Apple has lost their focus

[AdonisSMU]

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.

No no I can't. I have a retina MacBook right now that I don't feel is powerful enough for serious engineering tasks. That doesn't mean I want to stick garbage on it. I can live with a legacy headphone jack because it's so small and I have headphones I can use it with.

What I can't live with is legacy USB ports and HDMI ports when we have the USB-C standard which is superior in every way technologically and Google Pixel and other companies are embracing it as the next standard.

 

[Hankster]

It amazes me how many people in today's society don't read then respond. Instead, people lean towards reading only to respond. 90% of the replies here don't even reflect the content of my post. For those who say this MacBook Pro is perfect for them, then you never needed a MacBook Pro. Yes, Apple has the right to develop their lines as they choose (obviously), but when the Pro line was geared towards professionals. It's no longer.

You don't need a MacBook Pro to listen to music, surf the web, use Office and stream video. Most people use only 25% of the abilities of their machines. The MacBook Pro line was a professional laptop, developed for professional use - graphic design, photography, developers, etc. It's high intensive processing.

The MacBook Pro 2016 is not a professional laptop, it's an upgraded MacBook Air. When you remove features a professional uses and call them "upgrades" it's a lie. Also, UBS-C is not even close to the standard - NOT EVEN CLOSE. Those saying it is, you need to stop lying to yourself.

- You cannot connect the iPhone 7 to a MacBook Pro 2016. How sad is that?
- 99% of flash drives are not USB-C
- 99% of back up and hard drives are not USB-C
- 99% of devices still use USB-A/B ports

Stop lying if you're saying USB-C is the standard. It's not. Not even close. Not even close by several years if not 6-8 years. Sadly, there are so many people who only care about posting responses without any context. Maybe you get a kick out of meaning a jerk online. Good for you. But, the reality is Apple is no longer in the business if creating devices that make live more convenient. They're creating devices to sell marketing. This was not the vision of Jobs.

 

[dogslobber]

Apple has clearly lost their focus since Jobs past away.

Jobs was the focus and he charted out a 3-4 year roadmap which has since dried up. You take a 4 star general out of military planning and leave it to junior subordinated then expect then to win the war? It's impressive that the execs have managed to hold it together but it's all gone wayward recently as the design-by-consenus that inflicts other companies was brutally beaten back by Jobs. It's now not under control so you have Ive continuing to pushy whacky design ideas at the expense of functionality. Even Steve knew the balance but there's nobody in authority to say No. No is a powerful word and needs authority to beat down every non-entity's silly proposal before it is productized. Unfortunately, we have some crazy design decisions this year like no head phone socket on the iphone 7, selling 5 year old Mac Pro designs, 2 port only MacBook "Pros", lack of 32gb in 15" MBP but it is thinner. The worst is that we'll have more terrible design decisions as we witness the slow decay of a once great computing icon.

 

[Ryan1524]

USB-C will be the standard by next year, if the rate at which people put out phones and PCs remain the same. This is not the first time Apple has nixed old ports in anticipation of new standards. But this IS the first time ALL ports can be replaced by a single new one. Previously it's one or two replacing some other one or two; never all at once.

I think this dramatic consolidation is what jars a lot of people.


For a large segment of users, MacBook Pro is overkill. They should be able to work comfortably with a MacBook or base 13" MacBook Pro. And these users will definitely not need to worry about too many peripherals being connected. If they do, it tends to be wirelessly available.

For the more complex peripherals that need high bandwidth connections, USB-C is a great future standard. Releasing a new device with USB-C is not as complicated as you might think. It probably takes 3-6 months at most to convert and release a new version of the same product.

As for connecting iPhone to MBP, you rarely need to do this anymore, if ever.



To me, their vision has never been clearer. They are creating a singular device which can be the brain to your computing workstation. It can plugged into just about anything you want with a single (eventually) universal connector with very high bandwidth. And to enhance productivity, an additional input method is provided, which can be user-customized.

 

[leman]

- 99% of flash drives are not USB-C
- 99% of back up and hard drives are not USB-C
- 99% of devices still use USB-A/B ports

This is not simply true. Most external hard drives have a Micro-USB or a Mini-USB or a USB-B port + a cable with a USB-A connector on one side. So technically, most CABLES out there are USB-A. But not the devices. All you need to do to be able to use your old hard drive with a USB-C laptop is BUY A NEW CABLE. Which is like $10. A simple replacement of cables, which is a minimal investment — and you are set. So really, stop making an elephant out of a fly.

As to the USB flash drives. Yes, those are a problem. Also, those are very cheap. You can buy a 16GB flash drive that has both a USB-C and a USB-A connector for $20 or so.

Its very simple, really. Either you embrace the future and help make computing world a better place, by sending out that financial incentive to the manufacturers to switch their stuff to the superior USB-C, or you wait until others have done it. There is really not much more to it.

 

[Hankster]

I'll toss another question at the people who say this MacBook Pro is an excellent upgrade.

- Apple said the headphone jack was old and needed to be replaced for the better lightening bolt port. They did this on the iPhone 7 just launched a month. If the headphone jack is old and needs to be replaced why did they leave it on the new MacBook Pro? If a person buys an expensive lightening port headphone set they cannot use it with the new MacBook Pro. How does that make sense and how does Apple support this incompatibility?

 

[The Mercurian]

I agree OP. I think the portable line-up speaks volumes.
12" Macbook
13" MBA
13" MBP 2015
13" MBP 2016 no bar
13" MBP 2016 with bar
15" MBP 2016

Its a confuddled legacy of different design philosophies

 

[tampageek]

I'll toss another question at the people who say this MacBook Pro is an excellent upgrade.

- Apple said the headphone jack was old and needed to be replaced for the better lightening bolt port. They did this on the iPhone 7 just launched a month. If the headphone jack is old and needs to be replaced why did they leave it on the new MacBook Pro? If a person buys an expensive lightening port headphone set they cannot use it with the new MacBook Pro. How does that make sense and how does Apple support this incompatibility?

It's time to admit that Tim has not been totally forthright about his 'vision'. IMHO getting rid of ports is only about selling dongles at huge profit margins. He must know that headphone jacks and legacy ports are not obsolete or unnecessary.

 

[kazmac]

@Hankster I agree with your post. I've been in the Apple ecosystem since 1996 and it's clearly time for me to walk away. My mounting anger and disappointment is quickly fading. Like so many other things I've enjoyed, Apple has changed to the point where I know I am no longer the target audience. While this angered me for a couple of days, actually I am relieved now as this disappointment / frustration has been building since Mavericks sent my 2010 iMac into a tailspin.

If Apple wants to make grossly overpriced, outside beautiful - inside not so great product that is their choice. As their execs are clueless beyond playing high and mighty and moving so far away from what made them so wonderful; well I cannot stop it and remaining angry about won't do me any good.

So I can only change my attitude/purchases: I will use my current Apple products until they go kaput and move on.

 

[leman]

- Apple said the headphone jack was old and needed to be replaced for the better lightening bolt port. They did this on the iPhone 7 just launched a month. If the headphone jack is old and needs to be replaced why did they leave it on the new MacBook Pro? If a person buys an expensive lightening port headphone set they cannot use it with the new MacBook Pro. How does that make sense and how does Apple support this incompatibility?

I believe that you are missing the real inconsistency here: the fact that Apple for some reason still uses Lighting and not USB-C on the iPhone. For me, this is frankly quite irritating. Then you wouldn't have a problem with your iPhone headphones, because they too would use a standard connector.

The primary reason why Apple has removed the headphone jack on the iPhone is most likely to make it easier to water proof. Why they retained it on the MBP — no idea (I guess the waterproofing is not in question here ). I really don't care either way. For headphones, either Bluetooth or USB-C is the way to go.
[doublepost=1477756957][/doublepost]And on the entire topic of ports and obsoleteness and whatnot. In regards to tech, there are really two large groups of people. One is enthusiastic about the technology and its advancements, and the other one who basically doesn't care much and only wishes to use the technology. What we have right now is a clash between two groups. The enthusiasts understand the potential and importance of USB-C and are willing to support the cause, even if it causes them slight inconvenience. The users might understand the potential of USB-C, but they are frustrated, because its disturbing their normal routine. I am sympathetic with the later group of course, and I understand their annoyance. Still, USB-C is a tremendous improvement in the computer world, of a type that was essentially never seen before (we are talking about standard connectivity across EVERYTHING here, people!), and that alone is why I fully support Apple in their move.

 

[Ryan1524]

I'll toss another question at the people who say this MacBook Pro is an excellent upgrade.

- Apple said the headphone jack was old and needed to be replaced for the better lightening bolt port. They did this on the iPhone 7 just launched a month. If the headphone jack is old and needs to be replaced why did they leave it on the new MacBook Pro? If a person buys an expensive lightening port headphone set they cannot use it with the new MacBook Pro. How does that make sense and how does Apple support this incompatibility?

Good question.

The iPhone is a very mobile device, and it can be argued that for many applications, a wireless headphone is a better solution. I personally don't think lightning headphones is the answer. It should be wireless, or normal 3.5mm.

I have Shure IEMs, which I love. I also have Jaybird X2 for when I want wireless audio. I'm happily going to use the Lightning-to-3.5mm dongle when I want to use the IEM.

The iPhone is NOT a MacBook Pro, and the same logic applied to design decisions on a smartphone cannot be universally applied to a professional grade workstation.

 

[cmaier]

And the cycle repeats. Everyone whined just as much when they got rid of the DVD slot, when they switched to MagSafe 2, when they removed the Ethernet port, etc. Remeber the big FireWire controversy? No? not a year has passed where these forums weren't lamenting apple's lack of focus.

 

[The Mercurian]

And the cycle repeats. Everyone whined just as much when they got rid of the DVD slot, when they switched to MagSafe 2, when they removed the Ethernet port, etc. Remeber the big FireWire controversy? No? not a year has passed where these forums weren't lamenting apple's lack of focus.

To be fair - its not just whining. I've never seen so many people on here as angry about an update and talking about buying other brands.

 

[cmaier]

To be fair - its not just whining. I've never seen so many people on here as angry about an update and talking about buying other brands.

I have

The cylinder Mac Pro, Final Cut Pro x, the first mbp to lose optical disk, etc.

 

[Ryan1524]

To be fair - its not just whining. I've never seen so many people on here as angry about an update and talking about buying other brands.

More people are getting better at finding this forum.

As the years go by, and Apple's customer base grows, so will the number of people who contribute to this forum.

 

[The Mercurian]

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.

Do you buy all new devices everytime you buy a new computer ? Cause I sure as hell don't. I will use that printer, scanner, monitor, external drive until they either a) break or b) no longer fit my needs. But I ain't buying new ones because they have newer connectors on them
[doublepost=1477758210][/doublepost]

I have

The cylinder Mac Pro, Final Cut Pro x, the first mbp to lose optical disk, etc.

The one of those I remember most is the optical disk one and I don't remember nearly this much consternation

 

[haydn!]

This stuff was certainly happening when Steve was alive. Apple released it's first smartphone without 3G support. It took 2.5 years to support media messages and did natively support video recording until the 3GS. And let's not even mention the complete refusal to embrace popular (yet admittedly problematic) stuff like Flash (iOS) or Blu-Ray (Mac).

Like others have said. This level of hardware shake-up happens all the time, and for the most part, we hear the same complaints. Some of the price complaints this time are fairly justified, but the hardware ones? It's the future.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

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.

Go to the archive forum for this site and read the reaction to the original iPod. People were complaining about price, Apple dipping into the market and ignoring things that mattered (you know, like server hardware) and pretty much all the same kind of stuff that you're seeing now with the new MacBook Pro.

Yes, it's very expensive. Yes, it's going to require dongles in the short term until peripheral makers catch up to the USB-C standard. Change is hard and this is just the kind of thing that happens every time you see a big shift. Most people don't inherently like change, so there's always going to be blow back.

 

[The Mercurian]

More people are getting better at finding this forum.

As the years go by, and Apple's customer base grows, so will the number of people who contribute to this forum.

That doens't explain an increase in the number of angry posts as as many new happy people should be coming as angry

 

[Altis]

No no I can't. I have a retina MacBook right now that I don't feel is powerful enough for serious engineering tasks. That doesn't mean I want to stick garbage on it. I can live with a legacy headphone jack because it's so small and I have headphones I can use it with.

What I can't live with is legacy USB ports and HDMI ports when we have the USB-C standard which is superior in every way technologically and Google Pixel and other companies are embracing it as the next standard.

I agree that it's the next standard. That's why I'm glad it has it.

However, it does not make sense to have only the new standard when 95% of what's on the market today does not comply with that standard.

Nobody threw out their floppy drives (or cassette players) the instant CD players became available, but before any of the software/music was available on CD. Why would you do that?

In the same way, all the gear that people use, especially in the professional environment, are not yet available in USB-C/TB3. So even if people wanted to throw out everything they have and go fully USB-C, they can't. It will have to be adapters up the ying yang for a while to come.

It wouldn't harm you one bit to have a USB-A port -- there's no negative to you. You're just being headstrong that the future is the future and that's all you want so that's all anybody should have because that's best for you.

You can't even buy an iPhone that connects to the MBP now, let alone any camera equipment, audio recording interfaces, even mice and keyboards, etc. Our company uses Apricorn encrypted hard drives that aren't available in USB-C -- so what do we do?

A standard is only useful when it's adopted and available. At the moment, it absolutely is not and it's going to be a while before it is.

 

[haydn!]

That doens't explain an increase in the number of angry posts as as many new happy people should be coming as angry

It kinda does. More people in general equals more chance of unhappy people and therefore more complaints...

 

[leman]

Do you buy all new devices everytime you buy a new computer ? Cause I sure as hell don't. I will use that printer, scanner, monitor, external drive until they either a) break or b) no longer fit my needs. But I ain't buying new ones because they have newer connectors on them

Who asks you to buy new devices? Just get a new USB-C to mini-USB or whatever cable and merrily use your printer/scanner etc. for as long as you wish!

The one of those I remember most is the optical disk one and I don't remember nearly this much consternation

And not user upgradeable RAM/SSDs in the retina model. Loss of firewire. Release of Yosemite. Oh, these forums have seen worse

 

[The Mercurian]

It kinda does. More people in general equals more chance of unhappy people and therefore more complaints...

But it doens' explain why the proportion of angry psots would outweight the number of happy posts unless a higher proportion of people are actually angry

 

[Altis]

Yes, it's very expensive. Yes, it's going to require dongles in the short term until peripheral makers catch up to the USB-C standard. Change is hard and this is just the kind of thing that happens every time you see a big shift. Most people don't inherently like change, so there's always going to be blow back.

Change is only really hard when you're forced to be stuck in between two things.

I'm sure everyone would love to have USB-C everything -- I don't see anyone contesting that. But very few things are even available in USB-C at the moment, so giving a USB-A port or an SD card reader so that people can transition would have made the world of difference.

Right now, almost nothing you have or can buy connects directly to the MBP. Keep in mind you don't always have control over what you'll need to connect to, especially with professional/commercial use.

 

[PhoneI]

You don't need a MacBook Pro to listen to music, surf the web, use Office and stream video. Most people use only 25% of the abilities of their machines. The MacBook Pro line was a professional laptop, developed for professional use - graphic design, photography, developers, etc. It's high intensive processing.

Its awesome when some people think they are the only ones that know why you need (and how you should use) your computer.