Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

[MacRumors]

Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.

There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an iPad.

This change was spotted by Macworld and the French blog Consomac, among others.

On the MacBook Pro ordering page, for example, you start by choosing a 14-inch or 16-inch display and a color. Next, you have the option to upgrade to a nano-texture display. Then, you choose from the list of M-series chips and core counts that are available for the MacBook Pro size that you selected. Finally, you can customize the amount of RAM and SSD storage, choose a power adapter, and choose a keyboard language.

Before, there were some preconfigured models available, and you could proceed to upgrade certain specs after selecting one. Now, it is entirely à la carte.

Unfortunately, the MacBook Pro still cannot be configured with an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip, as the wait continues for new models. Hopefully that changes soon!

Article Link: Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

 

[Black.Infinity]

Like iPad and iPhone style, we are familiar with.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Outside of picking the processor first, that process has been there all along.

 

[Dwalls90]

But surely they are still stocking pre-config models for in-store and other retailers, right?

 

[Falhófnir]

For the MacBook Pro in particular where you have a lot of configurations, and some mutually exclusive options this might be a better way of approaching it. I wonder if in time they will make an effort to stock a larger range of pre made configurations and that's why they've stopped having 'stock' and 'BTO' options?

 

[awshucks]

Would have been a good opportunity to launch M5 Pro/Max with this new buying page.

 

[Plutonius]

I guess Apple figures people will spend more money this way.

 

[BigKahunaBurguer]

I think this is better.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Damn you can still buy those :

 

[Baseiseough]

Tried to configure a Mac Studio.

Can’t select the size first like shown above for the MBP.

This is trash. Old way was better.

/s

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Damn you can still buy those :View attachment 2600655

Having to buy a new Mac is a big difference though.

 

[Falhófnir]

I guess Apple figures people will spend more money this way.

I suppose it makes the 'what configuration I want' vs 'what's available immediately' less obvious, so someone who wants a Max, 64GB, 2TB previously BTO machine will be less likely to spot and settle for the cheaper Max, 48GB, 1TB stock machine because it's available 'now'?

 

[Billy_Bob]

This first attempt was done sloppily. After you've selected your CPU, it still offers you RAM options that are incompatible with the CPU you've selected, then asks you to go back and change your earlier choice if you don't want to change your selected RAM. Shouldn't this process be able to use enough Apple Intelligence to avoid offering an impossible choice?

 

[Nyx1]

Just release macbook pro😏

 

[baryon]

Good. I didn't like how you had to first choose a configuration, then change it, only to realize that for whatever reason the feature you want is greyed out, so you had to then guess that you need to start over with a different configuration and hope that maybe in that version the thing you want is available (RAM size, SSD size, etc).

You know what would be even better? Replaceable SSDs. Yeah how about bringing that one back.

 

[cubbie5150]

I guess Apple figures people will spend more money this way.

Probably a safe assumption. I figure anytime a corporation changes anything it's profit-driven. 🤷‍♂️ it is what it is.

 

[TechnoMonk]

But surely they are still stocking pre-config models for in-store and other retailers, right?

Yes. Just like they do with pre built iPhones and iPads of different configurations models.

 

[FatLouie]

I have just played with it for the Studio....I think I prefer the old way better. But I am a Luddite. 😄

If I order just the basic Studio with the 'included' components, I can pick it up today at my Apple store. Change to a 1TB drive, and I have to wait for it to be delivered to the store. So...it looks like if it is a basic unit, it will be in stock at an Apple store.

 

[Kkspire]

Love this!!!! Def better.

 

[sleeptodream]

Damn you can still buy those :View attachment 2600655

I noticed that too. Considering they built it into this new ordering system it must be sticking around for a while when buying a mac. Maybe I didn’t need to rush to buy one with the bundle the day it got discontinued 😅

 

[kotaKat]

But they still didn't change the worst part of the process: the part where you click the button and suddenly hundreds to thousands of dollars vanish from your bank account.

 

[mansplains]

This first attempt was done sloppily. After you've selected your CPU, it still offers you RAM options that are incompatible with the CPU you've selected, then asks you to go back and change your earlier choice if you don't want to change your selected RAM. Shouldn't this process be able to use enough Apple Intelligence to avoid offering an impossible choice?

Apple Intelligence isn’t even necessary for this, simple conditional logic can prevent impossible combos. If M5 selected, hide 96GB RAM, etc. Or let 96GB be chosen, then display a modal with CPU change information, let it be changed without going back a step.

 

[sleeptodream]

I have just played with it for the Studio....I think I prefer the old way better. But I am a Luddite. 😄

It does complicate things with how the RAM and storage are tied to the chip you choose

 

[jz0309]

I get a new Mac every 4 or 5 or 6 years, so it doesn't matter to me that this changes.
Even if you order a new one every year - does this really impact anyone's buying decisions?

 

[capamac]

Yeah but it comes with macOS 26 so better to wait and see if macOS 27 resolves the issues.