Apple Predicted to Discontinue 17-Inch MacBook Pro

[Chupa Chupa]

I'am sure Apple let these "rumours" out so they can make sure that they get rid of as much stock as possible just before a new release.

That makes zero sense. If Tim Cook is known for one thing it's supply chain management. He doesn't need to rely on leaks to get left over product out the door because he only stocks to meet demand. Whether or not these rumors have any weight to them, it didn't come from Apple. In fact, it's not even a rumor, it's one analysts prediction, though one analyst that has a fairly good track record.

 

[thekev]

There are also lots of prosumers that work on site with their laptops and then come home and also work on their combo laptop/ external monitor/ external keyboard/mouse.

Heh... I meant in terms of a desktop replacement type, it's silly if you leave it in one spot. You mention guys taking their laptops with them to work on site, then bringing them home. That's different from just leaving it one place all the time. The 15" and 17" models are quite portable with a soft case. They're just slightly awkward if you're carrying them bare.

That makes zero sense. If Tim Cook is known for one thing it's supply chain management. He doesn't need to rely on leaks to get left over product out the door because he only stocks to meet demand. Whether or not these rumors have any weight to them, it didn't come from Apple. In fact, it's not even a rumor, it's one analysts prediction, though one analyst that has a fairly good track record.

I find some of these analyst predictions amusing because they're just publishing prior speculation. I could have told you one of these guys would predict this as soon as the rumors of a thinner 15" started to surface, yet in both cases it means nothing relative to Apple's actions.

 

[kingtj]

Plenty already said here, but ....

I remember earlier rumors speculating that whenever the new Macbook Pro series was released, Apple wouldn't initially have a 17" version to offer (primarily because of limitations getting enough of a yield of the retina displays in that size).

So from that perspective, it'd be easy for me to see why someone might have gotten some inside info from the production lines, saying they weren't doing anything with a 17" size, and assumed that meant it was being discontinued.

All of this *may* just mean a 17" version won't be ready for at least a few months after the 13" and 15" models are released.

I know the older Macbook Pro 17" models were slow sellers though. When I bought mine a couple years ago, I think the salesperson mentioned I was the only customer who bought one that day -- and I came in just before close. (Not too good a sign, as much foot traffic as that store sees!)

I'll be pretty disappointed if they quit making the 17", but I can understand it. I went from a 17" Powerbook G4 to a 15" Macbook Pro and then decided I wanted to go back to a 17" again with my last upgrade. Like some of the other people here, I just like having the extra screen real-estate. But the 15" wasn't bad either. I usually attach a larger external monitor and use a wireless keyboard and mouse with it at home, on a desk, anyway.

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Obviously, many others agree with you -- but I can't say that I do.
The 17" was pretty much the thinnest and lightest-weight in its class. (Have you seen the "bricks" HP put out with 17" displays, by comparison!?)

Many of the people who say they need something smaller turn around and stuff a big laptop carrying bag full of accessories, making their whole argument seem ridiculous.

There's something to be said for a super-portable laptop -- but I think if that's what you're after, you're probably among those who'd benefit most from something like the 11" or 13" Air, or 13" Macbook Pro. By the time you're using a 15", I just don't think a couple more inches (same thickness!) makes it "too bulky".

My single biggest issue with the Macbook Pro 17" though? Too much wasted space in the keyboard area. Lenovo got it right when they started integrating numeric keypads to the right of the keyboard on their 17" models. That would probably also help eliminate a visual cue that it's "so big".

I definitely think the 17" is too bulky for a portable machine. It makes a great 'desktop' laptop...but overall, I'd rather have a 15" and an external monitor when needed.

I found the 17" was just too wide, typing on it was a pain and it just seems too large. 15" IMO seems to be the right size.

A bunch of the editors here have laptops and all have 15"....the one person that has a 17" is our DVD person...and he uses it as his main machine.

 

[GregAndonian]

Apple won't do this for quite some time due to the about of professionals that use the 17" screen.

Yeah, just like Apple would NEVER discontinue Final Cut Studio and replace it with something inferior that is incompatible with projects from FCP 7, due to all the professional editors who use it- even on well-known movies and TV shows with deadlines to consider...

 

[InuNacho]

Yeah, just like Apple would NEVER discontinue Final Cut Studio and replace it with something inferior that is incompatible with projects from FCP 7, due to all the professional editors who use it- even on well-known movies and TV shows with deadlines to consider...

On the topic on discontinuing and video, hows about removing Firewire on the Macbooks because Jobs lovingly said something along the lines of "nobody uses Firewire and USB is just as fast".

Sorry Jobs, but my ole' 08 Macbook runs FCE (waiting to see how X turns out since I'm on a limited student budget) great and hooks up with every camcorder I've thrown at it.

 

[Djavaman]

Luv my 17" MacBook Pro

About a year ago my windows laptop was giving me grief and I had just come into some extra money so I decided it was time for an up grade.

I checked out what ASUS, Lenovo and a few other manufactures had to offer. I was on my second iPhone and was very impressed with it so I decided that with the extra cash I had I should also look at MacBooks. After several hours of online research it came down to hi res glosey or hi res anti glare.

It was time to go to the apple store for a hands on, eyes on. I walked into the store with a 15" in mind and walked out of the store with a 17" anti glare with out a doubt the finest laptop I have ever owned. I went with the 17" in part because it was lighter than than the 15" pc laptop I was replacing and the extra screen real-estate would be awsome for the video editing I was going to do.

I have 16 GIG of ram on board and an esata card in the card slot for my external drive, yes I'll move to thunderbolt when it makes sense. I've used a backpack for all my past laptops as I do for my MacBook 17 so the size weight thing is a moot point.

I do have the new iPad now, and it's getting plenty of use. However if I have a choice to edit video on my iPad or MacBook 17?

It comes down to what your using your computer for, as it has always been. For me, as long as it is profitable for Apple, I hope the 17" MacBook pro line continues.

 

[firemedicmark]

I hope this isn't true...I have the 13" model but my family has purchased several 17 inchers over the years

 

[Glideslope]

Good

Dump the Beast.

 

[gpzjock]

There are many reasons people buy one thing or another. I'm not sure where you obtained your numbers. I haven't been able to find a model by model breakdown on sales.

I was referring to the OP's original estimate. Sorry for any ambiguity I was basing my view on his numbers not an itemised account.

 

[MacintoshMan]

WTF?! pro users getting shafted more. It was the only laptop with a 1920x1200 display.

Im going to guess the Mac Pro will be discontinued as-well =[

 

[jjm3]

My last three Macs have all been 17" laptops: 2005 17" PowerBook G4, 2007 17" MacBook Pro and 2008 17" MacBook Pro. I'm anxiously (and now, thanks to this ridiculous analysts fairy tale, nervously) awaiting the next generation of Mac laptops so I can upgrade.

I've been a video professional for 13 years, and I spent the first 5 of those years using 15" PowerBooks. Moving up to 17" (once they became available) was fantastic; I never want to go down a size again.

The only other size Mac laptop I'd ever want to buy apart from 17" is 19", 21", even 27": seriously, a portfolio case I can fold over would be heaven.

 

[Skullbussa]

The MBP 17" is not going anywhere. It fills a huge gap that exists above the 15" model which is JUST NOT BIG ENOUGH for many, may people.

I am simply astounded at the number of people who call the 17" a heavy, burdensome beast. It's a tiny, thin laptop that weighs as much as a standard 15" laptop weighs. I suggest you people spend a little more time in the gym and a little less time pontificating Apple's product line while sipping your Chai at Starbucks.

If Apple gives up the 17", Samsung and Asus will rush in to fill the gap. There is a definite market for it.

 

[cocky jeremy]

But yet people want to get rid of the 13" Macbook Pro. Not happening. As stated, its the best selling Macbook. Slim it down and give us a high def screen. Oh and Ivy Bridge, too.

The 17" MBP was way too big and overpriced.

Overpriced, sure. Too big? No way.

 

[MTShipp]

One thing Steve jobs said he loved about Apple is that they could put ALL of their products on a conference desk all at once. Perhaps they are trying to go back to this. Removal of 17", removal of Plastic Macbook, removal of Mac Pro. Definitely help make more room for iPads and thin ultra-books.

Just use a bigger conference desk!

 

[avkills]

Never thought I'd see the day where switching to Windows begins to seem like a more viable option every day.

Apple is full of themselves if they drop the MacPro and the 17" MBP.

They might as well halt development of Final Cut Pro as well.

-mark

 

[twoodcc]

i guess i could see this happen. i'd rather it not happen though

 

[whitedragon101]

Please, please keep the 17" Apple.

I am a developer and I need a desktop replacement laptop. 17" is essential for my development apps.


If it disappears I will have to return to a Windows laptop .

 

[zap2]

I'm shocked that the majority of Apple's laptop sales are from the 13" MBP. Sorry, but the Air is such a step above it. And that screen resolution is night and day!

As for the 17" leaving, that would be a downer. Admittedly, it's bigger then I need and that price is mind blowing, but for those that need that kind of screen size/resolution, I would hate to see the option go.

If Apple does drop the MBP 17" and add a 15" MBA, I hope they keep some type of large, thicker laptop that can carry nicer specs(specifically a dedicated graphic card and a HDD/SSD combo would be ideal)

 

[tigress666]

You know, I don't like the 17". I like my 13" (I just wish you could get a 13" with a real graphics card) because if I want a big screen I'd just connect it to my 21" monitor (which I do and I use the laptop screen as a second screen) and the 13" is a good compromise to me for good portability on the go... So you can see why I'd really not want the 17" when I don't even want a 15" screen on my laptop (only reason I'd go to that is for better performance but for me having to go to a larger computer would be a compromise for that).

That being said, I don't understand you people cheering for them to drop it. I mean why do you care? It's not affecting you that they have it. It's not threatening the 15" or 13" existence (specially considering it's the least popular). So why are you so eager for them to drop it?

(I mean I can understand if Apple drops it if it is costing them too much money for the amount of profit they can make from it but it's easier for me to say that cause for me it's no sweat off my back. Let me tell you I'd be very upset if they stopped making the 13" MBP, I don't want an air and I don't want a 15". I'm just glad it's their most popular model ).

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I'm shocked that the majority of Apple's laptop sales are from the 13" MBP. Sorry, but the Air is such a step above it. And that screen resolution is night and day!

There have already been several replies here why people don't want the Air over the Pro.

So, to pay more money to get the air I get less storage space (since I use my laptop as my main computer really bad), a slower processor (If I want an SSD to speed up my MBP I can install one into it), less RAM upgradeability... all for the sake of a slightly more portable computer which honestly I don't need it to be *that* portable (I just like being able to take it with me on vacation and also to my friend's house every week). So please tell me, why can you not understand that some of us don't want an Air? I can certainly understand someone wanting an air, especially if it was a supplemental computer for portability. But that doesn't mean I myself have any use for it.

 

[WardC]

Never thought I'd see the day where switching to Windows begins to seem like a more viable option every day.

Apple is full of themselves if they drop the MacPro and the 17" MBP.

They might as well halt development of Final Cut Pro as well.

-mark

My 6-core Mac Pro here could easily last me another 5 or 6 years, it can handle pretty much everything I throw at it. Apple changing up its hardware matrix is not really an incentive to want to switch to Windows. Windows itself is so unappealing and downright pain-in-the-ass and awkward, that anything short of discontinuing the Mac altogether and I am sticking to whatever machines Apple offers. I detest Windows so much and refuse to use it at any cost.

 

[you people smh]

Please, please keep the 17" Apple.

I am a developer and I need a desktop replacement laptop. 17" is essential for my development apps.


If it disappears I will have to return to a Windows laptop .

Need and want (or even would prefer) are two very different concepts

 

[KurtangleTN]

Although it's clearly obvious that the Mac is no longer priority at Apple this move would shock even me. Then again, this is the same company that removed an optical drive on a desktop that is popular as a HTPC.

If they got cut the 17" and the Mac Pro then it's a clear signal that they no longer want the professional market.

The grim future is the Macbook Air for Apple, it's the ultimate Apple machine. It's completely locked from upgrades and you completely have to buy into their ecosystem.

The MBA ships with a pathetic 2005 like 2GB of RAM, in order to get to a decent 4GB you'll need to buy Apple's amazingly overpriced upgrade which is $100. For reference 4GB (2x2gb) cost about $20-$30 at most other places RETAIL.

Then the SSD. If you find you might need more room than when you bought it you're screwed. You'll have to go buy a new one or carry an external everywhere (fun).

You won't be able to use your DVDs unless you cough up for an external drive (fun, now you might need an external HD, USB hub, and an external DVD drive on a machine that is made to be portable) and certainly not any Blu Rays so they'll likely sucker more people into iTunes.

Finally because the thing is basically impossible to repair most people will go and spring for the all but necessary Applecare and put another $250 in Apple's pocket.

So overall they'll probably make more of a profit and long term customer out of a Macbook Air user than any other computer and probably near as important for Apple is that they are under control.

It's sad but it's the truth

 

[WardC]

At this rate, in another 3 years, Apple will be selling air.

 

[chipped]

Never thought I'd see the day where switching to Windows begins to seem like a more viable option every day.

Apple is full of themselves if they drop the MacPro and the 17" MBP.

They might as well halt development of Final Cut Pro as well.

-mark

Well said, Sir!

I couldn't agree more.

This article is just complete BS though, as if Apple would drop the 17-inch MBP, never going to happen.

 

[Athonline]

I love my 17inch. I am a programmer and amateur photographer. I find the 17inch perfect! Big enough to view code for multiple classes or pages and compare photographs.... a 15inch just wouldn't be big enough I guess.

Moreover I got the strange habit viewing a movie while playing games... when a second monitor is not around, even 1inch of screen is a "life saver"