They make a public explanation every quarter. The ROI on money invested in the Mac line is no where near what the level is for the iPhone. It really is all about the money. Apple customers are speaking with their $$. They want iPhones not Macs.
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Popular Mac Developer Slams Apple for 'Sad State of Macintosh Hardware'
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It’s not just 400 for the TouchBar. You’re forgetting about the 2nd TB controller that adds 2 ports (although not full bandwidth like the 15”) as well as a much better CPU and better iGPU (although probably not significantly stronger than the Iris 640). Even if the Touchbar never existed, the 4 port models wouldn’t sell for $1300-1500. Apple sometimes sells cheaper machines that seem like a bargain (early’15 13”) but they don’t always do it. That machine was a good deal while supplies lasted. It’s rock solid and good enough for most people’s needs.
We do too. The longevity comes from using the latest and greatest available... Which has stopped happening some times ago.
You can't decide to be just a software company when your software only runs on your own hardware...
Is it a RANT when the only option to an update of my 2008 Mac Pro is a 4+ year old Mac Pro with electronics that are at least that old?
But that's not any real update, is it!
The Mac Pro Black Cylinder is NOT an acceptable update for a Mac Pro that houses 4 internal drive bays that can be loaded with HDDs or SSDs - no cables to connect external drives.
My 23" ACD is still functioning as it did when new. All I want is a NEW Mac Pro, but I'll have to upgrade with an old Mac Pro since Apple development has dragged their feet on the new Mac Pro.
I am NOT looking for a super-speed (compared to my 10-year-old Mac Pro) upgrade, just a reliable, capable Mac Pro.
Follow the money. Prioritize on what makes you rich.
Honestly, unless you are doing professional video or photo editing, all most people need these days is a Pixelbook, tablet with keyboard, mouse and external monitor support or something similar. There are apps that can do pretty much anything that a traditional desktop app can do and in some cases can do more.
The other exception may be those into gaming, but again, that is a niche market that is going to become less and less profitable as time goes on, as a result we are going to see fewer and fewer Mac and even Windows based computer updates. Instead we are going to see a focus where the money is and that is on devices that have an Ecosystem, be it Apple based iDevices, Google Chrome Based Devices, Android Devices or Amazon Devices. Ultimately that is where the money is and Amazon has it right, it isn't in overpricing the hardware, the profits are in getting as many people as you can to use your devices and then sell them software, movies, books, etc. through your own store.
We may not like this model, but it is the way things are going to go and I begrudgingly admit that there are some advantages to this approach, such as better security (not perfect, but better), systems that encourage cloud based usage like the Pixelbook also have a bit of an advantage, as your data is saved as you type, in real time and if something happens, you can log in on any other device and pick up right where you left off.
Ultimately, the PC and the Mac are dying and I think we need to begin to accept that now, rather than waking up one day and finding they are no longer being sold at all and start to be in panic mode.
The other exception may be those into gaming, but again, that is a niche market that is going to become less and less profitable as time goes on, as a result we are going to see fewer and fewer Mac and even Windows based computer updates. Instead we are going to see a focus where the money is and that is on devices that have an Ecosystem, be it Apple based iDevices, Google Chrome Based Devices, Android Devices or Amazon Devices. Ultimately that is where the money is and Amazon has it right, it isn't in overpricing the hardware, the profits are in getting as many people as you can to use your devices and then sell them software, movies, books, etc. through your own store.
We may not like this model, but it is the way things are going to go and I begrudgingly admit that there are some advantages to this approach, such as better security (not perfect, but better), systems that encourage cloud based usage like the Pixelbook also have a bit of an advantage, as your data is saved as you type, in real time and if something happens, you can log in on any other device and pick up right where you left off.
Ultimately, the PC and the Mac are dying and I think we need to begin to accept that now, rather than waking up one day and finding they are no longer being sold at all and start to be in panic mode.
I take three (3) things away from this...
a. Apple is going to release a bunch of new "stuff" this year but we knew this already. Considering no new hardware was released at WWDC, some lines will see a refresh, others not; one or two may be retired. Apple knows they don't need to do an annual refresh to push sales (like autos) but they can stretch it to 18mo or possibly 2+ years. The performance gap is largely negligible (thanks SSDs!) for the average consumer who is holding on to her or his Mac longer, getting free upgrades, and has a Genius Bar to take it to. --Am I missing anything? Oh, yes... Intel can't go past 14nm, so the next step is ARM-based chips in the next year or two. Introducing the new MacBook Pro...16 core A-series CPU (upgradable to 64 core), 32GB LPDDR RAM, and 512GB PCIe SSD.
b. Apple is far less concerned about developers; it's a fools errand to cater to developers and customers, despite the former also being part of the latter. Developers represent an important yet small, tiny segment of market revenue as a whole, and Apple knows this. They're simply not concerned about developers because they will fall in line when their profits are tied to their platform; it's simple economics, really. The Windows and Android markets dwarf Apple's considerably but unless you're an A-list developer (i.e., Adobe), the profit margins are razor thin so you sail where the profits are. Principles don't pay bills--sales do.
c. Consumers are Apple's future--period. Apple knows this, and is pulling out all the stops to make the hardware last longer, the software easier and more privacy-conscious than ever. Unless everyone has developed amnesia in the last few years, I remember paid OS and software upgrades right alongside boxed software; both are now extinct. Seriously walk around what's left of retail computer stores (Micro Center? Fry's? Best Buy?), and you'll find less than ten pieces of actual software available, less than half of that come with a physical install CD/DVD. Unlike twenty years ago, hardware is now to software what carriers are to smartphones (to quote Jobs): orifices.
Apple is pushing software and services, hardware now follows both. Look at the last quarterly earnings....services, services, services. The average consumer is not clamoring for raw computer speed or the newer/faster/better MacBook or iMac but a cheaper iPad, a faster iPhone, and maybe a slimmer MacBook (Air/Pro). Performance is largely passé, and the "megahertz" battles of 15+ years ago are over and done with.
a. Apple is going to release a bunch of new "stuff" this year but we knew this already. Considering no new hardware was released at WWDC, some lines will see a refresh, others not; one or two may be retired. Apple knows they don't need to do an annual refresh to push sales (like autos) but they can stretch it to 18mo or possibly 2+ years. The performance gap is largely negligible (thanks SSDs!) for the average consumer who is holding on to her or his Mac longer, getting free upgrades, and has a Genius Bar to take it to. --Am I missing anything? Oh, yes... Intel can't go past 14nm, so the next step is ARM-based chips in the next year or two. Introducing the new MacBook Pro...16 core A-series CPU (upgradable to 64 core), 32GB LPDDR RAM, and 512GB PCIe SSD.
b. Apple is far less concerned about developers; it's a fools errand to cater to developers and customers, despite the former also being part of the latter. Developers represent an important yet small, tiny segment of market revenue as a whole, and Apple knows this. They're simply not concerned about developers because they will fall in line when their profits are tied to their platform; it's simple economics, really. The Windows and Android markets dwarf Apple's considerably but unless you're an A-list developer (i.e., Adobe), the profit margins are razor thin so you sail where the profits are. Principles don't pay bills--sales do.
c. Consumers are Apple's future--period. Apple knows this, and is pulling out all the stops to make the hardware last longer, the software easier and more privacy-conscious than ever. Unless everyone has developed amnesia in the last few years, I remember paid OS and software upgrades right alongside boxed software; both are now extinct. Seriously walk around what's left of retail computer stores (Micro Center? Fry's? Best Buy?), and you'll find less than ten pieces of actual software available, less than half of that come with a physical install CD/DVD. Unlike twenty years ago, hardware is now to software what carriers are to smartphones (to quote Jobs): orifices.
Apple is pushing software and services, hardware now follows both. Look at the last quarterly earnings....services, services, services. The average consumer is not clamoring for raw computer speed or the newer/faster/better MacBook or iMac but a cheaper iPad, a faster iPhone, and maybe a slimmer MacBook (Air/Pro). Performance is largely passé, and the "megahertz" battles of 15+ years ago are over and done with.
The controller costs like 10, 20 USD at most. Even if they charged 50 for it, they would have a nice margin. I admit they use the best nVMe SSDs and better CPUs with much better IGP, but that does not mean that EU/GB has to pay 20 % more than the US (I am comparing prices without taxes). Still, 400 EUR is too much IMO. The price needs to be cut by 100 - 200 EUR in the EU.
I am VERY WELL aware of the nTB vs TB CPU-tier difference, nTB is rebranded MBA. However, most people recognise only i5 vs i7.
There is a very good possibility that the cheese grater that I have may be the last mac desktop that I own. With a graphics card upgrade I may make it to 2020 but after that, all bets are off.... If Apple does not intend to do the necessary computer upgrades they should come clean and say they are now just a small gadgets manufacturer.
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Considering that 256GB SSDs (even M.2 ones) can now be had for less than $100 at retail pricing, Apple's inclusion of a mechanical hard drive is laughable and inexcusable. No one can call a computer with a mechanical boot drive as cutting edge and be taken seriously.
Totally agree ... High Sierra ruined my 2011 iMac - nothing can restore it and it also corrupted my Time Machine. Only saving grace is that most of my photo collection was on iCloud.
I’m in dire need of a computer but am not throwing out $2000+ for a Mac that’s over a year old isn’t going to happen.
It's a catch-22 regardless. If Mac sales went into the toilet, Apple might use that as an excuse to slow refreshes even further.
I know there's lots of young folks in these threads, but this kind of logic made sense back in 2002 but doesn't now. We have decades of data showing Apple can succeed with their own systems, regardless of how much pressure Windows, Android or Chromebook has tossed their way.
Macs are for productivity....y are just confusing.
And these "mac sites" have been around for several years, even before iPhone. They won't just change their name now...
The Mac has kept going through the bleakest of times thanks to both the strength of the Macintosh software platform and the enthusiasm of Macintosh community (developers and users).
Whichever way you view Apple (for me it has always been about the software) it remains an tactical advantage that they have two cards to play. When their software has been a bit weaker (the end of the Classic Mac OS era*) they can innovate with hardware, whereas when their hardware is weaker (the end of the PowerPC era), they can push forward with software. I worry now there are two major threats for Apple's software and platforms, aspects of which can already be observed:
Apple is more than well resourced to counter both threats, but they need to start executing. That means actions and not words. Today's "Behind the Mac" adverts were tone death to the point of being comical.
My worry is these things tend to build up over time (easy to dismiss web platform now based on RAM guzzling Electron), but when these problems are fixed and the tide starts to turn it may be too late to rectify.
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* Although personally I never thought it was that bad, I came on board with OS 8.5.1 and whilst it lacked the niceties of preemptive multitasking and protective memory it was still reliable for the most part provided you were sensible with extensions. Windows systems (not NT) I came across had many more problems. Mac OS 9 was a further improvement still on OS 8.
** The fact Microsoft couldn't attract these users played a contribution (not the only factor) to the failure of Windows Phone 7, Windows 8 Tablets and Windows 10 UWP. It is not enough just to have a lot of users. This is also a contribution factor to why Surface exists today (again not the only factor). Microsoft is trying to appeal to these kind of users.
Whichever way you view Apple (for me it has always been about the software) it remains an tactical advantage that they have two cards to play. When their software has been a bit weaker (the end of the Classic Mac OS era*) they can innovate with hardware, whereas when their hardware is weaker (the end of the PowerPC era), they can push forward with software. I worry now there are two major threats for Apple's software and platforms, aspects of which can already be observed:
- Web platform becomes good enough for most users and most new, interesting applications are developed using web technologies first which run anywhere. This is mostly competitive pressure, the web will progress regardless of what Apple does.
- Users who set future directions and trends for technology (enthusiasts, hobbyists, students, graduates, researchers and indie developers) no longer see value in the Mac**. This is somewhat due to competitive pressure, but currently mostly self imposed.
Apple is more than well resourced to counter both threats, but they need to start executing. That means actions and not words. Today's "Behind the Mac" adverts were tone death to the point of being comical.
My worry is these things tend to build up over time (easy to dismiss web platform now based on RAM guzzling Electron), but when these problems are fixed and the tide starts to turn it may be too late to rectify.
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* Although personally I never thought it was that bad, I came on board with OS 8.5.1 and whilst it lacked the niceties of preemptive multitasking and protective memory it was still reliable for the most part provided you were sensible with extensions. Windows systems (not NT) I came across had many more problems. Mac OS 9 was a further improvement still on OS 8.
** The fact Microsoft couldn't attract these users played a contribution (not the only factor) to the failure of Windows Phone 7, Windows 8 Tablets and Windows 10 UWP. It is not enough just to have a lot of users. This is also a contribution factor to why Surface exists today (again not the only factor). Microsoft is trying to appeal to these kind of users.
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Thank you for posting this chart. Because some people will not be able to get it without a picture. But for you that can:
Services (10%) are mostly driven by iOS device sales
Other (6%) Mostly Watches and Apple Tv's Which are in reality iOS devices along with iPhone\iPad accessories.
So that makes the total iOS driven revenues 92% vs 8%.
What would you do?
Whether u like or not Macs will eventually cease to exist to mobile devices. In 8 years an iPad reached a point of actually replacing most laptops. Imagine in 10/20 years? Apple won't merge both..."for now" they won't tell ya.
iPad basically lacks tools for programming such Xcode and a mouse lol
Although my MBA has been great to me, I was disappointed with the Mac Mini we bought for the business, it sucks ass and no computer should perform like that brand new in 2017.
Now that I'm looking to upgrade to macbook pro 15", there were no announcements during WWDC, while its understandable they could do it later this year, I'm still pretty disappointed.
Now that I'm looking to upgrade to macbook pro 15", there were no announcements during WWDC, while its understandable they could do it later this year, I'm still pretty disappointed.
I still hope that all of this is a sign that new Macs are coming, like, tomorrow? Right?!!
Glad I had the use of very useful Mac hardware YEARS ago when I was working... they were the best BACK THEN. Now my needs are simpler... I want a mid tower with some slots and accommodation for MY choice of video cards, i.e. modular and expandable. They have know this in Cupertino for years now. I don't for a nanosecond believe what is coming from them (or the fanbois) about needing years to study workflow... they VERY easily could have produced a machine like that last year, this is NOT rocket science here. I am not waiting around for some 15k machine that will have zero bearing on what I need.
As for X, well, I WAS a HUGE fan of it... but sad to say there are SO many things that simply worked better... in OS9, of all things. Hell way back when I had a 30-40k mailing list running on OS9 that never, ever went down over a 2-3 year period (except when I shut it down to move the machine because the Fortune 200 company I worked for moved my division's offices to another location).
Cook is simply a numbers man, he HAS done a great job in reaching the pinnacle of financial success he has. BUT it is 100% based on selling phones... AND getting people to toss out theirs to buy the new model. The whole "desktop/laptop' computer thing they ONLY do for public relations, they are scared to get rid of it in case it MIGHT affect the phones. Computer hardware is a bob and weave and faint PR operation for them these days.
The REAL Apple, of Steve Jobs, Bill Atkinson, Andy Hertzfeld is long, long gone. RIP.
As for X, well, I WAS a HUGE fan of it... but sad to say there are SO many things that simply worked better... in OS9, of all things. Hell way back when I had a 30-40k mailing list running on OS9 that never, ever went down over a 2-3 year period (except when I shut it down to move the machine because the Fortune 200 company I worked for moved my division's offices to another location).
Cook is simply a numbers man, he HAS done a great job in reaching the pinnacle of financial success he has. BUT it is 100% based on selling phones... AND getting people to toss out theirs to buy the new model. The whole "desktop/laptop' computer thing they ONLY do for public relations, they are scared to get rid of it in case it MIGHT affect the phones. Computer hardware is a bob and weave and faint PR operation for them these days.
The REAL Apple, of Steve Jobs, Bill Atkinson, Andy Hertzfeld is long, long gone. RIP.
I think the biggest bummer about the Mac hardware aging is that it's still ABSURDLY expensive. I guess we live in a world where $1k smartphones are a norm though.