Specs of the model reviewed:

2.3GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor Turbo Boost up to 4.8GHz

AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory

16GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory

1TB SSD storage

The saga of the Apple butterfly keyboard has seemed like an endless one. It is still something that consumers will associate with Apple for many more years to come. I had one keyboard replacement for my laptop, and it was a complete pain. Luckily the replacement was done in 24hrs, but the hassle of having to spend a working day without my computer was enough to make me realise the pain that some people must have gone through with longer waits and more failures.

Since then, I have had no further issues. However, as soon as there was an announcement that Apple had replaced the butterfly mechanism with something in between a traditional scissor and the butterfly that would not have the same issues, I was interested. Not only were repeating keys annoying and replacements inconvenient, but I was also not keen on the feel of the butterfly mechanism. There was not enough travel and the keys made far too much noise.

So, while my previous laptop still had good resale value, I took the plunge and picked up the new 16”. I chose the higher-end base model (i9) because I do a lot of data analytics and use virtual machines to test computer code. As a coder, the addition of a physical escape key was the icing on the cake, as I loathed the Touch Bar escape key, especially when working in editors like VIM and when programming. To my pleasant surprise, there is far more to the new MacBook than just a new keyboard.

I was reluctant to upgrade to the last generation of 15.4” MacBooks for a simple reason: throttling. I wanted the capabilities of an 8-core processor to be able to virtualise and to be able to run complex Spark scripts using the cores as cluster nodes. However, when I experimented with a colleague’s machine, the performance was severely limited due to thermal issues. Apple claims that the 16” has a new cooling system that has made this much less of a problem, and after using the machine for a couple of weeks and doing extensive multi-core processing, I can attest that this is true. The performance is stunning, and it is easily 2x the speed of the 4-core models that I’ve been using in the past. It makes a previously painful 10-minute data analysis that made changing scripts laborious, into something that only takes a few minutes and equates to much more productivity. It has also handled video conversions (using compressor) with ease and makes editing 4K a pleasure in Final Cut.

The most profound performance increase is in virtual machines. I do a lot of work with students running on different platforms and therefore get code that cannot be smoothly run on a Mac. Windows runs amazingly well on Parallels, and it has gone from being something I dread running because it is slow and takes ages to do anything, to a non-hassle. I have to do a lot of work with Hadoop systems and prefer to do this in a virtual machine so I can experiment without affecting my production environment. Linux also performs well, and even when under load it never slows down.

The screen is gloriously big, and allows me to have lots going on when I’m working. It is not much larger than the older model 15.4”, but it looks far better with the smaller bezels. The brightness and clarity are excellent.

The 1TB of storage also means that I have the space for virtual machines, lots of datasets and video. This move to increase storage and bring down the price is one of the best Apple have ever made, and I am glad they have listened to their users and made the minimum workable for professionals.

Less relevant to me, but still notable, are the speakers. I do not do audio and video professionally except for presentations, so the speakers are not something I use in my typical workflow. Nevertheless, they sound great, and I am happy with the improvements. I still prefer a dedicated speaker for music, but while travelling this will mean I do not need a portable speaker anymore and less luggage is always a bonus.

Are there any downsides? I cannot find much to complain about at all. The weight is substantial but worth the trade-off for the power and screen size. The fans are loud when putting the system to work, and in a silent office, this can be a little disturbing for fellow workers. I use an iPad when working in places such as cafés and I think the 16” is too big for these locations, but the predecessor (15.4”) was also the same. I also would not find a laptop this size comfortable when flying. For most people, it will be worth waiting for the 13/14” to be released next year with the new keyboard. If you are not a creative professional or coder, then that will more than suffice.

In conclusion, the 16” MacBook Pro is an excellent improvement over the previous generations. The keyboard is the star with the escape key and much improved key travel. The i9 offers incredible power, enabled through a much improved cooling system, and the extra storage means professionals no longer have to worry about carrying around external hard disks. The speakers rival portable ones and mean less luggage when travelling and will be a massive benefit for people dealing with audio on the move. In sum, this is the Apple laptop that we’ve been waiting for, and it has far more to it than just a better keyboard.