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Apple MacBook Pro 13" M1 Chip 2020 $1889.99 (RRP $1999) @ Costco (Membership Required)

1410

Not a bad deal for the newest model.

Seen at Costco Docklands. Not sure if available at other stores.

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      • I haven't noticed glossiness, but I'll test outside later for you.

      • Well that would be a matter of opinion, for me I find matte screens way too dull. For what it's worth I find that the Macbook screens have a purplish antireflective coating that's noticeably better than say a Surface Laptop 3 without one, but you'd be hard pressed to find matte screens on anything premium these days. Thinkpads as business notebooks stand out as ones which have this option.

  • +9

    These computers are absolute monsters. Although 8gb RAM, ugh.

    • +10

      You've got to pay that lovely Apple RAM tax.

      • $270 for another 8gb of RAM, ouch!

        • +14

          Could be worse.. the new Microsoft Surface Book starts with 4 gigs of soldered ram!

          • @Merlict: that's criminal

          • @Merlict: Really?! I thought 8GB was the bare minimum on a premium device. Or do you mean 4 soldered and 4 in a slot?

        • +1

          Apparently 8gb works just fine. Even on Air.

      • You also have to wait an extra few weeks for delivery (or did pre-launch at least).

        I went with 8GB which was delivered a few days ago, though am in two minds as to whether I should send mine back and get a 16GB version delivered so it is more future-proof. I don't think I've run out of RAM in anything I've done so far though. So far having 14+ tabs open in Safari (with 2 of those separate Gmail accounts, Roll20, Netflix with a paused video, Twitch with a paused video, several DuckDuckGo searches), Word with 5 documents open, Excel with 2 documents open, Lastpass app running, and Steam downloading a game hasn't caused any noticeable RAM issues.

        Can people suggest genuine daily uses that are likely to cause issues due to only having 8GB of RAM? This is a real request, as I will try them out if they are things I would actually use my laptop for.

        • 8gb of Ram will be mostly fine for "admin" type tasks like word / spreadsheets, browsing etc.

          If you do any sort of creative work, processing RAW photos, editing video you could come up against some issues, although to be frank I've done this on a 4GB mac and if you're using the Apple apps and not the adobe ones they're pretty well optimised to the point of being workable on 8gb well enough. Same with gaming (although there are bigger reasons than RAM to avoid gaming on this machine), some programming / compute type work.

          Really if you cant think of a good example of apps you need that will use over 8b of Ram you probably dont need to worry. It's kind of a "you'll know if you need it" situation.

          • @stanstho: Hmmm, maybe I will be fine with 8GB then. I don't do creative work and although I save RAW files, I rarely process them due to laziness/lack of knowledge on what to do. Video editing so far (not as a professional) has been butter-smooth on this machine.

            The only gaming I was going to do natively was Baldur's Gate 3, and only then if I'm not at home (and even then only if they fix the current issues with the game which make it not terribly fun IMHO). In your opinion, would playing even one game (which is apparently going to be optimised for M1) put a big strain on RAM?

            • @tolchok: I googled it and the game has 16gb minimum ram listed in the "recommended" system requirements - if it does come out with a version made for the apple silicon I would wait and see how performance is on the 8gb chip as even with the improvements of the M1 halving the recommended ram seems unlikely.

              • @stanstho: Good to know. I am torn between keeping current model (MbP 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD), upgrading to MbP with 16GP RAM or cheaping out and getting the baseline MbA during sale today and saving some $.

    • +5

      8GB ram & 256GB ssd. Very pro!

    • ios is a lot better at using ram than windows. simply put, ram utilisation is a lot more efficient

      • +2

        Er, yes, but these aren't running iOS.

        Assuming you meant macOS though: it's also more efficient than Windows (though certainly not as efficient as iOS), and having the memory as part of the SoC is likely to improve things too.

        And honestly, 8gb probably is enough for the majority of people using a MBA or a low-level MBP like this, but for the kinds of things I want to do, 16gb wil be necessary.

        That said, the fact that 16gb will probably be perfectly fine even for most dev stuff is still great news. I'm going to replace my two-port 2017 MBP with a new MBA either this year or next, and it's going to be a huge leap forward for everything I need to do.

  • -1

    Will Costco has a Black Friday sale for Apple lineups?

    • +9

      Great post mate, very helpful

    • +2

      Huuur ddddurrrrr Mac bad pc good

    • There is nothing wrong with preferring different OSs (I prefer MacOS over W10, though use both; I prefer LineageOS over Android and iOS), but making comments like yours deserves @jakeh87’s reply below.

  • +7

    My brother has the updated MacBook Air, absolutely amazing. Blitzes or matches my MBP 16” in almost every task and runs really cool. Plus, battery life is just insane. Non-optimised apps still run really well, which was a nice surprise.

    If Apple refreshes this with a new design soon, and even better with an upgraded iGPU, I don’t see why people would get other laptops over these. The price is extremely reasonable for the performance as well.

    • How warm does it get after hours of video streaming?

      • +3

        I’ve only watched a couple of movies on Netflix/Disney Plus on Safari, but it doesn’t get warm at all at least compared to my Intel MacBook. Maybe 25°C to 30°C at most on the hottest part of the chassis, with couple of non-intensive apps also running in the background. I’d say it’s almost as cool as an iPad.

      • Yeah it doesn’t get warm at all. Also the MBP fans almost never need to run. That’s how good this is.

      • Watched about 7 hours of Stan, Binge and Netflix last night (yes, it is too much streaming especially for a Friday night) and the fan never came on and it didn't get hot.

      • I can’t feel any heat on the surface whatsoever after a few hours of streaming on the m1 mbp. My 2018 mba would have taken off by the first couple of minutes…

    • +2

      If there was a 15" or 16" version I'd be purchasing for sure.

      • +2

        Next year I guess. Crazy benchmark tests coming out how the MBP M1 is faster than the current 16” MBP. IF that’s true it should be a beast.

      • I second this, I love a 15in screen and the overall build quality, speakers, trackpad, etc but I never really needed all the power of the MBP 16. I have an older 15in one and ideally would love if they had a cheaper 15in Air model, if I ever need to replace mine, that's more ultrabook than the souped up Pro 16 (sort of like what the Surface Laptop 15 is)

    • People keep saying these can run x86 apps.

      I assume they can run x86 MAC apps. Can they run windows apps at all?

  • How much is the 512gb model @OP?

  • +2

    You can run iPhone/iPad apps on these.

    • +1

      Actually, they sprint more than run…

    • Not all apps. Many apps require multi touch function.

    • Most of the iPad apps I've tried so far look a bit funny/odd due to being unable to make them full screen. I hope Apple (or a third party) make it so they can be made full screen or at least zoomed in.

  • +1

    You can get this for only $1571 actually.

    Buy some GC from Coles next week and PM with JB using Apple Education price.

    • They PM edu price? You might legit need edu ID…

      • Yea, u will need a edu ID

      • My friend graduated last year and used his old student ID to purchase from JB. Could always ask a friend/colleague/stranger who's a student to buy it for you.

    • What's the deal for GCs from coles?

  • Doesn't JB regularly have 10% off Apple computers?

    • They will exclude the new ones for a few weeks/months

  • +4

    Cheaper using education pricing. Just drag a schoolkid in with you. (Note, get parents permission, kidnapping isn't a nice thing to be charged with.)

  • Better if you access apple education store.

  • +4

    Shame this doesn’t natively run windows. I like viruses on my computers.

      • I know. I read that this morning.

        To be fair, that’s the ARM version being mentioned though. Do x86 and x64 Windows apps run on that?

        • +2

          Unfortunately not. It only supports 32bit apps. Having used an ARM based Windows device in the past, emulation was not very good.

    • +2

      To be fair I haven't had a virus on either my Mac or PC for at least five years, so PC doesn't necessarily=virus-magnet. I believe there has also been an increase in Malware targeted at Macs since they became more popular.

      That all said, I agree with what I assume is your sentiment - that many Mac users don't need or care about W10 running natively. If I could change my PC software to Big Sur and still run my Oculus Rift, I probably would.

  • +1

    Funny how only a few years ago Android and PC fan boys were always going on about specs and how shit Apple's specs are for the price, and now it absolutely leaves any Android phone or PC in the dust. Not to mention that specs aren't everything, and Apple's optimisation is second to none

    • +3

      Android and PC fan boys were always going on about specs

      Lol…..when triple AAA games switch to Mac OS which they never will, then talk. OTherwise, AMD, Nvidia and INtel will always mop up Apple products in gaming performance.

      • Gaming pc’s is like 2 percent of the market. You can keep your red accented, tethered to the power, 5 kgs 17inch machine to yourself and call it a laptop.

        • +1

          Gaming pc’s is like 2 percent of the market.

          A PC with the latest CPU and dedicated GPU can game fine.

          Laptops such as ALienware are only 2.1 kg and can easily be connected to two monitors to game with if you want.

        • +5

          It's great being a fanboy/girl and all. Unfortunately you need to look beyond the walled garden. There is a proper gaming laptop that weighs 1.6kg, has an 8 core AMD CPU, can play AAA games at high quality and has good battery life. It's called the Asus ROG G14.

          https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-Zephyrus-G14-GA401II-HE04…

          Diversity across software ecosystems is a good thing.

          • -1

            @shellshocked: And not everyone is buying a laptop for gaming. 98% dont even care. I am yet to come across a thin and light with the same build quality as Apple and a 20 hour battery life. The gpu in M1 isnt a slouch either as far as integrated gpu’s are concerned.

    • +4

      It does not leave any PC "in the dust"! The M1 might be fast, but it still only has 4 fast cores, far fewer than something like a Ryzen 5950x, it's GPU is much slower than a high end graphics card, it's RAM is limited to 16 GB max and is un-upgradable (same with the SSD)! These new Macbooks are good, but not the be all and end all of computing (very much so vs a desktop)!

      • +2

        Yes, PCs will always be around, well at least for the foreseeable future. But you’ve got to acknowledge this - tell me where I can find a Windows laptop for $1600 which has a single core performance slightly edging out even the monster $1250 desktop 5950x and a multi core performance that beats any AMD or Intel laptop CPUs, as well as one of the fastest and most efficient iGPU. And most importantly of all, the best battery life in an ultra book ever.

        I’d say it’s the end of Intel, at least in the mobile division, and AMD will be in trouble if they don’t catch up soon.

        • Can you provide a link thanks that is not Geekbench. I saw a video where it wins in Geekbench but looses to the entry level AMD 5600X six core in actual applications, posted below. Have also seen reviews where is looses to the AMD Ryzen 4000 series 15w mobile processors in applications.

          https://youtu.be/bdQ7u0mR570

          • @shellshocked: I'm just being pedantic and I note that this doesn't affect the substance of your post at all, but the word you're looking for is "lose". :)

      • Yes a cpu in a fanless thin and light laptop wont beat a 105 tdp desktop chip. What a surprise.

        • If you need a comparison of lower TDP CPUs, please refer to the below video where the reviewer has the new 5nm M1 based Air and Pro and runs Cinebench R23 native on all laptops. He compares it to Intel 11th Gen (10nm, 15w TDP) and AMD Ryzen 4800U (7nm,15w TDP) laptops. The AMD based laptop scores 9971, whilst the Air scores 7430, the Pro scores 7792 and the Intel laptop scores 5537. Even after extended runs the AMD based laptop still holds the lead based on this reviewers video. The M1 CPU is a great step forward but it is not the be-all and end-all as some fan boys/girls are making it out to be.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rcTJnVqzCE

          • @shellshocked: Lol so you compared the best mobile cpu, or close to the best, amd offers and compared it to entry level Apple Silicon. The Apple chip still consumes less power and has a more powerful integrated gpu to boot. Read up Anandtech’s review.

            • @dealsucker: Basing it purely on price-point thanks. Considering in Australia you can get a Ryzen 4800U, in full aluminum chassis, with a QHD screen, 16GB of RAM and 512 SSD for less than the entry-level AIR.

              • @shellshocked: You have no idea, do you? On native code it beats the 4500U easily - it even outperforms the fastest Zen 3! And 4500U uses up to 45 Watts when running test suite.

                Hate Apple for all you want but here is a fanless machine which can do all the heavy lifting you want and more, run cool (without a fan) and deliver 18 hours battery life. This is revolutionary. Name one machine which can do all this at the same price. There is just no competition.

                • +1

                  @dealsucker: Sorry I wasn't expecting you to take it personally. As a user of both Mac and PC, I just wanted some performance questions answered, which weren't. Competition drives innovation, so I don't hold any personal malice or attachment to a publicly listed company such as Intel, Apple etc.when purchasing their products.

                  • @shellshocked: To put it in perspective "Imagine if Apple launched a new MacBook Air at the same $999 starting price that came with a Core i7 10750H and RX 560 graphics, but they did it without a fan and added 6 hours more battery life. That’s basically what they did." - from twitter

                    • @dealsucker: Actually going back to your previous post because I was too busy to read it through thoroughly. I'm confused why you are comparing a 6 six core 4500U, which can be found in sub $900 AUD laptops, to the Air. Are you referring to this link, where sometimes the Intel Tiger Lake leads, or the M1 leads (native or Rosetta), or the AMD 4500U leads depending on the workload?

                      https://openbenchmarking.org/result/2011202-PTS-MERGE68890&s…

  • +1

    I'd wait for a 10% off sale from JBHifi.

    • +1

      Usually excludes Apple products

      • They'll sometimes have 10% off sales exclusively on Apple computers.
        They usually exclude iPhones and iPads.

      • 10% off Apple computers is rare but does happen.

        They won't stack it with education pricing in my experience

  • +3

    Would argue the MacBook Air is the better buy, the extra $400 for the Pro pretty much just gets you a slightly bigger battery, screen that gets slightly brighter and an extra gpu core, but with a downgrade from proper function keys to the touch bar and the Pro being heavier; performance otherwise the same

    • -2

      Function key… downgrade… right

      • +5

        As a owner of MBP 16 yes. Going touchbar from function keys is a downgrade

        • The same people which said 3d touch is a gimmick and i miss it everyday each day.

      • +5

        Used the touch bar? It's universally loathed by anyone who actually needs to use function keys (and importantly the esc key) for being far more cumbersome and unreliable over having standard keys. The best thing about the touch bar initially was getting Touch ID, but they've brought that to the Air anyhow

        • +2

          The M1 MacBook Pro has an ESC key.

          Other than that, who touched function keys? They’ve been repurposed for volume and brightness for years because they’re useless. The Touch Bar does that much better.

          I wouldn’t say “universally loathed” - just a loud minority.

          • @haemolysis: Damn right. So were the 3d touch is useless crowd.

            • @dealsucker: Haha as much as I enjoyed and regularly used 3D Touch… to be fair, most didn’t even know it actually existed or what it was for. I’m ok to see it go.

          • +1

            @haemolysis: So do you love having to look down at touch bar click the brightness slider and drag to adjust brightness rather than just not looking at the keys at all and pressing buttons to adjust it?

            • +1

              @InternetExplorer: Absolutely. Can do it in the dark, got more granularity, can see what the current setting is at… it’s much better.

          • @haemolysis: Ah hadn't realised but I'm glad they brought back the esc key, but we obviously have different usage scenarios if the only reason you're using function keys is for volume/brightness

            Original point remains they're very similar computers for that extra $400

      • +2

        The touchbar is a horrible meme and even with extra software to customise it just plain sucks.

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