Jeff Porten, TidBITS:
If you’re using or considering buying one of the new MacBook Pro models with the Touch Bar (see “New MacBook Pros Add Context-sensitive Touch Bar,” 27 October 2016), be aware that some people are seeing their machines shut down repeatedly and unexpectedly. The problem might be with external hard drives connected via Thunderbolt 3’s USB-C ports, which is, of course, the only way to connect them.
I began researching this after I was unable to copy a large number of files from one external USB drive to another using my new MacBook Pro. The copy was going to take a long time regardless, but when I came back to check on its status, my laptop was powered off and I had to start it up again manually. Restarting the copy additional times resulted in similar shutdowns.
In my case, I was presented with an error message telling me about the shutdown, with the messages “CPU Machine Check Architecture Error Dump” and “CATERR detected! No MCA data found” in the highly technical error report that automatically gets sent to Apple.
Hopefully, this issue, as well as the graphics glitching issue reported yesterday, is a sign of early days with a new architecture, and will be resolved either with a software update (best possible solution) or a design fix (with some repair path for early adopters).
But it’s the thinnest laptop we’ve ever made.
courage.
Pretty much every new Mac has hardware issues when it’s first released. Contain your impatience and wait for someone else to shake them out before you buy.
Yup, I can reliably reproduce this crash by trying to copy a particular 18gig file to a thumb drive. I tried multiple USB-A to C adapters, and a USB-C cable to an external drive… No bueno.
I had to buy a replacement for my 2009 iMac 27″ when the video card finally stopped working. It was showing issues, is replaceable and I fully intend to fix the unit.
However, I also have to work and that meant a trip to the Apple Store in a city 60 miles away because the local store did not have stock of the 15″ model, only the 13″ ( conversely, the store I bought from 60 miles away had only 15″ in stock).
When you spend £2700 (thats pounds sterling) you expect the unit to work, with out flaw.
I have so far identified a screen brightness issue, a battery issue and this large file transfer issue. The only flaw I personally have not seen is the integrated / dedicated graphics card issue that others have reported.
I then had to buy another £90 worth of cables. And then a monitor because, Apple in their wisdom stopped supporting Target Display Mode.
I’ve just spent an hour on the phone to Apple Tech Support, and patiently went through their processes only to be told to take it either to an Apple Store or 3rd party Authorised repair centre. The first appointment with an Apple “Genius” is 8 days away.
This is a £2700 computer. If it does not work out of the box as described I expect Apple to pick it up and replace it immediately.
I have always dismissed the Apple doomongers, but I can now see their point of view.
But if everyone takes your advice… 😉
Yeah, I have this issue. Can’t plug in a drive to do Time Machine backups. Annoying… needs to be corrected in 10.12.2 if at all possible.
Apple is fortunate that I have no influence whatsoever.
Right. Because it wasn’t until Apple made the MacBook Pro thinner that they needed firmware updates.
add to this the “blown speaker in bootcamp”-issue (it’s resolved now, isn’t it?) and the short battery life experienced by some users, combined with criticism of lacking specs and ports, new keyboard and the high price and this turns out to become a rev. 1 product in the worst sense.
i finally got the chance to play around with it. it’s really small & sleek for a mbp, which sort of justifies the high price. want. on the other hand, the touch-bar doesn’t look very good (that ugly escape-button) and seems more like a distraction for people who already know their shortcuts. plus the keyboard feels really hard & cheap.
not that I expect those things to change, but i’ll still wait for the 2nd generation. at least usb-c will be more common then (and hopefully, kaby-lake chips will give it a longer running time). and most of the kinks will be ironed out. at least there are no burning/inflating batteries this time.
The keyboard is a magnitude better to type on than it looks, Its actually very very good.