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Many Apple Stores Not Carrying Retina MacBook Stock on Launch Day

HobeSoundDarryl said:
Wow. Was that sarcasm? "so much movement" in MBA keys and "so much space between them"? Why not just write "this thing is useless because it's not gold in color" and "it must have USB3-c" and "it's crap without butterfly mechanisms underneath the keys" and "the fan noise is deafening me"?

Where were these kinds of gripes about the Air BEFORE there was a rMB? Step back a few months and post such things and you'd get slaughtered here. But now there's "so much space between keys" and "too much movement", etc. Oh and it's suddenly tough "fumbling around" with iPhones and hard to "pull them out of pockets" too. :rolleyes:

I get product enthusiasm. I get new product excitement. But this one is new to me. Suddenly our existing Apple products have these big flaws so that these alternative Apple products can make more sense. How did this happen? We used to pump up new Apple product enthusiasm by being able to fault non-Apple competitor products... or at least old (model) Apple products not for sale now right beside these new things.
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Did you read my post? I don't think I was overly enthusiastic about the product. Also have you tried the new keyboard in person?

It's called progression over time. Yeah you are fine with it when it comes out but once you try the new and improved version, the faults of the first version are much more noticeable.

But honestly I think when you try it you will understand what I'm saying. The keyboard on the macbook air is old. Mine is 2011 and I don't think they've updated it since. And I would imagine it hadn't been updated for 2+ years prior to that... and when it was I doubt it was as big of an improvement as this one. So yeah its a big improvement and saying that its so much better than an air keyboard is saying its better than an 6 year old keyboard. So to be honest, you better hope this new one makes that 6 year old one feel old.
 
epirali said:
But there is nothing that can deliver all the things (small and light) with retina display for less as you say. The MacBook 13 rMBP is closest, but it doesn't fit.
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Right, "retina" is a detail I left out, so let me modify:

"I want a thinnest & lightest, new Apple laptop design with retina, that runs OS X, and I don't care about price, ports or power."

If one can come off any of those demands, other alternatives from Apple seem better fit:

"price": any of the other options

"power": up to any of the other options, depending on how you define computer power

"thinnest & lightest": Air (at only a little thicker & heavier) at lower price or rMBP for max everything at the same or lower price

"laptop design with retina": up to any of the other options- iPad or iPad + Keyboard or rMBP if retina is a must, and Air if not

"that can run OS X": iPad or iPad with keyboard at a much lower price, even thinner & lighter

One has to get very specific or very narrowly locked in on those particular features to fully rationalize this one vs. the other options since all of the other options are the same price or less to much less. Give a little on any of those very specific features and Apple alternatives gain steam (and save money and may bring (more of) the other benefits referenced in this list).

For example, "I can't go with an iPad for my "light computing" because I need more power... so I need OS X". OK, but what in your "light computing" needs that added power? And as you move up in power that really does require OS X, the much more power available in the Air at a lower cost gains steam. Or rMBP delivers max OS X power with a retina screen.

I'm not putting it down, just writing that it takes a very narrow set of wants or needs to go together to fully rationalize it at the highest price among all of the other Apple alternatives. Bend a little on 1 or more of those wants and save a lot (and probably get a more powerful & versatile Apple machine too). Apple gets a sale either way so there's nothing here against Apple.

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Talbot said:
Did you read my post? I don't think I was overly enthusiastic about the product. Also have you tried the new keyboard in person?

It's called progression over time. Yeah you are fine with it when it comes out but once you try the new and improved version, the faults of the first version are much more noticeable.

But honestly I think when you try it you will understand what I'm saying. The keyboard on the macbook air is old. Mine is 2011 and I don't think they've updated it since. And I would imagine it hadn't been updated for 2+ years prior to that... and when it was I doubt it was as big of an improvement as this one. So yeah its a big improvement and saying that its so much better than an air keyboard is saying its better than an 6 year old keyboard. So to be honest, you better hope this new one makes that 6 year old one feel old.
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I'll concede it may feel superior. Most everyone else I've seen offer anything about feel is using the phrase "it will take some getting used to" at best to appearing to lean to the negative on it. But the point wasn't about whether it is superior or inferior (that's very much an eye, er fingers of the beholder)- just how I notice (and certainly not just with your post)- how there's suddenly these flaws with Apple products that just happen to be addressed by these new Apple products (what ideal timing for Apple to release these things right as these flaws begin to be noticed). As I mentioned, hop back before there was a rMB or Watch and post about the Air keyboard feeling "like a piece of crap" or those posting about having to "fumble around" with their "cumbersome" iPhone and/or the difficulty in having to pull it out of our pockets, and see what you get.

One of the recurring punches flying around about both new products is "solution in search of a problem". But apparently, that's no issue. We appear to be making up problems (with Apple hardware) to help the solution make more sense... or perhaps we're genuinely awakening to the superiority of the new stuff coincidentally right when Apple happens to have brought some innovative solutions to market. Apple is dazzling that way.
 
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nj-mac-user said:
That's what the return policy is for. You don't like it you can simply return it.
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That's ridiculous. Spend £1300 on a MacBook I haven't even seen. No, they should have simply waited a few days to allow for display models in the store before starting online sales.
 
newellj said:
Going back and forth on v1 vs v2 myself. I would have bought one yesterday if I could have walked into a store and done it. I'll wait two weeks until they get them in stock locally before buying - unless something changes my mind before then.
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Same here. As my MBP hasn't worked for a year after the battery expanded, still trying to get hold of a replacement, the temptation to replace it now is strong.
 
NewbieCanada said:
Any impression (you or anyone else) how warm the bottom gets? One of the things I like about the MBA is how cool it stays under ordinary circumstances with the fan at the lowest, nearly silent setting. No fan but weaker processor - I'm wondering how it will pan out.
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It was warm, though not uncomfortably hot, after about five or ten minutes. I've read that it can get quite toasty when pushed.

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Talbot said:
But honestly I think when you try it you will understand what I'm saying. The keyboard on the macbook air is old. Mine is 2011 and I don't think they've updated it since. And I would imagine it hadn't been updated for 2+ years prior to that... and when it was I doubt it was as big of an improvement as this one. So yeah its a big improvement and saying that its so much better than an air keyboard is saying its better than an 6 year old keyboard. So to be honest, you better hope this new one makes that 6 year old one feel old.
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I also have a 2011 MBA. The keyboard is OK, though as an old-schooler I prefer keys with more travel. The rMB keyboard would take some getting used to for me. I didn't use it long enough to tell if the new key mechanism makes a difference.
 
Shaun said:
That's ridiculous. Spend £1300 on a MacBook I haven't even seen. No, they should have simply waited a few days to allow for display models in the store before starting online sales.
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Then wait a little longer and buy one in the store. I think the most profitable company on earth knows a little more about how to run a business then you do.
 
Reason077 said:
Apple doesn't want anything taking the spotlight off the watch.
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Precisely!

Nothing in recent times has been as important to Apple as it's watch. One consequence of all the bragging and hyping of new products as Apple loves doing is at some point they must deliver. Not since the iPhone have they had something as different.

I still maintain that it won't be till the watches are on the arms of the buyers in day to day use, that we know how Apple's version of the smartwatch will be accepted. No matter how special any product is, you must have good public acceptance.
 
dexterbell said:
All MacBooks are now 4-6 weeks for shipping. Still not clear when they will be in stores.
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Yep, they quickly went to 3-4 weeks around the world, while stocks in the US store lasted a bit longer (and China too, though not for as long). The gold sold out first, then space grey, then silver.

Now, it's 4-6 weeks around the world on all models. My suspicion is, they sold a LOT.
 
Kiwi 99 said:
Yep, they quickly went to 3-4 weeks around the world, while stocks in the US store lasted a bit longer (and China too, though not for as long). The gold sold out first, then space grey, then silver.

Now, it's 4-6 weeks around the world on all models. My suspicion is, they sold a LOT.
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I don't think they sold a lot in terms of comparisons to iPhones and ipads. The price alone makes me believe that.

Almost everyone these days gets there phone on a contract, I haven't paid for a phone outright in ages.

In Australia the macbook is 1800 dollars for the base.... and there weren't any in the stores to try it out, yet delivery is 4 weeks now. Unless people are willing to buy something they have never used before and don't know if its going to be any good...I find it hard the majority of people who be that silly.

Again you also can't compare the buying methods of iPhones and iPad to the mac book buying methods.

All new iPhones and iPad ARE going to be better than the previous generation. This macbook doesn't have any previous..you dont know how the performance is going to be, the battery life, the keyboard is a huge think you would have to try before buying.... my guess is they never really intended to manufacture heaps at the start, me things this machine was built for skylake and wasn't intended to be sold without it, if it wasn't for the fact Intel has had huge delays.
 
Robstevo said:
I don't think they sold a lot in terms of comparisons to iPhones and ipads. The price alone makes me believe that.

..you dont know how the performance is going to be, the battery life, the keyboard is a huge think you would have to try before buying.... my guess is they never really intended to manufacture heaps at the start, me things this machine was built for skylake and wasn't intended to be sold without it, if it wasn't for the fact Intel has had huge delays.
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I've ordered one. I knew the performance and battery life already from the reviews (it's not a macbook pro!), and I already know I'll love the keyboard. (For me, the less travel the better)

And re Skylake, maybe that's the case, but they've used what's to hand, and they've made it fanless - which is a big plus to lot of people.

As for sales numbers, I wonder if we will ever know :)
 
No MacBook's at Glasgow, Braehead

Just a bare table ready for the MacBook and apologetic staff saying they delivery didn't arrive on Friday. Wouldn't mind but made a detour so after spending about 45 minutes finding a parking spot and braving the Saturday shoppers nothing to see.

That is apart from a display of the grotty Apple Watche which look more like Seiko digital watches from the 1970's which have long since disappeared to be replaced by guess what...analogue watches. Isn't that strange.
 
SlipSlidinAwa said:
Just a bare table ready for the MacBook and apologetic staff saying they delivery didn't arrive on Friday. Wouldn't mind but made a detour so after spending about 45 minutes finding a parking spot and braving the Saturday shoppers nothing to see.
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you at least got a frappuccino, right?
 
Shipping times will reduce,,, they always seem to do.....

Its kind of fun to image people buying their first Mac, iPhone, or iPad/tablet online only then complain on social network sites they don't get it quick enough..

Kind like standing in crap, then saying "oh..i just stood in crap"
 
dexterbell said:
Then wait a little longer and buy one in the store. I think the most profitable company on earth knows a little more about how to run a business then you do.
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Clearly not or they would have had display models in the store on the 10th. That was the whole point of launching it at the same time as the Watch, so people would go in to the stores to see the Watch and notice the new MacBook at the same time and presumably like it so much they would buy/order one.

If they can't manage to get them in the store when I want to buy it then I'll just not bother buying it. That's £1300 saved. I'm an impulse buyer with the money to buy whatever I want. Once the impulse has gone the desire goes with it. So another lost sale.

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anthony11 said:
I still don't get the product placement of the thing. The MBA is more capable and already ludicrously thin.
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Doesn't have the retina screen. Once you've used the retina it's hard to go back. The difference is so noticeable. I already have a MBP but I thought the new MB would be handy for when I'm out for the day and need to check my emails in the local coffee shop.
 
Shaun said:
Doesn't have the retina screen. Once you've used the retina it's hard to go back. The difference is so noticeable. I already have a MBP but I thought the new MB would be handy for when I'm out for the day and need to check my emails in the local coffee shop.
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The MBA with a retina display is exactly what I want - the sweet spot between the current rMB and the MBP. I think that Apple will offer retina screens and Force Touch trackpads in all their laptops in a year or so. But I don't know if the current three lines - rMB, MBA, and MBP - will drop to two (MB and MBP), which would be similar to what they've done with desktops.

For now, the rMB is a good, if expensive, choice for someone who wants a very lightweight device with a keyboard and trackpad that lets them use certain non-demanding desktop apps with the OS X file system.
 
Shaun said:
That's ridiculous. Spend £1300 on a MacBook I haven't even seen. No, they should have simply waited a few days to allow for display models in the store before starting online sales.
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If that's a lot of money then I guess I can understand that logic, but you'd be receiving it all back via a refund. I myself wouldn't drive all the way to a store to try it unless I was planning to buy it in-store if I liked it. Some Apple Stores aren't exactly close to everyone.
 
Shaun said:
Clearly not or they would have had display models in the store on the 10th. That was the whole point of launching it at the same time as the Watch, so people would go in to the stores to see the Watch and notice the new MacBook at the same time and presumably like it so much they would buy/order one.
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They had them on display in US stores and they sold so many, all 6 models slipped to 4-6 weeks or longer within the first day of sales. I think they are doing just fine.
 
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