Top 10 Reasons Not To Buy A Macbook Pro
Here’s my list of top-10-reasons not to buy a Macbook Pro, Apple’s latest and greatest luxury notebook. While some of these problems have been addressed, many are still riling consumers who long for a Macbook Pro v2.
1) Your batteries might swell, explode, or stop working due to heating problems. Your case will be warped out of shape in the process.
2) The name “Macbook Pro” is considered horrible, and generally not the new status symbol your $2000+ notebook should be.
3) Performance on old Power PC code is mediocre. All your old Mac apps will generally run slowly, slower than a G4.
4) The Macbook Pro is shoddily and quickly manufactured in China. It may or may not have manufacturing defects that will need later repair, such as a loose fan.
5) Overheating will cause serious problems for your Macbook, if it suffers from blocked vents or the infamous thermal paste problem.
6) Some Macbook Pro owners report a hissing noise from the display if it’s running at less than full brightness.
7) No Firewire 800 port, which means significantly slower external device performance.
Wifi support in the new Macbook Pro is somewhat sketchy; Airport doesn’t work as well as it used to.
9) Macbook Pro pricing is higher than the corresponding Dell or other Intel Core Duo notebooks.
10) Like the Sony 13.3″ Vaio’s with metal cases, the Macbook Pro also can induce an electric shock to the user, through the metal case.
The problems generally fall into one of three categories: manufacturing defects, feature reductions, and design problems. Some problems fall into two categories. For example, the heating problems are caused first by poor design with higher power consumption, and second by manufacturing defects with thermal grease, vent blockage, and shaky fans. Digg if you like.
| This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 27th, 2006 at 1:18 pm and is tagged with loose fan, mac apps, firewire 800, thermal grease, electric shock, device performance, power consumption, metal case, core duo notebooks, thermal paste, status symbol, pro v2, g4, new macbook pro, vent, dell, batteries, notebook, intel core duo, intel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback. |
53 Responses to “Top 10 Reasons Not To Buy A Macbook Pro”
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[...] Elliot Back gives us 10 reasons not to buy a Macbook pro. However I’m a windows user, I don’t think everyone agrees with him. Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
I must be lucky then. My boss got me one and it doesn’t have big issues.
The WiFi is GREAT on my MBP. It’s much better than on my ASUS PC notebook. It gets hot, yes. But my former Powerbook G4 got hot as hell too. Modern notebooks get hot. Not much to do about it. The price: You’re referring to an article stating the MBP is priced fairly and not more expensive than it’s PC counterpart. The name: Who cares? The long term issues are remained to be seen.
All in all I don’t consider this top 10 very strong…
p.s: Firefox 1.5.0.4 / Mac refused to post a comment here. The submit button didn’t do anything. I had to do it in Safari.
1) My friend at CompUSA has had one instance of the problem only, but yes, the problem does need to be fixed. I don’t consider it very widespread, however.
2) Doesn’t matter, the name doesn’t have anything to do with the hardware, which is actually good-quality hardware, IMO
3) More and more applications are becoming Universal. I’ve also heard it’s not as bad as you say. Actually, I heard Photoshop CS is faster on Intel with Rosetta than on an iMac G5. (but I’m not sure of the accuracy of that statement)
4) Yes, it’s manufactured in China. So? Who cares? The problems that remain to be seen… okay, they’ll probably be fixed when they’re found.
5) The MacBook Pro doesn’t overheat at it’s regular reported temperatures, as far as I know
6) Why would you want to use less than full brightness? I can’t stand anything but full brightness. But, yes, the problem needs to be fixed.
7) The 17″ MacBook Pro has a FireWire 800 port.
9) I heard it’s cheaper than one of Dell’s systems.
10) Sounds like a normal problem with metal/aluminum cases, but yes, needs to be fixed.
[...] Elliot Back has a funny, but interesting list of the top 10 reasons not to buy a MacBook Pro. He also links to news articles about each fact that he mentions in his top 10 list. 2) The name “Macbook Pro” is considered horrible, and generally not the new status symbol your $2000+ notebook should be. [...]
-sigh- Seriously, Elliott, don’t you have anything useful to write about?
Granted, the defects such as exploding batteries & whining fans have happened, it’s not as if other computer manufacturers produce 100% of their machines defect free.
Specifically:
In response to 2: This is sort of a ridiculous reason not to buy a computer, don’t you think?
In response to 3: I would think that the advantages of the Core Duo far outway the few apps that are still being run in Rosetta.
In response to 4: Umm, a lot of things are manufactured in China. I don’t see you complaining about your clothes or electronics or pens or .. [the list goes on]
In response to 9: You have to remember that you’re not getting another Windows POS though. *That’s* the difference. And if you’re really concerned about the price, buy a MacBook. You won’t find a better laptop for that price.
I just recently got a MacBook Pro and its the best laptop I have ever had. No problems what so ever and all the programs I do use such as Dreamweaver and Photoshop CS2 work flawlessly on it and better then my PCs (which are high-end as well).
This list really only effects a very small percent of people and really shouldn’t be counted for someone truly interested getting a new MBP + with it you get a far better operating system then Windows with a much nicer interface and built on top of BSD none the less (for linux/bsd lovers).
Last but not least I love the design… no laptop looks better then the MBP and I appreciate all those Chinese workers that stayed up 80 hours a week to make my MBP ;).
[...] There are the pros and cons. But the general verdict seems to be that the MacBook, while priced a tad higher than models with comparable specs from elsewhere, is an OK buy for casual users, or people who wouldn’t be burning their processors and graphics accelerators with high-end requirements. At least no one is bashing the MacBook as much as the MacBook Pro, as with Elliott Back’s recent top-10 list why not to buy a MacBook Pro! [...]
This review is just horrible. I’ve been a PC user for i don ‘t know how long, and just switched back to Mac, and this is the most amazing computer i’ve ever used. Next time you plan on wrting a review you should try to get your facts straight.
I have never had any of those problems with mine. It works great and it runs nice and smooth.
Sounds like your working for the Microsoft devil.
How do you expect to be taken seriously after point #2?
i have macbook pro
and IMHO, G4 is better than macbookpro.
at least its not overheat, when i’m rendering it goes >70 celcius.
and yes, IT IS hissing, and i’m using less brightness so the battery can last longer when i unplug the charger.
and the battery keeps dropping (i’m using coconut battery).
and also yes, for the electric shock, it annoys me but i’m getting used to it.
On points 3 and 9 I have to strongly disagree.
My MacBook Pro runs most of my non-native apps faster than
my G4 (even though my MacBook pro has 512mb of RAM and the G4 Quicksilver has 1.5gig of RAM)
As for price, it’s been shown time and time again that the MacBook Pro is cheaper than the equivalently specced (ugly as all f**k) Dell, HP, etc.
As for WiFi, I agree, it’s not as good as my old (work) PowerBook
BUT it’s STILL loads faster, more reliable and easier than any PC laptop I’ve used.
I had to tell you all, ya gotta buy one of these MBP’s! They are awesome! And the OS, well, it’s just given me somemore great ideas for Vista!
Hi, i just got a mac book pro after much deliberation over other options. I love having a mac, so much nicer and usable than the windows environment. HOWEVER my mac book pro sounds like its going to take off most of the time, the sound keeps cutting out, it has trouble recognising external hardware, seems to crash alot…. cant remember anything else. Needless to say that im sending it off!
Is that the best you can do?
I’m a Windows user and for a while was considering moving to a Mac instead of Windows Vista for a laptop. I eventually got pushed to go Windows Vista, but thanks to you, I’m going Mac OS X.
Apple Rocks!!
- Anonymous
Okay, I just got a macbook pro recently … and so far as I’ve seen none of those are true … now I do worry that my macbook could overheat for some reason, but I think that’s just my paranoia … and yes I do agree this computer is way way expensive … but over all I love it way better than any other kind of laptop … I had this toshiba p.o.s. … that thing had so many problems it wasn’t funny … and also, there are two reasons up there for not buying a macbook pro that are incredibly stupid … the old mac apps run slow? So what? The old mac applications suck anyways, OSX has enough good apps. And the name sucks? Okay, I’m not gonna say that it does or doesn’t … cuz the name is pretty neutral to me. Is the name that big of a freaking deal to make you not buy the computer … come on, seriously. I may not be a big fan of Windows, but do you think I don’t use it cuz I think Vista is a stupid name … pfft
Those 10 reasons sound like someone is regretting their purchase. I have run OS X 10.4.9 on non-Apple hardware and found it that it is faster then actual Apple hardware. But the real case is choice. I don’t see a reason to spend more money on hardware just to run an operating system, I like my Windows box, and if I feel like ******** around with Apple, then I will just install it.
classic.
ellie -i dont completely agree with you.
chootiya is a keyword in Mac - search for it and you will get a list of things which needs to be updated on your list.
gandu - this is a new software which MAC will use.
thanks
only ures
LUND
type this URL and u will get instant results
http://www.gandmeyleyleychodu.com
http://www.ibookgandmeyleyley.com
thanks
elliYO, i just know you ain’t tryne diss.
you need to get off the hardware for minute and take a quick look at the bigger picture bro.
ask yourself:
1. what was the last, biggest tech. advancement the pc world has ever brought to the table?
2. when was the last time a windows os has optimized and changed the way you work?
3. what was the last and most innovative peice of harware or software ever released by billyG of microsoft?
the way i see it, microsoft is a dying animal from yesterday.
they invested a ton of $ to make vista which was tech. form yesterday before is was released. windows xp is tech. from last week.
to cut this off: i would never spend the extra € if it was not a fact that as an interactive media developer, I LOOSE MONEY WORKING ON A PC.
i got a macbook myself and and i agree these things need to be fixed BUT just to stay on the safe side i’ll stick to an os x just because apple have their eyes on the future.
and as a person who loves what they do, im finding it more important to work with tools built by people who love what they do. you start to notice a difference after a while.
but that’s just me bro, stop hate’n and get a f**** mac
My goodness, I know that this article is total garbage but you mac people…talk about over reaction.
Unfortunately, no one in this post has an idea about the differences between the mac and a pc. If I bought my servers based off how they looked i would be fired. The great advances about mac is their new OS is based off of unix (most mac users have no idea what this is). As for the GUI interface for MAC… I think its garbarge. If you are a graphics designer then macs are great systems to have. If you are a unix user then it helps to use a mac, but thats about it. The people that normally use macs are usually the people that dont really know what they are doing. There are a few out there that actually know unix and buy macs for that reason. As for that… Does anyone know if the hostap driver works for the airport adapter? I want to put the adapter in promiscuis mode.
thanks
This article is rediculous. Whoever wrote this did a google search for “macbook pro issues problems” then consolidated the list into a top 10….DUH! If I lived my life in fear of everything then this article might be useful. But I don’t because I understand that not all these issues will happen to everyone. Its more likely you will only get one of these problems then all of them…and the likelihood of getting any issue is (from what I have seen on http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/macbooks.html .
According to this site there is a
After blowing through 2 Dell laptops in a 18 month period, 1 with a screen so cracked that it cant be used and the second with that lovely blue screen after crashing quite frequiently I was fed up and I decided on a Mac BookPro and while the price was a little higher the quality is much better. I’ve had mine since April 2006 and have had no problems with it. Yes the battery does get hot but all laptops do that. Never been shocked by it or heard hissing from the display. The one and only problem I have had is with the power cord fraying where it connects to the power block. that is easily fixxed by getting a replacement cord. The WiFi on my Mac BookPro works better that on my fathers Dell laptop. In fact when we go on family vacations my entire family ends up using my laptop for email and everything. I love my mac and I’m never going back.
Hi
I purchased a mbp and its he best notebook ??I have ever had.The heat issues are no more han the issues Ive had with other laptops after long hours of use. If I run it off battery then there is no heat generated on mine. It is the best built laptop I have had and he operating system is the best Ive encountered so far. Plus with parallel software I can run multiple operating systems at once. Compared to other laptops in the price range I think this is worth every penny.
After using the mbpro I will be replacing my current pc with the apple version as os x is just brilliant. Ive had no problems with it and everyone who have had a go no matter how skeptical have loved the system.
In fact a few of my colleagues are also purchasing the macbook pro, if that is a notebook you shouldnt buy then I am yet to see a notebook that you should buy.
Reason two is worthless. I am a huge apple fan and have not heard any of these things before. I’m not saying they aren’t possible, I’m just saying they are highly unlikely.
U r just finding faults..for the sake of finding faults! And honestly, some of ur comments are truly insipid! Please get your facts right..or stop writing reviews!
This list is incredibly outdated and I cannot imagine why this popped up so high in my search for “Macbook Pro Case.”
Not only is the style of writing incredibly juvenile, but this is based on the 1st round of MBPs that debuted in 2006.
-The faulty battery problem has been fixed; the batteries fr: Sony, not Apple affected many brands incl. Apple, Vaio, HP. etc. They were recalled, and a new firmware solution is available sp. for battery, last year. This is no longer an issue.
-Honestly? Who gives a flying f****? But if you are that anal whatever.
-I don’t kno what you’re running, so that doesn’t help your cause here.
-Everything is made in Asia these days, primarily in mainland China. Defects? You may need repair? You mean like every single other piece of electronic hardware in the world? Good heavens!
- Thermal paste is no longer an issue; the amount has been reduced.
- No hissing on my screen; Apple used different manufacturers after the first round of LG LCDs as I understand it. No longer an issue.
- Wifi is running just fine, thanks.
-Electric shocks as mild vibration as recall was a problem with design and has been fixed. No longer a problem.
-Higher price than Dell? Are you kidding me? Really? LOL.
Reasons not to buy a MBP? Hardly. Although I would seriously consider the Sony Vaio FZ series, as it does come with Blu-ray rw drive, a 17″ display, and is slightly every so much lighter and still thin and attractive looking not to mention an attractive price. But think carefully, reasons to get a MBP are far more plentiful: beautiful design, portability, power, Mac OS X Leopard, excellent support, no bloatware (loads on Sony) and ease of use.
I’ve been looking into Apple and their products, and have recently bought a Macbook Pro. Unfortunately, many of the same problems still plague its products (appledefects.com).
Also, though people bring up points about “all hardware is susceptible to defects” and “just get warranty,” it’s difficult to apply these points to Apple, especially since 1. Applecare is very expensive, 2. When paying a PREMIUM price, shouldn’t the consumer also expect PREMIUM quality?, 3. Apple prides itself on its image, so when overpriced computers show its shoddy construction, its image is destroyed (other companies don’t even boast half as much as this one).
Now, the problems that still exist even in the newest (Penryn) line of MBPs:
1. Hissing noise from headphone jack when using headphones
2. Yellow band on LCD
3. Warped case (lid doesn’t close flush against base)
4. Hard drive clicking noises
5. Electricity conducted through case
6. Overheating issues
And from what I understand, Macbooks aren’t any better, unless you want a computer LITERALLY falling apart (case cracking and becoming loose due to poor quality material and construction).
To people who think this article is unfair, consider this: if some company boasts of perfection, shouldn’t they demonstrate it, especially if they make you PAY the premium?
Don’t get me wrong here, I think OS X is great. But I don’t think OS X is worth an extra $600 to use…
Either stick with the macbook if you REALLY must use OS X and hope it doesn’t crack after your warranty is over, or else go with something else.
Additional notes:
Apple store service is horrible from what I’ve experienced. For defective products, even WITHIN the 14 day timeframe, they give you a lot of trouble if you try to exchange (not return, but EXCHANGE) your product. They even expect you to pay the restocking fee for an EXCHANGE!!!
Then if you bring up certain defects, they are trained to reply that they had no prior knowledge of the defect (or else they are too dumb to even be informed of their own products), or else they reply with this common phrase “it is within spec.” 5 dead pixels? Too bad, it’s within spec. Your lid doesn’t close? Too bad, it’s within spec. Your screen has display artifacts? Too bad, it’s within spec. You want an exchange? Pay 10% restocking fee, and if your next laptop also has defects, then pay 10% for another one.
I’m sorry, but right now, Apple has some serious issues to fix.
This is a fake article that exists only to make money from the advertisements on this page.
Hi
I have always been a windows person. I just bought a macbook and now wondering if I should have went with the pro. My 14 days of trial is not over yet and I called them to return this one for the pro and customer service was very nice to me and they will let me return it with no restocking fee…
So now I have to decide what way to go… I must admit that the mac system is really a treat to use over windows. Completely refreshing and fun!
Hmm, now i can think of maybe over 100 reasons why not to buy a windows computer.
Starting with lets see hmmmmm the operating system is so much more tedious to use then OSX - not to be mention BSOD frequently. I switched to Apple after my PC crashed and i lost all my Uni coursework. I’ve had no problems since…
I realize that this is about the Core Duo MacBook Pro. I realize that this is almost two years old and that these problems have been fixed.
You’re still the biggest piece of Windows fanboy on the planet.
Everything you have addressed has subsequently been fixed. Except the name. The name has remained. In two years, how many name changes have Dell, HP, Sony, Acer, and the rest gone through in their laptop models? How is one supposed to find the laptop they need when all they have for reference is alphanumeric gibberish? The lack of a decent (no, ANY) naming convention in the Windows world is my one complaint there. Oh, and Vista sucks, but we all agree on that.
I also realize that this is old, but i can’t help myself.
Wow. Just wow. I love how these reasons are all pretty much subjective, FUD and general garbage. What we have here is the epitome of a windows fanboy.
1) Your batteries might swell…
Interesting…..I’m pretty freaking sure that this affected MOST OF THE BLOODY MANUFACTURERS OUT THERE because of SONY. Stop spreading FUD and biased ****. What a pathetic way to open this article.
2) The name “Macbook Pro” is considered horrible.
Totally subjective. Who considers is horrible? You? Your mother? Cause i don’t nor does anyone that i know. Conversations don’t usually go - you know that macBook? what a horrible name. This is just stupid.
3) Performance on old Power PC code is mediocre.
Just not true. Completely untrue. I guess you never actually tested this yourself - That makes you look like a complete fool.
4) The Macbook Pro is shoddily and quickly manufactured in China. It may or may not have manufacturing defects that will need later repair, such as a loose fan.
“Such as a loose fan?” I think you have a few screws loose in your fan. Terrible argument - and most all components in today’s computers are “quickly manufatured” in asian countries. Again, with the stupid reasoning and biased angles.
5) Overheating will cause serious problems for your Macbook, if it suffers from blocked vents or the infamous thermal paste problem.
Yes, if you bock the vents, a computer tends to overheat. Stupid. The thermal thing? seeing as Apple warranties it, it’ll be covered. So far, you have one reason that applies. Congratulations.
6) Some Macbook Pro owners report a hissing noise from the display if it’s running at less than full brightness.
Ok…. And that’s a bona fide reason to not purchase? weak, bnut ok, you get two.
7) No Firewire 800 port, which means significantly slower external device performance.
No longer applies but whatever. Not a discussion point.
Airport has pretty much worked well enough. Are you just bored of this article at this point? is that why your reasons are really starting to suck?
9) Macbook Pro pricing is higher than the corresponding Dell or other Intel Core Duo notebooks.
No it wasn’t and still isn’t. GYFFS - Get your facts straight. Yes, i meant to type two “F’s.” Think about it.
10) Like the Sony 13.3″ Vaio’s with metal cases, the Macbook Pro also can induce an electric shock to the user, through the metal case.
Yes, that would be a problem with a metal case - but it’s pretty uncommon. The hardiness of the metal case more than makes up for it - and the mag safe connector is what really wins.
How about you prove that you aren’t a fan boy by writing three more lists: 10 to get an MBP, 10 to not get a PC, and 10 to get a PC?
No? you won’t? why not? because you can’t allow yourself to admit that there could be anything good about something other than a Winsux box…. interesting, that’s what i thought.
Yeah, I agree that the Macbook Pros may get hot but which laptops with discrete graphics dont get hot? Its just that MBPs get a little hotter than average due to their slimmer metal casing thats all.
I admit that my Macbook easily reach 70 degrees celcius, but only if i set the Macbook to run on maximum performance with the MagSafe plugged in. It does cost a little more than the average same spec notebook out there but at least it doesnt BSOD halfway into your gaming session. Yeah all it gets is a beachball but that seems to happen much less often than the hourglass in Vista.
May be u can do a top 10 on why not to buy a laptop/notebook from every major notebook manufacturer out there. I believe that Sony overprices their Vaios more than Apple overprices their Macs.
Try video editing on a dell, or ibm. Yeah right. Macbook pro is far superior to any pc based laptop.
Your coming of a little dumb.
Mac sux.
Have you ever used a MacBook Pro? Seriously, when you try it, you’ll never look back. I switched two years ago and discovered a new world.
number 2? seriously?!?!
these laptops are amazing
First of all there is not a possibility for an electric shock since aluminum does not pass electricity, and secondly all your other reasons beside price (that is very high) are childish.
I waited over 2 years to transition to MAC 'til I had my PC stuffed up by the heavy SP3.
Finally I plug my new Mac Book Pro with top of the range specs and SHOCK!
Literally!
When you charge it just with the “plug” you do not have Earth Connection and the chassis gives you an electrical shock. Yes. Our company IT could not believe it. I cant believe it myself.
So I wonder:
a) Is it legal?
b) Is it a new standard in hardware manufacturing?
c) Is now Mac working for Microsoft and the PC manufacturers?
d) Are you kidding?
I bought a top of the range Sony Vaio and the problems with it were horrific, it stopped working after 2 days and I am still waiting for Sony to do something about it (now 2 months), meanwhile I have bought a bottom of the range Mac Book Pro - wow what an awesome machine, cheaper, faster, sexier, i could go on and on but i have a life, each to their own opinion, but mine sits with Apple every time……. Tony, UK
Hey if you just read (2 and are what the heck is going and glanced at the comments, I suggest you just exit this page and find something else to help you get your dream labtop. Elliot please you are the biggest ****** I have ever seen on the web. Never and I reapeat this again do anything on the internet infact just throw all your electronics your not fit to have it. Hey and China makes alomost everything probobly 80% of whats in your house. Yes their are problems, but nothing is perfect and luckily these problems are not widespread. Microsoft rocks and it was a computer I used most of my life, but Macbook and MBP are the best. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a change or simply the best laptop to man.
I might take you seriously if you at least attempted to use grammar and syntax….
You know what…i think who ever wrote this just against macs or a complete *****!…My 2007 MacBook Pro has never once had a problem….compared to pc laptops i've seen. My battery might swell or explode? well i've never of such a thing on anyones laptop. What do you mean no firewire 800 port? i have that and fire…wire 400 plus 2 usb ports? I think this person is mental. Most these things are not true :-(…and electric shock through metal case? is the is person on crack?
Hey, I like the new Macbooks. I still think the Macbook Pro doesn't offer enough for the extra $1200 you have to pay, especially once you start shopping around in PC world for a nice Vaio.
stupid reasons…seems like someone who hates apple’s products made this review..seriously bullshit….if there were so many problems..apple wud be on raod now..lol…stop cheating and misleading ppl..
this guy Kicks=
[dude bro says:
9/8/2006 at 12:08 am
How do you expect to be taken seriously after point #2?]
ps. Pc will never be as good as Mac.
[...] colegas, amigos o familiares), uno de ellos me manda un enlace de un blog en el que hablan de las 10 razones por las que no comprarse un Macbook Pro. Interesado en leerlas pronto me di cuenta que no tenían ni pies ni cabeza. Aquí van los [...]
f**k all you f**cking haters.