Popular Mac Developer Slams Apple for 'Sad State of Macintosh Hardware'

[dumastudetto]

Don't blame Intel, Dell keeps coming out with great hardware, HP keeps coming out with hardware, hell even Microsoft is coming out with great hardware. I'm in the same boat, Apple abandoned me.

Have tried to stay current using Hackintoshs but to be honest, Mac OS is starting to get full of bugs and the possible switch to proprietary ARM will be a deal breaker. I'm not saying that Windows is any better (automatic updates rebooting your machine!), but as a developer/creator, I just want good tools.

How can one of the wealthiest companies in the world, built around the image of creativity, abandon its core users?
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Thank maybe they should have added 0.5mm more and made the damn things work. Novelty concepts like touch bar are not enough value to "delay" and saving 0.5mm is not enough value to lose valuable interfaces (sd slot, usb-a)
[doublepost=1529104914][/doublepost]RIP Apple / Apple Computer. Time to reincorporate to Apple Phone Company Inc.

@MacRumors you should probably rename your site to iphonerumors.com

Yes but comparing Apple to Dell or HP is not a like-for-like comparison. Those other companies don't have to invest in development of the OS, they just have to make sure the drivers and firmware provided by the makers of all the components inside their machines are functional.

Microsoft who do control the full stack with their Surface line are a lot like Apple. They don't constantly push out updated products whenever there's new CPU's from Intel, or graphics cards from nvidia.

Apple continues to invest in the Mac in very meaningful ways. They announced a lot of very cool new things in macOS at WWDC that will make everyone more productive. Ok no new hardware yet, but it will come eventually. The software is more important than new hardware anyway.

 

[CE3]

Apple still knows how to make great computers (and they still make great computers IMO), but over the past few years they've also been making a lot of decisions which which seem to say they prioritize maximizing profits over the user experience, and it's adding up.

That being said, the notion that MacOS being exclusive to Apple is somehow part of their problem, and that making the MacOS available to PC manufacturers is a good idea, is ludicrous to me.

 

[pl1984]

Honestly, I feel like my Macbook runs pretty well. I don't find it slow. I do wish Apple would do updates more regularly with the hardware. Lenovo has had Intel's 8th gen processors in their laptops for months now. But...

Apple is moving away from Intel. They are developing their own processors and that takes time. They probably want to use their own processors in the next round of machines. It would be nice if they cut back on the secrecy though, I don't think it's necessary and just ends up frustrating consumers.

With that being said, some of the products do appear severely neglected. The Mac Mini, Apple branded displays, etc. A lot of people aren't buying computers anymore at all so that's probably part of the reason for the neglect. But, Apple should get rid of the products rather than neglect them in my opinion.

So in the meantime Apple should stop improving the Mac until they can release their own processor?
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Yes but comparing Apple to Dell or HP is not a like-for-like comparison. Those other companies don't have to invest in development of the OS, they just have to make sure the drivers and firmware provided by the makers of all the components inside their machines are functional.

Microsoft who do control the full stack with their Surface line are a lot like Apple. They don't constantly push out updated products whenever there's new CPU's from Intel, or graphics cards from nvidia.

Apple continues to invest in the Mac in very meaningful ways. They announced a lot of very cool new things in macOS at WWDC that will make everyone more productive. Ok no new hardware yet, but it will come eventually. The software is more important than new hardware anyway.

Say what? It's not like Apple has to completely re-write their OS to utilize Intels latest CPUs.
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Apple still knows how to make great computers (and they still make great computers IMO), but over the past few years they've also been making a lot of decisions which which seem to say they prioritize maximizing profits over the user experience, and it's adding up.

That said, the notion that MacOS being exclusive to Apple is somehow part of the problem, and that making the MacOS available to PC manufacturers is somehow a solution, is ludicrous to me.

Why?

 

[CE3]

Why?

Because it would lessen the value of their products and the OS.

 

[pl1984]

So much negativity, with no proposed solution. Surefire way to know it's Juli: negativity, random rival comps, Nintendo fangirlism, gaming, cute animoji/emoji chatter, iPhone cases. Please add some positivity or pro usage advice; the world doesn't need another mainstream media keynote report, but some actual insight into the development process.

No proposed solution? There have been many proposed solutions. Here's one for the Mac Pro: Release an updated cheese grater Mac Pro. Include the latest CPUs, GPUs, I/O, etc. This is not a new solution but one that has been proposed for years.
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Because it would lessen the value of their products and the OS.

You mean more so than a stagnant hardware line?

 

[now i see it]

33 pages of resentment towards Apple.
How does that fit in with their claimed 96% customer satisfaction (or whatever number it is they make up)?

 

[srego]

Rogue Amoeba developer Quentin Carnicelli, who works on Mac software like Airfoil, Audio Highjack, Loopback, and Fission, this week penned a critique of Apple's Mac lineup and the company's recent lack of Mac updates, and that missive has been gaining some attention from Mac fans.

Using MacRumors' own Buyer's Guide, Carnicelli points out that it's been more than a year since any Mac, with the exception of the iMac Pro, has been updated.

It's been 375 days, for example, since the iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air machines were last updated, and it's been 437 days since the Mac Pro saw the price drop Apple implemented as it works on a Mac Pro replacement.

The Mac Pro has not seen a hardware update since December of 2013, more than 1600 days ago. Apple has promised its professional users that a high-end high-throughput modular Mac Pro system is in the works, but we thus far have no details on when it might see a release.

The Mac mini, Apple's most affordable desktop Mac, has gone 1338 days without an update, with the last refresh introduced in October of 2014. While Apple has made promises about a refreshed Mac Pro, no similar statement has been provided about a future Mac mini, aside from a comment from Apple CEO Tim Cook stating that the Mac mini continues to be important to Apple.

According to Carnicelli, the state of the Mac lineup is "deeply worrisome" to him as a person who works for a Mac-based software company. Customers are, he says, forced to choose between "purchasing new computers that are actually years old" or "holding out in the faint hope that hardware updates are still to come."As Carnicelli points out, Apple could reassure its Mac users with updates and speed bumps to its Mac lineup on a "much more frequent basis," calling the current lack of updates "baffling and frightening to anyone who depends on the platform for their livelihood."

Apple in 2017 refreshed much of its Mac lineup (iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook) at its Worldwide Developers Conference, but this year, Apple opted to focus instead on software, with no new Mac hardware announced. With no new hardware in June, based on past release history, we could be looking at an 18-month upgrade cycle this time around, as pointed out by iMore's Rene Ritchie, with new Macs making an appearance in September or October.

Some of the blame for Apple's lack of updates can perhaps be placed on its reliance on Intel, and in the past, some Mac refreshes have been pushed back due to delays with Intel chips. This is likely one of the reasons why Apple is planning to transition from Intel chips to its own custom made Mac chips as early as 2020.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, and MacBook Air upgrades are not in the dire state that Mac Pro and Mac mini upgrades are in, but increased attention on issues with the MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards has left Apple customers eager to see those machine updated, especially as Apple has not acknowledged these keyboard issues despite their prevalence in the media.

"Apple needs to publicly show their commitment to the full Macintosh hardware line and they need to do it now," writes Carnicelli.

Carnicelli's comments on the state of the Mac lineup came just before Apple released a new Mac advertising campaign. Called "Behind the Mac," the campaign highlights creators who use their Macs to "make something wonderful."

The first ad spots in the series focus on photographer and disability advocate Bruce Hall, who uses his Mac for editing photographs, musician Grimes, who uses the Mac "from start to finish" to write all of her music, edit music videos, and more, and app developer Peter Kariuki who used his Mac to code the SafeMotos app, which is designed to connect passengers with safe motorcycle drivers in Rwanda.

These ads, while inspiring, may be seen as too little too late by those who have grown frustrated with Apple's Mac lineup and have come to see the lack of updates as an indicator of a lack of commitment to the Mac.

Article Link: Popular Mac Developer Slams Apple for 'Sad State of Macintosh Hardware'

 

[Naraxus]

I miss this

 

[dukebound85]

Just license OS X to others already. The environment is different than before

 

[deeddawg]

He's not wrong.

I'm ready to buy a new computer. I don't *need* to do so though. Not really keen on buying a 2017 MBP15 with its issues, even though I'd buy AC+ and have an extra 2yr warranty from my credit card.

I use Win10 on my work-provided computer but still prefer OSX for my personal stuff.

For now.

 

[dumastudetto]

33 pages of resentment towards Apple.
How does that fit in with their claimed 96% customer satisfaction (or whatever number it is they make up)?

This thread represents less than 0.1% of the customer base. And Internet forums have always distorted complaints because people are more motivated to whinge and moan online than post compliments. So you'll often have the view a lot of people are very unhappy if you just guage Internet forum feedback.

 

[srego]

Something in common. None of this machines have cameras built in.
Maybe the campaign. Called "Behind the Mac," means: WE (someone) WANT TO SEE WHO IS BEHIND THAT MAC...

Maybe Apple just want to end selling macs without cameras.

 

[dumastudetto]

Just license OS X to others already. The environment is different than before

If Apple did that it would accelerate the death of macOS because Apple would make less and less money from Macs, and would therefore have less and less reasons to continue investing in it.

 

[elkhound]

I used a mac mini for over five years, waiting and waiting for Apple to produce a worthy replacement, but they never did. It was frustrating, and any loyalty I had for the company is long gone. I recently replaced it with an iMac but it’s not working out for me. Now I’m shopping for a traditional tower PC that I can pair with the monitor of my choice. I’ve offered the iMac to my daughter, but she doesn’t want it.

 

[pl1984]

This thread represents less than 0.1% of the customer base. And Internet forums have always distorted complaints because people are more motivated to whinge and moan online than post compliments. So you'll often have the view a lot of people are very unhappy if you just guage Internet forum feedback.

You really need to stop defending Apple. There is absolutely zero reason why the Macintosh line as languished for so long.
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If Apple did that it would accelerate the death of macOS because Apple would make less and less money from Macs, and would therefore have less and less reasons to continue investing in it.

As is evidenced by the stagnant Macintosh line...Apple doesn't care about the Macintosh. You care more about the Macintosh than Apple does.

 

[AppleTLDR]

Apple should just start licensing/selling Mac OS on standard PC hardware and stop fooling themselves and everyone else with hardware. No reasonable person would buy a brand new Mac mini today and think to themselves that they made a smart purchase.

I can’t believe how stupid this comment actually is. This is what almost lead Apple to bankruptcy in the 90’s and why they stopped doing EXACTLY that. Who the heck wants to buy cheap plastic crap? I know I don’t. It’s macrumors not junkyard 101.

 

[charlituna]

It's really sad. I wish apple would realize that, while the profits come from iGadgets, it's the technologies from the Mac that makes iOS possible, not the other way around.

Oh I think they realize that. They also realize that updating for the sack of updating isn’t always a good idea. The iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Watch aren’t at the point where the changes possible are minor. The computers however are getting baby updates each time so maybe it’s better to not update them as much. What are they going to do, invent USB 4 and make us buy new everything when we haven’t even finished. That’s about all they can do other than go touchscreen and Tim has made it very clear that will NOT happen on his watch.

 

[CE3]

No proposed solution? There have been many proposed solutions. Here's one for the Mac Pro: Release an updated cheese grater Mac Pro. Include the latest CPUs, GPUs, I/O, etc. This is not a new solution but one that has been proposed for years.
[doublepost=1529189750][/doublepost]
You mean more so than a stagnant hardware line?

The hardware lineup can change.. and Mac computers are still growing in market share despite the criticisms in this thread.

Apple makes great software and MacOS is the Mac experience. You can't sell that experience to Windows computer makers.

Just license OS X to others already. The environment is different than before

Keep dreaming. It's not going to happen.

 

[pl1984]

I can’t believe how stupid this comment actually is. This is what almost lead Apple to bankruptcy in the 90’s and why they stopped doing EXACTLY that. Who the heck wants to buy cheap plastic crap? I know I don’t. It’s macrumors not junkyard 101.

This isn't the 90's and Apple is no longer a computer company. If Apple isn't interested in upgrading the Macintosh hardware license it. I think a Z series system would make a great macOS platform.
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The hardware lineup can change.. and Mac computers are still growing in market share despite the displeasure we've expressed in this thread.

Apple makes great software, too, and MacOS is the Mac experience. You can't sell that experience to Windows computer makers.

There's nothing special about the Mac experience. Nothing. That used to be the case. That died a decade ago.

 

[brendu]

Yes but comparing Apple to Dell or HP is not a like-for-like comparison. Those other companies don't have to invest in development of the OS, they just have to make sure the drivers and firmware provided by the makers of all the components inside their machines are functional.

Microsoft who do control the full stack with their Surface line are a lot like Apple. They don't constantly push out updated products whenever there's new CPU's from Intel, or graphics cards from nvidia.

Apple continues to invest in the Mac in very meaningful ways. They announced a lot of very cool new things in macOS at WWDC that will make everyone more productive. Ok no new hardware yet, but it will come eventually. The software is more important than new hardware anyway.

Apple managed to update macs regularly, sometimes twice a year for many years before the iPhone took over as their priority. I agree with most of what you said but I don’t need or want a laptop. I use a desktop and have patiently waited for years for a new Mac mini. This past year I finally said forget it and built a hackintosh. Apple needs to wow me with an updated Mac mini or I’ll just keep on hackintoshing.

 

[CE3]

There's nothing special about the Mac experience. Nothing. That used to be the case. That died a decade ago.

That's your opinion, and obviously one that some of us unsurprisingly disagree with around here.

 

[pl1984]

That's your opinion, and obviously one that some of us unsurprisingly disagree with around here.

Some of "us" are disillusioned, "we're" living in the past.

 

[CE3]

Some of "us" are disillusioned, "we're" living in the past.

I primarily used Windows computers until 2015. I'm sitting in front of an excellent Mac computer right now and very much in the present, thanks.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Intel hasn't released a significant processor upgrade in 3 years - simple spec bumps. Same on its graphics. In fact, it's stepped backwards on these.

AMD hasn't released a significant non-discreet upgrade in years. When they have, Apple has put them into higher end units.

So... what's Apple supposed to do? Spit out new hardware designs with old chips just so a counter gets reset? Sorry the tech industry isn't moving at the speed you think it should.

If you want newly redesigned Macs yearly, Apple's going to need to drop Intel. They are not supporting Apple the way it should be. That will mean sacrificing Bootcamp and software designers are going to have to get on board, but it's possible,

I am coming more around to the idea of ARM-powered Macs. One thing I'd love is if Apple could hook up with Parallels folks and see if they can make a reasonable-speed emulator to keep Wintel compatibility. Other than that, I'm seeing less and less reason to be that upset that Apple needs to move away from these companies.

Who cares if there’s not been a radical update by Intel, there are still worthwhile updates that Apple chooses to ignore.

Last year Apple were talking about how dedicated they were to the pro market. If that’s the case then update your hardware on an annual basis and drop AMD or at the least add Nvidia support for eGPUs. Until they do any of this, it’s clear Apple just doesn’t care.

 

[dfs]

There's a lot of truth here. Some Apple products (such as the iPhone and the iMac have attained a state of near-perfection, and it gets tougher and tougher to improve on that. Plus which, Apple products are notoriously rugged and you can count on them to have long lifespans. Now, Apple (like everybody else in the industry) has made a lot of money out of inducing purchasers to accept the premise of a three-year replacement cycle for computers and a one-year cycle for smartphones. But this old notion is getting harder and harder to sustain, plenty of folks are willing to hang on to their present stuff until Apple is able to produce updated replacements that are genuinely more desirable, or, failing that, that can at least run operating systems and maybe other software with genuinely more desirable features, which cannot be run on their present devices. This change in purchasing habits is going to revolutionize the economics of the entire industry and is creating certain optical illusions

One example of what I mean is that decreasing (or in the case of Apple leveled-off) sales of desktop equipment has induced some self-appointed pundits to write the obituary for desktop computing. Nuts. Just because purchasing habits for desktops are changing does not necessarily mean that desktops are being used any less than they ever were, just that the same desktops are staying in use longer. I have no doubt that same is about to start happening with smartphones, if it hasn't already. There are still plenty of Apple products (such as the Mac Pro, the Home Pod, the Watch and Air Pods) which can stand a whole lot of genuine improvement before they enter a similar state of near-perfection, and it is such products that I expect will continue to produce healthy sales figures for years to come.