Apple Has Received More Online Orders for New MacBook Pro Than Any Previous Generation

[840quadra]

Simple projects, yes absolutely, but I'd wait for reviews and real world testing before buying. This is still a laptop with not so amazing specs.

Also, unless Apple releases a new Mac Pro, macOS is probably not going to be the best platform for demanding projects. Once you move into serious business with 5K/6K/8K RAW footage even the current Mac Pro is not enough.

Proxy - Edit - Render is typically in the workflow toolbag of professionals too. With that, many of the i7 (especially nVidia and AMD Graphics) equipped MBP models can do a decent job with 4k. It just takes a bit longer to import then compile the final product. It's a nice workflow for those of us who start an edit / review in the field, then need to bring it home to complete the project on a workstation.

But, much like opinions on systems, some workflow methods don't work for everyone.

 

[Hank Carter]

Double the weight half the battery life. It's not really a mobile laptop. It's a brick that sits on a desk.

The Razor Pro is more portable workstation, than laptop.

 

[melendezest]

All that's well and good but Apple have never made a laptop, nor anything else, for "serious gaming" nor are they ever likely to so why hang around whinging about it now?

Who's "whinging"?

I said serious work and/or serious gaming., thus I was speaking to the flexibility and power of the machine. It is more powerful than the current iMac (except for the screen, of course).

So, if you're going to spend over $3K on a machine, we have options, so we can decide which hardware/software features we, the purchasers, value most. Decisions, decisions.

From my perspective, a machine like the Razer Blade Pro is a dream come true, except it doesn't run macOS.

And I'm willing to trade portability and the OS itself for that kind of power and flexibility, the kind Apple doesn't put into their portables, sadly.
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Not sure how a 17" laptop replaces a 27" iMac. But go for it if it helps you feel like a big strong man.

Simple: All the HW specs are superior, I can connect it to an even larger (set of) display(s) and I can take it with me should I need to.

Too hard for you to understand?

 

[applezulu]

All the madness would never have started if Apple just included USB-A adapter in the package

You would think that, but iPhone 7 comes with a headphone adapter dongle, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth was still incredible.

 

[apusateri]

From my perspective, a machine like the Razer Blade Pro is a dream come true, except it doesn't run macOS.

Awesome, man. Glad you found something you love, hope you enjoy it. For me that's the new MBP.

And I'm willing to trade portability and the OS itself for that kind of power and flexibility, the kind Apple doesn't put into their portables, sadly.

For me the OS and portability are more important. But isn't it great that we live in a world where we can both get what we want? So let's stop arguing about which is better and simply go our own ways.

 

[applezulu]

Who's "whinging"?

I said serious work and/or serious gaming., thus I was speaking to the flexibility and power of the machine. It is more powerful than the current iMac (except for the screen, of course).

So, if you're going to spend over $3K on a machine, we have options, so we can decide which hardware/software features we, the purchasers, value most. Decisions, decisions.

From my perspective, a machine like the Razer Blade Pro is a dream come true, except it doesn't run macOS.

And I'm willing to trade portability and the OS itself for that kind of power and flexibility, the kind Apple doesn't put into their portables, sadly.
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Simple: All the HW specs are superior, I can connect it to an even larger (set of) display(s) and I can take it with me should I need to.

Too hard for you to understand?

Apple has never, ever catered to the "we can decide which hardware/software features we, the purchasers, value most" crowd. Never. Ever.

If that's what you want, then you're looking for a Windows machine, with all the compatibility issues and such that are inherent in jumbling together a-la-carte hardware options. Windows is written with the intent to accommodate endless hardware variables, but since it's impossible to anticipate (much less test) every new widget or combination of widgets, you get compatibility problems, crashes, and wonky workarounds to try to force it all together.

The reason the Razer Blade Pro doesn't run macOS is because macOS is intentionally written for Apple hardware, which is intentionally created without all the a-la-carte options. (This is the at the heart of why Apple has the 'it just works' ethos. Limiting variables is not just intentional, it's critical.) Some might try to hack it together, but you'd just get something that looks sort of like macOS on a non-mac machine, but still crashes like Windows.

 

[DRFuManchu]

"To be fair it has been a bit of a surprise to me. But then, it shouldn’t be. I have never seen a great new Apple product that didn’t have its share of early criticism and debate — and that’s cool. We took a bold risk, and of course with every step forward there is also some change to deal with. Our customers are so passionate, which is amazing."

To be fair Phil, as someone who has purchased every iteration of the Powerbook/Macbook. Apple has never closed off such a huge part of its base like this. Firewire was included for a LONG time after it's heyday was through. It was perfect, as I moved from firewire to USB, there was backwards support. But even THAT isn't apples to apples. USB 1.1-3.0 is so prevalent. EVERYTHING still supports it. Do they even make a USB-C thumb drive? So everything from my Harmony remote, printer, and camera require a dongle? Unacceptable! Not for a machine with PRO in the title! I totally understand the MacBook, it's a consumer level product that most users are all wireless anyway. One other caveat, when apple changed drastically, there was a dongle IN THE BOX!

 

[melendezest]

Awesome, man. Glad you found something you love, hope you enjoy it. For me that's the new MBP.

I actually went to Best Buy to take a look at Windows machines (I've been eyeballing 2-in-ones for a while). There's so many options!! I really have to do my homework to settle on a machine. Coming from the Mac, I'm not used to this much choice! So I'm pretty far away from a decision. I must say, I am impressed with Windows 10, even if it's a bit rougher than the Mac OS. But that's the beauty of it, we really have choice now.

For me the OS and portability are more important. But isn't it great that we live in a world where we can both get what we want? So let's stop arguing about which is better and simply go our own ways.

Agreed and well said.

It's refreshing to have true discussions about pros and cons that are free from "fanboy verbal violence."

 

[xmonkey]

To be fair Phil, as someone who has purchased every iteration of the Powerbook/Macbook. Apple has never closed off such a huge part of its base like this. Firewire was included for a LONG time after it's heyday was through. It was perfect, as I moved from firewire to USB, there was backwards support. But even THAT isn't apples to apples. USB 1.1-3.0 is so prevalent. EVERYTHING still supports it. Do they even make a USB-C thumb drive? So everything from my Harmony remote, printer, and camera require a dongle? Unacceptable! Not for a machine with PRO in the title! I totally understand the MacBook, it's a consumer level product that most users are all wireless anyway. One other caveat, when apple changed drastically, there was a dongle IN THE BOX!

Of course they make USB-C thumb drives. Were you serious with that question? Just go on Amazon or anywhere else you buy stuff from. They've been available for quite awhile now. They even make ones with both USB-A and USB-C ports on them so you can use them on anything (wow! amazing!)

For the rest of your needs (Harmony remote, Printer, etc) there are single cable (no dongle!) solutions here: http://www.monoprice.com/pages/usb_31_type_c

It's not like Apple is forcing us to some proprietary port and the MBP is the first machine to use it, but with all this teeth-gnashing you'd think that was the case. Ridiculous. Talk about missing the forest for the trees.

 

[melendezest]

Apple has never, ever catered to the "we can decide which hardware/software features we, the purchasers, value most" crowd. Never. Ever.

If that's what you want, then you're looking for a Windows machine, with all the compatibility issues and such that are inherent in jumbling together a-la-carte hardware options. Windows is written with the intent to accommodate endless hardware variables, but since it's impossible to anticipate (much less test) every new widget or combination of widgets, you get compatibility problems, crashes, and wonky workarounds to try to force it all together.

The reason the Razer Blade Pro doesn't run macOS is because macOS is intentionally written for Apple hardware, which is intentionally created without all the a-la-carte options. (This is the at the heart of why Apple has the 'it just works' ethos. Limiting variables is not just intentional, it's critical.) Some might try to hack it together, but you'd just get something that looks sort of like macOS on a non-mac machine, but still crashes like Windows.

You completely misinterpreted my post.

First off, I am aware of why the Blade doesn't run Mac OS. I'm not new to the game here.

I am also aware of how Windows and PC OEMs have operated since the beginning.

As a long-time Mac user, I'm also well aware of Apple's long-standing policy of not giving you what you want, but dictating what they give you.

Apple is and always has been completely Apple-centric, not customer-centric.

Yet, none of that is the issue I address in my post.

So let me clarify: Apple doesn't force the user to buy anything.

We, the customer, decide whether whatever (limited) hardware/software options Apple offers is sufficient, or if we are to look elsewhere.

We are the ones who say: "hmm, I like the Mac OS, but I prefer to not have to carry around dongles and need more power from my machine." Or conversely: "I love Apple's ecosystem and customer service so much, I can live with the extra cost and current connectivity challenges."

No decision is incorrect.

So, for decades (plural) I used to take Apple's way in their "Apple's way or the highway" style of product releases.

Today, I'm ready to take the highway. That's all.

And the reasons I'm doing that are:

A. Because Apple stopped offering what I wanted

B. Their competitors started to do so

C. I don't see Apple as worth it, like I used to

Beauty of it is, I can always come back if I see something I like.

 

[applezulu]

I actually went to Best Buy to take a look at Windows machines (I've been eyeballing 2-in-ones for a while). There's so many options!! I really have to do my homework to settle on a machine. Coming from the Mac, I'm not used to this much choice! So I'm pretty far away from a decision. I must say, I am impressed with Windows 10, even if it's a bit rougher than the Mac OS. But that's the beauty of it, we really have choice now.



Agreed and well said.

It's refreshing to have true discussions about pros and cons that are free from "fanboy verbal violence."

I agree there's no need for the verbal violence. I hope you find something you like, too.

I'd be curious, if you end up buying a Windows machine, how you feel about the choice a ways down the road.

After living in Mac world, I wonder if you'll ultimately find the many options to be more helpful or more of a hindrance on balance. My experience with Windows over the years has been that you're forced to either put up with things not working right, or having to get under the hood to make fairly technical adjustments to hardware and/or software to work around the problems that crop up. I also have found Windows to be far more prone to accumulating bloatware as time rolls on. Maybe your experience will be different.

 

[melendezest]

I agree there's no need for the verbal violence. I hope you find something you like, too.

I'd be curious, if you end up buying a Windows machine, how you feel about the choice a ways down the road.

After living in Mac world, I wonder if you'll ultimately find the many options to be more helpful or more of a hindrance on balance. My experience with Windows over the years has been that you're forced to either put up with things not working right, or having to get under the hood to make fairly technical adjustments to hardware and/or software to work around the problems that crop up. I also have found Windows to be far more prone to accumulating bloatware as time rolls on. Maybe your experience will be different.

That's the deal: I just don't know at this point. But that is kind of exciting too.

I remember when I switched to the Mac (in the 90s), I was initially frustrated and annoyed with it.

Everything was different, muscle-memory was non-existent, things were not where I expected them to be.

However, Windows had p***d me off so much that I kept going, and discovered the security, stability, and beauty of Mac hardware and software.

Fast-forward to today, and I'm looking over the fence going: "Wow. WOW. I want that."

All the things that brought me to the Mac (or kept me there) are either gone, or to parity with PCs:

-The look of the OS. Nowhere near as universally elegant as pre-Yosemite. I like the glass transparency stuff, but the pastel, pink-heavy color scheme is too feminine for my taste. Windows 10 is more "masculine" in my eyes

-The well-thought-out hardware upgradeability, expandability, and flexibility. Apple just kept removing and removing features I loved. With MagSafe's loss, the camel's back broke.

-Hardware aesthetics. Macs are still beautiful, but the competition has recently learned from, and caught up with Apple, in my opinion. Surface Studio, high-end 2-in-ones, and Razer machines now catch my eye harder than any Mac (never thought I'd say that) or iOS device

-Mac-centric focus. Apple's current focus on iOS is too severe for me, given how limited and restricted it is, and I tasted Android hw/sw and liked it. A lot.

-Customer-centric focus. This is a big one. Apple used to consider the user when designing the hardware and software. But when I can't even reinstall the OS my mobile device came with, we have a problem. I hated iOS 7, but by the time I got around trying all of its features and attempting to revert, it was too late. Not cool. So I went Android. That's when I started paying attention to how much control (among other things) I have to give up to stay with them.

-Microsoft finally got multiple desktops. I can swipe between them like I can on a Mac. Big, big deal for me. Plus, Linux has also come a looong way.

So now, I'm back to where I was in the 90's. Not happy with the company I'm with, eyeballing the competition, and a much wiser and knowledgeable user (to solve issues myself, etc).

Thus, I'm willing to give MSoft and OEMs a try see what happens.

 

[macman312]

Schiller noted the new MacBook Pro still has a 3.5mm headphone jack because it is a "pro machine," but lacks an SD card reader because it's a "cumbersome" slot best left to adapters or wireless transfers.

I've never heard such rubbish. Removing the SD card reader on a laptop is like removing the wing mirrors on a car because they are "ugly"

 

[hybrid_x]

MacBook Pros have existed since 2006 and some how these pro users survived with 16GB RAM. Now all of a sudden in 2016 they can no longer survive?

1) Software bloat continues to happen.

2) The files Pro users work on continue to get larger. I don't think many people were doing mobile editing of 4K or 5K video in 2006. Needs change. Expectations change.

3) Since the RAM on MacBook Pros can no longer be upgraded post-purchase, most people want to future-proof their investment in new hardware by maxing out their configuration to anticipate future needs. (See 1 and 2 above.)

 

[Hank Carter]

I've never heard such rubbish. Removing the SD card reader on a laptop is like removing the wing mirrors on a car because they are "ugly"

And now you know why the Apple Car failed.

 

[deckard666]

Phill Schiller needs to retire and leave Apple ASAP.

Of course there will be record sales, the other available macs are severely outdated, duh, no choice.

Yeah cause in MR world there aren't any other products you could buy ...

 

[pier]

Proxy - Edit - Render is typically in the workflow toolbag of professionals too

Sure, but given the choice would you rather use a proxy or not?

I'm guessing most people wouldn't. Problem is there won't be a choice if Apple doesn't release a new Mac Pro.

 

[Mark Booth]

I have a 2010 MacBook Pro that is plenty fast for everything I need it to do. Yet, I was anxiously looking forward to the updated MacBook Pros because I was kinda feeling like giving Apple some of my money for a new lighter and thinner machine.

Apple went WAY too far with the thinness and lightness! Four USB C ports is a freakin' joke! There should have been at least one USB 3.0 port on there. I don't give a rat's ass if Apple stuck a USB C to legacy USB dongle in the box for free. The machine should have a legacy USB port. It should also have a SD card slot. And Apple should have never eliminated the wonderful MagSafe charging port. It was a terrific idea 10 years ago and it's a terrific idea still today.

The new MacBook Pro is NOT a Pro machine. Apple no longer seems to care about pro users. The discontinuation of Aperture was just the start. It's been screw the pro customer ever since.

I already own the last Macintosh computers I'll ever own. I will absolutely be switching to the Windows platform down the road. I know I'll hate it, I know I'll have a lot of security software crap to contend with, but at least I can get a damn nice Windows laptop with all the ports I want and need that is not only faster than the latest MacBook Jokes, but cheaper too.

The only way the Mac OS is going to be saved going forward is if Apple licenses it to 3rd parties and the computers start getting made by other companies. Companies without Apple's tunnel vision for lighter & thinner.

BTW, the iPhone 6 will also be the last iPhone I ever own. That Pixel is looking pretty darn sweet.

Mark

P.S. If you buy a new MacBook Pro and a new iPhone 7, you can't plug the two into each other without a freakin' dongle. What a giant joke!

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Long rant.

 

[lowkey]

I have a 2010 MacBook Pro that is plenty fast for everything I need it to do. Yet, I was anxiously looking forward to the updated MacBook Pros because I was kinda feeling like giving Apple some of my money for a new lighter and thinner machine.

Apple went WAY too far with the thinness and lightness! Four USB C ports is a freakin' joke! There should have been at least one USB 3.0 port on there. I don't give a rat's ass if Apple stuck a USB C to legacy USB dongle in the box for free. The machine should have a legacy USB port. It should also have a SD card slot. And Apple should have never eliminated the wonderful MagSafe charging port. It was a terrific idea 10 years ago and it's a terrific idea still today.

The new MacBook Pro is NOT a Pro machine. Apple no longer seems to care about pro users. The discontinuation of Aperture was just the start. It's been screw the pro customer ever since.

I already own the last Macintosh computers I'll ever own. I will absolutely be switching to the Windows platform down the road. I know I'll hate it, I know I'll have a lot of security software crap to contend with, but at least I can get a damn nice Windows laptop with all the ports I want and need that is not only faster than the latest MacBook Jokes, but cheaper too.

The only way the Mac OS is going to be saved going forward is if Apple licenses it to 3rd parties and the computers start getting made by other companies. Companies without Apple's tunnel vision for lighter & thinner.

BTW, the iPhone 6 will also be the last iPhone I ever own. That Pixel is looking pretty darn sweet.

Mark

P.S. If you buy a new MacBook Pro and a new iPhone 7, you can't plug the two into each other without a freakin' dongle. What a giant joke!

Your definition of Pro is the inclusion of a USBa port and an SD slot? LOL
It's got 4 TB3 ports. With more bandwidth than ANY other laptop in existence today.

 

[Abazigal]

I've never heard such rubbish. Removing the SD card reader on a laptop is like removing the wing mirrors on a car because they are "ugly"

Feels to me like Apple should release a camera next, with airdrop support and touchscreen controls which don't suck.

 

[Naimfan]

Schiller's statement loses all meaning when you realize that every prior generation retina MBP was available the day it was announced. Take a look at prior MacRumors coverage - each retina MBP (at least the 15" version) was available in stores and for ordering the day it was announced.

Hence, to say they've received more online orders than any other generation is disingenuous at best.

 

[dotnet]

Feels to me like Apple should release a camera next, with airdrop support and touchscreen controls which don't suck.

They've been releasing cameras with AirDrop support and touchscreen controls since 2011. Lately, they've even been releasing some that don't suck.

 

[Abazigal]

They've been releasing cameras with AirDrop support and touchscreen controls since 2011. Lately, they've even been releasing some that don't suck.

Well played. Kinda feels like I played right into that barb.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

1) Software bloat continues to happen.

2) The files Pro users work on continue to get larger. I don't think many people were doing mobile editing of 4K or 5K video in 2006. Needs change. Expectations change.

3) Since the RAM on MacBook Pros can no longer be upgraded post-purchase, most people want to future-proof their investment in new hardware by maxing out their configuration to anticipate future needs. (See 1 and 2 above.)

Bingo. In the video realms for general use the only large video files were coming from more serious users. People like me who went the extra mile, got external recorders that shoot say apple pro res.
We hit limitations easy doing this....anything to shave a few minute of post process time welcome really.


General use, they are pushing out the files their phones/camera body did. Usually mp4 or mpeg, which even at HQ, you can get lots of footage under 16 gb. apple pro res....I carry 2 256gb SSD sleds for my atomos ninja recorder. And I have filled one and said to myself please wrap this up as the second one going low lol.

4k compression of most codec's I have seen the smallest mb/s use I have seen starts at same use apple pro res non 4k does. The most compressed 4k is the same size as one of the least compressed non 4k formats. As 4 k grows in use, many when they load the vid into their storylines will be going wtf....this is huge.

Also years ago this was not a viable option. Expensive even on server hardware. yeah dell rep....I know you are pushing 32gb and I wish man, I wish, but tbh, this 16gb spec in server I had to fight with the bean counters over to get. Talking 1u-2u rack mount systems. Its 2016....you can throw this in much cheaper. And has filtered down to consumer/user level stuff.