Fair enough, and you're probably right in the sense that people that really can't afford it are not slapping down credit cards to go further in debt...
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I love how 1/2 of the Apple Stores retail space is filled with products you can't buy
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Also, it avoids an additional wave of returns, on top of those from people who order all three colors because they can't decide which one is better (which, given the Apple Stores didn't even have display models at the beginning, is even somewhat understandable).
It would be interesting to know their return-rates for products that aren't defective.
I thought this exact same thing the other day.
Me and a friend went to an Apple Store because his iPhone was faulty. I had a browse whilst be dealt with the staff.
I noticed all the Macbooks and Watches weren't in stock and then, when my friend reappeared, he had been told he needed to first make an online appointment before they'd look at his phone!
What's the point of Apple Stores if all they're going to do is direct you to the website??
I'm rather surprised that we're now in June and its still 3-4 weeks lead time online and you cannot just go and buy one at the brick and mortar apple store.
I can see the apple watch having a slow ramp up due to low production yields, but the rMBP?
I can see the apple watch having a slow ramp up due to low production yields, but the rMBP?
In it's purest form, I'm merely stating that the perceived lack of inventory these past few months isn't necessarily a bad thing nor is it an indictment of Apple's supply chain "failing". Could be a confluence of events- new RMB is on its way, leaks happen too frequently, stock price needs a boost, have to peak students interest as the distracting summer approaches, whatever. Announcing a product early and before the supply chain is filled isn't a bad strategy for a product like this, nor would it be the first time.
Remember too that Apple Stores are amongst the most frequented in the world. If a typical store gets, say, 4 visits a year, an Apple Store may get 20. The product has been out there, users can experience it, and with Apple once a customer decides he wants something he'll go through the wait to get it.
BJ
Wow, welcome to 1995.
Commerce in a store is about experience. Commerce online is about convenience.
Not many people are going to drop $1700 on a product they haven't had the chance to play with, especially one in a crowded sector like a notebook. Experiencing the item in a store, getting good service and questions answered, and then being directed to a website for customization and fulfillment is precisely what Apple should be doing.
BJ
Can't disagree with you there, but I still can't agree with you that they planned the roll out of this particular product that way.
Now that is a proper business executive talking. Agree with this post with only 1 caveat. If the shipping was next day or 1-2 days then you are spot on.
Hence why I didn't buy an XPS 13 a few months ago. Online loves this machine, but I couldn't find one to try out. I'm very particular about keyboards so I had to demo it first.
That and it's Windows 8.1
Possible they screwed up, but history doesn't indicate it. Apple is the company that executed the iPhone 5, 5S, and 6 launches flawlessly after all, they command the biggest clout of any technology company in Asia, and their CEO is the supply chain guru of the industry.
Methinks they needed to announce the product and start to get the pipe filled on a certain date for whatever the reason, and that date was months before the item would be plentiful. You have to ask yourself what the upside is for Apple announcing a product and launching that product immediately vs. announcing it ahead of the game. Apple had its reasons. It's not some embarrassment for the company. They had control over the timing, they had their reasons.
BJ
I'm running Windows 8.1 exclusively on my RMB, have never used the Mac OS nor do I intend to. As a Windows machine, it's just fantastic.
I wasn't thinking of getting a new notebook to replace my Sony but when I was in an Apple Store and saw one in person, saw the display, tried the keyboard, picked it up with one hand, well, I was sold. It then became the fun challenge of finding one to ship immediately and not sit through the wait like others. Took me a day to find one at Tekserve in Manhattan and another day to get it overnighted.
BJ
I've read about the positive experiences when running Windows 10 on the rMB. I'm sure I'll install it at some point. Best of both worlds.
Check Best Buy for open boxes. Saved $100 on one yesterday, plus 10% with a movers coupon. Got one for just over $1k.
I don't doubt that you're right but, for me, this is the opposite of what I look for.
I heavily research what I want/need online (and sometimes via magazines) and, when decided, I go to the store to complete the purchase and come away with the product. Apple's current set-up doesn't offer that.
I recently spent a large amount of money on a car. I'd researched it a lot online, read about it, read reviews, seen photos - so I went to the dealer, drove it and bought it. I spent many hours online which culminated in about 20 minutes at the dealership. I can't do that with a MacBook.
I wish I could only spend 20 minutes at a car dealership. I can never get out of there in under 3 hours. The car buying process is ridiculous.
Neither of your comments make any sense. Been the NJ. Pass on going there again but thanks for the invite. ;-)
If you know what you want and how much you want to spend when you go in it shouldn't take long. Usually the delays are seen by those with financing issues because the finance department is back there trying to sell a bank on the loan terms they are trying to get you into. Lol. I went and bought a car last year. Nothing fancy but I researched it before, knew what I wanted, and test drive doesn't really matter since it was brand new from factory. I made an offer and wrote em a check. I think the whole process was 40 mins or so
My comments make perfect sense. Your comments are from the position of someone who lives a sheltered lifestyle in an uppity community. That's great, but don't think that a $1700 RMB isn't something aspirational for those who don't live in the swanky enclaves that you and I do.
Big picture, you bought the wrong notebook and you didn't return it in the window. That's not on Apple; that's on you.
BJ
For many many many people just in the US even, that is a good bit over their monthly paycheck.
Exactly what I would recommend @shenan1982 do. But the problem is, he is torn now, having tasted the form factor
Great point. In the US the average household income is $49,000 per year.
Forgetting the money for a moment, the issue at hand about half the items in an Apple Store not being able to be purchased is valid to an extent, but two things:
1. The Watch and the RMB may take up 30% of the floorspace in an Apple Store but by no means do they represent 30% of the companies volume, I'd say they're not even going to be worth 15% when all is said and done.
2. For a company predicated on 'innovation', having Apple soft launch products months before they are completely ready to ship at scale is a good thing for their customers, not a bad thing. It gives us more time to contemplate a niche-item purchase and it helps Apple avoid a bomb of a product and the disastrous inventory and markdown mess that brings. With the history of the iPhone, sure, go make 20 Million units ready in a week. But with zero history on a Watch and inconsistent history on a sleek/expensive Notebook, hell yes, release a few and get a good read before you bet the farm on something that could bust.
BJ
Exactly what I would recommend @shenan1982 do. But the problem is, he is torn now, having tasted the form factor
And that won't be so easy to let go of, given it`s back to a TN display or the bulkier 13" rMBP
My own Retina MBP`s haven't left the desk, since picking up the rMB 
Q-6
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Exactly what I would recommend @shenan1982 do. But the problem is, he is torn now, having tasted the form factor
Yeah, I want the form factor but reasonable power\performance.
I'm not whining about the return policy, I don't care if I lose a little reselling it. My issue is there's no practical replacement. The MBP is a beast, the MBA screen is borderline eye-straining to look at the screen. Just because you disagree with my opinion doesn't give you the right to insult me. For all you know I'm homeless and beg for money on the street corner and save up for a rMB, LOL.