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

[Abazigal]

I don't think anyone is saying Apple is doomed, nor does the stock price currently have anything to do with the discussion. The issue is that Apple was surprised by the failure of the Mac Pro 3 years ago, and now the large amount of people either buying the 2015 MBP instead of the 2016 or just leaving the platform. Apple finally realized they cannot just slap an apple logo on anything and it will sell like hotcakes.

They've largely lost me as a customer for the laptops due to wha features its offers (rather what features are missing), and the price. While I'm not even considered a drop in the bucket, there seems to be others, more vocal, more prominent that have caught Apple's attention, to the point where they did something unprecedented. Held a closed door media session with some select journalists and apologized stating they'll have something better in the future for professionals. I'm not sure if that means 2018, or 2019 though

Well, I am the opposite, in that I find myself increasingly embracing the iOS side of things. I do have a 2011 iMac and a 2012 MBA, and those are still going strong, so I don't feel pressured to upgrade anytime soon. I suppose I can afford to wait out this tumultuous period.

 

[femike]

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

Imagine if they were making cars, it will be 20 years between a refresh. Maybe thats why pulled out of this.

 

[Dave245]

Phil missed it! The buyers where MacBook & MacBook Air lovers who needed to upgrade their older systems. It was not the core 'REAL Pro' MacBook Pro lovers.This is why you see a conflict in the numbers.

I think Apple should still keep the Touch Bar around and put it into the iMac keyboard, i think the Mac Pro should get a big update and the iMac should also get an update to satisfy the "Pro" users who really want/need a lot of power. At the same time tho Apple will never be able to please all of the people all of the time. I do think that it's a great start with them admitting the mistake with the Mac Pro and letting everyone know that they are working on it alongside new iMacs.

 

[maflynn]

Well, I am the opposite, in that I find myself increasingly embracing the iOS side of things. I do have a 2011 iMac and a 2012 MBA, and those are still going strong, so I don't feel pressured to upgrade anytime soon. I suppose I can afford to wait out this tumultuous period.

I'm a desktop/laptop person, and I cannot do what I need in iOS. Not knocking that OS, its just too limiting for my needs.

I'm hoping for some nice improvements in OS X being detailed at WWDC this June. I'm not sure I'm able to wait for Apple to catch up to my needs on the hardware side though.

 

[Abazigal]

I'm a desktop/laptop person, and I cannot do what I need in iOS. Not knocking that OS, its just too limiting for my needs.

I'm hoping for some nice improvements in OS X being detailed at WWDC this June. I'm not sure I'm able to wait for Apple to catch up to my needs on the hardware side though.

macOS seems to getting most of its inspiration from iOS these days. If you don't particularly care for iOS features, I don't think macOS can offer much to interest you.

 

[cardfan]

Most business cases you see in MBA school the companies got in trouble for forgetting what they were in business for. It's easy to get derailed. At Apple, it's Mac. Sure, iphones and other ios devices have been great (understatement) and have become important but it doesn't mean ignore your primary business.

Many devs, early adopters, and your loyal enthusiasts crave cutting edge hardware (and software). It's ok to target the unwashed masses but you always need to find ways as well of giving nods to your most loyal group. These are the ones who write the cool programs. It trickles down.

It wasn't so much that Apple hadn't upgraded Macs in awhile. It was also what else is going on. Mac teams getting absorbed into other places. Business managers being eliminated. Dropping monitors and other other mac accessories. Advertising with the ipad pro saying it's the only PC most need. Dropping software development. Turning WWDC into a joke for devs. Having no gameplan in even the education market that Jobs thought so highly of.

I've commented that Apple should have been able to really make gains into the PC market if they hadn't gone to sleep given their iphone success. Windows 8 was terrible. But Apple has sat by and allow MS to get past that and also develop their own hardware and now target what used to be Apple's core users.

It's going to take more than simply saying oops...new mac stuff on the way. They need to double down and get back into the game. Get the Mac teams going, ramp up the marketing, focus on devs, etc. iPhones are great but let's not forget what makes you Apple.

 

[DanBig]

IPad sales are diving for 12 quaters straight. The Mac sales are barely holding on.

Unless the next iPhone lives up to expectations at the right price, it's next on the decline.

Apple is in trouble because of their success! If you look at other mature markets like the car industry there is little growth year over year. Its the Wow of a given model that drives the sales.

If Apple stays pat with what they are doing today they will become the next Sun Computer, too big to survive and other cheaper options chipping away at it.

Apple's only hope here is to get back with innovation not only within what they create today, but also new markets leveraging what they own (IP). A good example here is the IoT within the home and small businesses. They have the core software now (HomeKit) just no hardware. How about making the iPad mini the control pad within a room. Enable Siri in a local Vs remote server config (or a better split design that is less dependent on the internet). A home media/IoT server (Mac Mini here) this is not that hard and its low hanging fruit!

 

[Fravin]

Most business cases you see in MBA school the companies got in trouble for forgetting what they were in business for. It's easy to get derailed. At Apple, it's Mac. Sure, iphones and other ios devices have been great (understatement) and have become important but it doesn't mean ignore your primary business.

But...

Why do you think that computers are Apple's core business?

Maybe Apples is making more money with AppStore than with Mac sales.

 

[AppleScruff1]

True.

But I think some people just want Apple to go to Newegg and pick components... assemble them in a standard tower case... and certify MacOS for said parts.

It would be a lot faster if they did that. And it would be modular and upgradeable too. The tower design cases have worked well for a long time. No need to make a complex design just for the sake of design. The current MAC Pro had form over function written all over it from day one.

 

[prowlmedia]

1. No I was pointing out it has devices that would be external on ANY mac. Bluray - Audio breakout controller.
2. You should have posted that image then...
3. It's AVID.... you can stick that where the sun don't shine Or in the past. Failing that... a PCIE Thunderbolt Box?

 

[Roobun]

It's AVID.... you can stick that where the sun don't shine

Oh hey, we can agree on something!

 

[Gwendolini]

macOS seems to getting most of its inspiration from iOS these days. If you don't particularly care for iOS features, I don't think macOS can offer much to interest you.

macOS offers the ability to install lots of applications, that don't rely on touch input and use keyboard and pointing devices like mice or trackpads.

It is also easier to multi task on macOS (CMD+TAB or Exposé/Spaces/Mission Control) than it is on iOS. With a normal workload I have ten to twenty applications open (even on the 2016 MacBook) and I am faster doing graphic and video design than I would be on an iPad or iPhone.

I don't know what Mike does, but iOS is not a replacement for a desktop/notebook OS for many.

 

[DanBig]

Part of the problem Apple finds its self in today is lack of leadership that has the needed conduits of communication between their customers to help them see what they are doing. I'm not talking about study groups! I'm talking about a simple email address that is acknowledged as well as meeting up with people around the world using ones AppleID in a lottery for a sit-down. That way you're getting the unvarnished truth.

Many years ago I had the chance to meet up with both Steve's multiple times within a group (BCS) to hear their vision and for them to hear out desires. I'm not saying all my wishes came true but I know they listened!

Today Tim is jetting around meeting with people and companies but he's not at the software or hardware nuts & bolts the two Steve's where.

This is the failure Apple is in today, as unlike Steve Job's who had the intuition of all of the visits he had with us and many more to pull from. Today the VP's are isolated too much from the user base it just appears they just rely on sales numbers and small test workgroups which don't reflect the real current market. True, thats only lets them see what is happening now, not what is coming in the future. This is where your Chief architect and what his R&D teams within the different disciplines can help. One can't work without the other.

Think of it this way in a concert hall there are three groups: The Conductor, Orchestra as well as the Audience. All are needed! Even still there are many others! The instrument makers and person who scored the piece and lastly the hall its self. All feed the 'Machine' If one or more falters then the Machine fails.

The fact the sales numbers of the new models that came out were high in Tim's eye's only shows a pent-up market wanting more (the current MacBook & MacBook Air owners). Not the core 'Pro' MacBook Pro owners thats where the surge in buying of the older model shows us. Apple needs to fix this first! And they have very little time to do it in.

Yes, the Mac Pro is in trouble too! Surprisingly the options out there are about the same except the GPU which is the problem with the current model as it does not meet the needs of the market today. This is the Opps! Apple should have seen at least a year ago and should have started the design process then.

I suspect the time lost was caused by the distraction of the Apple Park buildout and lack of man power to handle the other long term projects they also had in the works.

They need to have a preliminary model spec sheet out by the fall so the Pro's can see what the GPU, storage & RAM the system will offer and how it will be intergraded. I'm not asking for a full design only an outline and how they plan to allow upgrades.

While Apple has pushed for their custom stuff they now need to offer one or two third parties as options (de jure and/or open standard). The lack of available options in the MacBook's for SSD upgrades needs to stop! Apple should offer SSD upgrades for current Retina systems that can be upgraded. You should be able to do that now.

Soon Apple Very soon! We have money to spend but time is the factor here... It's yours or someone which can produce what we need. Think what happened with Sun Computer is that whats going to happen with you??

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Referring to it as "constant negativity" kind of makes it seem like they didn't care, and were trying to ignore it all, and now they're begrudgingly going to do something about it because they're basically sick of hearing about it. It's kind of insulting really.

But also makes me think that they've missed all the other negativity about every other product they make. Or are still just ignoring that too.

 

[uajafd]

Apparently, the negative response to the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

And let me tell you, our customers are LOVING it.

So much for that, then

 

[kk1ro]

I'm a desktop/laptop person, and I cannot do what I need in iOS. Not knocking that OS, its just too limiting for my needs.

I'm hoping for some nice improvements in OS X being detailed at WWDC this June. I'm not sure I'm able to wait for Apple to catch up to my needs on the hardware side though.

Exactly the same for me. I've been holding on to my Late-2011 Macbook Pro and trying to fight off the urge to buy a Windows laptop, hoping that Apple will introduce a better MBP in H2 2017...

 

[shadowmatt]

I guess they are pulling designers off the watch strap team. Which has produced many more updates than Apple's 'Pro' line up.

This company is a joke. They should start transitioning their apps and users to Windows, especially Xcode.

So in the future, when the Pro range isnt competing ( by future I mean last year ), people still have something to build iOS Apps on.

 

[TheTruth101]

It is amazing how a company can be that retard to say the least... people have been complaining for years about the garbage products. Probably one day they will realize the Apple Watch was a mistake, probably one day they will realize Tim Cook is a mistake.

 

[NT1440]

I guess they are pulling designers off the watch strap team. Which has produced many more updates than Apple's 'Pro' line up.

This company is a joke. They should start transitioning their apps and users to Windows, especially Xcode.

So in the future, when the Pro range isnt competing ( by future I mean last year ), people still have something to build iOS Apps on.

Is there something impeding you from using a macbook for iOS development?

 

[Jago]

Shouldn't it be considered to be spectacularly embarrasing for a company of Apple's caliber to take over a year to bring a new desktop chassis to market? It's not like Apple has to design and test CPUs and GPUs for that thing.

 

[imronburgundy]

I still think these Mac Pro's are extremely overpriced, but some good news out there for the people who want them. Nvidia just said yesterday that they are now developing Mac drivers, so there's hopes that one of these 'Pro' machines can actually include a good GPU.

 

[maflynn]

macOS seems to getting most of its inspiration from iOS these days. If you don't particularly care for iOS features, I don't think macOS can offer much to interest you.

I agree, its more of a melding of iOS and you're right that doesn't help me much, but I do enjoy using iMessage on my iMac.

 

[Abazigal]

I agree, its more of a melding of iOS and you're right that doesn't help me much, but I do enjoy using iMessage on my iMac.

Apart from that and tabbed finder, I can't think of any other macOS feature I use much, if at all.

 

[elmaco]

I had my 15" MBP for a month now and what I miss the most is MagSafe. I also find the Touchbar irritating. I often mistakenly start Siri when I touch the Backspace button.

The reason I bough a new MBP was not because I thought it was so great, but that my older Retina 2012 was falling apart (touchpad not working, battery needed to be replaced, screen burn in, adapter cable getting teared, easily overheated, slow network, no print on keyboard buttons) and I wanted something faster.

What I like the most with my new MBP is the reduced weight / size and the faster WiFi.

 

[Obocop]

I wonder if a resurgent Microsoft had something to do with this too? I watched the Surface Studio launch absolutely in awe. Such clever and carefully considered design with very real practical applications for creatives. And to top it off, the guy unveiling it did so with passion and a clear understanding of the work habits of pro users. It made the MBP launch with the guy DJing on the touch bar look like an embarrassing joke and showed how out of touch Apple really is/was. First time in over a decade I started to seriously consider the switch to Windows.