TechCrunch‘s review of Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020) and, as are many of the reviews for the product, it’s mainly about the keyboard. It’s good again, thanks to a return to Apple’s much-loved scissor-switch design after an ill-fated five-year foray into the wilderness on a quixotic quest for thinness for thinness’ sake.
It seems that Apple has relearned a powerful lesson: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
With the new MacBook, Apple closes one of the more unfortunate product chapters in its history. The upgraded 13-inch mercifully marks the end of the failed five-year experiment that was the butterfly switch…
After a few attempts to salvage the technology, Apple finally scrapped it, going back to basics and returning to the trusty old scissor switch. I’m typing on it now, and it’s seriously making me reconsider upgrading my four-year-old machine. Honestly, the laptop is in perfect shape otherwise, but man, those keys. It always felt too much like typing on a flat surface.
With this week’s news, the 13-inch becomes the third and final member of the MacBook family to get the new keyboard. It’s not “Magic” as the name implies (Apple really does love the M-word), but improvements are immediate and vast. The experience is considerably softer to the touch and quieter than previous versions, and the one millimeter of key travel is much easier on the hands.
There are other nice touches, here, including the addition of a dedicated Escape key. It’s a small but welcome consolation that the Touch Bar can’t do everything.
I realize I’ve just spent the first several paragraphs focusing on the keyboard. Silly, I know, but why bury the lede? After all, without it, the new MacBook would be a fairly standard MacBook upgrade (nothing wrong with that, but that’s just how these things work). With it, it’s a far more compelling invite for those who have been on the fence about an upgrade.
MacDailyNews Take: Finally, the butterfly is dead. Good riddance to bad rubbish!
This 13″ MBP is a pile of poo.
The latest MBAir with i7 4core is better in almost every way. It’s lighter and more ultra-portable and just has a way better value proposition. It used to be a dog power wise, but the 4 core i7 makes it very usable.
The 13″ MBP only offers 4 USB ports instead of 2, and a 4TB storage option. Otherwise it has no reason to be.
The 16″ and MBAir updates were REALLY good. That they didn’t offer at least a 6core CPU and 8TB storage option with this 13″ update (and a 14″ screen update) is really disappointing. This update was a big let down.
People should either get the MBAir 4 core model, or go up to the 16″MBP. Leave this 13″ dog.
On the other hand, some might want the better processor, more ram, better graphics and more ports for just a hundred more and it would make sense for them. 😊
You’re not getting more ram etc for $100 more. To be fair, you can get the same amount of storage and ram and better CPU for $100 more, but you’re giving up portability. The delta is small, but sure, for some, it’s the right call. Doesn’t mean the offering isn’t disappointing. It’s breadth of difference from the air is embarrassingly small.
Hey Zombie, your ex-boyfriend said your package was embarrassingly small too.
Apple takes far too long admitting to and correcting bad design mistakes. I feel fortunate to have bought a MBP in 2014 – it’s still pretty amazing – and the keyboard scissor gangnam style! (Which I am typing on right now.) So I missed out on all the butterfly hubbub rubbish.
The worst instance of Apple cluelessness being the 2013 Mac Pro of course. Only took 7-8 years for them to figure that out and fix that major boondoggle. (I own a very expensive 2019 Mac Pro now too and like it a lot.) They were lucky 2010 & 2012 Mac Pro’s were pretty usable still until recently otherwise many more would’ve fled to PC Workstations. I guess the only real criticism of the new Mac Pro is it may be a little on the overbuilt side (this thing is SOLID!) and the price out of reach of many who would otherwise have bought one. Too bad Apple seems reticent to build a mini-tower.
Hi,
The latest MBAir with i7 4core is better in almost every way. It’s lighter and more ultra-portable and just has a way better value proposition. It used to be a dog power wise, but the 4 core i7 makes it very usable.