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My theory on why Apple released the Macbook
- Thread starter Zen Desk Pro
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Sounds good thanks for the input!
Back to the thread topic. My bad Ill be more careful just got too excited lol
I find it kind of funny how people in this thread that don't own the rMB seem to know everything about it while those who own one just enjoy it, me included. Actually, it will replace my rMBP 2012. I'm a software developer an ran my typical tasks side by side on the rMBP and the rMB. Besides some very heavy jobs that I run maybe every two weeks (and where the rMB is about 10% slower) everything else is just as snappy as on the rMBP. As many said before, synthetical benchmarks tell you nothing.
My theory on why Apple released the rMB: Because I've been waiting for such a beautiful device for ages
My theory on why Apple released the rMB: Because I've been waiting for such a beautiful device for ages
I find it kind of funny how people in this thread that don't own the rMB seem to know everything about it while those who own one just enjoy it, me included. Actually, it will replace my rMBP 2012. I'm a software developer an ran my typical tasks side by side on the rMBP and the rMB. Besides some very heavy jobs that I run maybe every two weeks (and where the rMB is about 10% slower) everything else is just as snappy as on the rMBP. As many said before, synthetical benchmarks tell you nothing.
My theory on why Apple released the rMB: Because I've been waiting for such a beautiful device for ages
So you're saying you do software developing on the new rMB and have absolutely no problems with that at all?
Like consistently?
And you think it'll work that snappy and efficiently in say a year or two from now?
Yes, I develop software on the rMB (1.3 / 500). No problems at all; as I said, typical tasks like writing code (which is not very taxing) or testing - running a postgres database, a web server, my (very big) app and chrome - is about the same speed as on the rMBP. But I get much better battery life and portability, and of course a better (albeit smaller) screen. I run 1440x900 resolution on my rMBP and the same resolution on the rMB. Everything is smaller of course, but not as much as I was expecting. And with El Capitain Beta it even runs faster and smoother
When at my office I connect it to a Dell U2715H with the Multiport AV Adapter through that single USB-C port and everything (charger, screen, keyboard, Mouse, external disks...) is connected - sweet.
Haha proof that Apple design by itself really sells the product. Luckily for all of us, the software and hardware marriage actually works and pays of big time. "Regular day-to-day personal life computer" is a pretty good way to put it. It does everything I need and want, so why not get the one that comes in the best package? (...and in gold, lol.)
The Watch launch was a curious one, and did receive mixed opinion. Once I got mine (I was in the 4-6 week club) I was very happy. Just got my mother one for her birthday, and I can tell she really loves it. Smartphones are so big, that even though the Watch (usually said by critics) is just an iPhone companion and mega-accessory, it turns out people actually WANT exactly that.
Honestly, it sounds like you really love your 15'' MacBook Pro. Keep it and enjoy it!
It seems the haters have finally decided to keep quiet after months of uncontested false claims, it's about time we RMB owners set the record straight.
BJ
I have had my 12" 1.2/512 for 3.5 months as my only machine, i sold a early 15" 8/256 and a iPad air 2 when i got it, so i am not a hater. BUT last weekend i went and bought a new 15" 16/512 MBPr. Sure the 12" is great but its SLOW for a 2015 laptop, its pretty much a iPad replacement with a keyboard/trackpad, bit bigger screen and more storage. And for travel and on the couch thats all good.
Here's proof.
Don't know if we can really just categorically call it "slow by 2015 standards", when you're comparing it to a current 15" pro. For a start, those black magic disk test results are phenomenally good compared to the laptop market in general (indeed, for any computer not just a laptop), and the speed of the rMBs storage is just as fast as the Pro was up until it's refresh only a month or so ago. Secondly, of course a machine aimed at general use is not intended to set records at CPU crunching - there is supposed to be a very appreciable difference in power otherwise what would be the point of selling a pro machine? However when you compare the rMB to other machines in its class (other ultra portable PCs for example), it's completely contemporary with respect to what you get in 2015 in this class.
That's exactly why I bought my rMB - to replace my iPad Air. And it's perfect for that. Are my Mac Pro and rMBP faster than my rMB? Well, duh, of course, but for iPad Air-like tasks, the rMB is more than fast enough. I wouldn't want to play intense 3D games on it, but I run a Windows 7 VM and plenty of productivity apps on my rMB with no issues at all.
Proof of what? More numbers that don't mean anything in the real world? More stats about 'performance' at max strain when no one is buying an ultra-portable like an Air or a Retina to use them like that? Enough already. Numbers are meaningless.
My 300 HP BMW 4 Series could destroy my wife's Honda Minivan from 0-60, wouldn't even be close. But since we both drive no faster than 25 MPH in school zones it makes no difference. It's not about the numbers, it's not about statistical performance. What matters is the form factor. My car is sleek and sporty, her car is bulbous and functional. Same thing with the Retina vs. the Air. Performance doesn't matter because neither was designed to be a top performer; they were designed to be sleek and light and stealthy. No, the Air isn't a Minivan. It's just a very old BMW.
BJ
"Proof."
I think the real proof isn't in numbers, but usage. You can compare benchmarks all you want, but the reality is the new MacBook is an awesome consumer electronics device that's perfect for students, those in business, and more. Everyday people like myself especially.
It's an incredible engineering feat achieved by Apple, and if I really need or want to get some work done in programs like Final Cut, Premiere, Lightroom or Photoshop, I can. Just one or two seconds slower, depending on the project.
My 2015 Macbook is obviously faster and more responsive than my wife's 2012 Macbook Air, and it's under a greater graphical burden to do so thanks to the retina display, which I run at an apparent resolution of 1584x990.
On top of that, the screen is worlds better than that on the Air, it has the new force touch trackpad, a new keyboard design which I rapidly grew to prefer, and a cutting-edge new port which is a bit limiting now but very future-focused.
The price isn't even as high as some people imply. If you spec out an MBA with the same storage and memory, you get a $100 difference for the beautiful retina display, current hardware design, and -- yes -- a slightly slower processor. The price is worth it.
I even game on this thing. (Half-Life 2 and Portal 2, mostly).
For me, it was this or a 13" rMBP. The MBA wasn't even under consideration.
Agreed, but it's also not very classy to quote five-year-old posts when trying to make someone look bad.
Surely you're joking. People have been defending the MacBook Air since the MacBook was announced. You're doing it right now.
You are correct in thinking that people shouldn't need to defend the Air, though. That's what makes these threads so lame. It's predicated on the notion that there is one size fits all. Otherwise people wouldn't have to come up with elaborate theories as to why the MacBook exists.
All three MacBook lines are fantastic. But it's only the MacBook Air crowd who are on the defense, lashing out at the MacBook.
Why is that?
Not sure. They were early adopters to the thinnest/lightest notebook Apple made once before, they should line up and do it again. The Air is an 8 year old design. Once you spend a day with the Retina, spending time with the Air seems foolish. It's big, it's thick, there is way too much bezel around the screen and way too much aluminum around the keyboard, it's just an awkward device. Heavy as hell, too.
BJ
Exactly! That's the funny part.
You're overstating it. The MacBook Air is still a great Mac. The problem is that it now sits in a very narrow margin between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro.
But what makes no sense are all the people who dislike the MacBook coming into the MacBook forum just to put it down. It's proof of secret jealousy.
And this jealousy causes such strong cognitive dissonance that they have to come up with these elaborate theories. They don't like that they like it, so obviously not only do they not like it, but anyone else who does is wrong!
The policy of "the best defence is a good offence" won't work as stated earlier. The thread is about the rMB and not the MBA. Don't back off, don't try to change the subject.
Why is that your glasses distort reality? RDF?
P.S.: Next time you quote a sentence out of context from a post, don't overdo it. You have been trying too hard. And, btw, you are no C.G. Jung either.
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Not sure I can agree with all of this, given the performance and battery life of the MBA
If they had brought out a Retina 11" MBA with the new trackpad I would of probably opted for the I7 fully loaded version over the rMB but Apple never gave us the option and forced us down the route I originally was not prepared for, but not regretting
Even now if they came out with a revamped MBA 11" I may still be tempted to change and gift my rMB to my eldest.
I've been back doing more work with Macs just because of the way business went. I'll certainly be roasted by some of you sharing my honest opinion about the release after following an interesting discussion. I think that Apple released this Macbook because they can and loyal customers will buy it, outdated or not. It was like seeing the iPhone 5 come out as an incremental upgrade but still with a ludicrous price tag. The specs were long bested by Android phones that cost much less. In the Apple ecosystem there is no competition. There is just "what we offer that is better than what you have." I'm not saying that what Apple puts out sucks - hardly. The products are usually never less than average with at least a few really impressive things (such as the camera, which has always been excellent and towards the top of all phones.) It's just that you have something that may only be pretty good overall, you're paying top dollar prices, they make a killing.... and they have you lusting over how much better the next model is that is introduced - perhaps just 6 months later. Now they may have you for 2 big ticket sales when they only would have had you for one.
I remember back when Blackberry and Palm dominated the phone market. They became complacent and played the "milk the customer and technology" game. Each upgrade began to be marginal - noticeable but marginal. They died because users saw other options in the marketplace and the investment in Palm and Blackberry apps wasn't the same as investing with all your music in iTunes and Apple's assortment of proprietary stuff. Apple is very smart that way. They know that once you have totally embraced the ecosystem, it's a costly departure if you've invested in it. And in fairness, many companies work the same way. But here there is far more brand loyalty for personal, economic and technical reasons. I was a HUGE Mac person back in the day (and was in a couple of magazines.) I made a decision to diversify based upon seeing Apple move towards being proprietary and controlling the entire ecosystem. While there are benefits to only having to program for and service your own equipment (without a doubt), one needs to appreciate the pros and cons of that situation and others. And controlling the ecosystem means Apple can experiment at will with its customers who will buy at top dollar since there are no alternatives, even if it's mediocre by Apple standards.
PS - Case in point - it's hard to believe that Apple released an iPad Mini 3 with such old specs. Even the iPad Mini 4 isn't a tremendous upgrade - and they are still selling 16GB models which carry a $400 price tag (useful primarily only for data input and reading documents). They offer it because they can to a walled market that will buy it. Other than a better camera and UHD resolution (versus more than acceptable 1080P), I bought almost the same 2 years ago for $250 in the Android market -- with an SD slot that allowed me to add 64 and 128 GB SD cards. They release it because it's better than what Apple customers currently have. And if they want something better that has just one really good feature, they have no alternative for purchase.
I remember back when Blackberry and Palm dominated the phone market. They became complacent and played the "milk the customer and technology" game. Each upgrade began to be marginal - noticeable but marginal. They died because users saw other options in the marketplace and the investment in Palm and Blackberry apps wasn't the same as investing with all your music in iTunes and Apple's assortment of proprietary stuff. Apple is very smart that way. They know that once you have totally embraced the ecosystem, it's a costly departure if you've invested in it. And in fairness, many companies work the same way. But here there is far more brand loyalty for personal, economic and technical reasons. I was a HUGE Mac person back in the day (and was in a couple of magazines.) I made a decision to diversify based upon seeing Apple move towards being proprietary and controlling the entire ecosystem. While there are benefits to only having to program for and service your own equipment (without a doubt), one needs to appreciate the pros and cons of that situation and others. And controlling the ecosystem means Apple can experiment at will with its customers who will buy at top dollar since there are no alternatives, even if it's mediocre by Apple standards.
PS - Case in point - it's hard to believe that Apple released an iPad Mini 3 with such old specs. Even the iPad Mini 4 isn't a tremendous upgrade - and they are still selling 16GB models which carry a $400 price tag (useful primarily only for data input and reading documents). They offer it because they can to a walled market that will buy it. Other than a better camera and UHD resolution (versus more than acceptable 1080P), I bought almost the same 2 years ago for $250 in the Android market -- with an SD slot that allowed me to add 64 and 128 GB SD cards. They release it because it's better than what Apple customers currently have. And if they want something better that has just one really good feature, they have no alternative for purchase.
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I'm not going to hate on you for sharing your opinion, but would it be fair to boil that all down to - you think most Apple customers are mindless sheep who buy inferior products at inflated prices?
The gaping hole in your argument is that there is literally nothing else available comparable to the retina Macbook from PC manufacturers at any price.
People don't buy older cars just to collect them. There are millions of 8 year old cars that people who buy new ones would prefer but can't afford or even obtain. I think the shiny comment is revealing. You seem obsessed with fashion and being viewed by others as a user of something special.
Um, I replied to people talking about the Air. Which would be you.
YOU are the one who changed the subject. Nice try.
Again, nice try. Dodging the issue.
Why are you people so bothered by a Mac existing that you come in here to tell us we shouldn't like it?