Tag: MacBook Pro

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.

After having problems with my old (2014) MacBook Pro, I have replaced it with a new 13 Inch MacBook Pro with M2 CPU, 512 GB Hard Drive and 8 GB RAM.

The old one was starting to have issues. Not only was I prevented from upgrading to the latest OS, but the screen had a big dull patch. Previously, I had the keyboard replaced and problems with the touch pad had re-developed. Also, I dropped my Apple mouse and broke it.

So, I took advantage of the Boxing Day sales and got a new one.

I could still boot the old one (using another USB Mouse) and Apple has made the set up and transfer to the new machine easy. It is just like upgrading to a new iPhone. After you connect to the same Wi-Fi network, the transfer is done over Wi-Fi.

I did not have any problems, but after being stuck on an old version of OS X, there were some new features that had me scratching my head – but nothing too serious.

One thing to be aware of – The 13 inch model only has 2 X USB C ports (and a headphone jack) – nothing else including no power plug on the 13inch model – you have to use one of the USB C ports. Both are “Thunderbolt”, so a dock works well.

The 14- and 16-inch models have the headphone jack, a card reader, a HDMI and 3 X Type C Thunderbolt ports plus a Mag Safe power plug. These versions also have better specs BUT are much dearer. They don’t have any USB Type A, so you would still have to buy a dock or adaptor.

The shop where I bought it (The Good Guys) was sold out of USB C portable external drives (for Time Machine). As a result, I thought about this and decided to get a dock to connect to one of the USB C ports. I got one from Office Works that has 4 X USB 3 Type A ports, a HDMI 4 K port plus one USB C port that can be used for power. The price was about half of a USB C hard drive, and I could keep using my existing USB 3 Type A Time Machine hard drive.

As it has about 20 hours of battery life, the lack of a separate power port on the 13inch model is not a great problem, but it is good to have the dock so that I do not tie up a USB C port for power and can also use this USB C port for multiple purposes.

Immediately, I was attracted by two features that were not on the old MacBook. The first is, it has a fingerprint reader. I set this up immediately and use it all the time. The second is also good. Even if you shut it down, as soon as you open the lid, it re-boots automatically.

AND I must mention that Siri is alive and well. When I say “Hey Siri Open Excel” she obeys promptly. Unlike the disappeared Cortana on Windows.

Everyone raves about the M2 CPU, but the way I use it, I can’t see any difference – but that is just me. However, this is my new toy. My Surface Pro 7 (SP7) is now officially neglected- although the facial recognition and touch screen, that my SP7 has but not on my new MacBook, are hard to neglect.

I did try to do a wipe and reset of the old one to give it to someone. However, I had no luck. It just would not work. I took the old one apart (#) to remove the battery and hard drive. I transported the battery (along with another spent rechargeable battery) to the council dump. The local council has free battery disposal at their Waste and Recycling Depots. You often hear of garbage trucks catching fire from people putting these types of batteries in the rubbish bin.

(#) I have a full set of different screw bits so I can undo most screws.

 

FURTHER COMMENTS See – https://whysun.com/computers-and-the-internet/macbook-pro-continued/