Apple MacBook Pro 15 2017 (2.8 GHz, 555) Laptop Review

[Redaktion]

Competitive thanks to Kaby Lake. The updated Apple MacBook Pro 15 gets a modern Kaby Lake processor from Intel and a more powerful GPU by default. Otherwise, however, not a lot has changed.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-2017-2-8-GHz-555-Laptop-Review.230096.0.html

[Aaanton]

Maximum SSD capacity did not change, 2016 15-inch model had 2TB as well.

[Andrew Soebali]

I am interesting about the screen comparison.

Especially the contrast ratio/black levels. The previous APPA031 screen reviewed in the middle model in this website is much better with much better contrast ratio of 1:1900.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-Late-2016-2-7-GHz-455-Notebook-Review.197826.0.html

But now in the Kaby Lake model is "only" 1:1239??

Is it mean that Apple using lower quality panel in the newer model?

[Garfield]

Dear Andreas Osthoff,

May I know how was the CPU test conducted(Is non boot camp driver used)? My Apple MacBook Pro 15 2017 (3.1 GHz, 560) seemed unable to trigger turbo boost under win 10 even I stressed the CPU and selected performance mode for energy management settings.

[Klaus Hinum]

Bootcamp tests were run only with all the default bootcamp drivers installed. No other driver other than what Windows Update did install.

[dthrp]

Curious how the battery life would be on the latest Windows 10 and heavier Linux, like Ubuntu. Maybe 6, 7 hours? Wish you guys could test this out.

[Tiron]

Hello ! Did you have problem with wifi connection on bootcamp? I cant solve this proplem/ connection is slow but on mac os everything is good/

[Klaus Hinum]

Windows 10 battery life is rather awful as the dedicated Radeon Pro is always running. Furthermore, in our experience OS X is better optimized (or Windows drivers less, however you want to see it) leading to a further drawback.

Wifi problems as described only with 2.4 Ghz and some USB acessories. Happened in Bootcamp and OS X.

[Walter]

Hi when do you plan to finish this review? Thanks!

[jodiuh]

How serious is the PWM? Can anyone comment? It's the only thing I'm concerned about.

[Hot!]

Temperature section is inaccurate at best - I got slightly more powerful model - with 2.9 CPU and 560 (luckily it's my work computer and didn't waste my own money on it) and it's too hot to work without burning your fingertips - that's just running browser & slack.
It's simply not usable without keyboard and mouse - if you're in for development buy heat resistant gloves.

Same goes for battery life, it's badly underwhelming - using browser & slack you get around 4 hours.