[culopatin]

What is eh about the build? It’s my first Apple device after a series of high end Windows laptops and I can’t find anything on the build that is not solid in comparison.

The only complaint I have is that sometimes the keys leave an imprint on the screen but that could just be my bag being too tight. I would definitely have this problem with a Thinkpad or high end HP anyway. Speakers are the best I’ve heard and the chasis is stiffer than my car’s. The screen is awesome…. In a thread about a framework laptop I don’t think I can find something that’s “eh”.

Unless you’re talking about it not being upgradable, but that’s not a build defect.

[gtvwill]

Your view on what is a good build is different to mine (which it should be!). I as part of my job sometimes fix laptops. Used to do it alot more and see alot more models but less these days. https://www.ifixit.com/News/54122/macbook-pro-2021-teardown There. have a read. Whilst some folks might marvel at that and think its a work of engineering glory.

To me it just looks like the IT equivalent of a john deere tractor. It'll get the job done, bit fancy, but their going to bleed every dollar out of you to do it...and your stuffed if it breaks and you want to fix it. Also after you've been in their loop for a decade....fat luck breaking out of that companies buying cycle easily. Which results in me thinking....eh avg build. avg device. Its definitely nothing special that's just marketing hype.

[culopatin]

You may want to review what the meaning of “average” is. Take all the laptops out there, rank their build quality, and find the mean. The fixability is not a build quality issue, it’s a design choice and you know that going into it. Other laptops may appear more fixable but turns out no one makes parts for them because they were meant to be disposable, and on top of that they are a creaky thin and hollow mess with shitty hinges.

I still think that the MacBooks are all above the average of what’s out there.

[sneak]

The bottom panel isn't supported well against the internal components and it makes a hollow sound, it feels like plastic even though it is metal. Compared directly to the immediately preceding 16" it feels way less solid (I have both). It's also rather ugly, I look forward to Apple spending more time figuring out how to get those features and capacity into a case that doesn't echo boxy plastic PC laptops from 15 years ago.

[climb_stealth]

I'm glad you say this. The latest Macbook just feels cheap. It feels and looks like one of those fake plastic computers they use for displays at Ikea. A huge difference to previous models which feel solid and high quality.

Not sure if the quality is actually any different. But my first impression was "what the fuck is this?".

[culopatin]

I had to go tapping around to see what you meant and I still don’t understand why it matters so much. The main frame is pretty solid, and that’s where I type. Compared to the AVERAGE of the laptops out there, I still think it’s well above the mean. If one day you find yourself at a Walmart or best buy or whatever equivalent in your country, check some truly average laptops and you’ll find what an average windows laptop feels like in 2022.