Is the new Macbook powerful enough?


After 4 long weeks of waiting, I finally received my Macbook. I purchased it for travel, or to go to the coffee shop when I wanted a change of surroundings. However, as I’ve been asked to review it by friends, I decided to test it out as if it was my main machine. (For reference, I bought the upgraded top-spec.) As I’ve been testing it out, I’ve been writing a journal of my thoughts. I’d strong hopes for it, but knew very well that I might have to return it. The results surprised me.

Design

The design itself is gorgeous. The lack of ports means it can be that much thinner. The keys are bigger but less separated out, which caused some frustration at first but now I’m used to the keys. There’s lots of speaker space given to the base, which means although still tinny like it’s predecessors, it actually has some of the best projection on a laptop I’ve heard. It won’t be my new sound system, but it’ll work in a pinch. The glass trackpad is lovely — definitely one of the best — but I’m still not used to using the force click. It’s basically two layers of click (You can click once, and drag, or click another time through that.


Portability

It’s weight is ridiculous. It feels barely heavier than my business partner’s iPad Retina. This means adding to my bag and heading out doesn’t involve a sore neck. It’s battery typically lasts me anywhere around 5 hours. On a light day it’s 7:21, but if i have an app like Dropbox in full sync mode, expect 2. If you close the lid and charge, I find it’s surprisingly fast. Apparently you can charge the new Macbooks with battery packs too.


Power

Now, this is the big one everyone’s curious about. Is it powerful enough. It’s somewhere between a tablet and a laptop, a tabtop if you want. But the machine has all the power I need. I’ve been doing iOS development through React Native, needing the simulator out, and so forth — Runs fine. While also having a couple of hundred megs of Sketch files open, and switching back to work on them. While also having Safari open with 14 tabs, few chrome tabs, Tweetdeck, Skype, Alternote, Viber, and a bunch of others. And I never feel it’s slow.


Gripes

I’d not be fair and impartial if I wasn’t critical. There are a few very minor things that frustrate me.

  • The Macbook USB-C charger is nice, but it lacks any form of Magsafe. Which means you can pull your laptop off the counter easily. Apple had lulled me into feeling like I’ll always be fine.
  • The charger is USB-C male to male, which means that the plug is USB-C only, which is frustrating if you want to plug your normal USB-A devices in. However, the Plugbug fixes that for you.
  • The one port USB charger is everyone’s gripe, but actually — I’ve not had too much problem. I have an official converter and if I need it, it’s no big deal.
  • It can’t handle many monitors. The official dongle has a VGA port. Which Apple monitors don’t give you the option of. However, with the Hub+ you can use old DisplayPort (but not Thunderbolts)
  • The gold, isn’t gold enough. I got gold, and the business partner got Space Gray. Both are beautiful, but the gold is on top of silver, so in the dark — it looks like normal silver and doesn’t pop.
  • The space bar has already got a little squeak. But that comes and goes.


Conclusion

My final thoughts of whether it’s a worthy laptop is a resounding Yes. It’s powerful enough to handle everything I personally want. I won’t get to Europa Universalis (video games) on the road with it, but I’ll be a much happier chap. It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely for me.