Poorest Product Introduction Ever

[newellj]

You are right about characterizing as "negative" the reviews, as they are not. But they do point clearly lots and lots of issues constantly ignored here.

As for the "pro" feature, it is either because I did not express it correctly, or you did not get what I was meant; The exact sentence you quoted from the review, is the main reason I tried to highlight the review itself, as I agree with it 100%. People in some threads here try to keep their bubble up by calling all these compromises as "pro" features, that therefore only a small number of people would ever need (like...erm...having two ports). And all these just because apple wants us to believe it is like this. I mean, come on...

The article states clearly that the compromises are not pro features, but the lowest ones in the market, directed to ultrabooks. The rMB fails to catch up even with those. And they also refer to chromebook that has two ports, that both can work as chargers and connectors, interchangeably. And they also suggest this seems to be very "apple-ish" idea, but not by apple.

Everyone has the right to choose whatever machine works for him/her. Absolutely. But adopting apple's marketing excuses to do it, is another story.

My view on the rMB is that it is what it is. Some people are going to be very enthusiastic, either because the compromises don't matter for them or because although the compromises are noticeable the rMB still makes more sense for them when everything is considered. Those are fine.

Some people are going to be negative because they have actual needs that the rMB can't fulfill and wasn't designed to fulfill, and that's also fine.

What is crazy, and I'm not implying that you're in this group, is the large and very vocal group of measurebators who apparently use their computers to do nothing but look at spec sheet porn and decry the horrible change in Apple's products. As I said earlier, there are a lot of people driving around in Expeditions or even F350s who really should be in a Prius or at least an Accord.

I support the concept behind the rMB, and I haven't seen anything in any of the reviews that is making me think I should return this one yet. !2 days and counting...

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Yup, apple is a company, not a religion. Please repeat that a few times.
It is ok to discuss their products in a positive way (as I've done most of the times here), as it is equally ok to say negative things about them. You know...in a forum and all that.

Agreed, but that goes both ways. There seems to be a cult that needs to constantly moan about how every new Apple announcement is the herald of TEOTWAWKI. :roll eyes: Neither group is right, but both are very vocal and they do seem to know how to push each others' buttons.

 

[SmOgER]

If you need all that stuff this is not the computer for you. But if you insist on getting one anyway, Apple will sell you an adapter for all that stuff. As many others have said, the future is wireless...actually the present is wireless.

Can you really imagine a single human being which wouldn't for once want to use (or charge) a flashdrive or any other device with USB 2.0/3.0 interface on their MacBook? Seriously?

Roughly ALL the customers are gonna buy that adapter (or cheaper alternative) as soon as they get the chance.

You trying to say "you are holding it wrong". Yeah, right.

Future is future, there won't be any people from the future coming back in time to buy this .

 

[inspiron]

I am happy for all US people to buy the rMB at BestBuy right now,

BUT

it doesn't make sense that Apple prefer a retailer than his own
chains (shop, online).

Something went really wrong.

Any idea?

 

[jmgregory1]

Can you really imagine a single human being which wouldn't for once want to use (or charge) a flashdrive or any other device with USB 2.0/3.0 interface on their MacBook? Seriously?

Roughly ALL the customers are gonna buy that adapter (or cheaper alternative) as soon as they get the chance.

You trying to say "you are holding it wrong". Yeah, right.

Future is future, there won't be any people from the future coming back in time to buy this .

There is absolutely no way that "all" customers are going to buy the usb adaptor, because they need to use a flash drive and charge the computer at the same time. The scenario you are suggesting surely could happen, but unless people are simply waiting until there is 1% battery left before they decide to pull or put some files from a usb drive, how hard is it to simply unplug, use the drive, then re-plug in to charge?

I am looking at the rMB for work, primarily for traveling, and I'm guessing there are a lot of people who see using it for the same purpose (work or school). I don't want or need multiple ports when I'm on the road, where my focus is minimizing load weight while allowing me to do basic work functions, like email, web, spreadsheets and documents. The rMB is really a smarter way to travel than the iPad, which I had been using, given the dedicated keyboard and trackpad and the larger screen.

 

[newellj]

I am happy for all US people to buy the rMB at BestBuy right now,

BUT

it doesn't make sense that Apple prefer a retailer than his own
chains (shop, online).

Something went really wrong.

Any idea?

Completely inexplicable. The same thing is happening in Australia, by the way.

 

[noobinator]

I don't know why but it's kind of hilarious that BestBuy can get us these next day for a small shipping fee but Apple can't get them to use for a month and a half minimum no matter what you pay for shipping. Someone dropped a ball here. I wonder who is going to get fired?

 

[Hieveryone]

How was it a poor product intro? I just saw it again the other day. I suppose they didn't clearly define who it's for maybe?

 

[SusanK]

I wonder who is going to get fired?

Nobody, unless someone was in Cook's crosshairs prior to this event.

 

[iRun26.2]

Nobody, unless someone was in Cook's crosshairs prior to this event.

Agreed. I don't think it is going to make nearly much difference in Cupertino. It just seems more like a bigger deal to us. Apple is selling lots of rMB and people are excited about them. Success!!!

 

[TheBuffather]

This whole Watch and MacBook launch business is absolutely terrible. It basically eliminates the impulse buy for both items.

Nevertheless, one of those items being one of the cheapest mainstay products they have ever introduced. There is no doubt that their sales are taking a sizable hit during this botched intro, because a $350 item would capture impulse buys where their other products (Macs, etc) would not.

 

[Elise]

Is the whole adapter argument still raging on? Lol, well this is one person who won't be buying one, I don't need them.

 

[rahulr]

Nevertheless, one of those items being one of the cheapest mainstay products they have ever introduced. There is no doubt that their sales are taking a sizable hit during this botched intro, because a $350 item would capture impulse buys where their other products (Macs, etc) would not.

Have you gone to a store? Have you done the tryon? It's an absolutely incredible experience, the staff have been trained and are knowledgeable on all aspects of the watch. Apple may have sold 3m watches and if so it would be classified as one of the best product launches for them ever. In the case of the MacBook, I think this initial run would be classified as more of a test run to see what the appetite of the consumer is for this type of product, I remember when thE iPad first came out, people were skeptical, same with the iPhone,means with the iPad, and now the same with the MacBook,

Let's just see how all this plays out. I think regardless all of the parties involved, Apple, new MacBook lovers, and non MacBook owners will be just fine.

 

[SmOgER]

There is absolutely no way that "all" customers are going to buy the usb adaptor, because they need to use a flash drive and charge the computer at the same time. The scenario you are suggesting surely could happen, but unless people are simply waiting until there is 1% battery left before they decide to pull or put some files from a usb drive, how hard is it to simply unplug, use the drive, then re-plug in to charge?

I am looking at the rMB for work, primarily for traveling, and I'm guessing there are a lot of people who see using it for the same purpose (work or school). I don't want or need multiple ports when I'm on the road, where my focus is minimizing load weight while allowing me to do basic work functions, like email, web, spreadsheets and documents. The rMB is really a smarter way to travel than the iPad, which I had been using, given the dedicated keyboard and trackpad and the larger screen.

Wait. How are you going to plug conventiontional USB 3.0 flashdrive into a USB-C port?

 

[tstm]

Wait. How are you going to plug conventiontional USB 3.0 flashdrive into a USB-C port?

First of all, this is something that fairly easily can usually be accomplished by using wireless communication between your devices. Secondly, when I get my MacBook, I will get myself a USB-C/USB-A hybrid USB stick which happily plugs into both types of ports and thus enables me to transfer data between things. Ta-da, no adapters deeded.

I am a professional user, and typing this text on my rMBP 15". I'm going to buy a MacBook with zero dongles. The only scenario I can see for a dongle is for Ethernet in some corporate networks. This computer will never be connected to my main display, this is a secondary computer for mobile use.

 

[jmgregory1]

Wait. How are you going to plug conventiontional USB 3.0 flashdrive into a USB-C port?

You're not. There will be a slew of new usb-c Zip drives hitting the market. Of course I would also suggest that usb drives are going the way of the floppy or CD-ROM disks. It may be a few years off, but when you look at how quickly the market has moved from all the various removable memory cards, disks, drives, etc., it's going to happen fast. Apple is clearly pushing this direction and the use of mobile devices is furthering the movement.

 

[KPOM]

I don't know why but it's kind of hilarious that BestBuy can get us these next day for a small shipping fee but Apple can't get them to use for a month and a half minimum no matter what you pay for shipping. Someone dropped a ball here. I wonder who is going to get fired?

Best Buy has the base models, but is backordered on the higher end configurations. Apple has reserved its supply for its online channel.

 

[SmOgER]

You're not. There will be a slew of new usb-c Zip drives hitting the market. Of course I would also suggest that usb drives are going the way of the floppy or CD-ROM disks. It may be a few years off, but when you look at how quickly the market has moved from all the various removable memory cards, disks, drives, etc., it's going to happen fast. Apple is clearly pushing this direction and the use of mobile devices is furthering the movement.

That's the point. Given that we live in the present, not the future, 99% of rMB buyers will need that not included adapter. Many of them will buy the cheapest option possible, and will run into different kind of problems because of it. All of that not because Apple chose to use only one port, but because they didn't bother to introduce a neat solution and include a compact dock with 3 ports in the package. You can throw it away after 5 years when it's no longer needed lol, but what's the point in pretending to be a smartass now just to limit yourself? And finally, even if there is a smartass or two who will refuse to use the adapter/hub/dock, what's the harm in including it anyway for the other 99% of buyers? It's not like it's too expensive to be included with $1300 device

 

[Queen6]

Assured physical Apple Store stock today 24th for Southern China by Apple. Visit leaving empty handed, as the joke launch continues; staff now have literally no idea of in store availability and can only embarrassedly point you in the direction of the Watch.....

Same as the US it`s looking very likely our local approved retailers will have stock before Apple Store`s, as the demo systems are already in place. Aside any technical or production issues Apple need to sort out their communications to their staff and their customers.

Q-6

 

[newellj]

Assured physical Apple Store stock today 24th for Southern China by Apple. Visit leaving empty handed, as the joke launch continues; staff now have literally no idea of in store availability and can only embarrassedly point you in the direction of the Watch.....

Same as the US it`s looking very likely our local approved retailers will have stock before Apple Store`s, as the demo systems are already in place. Aside any technical or production issues Apple need to sort out their communications to their staff and their customers.

Q-6

Checked stock in southern New England this morning- nothing. Pretty sad.

 

[Queen6]

Checked stock in southern New England this morning- nothing. Pretty sad.

At the point of giving up, it`s boring beyond description having to deal with Apple over this. I just need a backup system with HiDPI display and another OS X is Notebook preferable, equally I can work in Windows, it`s not like I wont make the same $$$$

All Apple needs to do is give clear stock dates by country, which they are apparently incapable of at present or anytime soon...

Q-6

 

[brand]

Poorest Product Introduction Ever

I don't care for the iWatch at all.

It's one of Apple's largest product launches ever and I could care two cents.

So you do care, at least a little.

 

[newellj]

At the point of giving up, it`s boring beyond description having to deal with Apple over this. I just need a backup system with HiDPI display and another OS X is Notebook preferable, equally I can work in Windows, it`s not like I wont make the same $$$$

All Apple needs to do is give clear stock dates by country, which they are apparently incapable of at present or anytime soon...

Q-6

Manufacturing problems - I understand. They're not good, they need to be solved.

Communications problems - I don't understand at all, especially in 2015.

 

[Queen6]

Manufacturing problems - I understand. They're not good, they need to be solved.

Communications problems - I don't understand at all, especially in 2015.

Exactly, it simply comes across as arrogance as Apple expects us to wait at their beckon & call, equally as long as Apple meets or exceeds predicted sales I seriously doubt that they care one iota...

Q-6

 

[jmgregory1]

That's the point. Given that we live in the present, not the future, 99% of rMB buyers will need that not included adapter. Many of them will buy the cheapest option possible, and will run into different kind of problems because of it. All of that not because Apple chose to use only one port, but because they didn't bother to introduce a neat solution and include a compact dock with 3 ports in the package. You can throw it away after 5 years when it's no longer needed lol, but what's the point in pretending to be a smartass now just to limit yourself? And finally, even if there is a smartass or two who will refuse to use the adapter/hub/dock, what's the harm in including it anyway for the other 99% of buyers? It's not like it's too expensive to be included with $1300 device

I have 3 usb drives sitting on my desk right now. The last time I used any of them was when someone gave me one, a really nice 16gb Sandisk aluminum keychain drive, with a few files on it - that was last August. I actually like holding it, because it's small and feels good in-hand, but I'm not using it for anything, nor the other 2 drives, a 32gb and 64gb I bought a couple of years ago to increase the capacity of my '11 13" 128gb MB Air (before I replaced the internal drive with a 256gb strip).

Sure, I'll agree that Apple could have included adapters, but they're not about providing solutions to keep people using things from the past, even if the consumer kicks and screams about it. Times are changing now, not just in the future. The reason usb drives are so cheap is because they're at the end of their life, in the same way that CD-rom's went from $5 each to packs of 20 for $5 (or less) or how the floppy disks before cd's did the same thing.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Having observed Apple product introductions ever since the first Apple II, it seems that something is not going right for Apple, when it comes to getting the MacBook into the hands of users. Could it be that they have decided to include an acceptable adapter - to appropriately enable and empower users?

Huh? No.
Seems like it has to be some sort of manufacturing issue that prevents them from producing large numbers.
Either that or they are purposely trying to condition us to buy online so they only need to make as many as they have orders for.
Either way it's pretty screwed up.
I have heard a really ridiculous range of responses from Apple store personnel asking when they will have them in stock. The worst was "nobody promised they would be in the store".