Classic Mac Startup Chime Not Present in New MacBook Pros

[Makosuke]

On one hand, I'm sorry to "hear" the iconic sound go--I more or less grew up on a variation of the Mac startup chime.

On the other, I think I actually hear the chime maybe half a dozen times per year at most, and those are almost exclusively after a forced reboot from a software update if I didn't remember to turn the volume down first. I've been running Macs in a sleep-instead-of-shutdown state for the better part of a decade now, so the sound isn't likely something I'd even miss.

Also, leaving aside anything else in the good or bad of Apple's changes in the post-Jobs era, and whether you personally like or dislike the changes to the way power-up works, if there is anything that Steve Jobs would have had no problem doing away with it's a power button and startup chime. He didn't let them change the chime we have now because he liked it more than the other ones, not because he liked the concept of a startup chime, period.

Jobs' distaste for nostalgia is well documented, his attempts to ditch buttons are notorious (see: the Cube), and if he'd been so in love with the startup chime that he'd never let it go, he'd have put a startup chime on the first iPhone. "You don't boot it up, it's just on already" sounds like exactly the kind of thing Jobs would have loved. You might not like it, but saying "Steve never would have done that" doesn't align at all with the kind of things he actually did.

 

[MH01]

Omg this might mean that in 2016 apple may release products products onto their store without bringing down the site for 1/2 day , if they are doing away with tradition

 

[LimerickRunner]

Ironic Apple come out of markets that they cannot make enough money in. This rate the Mac will be just that a very niche market because the average consumer won't be able to afford a Mac and others will just refuse because of stupid design decisions. Maybe they truly see the future as iOS. Apple under Tim seem out of touch.

I don't agree,

On one hand, I'm sorry to "hear" the iconic sound go--I more or less grew up on a variation of the Mac startup chime.

On the other, I think I actually hear the chime maybe half a dozen times per year at most, and those are almost exclusively after a forced reboot from a software update if I didn't remember to turn the volume down first. I've been running Macs in a sleep-instead-of-shutdown state for the better part of a decade now, so the sound isn't likely something I'd even miss.

Also, leaving aside anything else in the good or bad of Apple's changes in the post-Jobs era, and whether you personally like or dislike the changes to the way power-up works, if there is anything that Steve Jobs would have had no problem doing away with it's a power button and startup chime. He didn't let them change the chime we have now because he liked it more than the other ones, not because he liked the concept of a startup chime, period.

Jobs' distaste for nostalgia is well documented, his attempts to ditch buttons are notorious (see: the Cube), and if he'd been so in love with the startup chime that he'd never let it go, he'd have put a startup chime on the first iPhone. "You don't boot it up, it's just on already" sounds like exactly the kind of thing Jobs would have loved. You might not like it, but saying "Steve never would have done that" doesn't align at all with the kind of things he actually did.

some good points, but people need to stop referencing what Steve would have done, Steves death wish was for Apple to just do what was right, Not ask what would he do, as he saw that at Disney after Walt died and it caused major problems. Phil Schiller is right Apple has incredible courage removing the headphone jack on their best selling most revenue generating product, I have used the new lightening headphones and the sound is superb. Also the sales indicate that everyone moaning of the headphone jack being removed was a storm in a teacup.

 

[MH01]

For me it served as a diagnostic sound, telling me the computer was on, even if the screen remained black. Invaluable when I had issues with my MBA screen

 

[kazmac]

Definitely signals the end of an era.

 

[UKPoliticsGuy]

No chimes please, might trigger Tim's sensibilities.

 

[alleggerita]

Honestly? So much fuss over a chime? Not that I'm glad it's gone. But I certainly don't see what's so saddening or disappointing about it. Sometimes you just gotta move on. As long as they continue making great products, I'm okay to lose a few nostalgic touches along the way (other than the MagSafe being gone, which is really annoying. It was, and still is, a great party trick when people tripped over your wire and gasped but your macbook is fine).

 

[vpro]

Every dynasty which have been replaced by a new, got many facelifts.

 

[fpsBeaTt]

I honestly believe, having read all recent MacRumors threads concerning the new MacBook Pro and all 'top rated' thread comments, that most, if not all overwhelmingly condemnatory comments, are being made by non-Apple customers at best, or those in the employ of Apple's competitors, at worst.

 

[kstotlani]

At this point, I'm giving Apple the benefit of the doubt. But, I would guess that most people don't charge their iPhone via their computer. Like a few others have said, this isn't some anti-consumer decision that wasn't made without thought. They have tons of data about how consumers use their products. This is about the future, not the past.

We haven't seen exactly Apple's future, this is just a glimpse. I think part of the reason is that we haven't really been shown the entire plan, just bits and pieces. How does the iPad Pro really fit in with the iMac fit in with the MacBook? It all seems like a jumbled mess. However, I'm choosing to believe that there is a plan, and we'll all understand soon.

What if Apple updates the MacBook Pro next year with wireless charging for the iPhone? It's rumored to do that with the iMac. What if they could do it with the MacBook Pro as well?

You can use a USB-C to lightning cable if you don't want to use an adapter

Is it in the box? That is the point I am making.

 

[Phil A.]

Is it in the box? That is the point I am making.

No, it's not in the box, but you don't need a dongle if you get one and as it's clear this is the way Apple are going, they may well include it in the box from the next iPhone (in which case you'll need a dongle to connect it to a machine without USB-C)

 

[Breaking Good]

I honestly can't help but wonder if Apple is getting ready to sell off its laptop/desktop division to some Chinese OEM. It would certainly explain the de-branding, the insane margins and the reduction in capitibility with iOS devices.

It's also possible they are getting ready to spin off the laptop/desktop division into its own separate company.

For those who may be aghast by this, it really isn't a bad idea. It would free OS X devices from the insane growth and margin expectations of mobile devices.

 

[infinitejest]

I get more and more the feeling that Tim Cooks wants to turn the Apple as we know it, the good old Steve Jobs Apple, into his Apple, so that people can really tell in retrospect that THIS is/was the Apple era of Tim Cook.
Unfortunately this means that so many great inventions and little iconic symbols have to go.

Today I brought my MacBook Air to work. I placed it at the corner of my desk and went to get some coffee. On the way back, I noticed my glowing Apple logo on the back of my Air and man, I just looks so beautiful. I immediately realized my next MacBook won't have it and it kinda made me feel sad. I know it's just a glowing logo without any function but it means a lot to me - it reminds me of the Apple I fell in love with.
And on the other hand, a lot of really useful features have to go as well - MagSafe for instance.

I don't know, but I don't really like the direction Apple is heading. The whole MacBook lineup is a mess. I mean there is a MacBook Pro, made for professionals, without a SD card slot, which is just insane. It always has to be thinner while a bigger battery would be so much more useful to most professionals. Then we have another MacBook Pro which is kind of the successor of the Air (a great machine for the average consumer) which costs $500 more. Finally, there is the super expensive and underpowered MacBook, which in my opinion should be marketed as the real Air successor in its same price range. However, apparently it was just the start of their new insane price strategy.

 

[macintoshmac]

Automatic startup on lid open is just plain stupid. Wake from sleep, yes, useful. Start-up from off, no. I want to choose if/when I power it on.
Can we at least shut it down while the lid is open?

Maybe their thoughts go like this:

Hey, who are you? Just a silly old consumer. Who the hell do you think you are? It is our laptop and we will decide what it does. Your payment was for the "experience", i.e., you are experiencing what we like and what we don't like with our computers. And by Jove, we have created the best damn experience on earth that we think possible, and only Apple could have done this.

 

[Rey Esposito]

RIP chime, you'll surely be missed :'( This along with other fun, non-necessary features of their computers like the glowing logos are part of the charm that I loved about the company so much, but losing them certainly isn't the end of the world. It does make sense though considering the change to how it powers on. Plus there have been numerous times I've turned my MacBook/iMac on while I'm trying to be quiet and then "DUUUUUNNNNNNN" it makes what sounds like the loudest sound ever. I won't deny there's a certain something missing from Apple these days with Steve gone, but they're still very much following their core values & ideas. It's time to make way for a different future.

 

[macintoshmac]

On one hand, I'm sorry to "hear" the iconic sound go--I more or less grew up on a variation of the Mac startup chime.

On the other, I think I actually hear the chime maybe half a dozen times per year at most, and those are almost exclusively after a forced reboot from a software update if I didn't remember to turn the volume down first. I've been running Macs in a sleep-instead-of-shutdown state for the better part of a decade now, so the sound isn't likely something I'd even miss.

Also, leaving aside anything else in the good or bad of Apple's changes in the post-Jobs era, and whether you personally like or dislike the changes to the way power-up works, if there is anything that Steve Jobs would have had no problem doing away with it's a power button and startup chime. He didn't let them change the chime we have now because he liked it more than the other ones, not because he liked the concept of a startup chime, period.

Jobs' distaste for nostalgia is well documented, his attempts to ditch buttons are notorious (see: the Cube), and if he'd been so in love with the startup chime that he'd never let it go, he'd have put a startup chime on the first iPhone. "You don't boot it up, it's just on already" sounds like exactly the kind of thing Jobs would have loved. You might not like it, but saying "Steve never would have done that" doesn't align at all with the kind of things he actually did.

You have a sound knack of presenting arguments. Upvoted!

 

[FilipeTeixeira]

It could have been a gimmick, same way the glowing logo was. But in the end that was what made apple special. The fact that you would pay a lot of money for an awesome product you couldn't find anywhere else.
Nowadays almost every computer does and feels the same. And ok they don't have the macOS, buuuuuuttttttttttttt that's not all. It's awfully expensive to spend 2000 euros on a computer just because it runs macOS.

No logo, no chime, no power cord, no magsafe connector and not even 1 USB (or at least an adaptor). I still have a 2009 macbook pro which came with a microfiber cloth, a remote and a VGA adapter.
Next year if they keep on removing stuff, they better just rebrand the iPad Pro to Macbook Pro.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Next revision the chime will be available as a CTO for $39. There will also be a "Power Pak" option that includes the power cord, backlit Apple logo, and classic chime for $129. /sarc.

Honestly, forgoing backlit Apple logo didn't bother me. Not including a $4 power cord is annoying. No chime is just rediculous. But what really ticks me off is Apple's quest to make the thinnest laptop at the expense of actual pro computer necessities like more RAM than 16GB or reducing battery power from the previous model by 2 hours. The previous MBP was perfecly thin and acceptable weight. Will I noticed the loss of a few mm and .5 pound no. Will memory hungry apps like PS lag b/c they are memory starved? Yep.

 

[Lennholm]

I believe that the start-up chime and the glowing logo were very iconic and important for putting Apple computers in the public consciousness. It was basically free marketing and I think it's a mistake to remove them, if Apple actually does care about their computers that is.
It doesn't really matter for those who use the computers though. As for that aspect, it's the removal of Magsafe, the RAM limitation and the ridiculous price hike that are the stupid things.

 

[TheRainKing]

The old Apple died the moment Steve Jobs passed away. These changes don't really make much of a difference.

 

[apjuk]

I'm starting to think this MacBook Pro is going to boot straight into Windows 10 the way Apple are going. Cant help but think Tim Cook is really Bill Gates in a 'Mission Impossible' style face-mask!, hell bent on bringing Apple down!

 

[WRChris]

To be honest I turned it off on all of my machines, was bloody annoying during a powercut when the iMac would reboot with full blast start up sound scaring the life out of you.

Lol you on edge, bro? That chime would only scare you if you were tweaking on meth or 100 years old.

 

[Zaft]

The hits just keep on coming. I don't remember the last time a mac release had this much backlash

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Surprised the Apple Logo is still there, and that they didn't offer a Jet Black version.

 

[akbarali.ch]

It's slight hyberbole to declare a glowing logo, an extension cable and a startup chime is everything that made Apple special.

The magsafe connector is more important and useful than any of those things.

Actually i liked magsafe and how it was different and unique idea compared to any other laptop around. That one tech alone showed the creatives that goes into Apple product. But now, charing through any port with any standard usb-c cord is better in all terms.