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Many Apple Stores Not Carrying Retina MacBook Stock on Launch Day
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So I woke up this morning thinking I was going to buy one in store and be fine. I hadn't heard the news that it wasn't in stock in stores. But before leaving I read an article saying that some stores had it. So I was like okay, apparently the 3rd St Apple Store in Santa Monica is the highest grossing store in the country (I have a friend who works there and that's my source), and so I was thinking "I well if any store should have it it should be that one". Nope.
They had display models. It was alright. I ordered one there. The employees honestly were just stupid. I've applied to work at the apple store at one point. Didn't make it. I was shocked at how uninformed these employees were. It wasn't things like stock or availability... At one point a customer wanted to know what the charge looked like. None of them had any clue. They were also honestly sort of ******** on the rMB. Saying they didn't see the point of it.
Anyway I'm just sharing my shocking experience today. I said shocking because I thought it was A) going to be in stock and B) employees would be excited about it.
I will say I played with it and I'm not sold. I think its because I was upset about generally not being able to take it home... but it did seem "too small". But then I went to the 13" rMBP and was like "******* this". I'm typing this right now on a MBA and all I can say is the keyboard feels like a piece of crap. The keys have so much movement other than clicking them in. And there is so much space between them that feels wasted.
So yeah. That's my experience. Rant over.
They had display models. It was alright. I ordered one there. The employees honestly were just stupid. I've applied to work at the apple store at one point. Didn't make it. I was shocked at how uninformed these employees were. It wasn't things like stock or availability... At one point a customer wanted to know what the charge looked like. None of them had any clue. They were also honestly sort of ******** on the rMB. Saying they didn't see the point of it.
Anyway I'm just sharing my shocking experience today. I said shocking because I thought it was A) going to be in stock and B) employees would be excited about it.
I will say I played with it and I'm not sold. I think its because I was upset about generally not being able to take it home... but it did seem "too small". But then I went to the 13" rMBP and was like "******* this". I'm typing this right now on a MBA and all I can say is the keyboard feels like a piece of crap. The keys have so much movement other than clicking them in. And there is so much space between them that feels wasted.
So yeah. That's my experience. Rant over.
It's not Apple's fault that you waited a year. There were other models available that would've suited your needs. If not, then maybe a PC would have.
Yes, Apple does play with words in regards to shipping on, available on, pre-order on, etc. So does my company, and 10000 other companies.
Apple can't control manufacturing anymore than Samsung, Dewalt, or Honda can. **** happens and things get delayed.
The reason why US made products happen quicker, is not because its made in the US to be sold in the US, its because we have engineers in the factories watching the first few, few hundred, few thousand being made. Those engineers find the faults quickly and get a fix out. I worked in a few US plants and saw first hand how fast things can turn around, something that doesn't happen in China. Why? Because a sample has to be shipped here, then looked at, then fixed in CAD or whatever, and sent back to China. Very rarely do US companies send engineers over. It defeats a lot of the savings.
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There is nothing like this new Macbook... It's The Future!
I just tried the new MacBook at the local Apple Store. There is nothing like it in this category of weight and compact size, and key to me it doesnt need to run Windows. Yes, Windows is getting better, but its not OSX. And the Surface 3 is limited to 4GRAM and 128G.
(I do understand the Surface 3 will accept a micro SD card.)
The new MacBook is not underpowered compared to my 2 1/2 year old MB Air. It seems faster.
Probably because of faster DRAM and better graphics.
Retina display, Keyboard, and Force Touch are great.
I understand the next model will be even better, but I need a lighter and more compact non-windows laptop now.
I ordered one for 3 week delivery. Cant wait until it arrives.
And Im not concerned about the dongle required.
This "laptop of the future" approach will change the world!
Thank You Apple for pushing the envelop again!
I just tried the new MacBook at the local Apple Store. There is nothing like it in this category of weight and compact size, and key to me it doesnt need to run Windows. Yes, Windows is getting better, but its not OSX. And the Surface 3 is limited to 4GRAM and 128G.
(I do understand the Surface 3 will accept a micro SD card.)
The new MacBook is not underpowered compared to my 2 1/2 year old MB Air. It seems faster.
Probably because of faster DRAM and better graphics.
Retina display, Keyboard, and Force Touch are great.
I understand the next model will be even better, but I need a lighter and more compact non-windows laptop now.
I ordered one for 3 week delivery. Cant wait until it arrives.
And Im not concerned about the dongle required.
This "laptop of the future" approach will change the world!
Thank You Apple for pushing the envelop again!
Well there aren't many other options right now. I have an air. Don't want a pro because even though its portable, I don't need the power. Don't want the current air because I like new design to come with a purchase.
So I ordered the 1.1 GHz. They have a return policy of two weeks. I have a feeling it will grow on me. It isn't really an "obvious" choice but I need to get a new laptop because my air only has 3 hours of battery.
Preparing for shipment
I ordered a gold 512gb rMB at around 3:12AM last night with 2-3 day shipping option.
Went to preparing for shipment around noon EST today
Still there 14 hours later, suspense is palpable!
I went to the Apple Store in Atlantic City this afternoon , they had six demos in all colors. None in stock until April 24.
When I purchased last night at I was thinking it was a bit risky without seeing the machine or trying the ForceTouch. Must say from what I saw today at the Apple Store, this is the sleekest Mac ever made. The gold looks professional, like an old HP desk calculator or the like. The ForceTouch didn't take more than 10 seconds for me to get used to.
It won't replace my 15" MBP for the most compute intensive work, but for 80-90% of my day, I think this new machine will be an upgrade..
I ordered a gold 512gb rMB at around 3:12AM last night with 2-3 day shipping option.
Went to preparing for shipment around noon EST today
Still there 14 hours later, suspense is palpable!
I went to the Apple Store in Atlantic City this afternoon , they had six demos in all colors. None in stock until April 24.
When I purchased last night at I was thinking it was a bit risky without seeing the machine or trying the ForceTouch. Must say from what I saw today at the Apple Store, this is the sleekest Mac ever made. The gold looks professional, like an old HP desk calculator or the like. The ForceTouch didn't take more than 10 seconds for me to get used to.
It won't replace my 15" MBP for the most compute intensive work, but for 80-90% of my day, I think this new machine will be an upgrade..
I saw it with my own eyes at the local Apple Store.
I agree 100% with your assessment.
You ordered early. I ordered later, so mine will be shipped in about 3 weeks.
Looking forward to receiving this sleek, compact, light, and professional looking MacBook. The World of Macs Will Never Be The Same!
Los Angeles, Century City had displays
I was shocked by how thin and lightweight it is, definitely much lighter than any iPad with a (stupid) keyboard case.
Amazing. Makes the old Air look quite big in comparison. The screen is gorgeous. Once you go Retina, you never go back. Glad they got rid of that plastic silver bezel too.
USB-C is definitely the future of where all cables and ports is going. There will be plenty of new cables with all varieties of USB ends to plug in existing things into the new Usb-C. Monoprice.com and Belkin have already announced them. Of course it will take 3-5 years for the standard to take hold. Imagine that your iPad and iPhone will move to this instead of the lightning port. It will allow 4K output directly to a TV or monitor.
I was shocked by how thin and lightweight it is, definitely much lighter than any iPad with a (stupid) keyboard case.
Amazing. Makes the old Air look quite big in comparison. The screen is gorgeous. Once you go Retina, you never go back. Glad they got rid of that plastic silver bezel too.
USB-C is definitely the future of where all cables and ports is going. There will be plenty of new cables with all varieties of USB ends to plug in existing things into the new Usb-C. Monoprice.com and Belkin have already announced them. Of course it will take 3-5 years for the standard to take hold. Imagine that your iPad and iPhone will move to this instead of the lightning port. It will allow 4K output directly to a TV or monitor.
To be fair, my MacBook order originally said it would arrive between April 20-22. I just got the tracking number and it will arrive on April 16. Apple tends to give conservative shipping estimates.
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Perhaps for the same reason other retailers are emphasizing online sales. It is more efficient and it avoids the issue of having to stock all the stores with so many different configurations.
My guess is that there are additional changes coming to the stores that haven't yet been announced. The stores may shift toward being product showcases and places for customer service and support rather than primary places for sale. They'll still sell products and stock popular configurations but won't be launch pads for high-demand releases.
MBP are by far the best laptops in my view, but I've always regretted getting the 17" version as it kind of defeated the point of a portable machine. As far as I'm concerned when I replace it, it will be with a much smaller machine. I'm wary of the MB because it's in version 1.0 at the moment like the watch so if I can I will try to resist until version 2.0 rolls around.
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.
Sounds like Tim Cook's hired himself a John Browett mkII.
What kind of idiot thinks, 'you know what apple does well that every other company in the world would kill for?......launch days.........the hype....the publicity......the sales................lets get rid of them'......cue record needle scratch sound.
What kind of idiot thinks, 'you know what apple does well that every other company in the world would kill for?......launch days.........the hype....the publicity......the sales................lets get rid of them'......cue record needle scratch sound.
Could not agree anymore!
By far the best marketing campaign Apple has ever had, is the long lines & hype for launch day products. You even have the news crew with their cameras showing how excited people and interviewing those who just got their new digital toy. That type of enthusiasm for a new product is 100% pure. Its not scripted, its not faked, its not portrayed. People come running back to the office, home, etc showing everyone their new device.. and the curiosity & interest spreads like fire from there!
Even my 68 year old Mom called me yesterday to ask did I get the Apple watch from the store yesterday. Why they would want to kill that kinda hype and word-of-mouth-PR is beyond me. Its not like the customers are complaining, if anything its the competition (aka Samsung) that is jealous of the launch day hype and the ones responsible for mocking the customers who stand in line for launch day Apple products.
I used a rMB at the Apple Store yesterday and was impressed by how light it was. Performance - to the extent that I was able to test it - was also better than I expected. I launched every installed app and played several movies; I didn't notice any UI lag, and never heard a fan start up. (Yes, I know it doesn't have one.)
The Force Touch trackpad is great, and I'm sure that I could get used to the keyboard. I'm also not too concerned about the single port, since I rarely need anything but a power cable. But, despite the seemingly adequate performance during my brief experience, I still wonder if the Core M and 5300 Intel Graphics will cut it in the long run. I may end up going with a rMBP instead.
The Force Touch trackpad is great, and I'm sure that I could get used to the keyboard. I'm also not too concerned about the single port, since I rarely need anything but a power cable. But, despite the seemingly adequate performance during my brief experience, I still wonder if the Core M and 5300 Intel Graphics will cut it in the long run. I may end up going with a rMBP instead.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
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.
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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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
"any"? I took a quick look around and couldn't find any "stupid" cases that, when paired with an iPad would weigh more than this rMB. I'm sure there's some but generally, I see iPad Air + keyboard cases = about .25lbs LESS WEIGHT or better.
Don't want to rain on your parade though. Enjoy your rMB. But if "thinner & lighter" is the main thing for someone, iPad or iPad + keyboard cover will generally win that battle and for about half the price. This thing fits the guy who can say something like this: "I want a thinnest & lightest, new Apple laptop design that can run OS X... and I don't care about price, ports or power." Otherwise, all the other Apple-made alternatives can deliver more for less cost.
This is not quite correct. I like my iPad, but it can not replace what I do with my MacBook Air 11 (and vice versa). I can read one handed on iPad, yet I really don't want to do anything other than a quick note or check a couple of e-mails on an iPad (even with a keyboard, the functions are too limited).
I am very torn between the MacBook Air 11 and rMB. Honestly the loss of MagSafe and thunderbolt ALMOST kills the rMB for me. All I wanted (like a lot of people) is a better/bigger/higher res screen on the MBA. But instead what I got was a thinner (meh), somewhat less power (I can live with it) device with a MUCH better screen and loss of two things I really wanted.
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.
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.