They shouldn't discontinue them, just produce fewer of them for the people who really need and use them like people who do professional video editing etc. This is really the only crowd of people that this size laptop appeals to I think? I rarely see anyone with a 17" laptop, Apple or otherwise.
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Apple Predicted to Discontinue 17-Inch MacBook Pro
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I'm not really upset about this since the constant shift from OS X to iOS-like systems are common. First it'll be the 17 inch MBP, then the Mac Pro (when was the last time it was truly updated?).
I guess one could argue "Why don't you just get a second/third screen?" But I would like to have a screen big enough to do all that without needing a second screen.
So it begins. Next on the chopping block, the Mac Pro 
Don't tell LTD that:
Don't tell LTD that:
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It could be fine if they merge the 13-15-17 line into a 14-16 line. All 15" and 17" customers are merged into the 16", with near the size of actual 15" and all 13" users go to the 14" with a discrete GPU option!
How is the 17" non-beneficial?
The benefits aren't "only the resolution and express card slot" - it's 2" of extra screen real-estate.
Honestly, if I were going to use a laptop as a desktop (without an external monitor) I would go with the 17". I actually have before, it was my first Apple computer ever. 17" Macbook Pro. And I loved it.
The benefits aren't "only the resolution and express card slot" - it's 2" of extra screen real-estate.
Honestly, if I were going to use a laptop as a desktop (without an external monitor) I would go with the 17". I actually have before, it was my first Apple computer ever. 17" Macbook Pro. And I loved it.
Hardly. I didn't realize "Pro" was judged on screen size.
Not to mention most pros don't have a laptop as their only computer.
No way...I would be shocked. The professional user base using 17" must be growing. People abandoning their towers and workstations for 17" MBP Quads is the "new" upgrade path for many PRO's.
re original article
i'm all for lean product strategy
bring on a 14" laptop
at a low price - good performance level
i'm all for lean product strategy
bring on a 14" laptop
at a low price - good performance level
OK then what is your explanation why fewer professionals are buying the 17" then? The price difference can't be it because its approx $400 more than the similarly spec'd 15" and $400 to a pro is nickels and dimes if the 17" screen leads to being more effecient and able to make $1000s more because of it.
I don't know of any true pro equipment that is affordably priced. That's part of the territory.
Overheating, failing video? Was this was mid 2007 - mid 2008 model with the Nvidia 8600 GT. This was an industry-wide problem for any company using that chip. Many threads about this elsewhere, but, the problem was the same with 15" as 17". If this was another model year, I haven't heard of any similar systematic problems. (That series of chips was groundbreaking in terms of mobile video performance, though.)
I've seen quite a few. I guess we hang out in different places.
This concerns me even more. The classic laptop form factor has one important feature that an iPad doesn't and can't have -- a full-size, robust keyboard. The auxiliary keyboard is not for large amounts of typing. i-Devices are pointless for people who type all the time. Sure there are a lot more people who don't need to type all the time, but, there is still a large, profitable market for people who do type. I can't imagine why any company would abandon a large, profitable market, just because there is another, much larger market for something else out there. Where does it stop? Should a company (e.g. Apple) go into food and clothing, just because those are the largest consumer markets?
I think I've seen posts in other threads that basically say "Why spend the money & resources on this when you can spend it on something even more profitable?" In this case, probably the 11", 13" & 15" MBs.
maybe they realise that the 13/15" is comparable in power, and they can hook them up to external monitors when at work for serious work. If you really need real estate, then a 17" isn't really going to cut it either.
I agree with why not just produce fewer 17" models.
I think its more of a cost issue for average consumers, everyone's favoring purchasing Macs but once they walk into a store and see the price tag on a 17" the 13" becomes more appealing to the pockets.
I think its more of a cost issue for average consumers, everyone's favoring purchasing Macs but once they walk into a store and see the price tag on a 17" the 13" becomes more appealing to the pockets.
At this point, almost nothing would get me to switch back to a PC (hackintosh?). Apple has this juice laid down too good; no matter what MS and/or any other computer company makes, it's not going to surpass what I've got here. The only way I would switch back is if Apple did something to flat out push me away.
Like this. Which computer company is going to get my $3000-$3500 by putting a usable trackpad in a 17" laptop? Razor?
Like this. Which computer company is going to get my $3000-$3500 by putting a usable trackpad in a 17" laptop? Razor?
Where are the sales figures coming from? Apple will report out tomorrow in their Q2 earnings call but do they ever get into the details, like how many 17" MBP they sold?
It's not just about the sales though. If the 17" model is not losing money, they should keep it to satisfy the pro-markets. Also, it will keep the individuals who want a 17" unit from moving to a windows Laptop at which point they might become Windows converts.
This is one of those things in business that you can't judge purely based on a few numbers. You have to consider the larger product strategy before making such a decision.
This is one of those things in business that you can't judge purely based on a few numbers. You have to consider the larger product strategy before making such a decision.
What are we going to be hearing next? That Apple will stop being a computer manufacturer? Come on Apple... You are still a computer manufacturer... Aren't you?????
As for 17" laptops... They are absolutely brilliant! I own both 15" and 17". The 17" has a smaller form factor than the 15", because although it has a 17" screen, it's less than 2" bigger than the 15"... If I ever buy a new mbp, it will be a 17 incher! I like a bigger screen for the minimum possible size!!!!
As for 17" laptops... They are absolutely brilliant! I own both 15" and 17". The 17" has a smaller form factor than the 15", because although it has a 17" screen, it's less than 2" bigger than the 15"... If I ever buy a new mbp, it will be a 17 incher! I like a bigger screen for the minimum possible size!!!!
I've read some comments defending Apple and iDevices as though you were insulting their mother. The company that was supported by professionals for 10+ years using PowerMac's and their previous gen highly praised by the industry ACD CCFL LCD's changed focus from professionals to consumers in order to make a quick buck (even though the money from those professionals gave them the funds for R&D into the iPad which lead to the iPhone and the rest is history).
Apple has $100 billion just in cash. Apple used to have commercials advertising the PowerMac and iMac not more than 5 years ago (remember Jeff Goldblum selling Macs?). When was the last time you saw an iMac or Mac Pro ad? More consumers buy MacBook for their kids and iMac's to surf the web from a taste of Apple with the cross platform iPhone, that doesn't mean professionals who use Mac's for their living have to be ignored to make a profit. If Apple put some focus on their pro-line with marketing and updates (and there are a lot of professionals, not a "small, meaningless number, suggested by some), they could make enough profit to do both. It doesn't have to be one market or the other, why can't it be both and still keep it simple?