Exactly how I feel, glad I'm not the only one. I think the writing was on the wall when they officially dropped 'Computer' from the 'Apple Computer' name. Says it all really, why do that if it didn't indicate a shift in focus?
Windows 7 has me very, very intrigued at this point.
I remain very happy for everyone that likes their mac. I also hope Apple keep bringing successful products to the table - competition is good for us all. And I also realise that if there's a 'new' Apple it's probably a justified change, since they're clearly doing well in the market. Similarly I think the new updates are probably what more people want than don't want, so fair enough. But I have to join those who aren't happy with mirror screens or screens with lines, and with no removable batteries, or SD instead of Express card (though yay the return of firewire!) or a single audio jack. I understand the non-removable batteries thing, and my objections to it would drop away if Apple sold official external batteries to plug in on magsafe, even if they were expensive as hell. While *I* wouldn't be as happy as I would with removable batteries, I get that the non-removable but higher capacity is better for more people than it is worse for. I just want an option. As it is they won't even license the connector so third parties can't make them at sensible prices because they have to include a genuine apple magsafe power adapter in order to get the plug off it. Again the lack of this product seems like the difference between a company that focuses on the consumer but offers options to keep the pros happy (matte screens, bluray, anyone?) and a company that now seems to care about the lowest common denominator.
The last few years have seen them go from hardware I desperately wanted to hardware that just doesn't quite fit my needs (which I realise may not be the market's needs!) and has some downright horrible choices (IMO). Much more worryingly, the quality I've experienced has fallen through the floor, and the customer service has become deeply erratic. You still hear good stories, but at its worst (which is what I have experienced) it is so bad that I am no longer prepared to risk money and stress buying one of their products, even the iPhone which I agree is an astonishing piece of kit assuming it works and doesn't break. My problem is not with the likelihood or otherwise of it breaking, it's with the company who will find any excuse to avoid service (this may be the retail stores rather than Apple themselves, but it's my consistent experience and that of many friends round here - if it *is* the stores, Apple should sort them out).
Currently, even if Apple made a 13" MBP with a matte screen and external battery option, or even an old-style glossy-but-not-glassy screen (they're fine for me) I wouldn't dare buy it, because I would expect to have to swap it two or three times before I got one that worked 100% as it should, and then I'd expect the hinges to last 3 months. And I'd expect the store to look at the lined, or rippling, or bizarrely colour balanced screen, and wobbly hinges and tell me a) that these problems didn't exist and b) that they'd never ever heard of them, even if all the machines in store were exhibiting the same problems.
Shame - I really really really like the software. And Snow Leopard at $29 seems spot on.
