Well, my old MacBook had seen better days (lots of kernel panic attacks, the ol’ hard drive just wasn’t what it used to be), so I went and got me one of them new shiny (actually, it’s a sedate metallic grey) MacBook Pros. In short, I like it, but it really represents the end stage of a couple of Apple philosophies. So, on to the specifics (full disclosure: I am a long-time Apple shareholder).

First, the touch bar. Everyone has been praising or screaming about the touch bar. I like it. It’s easy to use and fast. My only concern is long-term: what happens in a couple of years, when wear and tear start to happen (and will it get ‘gunky’)? But for now, it’s useful. The keyboard, like some have mentioned is kinda loud, and the track pad is a different size (I’m not used to the latter yet, but, then again, it took me a little while to get used to the old track pad).

The computer is incredibly light. If you use it primarily as a desktop computer that you occasionally move somewhere else, this might not matter. But if you carry it to work, have to go on the road, and so on, this is a very good thing (though the thinness is something else to get used to with typing–angle of your hands is slightly different than on the old MacBook Pro). One downside of the light weight is that it no longer comes with a DVD player, though I can’t remember the last time I used mine. The other downside is that you’ll need a $20 standard USB connector if you have any USB devices (I need one for work). On the flip side, there are four USB-C ports, all of which also double as charger ports–and they are on both sides of the computer (after decades of laptops, someone finally figured out that putting outlets on both sides would be useful…). Also, the computer generates far less heat than the older MacBook Pros.

There’s also a thumbprint ID, which isn’t mandatory for using the computer. I really don’t like biometric ID at all, so I don’t care about this. Thumbprint ID is being touted as an easier way to buy Apple stuff and use Apple Wallet–because it’s soooo hard to type an email and password (I would argue a slight delay in being able to purchase something is a good thing…).

The screen is a marked improvement over the older screens, especially those that didn’t have the glare guard (I can’t remember what Apple actually called that). Even text is much clearer.

What this seems to me is an attempt to return to the graphic design market, coupled with a belief that people will store things in the cloud. That is why Apple developed the iPad–to figure out what could be done in the cloud (and, of course, how to profit from it). If you’re a paranoid fuddy-duddy like me, and you believe if you don’t have a physical copy, then you’re renting, not owning, there are still good external hard drive options (also good for backing up your laptop. You’re doing that, right?).

Overall, I’m happy with it.