Apple has lost their focus

[iMcLovin]

The result of which would NOT be new macs that meet your wishlist, but instead NO new macs.

What do you mean. My wishlist of macs are currently zero. But I think the new MacBook Pro is partly scam and apple is screwing its customers and long time users. It's not about a wishlist but when this is the best machine apple has to offer im clearly not their target group anymore. Mac Pro is currently 3+ years old and all they could do was to raise the prices then something seriously wrong is going on in Cupertino... do they actually think it's worth the cost? are they actually proud of this machine internally in apple?. I've already transitioned to pc so doesn't matter to me anymore, it just boggles my mind.

 

[wegster]

The result of which would NOT be new macs that meet your wishlist, but instead NO new macs.

That depends. Apple, like MS, have enough padding in their bank account to make up for a failure..look at how long AppleTV was a complete 'who cares?' product for most? If this is what happens with the current model, I believe it's completely salvageable, even if they go down the path of a convertible (Surfacebook ..) or not.

RE: current model is OK, but not 'special' for most users. A solid USB-C dock supplying power + legacy + USB3.1 ports + multiple displays, a 32GB BTO option, and bringing their SSD 'upgrade' prices back to reality a bit would do wonders. TouchID is nice, and the touchbar will likely catch on with the more portable-than-at-desk crowd, but they do need to have some separation of focus between MacBook/Air(thinner/lighter/fast 'enough') vs the Pro line (don't sacrifice pro needs in search of thinner/lighter - different markets although many 'pretend' they 'need' a Pro/status).

Looking forward to seeing what the next pair of MBP refreshes bring, although I have near zero use for the latest one.
[doublepost=1477770702][/doublepost]

I'm 100% on board with USB-C and TB3. Absolutely love it. But I need a professional computer, at several thousands of dollars, that can connect with the things I need to use, and almost none of that is even available in USB-C even if I wanted to throw out everything I have and go replace it with new stuff today.

Wait and see what comes out in the USB-C dock space. Someone will inevitably, and likely soon, have a solid one with all 'standard' ports and if done right, with power as well, it will find a home with many of us using MBPs as 'workstation-lights' ... Don't get me wrong - the just-announced models are crap for my purposes and needs as well, but consider once they go to Kaby Lake in 6 months or so and hopefully we see some $ adjustment along with better CTO options including RAM ...

I'm also inclined to think that your usage (and indeed many who own MBP) would be better suited with something like a 14" Retina MacBook based on the 12". A lot of people bought the MBP for the Retina display and such rather than for ports and power.

Totally. This is the issue with Apple consumers. Apple started out solidly in the artistic and education markets pre-OSX, and developed a solid fanbase of mostly professional or education users..but with the iPod then iPhone successes, they seriously broadened their consumer base...not a bad thing, but many want the 'latest and best' as a status symbol (hah!) instead of considering their actual usage. I bet more people were buying the 'Pros' to do Office docs, browsing and email that could have easily made do with the Air or MacBook.

Instead, you've still got the 'pro' users out there who are at times feeling neglected but heavily vested in the ecosystem, being displaced by the 'status buyers.' Maybe they just need to create an overpriced 'Pro' model in gold at a high price, and move the 'real pro' to something boring sounding, like 'MacBook Business' model? :-/ (only partially kidding..)

 

[prism]

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.

Please explain to me what's cutting edge in using the generation old skylake processors on the new 13" when kabylake is readily available ?
Was it so that the 15" buyers wouldn't feel short changed? Pfff

 

[AdonisSMU]

Please explain to me what's cutting edge in using the generation old skylake processors on the new 13" when kabylake is readily available ?
Was it so that the 15" buyers wouldn't feel short changed? Pfff

That is a good point. However, I was reading about Kabylake and all the objective data suggests that the gains from Kabylake are minuscule at best. I think waiting is perfectly ok TBQH. It'll be the spec bump Apple adds at the next WWDC or March events.

 

[prism]

That is a good point. However, I was reading about Kabylake and all the objective data suggests that the gains from Kabylake are minuscule at best. I think waiting is perfectly ok TBQH. It'll be the spec bump Apple adds at the next WWDC or March events.

I agree but even if the gains are marginal on the CPU, if I'm not mistaken, it's more significant on the iGPU. Still doesn't explain why they didn't go KL.

 

[leman]

Please explain to me what's cutting edge in using the generation old skylake processors on the new 13" when kabylake is readily available ?
Was it so that the 15" buyers wouldn't feel short changed? Pfff

That could have used Kaby Lake on the 13" without the touchbar, sure. I am also puzzled on why they didn't. Still, when I wrote that I kind of had the 15" model in mind. Sorry for not being more specific.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I agree but even if the gains are marginal on the CPU, if I'm not mistaken, it's more significant on the iGPU. Still doesn't explain why they didn't go KL.

I think it makes sense to upgrade the line-up at the same time tbqh. People wouldn't know what to think if the 13" machine had a more powerful machine than the 15" machine. Apple would've been criticized for that. I truthfully think they should've waited on the 13" machine tbqh as they did previously.

 

[wegster]

That is a good point. However, I was reading about Kabylake and all the objective data suggests that the gains from Kabylake are minuscule at best. I think waiting is perfectly ok TBQH. It'll be the spec bump Apple adds at the next WWDC or March events.

Yep, hoping for performance gain + faster/lower-power-consumption DDR4 memory at that point, along with seeing what happens GPU-wise. There is a definite lack of 'what's possible right now' (e.g. suitable CPUs) in some of the threads, but we'll see what happens on the refreshes coming up next.

 

[idunn]

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.

I see you have some support, as well receiving a whole lot of grief for this sentiment. Never mind the latter; they'll spend much of their time shopping for dongles.

I agree with you one hundred percent, only not exactly. My feeling the new MBP is not a better MacBook Air, rather a downgrade to a tarted-up MacBook.

 

[Kintamani]

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.

[doublepost=1477791500][/doublepost]Rkuda - from the point of view of a travelling audio engineer and videographer, i would like the 17" screen as an option, i would like a standard USB port, I would like the Magsafe power supply retained, and I would like Ethernet returned, along with the SD card reader. Apple could easily afford to produce a computer like this, and satisfy lots of Pro users. I have no idea why they want to become BMW but with only three of four cars in the showroom. Apple are a big player and their restrictive designs and lack of effort to make a decent range of option available to their users, is lazy, short-sighted, and just makes me think these people never travel and use laptops in the world outside their wee wireless-connected world with all of the latest kit surrounding them. I HAVE the latest kit, wireless cameras etc, but every day someone will come to me with a USB stick, I will come across hotel rooms where i do not trust the Wifi and need to use the Ethernet, or someone will slip me an SD card in a bar to download pictures or video for an edit that needs done that night. And do I have to go and find a card reader now to take the card from my $4,500 video camera and import it into FCPX? If I don't have the cable with me, forget it.
Apple has totally lost sight of real world requirements. Absolutely no doubt.

 

[Ryan1524]

[doublepost=1477791500][/doublepost]Rkuda - from the point of view of a travelling audio engineer and videographer, i would like the 17" screen as an option, i would like a standard USB port, I would like the Magsafe power supply retained, and I would like Ethernet returned, along with the SD card reader. Apple could easily afford to produce a computer like this, and satisfy lots of Pro users. I have no idea why they want to become BMW but with only three of four cars in the showroom. Apple are a big player and their restrictive designs and lack of effort to make a decent range of option available to their users, is lazy, short-sighted, and just makes me think these people never travel and use laptops in the world outside their wee wireless-connected world with all of the latest kit surrounding them. I HAVE the latest kit, wireless cameras etc, but every day someone will come to me with a USB stick, I will come across hotel rooms where i do not trust the Wifi and need to use the Ethernet, or someone will slip me an SD card in a bar to download pictures or video for an edit that needs done that night. And do I have to go and find a card reader now to take the card from my $4,500 video camera and import it into FCPX? If I don't have the cable with me, forget it.
Apple has totally lost sight of real world requirements. Absolutely no doubt.

Apple used to have dozens of products on their line-up. It was during their near-bankruptcy in the 90s. As soon as Steve Jobs came in, the first thing he did was wipe the slate clean, and reduced the product offering. They had the iMac, PowerMac, and iBook and PowerBook.

Too many options for the average consumer creates options paralysis, and people end up going somewhere else where the choices are well defined and 'easy'.

If you need a machine as you described, and Only as you described, there are many other computer makers out there. Or you can also fashion one in a hard-case. Considering you have many other gear with you, what's one more hard-case to be your mobile work-station?

 

[CrownVic]

Perhaps they haven't lost focus, but they're riding on their success?

 

[Ryan1524]

They absolutely are.

And it's fine. They have the user base and money to make these drastic choices, and survive it. Who else is going to force the industry forward?

If you leave it to Dell/HP/Lenovo/IBM, we'll all still have serial ports on our laptops. Because they'll cater to big enterprises who move even slower.

 

[OneMike]

Right now I think that apple is just riding their wave.

Other than the OS itself, with each iteration Apple products are becoming less and less desirable.

 

[Tenashus1]

Right now I think that apple is just riding their wave.

Other than the OS itself, with each iteration Apple products are becoming less and less desirable.

I would add the touchpad. The touchpad and the OS. That's it.

 

[Savor]

Lost their mind. Not lost their focus. Their focus now since the post-Jobs era has always been about money and will make tons of it. Of course, I still don't like the direction they are headed with it. I hope they come back to their senses next year and stop telling us that the elimination of ports while price gouging is all about courage.

 

[mmarcus178]

I would add the touchpad. The touchpad and the OS. That's it.

...and up until now, the keyboard. Why would you take one of the best typing keyboards on the market and neuter it? Even from just a marketing standpoint...going from "a keyboard fit for writers", "a built-in SD card reader for photographers" and "class-leading battery life for people on the go" to "it's a little bit thinner than it was".

This is the difference between design and design-thinking. Design-thinking creates the best design based on a set of functions and insights into consumer needs. Jonny Ive just likes to make pretty sh*t. He should stick to his fugly christmas trees and charity auctions and leave (what used to be) professional tools alone.