New MacBook Pros Don't Include Backlit Apple Logo or Power Extension Cable

[blucable]

I really don't know what is wrong with apple. Don't get me wrong, but they remove a cool feature to bring another cool feature leaving us in the same place we were before. All I feel from all the new products from the iPod all the way to the Macbooks is just discouraging. I was planning to upgrade to the iPhone 7 and a new mac 4 months ago, now, I don't think I will put my money on any of the new things... That is just how I feel, it is just my own opinion.

 

[zone23]

I have at least 2 or 3 of those extension cables just laying around.

 

[threesixty360]

"But when you are the best, you are the best. Pay up or shut up. If they weren't the best they couldn't (and wont get away with) these prices."

Oh you poor soul, that's not how things work in real life.

For example, do you think Donald Trump is ANYWHERE REMOTELY CLOSE to being the best when it comes to running the country? Christ no, but he still has a ton of followers. It's something called marketing, and that is something Apple is very good at. By the way, they weren't getting away with the old prices, they had to raise the price to maintain profits from SLUMPING sales.

With that being said, it's going to be interesting for Apple because the MPB will be at a distinct performance disadvantage with the proliferation of desktop class nvidia 10x0 series bringing significantly better graphics performance to laptops that are cheaper, albeit a little big thicker and heavier.

What people don't understand about marketing is that it doesn't stop something actually being crap. When you use it you will know it is crap and you wont want to use it. You will also tell your friends it is crap as well. There is no way of hiding crap from people in the long term. And in a market like design or development which is relatively small and very discerning it's almost impossible to hide things that are crap.

Which is why Apple always end up winning. Because when people actually use their devices they find Apple's tend to just work better. Not always in raw speed and power but just general usability, maintenance and productivity. And after all, if you are a professional, thats what matters to you more than anything else.

I've been here before when G5's were underpowered for music software compared to home built pc's. When pretty much all the good software, or the cheap or pirate apps were on pc. And still after flirting with the PC again for the percieved "bang for buck" I still went back to the mac.

Everyone talks about the mac likes it;s just another pc. It isnt. It runs MacOS which is significantly different to windows. The OS is the most important thing not the hardware, the OS is why you buy it. You get used to it. Everyone who pretends that they can use Windows and Mac interchangeably is not doing anything seriously enough on their computer or at least not using it the fullest potential.

For that reason, the macOS reason alone, Any real mac head is going to stay in lane. There will be all the talk about leaving like their always is and they will flirt with Windows but they aint going anywhere.

 

[Tunster]

The forums is essentially full of people criticising each and every one of Apple's moves, with no one bothering to actually take a step back and ask themselves just why Apple might have done things the way they have.

Everyone believes it is nothing more than a coldly calculated move by Apple to cut costs and increase margins.

Would you believe any of the Apple executives even if they were standing right in front of you explaining to you why?

There are always people complaining about everything and anything Apple does. However, for a lot of power users; these changes to the MacBook Pro product are even more deep. I've always adopted Apple's thinking and the changes along MBP releases. Firewire disappearing once USB2/3 was dominant but shared same space. CD/DVD drives disappearing once App Store took hold and we didn't need installs offline anymore. Steve Jobs I believe was graceful and delicate with these changes. Ensuring MacBooks/iMacs were future-proofed by not cut off by recent-legacy devices.

With regards to total USB-C on the MBP, this is the biggest change. TB came in alongside USB. They didn't cut off USB though regardless whether you could buy TB2USB adapters. So why dump all of HDMI/TB/USB for USB-C when USB-C is relatively new and requires a user to buy a whole host of adapters adding to the cost of a machine? This comes at a pain for personal usage, but also corporates who are used to most MBPs with HDMI outputs. Whether that's a tiny percentage compared to the total cost; the baseline laptops (along side the price increases) make them less compelling. iPhones/iPads don't even come with USB-C cables (or with adapters); so why destroy the experiences of a majority who still connect iPhones/iPads to MacBooks for charging sake.

If Apple want to cut costs and increase margins; fine. That's their call and the consumer decides whether it's worth the extra cost. But to start to corrode the whole experience of the lifecycle of the MBP product is not fine. Especially when you rely on customers to upgrade and they rely on your products to create stuff. I do worry for Apple being dragged this way by Tim Cook. That balance of quality tech and a great experience is being washed away.

 

[Gasu E.]

It is for those people that don't just leave their old macbooks in the dust bin. I either sell or pass on my devices to family members...and I'm going to give the extension with it. $20 isn't a big deal, it is just the attitude of screwing over customers that is a problem. A $500 price increase and they can't include a cable that costs them <$2 that was included in every laptop computer before it (Other than the 2015 rMB.)

But you don't need this, unless you need the extra few feet the extension cord provides. The included power adapter itself has a plug module that goes right into your outlet. Give them either the plug module or the extension cord, whichever you don't need.
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Not including the extension cord is just . . . pathetic. So I'd have to spend $2399 plus tax plus $19 for the extension plus $? on adapters? No thank you.

I've had a Mac since the original Mac; and various Apple 2 machines before that. This release reflects poorly on the company.

You don't NEED the extension cord. It's a modular system. You can just use the plug module that comes with it, or use an old extension cord.

 

[HurryKayne]

Speaking about the back lit logo lack but, correct if i'm wrong, didn't that take the light from the cut out in the screen and coming out from the opaque plastic Apple logo? If this is case then could it be "easy" to have it back ?

 

[twa440]

Wouldn't a better question be "Why?".

Think about it. It costs Apple nothing to keep the startup chime. Then go to the trouble of removing it and inviting all that backlash for no gain? Clearly someone believed there was some merit to it.

Same with the glowing logo. The MacBook showed that there was a price to making the display as thin as possible, and that was the iconic glowing Apple logo.

But I guess it's just easier to spew irrational hate.

Not irrational hate, these are the little things that people love and used to make Apple stand out above the rest. They are becoming a generic POS just like your average Windows laptop.

 

[KdParker]

I am beginning to wonder what is going to replace my current 2013 MacBook Pro.

I see what your saying, but baring an emergency I don't see much of a spec bump to upgrade.

 

[576316]

Apple may be "forcing their ways on you" but they aren't "forcing you to buy their products".

Well they basically are if you own previous generation devices, because they conveniantly run like crap straight after a new version/new software is released. Or they straight up starve the older devices of new software features just because they can and because they want you to buy a new one. Not so much with Macs, although there are a few cases.
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I agree which is why I will not be buying this latest MBP. I'm sticking with my 2015 15" and 2012 non retina 13", both of which I bought in 2015.

I have a first get rMBP 15" and this thing is absolutely fine. You really don't need to buy a new Mac very often. My brother's first gen MacBook Air lasted him 7 years.
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Not irrational hate, these are the little things that people love and used to make Apple stand out above the rest. They are becoming a generic POS just like your average Windows laptop.

Exactly. They're removing the quintessential, iconic features of Mac. Why? What is the exact reasoning behind it? It's just forcing Mac to blend into the crowd. I hate the shiny logo, it's one of the first things to scratch on iPhone/iPad. The lit logo was one of the iconic features of a MacBook and now it's gone. They say it's the new screen hardware, but as far as I knew the logo simply used the light generated by the display.

 

[sracer]

Well they basically are if you own previous generation devices, because they conveniantly run like crap straight after a new version/new software is released. Or they straight up starve the older devices of new software features just because they can and because they want you to buy a new one. Not so much with Macs, although there are a few cases.

They aren't, but if you want to FEEL like they are then that is a different thing.

It makes as much sense as, "They are forcing me to buy their products because they are the only ones who sell OSX devices."

Exactly. They're removing the quintessential, iconic features of Mac. Why? What is the exact reasoning behind it? It's just forcing Mac to blend into the crowd. I hate the shiny logo, it's one of the first things to scratch on iPhone/iPad. The lit logo was one of the iconic features of a MacBook and now it's gone. They say it's the new screen hardware, but as far as I knew the logo simply used the light generated by the display.

If your primary reason for owning a Macbook is for the illuminated logo, then your reaction makes sense.

 

[twa440]

But you don't need this, unless you need the extra few feet the extension cord provides. The included power adapter itself has a plug module that goes right into your outlet. Give them either the plug module or the extension cord, whichever you don't need.
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You don't NEED the extension cord. It's a modular system. You can just use the plug module that comes with it, or use an old extension cord.

I'm sorry, but every laptop I've ever owned from Apple the extension cable was needed, this is just greed pure and simple.

 

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

I did not lose sleep spending $19 on a cable for a >$2,000 computer ($4,000 for me). And then I realized I'll probably return the cable next time I'm at the Apple Store anyway because I've got two on my previous power adapters and maybe another sitting around. And it was never 'free'—the cost of all materials is reflected in the final cost of a product, whether it's a line item or not.

Almost Twilight Zone-esque to see some people commenting as if this was going to be their reason for buying a different computer.

This consideration may involve larger-scale buyers who don't need the item.

 

[wozmatic]

I feel you all, but what the hell are you all gonna buy and work on instead? Dell XPS? Microsoft Surface Book? I was really schocked by the price and gimmicky touch bar, but i still don't see any other product equal in quality and service as what you get with the MBP.

Yeah.. unfortunately.

In Canada, the Dell XPS 15 (i7, 16GB, 512SSD, 4k display) after savings is $1,950.00 + tax

The new MacBook Pro with the same specs is $3,499.99 + tax

Pretty much double the price for the MacBook

 

[ccraig13]

First they came for my CD drive, and I did not speak out- because I used flash drives.

Then they came for my ethernet port, and I did not speak out- because I used WiFi.

Then they came for my glowing apple logo, and I did not speak out- because I didn’t notice it when it was open.

Then they came for my MagSafe, and now my MacBook is broken because someone tripped over my USB-C cable.

 

[S3R6i0]

Apple's cables are always $19. Amazon, Monoprice and others sell these cables for much less. I think the benefit of having a standard cable and not having to replace the cable with a $80 Magsafe adapter is a HUGE advantage over worrying about an extension cable. I have a 12" MacBook and thought about buying a longer cable. Instead, I just carry a standard A/C extension cord, because the low wattage, tiny (iPad style) power adapter doesn't need a big grounded connector.

I think the trade off is a benefit for most of us.

True, but to me the MagSafe is one of those things that distinguishes a mac from a PC. I understand that I don't really don't need a magsafe adapter but on the other hand I also don't need a pencil thin Macbook Air. I get that there are people who are a lot more practical than me, but I've gotten very used to just slapping the magnet off my MacBook or lightly setting it in place to connect, as well as the orange and green light indicators that let me know when it's charged. It's just piece of mind that I'm willing to spend a little extra on considering I spent $1,100 on a laptop when I could've gotten another with the same specs for hundreds of dollars less. Needless to say, it's the end of an era.

 

[JackieInCo]

I have a first get rMBP 15" and this thing is absolutely fine. You really don't need to buy a new Mac very often. My brother's first gen MacBook Air lasted him 7 years.

I know that. I have never gotten a new computer every year. Even before I bought my first Mac, I was using a 17" HP laptop that was 3-4 years old and a HP desktop that was bought in 2001 and quit working around 2007.

 

[twa440]

Hah, no problem, when I send my MBP to Gazelle I just won't include the extension.

The new power bricks are compatible with the MagSage extension cables, right?

 

[HoosBruce]

So, the power extension cable is actually in the box. It is apparently under the plastic housing that holds the computer, charging brick etc. You have to remove that plastic and the extension cable is under that. Weird...

 

[HoosBruce]

So, the power extension cable is actually in the box. It is apparently under the plastic housing that holds the computer, charging brick etc. You have to remove that plastic and the extension cable is under that. Weird...

https://instagram.com/p/BMT2mDlgBgg/

Just to show this

 

[MacsAre1]

I wonder how much the lack of the glowing logo will hurt Apple.

Every time you see a shot of, for example, a DJ using a Mac as his DJ computer, you will see the glowing white Apple logo there. It stands out big time and provides so much free product placement and advertising. Same thing with pretty much any photo of a bunch of people using laptops. The Macs stand out.

The lack of the glowy logo is a bit sad for me, but not a huge deal. But it may hurt Apple in the long run.

Glowing Apple logo has always been a marketing gimmick. But if it meant the machine had to be thicker, it had to go.

At least they didn't go back to the upside-down Apple logo... http://www.cultofmac.com/168377/the-upside-down-apple-logo-a-steve-jobs-mistake/

 

[pgiguere1]

What chipset is that 2015 model running?

I wasn't saying anybody should buy one of those. I was merely pointing out that this statement from the article isn't true.

Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air is now its only notebook with backlit Apple logo that remain available for purchase.

It appears to have been edited to mention previous MBPs now.

 

[cocoua]

I wonder how much the lack of the glowing logo will hurt Apple.

Every time you see a shot of, for example, a DJ using a Mac as his DJ computer, you will see the glowing white Apple logo there. It stands out big time and provides so much free product placement and advertising. Same thing with pretty much any photo of a bunch of people using laptops. The Macs stand out.

The lack of the glowy logo is a bit sad for me, but not a huge deal. But it may hurt Apple in the long run.

totally agree

 

[Steve121178]

Speaking about the back lit logo lack but, correct if i'm wrong, didn't that take the light from the cut out in the screen and coming out from the opaque plastic Apple logo? If this is case then could it be "easy" to have it back ?

Yes in theory, but why would anyone want the glowing logo? It looked cheap and tacky. Apple were 100% correct to get rid of that nonsense.

 

[maflynn]

Apple were 100% correct to get rid of that nonsense.

The glowing logo was one of the little finished touches that made a Mac different. I loved and now miss those small features like the glowing sleep light that was dropped years go (and have had my MBP not in full sleep in the bag - this could have been avoided with that sleep light). I get that some people don't like it, but being a long time Mac user, I'm not seeing much difference between a mac and those "beige" boxes apple used to poke fun of. They're just as beige now

 

[Boyd01]

I loved and now miss those small features like the glowing sleep light that was dropped years go

Man, I hated that feature. It was so bright on my 2008 MBP that I covered it with a piece of electrical tape. It lit up the whole room at night and kept me awake.