As long as computers have fans, easy access to insides is a necessity for keeping the fans clean of dust. Sorry, but not everyone has the luxury of living/working inside an ISO certified cleanroom environment and wearing a bunny suit 24/7. Nor should people have to take a computer to an Apple store just to have it cleaned.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Surveying iMac Pro Buyers About Key Features
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
As long as computers have fans, easy access to insides is a necessity for keeping the fans clean of dust. Sorry, but not everyone has the luxury of living/working inside an ISO certified cleanroom environment and wearing a bunny suit 24/7. Nor should people have to take a computer to an Apple store just to have it cleaned.
A survey asking customers about a product they already own is very different from surveying consumers about what they might feel about an imaginary product which doesn’t yet exist.
I suppose then it will be very enlightening to them when no one selects it. Isn’t it better that Apple sees that, in black and white?
Market research tries to gather facts; it’s best not to pre-suppose the answer is already known and therefore not capture that data (by not asking the question).
Besides, we don’t know what question was being asked, that had that list of answers.
Fair enough. If input is only coming in now…. then the earliest we can see the New Mac Pro would be late 2019 (at least a year from now).
But then again, several of these hardware "features" could easily become CTO (customize to order) Apple Online Store options. It's dreamingly foolish to even think that most of these "wish list items" will ever become standard (base configuration) features of any future Mac Pro.
This is Apple trying to figure out which features they can charge more money for. It will help them determine what to leave out of the consumer level machines to make "pro" users opt for the much pricier "Pro" machine.
Apple has gotten a bit too sleazy lately to suit me. This is just another example.
Apple has gotten a bit too sleazy lately to suit me. This is just another example.
Call me skeptical. Maybe Apple’s management is finally admitting that it has been out of touch with desktop hardware users, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple is using this survey to simply cherry pick endorsements for their current products.
Apple’s MacOS is the primary (only?) reason we pros use Macs. My first concern is that Apple doesn’t dumb down MacOS by making it more like iOS.
If Apple wants to know what capabilities are important, it should consult the software vendors who cater to the various occupations. In the past, software products evolved as the hardware evolved. Today, the hardware needs to take direction from the visions of the software devs who are intimate with the needs of the occupations.
I want to return to the golden age of user modifications and third party repair services. I don’t like Apple owning or being involved in every facet of my Mac’s existence.
Finally, Apple needs to back up its claim that it makes premium products. A $5,000+ investment should have more assurance than a one year warranty provides.
Apple’s MacOS is the primary (only?) reason we pros use Macs. My first concern is that Apple doesn’t dumb down MacOS by making it more like iOS.
If Apple wants to know what capabilities are important, it should consult the software vendors who cater to the various occupations. In the past, software products evolved as the hardware evolved. Today, the hardware needs to take direction from the visions of the software devs who are intimate with the needs of the occupations.
I want to return to the golden age of user modifications and third party repair services. I don’t like Apple owning or being involved in every facet of my Mac’s existence.
Finally, Apple needs to back up its claim that it makes premium products. A $5,000+ investment should have more assurance than a one year warranty provides.
When Apple released the 6,1 Mac Pro they received plenty of feedback regarding what pros wanted in a professional computer: The cMP with updated internals. It's so simple they can't see it.
I am in audio, film and TV production and Apple has left us in the dust. This is because we need specialized components -- you can't just buy the computer ready-to-go from apple you also need to add stuff like a Blackmagic video card or Pro Tools HDX card (which doesn't have a thunderbolt version). This type of software used to be nearly mac-exclusive but the Pro Tools has seen a major shift to Windows in recent years because of the upgrade schedule/compatibility and lack of a modular machine.
In any specialized technical industry there is need to have specialized components and gigantic Sonnet Tech dongles for PCIe cards just don't cut it because they are added complexity. We grew up with tower computers, it can't be hard to just make a tower computer can it? There are thousands of companies that do it. I know 14 year-old people who can make a tower computer. It's nice if it looks good but that's so far down the list. A modern (and complete) set of ports is essential beyond Thunderbolt, PCIe, 5k Graphics. Aside from an SSD boot disk it needs room for 3.5" drive bays. It needs some kind of removable media, SD cards are looking good these days! Very widely used and getting better and better. It needs a combined analog/digital headphone jack AND combined digital/analog input jack for audio (many pro's use this!). It needs 2 10GB ethernet ports.
What I don't see mentioned much is that if a larger company (or higher-computer-need company, $$$ for apple) needs to buy apple servers they're also in the dust because there are none other than mac mini's. While a tower works ok for this, what's really appropriate is a rackmount server. This is a server that no-one ever sees -- it could be designed to look like poop and it will still sell because it is purchased for a specific need that winds up reinforcing the whole apple ecosystem.
Apple needs a Pro division with a lineup of chassis that they can keep upgrading without the design team involved that they can upgrade quickly to keep competitive with the rest of the world. Tower workstation/server chassis, rackmount workstation/chassis (maybe a 1u option and 3u option that can hold PCIe cards, eh?), 13" laptop, 15" laptop. Include Thunderbolt 3 yes but also SD card, ethernet and audio in/out on all (as just a slightly-overpriced option is great, even!)
The expensive computers wind up affecting the tablets and laptops on many different levels so neglecting them has left a big and long-lasting hole in the next phase of Apple because those server apps and audio/video production programs have migrated strongly away from Apple. These are the computer-deciders and content creators ... the mavens that are the word of mouth that worked so long in Apple's favor.
Design for the pro users could be so easy if you were to let go of trying to make flashy products for us and ones that JUST WORK. Let the consumers have the shiny stuff. Heck, the 'bulky' laptops could still have nice metal, the rackmount could look slick like a piece of audio gear. It won't tarnish the apple reputation in the slightest -- it will only strengthen it because the major holes would be filled.
One more thing ... the software upgrade codependency on OS has to stop! does iMessage really need the new OS to function? when it does, then don't leave the older customers out in the cold. Short term, shareholder wise sure it's what gets you a fat bonus but long-term health is a disrespect to Steve Jobs because the user experience suffers to profits.
In any specialized technical industry there is need to have specialized components and gigantic Sonnet Tech dongles for PCIe cards just don't cut it because they are added complexity. We grew up with tower computers, it can't be hard to just make a tower computer can it? There are thousands of companies that do it. I know 14 year-old people who can make a tower computer. It's nice if it looks good but that's so far down the list. A modern (and complete) set of ports is essential beyond Thunderbolt, PCIe, 5k Graphics. Aside from an SSD boot disk it needs room for 3.5" drive bays. It needs some kind of removable media, SD cards are looking good these days! Very widely used and getting better and better. It needs a combined analog/digital headphone jack AND combined digital/analog input jack for audio (many pro's use this!). It needs 2 10GB ethernet ports.
What I don't see mentioned much is that if a larger company (or higher-computer-need company, $$$ for apple) needs to buy apple servers they're also in the dust because there are none other than mac mini's. While a tower works ok for this, what's really appropriate is a rackmount server. This is a server that no-one ever sees -- it could be designed to look like poop and it will still sell because it is purchased for a specific need that winds up reinforcing the whole apple ecosystem.
Apple needs a Pro division with a lineup of chassis that they can keep upgrading without the design team involved that they can upgrade quickly to keep competitive with the rest of the world. Tower workstation/server chassis, rackmount workstation/chassis (maybe a 1u option and 3u option that can hold PCIe cards, eh?), 13" laptop, 15" laptop. Include Thunderbolt 3 yes but also SD card, ethernet and audio in/out on all (as just a slightly-overpriced option is great, even!)
The expensive computers wind up affecting the tablets and laptops on many different levels so neglecting them has left a big and long-lasting hole in the next phase of Apple because those server apps and audio/video production programs have migrated strongly away from Apple. These are the computer-deciders and content creators ... the mavens that are the word of mouth that worked so long in Apple's favor.
Design for the pro users could be so easy if you were to let go of trying to make flashy products for us and ones that JUST WORK. Let the consumers have the shiny stuff. Heck, the 'bulky' laptops could still have nice metal, the rackmount could look slick like a piece of audio gear. It won't tarnish the apple reputation in the slightest -- it will only strengthen it because the major holes would be filled.
One more thing ... the software upgrade codependency on OS has to stop! does iMessage really need the new OS to function? when it does, then don't leave the older customers out in the cold. Short term, shareholder wise sure it's what gets you a fat bonus but long-term health is a disrespect to Steve Jobs because the user experience suffers to profits.
That’s just your cynical spin. Apple’s trying to find out what features are important to those who buy their product. That’s not a bad thing.
Your take reminds me of those who call the 6.1” LCD phone “gimped” (apparently not knowing the definition) compared to the OLED models instead of seeing it for what it actually is: a phone without the flagship features—and importantly, without the flagship price.
I mean really, is it that complicated to see that you get what you pay for? Or maybe more accurately, you don’t get what you don’t pay for.
The effort of surveying customers/potential users is fairly common with medium to large businesses. Out of the entire list of questions there might be only one or two questions that are the main focus for Apple, with the others being important for general interests.
Apple also receives a lot of comments from customers and they organize them in order to pay attention to them, with priorities for what gets the most focus. Again not unusual for successful companies.
If you didn't get a survey then you are free to send an email or snail mail note to them. Just don't get abusive in your letter because, like other companies, there is going to be a few round files for nasty letters.
As for a new Mac Pro, why not go back to the AL monster that was used for years? I was in Sydney on a business trip when the original version came out and was able to see it in an Apple reseller. The design blew me away and I had a strong belief that the basic design could last for many years.
Apple also receives a lot of comments from customers and they organize them in order to pay attention to them, with priorities for what gets the most focus. Again not unusual for successful companies.
If you didn't get a survey then you are free to send an email or snail mail note to them. Just don't get abusive in your letter because, like other companies, there is going to be a few round files for nasty letters.
As for a new Mac Pro, why not go back to the AL monster that was used for years? I was in Sydney on a business trip when the original version came out and was able to see it in an Apple reseller. The design blew me away and I had a strong belief that the basic design could last for many years.
Apple waved goodbye to the “you get what you pay for” train a long time ago. Now Apple simple price gouges because they have some extremely loyal users. I have zero issues using a windows or Linux box in place of a macOS machine. The hardware isn’t special and hasn’t been for awhile, Apple just tries to sell it by making people think things like the T2 is some special Apple fairy dust when it’s just controllers moved off to another custom chip.
I think what kills me is so many view having options as a bad thing. So obsessed with Apple magic they fail to see that what Apple is doing isn’t special in any way other than removing features and charging more.
FWIW, I filled out a survey based on my thoughts of my iPad mini a couple months ago. The survey was from Apple.
For those speculating on whether or not Apple is going to update the iPad mini soon.
For those speculating on whether or not Apple is going to update the iPad mini soon.
Agree with that, and that's why I hope the new Mac Pro will be some sort of tower, with full video card options. I think anything other than that will disappoint the pro users. I'm currently using a six core late 2013 Pro, but my power needs are modest, and I'm very happy with the way it runs Photoshop, Painter, and my various Photoshop plug-ins. It has the Firepro D500 cards and I never give them a thought, they just work well for me, as far as I can tell.
Gee, ya think? A machine like the 2006-2010 mac pro is a lot more elegant. If you have extra disks and capture cards and stuff, you can stick them all inside the tower. Then you have one nice neat box under your desk. No dongles, no extra boxes, just one box. It looks a heck of a lot cleaner than having a pretty canister with a ton of junk underneath it, even if you stuff that junk into a cabinet.
it's amazing how many people just post to meaninglessly slam apple. As if asking customers questions is ever a bad thing.
hint: this is a Positive story about a great company doing the right thing. But the one really good thing, is that I found a whole bunch of "apple sucks" chanters to ignore.
hint: this is a Positive story about a great company doing the right thing. But the one really good thing, is that I found a whole bunch of "apple sucks" chanters to ignore.
But But but it’s so much better as a dongle!
[doublepost=1536634725][/doublepost]
The folks slamming them don’t see it as meaninglessly doing so. The same logic could be used for those who are simply cheer leaders for a company.
Well, it's hard to say. We want a faster horse, but what we expect a car. For example, who is going to check the "T2 chip?" What does that do for me? Or a Xeon W processor? I want to be able to plow through my workload fast. I would think they would be doing more "what the heck are you doing?" questions, not specific technical feature questions.
Yep, got an email from them. I bought it from the Apple store while logged into my Apple account. I’m not sure if that matters or not? I also opened up a couple support cases while I have had it due to various issues that have been discussed at length here in the forums with the 2018 MBPs.
You’re smart enough to know exactly how amazing, special and innovative the T2 processor truly is. I suppose that’s why it’s gotten into your head so bad lol.
The fact that over 300 million people a year find Apple devices priced under or at their value disproves your contention they are overpriced.
Apple possesses no Jedi mind trick. Their customers—you included—are well aware that Apple offers the best combination of hardware, OS, software, usability, ecosystem, warranty, quality, privacy, reliability, security, etc. and are willing to pay for that which they value.
Apple products are special, and though the cognitive dissonance this creates in you is firmly on display, you obviously know it’s true.
Last edited: