Unprecedented Move: Apple’s New MacBook Pro Series Fails to Secure Consumer Reports’ Recommendation

In a surprising first, the illustrious line of Apple MacBook Pros has failed to net an explicit recommendation from the reputable American organization, Consumer Reports. This abrupt deviation from the norm is attributed to concerns over the device’s battery life.

Consumer Reports, a trusted name in product evaluations for the public, purchased and put three MacBook Pros through rigorous testing: a 13-inch model with Apple’s cutting-edge Touch Bar, a 13-inch model without the Touch Bar, and a 15-inch model. By purchasing review products at retail, Consumer Reports aims to replicate the actual consumer experience accurately, paralleling their testing conditions to the end-users’.

However, what should have been a routine testing procedure turned into a spectacle of inconsistency. The test results for the MacBook Pro battery life were so wild and divergent as to warrant disbelief. The 13-inch model with the Touch Bar, for instance, chalked out a puzzlingly diverse battery lifespan; it could only hold a charge for 3.75 hours during one test, yet managed a staggering 16 hours in another.

Even without the Touch Bar, the second 13-inch model clocked inconsistent results, lasting a strong 19.5 hours in one trial, but falling to just 4.5 hours in a consecutive test. Adding to the perplexity, the 15-inch variation offered battery life varying from an impressive 18.5 hours to a disappointing 8 hours.

Given their history of reviewing over 140 laptop models, including numerous from Apple’s MacBook series which have always previously received their stamp of recommendation, Consumer Reports’ decision carries significant weight. While some reports suggest that switching from Apple’s Safari to Google Chrome can boost battery life, laptops are used for more than just internet browsing, suggesting this might not a complete solution.

Despite the battery life issues, Consumer Reports didn’t entirely write off the new MacBook Pros. They noted that the laptops still offer high performance overall. However, given the crucial role that battery life plays in consumers’ buying decisions, they couldn’t confidently recommend the newest additions to Apple’s lineup. This episode serves as a reminder that even market-leading products must continue to meet and exceed customer expectations in all aspects, including battery life.