Poorest Product Introduction Ever

[AdonisSMU]

Poor is right...it's not like Apple had to have millions of these MacBooks ready for launch (like an iPhone), they only sold 50,000 the first weekend

So whats with all the delay just to ship 50k in computers? That is a paltry number. The way Apple made it seem you wouldve thought they had sold 10 times that amount.

 

[radioking]

This whole Watch and MacBook launch business is absolutely terrible. It basically eliminates the impulse buy for both items. You would think since they are pushing everyone to the store to try on something they have already ordered sight unseen or can't get until June, they would at least have a new shinny MacBook sitting there to tempt people into buying it on the spot.

Now they have to go home and order it with massive shipping delays. This gives people time to read reviews and realize it might not be the best laptop for them, instead of falling in love with the form factor and putting up with the shortcomings.

 

[AdonisSMU]

This whole Watch and MacBook launch business is absolutely terrible. It basically eliminates the impulse buy for both items. You would think since they are pushing everyone to the store to try on something they have already ordered sight unseen or can't get until June, they would at least have a new shinny MacBook sitting there to tempt people into buying it on the spot.

Now they have to go home and order it with massive shipping delays. This gives people time to read reviews and realize it might not be the best laptop for them, instead of falling in love with the form factor and putting up with the shortcomings.

Or adjusting their work flow to fit this new paradigm.Then you figure they have $1400+ of your money tied up and you dont even have a product. I expect this from MSFT or Samsung not Apple. Part of the fun is going to the Apple Store and getting the full experience. You don't see people buying a brand new Mercedes Benz online without test driving it first to see if it works for them and then getting the full sales experience. Why shouldnt people get the full Apple experience when they are spending $1400+ on Apple products? When I'm spending thousands of dollars on product I prefer to come away with something tangible rather than a promise at some later time.

 

[maclook]

I am mentally ready for a complete move to wireless but I don't think I have up to date knowledge of how to thoroughly accomplish this... (I am coming off some pretty archaic equipment).
All I am looking to sync is iTunes - I saw you mentioned NAS, but is there a cheaper way to do this over WiFi in a relatively timely matter instead? (the last time I tried iTunes WiFi sync it was a pretty lengthy process).

What are you trying to sync with iTunes? Music? Or your iOS device?

 

[radioking]

Or adjusting their work flow to fit this new paradigm.Then you figure they have $1400+ of your money tied up and you dont even have a product. I expect this from MSFT or Samsung not Apple. Part of the fun is going to the Apple Store and getting the full experience. You don't see people buying a a brand new Mercedes Benz online without test driving it first to see if it works for them and getting the full sales experience.

Yeah it puts a really bad taste in my mouth. Think about it, if you order a stainless steel watch and MacBook online right now, Apple has over $2000 of your money tied up for the next 1-2 months. That's a lot of time to think about what else you could be doing with it, especially when neither have been declared a life changing must have by the media.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Yeah it puts a really bad taste in my mouth. Think about it, if you order a stainless steel watch and MacBook online right now, Apple has over $2000 of your money tied up for the next 1-2 months. That's a lot of time to think about what else you could be doing with it.

I spent like $2500 in Apple gear last weekend. I thought at least Id be able to pick up my MacBook on Friday....as the online in store pick up option stated it was available only to learn later on when I got my confirmation that in store pick up wasn't really an option in the same way it had been before as I wouldn't be able to pick it up until a 4/22. It has since been revised up to 4/16.

It's still disappointing that Apple couldn't even service 50k in computers in the US for a major launch of a next generation laptop? Or even have display units ready for all of the stores even with a months worth of lead time. Apple made the sales pitch now they act like they dont want to collect the money people are throwing at them.

 

[Command]

I think the MacBook is just a gap fill between the other lines of OSX systems and iOS devices. This guy is probably a pilot to see how the next generations of MacBook Air /Pro will go. Maybe the other way - the iPad's might change. The thing is all solid state, small consolidated platform and uses M series processors. I'm surprised it doesn't have a touch screen - it's basically an iPad with OSX and a keyboard. Trackpad, actually... iPads always could use keyboards. Would definitely change the AppStore dynamic, though.
As for the launch, I don't know what corner they're turning. It's clear the lines are no longer desired and will likely soon be frowned upon altogether. Trying to debut into a world of tech fashion, it's likely a different, more up to date (less cult) following they're after.
I'm still and will forever be cult. I don't care...

 

[iDave]

Long lines at Apple Stores for new products is the best free publicity Apple can get. Samsung might make fun of it but the lines make it obvious the products are wildly popular.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I think the MacBook is just a gap fill between the other lines of OSX systems and iOS devices. This guy is probably a pilot to see how the next generations of MacBook Air /Pro will go. Maybe the other way - the iPad's might change. The thing is all solid state, small consolidated platform and uses M series processors. I'm surprised it doesn't have a touch screen - it's basically an iPad with OSX and a keyboard. Trackpad, actually... iPads always could use keyboards. Would definitely change the AppStore dynamic, though.
As for the launch, I don't know what corner they're turning. It's clear the lines are no longer desired and will likely soon be frowned upon altogether. Trying to debut into a world of tech fashion, it's likely a different, more up to date (less cult) following they're after.
I'm still and will forever be cult. I don't care...

I'm just not a fan of the hybrids like Surface Pro TBQH. I like using an iPad as an iPad. However, that doesn't mean there isn't a market for a hybrid of sorts... like giving the macs touch capabilities or giving them the option to use OSX or iOS or simply merging the two and making iOS apps downloadable on Macs.

 

[andy9l]

I am mentally ready for a complete move to wireless but I don't think I have up to date knowledge of how to thoroughly accomplish this... (I am coming off some pretty archaic equipment).
All I am looking to sync is iTunes - I saw you mentioned NAS, but is there a cheaper way to do this over WiFi in a relatively timely matter instead? (the last time I tried iTunes WiFi sync it was a pretty lengthy process).

Well NAS is not the same as iTunes sync, unless your iTunes library is stored on the server.

Upgrading my router to an Apple Time Machine was one of the best things I did. Backups of all mine and my families machines - even close friends - and 1.3Gb/s wireless connection to other devices and also to a large external media drive that's connected via USB 2 (the bottleneck). Due to the content I store, I have no need for more powerful/speedy NAS - yet. Reason I'm telling you this is because WiFi sync used to be terribly slow and temperamental with my old ISP wireless router, like you mentioned. The TM fixed it. I'm sure the Airport Express/Extreme products are equally as effective and a lot cheaper. There's obviously other features missing from them.

The initial sync takes a little time, but you only do that once per device and syncs for me now take maybe 30 seconds or less, depending on the amount of new content I'm loading on.

 

[antonis]

For anyone thinking that the complaints here belong to the "whining" category, here's a more unbiased review to read on. You'll find lots of similarities and - trust me - it is not written by the MR "whiners".

A warning though, before read: It might burst some bubbles

 

[iDave]

I think the MacBook is just a gap fill between the other lines of OSX systems and iOS devices. This guy is probably a pilot to see how the next generations of MacBook Air /Pro will go.

I think the MacBook Airs will be gone in a year. To put a retina screen in an air would require a major redesign and I doubt Apple wants to maintain three different notebook lines.

 

[clyde2801]

For anyone thinking that the complaints here belong to the "whining" category, here's a more unbiased review to read on. You'll find lots of similarities and - trust me - it is not written by the MR "whiners".

A warning though, before read: It might burst some bubbles

Wait, I thought we were whining about the launch in this thread, not the product itself.

I am personally grateful for the poorly performing product launch, as it saved me from making an impulse purchase of the nMB.

 

[consumeritis]

Launch day of any new product is when you get your first big spike of sales.

Impulse buyers who watched the Spring Forward keynote and were persuaded to try out the MB despite its compromises will have been counting down to the 10th to get their hands on the machine.

Then, once those buyers have one, they will go and tell their friends about their great new purchase and more people come into the store to have a look.

If there's no machines to see in stores on launch day, and no stock available to ship sooner than a month out, then a bunch of those impulse purchasers give up. Your launch day sales are stuffed. Fewer launch day sales means fewer people talking about your product and fewer sales down the line. Your potential customers will already have bought something else buy the time you have stock to sell them.

If they couldn't deliver the machine on time then Tim Cook should have stuck to talking about the Watch at the keynote. They would have done better to keep quiet and announce the MB this summer, when they might actually have some machines to sell people.

Really awful planning - you don't expect this from Apple. Look at the other Early 2015 Mac updates - available to buy the day after the announcement.

 

[tecnho]

What are you trying to sync with iTunes? Music? Or your iOS device?

My iPhone. Solely Music, apps, and pdf's.

 

[iDave]

If they couldn't deliver the machine on time then Tim Cook should have stuck to talking about the Watch at the keynote. They would have done better to keep quiet and announce the MB this summer, when they might actually have some machines to sell people.

Really awful planning - you don't expect this from Apple. Look at the other Early 2015 Mac updates - available to buy the day after the announcement.

Yep, I agree. Both the MacBook and Watch were "released" too soon before they were ready.

Maybe Apple is giving in to pressure from the tech press which is always expecting new products sooner rather than later. And unexpected production problems just made things worse this time.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yep, I agree. Both the MacBook and Watch were "released" too soon before they were ready.

Maybe Apple is giving in to pressure from the tech press which is always expecting new products sooner rather than later. And unexpected production problems just made things worse this time.

This.

And I think this will be the way Apple does all of it's new product introductions.

 

[AdonisSMU]

This.

And I think this will be the way Apple does all of it's new product introductions.

I hope they dont release until ready in the future. They shouldnt let themselves be rushed into doing something if they arent prepared.

 

[MajorTCS]

The Worst!!!

The lack of communication from Apple is unacceptable. I feel I need a 12 step support group because I am powerless to change a bad rollout. Now, to make matters worse, I am unable to pre sign from FEDEX. Is this more of what we can expect? An explanation is expected. Many on this forum are loyal customers who deserve better.

 

[antonis]

Wait, I thought we were whining about the launch in this thread, not the product itself.

I am personally grateful for the poorly performing product launch, as it saved me from making an impulse purchase of the nMB.

Hehe, consider yourself luck, then.
This is an honest statement.

 

[Hankster]

rumor is she's personal friends with Tim Cook... she may be on a longer leash.

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It seems like you do spend a lot of time defending Apple's shortcomings, bugs, issues, etc. Just because you're not experiencing an issue, or your expectations are lower to where you don't consider something an issue, doesnt mean everyone feels the same way.

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Did someone say WATCH? LOL. jk

So glad someone caught that pun

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Poor is right...it's not like Apple had to have millions of these MacBooks ready for launch (like an iPhone), they only sold 50,000 the first weekend

The only sold 50,000 online last weekend. Not everyone wants to order online. Must remember many Apple users are from an older generation where they don't like purchasing certain items online. I'm almost 40 and I still previous to buy certain items in the stores - especially Apple items.

They lost a great deal of sales from impulse buys and people who wanted to play with the rMB with a high chance of buying it right there.

 

[shenan1982]

They lost a great deal of sales from impulse buys and people who wanted to play with the rMB with a high chance of buying it right there.

I agree 100%. The Apple Store was created precisely for impulse buying. It was designed to be an immersive experience, so someone who's never had a Mac goes in, plays with it, and says wow, this is really cool. I want one of these. They buy it. The Genius\Creatives show them how to set up and use their new product, and they go home having had a fantastic experience.

Under "the new way" ... they come in, love the product, then are told they have to order it online. They have to wait 4-6 weeks to get it, and have those 4-6 weeks to reconsider or decide to buy a Microsoft Surface instead. Say they wait it out, then their Macbook comes, then if they want the support experience of setting it up and being showed how to use it, they have to drive back into the store and make an appointment for assistance.

Hardly the way Apple retail was designed.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I agree 100%. The Apple Store was created precisely for impulse buying. It was designed to be an immersive experience, so someone who's never had a Mac goes in, plays with it, and says wow, this is really cool. I want one of these. They buy it. The Genius\Creatives show them how to set up and use their new product, and they go home having had a fantastic experience.

Under "the new way" ... they come in, love the product, then are told they have to order it online. They have to wait 4-6 weeks to get it, and have those 4-6 weeks to reconsider or decide to buy a Microsoft Surface instead. Say they wait it out, then their Macbook comes, then if they want the support experience of setting it up and being showed how to use it, they have to drive back into the store and make an appointment for assistance.

Hardly the way Apple retail was designed.

That was DELLs/Gateways/Samsungs mistake is not having a retail presence. For the iOS devices it makes sense to manage the scalping but that is easily done with in store pick up. I feel like Apple and Angela went too far. having everyone using in store pick up at launch would've alleviated the problems at launch. Instead they went straight to online only and created more problems.

 

[shenan1982]

That was DELLs/Gateways/Samsungs mistake is not having a retail presence. For the iOS devices it makes sense to manage the scalping but that is easily done with in store pick up. I feel like Apple and Angela went too far. having everyone using in store pick up at launch would've alleviated the problems at launch. Instead they went straight to online only and created more problems.

The only thing I can think is that there just wasn't enough supply in the supply chain to put enough units\variety in the stores to accommodate the demand. Seems something is slowing these units up out of China, be it the screens or the trackpads, I don't know... so maybe that influenced the way they launched.

 

[DarwinOSX]

For anyone thinking that the complaints here belong to the "whining" category, here's a more unbiased review to read on. You'll find lots of similarities and - trust me - it is not written by the MR "whiners".
A warning though, before read: It might burst some bubbles

There is nothing original in the Ars review. It pretty much says the same thing as the other major reviews. Anyone surprised by anything in the Ars review really isn't paying attention.

Anandtech just posted one that is pretty good though.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9136/the-2015-macbook-review

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The only thing I can think is that there just wasn't enough supply in the supply chain to put enough units\variety in the stores to accommodate the demand. Seems something is slowing these units up out of China, be it the screens or the trackpads, I don't know... so maybe that influenced the way they launched.

I'm thinking the same. Something with manufacturing. I thought Tim Cook was master of the supply chain.
The only other reason I can think of is they wanted to manufacture just in time based on orders to make the maximum profit.
At this point though I think it's making Apple look pretty bad that they have a new laptop nobody could get on day one and is now 4 to 6 weeks out.

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That was DELLs/Gateways/Samsungs mistake is not having a retail presence. For the iOS devices it makes sense to manage the scalping but that is easily done with in store pick up. I feel like Apple and Angela went too far. having everyone using in store pick up at launch would've alleviated the problems at launch. Instead they went straight to online only and created more problems.

They have all tried to have a retail presence but with the razor thin margins on PC's it never made sense to have the additional cost in stores and people. I also agree that Apple and Angela went to far. Not a great debut for her thats for sure.

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They have to wait 4-6 weeks to get it, and have those 4-6 weeks to reconsider or decide to buy a Microsoft Surface instead.

Given the extremely poor sales of the Surface I doubt most MacBook buyers are considering one. Not to mention going to Windows the latest versions are despised by most people and certainly organizations that are sitting on Windows 7 until Microsoft get's it's act together.

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I think the MacBook Airs will be gone in a year. To put a retina screen in an air would require a major redesign and I doubt Apple wants to maintain three different notebook lines.

Yes agree. Still a lot of people would have preferred an Air with retina over the MacBook. I think thats what most people were expecting.