Refer previous post https://whysun.com/computers-and-the-internet/new-macbook-pro/
I have been using my MacBook Pro for over 3 months now, and I have the following further comments.
TOUCH BAR
I do not know why people complain about this feature. In fact, people complained so much that Apple has removed it from many models.
I admit that I watched a number of on-line videos to learn how to use it properly.
But I like it. In fact, it is one of the features that I like the most, particularly the fingerprint reader.
OTHER COMMENTS
Battery life is very good and a Mac comes with most, if not all the Apps people usually need. These factors, along with build quality and an excellent operating system, make the Mac very attractive.
However, just like Windows, you probably have to consider buying extra on-line storage via iCloud to complement local backup via “Time Machine”.
I pay for Microsoft (Office) 365 that comes with a large amount of OneDrive storage. I have it installed on my Mac Book Pro.
Like One Drive, iCloud has only 5GB of free storage which is not enough for a second “off premises” backup. Dropbox has a smaller amount at 2GB. Google Drive has a much more generous 15GB free, but this includes Email and Photos and is still not enough for backup.
Microsoft 365 is probably the best value. The basic plan provides a full copy MS Office plus 1TB of OneDrive storage on 5 Devices (Windows, Mac and Android) for AUD $99 per year.
iCloud ranges from –
50GB AUD $17.88 per year – NOT ENOUGH;
200GB AUD $53.88 per year – Will do at a pinch;
2 TB AUD $179.88 About double the cost of OneDrive with 1TB plus Office.
The large iCloud jump from 200GB to 2TB with no options in between is a bone of contention.
I am happy with Office 365. This program works on my Windows machines plus my MacBook Pro as well as my iPhone and iPad – and at half the price of the 2TB iCloud package.
I would never use 2TB as I only use a fraction of the 1TB on Office 365. I could get away with 200GB by being careful but, even so, as a user of both operating systems, I see Office 365 as the best value for money. However, if you were Apple only and used to using Pages, Numbers etc, I would buy the 200gb iCloud package.
Google drive pricing is:
100GB AUD $24.99 per year
200GB AUD $43.99 per year
2TB AUD $124.99 per year.
NEGATIVE
The only negative for me is the lack of Facial Recognition combined with the need to type in the password when you boot the Mac. (You can’t use the fingerprint reader on first boot from full shutdown.)
Windows Hello with a compatible web cam is why I still favour my Surface Pro 7 (SP7). A touch screen along with a stylus to draw on the screen is a “nice to have” (on the SP7) but Windows Hello facial recognition is the reason I still favour the SP7. Apple fans hype the OS but, in my opinion, it is the OS that you are familiar with that counts. I have used both for years and I don’t think one is better than the other.
I do not know why Apple cannot do face recognition on a MacBook Pro. After all, it works well on my iPhone. My iPad is old and does not have it, but later models do.
CONCLUSION
If you want a Mac, I recommend the model I have as it is not all that expensive and does the job well for normal use – (13 Inch MacBook Pro with M2 CPU, 512 GB Hard Drive and 8 GB RAM).
It only has 2 USB C (Thunderbolt) ports but that has not been a problem. The inexpensive dock (I bought) expands connectivity to all that the majority of people want.