My point is that not all users are created equal. Not every professional or power user necessarily needs more than 16 gb of ram. You can already edit 4K video using Final Cut Pro on a MacBook. Would using a MacBook with 16 gb of ram result be that inoperable?
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Professional Mac Users' Complaints List Grows After 'Disappointing' Apple Event
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My point is that not all users are created equal. Not every professional or power user necessarily needs more than 16 gb of ram. You can already edit 4K video using Final Cut Pro on a MacBook. Would using a MacBook with 16 gb of ram result be that inoperable?
Fair enough, that explains why consumer level stuff might not have the power it once did but to call something "Pro" IMO means that it's aimed at a professional market; which is often a market that can't be done on mobile.
The MacBook Pro was created to be a stronger MacBook, one that photo or video editors could easily work on. Now that name appears to just mean the price tag.
Wasn't there an article on MacRumors a few years ago saying that Apple sold more iOS devices in about 5 years than they sold Macs in 30? (I'm guessing on the specific numbers, but somewhere around there). If accurate, I could definitely understand why Apple's more interested in iOS devices.
The new MacBook Pros are absolutely more powerful than their predecessors. Yes they are more expensive, but that's because Apple has put a computer inside a computer with the new TouchBar experience they are betting on.
You didn't pick the best example to quote there because 8 months later Apple dropped that model and in it's replacement bought back the FireWire, increased the processor speed and reduced the price.
I don't think a device is underpowered for having 16GB max, specially with extremely fast SSD. Apple decided to put a CPU with the same performance (as previous years) BUT with lower energy consumption to decrease the laptop volume by 30%. The fair question is; Is the cpu fast enough for pros? I guess it is fast enough for editing 4K videos, photo editing and maybe 3D modeling on-the-go. For gaming, forget it.
Why Apple just gave reviewers the MBP sans-touchbar? They don't want to risk bad press.
The sans-touch bar might be the best option since it has more battery and cost $300 less.
Does the new MBP offer a good value for $1500? In my personal opinion, no. And I bet many feel the same and Apple won't sell many of those (same applies for macbook 12'). Today, Apple laptops doesn't offer the best performance, they're just slim.
What would make it right IMHO? Slash those prices by $300. Those marketing executives are taking us as fools with those marketing videos.
Why Apple just gave reviewers the MBP sans-touchbar? They don't want to risk bad press.
The sans-touch bar might be the best option since it has more battery and cost $300 less.
Does the new MBP offer a good value for $1500? In my personal opinion, no. And I bet many feel the same and Apple won't sell many of those (same applies for macbook 12'). Today, Apple laptops doesn't offer the best performance, they're just slim.
What would make it right IMHO? Slash those prices by $300. Those marketing executives are taking us as fools with those marketing videos.
Yup, I think we will see an Ax based Macs sooner than later, if not to just give intel a slight kick. Intel is slowing down on their x86 lineup, foregoing their previous tick-tock cycle into a longer three-steps cycle.
This is great! Spot on.
And I still understand why people are upset with the new computers, but this always happens with Apple products.
It is a disappointment. All my years following this blog i havent seen such negative comments after an apple release. This is not a professional grade laptop, anyone can see this. The pricing is crazy! But i learned my lesson with macbooks with the 2012 retina release. I havent purchase one since. I suspect apple isnt updating their desktop line because these are the only (somewhat) useful and upgradeable machines they have left. This is a shame...
Depending what you are doing with it. You can edit proxy 4k, not proper 4K, and god help you if you need to add any effects that will tax your RAM and GPU. That's not even accounting for the Render times.
Our Mac Pro's in the studio run out of usable RAM sometimes while rendering effects on RED footage and that's been transcoded down to 1080. These computers have 24GB of RAM, you do the math.
Apple can claim these computers can edit 4K because, at a base level, they can. However if a user wants speed and creativity it won't cut it.
Yes, we will. However, a full update cycle or two will tell the whole story. The first generation of any new design is always the one that takes the most flak. Remember when the rMBP first came out, and it was more expensive and had graphics issues, and everyone was complaining? Well, one or two update cycles and suddenly it's the best laptop of all time. Same thing with the MBA, and maybe with the new MB too. I suspect the exact same will be true this time around with the Pro. You'll get your 32GB of RAM, new iPhones will be on USB-C (potentially), and the price will drop a bit most likely.
You are the niche... as am I... Think about how many people need titan/1080 power really. Certainly not if they don't game.
Exterior box GPUs are actually a good idea and now a really possibility with thunderbolt 3. YOu get the mobile power gains and can plug in a 1080 for serious power... of course needs Devs and Apple to support this better.
Here's what Gruber has to say
I think that sums up what's occurring, you cannot say its people living in the past, or that its just some fringe users, or typical frustration that we see every roll out. There seems to be a lot of hard core, dedicated mac users who are dismayed
I think that sums up what's occurring, you cannot say its people living in the past, or that its just some fringe users, or typical frustration that we see every roll out. There seems to be a lot of hard core, dedicated mac users who are dismayed
Seems he is but he probably doesn't use his computer to create anything and instead just consumes on it.
For anyone wanting to create films / artwork / games / server stuff / apps you need a desktop. An iPad wont cut it and is not designed to
Especially first-generation of a brand new design. There are ALWAYS (valid) complaints, but they will be worked out.
I agree with this. This point is the only thing that puts me on the level with their current direction. It is kind of like the App Store and my frustrations with it. I would prefer developers spend time making boss productivity Apps. Guess what though? Games earn the most money, so the biggest gains on the App Store have been in games. There are some iOS productivity Apps that have literally stayed the same barring a few UI updates. If I need them though, I am going to pay the price.
I think a big part of the problem, as you say, was/is expectation. Those of us who do push their systems to the limit hoped that a new MacBook Pro would evolve in that direction. Offering more power, more memory, faster storage, a full complement of inputs and so on and so on. Instead what Apple decided to do was make the next generation MacBook Air and call it the MacBook Pro.
It is very likely indicative of the market. Despite the "Pro" moniker, the vast majority of the user base are likely to be non-pro users who just want a higher specification laptop. So Apple are naturally going to cater more to the largest user base.
But it would have been nice if this MacBook Pro was actually the new MacBook Air and Apple continued to offer a MacBook Pro that really did push the limits to keep the higher demanding creative professionals happy.
I believe it's time they hired a new designer of hardware and get "What's his face(Ive)" the boot out the door. You do read on occasions how there is trouble and politics inside the org between different groups. Guess you can't talk down to the top management or get your point across without being fired. Fear!
Based on everything you can read everywhere. So, what is your minority statement based on?
There was to my knowledge NEVER an outcry like this time over the last 32 years I bought Macs and granted with websites and blogs more info is available, but for you to dismiss the opinion of real pros using Mac for a living is at best questionable.
Don't bring up floppy disk and superdrive dismissals, these were not defining a complete machines architecture.
In 32 years I never felt as upset about an Apple presentation. (BTW: That event was not even necessary for what they had to show)
No mention of their other Mac models' future, reviewing the past, creating a solution for a problem that didn't exist and to me these guys are utterly confused and there is no way they use their Pro machines for Pro work.
It is downright embarrassing to sell old tech at higher prices and spoil the Apple design mantra with dongles.
I tried to calm down over the last few days and finding positive info about these MBPs, but all I find is real pros questioning things, amping up my guided outrage.
The statement is true that we are not haters, we are Apple users and fans and we were stabbed in the heart with an FU bar!
The reality is that given Intel's CPU design, Apple could either have left the max ram 16GB or made the new computers heavier and thicker. They made the right decision. 90% plus don't need 32GB of ram, but almost everyone would like a thinner and lighter notebook.
Who currently at Apple would make a great CEO?
I imagine Ive wouldn't want the role as it would take him further away from hands-on product design. Schiller is busy sucking the "thinner is better" juice and anyone else I've seen on stage is great at demo-ing emojis but not really IMHO a natural successor to Jobs or at least his vision.
We wanted pro machines made for creatives. We got emojis and minecraft and smaller machines that can do less for more $$. Still gutted.
So 32GB magically became a 'pro' requirement in 2016? It wasn't one in 2014 or 2015? Prior to the event I don't remember seeing these tantrum throwers saying "if the new MBP doesn't have 32GB RAM it's a failure and I'm not buying one".
This in no way discounts the very real problems that Mac users have with the new MBPs. I just want to add my voice as a creative professional who really likes it. Really. I've been moving wireless for some time. Bluetooth headphones, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse. About the only things I plug in is a monitor and power. I never plug my iPhone into my laptop. I also think the Touch Bar is great. It's actually an incredibly practical replacement for function keys. I'm looking forward to having my most used Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketch, and system shortcuts there. Apple was right: the function keys really do seem outdated. I love that the Macs aren't touch screen. I've used Windows and having to account for both cursor *and* touch interactions really does end up feeling like a very compromised system.
I can get behind a few complaints. I would have liked an SD card reader. I don't use it much but it's handy. More RAM is always welcome. Other than that, I'm good. I think it's a beautiful machine. I think the tough sell is that Apple knows how many of their customers actually exist at the extreme high end of the pro creative market (3D etc) and it's relatively very few. The new system is plenty good enough for 90% of creative pros. I take a lot of
pride in my work and I've designed serious campaigns for many many fortune 100 companies. The specs at 16GB of RAM and an SSD have been plenty good for some time. Sure... a little more would be fine, but last year's MBP has never felt slow to me even once. I've never waited on it. Speed and storage improvements are diminishing returns and they're focusing on other things (like the touch bar) that will actually have a more real productivity benefit than keeping up with specs. Where does that game end? And if Apple knows my case to be most creative pro cases, I think they're right to go the direction they are. Most people probably use the MBP plugged in for 70% of a day. Most are never waiting for processes to finish. When you reach that point, go ahead... make it thinner. Make it look more beautiful and more futuristic. Make it more joyful to use.
I can get behind a few complaints. I would have liked an SD card reader. I don't use it much but it's handy. More RAM is always welcome. Other than that, I'm good. I think it's a beautiful machine. I think the tough sell is that Apple knows how many of their customers actually exist at the extreme high end of the pro creative market (3D etc) and it's relatively very few. The new system is plenty good enough for 90% of creative pros. I take a lot of
pride in my work and I've designed serious campaigns for many many fortune 100 companies. The specs at 16GB of RAM and an SSD have been plenty good for some time. Sure... a little more would be fine, but last year's MBP has never felt slow to me even once. I've never waited on it. Speed and storage improvements are diminishing returns and they're focusing on other things (like the touch bar) that will actually have a more real productivity benefit than keeping up with specs. Where does that game end? And if Apple knows my case to be most creative pro cases, I think they're right to go the direction they are. Most people probably use the MBP plugged in for 70% of a day. Most are never waiting for processes to finish. When you reach that point, go ahead... make it thinner. Make it look more beautiful and more futuristic. Make it more joyful to use.