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I'm tired of this "vote with your wallet" rhetoric since it makes no sense. We're not talking about cars, which can go on any road. We're not talking about televisions, which can display things from any source.

We're talking about computers and operating systems. A Mac is not only hardware, it's also macOS and software. If we could get macOS on computers from other companies, we wouldn't be complaining - at least not about Macs. ;)

We can't vote with our wallet since only Apple can provide macOS. What we want is macOS on reliable and relatively up-to-date hardware at decent prices. So all we can do is see what Apple does and so far we can only complain that there's no updates.

Yup. We all have choices to make as adults. Choose what works best for you after considering all factors. I did. And am extremely pleased.


"We can't vote with our wallet since only Apple can provide macOS."

Sure you can. It's all about priorities and what's most important to you. My 2017 MBP hits the sweet spot for me. Reliable, compact and easy to travel with, loads of excellent I/O, beautiful wide gamut display, and macOS.
 
would you spend 6K+ a year for a mediocre cpu boost that has negligible effects for the majority of users?
He would probably not, but what about those who have been waiting for a new computer for years? Every year Apple does not update its computers means asking people to buy outdated computers for the same amount of money. Either update the computers every year or lower the prices accordingly.
 
I know I'm the minority here but I may very well never buy a Mac ever again.
Bye. The grass is always greener on the other side...

(My 'windows' friend) doing development in Singapore uses Windows (because he is a gamer; and that was what he was familiar with being formerly a former Microsoft employee) but he is seriously considering his next development (not gaming) machine will likely be a Mac. He has no trust in Microsoft updates - which commonly brick his rather complex development environment... so much so that he actually runs Windows with very little installed, and then his development environment runs under Windows in a VMware installation so that whenever Microsoft bricks him... he can recover quickly... then the 1803 release ... took care of that... it would no longer allow him to log in...
 
Yup. We all have choices to make as adults. Choose what works best for you after considering all factors. I did. And am extremely pleased.


"We can't vote with our wallet since only Apple can provide macOS."

Sure you can. It's all about priorities and what's most important to you.

What's most important to me, right now anyway, is to keep using macOS. And since Apple still hasn't released something worthwhile for me, I'm voting with my wallet by not buying a "new" Mac at inflated prices with old hardware inside.

This means I will keep on using my mid-2010 Mac mini for a while. I'm pretty sure Apple would like to sell me a new Mac. I'd be happy to buy one, if they offered anything worth the price. A MacBook air, exactly like it is today but with a better display, a more up-to-date CPU and a 16GB RAM option would be enough for me. I don't need USB-C ports, I don't need 2TB of SSD storage and I certainly don't need a powerful CPU or GPU - but I'm not paying for an outdated one either.
 
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I don't think they may have the longevity they used to. My 2011 17" MacBook Pro is more user serviceable than the new ones. Need a bigger HDD/SSD or it died? Swap it out. Need to replace a bad memory module? Go ahead and swap it out. Bad keyboard or trackpad, buy a part and swap it out. That increases longevity. The brand new ones don't allow it. Bad memory, new logic board. SSD is sucking it up? New logic board. Keyboard fails? Too bad, replace the entire top assembly from Apple (for now). So while mine is going strong enough after 7 years of use, I don't think the new ones will last that long. I did have two logic board replacements because of the motherboard issue and a replacement battery on Apple's dime, just to be upfront.

I was actually in the market for some new gear this cycle, but went with something else (a Windows machine.. probably could have gone with the new MBP 13 in hindsight, as neither are self-upgrade-able) for my work BYOD laptop, swapped out the battery for the second time on my 2013 MBA 11 inch, and put new SSDs into my 2012 Mini, the later two being used mostly for home purposes (no heavy loads).

Didn't mean to do it that way, but seems I got lucky that the 2013 MBA and 2012 Mini were near the last of the self-fixable machines sold. They both work very crisply for what use they get, and I am amazed at their longevity.. Mojave would probably be the last OS upgrade offered on either, so I have choices to make in a couple of years.

I sincerely hope they have some un-soldered choices by then, because I still prefer to use OSX rather than Windows for what I do.
 
While I do think their MacBooks are overpriced, they do have much better longevity overall. Or at least, had much better longevity. I agree with this post:

I think a new sub $1000 MacBook, a new Mac Mini, and ProMotion added to the iMacs would add a major boost to Mac sales. At the same time, Apple is absolutely correct. For millions of traditional computer buyers, the iPad/iPad Pro especially on iOS 11, can be a computer replacement. That certainly has to effect Mac sales. I did notice interestingly, iPad sales are still less than Mac sales.

absolutely agree with longevity. BUT still i can't get heart to pay for 3k MacBook pro for the config i want/need. :( love the machines thou
 
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Apple is definitely different under Cook — much less able to figure out what consumers want on the first try, but very willing to respond and fix issues. The Apple Watch is a perfect example -- the original software was bad with what seemed to me obvious flaws, but after a few years, it's actually nice to use. I think being vocal about problems definitely pays off in the current Apple: They really do want to make great stuff; they just don't have an intuitive understanding at the top level anymore.
 
I am seeing an increasing popularity of the Hackintosh amongst the professional community. Pretty sad, Apple... At this point they might be better off just opening up macOS and charging for it. Let people build their own machines and still use macOS.
 
I know I'm the minority here but I may very well never buy a Mac ever again.

I wouldn't call myself a fanboy, but I can't make this claim. I miss my MacBook air. I bought a Razer Blade Stealth and it's an absolutely fantastic replacement for the old Air.

Unfortunately, as I was shopping (I only bought the Razer 2 months ago), Apple's product lineup for this segment was ridiculous. the Current MacBook Air is archaic and in desperate need of some updates. Even minor ones. recent CPU (i'm not paying for a 4 generation old CPU in 2018), and an updated Display (Seriously, 1440x900 non-touch TN based display in 2018 is inexcusable. there are better quality displays on $300 chromebooks. However, if they just put a nice big high quality IPS panel in there, EVEN at 1080p, it would solve the biggest draw backs of the Air.

the MacBook is ridiculously priced. There's very little reason for this computer to start at $1300+. and in Canadian dollars the MacBook is a $1700 computer pre-tax. Even the dual core, low end 13" MacBook Pro starts at this same $1700.

However, if Apple were to get their collective heads out of their asses in regards to their computer lineup, I would consider replacing my Razer today. But I don't see that happening. When you can get the i7-7700u, 16gb RAM, 256gb NVME, 3800x1200 touch panel, with a keyboard that's reliable, and SSD that's upgradable for $500 less, (the Razer was 1300 pre-tax), there's something seriously wrong with the price points apple believes they should be at
 
I was actually in the market for some new gear this cycle, but went with something else (a Windows machine.. probably could have gone with the new MBP 13 in hindsight, as neither are self-upgrade-able) for my work BYOD laptop, swapped out the battery for the second time on my 2013 MBA 11 inch, and put new SSDs into my 2012 Mini, the later two being used mostly for home purposes (no heavy loads).

Didn't mean to do it that way, but seems I got lucky that the 2013 MBA and 2012 Mini were near the last of the self-fixable machines sold. They both work very crisply for what use they get, and I am amazed at their longevity.. Mojave would probably be the last OS upgrade offered on either, so I have choices to make in a couple of years.

I sincerely hope they have some un-soldered choices by then, because I still prefer to use OSX rather than Windows for what I do.

Yeah I am looking into Windows machines too. I much prefer the Mac though and it'd be a pain to transfer my large Photos gallery to Windows. The rest wouldn't be a problem.
 
I think Apple goes currently trough a transitional phase. They are trying to fuse iOS and MacOS closer and closer. They are working on an ARM based MacBook and MacOS all the while having still to keep up with regular updates of the Intel based system. I think they do care about their Mac lineup but they are focussing so much on the future of Mac that they lost the focus on their actual machines.

Apple appears like a chef that tries to create some fancy meals in the kitchen while running around confused trying to instruct his employees to serve all the customers in the restaurant unsuccessfully.
 
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I holding on to my money until:

1) Apple releases an updated 13" MacBook Pro without the touchbar

2) Early adopters of the 3rd gen butterfly mechanism confirm that the issues were in fact fixed.

I have zero interest in the overpriced and under-powered 12" MacBooks.
 
Can they really be suprised???

Mac Mini-4 years old
Mac Pro - 5 years old
Macbook/Macbook Pro/macbook air- year old at least
Imac- year old

Hmm apple maybe theres a reason people dont want to spend over $1k on old hardware. Your stuff is good but not that good.

And frankly the macbook/macbook pro/macbook air is just a confusing lineup what is the justification for all 3?
 
I gotta admit, since I’m no longer tied to Aperture for photo editing, and can build a powerhouse PC for a lot less than a Mac Pro (which is outdated and overpriced), I’m tempted to switch for creative work.

My preference is macOS. But if the product is going to make me a fool for getting the same work done in the same apps but for 2x the money on old hardware, I just can’t.
 
Got to be honest, the mac has got more expensive and does less that it used to. The 10-20% apple tax used to be worth it but the 30-40% more for hardware thats soldered. HS was a mess when it came out, apple doesn't actually offer any software but Final Cut, motion and logic otherwise CC works better on windows because you can tailor your hardware.

The macbook pro launched in 2006 had the ability to do anything with any device the new one doesn't offer that level of support which makes it harder to just get on with work. The keyboard has put a lot of people off... The TB has added £300 and is useless to almost everyone.

The test phase seems to be minuscule with the amount of issues products are coming out with. Difficulty in repair, cost of entry, parts that on paper should perform well but because of the chassis are thermally restrained... 27" i7 iMac is like a airplane on full tilt and the macbook pro throttlegate...

Old hardware, no splashes of magic. People are not stupid and there is also the fact windows 10 has got good and windows hardware is 30-40% cheaper with ports...

I haven't bought a new piece of mac hardware since 2013. I bought a preowned 2015 macbook because I dont think they are worth the money and still using a 2010 mac pro because apple doesn't offer anything comparable and they still support it. The iMac pro isnt the answer and the support for it has been woeful compared to its cost.

It feels like the end isnt far away. Apple is a consumer company and computers dont fit into that category having 5+ year lifespans for average consumers.

Its just sad that they are letting it go by the wayside and its disappointment after disappointment.
 
i would love to buy a mac

i would like a 6 core headless mac with two bays for swappable sata storage, swappable ram, integrated graphics, an ethernet port and a few usb ports

so i guess a 2012 mini with a processor upgrade?

i’ve more or less resigned myself to the fact that i’ll have to build it myself but wonder how much longer mac os will run without a t2 chip
 
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