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Jack,

I have a feeling that we won’t have to wait too long for in-depth benchmarking tests on the new MBP 2018. Besides the raw numbers, I will still need to go to the Apple Store to see for myself if the slightly tweaked keyboard is any better a typing experience.

As far as a desktop goes, I think the only way to go these days is to just build your own. A quality i7-8700K 6-core build with a 30% overclock (5GHz) can be had for $2,100, even with a beefy GTX 1070Ti graphics card (faster than both the Vega 56 standard and Vega 64 top of the line option on iMac Pro). Then pick up an LG 43″ 4K monitor with 100% sRBG gamut and super accurate color for $700. Yes, 43 inches. Yes, $700.

So, for roughly half the price of the iMac Pro, you get a solid imaging workstation that chews through photos and video. Here’s a quick config I threw together: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qpwwq4. You’re not limited to a 27″ screen, and you can upgrade the SSD, add additional internal storage, upgrade the video card (or add a second in SLI), even change out the CPU. Half the price, with up to 50% better performance in Adobe apps. I know a lot of people like the 27″ screen, but as someone who uses a 34″ ultra-wide LG everyday, 27″ is tiny. And I’m seriously eyeing the 43″ 4K LG to gain even more screen real estate. For serious content creation, more is almost always better.

And honestly, if you didn’t need a monster video editing machine, scaling back the graphics could save you a few hundred, to well under $2K. I just wanted to give an apples to apples comparison (pardon the pun). Realistically, with a $5-6K budget, you could get a tricked out Razer Blade 15 laptop (32GB RAM / 2TB SSD) for $3,500 and a desktop for $2,000-2,500. Or, just plug the 43″ monitor into the laptop and call it a day, for $4,200. All that being said…. I’m still pulling for the MacBook Pro to surprise me when reviews come out this week.

Looking forward to your experience, Mark!

Albert,

Apple dropped the SD card reader for the same reason as why they omitted full-size USB-A or HDMI ports, and why the keyboard has such short travel – thinness. Thinness at all costs. And, if you check out my update from today, you’ll see that there seems to be a very tangible performance penalty as well.