Lack of Hardware Updates Leading to Lighter-Than-Expected Quarterly Mac Sales

[Tali]

Oh?

It's true, before graduating, I worked in a computer lab at the university and we sometimes helped people by setting up the campus VPN for them and so on. They didn't know the first thing about their machine. Most uttered sentence about macs: look nice. Followed closely by: feel nice.

Sure but what about work nice .-)? Wasn't much of an issue. Sure, there were others but those didn't need help setting stuff up so I didn't talk to them, kind of like the people who don't have an idea don't come onto a board like this.

Apple once published the number of iPhones that have never been connected to a Computer / Mac. It was incredibly high. Even if it was as part of an iCloud sales pitch.

 

[KompleX]

i'm holding off on buying a new computer until the new imacs come out. as soon as they are released i'm getting one!

 

[Macintosh-HD]

Just another sign that Apple is moving towards selling only iOS devices (their current cash cow).

 

[efendi]

new MAC PROs now!!!!

we need new MAC PROs with thunderbolt now!!!

apple, hurry up!!!!

 

[AidenShaw]

for what?

[

we need new MAC PROs with thunderbolt now!!

Seriously, for what?

The Mac Pro is the system least in need of T-Bolt (especially considering the paucity of T-Bolt devices and their extremely high prices). It has internal expansion and PCIe slots.

For example, the LaCie two-port eSATA dongle is $250 with the cable, for two non-PortMultiplier connections.

A SiI3132 PCIe card is about $30, and has two eSATA PM connections.

 

[dru`]

The inability to fully maximize a program is irritating, as I am used to doing that regularly. Also the cursor movements with the mouse are too jerky. Unfortunately these 2 features will force me to continue down the Microsoft OS path."

First, Flexiglass offers what it calls "Real Zoom" which makes the Zoom button offer brain dead Maximize. There may be other apps which don't spring to mind but that one is under $8.

Second, there are multiple apps that move to Windows brain dead mouse acceleration/pointer including SteerMouse and USB Overdrive. Either is $20.

I have no interest in upgrading to Lion for many of the reasons you cite but also others like compatibility, unfixed, the iOSization and QA problems with Safari 5.x. Apple should not break their user experience even further to mollify switchers.

 

[Fandongo]

I've used FCPX on my MBP (specs in sig) and, sure its not the fastest machine anymore, but it is much slower than I'd have liked. I do wonder, however, how much of that is down to software inefficiencies rather than the hardware itself?

Our machines are twins!
Software inefficiencies are why they scrapped FCP8 and started over.
I haven't purchased X because you really need a quad+ i7 to start getting the most out of 64bit apps **and more ram!!

I hope they don't hold back on us.
If they do, I'll be getting CS6 master for windows.
And that sounds awful.

 

[ixodes]

I am not surprised by this but I think there are several causes. Part of this is the iPad cannibalizing Mac sales (why update your Mac when the new iPad does so much, browses the web, plays games, etc, perfectly fine?)

I agree, with the late Steve Jobs making such a big deal out of "Apple's Post PC Era" he compelled the Apple Faithful to buy tablets. Never one to miss an opportunity to lead his flock in a new direction, his introduction of the first generation as "Magical & Revolutionary" was all it took to make them believers.

Then if we take into consideration the fact that Apple has huge consumer user base, many of which don't really need computers anyway, his strategy worked well. An enthusiastic endorsement of the iPad gave them permission to dump their past beliefs, and save money by purchasing iPads for far less money than your mid range MBP.

The strategy has worked extremely well as we've witness hoards of people clamoring for iPads in record numbers. Apple wins big with tablets, laptop sales see a bump for those who do need a computer, and all is well within the confines of AppleLand.

 

[Fandongo]

Seriously, for what?

The Mac Pro is the system least in need of T-Bolt (especially considering the paucity of T-Bolt devices and their extremely high prices). It has internal expansion and PCIe slots.

for people using the Little Big Disk, or any Thunderbolt only externals, who dump footage/photos on the external through their Air/MBP.

Take it home...try to jam it into their ethernet port.

The price and market of thunderbolt is aimed at professionals...
And the computer they should be using doesn't have the port.
Retarded.

 

[a0me]

I sugest you go back and read your own post #128 - you brought the ssd up as more reliable due to lack of moving parts. My experience with the latest OWC 6G ssd with crappy Sandforce controllers = no reliability. I did no relate it to an optical drive but did counter your point about ssd reliability.

I stupidly thought that because you said "What if you do NEED an optical drive? I have had more failures with ssd than with hdd." in the same line the two were related.
Anyway, the optical drive will soon be a thing of the past, so you'll need to either get used to it or buy a Windows PC that fits your requirement (until eventually Windows laptop manufacturers ditch the drive as well).

 

[AidenShaw]

for people using the Little Big Disk, or any Thunderbolt only externals, who dump footage/photos on the external through their Air/MBP.

Take it home...try to jam it into their ethernet port.

The price and market of thunderbolt is aimed at professionals...
And the computer they should be using doesn't have the port.
Retarded.

But the Mac Pro can have internal or eSATA disks - so no need for T-Bolt.

Anything that T-Bolt can do can already be done on a Mac Pro.

Please - tell us about one T-Bolt peripheral that has a feature that can't be met on the Mac Pro, and for less money...

Don't misread me - T-Bolt is a nice interface, but its adoption rate is glacial and it's very costly. It could easily end up with less sales volume than the ADB ("Apple Desktop Bus")
.

 

[wikus]

You have to understand how incredibly tiny the matte screen crowd is.

I can't take your comments seriously because you have no idea of what youre talking about.

How would you know how 'incredibly tiny' the matte screen crowd is, if it were to even exist as tiny?

Gloss screens are a pain in the a$$, ask a pro.. or someone who uses a computer to get real work done.

 

[thekev]

But the Mac Pro can have internal or eSATA disks - so no need for T-Bolt.

Anything that T-Bolt can do can already be done on a Mac Pro.

Please - tell us about one T-Bolt peripheral that has a feature that can't be met on the Mac Pro, and for less money...

Don't misread me - T-Bolt is a nice interface, but its adoption rate is glacial and it's very costly. It could easily end up with less sales volume than the ADB ("Apple Desktop Bus")
.

Its only need in the mac pro is for possible future proofing if it somehow becomes a must have option, or if they wish to share accessories with their laptop assuming that they updated with the current model.

The problem is very much with the people supporting matte screen even when it has been shown that they are a terrible option. It isn't law but rather addressing the delusional.

I disagree. The current ones are difficult to view. Under typical ambient lighting they're annoying. If there is even minor window light, it's terrible. They could do better.

 

[smali]

The problem is very much with the people supporting matte screen even when it has been shown that they are a terrible option. It isn't law but rather addressing the delusional.


It has nothing to do with "our way or the highway" it has to do with the wisdom in shipping hardware no rational person wants. You have to understand how incredibly tiny the matte screen crowd is. Beyond that there is little wisdom in Apples courting a customer base that whines about every little feature of the shipping hardware. Especially in the case of the matte screen crowd which seems hell bent on denying reality.

Wow what a huge pile of steaming ********e! Just type in Google to see survey's done by reputable sites and you find massive favour for matte. E.g. heres one from pcpro:

Source: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/05/23/glossy-vs-matte-screens-why-the-pc-industrys-out-of-touch/

Also in a lot of countries where they have strict Health and Saftey Regulations it is illegal to provide glossy screens to workers.

You, the Wizard of Gloss (yes Pun intended) are the one with no grasp of reality and should be shown the door before you infect anyone else with your preposterous claims.

 

[appsforkids]

I'm a hold-out

I really hope they do something great with the iMac / Mac Pro, would love to see more pro gear move from PCI to thunderbolt and something in between the iMac and the Mac Pro or maybe someway to beef up an iMac even more, they are great machines with awesome displays and it's a shame to have to retire the display when you get a new mac.

Either way I am one of the ones waiting on the new macs, and can't wait to see what they come up with.

 

[Viking23]

I am waiting to see what the new iMac has to offer. The existing one is fine, however, I would like to wait and see what, if any, changes are made to the screen resolution before I buy. I don't want to spend money now on something and find it has been improved on in two or three months time.

This will be my first iMac so I want the best I can get for my hard earned pension. I have been a PC man all my life and worked in IT support for many years, now I fancy a new challenge instead of more of the same from MS.

If the new iMac does not have an ODD, then I can always share out one on one of the PC's or laptops we have in the house. We already have two ipads, and a collection of Windows PC's and laptops of various ages. So we fancy a change, but it has got to be worth while.

 

[Konrad]

It is now a new World order. If you want my money, it has to be what I want.

 

[wikus]

You, the Wizard of Gloss (yes Pun intended) are the one with no grasp of reality and should be shown the door before you infect anyone else with your preposterous claims.

I fully agree.

Its an insult to the forum readers to try and convince them with FALSE information from someone who is in denial.

Its an even greater insult to those who are tech savvy and know that these are false claims. This kind of crap is far worse than 'offending' someone with troll-like banter, its deceiving others on about technology on a forum thats exclusively about technology. I would like to see warnings and bannings take effect for those that to make others ignorant.

 

[Fandongo]

But the Mac Pro can have internal or eSATA disks - so no need for T-Bolt.

Anything that T-Bolt can do can already be done on a Mac Pro.

Please - tell us about one T-Bolt peripheral that has a feature that can't be met on the Mac Pro, and for less money...

Don't misread me - T-Bolt is a nice interface, but its adoption rate is glacial and it's very costly. It could easily end up with less sales volume than the ADB ("Apple Desktop Bus")
.

Aren't the Mac Pro's SATA slots limited to 3Gb/s speeds?

I know the expandability is far greater/cheaper in desktops.
But consider how powerful MBPs are now; There's no reason for pros to NOT be able to use it as an intermediary in their pipeline.

For example: It would be excellent for transcoding and on-site rough cuts and in FCPX.
With the T-Bolt ONLY interface as the scratch disk, it would be incredibly convenient to just pop it into your Mac Pro when you get back...

The fact that this is not possible is ludicrous and idiotic, even by their standards.

 

[DiamondMac]

Maybe Apple just ran out of gullible fools...?

Their stock price says they continue finding more and more (including me)