it's not that difficult for them to use the MacBook form factor and make it a REAL laptop/computer - meaning PORTS and larger "infinity" screen - 13 and 15 inch.
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Mac Sales Continue to Slide Amid Lack of Updates
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Not saying it makes sense, but it sure feels like a bet - there's no reason or excuse to let most of their computers go without an update like this (save for the rMB and top-end 27-inch iMacs).
Without trying to kill Macs, Apple sure seems to be putting a lot more emphasis on iPads and lifestyle services, Macs aren't a priority.
No, just don't buy that suggestion, Apple makes too much money off of macs to purposely delay and hurt sales.
So what's the reason then, it's not like Apple cannot get the latest hardware components - they chose not to update Macs, or to at least delay said updates - but why?
I just sold my 5K iMac as I have no confidence in Apple's will or even ability to produce high end Mac hardware any more. The Mac Pro in particular is a joke, no pro would ever buy something so underpowered.
As if the dated hardware isn't bad enough, pros are also hit by Apple's hopeless OpenGL driver which cripples their already slow hardware, and with no Vulkan on the horizon things won't improve. Apple want to push Metal, but an API (which from what I've read is still a long way behind DX12 and Vulkan in terms of features and performance) locked to a single niche platform realistically stands no chance of widespread adoption.
I think its a two part reason, though those parts are related.
First Apple rolled the dice on skipping a generation, I'm surmising that people wouldn't notice if they didn't upgrade to the latest chipset. The second reason, is by not updating the Macs, they would be garnering even more profit, i.e., selling a premium computer that is no longer premium
Basically, Cook the bean counter was trying to squeeze as much profit out of the mac line as possible. That did work for a period of time, but as other competitors caught up to them, and surpassed Apple in both design and performance, consumers started buying those instead of Macs.
By ignoring the Mac Pro, they lost professional customers almost completely, because the Mac Pro is the only Mac where Apple allowed to install a decent GPU for professional use.
And, if you lose professional customers, who is going to buy Macs? Facebook users? Yes, but they found they don't need a Mac for pushing the "like" button, so Apple non-pro users moved to iOS.
Without high-end video, without high-end photo, without high-end 3D, the Mac is dead. Period. You ignore the professional user, you kill the Mac. As simple as that.
I admit my thinking is far more cynical than yours, but your hypothesis is sound! Either way, I think we really just all want Macs to get updated fast..
I can't claim ownership if it. I heard the concept of apple skipping a generation in a recent Mac break weekly podcast. So the idea of apple doing this seems to be embraced by some folks who write about apple professionally.
Plus I like to go with occam's razor and so the most obvious answer is typically the one.
I've got a late 2013 rMBP 2.3i7 16gb/ 512gb SSD. It scores 12400 on Geekbench.
Current 2.5i7 model scores 13250 on geekbench...less than a 7% improvement.
I can hit the limit of CPU power on mine using VST instruments and fx plugins in Cubase (or AUs in Logic). While it happens rarely, I'm up around 80-90% often.
But given Intels developments over the last 3 years, it really isn't worth upgrading. It may not even be worth it for the next Intel chip. As even then I'd probably be looking at something like a 15-20% improvement if I'm lucky.
What might get me to upgrade would be improved form factor (lighter and thinner), less squishy keyboard (more like my rMB) and screen with no bezel (compact and efficient)
If the new 13" rMBP has a quad core i7 in it then it would be an instant buy for me...ideally with a 14" screen by removing the bezel.
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The problem with Macs are not the lack of innovation but they are just built too damn well.
I have clients who have 2016 Windows machines that are already getting bulked down with rubbish and falling apart. My Haswell MacBook is performing like a day one machine. 16GB Ram helps but it has been through several Software updates and those ruin Windows devices. One of the biggest issues I have brought to me now are people who have updated to Windows 10 and features of their device are no longer functioning or supported.
Innovation is great but innovation for the sake of it without creating a sustainable balanced system will just leave you like Samsung.
I have clients who have 2016 Windows machines that are already getting bulked down with rubbish and falling apart. My Haswell MacBook is performing like a day one machine. 16GB Ram helps but it has been through several Software updates and those ruin Windows devices. One of the biggest issues I have brought to me now are people who have updated to Windows 10 and features of their device are no longer functioning or supported.
Innovation is great but innovation for the sake of it without creating a sustainable balanced system will just leave you like Samsung.
I've been using a 2015 12" MacBook since I sold my old 15" MBP in June. It was meant to be a temporary machine, but I've grown to like it so much I'm considering keeping it. Works great with my 4K monitor, Illustrator and casual use of SolidWorks. Why did I need a maxed out 15" again?
Hope Apple reads this so they'll launch the new Macs sooner.
Hope Apple reads this so they'll launch the new Macs sooner.
It really is starting to get shameful, and I say that as a huge Apple fan and stockholder. Almost 3 years on the Mac Pro, over 2 years on the Mini (assuming they don't release tomorrow), over 1.5 years on the MBA, almost 1.5 years on the MBP, over 1 year on the iMac. Even if you can make excuses for the Mac Pro and MBP not being updated until certain thresholds are reached with 4K, VR-capable graphics, or whatever, why the heck haven't they even spec-bumped the MBA and the Mini?? Those two models are super-popular for first-time Mac buyers, and I see the lack of updates to them as a huge missed opportunity.
Interesting articles from 2002-2004:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/b...odox-imac-to-bolster-its-once-popular-pc.html
https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-imac-takes-a-time-out/
I hate to say this, but Steve would have turned it around, can Tim?
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/b...odox-imac-to-bolster-its-once-popular-pc.html
https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-imac-takes-a-time-out/
I hate to say this, but Steve would have turned it around, can Tim?
My base model rev1 12" rMB is great too. Got it to travel for work. Now use it as my main machine so I don't have to carry around the 15" rMBP.
Runs Indesign no problems! Thinking to get a 4K monitor for it now too.
Remove the Apple logo and consider a well endowed technology company that has not updated it's flagship computer in about three years, its mini desktop in two years, and its standard notebook in well over a year. Would you go to that company for your computing needs?
Your post and the conclusions you draw/make beggars belief. What more can I say.
Apple doesn't have to. CCTV is doing it for them. A couple of months back I watched a "Man on the street" story with Chinese folks saying they buy "Apple or Chinese phone because Samsung phone lags". Apparently Samsung phones are manufactured in South Korea so they are a C.C.C.P. "enemy of the people".
I'm typing this on the same laptop, but I'm so ready to jump ship to a new rMBP once they come out. The one USB-C port is survivable, but having two would make life so much easier (much less four, if it is as rumored.) I also have a 4k monitor...but the 30hz limit is extremely annoying so I don't use my MB with it (I'm aware of the USB driver tweaks, but I'd rather have my usb 3 speeds and general stability.) Also I have lately been hitting the limits of a non-fan cooled CPU and when it gets throttled it gets slow (doing large xcode project builds.) Hopefully just a few more weeks.
Standard Apple tactic - don't discontinue the product - just leave it to rot until the alternative product you're selling is sufficiently competitive.
Hmm, I wonder if the alternate product is the Macbook or the iPad Pro?