Got rid of my rMB

[boltjames]

I stand by it being targeted to the general laptop consumer.

You don't need to "stand by" this as it's actually quite obvious who the RMB is targeted for.

The haters like to compare it to a MBP and call it a 'disappointment' when they know that's not the standard it should be judged by. It's like saying a Porsche 911 is a disappointment because it can't transport a mattress.

BJ

It's a Facebook computer. You wouldn't use it for any serious work. An iPad with a built in keyboard is how I've heard it described.

"Serious work" Hmm.

I'm an Executive Vice President and I routinely make million dollar decisions on it each week via Email, develop $500M corporate strategies on it quarterly using Excel, make presentations to hundreds of executives using Powerpoint, collaborate in five continents to scores of production partners using Skype and Dropbox.

"Serious work" isn't coding a video game, Chief. The new MacBook is an executive's situational travel notebook. It makes it easier to make the big decisions, the stuff that really matters in the corporate world.

BJ

 

[SteveJUAE]

It's very debatable that the MacBook offers greater value. I bought a Galaxy S6 demo unit (I use it purely as a personal computer) for £160, the screen on it is higher resolution and much nicer than the MacBook's. "Greater potential" is also debatable, I can't put my MacBook in my pocket, record in 4K video etc.

Sorry I think your missing the point or I was unclear

I'm not debating the functionality between devices etc, simply we go out and spend $1000 on a smartphone as to cram all that tech in to a neat little bundle comes at a premium even though millions are sold and likewise the rMB is a neat little laptop that comes at a premium price.

Yet as you can see by the preceding postings how people dislike it's cost vs performance etc and they possibly forget what you pay for form factors. This is also true for new edgy devices like the MS SP4,SB and Vaio Canvas that come at higher premiums and the more powerful the models the price soon escalates to a point where the form factor cost becomes a less % of the overall cost.

We all know that performance wise the rMB is a $600 laptop the other $600+ is the styling, package and lightweight form it comes in. We have all made a conscious decision to buy a rMB based on the balance of it's light weight styling vs it performance, to suit our needs.

We do not need reminding by people with Phd's in stating the oblivious it's limitations vs more capable laptops, that's a given

 

[boltjames]

We do not need reminding by people with Phd's in stating the oblivious it's limitations vs more capable laptops, that's a given

+1

I don't like the Apple Watch, I think it's a stupid product. But you don't see me in the Apple Watch forum voicing my opinions of a product I barely know anything about. No one needs to lecture rich people on how to spend their fun money.

BJ

 

[cycledance]

"Serious work" Hmm.

I'm an Executive Vice President and I routinely make million dollar decisions on it each week via Email, develop $500M corporate strategies on it quarterly using Excel, make presentations to hundreds of executives using Powerpoint, collaborate in five continents to scores of production partners using Skype and Dropbox.

"Serious work" isn't coding a video game, Chief. The new MacBook is an executive's situational travel notebook. It makes it easier to make the big decisions, the stuff that really matters in the corporate world.

BJ

oh please. get off your high horse. you know exactly what he meant.

you wanna do cpu/gpu intensive work? you need a big screen? you need peripherals like disks? forget about the rmb.

the mb retina is the weakest machine from apple. period.

 

[lite426]

You don't need to "stand by" this as it's actually quite obvious who the RMB is targeted for.
BJ

So you agree it's targeted to the general laptop consumer. The impression you gave was you thought it's aimed purely at the traveling businessman which is what I disagreed with.

I believe that most people who buy this laptop don't go out and look for the "best in class premium portability blah de dah", they go into an Apple Store, more like they think "oh that laptop looks nice, I'll get it. I have no idea what Core M or an i5 is".

 

[klky]

It's unfortunate that so many seem to be having a bad experience with the new rMB. I got mine just last week and absolutely love it. Granted, I rely on my iMac for my photography work and really only use the rMB for MS Office, web browsing, social media, iTunes movies and music. It's awesome as a super light take-everywhere Mac and I love the design!

 

[boltjames]

the mb retina is the weakest machine from apple. period.

OMG, none of it's owners know this! You saved us! You see, when we walked into the Apple Store we were completely fooled and now, well, we know the truth. Whew.

You might want to stop lecturing rich people on how to spend their fun money. Rich people are smart. If we want to trade horsepower we don't use for a light and slim form factor, we know what we're doing and we're very good with it, trust me.

BJ

So you agree it's targeted to the general laptop consumer. The impression you gave was you thought it's aimed purely at the traveling businessman which is what I disagreed with.

The "general laptop consumer" wouldn't spend $1,300 on a notebook whose featureset could be had for $500 at Walmart.

There is a specific demographic who the RMB is designed for, it's someone who doesn't game, doesn't code, doesn't compile 4K video, and can overspend on something extremely expensive. Add it all up, it's an older person with a need for something super-light because he's not using it at his desktop. So I generalize that group into something called the "traveling executive class" which I think is more appropriate.

BJ

It's unfortunate that so many seem to be having a bad experience with the new rMB. I got mine just last week and absolutely love it.

First off, congrats on the new machine.

Next, there are an incredibly small amount of actual MacBook owners who are having a bad experience and in all cases it's because they didn't do the research before buying. Most who complain about the RMB in this forum haven't even touched one and aren't ever going to buy one yet they feel compelled to tell us why.

BJ

 

[cycledance]

OMG, none of it's owners know this! You saved us! You see, when we walked into the Apple Store we were completely fooled and now, well, we know the truth. Whew.

You might want to stop lecturing rich people on how to spend their fun money. Rich people are smart. If we want to trade horsepower we don't use for a light and slim form factor, we know what we're doing and we're very good with it, trust me.

BJ

yuck at everything u wrote. i am sure you are a fun guy at parties.

 

[boltjames]

yuck at everything u wrote. i am sure you are a fun guy at parties.

Oh, at parties I seek out people who tell me that my Ralph Lauren polo shirt isn't suitable for scuba diving and it costs more than the ones at Costco.

BJ

 

[lite426]

The "general laptop consumer" wouldn't spend $1,300 on a notebook whose featureset could be had for $500 at Walmart.

I disagree. The general laptop consumer, if they were already a user of Apple products, would be more than likely to spend that amount on the Retina MacBook. These might be the same people who've bought a 13 inch MacBook Air or Pro in the past, but now they can get the MacBook. The MacBook is similarly priced to those anyway. What any consumer immediately understands, simply from looking at it, is that the screen is much better than the Air and that would justify the extra cost. Any consumer in the store can also immediately see the design is much nicer and lighter than the Pro. The base model also has double the storage capacity of the base rMBP which most consumers nowadays again understand the benefit of.

Note, when I say "general laptop consumer" I mean general APPLE laptop consumer.

You cannot get the featureset of the MacBook for $500. Find me a laptop with all the same specs for that price.

There is a specific demographic who the RMB is designed for, it's someone who doesn't game, doesn't code, doesn't compile 4K video, and can overspend on something extremely expensive. Add it all up, it's an older person with a need for something super-light because he's not using it at his desktop. So I generalize that group into something called the "traveling executive class" which I think is more appropriate.

BJ

Disagree. There are many MANY younger people who are general laptop consumers and also don't game, code, or compile 4K video, and can afford the laptop. If they could afford for instance the rMBP there's no reason they wouldn't be able to afford the rMB. This laptop is just as much targeted at for example the student who needs it for Uni general work, word processing etc as it is for the "traveling executive class".

 

[johny979]

I write in other post but I think is necessary here too:

I come from using MBA 2011 and now I have MB 12" 1.1 and I am very satisfied with his performance.

I usually use Safari(6-7 tabs), iTunes, Spotify, Mail, tweetbot, Fantastical, all at once, and the computer does it all without problem. I´m journalist and every day I need to see many photos, or edit photos but in basical level, and the MB works perfect for me. Office suite, or Quarkxpress are always open and continually using it with perfects results

Obviously I work better at home with the iMac 27 ", but as laptop perfectly fulfilled all the tasks I need

The retina display is amazing, and something that had not voted, the sound is brutal, the speakers are great

The point is the only USB-C port, but I bought the Apple HDMI Hub adapter, and solved

I thought the 12 "would not enough, when I used before 13", but it looks great

I don´t use the MB to edit RAW or videos, No games, and and the MB works perfect. And about the design...what to say.... Space Grey Rules!!!! iPhone6s- iPad and Macbook in same color

 

[masotime]

Generally love Apple´s products and have had every single product except Mac Pro.

You own an Apple Watch Edition? You've got some serious pocket change to throw around....

 

[SteveJUAE]

I believe that most people who buy this laptop don't go out and look for the "best in class premium portability blah de dah", they go into an Apple Store, more like they think "oh that laptop looks nice, I'll get it. I have no idea what Core M or an i5 is".

Somehow I don't believe Apple said lets go a spend a bunch of RD money and come up with a laptop that appeals to the casual drop-in impulse Apple buyer/user LOL

Apple clearly had some demographic in mind. I certainly give both Apple and Apple previous owner/user a bit more credence on the intelligence front to do some prior research or in shop comparison other than aesthetics.

Of course with any product there will always be casual buyers but to suggest this is the main buyers of the rMB has no substance.

For the non casual buyer to opt for the rMB over other MAC's requires a higher bias in their decision making for the smaller light foot print of the rMB with its retina screen over other MAC's.

Which of the largest groups that are more likely to opt for this is highly debatably, but those on a tighter budget looking for a more balanced all round laptop are certainly lower on the list IMO.

Whether executives or students who can afford these products are on the top of list is anyone's guess, but it would not be in the realm of complete fantasy to thinks exec's would rank highly.

 

[boltjames]

You cannot get the featureset of the MacBook for $500. Find me a laptop with all the same specs for that price.

Performance featureset- like similar numbers for processor speed, RAM, SSD, etc. not to mention more ports, larger screen, etc.

Disagree. There are many MANY younger people who are general laptop consumers and also don't game, code, or compile 4K video, and can afford the laptop. If they could afford for instance the rMBP there's no reason they wouldn't be able to afford the rMB. This laptop is just as much targeted at for example the student who needs it for Uni general work, word processing etc as it is for the "traveling executive class".

Any student at uni who can afford a RMB most certainly has "traveling executive class" parents.

BJ

 

[Queen6]

Performance of the rMB is academic, it`s the performance of the individual behind the keys that counts with this class of system, those that use their Mac`s as a component of their work understand this. The rMB is fundamentally a business & study tool, it`s not an all rounder, it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

Therefore it`s completely understandable why business people, managers, executives gravitate to the rMB; as it`s very much fit for purpose. In this sphere portability, the ability to dock the system are the priorities, not raw horsepower, and the rMB absolutely makes a statement. High-End ultraportables are, and remain to be far from utilitarian tools for the masses, nor are you paying for outright performance, equally they are indispensable to those that demand this level of portability & build quality in the PC space, and understand the same.

Much of the angst towards the rMB is simply due to the systems performance not meeting expectations, same the initial release of the MacBook Air. Apple will very likely apply the same methodology, so if you want an all round Notebook with the same design criteria as the rMB, you will need to wait until the technology advances...

Q-6

 

[dogslobber]

"Serious work" Hmm.

I'm an Executive Vice President and I routinely make million dollar decisions on it each week via Email, develop $500M corporate strategies on it quarterly using Excel, make presentations to hundreds of executives using Powerpoint, collaborate in five continents to scores of production partners using Skype and Dropbox.

"Serious work" isn't coding a video game, Chief. The new MacBook is an executive's situational travel notebook. It makes it easier to make the big decisions, the stuff that really matters in the corporate world.

BJ

Did that make you feel important spouting all that irrelevance? It sounds like you could get by with a NetBook.

 

[lite426]

Performance featureset- like similar numbers for processor speed, RAM, SSD, etc. not to mention more ports, larger screen, etc.

No, show me the laptop with the same featureset including very importantly a comparable PPI and high screen res that I can get for $500. Where is it, because I couldn't find it.

Any student at uni who can afford a RMB most certainly has "traveling executive class" parents.

Here in the UK at least Uni students get a large discount across the whole MacBook range. But as I said if someone has the money to buy the rMBP 13, they have to money to get the rMB instead. I don't understand why you'd single out the rMB as the rich man's gadget. They're priced pretty much the same.

 

[BarcelonaPaul]

Performance featureset- like similar numbers for processor speed, RAM, SSD, etc. not to mention more ports, larger screen, etc.



Any student at uni who can afford a RMB most certainly has "traveling executive class" parents.

BJ

That's a horrible false thing to say. Before I went to university, I worked every hour God sent so that I could have a MacBook to get me through my incredibly hard years at university. My parents had died of cancer by the time that I went to university to better myself, so I definitely didn't have "travelling executive class" parents and neither do my friends who like me, worked damn hard to save up for a smart Apple MacBook!
If you don't like the MacBook, simple, move on and live your life!

 

[dogslobber]

Much of the angst towards the rMB is simply due to the systems performance not meeting expectations, same the initial release of the MacBook Air. Apple will very likely apply the same methodology, so if you want an all round Notebook with the same design criteria as the rMB, you will need to wait until the technology advances...

This suggests Apple are gonna milk the macbook like they did the MBA. First iteration, only have one port. Second iteration, have 2 ports. This is rather naughty.

 

[lite426]

Somehow I don't believe Apple said lets go a spend a bunch of RD money and come up with a laptop that appeals to the casual drop-in impulse Apple buyer/user LOL

Well, that's just it. The MacBook does appeal to the casual drop-in buyer. It certainly did to me. I didn't buy it because of "prior research" on the limitations of Core M, I bought it because I went in the store, tried it out and liked it. When I walked over to the old MacBook Pro Retinas, I can positively recall the feeling of how dated they looked in comparison. I mean, I didn't buy it right there on the spot. But I did order it a few months later online with the Back to School offer, because of those few minutes with it at the store.

Almost every ounce of R&D money has for the MacBook gone into things that are immediately noticeable upon first use/sight, like the thin design, screen and weight.

 

[Queen6]

Are you surprised, this is Apple, the masters of spin & turnaround, equally if the 1st Gen works for you why not, as long as it turns a coin...

Q-6

 

[doitdada]

I stand by my original point, this is a Facebook computer and the iPad with a keyboard moniker is apt.

I guess it's not as fast as my desktop or a top tier Macbook Pro with i7 quad core. Yes, it is a toy computer for the rich. You know why? Because they use it to make money in their business instead of quoting numbers from their latest GeekBench. Media creation is usually the only thing that requires hardcore computing power like video encoding and the diverse. If you use numbers from the net, 90% of us lurk (browsing, FB and text), 9% like (photo, code and develop) and 1% comment or start a thread (compile large applications and encode video). I think the number of people who need a rMBP for business or studies are in the 1%.

I can get upset if changes I make to projects aren't instant on the screen, but I usually get more upset if I have to carry a heavy laptop.

It's the first computer I bring without thinking...
"Do I really want to carry this weight around with me?"

I think it just gives you enough power to do what is possible to do on the run. Video and large stacks of development require big screens anyways. In fact I am more of favour of getting rid of my desktop setup with 30" screens. The only thing keeping me from putting it in garage is the price I paid for it.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Well, that's just it. The MacBook does appeal to the casual drop-in buyer. It certainly did to me. I didn't buy it because of "prior research" on the limitations of Core M, I bought it because I went in the store, tried it out and liked it. When I walked over to the old MacBook Pro Retinas, I can positively recall the feeling of how dated they looked in comparison. I mean, I didn't buy it right there on the spot. But I did order it a few months later online with the Back to School offer, because of those few minutes with it at the store.

Almost every ounce of R&D money has for the MacBook gone into things that are immediately noticeable upon first use/sight, like the thin design, screen and weight.

I'm not disagreeing with the above I noted already "Of course with any product there will always be casual buyers"

I am disagreeing that casual buyers are the main purchaser's of the rMB because it looks nice else Apple would of got their research completely wrong and the R&D budget would never be passed on such a thin demographic

 

[lite426]

Well I think that yes casual buyers are the main target buyers of the rMB. Not only because it looks nice, but also because it is light and has a good screen. Previously casual buyers who might've had a slight preference for either a light laptop or a good screen had to get either the Air or Pro Retina, now they get both of those things with the MacBook.

 

[SteveJUAE]

This has to be one of the funniest twist on a thread that started by running down an otherwise nice Apple product because it was bottom of the range performer, which even us owners did not dispute

Yet when someone suggests it's the slightest bit elitist due to it's price/value for $ and thereby condemn all other laptops to common place the wingers cry even more LOL

Thanks for the entertainment and opinions but lets move on why we are on a high