'Constant Negativity' From Pro Users Led Apple to Develop Modular Mac Pro, Which May Not Ship Until 2019

[unobtainium]

Great they are listening!

But am I the only one who finds it hard to believe that a company that big, with that much money and all their resources is going to take that long?

I'm not expecting anything next month, but end of year or early 2017 would be acceptable.

But late 2018 or even after that....seems silly.

Then again, these are rumours so who knows right 🙂

Did you notice how long it took them to put a little touchbar on the MBP?

 

[WatchFromAfar]

I'm really glad Apple is listening to feedback, as I am definitely interested in the redesigned Mac Pro. That being said I do love my 2016 MacBook Pro too. I don't edit 4K video, but for graphic design, coding and audio editing it has been a fantastic machine. I guess I was just lucky that it was compatible with my existing workflow.

The problem is Apple aren't "listening" to "feedback" they are hearing rightful complaints. BTW don't count yourself "lucky" because your 2016 Macbook Pro can be be used for coding, any machine that can run a text editor and a compiler can do that.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Please be kidding my friend. If you are building a professional workflow that requires a gimmicky input device that is only present on a 2000 dollars machine then you will not get very far in any career.

Just because you don't use it, doesn't mean it's a gimmick. Lots of people are enjoying increased productivity from it. To not continue development of it in future models would be a giant middle finger to them.
Oh and I happen to be one of the top CS major students in my class without the Touch Bar so that's a bit disrespectful.

 

[DanBig]

If they want, they could push out a new Mac Pro by Mid year next year.

It doesn't take that much time to design & qualify, it's getting the parts made (custom) that will take the longest time. Instead of designing their own case from scratch how about latching onto someone else's case and work it from there. The old cheese grater case is just too large. We like the smaller trash can cases for our open office environment. I would love something thats in-between, large enough to offer the needed expansion and yet small enough not of overwhelm your desk.

My bigger concern is the MacBook Pro line. This fall will make or break the 'REAL Pro market' for the MacBook Pro series.

If they don't step back, putting back in the USB 3.0, DisplayPort & MagSafe ports they will loose a large group of Pro's

If they want the hang onto all of the Pro's and take the bull by the tail they will need a better storage arrangement.

We need RAID 0 removable SSD's and to satisfy were I think Apple is heading a soldered SSD for the OS & Apps. Then altering the Fusion Drive architecture treat the three drives as one logical volume. But, unlike Fusion across a SSD & HD we have today, the RAID drive is used exclusively for the users home folder and cache files (nothing of the users data is stored on the base SSD). The soldered SSD is only used for the OS & general apps as defined by the Admin/System owner (and hidden OS recovery partition) basically, the boot drive. I think what Apple has in the new function key model is a raided SSD. If that is the case, they have the needed logic, then it's only a question of the physical size and how much storage it can hold (Base SSD: 256 or 512 MB, RAID SSD: 1, 2, 4, & 8TB). I would make a special case to hold the SSD so it can be connected externally, this then allows data recovery as well as re-using replaced SSD units.

The last issue is the RAM: Somehow we need to have upgradable RAM. Like storage maybe a split design will work here. A base which is soldered and some sort of memory module which can be added, this can't be that hard (Base: 8 or 16 GB, Removable: 8 16 GB for now, with the possibility of 32, 48 GB designed in).

Offer both 15" and 17" retina screen models as that what the REAL Pro's want.

If and of course thats a very big if, they can make this happen then this chapter of Apples mis-step with the REAL pro market would be quickly forgotten, as every REAL Pro's needs would be met and then some!

 

[LordVic]

Led Apple to Develop Modular Mac Pro

Wrong tense.

"Led Apple to start Developing Module Mac Pro"

they haven't developed anything yet 😛 they've just told us they have. it will only be "Developed", past tense, when it's actually real

 

[Analog Kid]

I get the sense that there was a fundamental change in direction internally. Not just on hardware, and not on petty stuff like touch bars and what makes a "pro" a pro, but on philosophy. I wonder if this signals a shift in the direction of MacOS as well, and maybe less toward a heavier duty iOS and back towards all of the capabilities and flexibility we originally saw when the Unix based OS X first shipped.

I put more faith in the statements I'm hearing directly from Apple that the dual GPU workflows they'd expected to develop around the nMP never materialized and they need to adapt to the fact that people want to use one super hot GPU. Some populist blog I've never heard of quoting "people who know" doesn't carry much credibility with me. If Apple really does think they can use the kinds of negative tirades I've seen around here to steer their ship by, they're doomed.

 

[fourthtunz]

"Constant negativity". Really? A purely speculative statement from Them Holwerda of all people is now considered sufficient for an article on Macrumors? LOL this place has gone to the dogs.

Ha HA, Right so here's how it should have read:
"
'none of the top Apple brass uses a computer any longer,
so after 3.5 years of twiddling their thumbs they've decided to throw a hail-Mary Vaporware pass!"

 

[ackmondual]

Interesting read about the feedback on the new MacBook pros and people buying the previous model.

Whenever they ship the new Mac Pro , looking forward to it

I'm surprised they were willing to admit it. They always try to spin it off in some marketing way like "many people bought the MBP", or "we still think it's great".

 

[Bevz]

Why would it take 2 more years to develop a desktop?

Agreed, just take the old 5,1 MacPro model case (which i still think is a thing of beauty) and put some new parts in it... it's a PC for goodness sake, most of the stuff going into it will be off the shelf parts! Surely it can't be THAT hard?

Oh, and in the name of all that's holy, don't let Ive anywhere near it....! It'll take him a year to extract his head from his own arse and then another year to figure out how to make it thinner.

 

[Chancha]

That's a bit unfair, it definitely improves productivity. It wouldn't make me reconsider a purchase though I have to say.

The touch bar is just an alternative to keyboard shortcuts that marginally improves productivity, and it is as of now only obtainable on an AIO portable computer, you can't even plug it into another machine to be used. It may be fine for self-employed people working from homes but in the real world, it is silly to design your workflow on something this uncommon, unproven, and underutilized. Only tasks with very specialised needs in precision or efficiency such as a painter working on a Cintiq or a Colorist working on a Da Vinci control desk can justifiably make that claim.

 

[dogslobber]

Fact is, not everyone in here is disgruntled with their productline. There is a core group that really appreciates the Mac Pro/Mac Mini and iMac, but it doesn't mean that they make "Products that suck." You know and everyone else knows, Apple makes a great product, they just have been farther behind updating their product line, which they should have done so in the more recent years.

They're not updated their flagship Mac for almost four years. That's a full graduating class at college so how can you be anything other than critical.

The flaw in Apple's Mac strategy is they did bugger all to upgrade their major desktop. Heck, they even discontinued the major display for it. Even Steve understood that the Mac punters want to see the systems LOVED. Even if that means speed bumping them to infinity, but having the same thing fall off the shelf that hasn't spec changed in four years is uncaring at best for the product line. Mac buyers react to custodians of the product line who do not revere it. We want the product line to be cared for and enhanced.

Apple execs have simply been too stupid to know what's important to us. It sure ain't your crappy watch, stupid watch straps, or damn emojis.

 

[unobtainium]

I'm going to be so pissed if they remove the Touch Bar. Way to ruin other people's workflows, MR members.

I think they should improve the Touch Bar, not get rid of it. Apple used to iterate and improve the user experience with each new release, and this should be no different. Don't become like Google, constantly introducing new stuff and then abandoning it.

The ARM processor in the Touch Bar is really cool and has tons of security and emulation possibilities in the future. I'd just like to see a better looking Touch Bar, maybe with haptic feedback, and more uses. I think it will come with time.

 

[5105973]

Here’s a thought. The sales of hardware to professional users is chump change to Apple, evidently. Otherwise, Apple would not have ignored those customers’ interests as they did. Instead of designing (the guts) and manufacturing the hardware themselves, Apple should license the OS and their name to a qualified PC builder, much like they did with the PowerMacs, and like they did with the LG display. That way, Apple can focus on their cash cows. Later, if Apple wants to abandon MacOS for iOS exclusively, they can make MacOS open source.

Well I wonder if the reason sales to professional users were low because they just weren't making a design that appealed to these people. When the trash can debuted it was at a price that was crazy and my husband could see the issues with it right off the bat. He figured he may as well settle for an iMac and wait for Apple to come to their senses. It was a long long wait.

 

[dogslobber]

My main beef with the new MBP is the price, I mean here in the UK they used Brexit as an excuse to hike the prices up first, and then they go and hike it up again the same as every other country just because it's a new model! And then they are 'surprised sales of the old MacBook Pro went up'.... 🙄

Find a #briexiter voter and get them to refund the difference. They're the ones who should refund your price hike. Not Apple.

 

[Feenician]

Ha HA, Right so here's how it should have read:
"
'none of the top Apple brass uses a computer any longer,
so after 3.5 years of twiddling their thumbs they've decided to throw a hail-Mary Vaporware pass!"

Do you actually believe that "none of the top Apple brass" use a Mac or can you see what an absurd statement that is? What's your source? A random blogger with a chip on his shoulder?

 

[fourthtunz]

It's sometimes hard to have a positive outlook due to the company's recent track record of delivering new Macs. Praise isn't given by the gallery but earned.

I think you can criticize Apple and still love them! Cap't Cook himself set this course when he uttered the
"most people only need an iPad " comment 🙂
So no, not doom but Jebus!

 

[Feenician]

I think you can criticize Apple and still love them! Cap't Cook himself set this course when he uttered the
"most people only need an iPad " comment 🙂
So no, not doom but Jebus!

Perhaps you should understand that "most" does not mean "me"

 

[LordVic]

Why would it take 2 more years to develop a desktop?

it shouldn't, and it doesn't.

The only time these sorts of computer projects take longer than a year is if they believe they can do something different and have to basically invent/innovate something completely new.

The Surface pro for example took almost two years (evidenced by the generation old PC hardware). Because it did several things new and different. That display for example.

SO, if a PC manufacturer wanted to use generic / Commodity PC hardware, they could probably have a tower and device out in 6 months, with most of that sourcing parts.

so if Apple is claiming 2 years from now. First, they're just starting. Second, they are still intending to deliver a "Pro" machine that is likely proprietary and attempts to push some boundary, preventing them from using off the shelf parts.

i'm not passing judgement. I'm torn either way. The "Pros" are going to be perfectly happy with a Pro tower using semi-off the shelf parts. But, I'm also curious to see what Apple envisions. While I don't always agree with their outcomes, I do appreciate that they try. The Mac Pro form wasn't a failure due to it's form. it was a failure because Pro's weren't looking for that. If it was the "Mac Gamer Edition", and priced ~$2,000 and had an i7 with 1060's in it SLI'd, I GUARANTEE YOU it would fly off the shelves.

Most people I know who rely on compute power for business frankly, don't give two flying pisses about the looks, many running full servers anyways. Compute power first. look and feel second.

 

[macbook_pro_fan]

Excellent!

Touchbar should be eliminated from future versions of Macbook Pros.

It was a huge mistake. And it is definitely NOT for professional users.

Remove gimmicks (they are for non-pros).
Add RAM/CPU/GPU power.
MAKE MACBOOKS GREAT AGAIN!

 

[Chancha]

Just because you don't use it, doesn't mean it's a gimmick. Lots of people are enjoying increased productivity from it. To not continue development of it in future models would be a giant middle finger to them.
Oh and I happen to be one of the top CS major students in my class without the Touch Bar so that's a bit disrespectful.

Read carefully what I typed. I didn't say people are silly to be upset if Apple really drops the Touch Bar. I was saying seasoned Pros wouldn't bet his workflow on something of this nature. Build your skillset upon proven standards. Keyboard shortcuts have been in that role for decades.

 

[Chambers McMac]

Why not just make it an even 2020!

I reactivated my MR account just to reply to your comment which was really really funny. LOL

 

[Jakexb]

I know it's not MacRumors unless people are snarky, but this is Apple listening and correcting. They tried to push forward and release the thing that nobody realized they wanted (which is usually pretty successful for them), but they were going the wrong direction with Pro products and now they're course-correcting.

 

[Brien]

See kids? Bitching works.

 

[LordVic]

I'm going to be so pissed if they remove the Touch Bar. Way to ruin other people's workflows, MR members.

I don't think anyone is overly against a touch bar. But with the new Macbook Pro, it felt more like we were getting less in some areas that mattered for the "Pros", and in return "shiny" touch bar. The mockery is that the Touch Bar wasn't enough to elevate the computer above it's shortcomings.

I like the idea. I'd like to see it expanded on. I would also like to see Apple not remove the physical row or escape key to do it.

 

[Count Blah]

So the ONLY logical way to interpret this, given the "only in recent months" portion is the following ...

• Apple leadership happily living in their Ivory towers, patting themselves on their backs for racking in moar and moar cash on the iPhone.
• Apple barely paying attention to anything Mac, since Macs are unimportant and NO ONE within Apple is reporting anything negative back to leadership. Oh sure, leadership gets feedback, but only things like 'sales are flat, but they are still buying!!!'. I could go on for pages and pages on this bullet point.
  
• Ivy spouts off about how he managed to made the new MBP thinner still. Ivy again retells the story about how - 'Steve used to say screw the customers, they'll adopt the new ports'. When in reality, the only idea he's been able to come up with, is taking an iWatch, elongating the display, and slap it in place of the function keys on the MB-PRO!!!!
  
• Leadership, listening only to themselves, pontificates in the MBP keynote release, talking about how tech is moving this way, how AWESOME the touchbar even while they remove the escape key IN A PRO DEVICE!!!
• Negative reaction pours in, but Apple leadership STILL only listen to themselves. Phil doubles down on the Apple Leadership echo chamber, and talks about 'Courage' in pimping Ivy's MBP folly.
  
• The numbers roll in, on how people are buying the 2015 MBP in droves.
  
• THEN AND ONLY THEN!!!! - Apple leadersip, unaware of possible causes, start to actually look into what is going on.
• In a totally unprecedented move, they actually think about the AUDIENCE of the Mac, and shift some plans around.

Some might say, "that's BS, the same thing happened with the Mac Mini in 2014". But that was planned, as was a move solely to get people OFF of the mini, to buy more iMacs, MBPs and Mac Pros.

Am I hopefully? A little more today than I was a week ago. But the sad truth is that the true Pro's Pros, have moved on from Apple already. Apple will still price this thing through the roof, instead of making it competitively price compared to the PC world - You laugh, but at one time top of the line Macs were only a couple hundred more than part-for-part comparable PCs. Those days are LONG gone, and I don't see them ever returning.