As if the battery problems of Apple MacBook Pro series weren't enough, the 2016 MacBook Pro models continue to be the subject of intense scrutiny and controversy. Following Philip Schiller's tweet last December 23, Apple has reportedly started investigating Consumer Reports' results for the newest Apple MacBook Pro series - specifically the aforementioned battery life problems.

Tech-giant Apple is a brand synonymous with luxurious, cutting-edge gadgets and top-of-the-line technology that goes well and above expectations. And it's this history of over-performance that makes the MacBook Pro's failure to earn a Consumer Reports recommendation earth-shattering. Although the Apple name alone is more than enough to close a few million sales, Apple has every reason to be worried over this development.

As Forbes puts it, Apple "relies heavily on testing and recommendations from third-party organizations to market its hardware." For an influential consumer organization to condemn one of their more established product series is definite cause for concern.

Consumer Reports' reason for withholding the recommendation was due to a severe battery life issue. The discrepancy between tests on each model was reportedly too huge a gap to ignore. However, speculations and theories have popped up, agreeing that the difference between battery tests was indeed a bit too much to be believable. This landed Consumer Reports - and, subsequently, the Apple MacBook Pro - smack-dab in the middle of a controversy.

9to5Mac purportedly reached out to Consumer Reports, suggesting they run the tests again. Consumer Reports stands by its findings, or so 9to5Mac reports, saying that they monitored their tests closely and were confident in all their variables. Phil Schiller of Apple begs to differ, tweeting that the Consumer Reports results don't match Apple's extensive lab tests nor field data.

Apple fans are leaning more towards controversy, thinking this boost in attention at Apple's expense is exactly what the consumer organization wanted. The more cautious are supportive of the battery life issues and think Apple should simply correct this in future models. No official statement from Apple yet on how they plan to address this, but no doubt it's been a rough couple of weeks for the Apple MacBook Pro.