It goes without saying that given how long apple has been using the same form factor and display, there is literally zero r&d being invested in that line, just minor processor upgrades and periodic OS X updates which apply to all lines, not just macbook air.
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Apple to EOL Retina MacBook after one revision?
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It goes without saying that given how long apple has been using the same form factor and display, there is literally zero r&d being invested in that line, just minor processor upgrades and periodic OS X updates which apply to all lines, not just macbook air.
I don't disagree but Apple is no longer some struggling tiny underdog with an altruistic business model. Apple is now bigger than Exxon. They have shareholders used to a very high return, and the days of supreme innovation like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad are in the rearview mirror.
The day will come when Apple will have a tough quarter or two and they'll be under pressure to whip out the ace they've been hiding and ultimately become the largest Windows notebook manufacturer in the world. I can see how it breaks with the 'core' of what Apple has been about since 1980 but in the end they're a massive corporation with an obligation to deliver an enormous revenue stream, and after the Apple Watch and Apple TV launches, what's left? Sure, the iPhone 7 will be massive, but eventually the phone's can't get much thinner and they can't roast a turkey so it's all iterative from here in. The Next Big Thing at Apple? It's not going to be a car. It's more than likely to be a notebook.
BJ
Apple has always been a hardware company. Do they even sell a standalone piece of software, something you can buy in a box at retail and install on millions of computers and generate billions in revenues like Adobe and Microsoft do? I can't think of one.
They pitch their vision of hardware + software nicely, but since they're a closed ecosystem they need to make their own software just to sell their hardware so they need to market it shrewdly. And with MP3 players, record stores, video rental stores, smartphones, and tablets they did a great job, redefined those industries very well. But they've overlooked another big business, can't do that much longer.
Windows 10 runs better on a Mac than OSX does, so your Ferrari inference is just silly. And after 30 years of trying, and with all the iOS success at an unprecedented level, OSX is still only 8% of the operating system space in the world, Windows a whopping 92%.
It's staggering to think of how much disinterest there is in Apple notebooks considering how gorgeous and well-designed they are and it's because they're crippled with an operating system that very few people want to bother with. Those are facts, can't be disputed. For a company as big as Apple, it's not something unnoticed, a major consumer electronics segment in every office and home in the world and Apple can't even obtain a meaningful percentage of it because they are stuck in 1993. Not good.
BJ
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Indeed, Apple doesn't sell standalone OS or (almost) any kind of software. But they do sell macs and ios devices. And they sell them with their own software. So indeed, they do sell software, but included with their own hardware.
To make this even easier for you, I'm gonna use this sentence of yours:
"Do they even sell a standalone piece of software, something you can buy in a box at retail and install on millions of computers and generate billions in revenues like Adobe and Microsoft do? I can't think of one."
Does Apple sell just hardware, something you can just buy that comes with no OS at all, so you can easily install 3rd party OS of you own choosing? Yes or no?
That's just my point! They do vision it, and that vision is very much alive. So much alive that they are no1 company in the world by only real measurable standard (revenue!).
And yes, apple rents movies, music, etc. But do they own any record stores? Or actually produce and sell music to others for resell?
And they didn't overlook anything. Windows sales are declining year by year. A fact, not a imagination story. So why would they in their right mind decide to make Windows based PC?
Windows 10 runs better on Macs the OSX does? Really? Care to come up with some arguments, not just some kiddy claims? I mean it, help a guy out here. Better battery? Smoother? Faster? More reliable?
Can I ask you just one question. Do you even know what registry is on Windows, how to use it, and what are its upsides and downsides. Sure, you can google it up easily, but try to answer honestly without googling. And then make the same claim you already made.
Btw, companies don't care about marketshare. All they want is revenue. Pure and simple. What do you think, if MS could choose between 10% marketshare and 90% revenue, or 90% marketshare and just 10% revenue, what would they choose? Rhetorical question of course.
P.S.
My car analogy still stands. Ferrari probably doesn't hold even 1% of entire car sales in the world. But if anyone would have to make a choice between Ferrari and Ford Focus, 99% would go for Ferrari. But not everyone can get one. So MS with their OS marketshare means absolutely nothing. Just look at iOS vs Android marketshare and revenue
I am sitting here reading this nonsense on my Pedestrian 2.2 gHz I7 Air and thinking well everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Please. What you said is completely wrong. Apple doesn't make software because it makes them money; they make software because they don't let anyone else do it and they want to sell hardware. iOS is free. iPhone's aren't.
The word is "envision" and another word you need to look up is "profit". There are many companies that can generate huge revenues but if they lose money they aren't worth anything to investors. Revenue is not the "only real measurable standard". Profitability is.
Windows sales are declining because people don't need to replace their hardware as often as they once did. Why? Because the Windows operating system they already purchased and owned is functioning just perfectly for them, they're really only browsing, watching YouTube, posting on social media. What you should be worried about is the paltry growth of OSX. Apple's penetration of the global smartphone and tablet market has exploded in the past 10 years yet their notebook operating system is still stuck in single-digits just like it's been since 1980. In fact, the failure to grow their notebook market share could be Apple's biggest failure in their recent run of unmitigated success.
Well, I own 2 MacBook Air's, 1 MacBook Pro, 1 iMac, and 1 Retina MacBook running both OSX and Windows 10, so I think that makes me a bit of an authority on the subject. You can browse this forum, the current thinking is that Windows 10 is a modern operating system that's lighter on the resources. This makes sense, you see. While Apple has been busy conquering the world of hardware, Microsoft has spent the same decade refining its operating system.
I've been a power Windows user since 1994 so I find your question amusing to say the least. By the sound of it, I've been tweaking the Windows registry since before you were born.
Could you be more wrong? Take a business economics class when you get to college. "Profit" is how corporate performance is judged and "Market Share" drives the stock price. See, investors want to make money (profit) and make big bets on companies that are significant in their sector (market share) and well-protected from competitors.
BJ
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Actually, it is software that makes them money. And they are well aware of it. I'm buying macs coz of OS X, not coz I can install windows or linux on mac. And I'm not some exception.
Indeed, envision and profit are the words I am looking for. Since english isn't my native language, sorry for my mistake. And apple makes huge profits, most profitable company in the world, so my point still stands.
Indeed. I agree why they are declining. So why would anyone want to enter a declining market? Why would worlds richest company want to enter that market? No sense at all. And once again, marketshare by itself is pointless.
U own a couple of devices and that makes you an authority? Well, I own more then 60 PC's and Macs. Actually, my company does, but since I own that company... That makes me stronger then you and my opinion more relevant? LOL?
)))And then again, your point of argument is 'mine is stronger'. I already wrote that I'm on windows since 3.11. Look it up when that version came out. And of course I didn't get my answer, since you have no knowledge that you could use to give one.
I think I'm done with you, since you are obviously just trolling these forums. Cya and have a great day
If OS X really is the problem, anyone (and a lot of people do) could just install Windows on their Mac's - I don't think it's the operating system at all - I think their premium price strategy really gives them a different place on the market. 90% of people buying laptops, buy stuff that's half the price of Mac's - They are okay with their laptops being unreliable cheap plastic boxes...
Now in the business world it might be a bit of both - The price again, but also the fact that the windows machines are the way to go for a lot of corporate applications..
Apple might only have below 10 % market share, but I think they earn a lot more money with this strategy than racing for the plastic budget place on the market.
Not at all. I didn't buy a Macbook because I like it being expensive or because there's no hardware alternative that would run Windows. I wanted Mac OS and no problems.
I wonder what will happen if Xiaomi or one of those companies releases an easily hackintoshable laptop that looks like a Macbook and costs half the price. I don't think Apple could sue them for accidentally using the "right" components and hiring a few hundred interns to spread word of mouth on various forums...
I might be misunderstanding your point. But there are very few people who actually buy stuff BECAUSE it's premium price. There are lots of metal-bodied Windows laptops, of course they are not The Most Special Alumeenoom 7000 X Plus Pro, but they're not all unreliable cheap plastic boxes. The Wintel world offers loads and loads and loads of choice, while we're harping at Apple for making too many (five plus processor/memory/drive updates) laptops.
That's entirely correct, of course.
Yes you did
I didn't mean that Apple was the only one - not even close... Just meant that if you measured Apples marked share in the high-level part of the market they have chosen to compete in, the market share might be a bit bigger than comparing with €250 laptops and above
Good post, and it's not that OSX is a "problem" in the sense that it's a bad operating system, it's just that its foreign to 92% of the world and they simply can't be bothered learning how to tie their shoelaces again when they're already proficient at it.
Apple makes amazing hardware that the world should enjoy. My point is simply that Windows is too hard to install for the average person and Geniuses don't support it so Apple is working against itself by being so steadfastly OSX-only. Remember, the iPod was a nothing footnote of a niche MP3 player until Apple released a Windows version. Then it exploded beyond their wildest dreams, led to the iTunes Music Store, and saved the company. Not saying Apple needs saving now of course, but the moment their financial outlook doesn't meet expectations they're sitting on a powder keg ready to explode should they choose to take advantage. MacBook for Windows. Sounds very good to me.
BJ
The one difference there being that iTunes is a program, while OS X and Windows are operating systems.
I remember fighting my Sony discman. The software that came with it was a NIGHTMARE. Then I moved on to a Sony Ericsson phone. It just made me cry in frustration and want to bash my desk with my head because copying songs to the thing using Sony's software was impo-f-ssible. And then iTunes came out and I got my first iPod Shuffle. And... oh my God... it worked. It Just Worked. I could copy songs to my iPod whenever I felt like. Whichever songs I wanted on it. Every day. The thing was a marvel. I ended up buying four iPods, two iPhones, one iPad and three Macs since that day. iTunes has been a BIG part of why I bought all those products. And iTunes did not work with Zune, or my Sony discman. It worked with iPods.
Macs sell because 1) purdy, 2) status symbol, 3) thin, 4) OS X. In this order or other. But Macbook for Windows? You've already got one. If Boot Camp works on your computer, it can run Windows. Not sure why I would want that other than having Win-only software, as it's akin to buying a beautiful condo and then purposefully infesting it with cockroaches, but I'm pretty sure it will work.
I remember fighting my Sony discman. The software that came with it was a NIGHTMARE. Then I moved on to a Sony Ericsson phone. It just made me cry in frustration and want to bash my desk with my head because copying songs to the thing using Sony's software was impo-f-ssible. And then iTunes came out and I got my first iPod Shuffle. And... oh my God... it worked. It Just Worked. I could copy songs to my iPod whenever I felt like. Whichever songs I wanted on it. Every day. The thing was a marvel. I ended up buying four iPods, two iPhones, one iPad and three Macs since that day. iTunes has been a BIG part of why I bought all those products. And iTunes did not work with Zune, or my Sony discman. It worked with iPods.
Macs sell because 1) purdy, 2) status symbol, 3) thin, 4) OS X. In this order or other. But Macbook for Windows? You've already got one. If Boot Camp works on your computer, it can run Windows. Not sure why I would want that other than having Win-only software, as it's akin to buying a beautiful condo and then purposefully infesting it with cockroaches, but I'm pretty sure it will work.
The one difference there being that iTunes is a program, while OS X and Windows are operating systems.
I remember fighting my Sony discman. The software that came with it was a NIGHTMARE. Then I moved on to a Sony Ericsson phone. It just made me cry in frustration and want to bash my desk with my head because copying songs to the thing using Sony's software was impo-f-ssible. And then iTunes came out and I got my first iPod Shuffle. And... oh my God... it worked. It Just Worked. I could copy songs to my iPod whenever I felt like. Whichever songs I wanted on it. Every day. The thing was a marvel. I ended up buying four iPods, two iPhones, one iPad and three Macs since that day. iTunes has been a BIG part of why I bought all those products. And iTunes did not work with Zune, or my Sony discman. It worked with iPods.
Macs sell because 1) purdy, 2) status symbol, 3) thin, 4) OS X. In this order or other. But Macbook for Windows? You've already got one. If Boot Camp works on your computer, it can run Windows. Not sure why I would want that other than having Win-only software, as it's akin to buying a beautiful condo and then purposefully infesting it with cockroaches, but hey, it's your condo.
I remember fighting my Sony discman. The software that came with it was a NIGHTMARE. Then I moved on to a Sony Ericsson phone. It just made me cry in frustration and want to bash my desk with my head because copying songs to the thing using Sony's software was impo-f-ssible. And then iTunes came out and I got my first iPod Shuffle. And... oh my God... it worked. It Just Worked. I could copy songs to my iPod whenever I felt like. Whichever songs I wanted on it. Every day. The thing was a marvel. I ended up buying four iPods, two iPhones, one iPad and three Macs since that day. iTunes has been a BIG part of why I bought all those products. And iTunes did not work with Zune, or my Sony discman. It worked with iPods.
Macs sell because 1) purdy, 2) status symbol, 3) thin, 4) OS X. In this order or other. But Macbook for Windows? You've already got one. If Boot Camp works on your computer, it can run Windows. Not sure why I would want that other than having Win-only software, as it's akin to buying a beautiful condo and then purposefully infesting it with cockroaches, but hey, it's your condo.
I have read a good amount of your posts and while I am no expert, I don't ever see Apple offering Windows as an option when buying. What could potentially happen is Apple selling Windows through the Mac App Store. You select Windows 10, pay for it like your normally would, it automatically starts the install process. I think something like that could be more likely.
Ha ha, I'm RIGHT where you are my man - I had a Sony MP3 player - marvelous hardware: Small, light, large storage (on Sony-only memory cards though) but MY GOD THAT SOFTWARE!! It was beyond nightmare, and had to convert every file I wanted to put on it and ****... That thing ended up giving me grey hair as a teenager.
Have had several iPods, iPhones, Mac's and so on like you, because the way the iPod just got rid of a lot of **** in my life
Funny how memory can be different I remember all these MP3 players looking like another drive and supporting drag and drop, just about the simplest way to get music on a device. Apple made iTunes a requirement and complicated things.
Consumer Reports just announced that the MBA is the most reliable laptop in the universe. Why would you get rid of a good thing?
They replaced the iPod mini with the nano when it was the best selling iPod.
iTunes was a blessing for me. Smart Playlists that dynamically copied over different music based on your ratings, the number of times you skipped it, Last Played date, and Date Added made drag 'n drop feel very tedious and limiting (unless you literally only listened to full albums).
I don't know if you joined later where things might have changed, but SonicStage was demanded to load files on my SONY NW player, also because it didn't support MP3, but needed to convert to SONYs own format... I still think to this day, this is in my memory as the worst software experience I've ever had...
Careful there, the difference between a 'program' and an 'operating system' aren't much different.
The issue then though wasn't ease of use, it was compatibility. As I'm sure you might remember, for the first 3 years of iPod's existence Windows users were excluded unless they were savvy enough to use workaround programs that were squirrely.
Lord, you bring back such bad memories. As a Windows user excluded from the iPod early-on I remember owning a Discman that could read MP3's off of a disc, could hold like 500 songs, I used that for almost a year before the iPod came around to embrace Microsoft.
Personally I'm good with Boot Camp, I really don't need Apple to do anything more to enhance my Windows experience. I was talking theoretically about Apple embracing Windows with the Mac the way they did decades ago with the iPod if they really care about revenue and want to sell 100x more notebooks some day.
BJ