I've got the first machine on that list and it's not half-assed. I was very surprised but it's extremely Mac-like and has been very reliable in the 3 months I've had it. I don't miss my Mac much at all.
I think Tim wouldn't know the next big thing if it bitch slapped him upside the face. Apple has half-assed plenty over the past few years. The new Macbooks are the most recent in a long list.
Okay, it's happening. I stated earlier that my only
real reason for not being on Windows already is because the apps/OS felt so "ugly" compared to macOS.
Turns out that I won't have to wait long for Windows to freshen up. Microsoft has fixed so much of the core over the years (vista, 7, 8 and now 10) that they can
now finally focus on modernizing the GUIs and adding modern translucency and shadows. And they're now aiming for clean, clear GUIs with butter-smooth animations.
https://mspoweruser.com/project-neon-windows-10-first-look/
(and an earlier article
https://mspoweruser.com/windows-10-...e-new-design-language-codenamed-project-neon/)
Microsoft is creating a design language which "just works", across all devices, and offers a similar experience. This includes the PC, Mobile, and more importantly, the HoloLens. Project NEON will feature a fluid user interface that sports smooth motions and transitions throughout all of the UI components.
Project NEON will also focus on fixing inconsistencies that are found on most Windows 10 apps, including the ones from Microsoft. Windows Central reports that Project NEON will provide "developers with clear and consistent guidelines when designing their apps".
It's officially happening: Windows is soon about to be pretty much equal with macOS in desktop beauty, maybe even
more beautiful depending on what your personal taste is. I really like the fresh, clean, open surfaces of Microsoft's Project NEON design. It makes the flat, gray slabs of macOS titlebars look dated. And it's clear that they're aiming for full touch and
virtual reality compatibility in their app design. They're looking to the future instead of being regressive. After suffering with Apple through their last five years of neglect and lazy coasting, it's very refreshing to see someone else innovating.
Looks like I'll be a Windows 11 + touchscreen + Cubase 9 convert soon. Because Project NEON literally eliminates my last remaining reluctance about switching to Windows. The design is finally becoming fresh, clean and modern. They have great multitouch screens and pen digitizers supported natively, and have incredibly fast top-rated hardware with tons of upgradability. The value is incredible, and the hardware rivals and even beats the Apple hardware these days, and the software is finally becoming as fresh (or in my opinion even fresher) than what's on macOS. My Safari and iTunes look absolutely ancient compared to Project NEON.
It's very clear to see that Apple has squandered their once-leading position in hardware and software design. Who could ever guess that Apple spending the last half-decade with their noses in the iOS crack and turning a blind eye to their aging desktops would now be coming back to bite them? The weirdest part is that they're so rich that they could easily have kept their desktops up to date, but they just took people for granted while continuing to shovel outdated and overpriced hardware and completely neglecting the professionals. And what's up with the last few macOS releases? Nothing particularly interesting. Mostly minor changes. (And of course the obligatory locking out fully capable older hardware for no reason just so that they could sell their "newer" outdated machines.)
This is it. Apple has lost me. Unless something changes with Apple between now and my next computer upgrade in 1-2 years, I am going to switch away and start thinking different, since Apple has clearly stopped thinking at all, and are rapidly losing their last remaining advantages. Hardware quality and reliability is now equal or much better on the Windows side. Hardware upgradability, expandability and prices are a million times better on the Windows side. And the Software and software design is catching up incredibly fast and is about to overtake Apple.
Having modern hardware, modern features like touch and pen input, access to hybrid devices, fast and upgradable and expandable hardware and access to tons of new and advanced software is definitely enough to switch
already. And many people here
have switched. When the new Project NEON comes out it's
game over for Apple. Software design was the
last reason I was holding out, and I suspect a lot of us chose Apple for their great, clean and beautiful software design. Well, that's all changing now. Microsoft's new design language is super clean and beautiful.
Apple, you dun goofed... I think you can still rise from the ashes and catch up, but it's too late for many of us. You've already lost me with this lazy, arrogant and neglectful bs from one of the richest companies of the world. It's sad. And I saw many other switchers on this forum who left for the same reasons. And even if Apple does catch up someday, there won't be any reason to switch back and go back to the same locked-down, overpriced and outdated hardware.
It takes a lot to leave a company and an ecosystem you used to rely on and love for decades. But they've sadly neglected us for so long that they actually had to arrange a press meeting and
speak out about their neglect a few days ago just to re-assure us that we aren't forgotten. Which is sad as hell. How does a company like Apple let it get to such a sad point?! If nothing dramatically improves in the next year (and with their lack of vision, it does
not look like it will), then it's goodbye from me
too.
Apple is
never going to relinquish their control freak behavior. They obviously
want outdated and disposable hardware just to forcibly drive new hardware sales. I am so close to
done with these freaks for good.
There is obviously a holy book of Apple somewhere: Thou must artificially limit all hardware and software to force the sheep to constantly buy new and shiny things.
Maybe that lazy attitude worked when their software was still leaps and bounds above Windows. But while Apple has been coasting along lazily, the competition has been advancing rapidly.
Tim Cook is a terrible leader for Apple. No vision. All number crunching and coasting and apologies instead of innovation... Which is awful for a company that existed entirely on its reputation for innovation. Apparently they didn't even realize they had a problem until they saw the constant disappointment from users year in and year out. Sad to see Apple this out of touch with reality. They'll have to snap out of it and wake up again someday, but at that point it'll be hard for them to win back users. They've got a
lot of catching-up to do.
However, their first step should be to stop believing the myth of their own perfection and infallibility.
(it would be a software/firmware change, so could easily be done to existing manufactured product). So, yep, they'd need to augment iOS to support the trackpad. 
