Apple Releases the MacBook Pro

[steve_hill4]

Just as a point of interest, new Sony laptops appeared on our systems at work before the Apple Keynote, towards Christmas in fact. They were officially announced on January 6th.

While the models that are merely software changes to their predecessors are largely available, (although not all yet), the new model with a Core Duo is nowhere to be seen yet. Go to sonystyle.co.uk and the same FE11S also states Pre-Order.

The point here is that from announcement to availability, Apple aren't alone in long periods between the two, or even delays. This same thing is also true of the Toshibas we are expecting that will also ship with Core Duos. I expect to see them all in our store towards the beginning of next month, maybe even mid March for some. Apple may even beat the rest and the MacBook Pro will be available a little earlier.

Remember, a model that Sony informed us was coming two weeks before it was announced and nearly three weeks before the MBP announcement will probably ship after the MBP. I think Apple are doing quite well considering.

 

[grahamtriggs]

Apple doesn't do this. This would be silly for them to do, first of all. Why? If Apple worked on a pre-order system, they'd be expected to get each customer's order out in the order they were received but this doesn't make sense in the case of upgrades. Why should someone have to wait for Apple to get a special hard drive to complete someone else's order before sending out their order that Apple can fulfill right now? If they worked on a pre-order system it would work like that. As far as I know, NO computer manufacturer works on a pre-order basis. So really you can't expect that of Apple either.

It's fair enough that BTO means that you might get your machine later than someone that takes the stock options (or vice versa if they have stock of the BTO options but are out of the standard components). It's even fair enough that they send out display models to stores before fulfilling orders.

It's a lot harder to justify sending stock to stores for people to buy off the shelves when there are a large number of accepted orders for standard builds already in the system. That said, in a strict retail sense, the stores can themselves be considered customers, and if a store has 'ordered' a number of systems prior to your online order, then they should / would be fulfilled first, even if they haven't already been sold to end-users.

In ANY case Apple said they'd be available late February. Late February they'll be available and early March you'll have them shipped and in your hands.

And all the time, the price/performance comparison is getting worse. I bought my Dell for £300 less than the MBP (and despite only ordering on the 23rd, I've already had it for two weeks), and now you can get exactly the same configuration for £250 less than I paid - at £1190, almost £600 cheaper than the MBP, which is still £1780. You could buy a similar spec PC laptop AND a full Photoshop for less than the cost of an MBP alone, and it would run significantly faster by virtue of being native.

If Apple aren't going to be more competitive with their prices, and more aggresive/consistent with reductions over the life of a product, where does that leave them? It's one thing to make a decision at the start of January to pay a 'small' premium to get an MBP, but how would you feel if by the time you actually get it, you could buy a similar spec PC for little over half the price you paid?

 

[grahamtriggs]

Just as a point of interest, new Sony laptops appeared on our systems at work before the Apple Keynote, towards Christmas in fact. They were officially announced on January 6th.

The point here is that from announcement to availability, Apple aren't alone in long periods between the two, or even delays.

There are some key differences though - Sony announced early, but they also clearly announced the it would be some time before it shipped. AFAIK, Sony haven't made any indication that systems would ship by this time, and so have yet to fail to meet their schedule. Apple have already missed dates that they have given to people - with apparently more delays yet to come.

Plus, whenever the Sony's do ship, the price (on the street) will - probably -be competitive to other laptops. Whereas there is no indication of adjustment to the MBP pricing.

 

[steve_hill4]

There are some key differences though - Sony announced early, but they also clearly announced the it would be some time before it shipped. AFAIK, Sony haven't made any indication that systems would ship by this time, and so have yet to fail to meet their schedule. Apple have already missed dates that they have given to people - with apparently more delays yet to come.

Plus, whenever the Sony's do ship, the price (on the street) will - probably -be competitive to other laptops. Whereas there is no indication of adjustment to the MBP pricing.

Well, the FE11S I referred to has a price point of £1299 to the base MBP, (which I am getting), which is £1429. It does however have the 1.83GHz Core Duo, a gig of ram, (only 533MHz though), and 160GB hard drive, (albeit a 4200rpm rather than 5400), as standard.

I would like Apple to ship their pro models with simialr specs, but I know that won't happen, especially at the same price point. As for time frame, even if you are right I think that Apple are doing well getting theirs to the market first. I have heard of supply problems with the 667MHz DDR2 RAM they are using, which appears to be the same that a lot of manufacturers are using. Maybe they decided to be a little more realistic with shipping dates and/or their delays can be attributed to similar reasons.

 

[grahamtriggs]

Well, the FE11S I referred to has a price point of £1299 to the base MBP, (which I am getting), which is £1429. It does however have the 1.83GHz Core Duo, a gig of ram, (only 533MHz though), and 160GB hard drive, (albeit a 4200rpm rather than 5400), as standard.

I have a 1.83Ghz CD, a gig ram (667Mhz, albeit 2x512), 100GB HD@5400, and a 17" 1920x1200 screen - and right now you can get it for £100 less than the Sony.

With that kind of pressure from other manufacturers, even if the Sony shop still ists £1299, it's quite likely that you'll actually see it a bit cheaper on the high street. That said, having truly leading edge tech like the 160GB drive is going to keep the costs/price fairly high. All the components in the MBP are just that tiny bit off of the top spec, and at that level you would expect them to not only be more competitive, but to see more continual and aggressive reductions in component costs - but how quickly will Apple pass that on?

I would like Apple to ship their pro models with simialr specs, but I know that won't happen, especially at the same price point. As for time frame, even if you are right I think that Apple are doing well getting theirs to the market first. I have heard of supply problems with the 667MHz DDR2 RAM they are using, which appears to be the same that a lot of manufacturers are using. Maybe they decided to be a little more realistic with shipping dates and/or their delays can be attributed to similar reasons.

The HD will be the reason for the shipping dates of the Sony - understandably given that it is a new model. I can understand a shortage of 667Mhz Ram modules, but not to the extent that Apple aren't shifting any units - I would expect there to be another problem that is delaying shipping.

 

[baddaddy]

Store Is Down

Apple's online store and phone store is down while they update. I wonder whether this is routine or they are getting ready to offer something new?

 

[steve_hill4]

Well, the UK store is back up and it appears that nothing has changed on the MacBook front.

Checking the US store throws up the same. I thought they might have removed the iMac G5 totally, but the 20" still remains.

Not sure what, if anything, has changed.

 

[zync]

It's a lot harder to justify sending stock to stores for people to buy off the shelves when there are a large number of accepted orders for standard builds already in the system. That said, in a strict retail sense, the stores can themselves be considered customers, and if a store has 'ordered' a number of systems prior to your online order, then they should / would be fulfilled first, even if they haven't already been sold to end-users.

As I said, if they're shipping display units, then they're going to ship them with other units for sale. It makes no sense to ship them separately. For one thing it's cheaper and companies usually ship just product and the stores make displays out of them. For another it makes no sense to have displays of units you can't sell. Also, most stores—I'm not certain about Apple—are treated as customers as you said. As I said, it might suck but it's logical.

It's one thing to make a decision at the start of January to pay a 'small' premium to get an MBP, but how would you feel if by the time you actually get it, you could buy a similar spec PC for little over half the price you paid?

I wouldn't care at all since I never plan on buying a PC laptop ever again. In fact, the only reason I'd ever buy a PC is for web development testing, but I already have one. When I finally switch to Intel chipped Apple hardware VPC will probably be a lot faster so I probably won't need one at all anyway. Also, as has been noted, everyone seems to be having delays. If they're using the same hardware and it's hardware that's slowing them down, there is no way Apple could be behind.

Also, as an aside: Dell is NOT an option to me in ANY case.

 

[grahamtriggs]

As I said, if they're shipping display units, then they're going to ship them with other units for sale. It makes no sense to ship them separately. For one thing it's cheaper and companies usually ship just product and the stores make displays out of them. For another it makes no sense to have displays of units you can't sell. Also, most stores—I'm not certain about Apple—are treated as customers as you said. As I said, it might suck but it's logical.

Not really - having display units means that you can entice customers and get them to pre-order stock before it arrives in store. And it's not the case that you are making a special shipment - you could ship a small number of display units along with other stock (iMacs, PowerMacs, etc.)

When I finally switch to Intel chipped Apple hardware VPC will probably be a lot faster so I probably won't need one at all anyway. Also, as has been noted, everyone seems to be having delays. If they're using the same hardware and it's hardware that's slowing them down, there is no way Apple could be behind.

I have to admit, I was tempted by the 'best of both worlds' approach, but the benefits don't justify the cost (for me). And everyone is NOT having delays. My laptop uses the same Intel chipset, 1.83Ghz CD, 667Mhz ram (OK, 512mb modules), 100gb HD, 256MB GeforceGo 7800, etc. - ordered on the 23rd, and arrived on the 30th.

I don't know the situation with the Toshiba, but the Sony is (almost certainly and understandably) waiting on the hard drive. Quite frankly, the Apple delays are a bit perplexing - the main components should be readily available (apart from the ATI X1600 maybe? I can find plenty of reviews, but not much in the way of shipping product). Unless it's something like power supply / battery availability.

 

[zync]

Not really - having display units means that you can entice customers and get them to pre-order stock before it arrives in store. And it's not the case that you are making a special shipment - you could ship a small number of display units along with other stock (iMacs, PowerMacs, etc.)

True, but I wouldn't want to have to deal with those customers, having worked in retail.

What do you mean you don't have it!? They don't ship enough of them to you? Can I buy the display model then? Why not!? No thanks

I have to admit, I was tempted by the 'best of both worlds' approach, but the benefits don't justify the cost (for me). And everyone is NOT having delays. My laptop uses the same Intel chipset, 1.83Ghz CD, 667Mhz ram (OK, 512mb modules), 100gb HD, 256MB GeforceGo 7800, etc. - ordered on the 23rd, and arrived on the 30th.

I don't know the situation with the Toshiba, but the Sony is (almost certainly and understandably) waiting on the hard drive. Quite frankly, the Apple delays are a bit perplexing - the main components should be readily available (apart from the ATI X1600 maybe? I can find plenty of reviews, but not much in the way of shipping product). Unless it's something like power supply / battery availability.

When did they originally start offering your laptop though? They could have had stock already, and new units might be affected by delays. Also, the ATI X1600 availability might very well be the cause of the delay.

 

[grahamtriggs]

When did they originally start offering your laptop though? They could have had stock already, and new units might be affected by delays. Also, the ATI X1600 availability might very well be the cause of the delay.

Not exactly sure, as I didn't see any specific announcement for Dell when I was looking at the time the Core Duo was announced - however, it was on the Dell site a few days later when I decided to have a look on there (so it had been on there for the best part of two weeks at least before I decided to buy).

And Dell build everything to order, working with a low inventory of components (that are regularly supplied) - so my laptop was not in stock when I ordered. In fact, when I did order it had a 'may be delayed by 10 days' notice on the site. At the time the order was accepted, it went into the system with a 'will ship by' date of the 9th Feb. And it did sit in pre-production (awaiting components) for a couple of days. But then it went into production on the 26th, was shipped on the 27th and arrived on the 30th (deliveries were only on weekdays, so had to wait until after the weekend).

 

[zync]

And Dell build everything to order, working with a low inventory of components (that are regularly supplied) - so my laptop was not in stock when I ordered.

Right, but I would anticipate that they'd have components in stock, just not completed computers. If they only ordered parts when they needed them, their computers would be a few hundred dollars more expensive. Whereas they can keep components in stock and use them across the board.

Of course low inventory for Dell is at least a few hundred thousand of whatever they're talking about

 

[denald]

Credit Card Temp Authorization

I just looked at my credit card online and Apple has a temp authorization there this morning. I ordered my MBPRO as soon as the lines came open and have always had 2/15 as the ship date. Hopefully this is a good sign for all of us.


Denald

 

[teetoo]

The guy from the UK Apple store has just been in touch about my 7th Feb slipped order, basically mine won't ship until 10th March now. He's tried to find out why but didn't really get anywhere or have any answers other than there being a huge demand from the US and that units must be heading over there first.

So that's that, looks like I'll be using my busted up powerbook for a few more weeks.

 

[Malcster]

The guy from the UK Apple store has just been in touch about my 7th Feb slipped order, basically mine won't ship until 10th March now. He's tried to find out why but didn't really get anywhere or have any answers other than there being a huge demand from the US and that units must be heading over there first.

Everytime i call apple im more and more convinced they know no more about the macbook situation than we do.

 

[teerexx52]

I ordered mine on 1/27/06. Shipping 2/24/06. No change in order status since I first ordered it.

 

[teetoo]

I ordered mine on 1/27/06. Shipping 2/24/06. No change in order status since I first ordered it.

That's because you haven't reached the actual afternoon of the estimated shipping date yet.

 

[elbirth]

The guy from the UK Apple store has just been in touch about my 7th Feb slipped order, basically mine won't ship until 10th March now. He's tried to find out why but didn't really get anywhere or have any answers other than there being a huge demand from the US and that units must be heading over there first.

So that's that, looks like I'll be using my busted up powerbook for a few more weeks.

I wonder if that's any indication that it's indeed true that Apple is meeting the US demand first and foremost then... if that's the case, I'm sorry for you guys having to be put on hold even though you ordered first, but I hope our orders really do ship out the 15th or before- the sooner ours get out, the sooner yours might be able to get out.

 

[williamb]

That's because you haven't reached the actual afternoon of the estimated shipping date yet.

My friends, here is some more bad news.

A user's report from macintouch.com says:

tony Ross

It gets worse - I ordered on the launch day.
Order Date: Jan 10, 2006 at 07:50 PM

Estimated Shipped By - Mar 10, 2006
Estimated Delivered By - Mar 17, 2006
​

http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/macbookpro/index.html#feb13

 

[williamb]

I ordered on Jan 12 and my ship date is the famous February 15, with an estimated delivery by Feb 23. On Wednesday, I'm sure my delivery will be reschedule for March, of course.

 

[elbirth]

My friends, here is some more bad news.

A user's report from macintouch.com says:

tony Ross

It gets worse - I ordered on the launch day.
Order Date: Jan 10, 2006 at 07:50 PM

Estimated Shipped By - Mar 10, 2006
Estimated Delivered By - Mar 17, 2006
​

http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/macbookpro/index.html#feb13

Where's that guy from though? Several UK people have been saying this since the 10th that their orders got pushed back.

Several US people, myself included, have reported having the full amount of their purchase have an authorization put on their credit card today. Mine hasn't gone through yet, but some have actually be charged.

 

[ThomasM]

i ordered mine on the release day by using a local apple store, if i dont get it by end of february, im canceling my order.

 

[mpw]

Where's that guy from though? Several UK people have been saying this since the 10th that their orders got pushed back.

Several US people, myself included, have reported having the full amount of their purchase have an authorization put on their credit card today. Mine hasn't gone through yet, but some have actually be charged.

Are you sure those people have paid by credit card and not debit card? In the UK a company can take a payment from a debit card at order or anytime from order to despatch while they can only take credit card payment on despatch.

Elsewhere it's been reported that there's a problem with some intel iMac video performance, could the delays be a quality control issue?

 

[elbirth]

Are you sure those people have paid by credit card and not debit card? In the UK a company can take a payment from a debit card at order or anytime from order to despatch while they can only take credit card payment on despatch.

Elsewhere it's been reported that there's a problem with some intel iMac video performance, could the delays be a quality control issue?

The guy that made this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=361080&tstart=0

says that it was his debit card, but it looks to me that at least one person mentions having a credit card charged, unless I'm misreading it?

 

[robalan]

says that it was his debit card, but it looks to me that at least one person mentions having a credit card charged, unless I'm misreading it?

My credit card has had an authorization on it for the full amount since last Friday and it is still there. I also got the "estimated shipping pushed back to the 10th March" email last Friday... No actual payment has been taken yet.