First Impressions of New 12-Inch MacBook: Ridiculously Light, but Thin Keys and Trackpad Take Getting Used To

[spectrumfox]

Okay...?

Why don't you have one of those?

You think Apple would be better off following everyone else?

The opposite has worked pretty well in the past.

I'm simply saying Apple choosing to not include ethernet ports and optical drives in their computer does not mean the technology is considered legacy, as far as the rest of the world is concerned.

It may be considered legacy for Apple because they want to trim the fat and produce the thinnest laptops known to mankind. But that doesn't mean that they're not still heavily used in the rest of the world.

 

[Renzatic]

I do believe there is a market for a smaller Pro, especially one with more ports! I used to work with a lot of coders/graphics/3D modelling guys and they all used MB Pro's as their portable workstations, I think Apple would feel it if they lost that market.

Apple could probably shave a few millimeters off the MBP, and still keep the same functionality of the current rMBP lineup.

But I'll say this. If they start lowest common denominatoring the Macs, only putting in what everyone needs, while disregarding features that only a relative few will use, it'll be the end of Apple as a classic computer company. No, I'm not saying Apple is doomed. They'll still make plenty off iPhones, iPads, and maybe watches and car kits to keep them huge and ridiculously profitable. But they'll only be consumer electronics company, no longer that plus computers.

Because if the people buying Macs are suddenly finding themselves disregarded, they'll quit buying Macs, and move on to a computer that works for them. And if people aren't buying Macs, Apple won't make them anymore. It'll be the end of an era.

 

[26139]

Okay...?

I'm simply saying Apple choosing to not include ethernet ports and optical drives in their computer does not mean the technology is considered legacy, as far as the rest of the world is concerned.

It may be considered legacy for Apple because they want to trim and fat and produce the thinnest laptops known to mankind. But that doesn't mean that they're not still heavily used in the rest of the world.

Legacy: denoting software or hardware that has been superseded but is difficult to replace because of its wide use.

We have better technology available, but it's too costly and/or time consuming to replace it just yet.

Do you define legacy differently?

 

[fisherking]

I've noticed that about 95% of laptops released to this day still include both ethernet ports and optical drives. That's quite a big percentage of current machines to carry so-called "legacy" technology.

Apple surely must know something that the other 95% of the computer world doesn't. There's no other explanation.

so you have lots of choices: ethernet, and a superdrive, on the basic 13" mbp. adapters for both with the other macbook pros. or a windows machine...

seriously, these things may be fading from need (for most people), but there are always options.

 

[spectrumfox]

Legacy: denoting software or hardware that has been superseded but is difficult to replace because of its wide use.

We have better technology available, but it's too costly and/or time consuming to replace it just yet.

Do you define legacy differently?

But you're not talking about replacing. You're talking about removing and not replacing with anything. No ethernet, no optical drive.

Be careful, you're getting confused in your own argument.

 

[melendezest]

Did you say the same thing when the original iMac didn't have a floppy drive?

Did Apple make a floppy adapter when they made the floppy-less iMac?

Apple still sells a Superdrive. That means disks are still in use (I love Redbox ).

Those two scenarios are not the same, yet people keep comparing them.

Yes, the cloud has become quite prevalent. However, disks have NOT become less so.

There is still a TON of media distributed through disks; Apple just (very cleverly) passes that cost onto the consumer by no longer offering this internally.

With this computer, Apple is effectively doing the same for connectivity. You pay out the rear for any connectivity other than what they give you built-in.

Nothing new, they have been doing this since the death of the cMBP.

It makes the machine less flexible. Period. But that said, I think the target audience for this device doesn't need it.

If they migrate this philosophy to the Pro line (which I already consider to NOT be Pro at a all), then that will be the end of my Apple upgrade path, for sure. I find that to be an unnecessary shame.

Thankfully, the competition seems ready to pick up the slack: Win X and several offerings from HP and Lenovo are looking pretty good.

 

[greenmeanie]

Wouldn't you push your updates and software installs from your servers?
What the heck are you using DVD and cd's for?
You must be running some network there.

I'm a system administrator, so I read and burn lots of ISO's for servers and workstations. Also lots of drivers are still distributed on CD's.

Casual consumers might not all still have a use for optical media on a daily basis, but corporations and businesses definitely still do. And it feels like Apple is slowly alienating this part of their loyal market by removing features like ethernet ports and optical media drives.

 

[ibjoshua]

Can i play world of warcraft on this Mac

I ran Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos on the original white iBook. WoW was based on that version wasn't it?
Coincidentally that was the model that increased the number of USB ports.

 

[26139]

Huh?

But you're not talking about replacing. You're talking about removing and not replacing with anything. No ethernet, no optical drive.

Be careful, you're getting confused in your own argument.

Ethernet was replaced, for most stuff, by WiFi.

CD/DVD drives were replaced by USB keys or just digitally.

What are you getting at here?

 

[spectrumfox]

Wouldn't you push your updates from your servers?
What the heck are you using DVD and cd's for?
You must be running some network there.

You armchair sys admins are just the best.

----------

Ethernet was replaced, for most stuff, by WiFi.

CD/DVD drives were replaced by USB keys or just digitally.

What are you getting at here?

Uhh, as far as I know, there is no 10gigabit Wi-Fi networks available... Until Wi-Fi can get to the speeds of a high end wired network, it can't be considered a replacement because it's not as good.

You're getting lost in your own argument here.

 

[26139]

Okay...?

You armchair sys admins are just the best.

----------



Uhh, as far as I know, there is no 10gigabit Wi-Fi networks available... Until Wi-Fi can get to the speeds of a high end wired network, it can't be considered a replacement because it's not as good.

You're getting lost in your own argument here.

How many non-business customers do you know that need 10 gigabit speeds?

"You're getting lost in your own argument here." I read it the first time, you don't need to repeat yourself.

 

[HenryDJP]

I think it's a great concept and good start for a new line of MacBook.. BUT leave where it is.
Right now it's extremely overpriced for what it offers.

If I had a nickel for every time somebody said this about an Apple Product.....yet they sell in droves and customers are satisfied.

Must be easy for you to sit to your computer and type nonsense seeing as you were not the one in the design engineering room creating this "overpriced" product...

 

[spectrumfox]

How many non-business customers do you know that need 10 gigabit speeds?

"You're getting lost in your own argument here." I read it the first time, you don't need to repeat yourself.

Who said we were talking solely about non-business customers? You're the one saying ethernet is considered legacy because Wi-Fi is better. But it's simply not better (yet), therefore it can't be a replacement.

 

[26139]

Huh?

Who said we were talking solely about non-business customers? You're the one saying ethernet is considered legacy because Wi-Fi is better. But it's simply not better, therefore it can't be a replacement.

It is for what most people, that is non sys admins, use them for.

Hadn't we already established that Apple wasn't a business or enterprise focused company? Pretty sure $20 server software doesn't count as much.

Of course wireless won't ever completely replace wired connections, but for that vast majority of consumers buying computers, it sure as hell will.

 

[AleXXXa]

looks nice but kinda too similar to the first MBA, i.e. nice design and all but CPU is probably not there yet for somewhat serious work. Definitively will get 2nd or 3rd gen though.

That's a great idea. I've been burnt too many times in the past buying 1st gen products: first MB Air, first ipad/mb/imac with retina display.

 

[cupcakes2000]

But you're not talking about replacing. You're talking about removing and not replacing with anything. No ethernet, no optical drive.

Be careful, you're getting confused in your own argument.

You're the confused one here. I have read everything you have said, and you're just going round in circles. And still you keep going.

I don't even know what you're talking about any more. I'm sure you're gonna quote me with some sort of pointless nonsense, but just so you know.. I won't care, and I'll likely not even notice.

This machine is not made for you. Dvd and Ethernet are not required by the people this machine is aimed at.

You yourself have admitted buying the 'best laptop you ever owned' which does not have these features. Even through they're important to you and you need them.

I, and many others (except of course the usual whinging suspects) literally have no idea wtf you're talking about.

I would probably stop making a fool of yourself, and quit posting.

 

[spectrumfox]

It is for what most people, that is non sys admins, use them for.

Of course wireless won't ever completely replace wired connections, but for that vast majority of consumers buying computers, it sure as hell will.

You're moving the goalposts.

First you say ethernet is considered legacy. Then you defined legacy. But Wi-Fi is not as good as ethernet, so ethernet can't be considered legacy, and Wi-Fi can't be considered a replacement.

Now you're changing your argument to say only for consumers.

 

[drsmithy]

I was hoping we'd get an updated 11" MBA with a slightly larger Retina screen so I address the only serious annoyance I had with my current one.

This one port thing is absurd.

Gutted.

 

[spectrumfox]

I don't even know what you're talking about any more.

I, and many others literally have no idea wtf you're talking about.

I am not at all surprised.

 

[melendezest]

Apple could probably shave a few millimeters off the MBP, and still keep the same functionality of the current rMBP lineup.

But I'll say this. If they start lowest common denominatoring the Macs, only putting in what everyone needs, while disregarding features that only a relative few will use, it'll be the end of Apple as a classic computer company. No, I'm not saying Apple is doomed. They'll still make plenty off iPhones, iPads, and maybe watches and car kits to keep them huge and ridiculously profitable. But they'll only be consumer electronics company, no longer that plus computers.

Because if the people buying Macs are suddenly finding themselves disregarded, they'll quit buying Macs, and move on to a computer that works for them. And if people aren't buying Macs, Apple won't make them anymore. It'll be the end of an era.

Well said.

That is the bottom line that those of us with a voice of dissent in this forum fear.

It's like watching your cool and quirky best friend give in to the plasticcy, fake, reality television-loving, media-based-trend-minded majority.

For my part, I think this has already happened (I just bought a refurb 15 that should keep me good for quite a few years).

I'm just here to watch it all burn-down in all its ridiculous, garish, rose-gold-colored glory.

 

[HellasLEAF]

It's light and thin and beautiful and it's got the retina display we all want, innovative tech that is impressive and all at the expense of real world functionality.

The reason I still don't own an iPad is the ridiculous touch type keyboard. Yes, people still type on macbook's apple.

This is a very nice laptop but almost too nice for it's own good.

What they should have done was enable the butterfly tech on the keys yet keep the depth the same. Nobody is gonna want to type for extended periods on this thing and for what. To show it's share holders and the tech worlds that they went % lighter % thinner??

I've been waiting since 2011 to upgrade my macbook air hoping for the retina. Looks like the wait continues and no I don't want the pro. Most consumers have no need for that much processing power and the weight and size a turn off.

Gorgeous yet imperfect. My 2 cents.

 

[subsonix]

Uhh, as far as I know, there is no 10gigabit Wi-Fi networks available... Until Wi-Fi can get to the speeds of a high end wired network, it can't be considered a replacement because it's not as good.

You're getting lost in your own argument here.

How many laptops have 10GbE? (Not taking IP over Thunderbolt or a 10GbE TB adapter into account).

 

[26139]

What?!

You're moving the goalposts.

First you say ethernet is considered legacy. Then you defined legacy. But Wi-Fi is not as good as ethernet, so ethernet can't be considered legacy, and Wi-Fi can't be considered a replacement.

Now you're changing your argument to say only for consumers.

We're talking about Apple, who is a consumer focused company.
You said they were not, as evidenced by their $20 server offering.

For what most people use Apple products for WiFi and Ethernet are wireless/wired versions of the same thing: they allow people to get online.

You seriously didn't understand that we were talking about Apple the entire time?

 

[MRrainer]

Now I'm torn

between this thing (would be cool for on-call stuff while out somewhere), either a 11" or a 13" MBA with i7 or a 13" MBP with i7 (which I could do actual work with).
The MBAs are more portable when the MBP, but less resolution (which I like).

Now Apple is offering almost as much choice as Dell in its "best" days.

I will have to try the keyboard, once it actually hits stores in a month or so.

Good thing there's a store here that doesn't sell Apple Watches (TTBOMK).
So I can actually get through to the computers.

 

[danakin]

A bit rich for my liking.
Apple makes nice PCs but you sure pay for them; at least they start 256 GB of storage.
Will see what the Surface Pro 4 offers later this year. My iPad 3 is dying and I'd rather not spend close to $2000 to replace both a tablet and a PC.