I don't think it looks as nice at all. All the small details are just.. uglier than apples newest implementation. Off centre trackpad throws the whole level of symmetry off, larger bezel, black lid and black base are a downer.
Okay. Firstly, the trackpad is off center
because there are more keys, like the numpad. The trackpad is always centered with the space bar if you haven't noticed...
Secondly, Apple has a whole department specifically for designing things to look good. Of course it's going to look better, and of course they're going to charge 1k more than they should because people like you will buy them
because they look better. And pardon me for saying so, but I think that ASUS looks pretty nice, and I definitely have an eye for aesthetics...you kind of need to when you do artwork.
And it looks about twice as thick, which does definitely matter when you travel a lot on public transport like me.
Right. Not really. The ASUS weighs 1.5lb more than the rMBP. If that constitutes a serious problem for you, then there is something wrong with you physically methinks. I am not in the best shape by any stretch of the term, and I used to lug around my old laptop along with books and notebooks on public transportation...or walking...
2880x1800 screen makes a huge difference. It looks so sharp. It's awesome for photograph and video editing. Reading text heavy webpages is just nicer all round - the exact same reason everyone prefers high res screens on phones.
I wouldn't pay an additional 1k for a 15" screen to have a slightly better experience editing webpages or photo/video editing. And I happen to know quite a lot about the latter.
The trackpad on MBP's is the best i've tried, too. The keyboard is pretty damn good too. Though to be fair, i've not tried that particular asus model.
I haven't used that specific model either, but I have used models with similar keyboards/trackpads, and they are very well made...again, a throwback to older MBPs with better functionality.
I really do think $1000 is worth the thinness, retina screen, design etc. I would say the exact same thing is Asus did a high res, thin version of that laptop for $1000 more. It just makes so much difference too me.
Still can't fathom how, but then again I didn't exactly grow up being able to spend that kinda money on anything I wanted.
Battery life and heat. That new screen sucks serious power, the upgraded battery cells make it break even with what the older MBP could get. If they added a second dedicated GPU it would be an extra power draw, plus the fact that yeah, the heatsink options inside such a thin case are limited. Especially with a glued in battery taking up most of the space.
True, I assume a 2gb buffer would just make the abysmal battery life even worse, not to mention Macbooks in general have always had horrible heat problems...
I'll grudgingly agree, in this case in particular. While I'd love to see the highest res displays capable on anything and everything, I realise we have to talk pragmatically here.
I'm with you, I'm thrilled that technology is progressing as it has been. It's nice to see, but that doesn't mean it's worth the premium in that package.
For one thing, the manufacturing process for the screens is terrible from a repair sense (and eco sense), if you didn't shell out the extra $350 for Applecare and you damage the screen after a year, you're gonna have a baaad time.
I can only imagine repairing that thing without Applecare, ugh...and I try not to think about the eco ramifications of creating the screen, even though it's details page tries to rep their "eco-friendly"-ness.
I see both types every day (our workplace is Apple-centric in terms of hardware for both servers and workstations). I'd definitely say the screen looks very cool, and it is definitely sharper if you put your face really close, but from an average sitting position, it's a lot harder to tell. Not "I can't tell", just not "omg wow suuuch le difference".
This is pretty much the point I was making. By specs of course it would be sharper and clearer and all that jazz, but at that screen size and sitting distance, not so much.
The physical screen size is already small enough that 1080p looks smooth already. And I mean, what content am I looking at exactly that's made this massively expensive upgrade worth it? A UHD picture of a cat? oooh, cash well spent. I do a lot of photo editing (printing company), but not on a freaking 15 inch screen lol. I've got a separate 24" screen for that
I couldn't justify it for myself, just my opinion though.
If I was doing some work that required something like that I better have enough cash to afford a nice 30" or some IPS.
All my photo editing is specifically on my 27" Samsung, it has the best colors of my 3 monitors and it's much clearer to see due to the size. If I had the cash, I'd totally get some crazy awesome IPS but I make do.
dafuq just happened?