MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Now Available for Purchase at Some Apple Retail Stores

[Kangastu]

Meanwhile in Australia: the mbp I preordered directly after the keynote only shipped yesterday and won't arrive until Tuesday of next week. First world problems I know just a little frustrated as all my previous early placed preorders have arrived on "launch day" (especially as preordering here meant getting up a 3am)

 

[Rookbird]

I believe Apple is not making huge profits on its MacBook Pro line (at least compared to the iPhone line and iPad line) and that they are trying to bolster their profits. One of the lessons that businesses seem to fail to grasp over and over again is just because you are not making huge profits on a product does not mean that the product is not essential to your business. Apple is starting to cut off their pro users. This will turn pro users away and with that they will start to lose business in not just their MacBook Pro and Mac Pro lines but that will bleed over into losses in their software business and other product and business lines. This will become a snowball effect which will eventually lead to Apple becoming irrelevant in the electronic/computer market place.

 

[noraa]

Honestly, I really hope these machine flops - Apple really needs a wake up call...desperately!

 

[lowkey]

I believe Apple is not making huge profits on its MacBook Pro line (at least compared to the iPhone line and iPad line) and that they are trying to bolster their profits. One of the lessons that businesses seem to fail to grasp over and over again is just because you are not making huge profits on a product does not mean that the product is not essential to your business. Apple is starting to cut off their pro users. This will turn pro users away and with that they will start to lose business in not just their MacBook Pro and Mac Pro lines but that will bleed over into losses in their software business and other product and business lines. This will become a snowball effect which will eventually lead to Apple becoming irrelevant in the electronic/computer market place.

Thats hilarious...but sweet. Giving free business advice to a company with a market capitalisation of $570 Billion. LOL

 

[Rookbird]

You're not describing yourself as a productivity person, but rather a consumption person. These MacBook "Pro" machines are targeting productivity tasks based on the future (where technology is going). Anybody can get along with any computer so long as the software being used doesn't matter. For me, I have a very sophisticated setup of web server, database servers, code editors, browsers, FTP apps and Terminal. Everything works so elegantly together as I switch from one app to the next, fully keyboard-based. The rest of my workmates run Windows and have a far less efficient setup, and they frequently have problems that requiring restarting apps or the entire computer. Could an *identical* setup be achieved on Windows? No. But can one get close? Yes, but at the end of the day, you'd have paid the same or more as a Mac setup, and you'd still be less efficient due to the apps not working together as well.
[doublepost=1479266657][/doublepost]

I only half agree with this. I don't think they've forgotten, but I think they have become addicted to saying "No" just a bit too much. They've gone too far to the conservative side, cutting features and not releasing stuff until it absolutely passes a certain set of standards. Unfortunately, they are also failing on that front. I do think that Tim Cook is not as "in touch" with the pulse of Apple's customers as he needs to be. He's driving Apple in two areas — mass adoption by consumers on the iOS side of things, and mass adoption of computers by corporations (IBM, etc.). A focus on the needs of the individual professional seems to be pushed aside.

I agree that they are trying to push mass adaption. The problem is that when you try and make a product for everyone then you tend to make a product that is perfect for no one.

 

[lowkey]

He's not broke, he's not buying one.
[doublepost=1479259526][/doublepost]"Apple has been abandoning the professional market and for engineers and designers, the Z2 Mini is superior to the Mac Mini, said Jeff Wood, vice president of HP’s workstation business, during a briefing.

The idea that Apple is stepping away from the professional market was highlighted during the recent release of the MacBook Pro, which has innovative features like the Touch Bar. But it attracted criticism for using old Intel Skylake chips, and was widely considered more of a consumer than a business PC.

Apple also hasn’t upgraded its Mac Pro desktop since 2013, and workstations with Windows are filling that void. The new Windows workstations have superior processors, GPUs, memory and SSD storage.

The Z2 Mini is targeted at engineers and architects using applications like Autodesk or Solidworks. However, it isn’t meant for use with VR headsets like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, an HP spokesperson said. Nvidia’s Quadro M620 GPU isn’t designed for VR, and headsets typically need full-powered desktops like the Z840 with cutting-edge GPUs."

Even InfoWorld agrees that Apple has abandoned the pro market.

"The HP computer is superior to the Apple Computer" says HP Vice President. Wow, who would have thought?

 

[alphaod]

I really want one, but I can't get over the lack of an SD card slot and the fact that I have to buy new cables for everything...

Though if I see it in store, likely I'd go home with one.

 

[Rookbird]

Thats hilarious...but sweet. Giving free business advice to a company with a market capitalisation of $570 Billion. LOL

I've seen companies do it over and over again. Sure they have $570 Billion market capitalization but that was built under Steve Jobs. How is that market capitalization going to look after 20 years under Tim Cook?

 

[Candlelight]

They went on display at 1pm today at a local store in New Zealand.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Why not a big sack of whine... Seems to be all the rage around here...

And deservedly so, I must add. I'm sure most here will agree.

Anyone "asking", is just throlling, like most of the people constantly playing the tiny violin around here.

You know what your buying, and Apple's stuff has always been at the high end, in fact in the past
it has been proportionally much more expensive than now.
If someone can't afford the $200-300 extra, that person is certainly not buying this thing for work
that needs a bit of processing power or the highest quality build or attention to details,
and should probably buy something else.

If you mean compared to PC's, that's because after the recession, PC demand tanked. Prices rose and have stayed there since. So, yes, compared to a dirt cheap PC of the mid-2000's, current-day Mac hardware IS proportionally less expensive. It still doesn't make it any better of a value. Why not pick up a couple of those lovely Apple books going on sale today, too? I mean, you must have that $200-300 extra, right?
[doublepost=1479268837][/doublepost]

They went on display at 1pm today at a local store in New Zealand.

Wait? Today in NZ is tomorrow in the US. It's weird to hear things happening tomorrow in the past tense.

 

[melendezest]

To those bemoaning this new MBP:

Welcome to 2013 and your "new Mac Pro". "Can't innovate anymore, my ass!!"

Now you know what it feels like.

Sorry guys, but Apple found a younger mate and is filing for divorce.

She's forgotten your history and everything you've built together. Time to let her go.

Love and happiness is right around the corner, if you just move on and decide to look around.

Or you can stick around and keep prolonging the break up, until she cheats on you again and takes something else away you will miss.

Some here are the "for better or for worse" types, but I refuse to be that guy any longer. Time to find me a younger model.

 

[jotwee]

I can get ripped off in person now!

Sounds like that's what you like
[doublepost=1479269139][/doublepost]

Nicholas is so cool and capable.

/s

You definitely aren't

 

[Thebeat07]

Any available in Canada yet? Specifically Toronto.

 

[twa440]

You're not describing yourself as a productivity person, but rather a consumption person. These MacBook "Pro" machines are targeting productivity tasks based on the future (where technology is going). Anybody can get along with any computer so long as the software being used doesn't matter. For me, I have a very sophisticated setup of web server, database servers, code editors, browsers, FTP apps and Terminal. Everything works so elegantly together as I switch from one app to the next, fully keyboard-based. The rest of my workmates run Windows and have a far less efficient setup, and they frequently have problems that requiring restarting apps or the entire computer. Could an *identical* setup be achieved on Windows? No. But can one get close? Yes, but at the end of the day, you'd have paid the same or more as a Mac setup, and you'd still be less efficient due to the apps not working together as well.
[doublepost=1479266657][/doublepost]

I only half agree with this. I don't think they've forgotten, but I think they have become addicted to saying "No" just a bit too much. They've gone too far to the conservative side, cutting features and not releasing stuff until it absolutely passes a certain set of standards. Unfortunately, they are also failing on that front. I do think that Tim Cook is not as "in touch" with the pulse of Apple's customers as he needs to be. He's driving Apple in two areas — mass adoption by consumers on the iOS side of things, and mass adoption of computers by corporations (IBM, etc.). A focus on the needs of the individual professional seems to be pushed aside.

Jony Ive goes from savior to nemesis.

 

[Orien]

Yep, just bought a 13 Touch Bar in Emeryville a few hours ago.

 

[Tech198]

Available here at Australian Apple's online store, but 4 to 5 weeks shipping both 256Gig and 512Gig models.

I wish in store pickup was allowed, they have every right as much as as online order's, but i guess its because of limited stock...

Perhaps if we get down on our knees and grovel at the mercy of Apple about needing one now, they would say "oh, all right

 

[HailstormX]

Cant wait to see one in person. Does any one know if thunderbolt to firewire will work on the new ones? I know it will be dongle city lol but I'm hoping it will work. Lots of audio equipment still uses firewire 800.

 

[Jwamin]

Chatted with Apple online sales support today at about 1 pm. They did a stock check on Apple W14 NYC, told me they had the model I wanted.

Got the subway down.

Asked an assistant when I walked in; told them apple support had told me there was touch bar stock in store. They seemed quite amazed to see I was right when they checked themselves. There were no display models.

Walked out with the top spec (pre spec'd) 13" Touch bar model. (And, yes, a 9$ USB-C to USB-A adaptor)

 

[ayokkay]

U sound mad must be to broke and can't afford it

Right... there is no way he could just mean, he does not want to get ripped off right?

 

[AZ63]

Jony Ive goes from savior to nemesis.

I liked it and I echo it.

 

[fnmoto]

Talked to Apple Store employee at Omaha NE store. The touchbar MacBook pros are not on display but are available for purchase in the back if you ask.

 

[Keirasplace]

I don't think that's a reasonable argument.

The idea that actual customers (by which I mean existing mac users looking to buy a new MBP) might need to check the new machines would work in a similar fashion to their old machines doesn't seem that fanciful to me.

It isn't really just about the money. It's also about carrying adapters to places just in case you might need them, or thinking you don't but then finding you did... it's added hassle and friction for the user.

It's being given a USB flash drive at work and not being to access it immediately. Or needing to hook up a projector but forgetting the HDMI adapter.

Are those impossible scenarios that only a troll would suggest to waste an Apple Store staff member's time? Is that what you're saying?

I'm talking that actual people, not straw man people, who buy these things know what to expect and won't
ask stupid questions. That's how retail works these days, most people already know what they want and have
researched things before getting to the store. Because you know this little thing called the internet exists; we're not in 1995 anymore.

My own background is real world, 30+ years of actual computer engineering and management work on Apple, HP, IBM, SUN, SGI, DEC, etc top of the line tech.

Carrying things that were heavier than bricks and getting actual million dollar work done on things that cost a real fortune and had the compute power of a what is now a $5 calculator. Despite those equipment costing a bundle in todays dollars, they were still profitable to buy. Current prices for hardware are so absurdly low they barely figure anymore in my budget (that wasn't the case in the 1980s).

I'm kinda tired ridiculous whining by people who say they're "pro"
when they're only actually very "pro" at trash talking.

When I hear some people saying they can't get web work done with 16GB of memory, I laugh in their god damn face.
Get another job guys, you really suck at the one you have now!

 

[Larry The L]

But who wants one, that's the question...

Good one. ROTFLM*O

 

[narkeeta]

Yea that's why I think Apple is slowly going to die away. They have forgotten who their real customer base is. Seems to me that they are heading in the same direction they did when they fired Steve Jobs back in the day. They are going to need a smart CEO that really knows what's going on and are creative enough to drive Apple back into true innovation while not losing their customers.

People upset about this not being a real pro are completely out of their mind. Apple has never had the customer base of gamers? which I guess can be considered pro. And the 15 macbook is more than capable of handling any other 'pro' accepts some niche video editor which probably use a desktop situation. The macbook pro 13in isn't meant for power users and is perfect for the more simple pro users like business people and writers. People just like to complain, it's your loss if you can't be unbiased.

Also for those griping about the lack of macPro, wait a few month and in spring they will probably release an updated model with quad core kaby lake which (if you know anything) aren't available yet. I swear people don't know what they say before they say it these days.

 

[CarlJ]

I don't think they sound mad. You made an assumption, so you must wear striped pants and ceaselessly blink the Morse code for "waffle iron".

That's terribly insensitive to those of us who wear striped pants and blink Morse code! And we don't all blink "waffle iron" thank you very much.