Mac Sales Continue to Slide Amid Lack of Updates

[maflynn]

And yet people say that there's no issues with Apple selling generations old computers without any changes for a premium price. People realize that Apple is charging a premium, but has not made any appreciable changes to the mac line for years. Sadly, I'm part of that statistic as I bought a SurfaceBook

 

[Morgenland]

The day, when Apple offers a new MacMini & 4 (or5)K-Cinema-Display, I won't hesitate a single second to order. It's that easy. Still waiting...

 

[eliahchen]

Apple is piss poor now. They hired so many customer service agents that don't know anything and refuse to help people. The mac guiness bar is full of stupid people. They are there only to help friends and the managers too. Corrupted people now work for Apple. Microsoft should take this time to get their market back.

 

[maflynn]

iOS and relevant products are the new Apple. Those of you holding onto desktop products and "macOS" are as delusional as Atari and Amiga fanboys were in the late 80s and early 90s.

Yes, and Apple is paying for that lack of attention, the Mac line still generates billions of dollars and it would be foolish for them to ignore.

Right now? I'm using this rMBP to compile a parts list to build my own PC. I've had enough. For less money I can build a freakin' killer computer. My wife did it two years ago and now it's time to follow suit.

I didn't build my computer but rather, I bought a laptop - its a Pc instead of a Mac. I still have an iMac and love that machine but Apple needs to do something. Bean counter Cook is just squeezing the life out of Apple and Macs

I'm often asked for advice on buying Macs. Currently I tell people that the only sensible choice is an Apple Refurb. I've bought 5 myself in the last six months.

Given the high price of Macs and how long the MBP, Mac Mini and Mac Pro have been updated, I tell them not to buy a Mac until Apple rolls out a new release, and if the need is immediate there's HP, Dell, and Lenovo.

Getting back on topic, if Apple are serious about the Mac, they need to do something big. I mean, really big - I can still remember picking up this issue of Time magazine back in January 2002:

I loved that computer, one of the most iconic designs, sadly, they dropped that design so quickly

 

[eliahchen]

The old MacBook pro was plagued with full of problems and they refused to fix them. Even acknowledging them they refused to fix them and to help their old customers. They continued with more products that weren't even well supported. Tim Cook hires more customer services agents when he should hire better coders to fix the existing problems. Their company is plagued with delusional friends who help each other get into higher positions and fix fake problems while not trying to help those with real problems. Before it was a company where I could walk in with shorts and t-shirt and someone would help me. Now they treat you differently unless your in a suit. Now that I am disabled they even treat you horribly. I saw a kid drop head first into the ground in the Pasadena Apple store, and no one went to help the kid. The kid did jump back up but its sad. But none of the agents even asked if the kid was okay and 6 of them just watched.

Not to mention their demos aren't even working correctly! I caught 5 of the MacBook pros with the same issues I am having at home. The internet wouldn't load properly. Even after I told a few of them they said its okay it happens, takes too much time to reboot them over and over. And that its just a demo unit so it shouldn't matter. They said the real thing should act better and that the demo aren't really meant to work. Guess what its not just a demo problem. Macrumors reported it too but they said Apple is just looking into it. Sad.

Good was the day when they actually cared about their codes working. Tim Cook is a disgrace to Steve Jobs.

 

[iZac]

Standard Apple tactic - don't discontinue the product - just leave it to rot until the alternative product you're selling is sufficiently competitive.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Claim it's the lack of updates all you like but the fact is that the industry as a whole continues to decline. It's not simply Apple but everyone who is seeing decreased spending in the PC market.

 

[940272]

This is exactly what happened to the iPod. Lack of updates, sales slip, Apple deems it not worthy of an update, rinse and repeat. Sad really.

 

[maflynn]

Claim it's the lack of updates all you like but the fact is that the industry as a whole continues to decline. It's not simply Apple but everyone who is seeing decreased spending in the PC market.

Yes, the article does detail that as a whole, the PC market is contracting, yet if you look at some of the makers, they increased their sales, where as Apple has decreased. I'd also like to touch upon how Cook always mentioned that Macs were bucking the trend of selling more computers in this time of contraction. Now for the past couple quarters they're seeing some significant drop offs, which I attribute to Apple getting greedy and not updating the line.

 

[Adam Warlock]

Meanwhile, other companies are able to score Intel chips that apparently don't exist, cram more hardware into even thinner designs than Apple, include a good amount of ports, etc:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016...pectre-x360-adds-thunderbolt-3-windows-hello/

 

[toke lahti]

Dear Apple, Tim, Jony,

SHUT UP AND GIVE me:

#1 more powerful mini than 4 years old model!
(With 32GB or upgradeable ram.)
#2 ac-version of Airport Express!

 

[trifid]

Like many in this thread, I've been a Mac user nearly all my computing life. In fact, I just realised that this year is the 20th anniversary of my first Mac purchase. In that time, I've been the most dedicated Mac evangelist you could imagine.

Right now? I'm using this rMBP to compile a parts list to build my own PC. I've had enough. For less money I can build a freakin' killer computer. My wife did it two years ago and now it's time to follow suit.

And while I'm excited about getting a new computer - seriously, a customised build with a gorgeous case looks amazing, if anyone is worried about losing the prime aesthetics of a Mac - I'm also kinda sad. I want to use Mac OS. But Apple are not giving me any options.

Researching this PC build has been a real eye-opener. I'm constantly showing prospective builds to my wife, usually with a comment of "imagine if you could do this with a Mac".

Ah well.

You can, welcome to Hackintosh

 

[62tele]

6 years ago I would not consider a pc laptop. Now I would not consider a Mac

I'll wait and I still wouldn't buy a Windows PC. I just have no interest in ditching macOS and I believe that, when released, the MBP and iMac will still be a great product. My iMac is 6 years old and, although getting long in the tooth, it's still functions fine. My 2011 MBA is still chugging along too.
I want a new Mac and I will wait for one. That doesn't mean I'm not frustrated by the pace of the release. I really have never understood why Apple can't make more frequent incremental enhancements between major refreshes.
This may be my last Mac as I am getting older and, other than home recording of my guitars using Logic, I have modest needs. In the future I am sure I can manage everything from an iPad one day.
[doublepost=1476271000][/doublepost]

Welcome to Windows 10, even if you think it sucks.

No thanks. I'd rather have a root canal or a WeedEater vasectomy.

 

[trifid]

Water cooling isn't hard there are even kits that come with everything you need but it's not the only way to get silence and not really the best because it adds things that make noise. OTOH a custom loop will make the least noise if your HW is pushed to the edge. I like water I'll build water for people but it's not for me anymore since I no longer want to bench race and want silence.

I used to do water cooling too (3/8" > 1/2" ) but went back to air since overclocking is not a priority and air is near silent which I prefer.

 

[maflynn]

6 years ago I would not consider a pc laptop. Now I would not consider a Mac

Yep, that's what I did last month, I opted for a SurfaceBook and its been a great computer.

I'll probably have Mac envy once Apple does roll out their updated line, but my need was more immediate and I got a computer when I needed it.

 

[toke lahti]

Remember Job's IBM-speech?

Modern version of it:
"In June 2015, Intel announced Thunderbolt 3 with a USB Type-C connector.
In July 2015, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In August 2015, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In September 2015, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In October 2015, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In November 2015, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In December 2015, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In January 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In February 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In March 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In April 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In May 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In June 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In July 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In August 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.
In September 2016, Apple did not announce a device with Thunderbolt 3.

Also, DisplayPort version 1.3 was approved on 15 September 2014 and DisplayPort version 1.4 was published March 1, 2016. Still Apple does not have a product that compliances either of those.
In 2017 there will be no TB4 yet. So Apple is stuck with DP1.2."

 

[crsh1976]

I'm now convinced this drought is completely intentional, Apple is strategically betting on iPhones, iPads and Watch entirely, but I have a feeling this tactic is about to backfire; let's look at all the companies and product lines pushing IoT and lifestyle products, they're successful only in some capacity, but they are not replacing desktop/laptop computers for professional uses.

 

[maflynn]

I'm now convinced this drought is completely intentional, Apple is strategically betting on iPhones, iPads and Watch entirely,

that makes no sense at all, no company purposely decreases sales to better align the products. There's probably a bunch of different ways to strategically align products without being so drastic as letting a profitable product suddenly lose sales, because you may never get those customers back

 

[BruceEBonus]

Apple is piss poor now. They hired so many customer service agents that don't know anything and refuse to help people. The mac guiness bar is full of stupid people. They are there only to help friends and the managers too. Corrupted people now work for Apple. Microsoft should take this time to get their market back.

A Mac Guinness bar sounds like a great idea to attract those who enjoy a 'refreshing' experience - it will succeed if the drinks prices are good.

 

[maflynn]

A Mac Guinness bar sounds like a great idea to attract those who enjoy a 'refreshing' experience - it will succeed if the drinks prices are good.

I'd definitely visit an Apple store more often if I could get Guinness

 

[crsh1976]

I'd imagine Apple has ran evaluations internally and ultimately decided to skip certain intel chipset releases, due to insignificant incremental performance/efficiency, after weighing in the amount of engineering and testing involved.

Which would make sense in some way, but that would be forgetting one important detail: if Apple is going to charge us premium prices for Macs, they ought to give us the latest hardware, otherwise it leaves a bitter taste, as if we're getting ripped off.

 

[flyinmac]

I'll wait and I still wouldn't buy a Windows PC. I just have no interest in ditching macOS and I believe that, when released, the MBP and iMac will still be a great product. My iMac is 6 years old and, although getting long in the tooth, it's still functions fine. My 2011 MBA is still chugging along too.
I want a new Mac and I will wait for one. That doesn't mean I'm not frustrated by the pace of the release. I really have never understood why Apple can't make more frequent incremental enhancements between major refreshes.
This may be my last Mac as I am getting older and, other than home recording of my guitars using Logic, I have modest needs. In the future I am sure I can manage everything from an iPad one day.
[doublepost=1476271000][/doublepost]

No thanks. I'd rather have a root canal or a WeedEater vasectomy.

Regarding the weed eater vasectomy.... I'll offer to do the surgery for free.

I hope you don't mind, but my weed eater is a bit behind in technology. It's a little slower, it's hand operated, the blades slightly rusted and dull, and it's slower.

It will do the job, just gonna hurt a little.

 

[jimbobb24]

I agree with a previous poster - it's more of a psychological issue. I have the "top of the line" MPB 15 - and not once have I had ever thought geez I wish this thing were faster.

Besides games, what's taxing these machines? The current line is more then adequate for 90% of current use cases. Same goes for the other platforms.

I think it's a case of wanting the new every year...vs actually needing the marginal improvements yr over yr.

Even car manufacturers can release a new product every year. New processors alone do not define a new computer.

 

[trifid]

This has been the state of Mac hardware since the beginning of recorded history.

There used to be a choice when it came to RAM, I think most sane and savvy mac users bought 3rd party RAM and skipped Apple's armed robbery, now Apple conveniently soldered RAM on the Mac mini. What little choice/flexibility there was before now it's significantly more burdensome. Couple that with Apple's product neglect, and the effects are far more intense.

 

[maflynn]

Even car manufacturers can release a new product every year. New processors alone do not define a new computer.

No, and I think that's what Apple will be saying basically, because the new MBPs will be on the soon to be replaced Skylake processors, so they need to roll out something more robust then a processor bump