing Apple/Mac for 15 years! Time flies! All started with that WWDC announcement in 2005 and Tiger 10.4. Finally, I can pick back up where I was, with my Power Mac G4 DA! Feels good to want to have a Mac again.

Love it. Due to my longstanding use and love of the Apple brand (since ‘94 ), my expectations are often WAY too high, so the blips in the continuum drive me bananas.

 

[aohus]

there are definitely a lot of compatibility issues. rosetta is nearly non-existent outside the popular apps.

 

[m1maverick]

EDIT: To confirm, the turd shipped, but I’m willing to try the M1 again. Cancelled the 16” order and opted for Round 2 of a 13” M1 MBP.

I think this is a wise move. My M1 Mini has been a smooth experience.

 

[dogslobber]

Sounds like you may have gotten a bad system. Maybe the SSD is erroring or some such reason causing the spinning beach balls. If it in a manufacturing defect then you're doing Apple a favor by returning so they can figure if it's a one off or not. Maybe try rebuying another M1 product.

 

[jazz1]

It’s been YEARS since I started a thread on this forum. So for what it’s worth, I’m rarely so fired up. Here’s why:

I rarely ‘early adopt’ but decided to break my rule and buy a 13” MPB, M1 laptop (16GB RAM, 2TB drive).

In the last three days, it’s been a Beach Ball Hell. I thought it was just Adobe apps (as usual, Adobe’s apps appear to be developed in silos and currently not written for the M1 architecture), so I deleted ‘em, reinstalled ‘em. Still lots of lag and beach balls. Especially Illustrator (and the files were simple/small).

What was more troubling was the general lag, beach balls and “Application not responding” issues with Apple native apps: Mail, Safari, Notes, etc.—even the Finder kept hanging. After three Apple Support calls, reinstalling Big Sur, more troubleshooting, I boxed this turd and sent it back.

I wish Apple would spend less on glitzy marketing presentations and more on real world testing before shipping product. I hope your experience has been better than mine. But at this point, I’m buying the latest 16” MBP, spending nearly twice as much, and hoping it’s not another beach ball-inducing, overhyped handwarmer.

EDIT: To confirm, the turd shipped, but I’m willing to try the M1 again. Cancelled the 16” order and opted for Round 2 of a 13” M1 MBP.

I truly hope "round 2" works better for you. I don't blame you about being frustrated with your first experience with the M1. I know I would be, or could be as I have one on order. I won't hesitate to ship mine back should it be too rocky of a start with the AS. I wish my local Apple Store was open for business. As I'd return it there if I could.

Please let us know how the second one works out and how you feel about a working M1.