Apple has lost their focus

[Hankster]

Apple has clearly lost their focus since Jobs past away. And, before anyone calls me an Apple hater look at the age of my account. I was using Apple products long before (probably) 90% of the users on these forums. I've owned every iPhone since 3S. I've bought in total seven MacBooks (Air, Retina, Pro) and six iMacs. My family also has five iPads. My current laptop is the Retina MacBook and the iPhone 7 Plus. My wife has a 13" MBA and the iPhone 6 Plus.

I'm 40. Decades ago I used to be a developer and graphic designer. But, I hated Apple products. I was 100% PC. Then, about a decade ago I bought my first MacBook (white one) and then the iPhone...that's when I realized Apple products were better. They were better built and (the most important) they were convenient and easy to use. I've sold so many people on switching to Apple it's not even funny.

Now, it's almost 2017 and we just saw the iPhone 7 and the MacBook Pro updates. The removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone didn't bother me much since I don't use it often. But, I've been waiting for the new MacBooks for a few years. This is not what I expected. Apple has begun selling marketing instead of features.

Let me explain. Years ago Steve Jobs focused on products that made people's lives easier. The iPhone is popular because of how easy it is to use. But, recently the device and operating system have become harder to use. I have yet to meet anyone who likes the new iOS (yes, I'm sure there are folks who love it, but I'm referring to people I know). Remember the iPod Shuffle that didn't have any buttons? People complained (me included) and then Jobs came out and added the buttons back! It's in one of his presentations, I loved it...because it showed he actually listened to his customers.

Now, we have the MacBook Pro and it's...well, not a MacBook Pro anymore. Look at how many Pro users are shaking their heads. It's too many and for good reason. Apple just launched an inconvenient MacBook Pro. What does that mean? It means for a typical Pro user they need to do more to accomplish the same function. Apple didn't upgrade the MacBook Pro, all they did was make a better MacBook Air. They removed the ports that 99% of people use (USB ports). They removed the SD tray (hello, I'm a photographer). They basically removed everything that made the MacBook Pro convenient to use. Also, why does this MacBook Pro have almost the same specs as the previous models (back to 2010...)?

Again, I've been a huge Apple product user for almost a decade. But, this recent path Apple is going on is really turning people off. I have never seen so many users dislike the products Apple launches. I was going to upgrade to a MacBook Pro from the Retina MacBook, but now I won't because it's the same machine with three more USB-C ports. Sure, the fancy Touch Bar is new. But, there is nothing the Touch Bar does I cannot do with the track pad and my thumb. Instead of focusing on "thin" they needed to focus on function and convenience. It's what made Apple popular and the #1 phone and computer company in the world. The MacBook Pro needs at least one UBS port and leave the SD tray. Seriously, thin isn't that important. At some point thinner does not equal to better. Apple has lost their focus. They were leaders because they gave people devices that made their lives easier. That's no longer the case.

 

[moderniste]

I understand the frustration – I have USB devices and I use the SD slot too. But change is inevitable. We'll buy devices for the current ports and then in a few years they'll replace them with something else. I don't see this upgrade as being different from any other. People said the same things when they got rid of firewire and the dvd drive. They probably said the same thing when floppy drives went away. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I think a better example of their loss of focus is the breadth of their product line.

Jobs' philosophy used to be that the company's entire product portfolio should fit on one of their office tables. I wonder how that would work out now.

Just their portable Mac lineup is so crowded, it's really ridiculous and disappointing.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

It seems to me, in order to obtain lighter, smaller, etc. sacrifices had to be made. Hence moving to USB-C and such.
In a way, aren't we, the consumers to blame for this? Didn't we 'ask for' smaller, lighter, faster?

 

[Spink10]

Magic can only last so long...we have super high expectations because of previous magic...

 

[Jay42]

And they took away our floppy drives! Yawn, this happens every time they change something.

By the way, I've been here longer bro.

 

[Branskins]

Will the doom and gloom-ers ever stop?

I was seeing this stuff even when Jobs was still alive

 

[AdonisSMU]

I don't agree. I think the price is the issue for me. It's not the fact that they took ports I never used anyway out of the MacBook Pros.

 

[Ray Brady]

I think "lost focus" is the wrong choice of words. Apple hasn't lost focus; they're simply focusing on things you don't want. They've stopped developing desktop machines to focus exclusively on laptops. They've stopped developing iPods to focus exclusively on iPhones. They've stopped developing iWork to focus on Apple Music.

Apple's focus seems crystal clear to me. They want ultra-portable devices with no moving parts. They want people working wirelessly, storing documents in the Cloud and streaming media. While they still grudgingly offer access ports, they want a single, universal standard rather than a hodge-podge of half a dozen different protocols.

If you want to criticize Apple, I'd say it's more accurate to say they're TOO focused. They're pursuing their singular vision of what the computing experience should be like, and ignoring the use cases of thousands of long-time users.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I think "lost focus" is the wrong choice of words. Apple hasn't lost focus; they're simply focusing on things you don't want. They've stopped developing desktop machines to focus exclusively on laptops. They've stopped developing iPods to focus exclusively on iPhones. They've stopped developing iWork to focus on Apple Music.

Apple's focus seems crystal clear to me. They want ultra-portable devices with no moving parts. They want people working wirelessly, storing documents in the Cloud and streaming media. While they still grudgingly offer access ports, they want a single, universal standard rather than a hodge-podge of half a dozen different protocols.

If you want to criticize Apple, I'd say it's more accurate to say they're TOO focused. They're pursuing their singular vision of what the computing experience should be like, and ignoring the use cases of thousands of long-time users.

See I agree with what Apple is doing here. The hodge podge is a mess. Apple should've made this exact argument that you are making right now.

 

[HellasLEAF]

I think part of the problem is, Apple was in a very good place when Jobs left us and Tim took over. I mean look at last gen 2015 macbook pro. It's a work of art. Retina, powerful, thin, light, all the ports you need, beautiful design. I mean, I'm not saying innovation is dead but, it's hard to find ways to innovate when you have created top notch, forward thinking products already.

The REAL problem with apple is it's such a business now and it's shareholders demand new products and innovation seemingly every year. There is only so much they can push the needle forward without changing things and people just don't like change much when they have found comfort.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I think part of the problem is, Apple was in a very good place when Jobs left us and Tim took over. I mean look at last gen 2015 macbook pro. It's a work of art. Retina, powerful, thin, light, all the ports you need, beautiful design. I mean, I'm not saying innovation is dead but, it's hard to find ways to innovate when you have created top notch, forward thinking products already.

The REAL problem with apple is it's such a business now and it's shareholders demand new products and innovation seemingly every year. There is only so much they can push the needle forward without changing things and people just don't like change much when they have found comfort.

In this case Apple actually did something great with the multiple ports and various standards situation. This is a HUGE usability win for everyone going forward. Having a single standard that can handle display, data transfer and charging is a usability win.

 

[Nate.]

Will the doom and gloom-ers ever stop?

I was seeing this stuff even when Jobs was still alive

Reminds me of when the iPhone 4 came out and the antenna issues spelled the end of Apple's attention to detail.

Or how literally everyone said the iPad was useless and would never kick off.

Also the MacBook Air launch.

Just a few times when Jobs was alive where Apple had "lost their focus".

Funny how now many hail ip4 as the best model, the iPad is.. pretty much the only tablet to consider buying besides the Surface which is technically a glorified 2-in-1.. and now everyone is mourning the beloved loss of the MacBook Air from the Mac lineup.

Wake me up in a few years when everyone has one of the new MBPs and loves it. Yawn.

 

[nursers]

And they took away our floppy drives! Yawn, this happens every time they change something.

By the way, I've been here longer bro.

I got you both....

 

[Kintamani]

Apple has clearly lost their focus since Jobs past away. And, before anyone calls me an Apple hater look at the age of my account. I was using Apple products long before (probably) 90% of the users on these forums. I've owned every iPhone since 3S. I've bought in total seven MacBooks (Air, Retina, Pro) and six iMacs. My family also has five iPads. My current laptop is the Retina MacBook and the iPhone 7 Plus. My wife has a 13" MBA and the iPhone 6 Plus.

I'm 40. Decades ago I used to be a developer and graphic designer. But, I hated Apple products. I was 100% PC. Then, about a decade ago I bought my first MacBook (white one) and then the iPhone...that's when I realized Apple products were better. They were better built and (the most important) they were convenient and easy to use. I've sold so many people on switching to Apple it's not even funny.

Now, it's almost 2017 and we just saw the iPhone 7 and the MacBook Pro updates. The removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone didn't bother me much since I don't use it often. But, I've been waiting for the new MacBooks for a few years. This is not what I expected. Apple has begun selling marketing instead of features.

Let me explain. Years ago Steve Jobs focused on products that made people's lives easier. The iPhone is popular because of how easy it is to use. But, recently the device and operating system have become harder to use. I have yet to meet anyone who likes the new iOS (yes, I'm sure there are folks who love it, but I'm referring to people I know). Remember the iPod Shuffle that didn't have any buttons? People complained (me included) and then Jobs came out and added the buttons back! It's in one of his presentations, I loved it...because it showed he actually listened to his customers.

Now, we have the MacBook Pro and it's...well, not a MacBook Pro anymore. Look at how many Pro users are shaking their heads. It's too many and for good reason. Apple just launched an inconvenient MacBook Pro. What does that mean? It means for a typical Pro user they need to do more to accomplish the same function. Apple didn't upgrade the MacBook Pro, all they did was make a better MacBook Air. They removed the ports that 99% of people use (USB ports). They removed the SD tray (hello, I'm a photographer). They basically removed everything that made the MacBook Pro convenient to use. Also, why does this MacBook Pro have almost the same specs as the previous models (back to 2010...)?

Again, I've been a huge Apple product user for almost a decade. But, this recent path Apple is going on is really turning people off. I have never seen so many users dislike the products Apple launches. I was going to upgrade to a MacBook Pro from the Retina MacBook, but now I won't because it's the same machine with three more USB-C ports. Sure, the fancy Touch Bar is new. But, there is nothing the Touch Bar does I cannot do with the track pad and my thumb. Instead of focusing on "thin" they needed to focus on function and convenience. It's what made Apple popular and the #1 phone and computer company in the world. The MacBook Pro needs at least one UBS port and leave the SD tray. Seriously, thin isn't that important. At some point thinner does not equal to better. Apple has lost their focus. They were leaders because they gave people devices that made their lives easier. That's no longer the case.

[doublepost=1477714516][/doublepost]I agree, to the extent that Apple should simply have more choice in the range. the macBook Pro should be a larger range available up to 17" and include at least some legacy ports - Ethernet, USB and SD should absolutely be there to call it a proper 'Pro' machine.

 

[Rkuda]

Every new product and every major redesign from Apple has been met with mobs naysayers and angry posters. And those people are always invariably wrong.

I'm sorry the products don't meet your needs. Maybe it's time to check other vendors.

I use Apple devices professionally and so far they are the best I've used. The 15" MPB will be a huge step up when it arrives.

Also please educate yourself about specs more because saying the specs are the same as they were in 2010 is very misinformed.

 

[Altis]

I understand the frustration – I have USB devices and I use the SD slot too. But change is inevitable. We'll buy devices for the current ports and then in a few years they'll replace them with something else. I don't see this upgrade as being different from any other. People said the same things when they got rid of firewire and the dvd drive. They probably said the same thing when floppy drives went away. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

It's a bit different because there's almost always overlap.

Floppy drives were around long after CD drives were the standard.

To buy a "Pro" computer for several thousands of dollar and have it not able to connect with just about anything you own or that anyone you work with might present you with is a bit much for many people.

What makes sense is to include 1-2 USB 3.0 ports in addition to the 2 USB-C 3.1 ports. Then you can buy all your new stuff in TB 3 / USB-C. In the meantime, however, all the stuff you currently own still works, including mouse, keyboard, USB drives/thumb drives, printers, iPhone connecting, etc.

Most people don't want to hang on to old tech, but nobody wants to spend a fortune to be the first person to the party all by themselves.

Heck, look how few things are even available in TB 3 / USB-C 3.1 at this point in time. Almost everything is still exclusively USB-A.

One port wouldn't have been too much to ask for.

 

[willgreene99]

I do agree with the OP in many ways and I've detailed why here.

 

[AdonisSMU]

It's a bit different because there's almost always overlap.

Floppy drives were around long after CD drives were the standard.

To buy a "Pro" computer for several thousands of dollar and have it not able to connect with just about anything you own or that anyone you work with might present you with is a bit much for many people.

What makes sense is to include 1-2 USB 3.0 ports in addition to the 2 USB-C 3.1 ports. Then you can buy all your new stuff in TB 3 / USB-C. In the meantime, however, all the stuff you currently own still works, including mouse, keyboard, USB drives/thumb drives, printers, iPhone connecting, etc.

Most people don't want to hang on to old tech, but nobody wants to spend a fortune to be the first person to the party all by themselves.

Heck, look how few things are even available in TB 3 / USB-C 3.1 at this point in time. Almost everything is still exclusively USB-A.

One port wouldn't have been too much to ask for.

Yes it would. I don't want my machine cluttered with legacy standards.

 

[leman]

Apple just launched an inconvenient MacBook Pro.

Its a question of perspective, isn't it? For me, they are super convenient. They offer incredible performance while being ultra mobile.

They removed the ports that 99% of people use (USB ports).

Oh my, this again. Please, they give you the best industry-standard port on the planet. yes, the adoption is a bit meager now. But in a year, no serious hardware will bemusing old USB ports. They simply don't make any sense right now. You can 'fix' all your USB needs to getting a bunch of replacement cables (priced from $8 to $12).

They removed the SD tray (hello, I'm a photographer).

That hurts, I agree. Id doesn't matter for me as I never use SD cards, but I can understand that photographers are upset.

Also, why does this MacBook Pro have almost the same specs as the previous models (back to 2010...)?

Everything in the MacBook Pro is cutting edge. If the specs are lacking, its because we currently have reached a plateau in component speed. Apple can't use non-existing tech.

 

[Altis]

Yes it would. I don't want my machine cluttered with legacy standards.

You must be furious about the 3.5mm jack.

Wait, is that legacy..? I could have sworn...

If USB-A were legacy it wouldn't be the standard in the just-released iPhone 7. There are entire categories of brand new products that can't connect to this computer.
[doublepost=1477721956][/doublepost]

Everything in the MacBook Pro is cutting edge. If the specs are lacking, its because we currently have reached a plateau in component speed. Apple can't use non-existing tech.

That DDR3 tho...

 

[Queen6]

Apple has clearly lost their focus since Jobs past away. And, before anyone calls me an Apple hater look at the age of my account. I was using Apple products long before (probably) 90% of the users on these forums. I've owned every iPhone since 3S. I've bought in total seven MacBooks (Air, Retina, Pro) and six iMacs. My family also has five iPads. My current laptop is the Retina MacBook and the iPhone 7 Plus. My wife has a 13" MBA and the iPhone 6 Plus.

I'm 40. Decades ago I used to be a developer and graphic designer. But, I hated Apple products. I was 100% PC. Then, about a decade ago I bought my first MacBook (white one) and then the iPhone...that's when I realized Apple products were better. They were better built and (the most important) they were convenient and easy to use. I've sold so many people on switching to Apple it's not even funny.

Now, it's almost 2017 and we just saw the iPhone 7 and the MacBook Pro updates. The removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone didn't bother me much since I don't use it often. But, I've been waiting for the new MacBooks for a few years. This is not what I expected. Apple has begun selling marketing instead of features.

Let me explain. Years ago Steve Jobs focused on products that made people's lives easier. The iPhone is popular because of how easy it is to use. But, recently the device and operating system have become harder to use. I have yet to meet anyone who likes the new iOS (yes, I'm sure there are folks who love it, but I'm referring to people I know). Remember the iPod Shuffle that didn't have any buttons? People complained (me included) and then Jobs came out and added the buttons back! It's in one of his presentations, I loved it...because it showed he actually listened to his customers.

Now, we have the MacBook Pro and it's...well, not a MacBook Pro anymore. Look at how many Pro users are shaking their heads. It's too many and for good reason. Apple just launched an inconvenient MacBook Pro. What does that mean? It means for a typical Pro user they need to do more to accomplish the same function. Apple didn't upgrade the MacBook Pro, all they did was make a better MacBook Air. They removed the ports that 99% of people use (USB ports). They removed the SD tray (hello, I'm a photographer). They basically removed everything that made the MacBook Pro convenient to use. Also, why does this MacBook Pro have almost the same specs as the previous models (back to 2010...)?

Again, I've been a huge Apple product user for almost a decade. But, this recent path Apple is going on is really turning people off. I have never seen so many users dislike the products Apple launches. I was going to upgrade to a MacBook Pro from the Retina MacBook, but now I won't because it's the same machine with three more USB-C ports. Sure, the fancy Touch Bar is new. But, there is nothing the Touch Bar does I cannot do with the track pad and my thumb. Instead of focusing on "thin" they needed to focus on function and convenience. It's what made Apple popular and the #1 phone and computer company in the world. The MacBook Pro needs at least one UBS port and leave the SD tray. Seriously, thin isn't that important. At some point thinner does not equal to better. Apple has lost their focus. They were leaders because they gave people devices that made their lives easier. That's no longer the case.

Tend to agree, Apple no longer works for me, I am spending ever more time in W10 and I see value in the Surface line. Those that can still use macOS and associated hardware all power to you. Think I am out of OS X, certainly on Apple`s hardware. I agree all Apple has produced is an Air on steroids, little else...

Q-6

 

[leman]

That DDR3 tho...

Yeah, I agree. Thats very confusing at best. At least its faster than the DDR4 used in Dell XPS

 

[AdonisSMU]

You must be furious about the 3.5mm jack.

Wait, is that legacy..? I could have sworn...

If USB-A were legacy it wouldn't be the standard in the just-released iPhone 7. There are entire categories of brand new products that can't connect to this computer.
[doublepost=1477721956][/doublepost]

That DDR3 tho...

I would've liked them to get rid of that too but I know why they didn't. It's a small compromise I can live with.

 

[Altis]

I would've liked them to get rid of that too but I know why they didn't. It's a small compromise I can live with.

Why didn't they?

I'm sure you could have lived with a single USB-A port, too, in addition to the 2/4 USB-C ports.