Professional Mac Users' Complaints List Grows After 'Disappointing' Apple Event

[sarge]

Brilliant... thanks for digging this up. So true... Apple fans and "pro" users are always a fickle bunch of doomsayers. Yep... nothing new under the sun. Apple is doing what it always does, and all will be just fine.

There is nothing 'brilliant' about a false equivalence. Change is rarely well received but how well these transitions are managed determine whether consumers will embrace or reject them.

Take a good look at the machine in that link....they dropped Firewire 400 but retained not only the 800 spec, but the ethernet, 2 USBs the audio line in and line out (with removable RAM and HDD I might add) AND AN EXPRESSCARD expansion slot! I personally used this slot to download footage from Panasonic P2 Cards in '08. This laptop was the very definition of a Pro Machine, so please tickle your fickle somewhere else.

 

[NAYo2002]

"It's not just about performance. It's about performance per watt"
-- Steve Jobs's opening line during the first MacBook Pro announcement

 

[0388631]

In those days, there was a sweet analogy about a Ferrari and a movers van in relation to Pentium 4/AMD Opeteron and comparing them to C2D.

 

[simon lefisch]

The MacBook Pro is just too expensive for what you get from a "Pro"-perspective...

THIS right here #truth

 

[Rookbird]

The biggest problem is the cost. If they would have stuck with the same price for the entry level MacBook Pro then there would be a lot less complaints.

 

[Abazigal]

The biggest problem is the cost. If they would have stuck with the same price for the entry level MacBook Pro then there would be a lot less complaints.

Well, if Phil's comments on online sales are any indicator, there seems to be a disconnect between the volume of complaints and the popularity of the device. Don't know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing though.

 

[Michael Scrip]

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/07/21/intel-begins-shipping-kaby-lake-processors/

https://aragonresearch.com/new-macbook-pro-did-intel-chips-delay-the-launch/

http://www.universityherald.com/art...o-bring-major-upgrade-in-processor-rumors.htm

http://en.yibada.com/articles/15270...ut-with-initial-models-running-on-skylake.htm

I can keep going....

Thanks!

I just thought of something though...

Intel delays don't only affect Apple... every other OEM uses Intel processors too.

So if we're gonna blame Apple's problems on Intel... shouldn't everyone else have the same problems?

Is it because Apple only does one laptop refresh every 12-18 months... while Dell or HP will shove a new model onto the market at any ol' time?

As for this article... I don't think people are disappointed about just the processor choice. There are many other issues with the laptops Apple recently announced.

The prices were raised this time around... the lack of SD card reader and loss of regular USB ports bother many people... the Touch Bar is neat but probably isn't necessary... etc. And did I mention the price?

None of those things can be blamed on Intel's delays.

Hell... the processor should actually be cheaper now since it's a year old at this point!

 

[mrjayviper]

I don't really get what is wrong with the new MBP.
I'm a web/software developer with a 2015MBP and next year i'm going to renews plan and i like the idea of the new smaller lighter mbp.
touchbar has potential

I'm on the same boat. other than the fact I will need new adapters for my devices, not sure what's the issue. perhaps the ones complaining at the "pro" users who are more into media creation (audio/video/photo) camp? which I guess are in the minority (very small is my intelligent guess). Even our industry would be in the minority.

 

[Feenician]

while Dell or HP will shove a new model onto the market at any ol' time?

"Shove a new model onto the market" is right. "Crap out and pinch off" would also be fitting.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

This is hilarious!
Pro users whined about the Mac Pros but bought them anyway, they whined about Final Cut X but still use it anyway.
Now they're whining about the new MBPs yet it has become the most purchased MBP model ever!

Could it be that these so called "professional" users (which really just consists of YouTubers creating 5 minute clips with 183 jumpcuts) are just scared of change?

 

[bighype]

Guys, Apple's profits fell for the first time in 15 years. Please buy more dongles to help out Apple. Tim Cook's new business plan is basically to get as much money as possible from iSheep. Connectability that you used to get for "free" with your new >$2000 computer now costs money.

Dear Apple board, just fire this "TONER HEAD"/"DONGLE HEAD" already!

 

[mrjayviper]

so I guess you never had to work with a mac ever? The data amount I have to deal with (huge PS files and couple of other programs working with simultaneously) requires a fair amount of RAM. 16 GB is a slap in my face. the only option is the "trashcan" mac. And that's not an option at all in respect to a mobile workstation.

have you thought of gaming (e.g. Alienware/Dell XPS/others) Windows laptops with humongous storage capacity and RAM + dual SLI/crossfire video setups + latest/greatest Intel CPUs? I believe these are proper desktop replacement and still "portable".

edit1: something like this perhaps is more suitable to those needing more power? http://www.gentechpc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Build-Sager-NP9873

edit2: with the link above, one can have raid0 storage array! SLI GT1080! 64GB RAM! DVD burner in case you need it and other extras!

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Yeah, I certainly won't. Which is why these MacBooks are fail. Especially in the UK, where the prices are even worse.


LOL!

So I just bought a $2000 laptop and a $700 phone...and buying a dongle (which makes my laptop less portable) makes my $2700's worth of equipment compatible!

When with the previous MacBook I never needed a dongle in the first place! Thanks Apple. Thanks for making things more complicated and thank you for forcing my hand to spend an extra $25 to you if I want to use my phone with the Mac.

It's not a dongle. It's Lightning to USB-C so you can connect to your MacBook Pro and do all of your wired-based syncing from iTunes like it's 2006.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

wired-based syncing from iTunes like it's 2006.

Exactly!
I seriously want to know, who the hell are these people that are obsessed with plugging devices into other devices and enjoy having cables laying everywhere!
Do they also download their apps using iTunes and then sync them instead of using the App Store on their iPhone?

2005-2008 was the last time I was truly plugging devices into my computer and that's only because I was adding music to my iPod 5G...
Other than that the last time I plugged in a device was 2013 when I plugged in my old iPhone and used iTunes to back it up so I could restore everything onto my new iPhone 5s, because my old iPhone was on iOS 4 and I couldn't do an iCloud backup.

 

[Manatlt]

It's not a dongle. It's Lightning to USB-C so you can connect to your MacBook Pro and do all of your wired-based syncing from iTunes like it's 2006.

Okay. But, I still have to fork $25 more for my $2700's worth of equipment to work with each other. I can go home after buying the Mac and iPhone, and would have to make another trip to the store if I forget. It's no longer out of the box.

One of Apple's key strengths is (or WAS now) simplicity. That is now thrown out of the window here. I didn't need to buy an additional cable before. Now I do. In fact, if I buy a Windows laptop today it actually BEATS MacBook hands down on that department. Don't have to pay $25.

 

[mrjayviper]

Now I do. In fact, if I buy a Windows laptop today it actually BEATS MacBook hands down on that department. Don't have to pay $25.

you never had plans to buy the new macbook anyway. problem solved!

 

[Manatlt]

you never had plans to buy the new macbook anyway. problem solved!

.....

Are you this pathetic? When did I say I never had plans in the first place?

EDIT: You remind me so much of a Trump supporter really.

 

[MarsViolet]

What good is any laptop if you use clamshell mode?

You still glean the benefits of its CPU, GPU, storage etc in clamshell mode. The Touch Bar, not so much.

 

[macs4nw]

The mainstream media is TOO SCARED to write anything against Apple or else they won't get tickets to next Apple event. But now their credibility is at stake. So what will those media houses like iAnandtech or iVerge choose? Apple or their website readers?

While I get your point, AnandTech is one of the more knowledgeable and objective ones out there.
[doublepost=1478150516][/doublepost]

Might sound silly of me, but I really hope this Macbook Pro flops, it would be a great lesson for Apple.

You may not get your wish. Pre-orders for the new MBPs are apparently higher than ever before.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Okay. But, I still have to fork $25 more for my $2700's worth of equipment to work with each other. I can go home after buying the Mac and iPhone, and would have to make another trip to the store if I forget. It's no longer out of the box.

One of Apple's key strengths is (or WAS now) simplicity. That is now thrown out of the window here. I didn't need to buy an additional cable before. Now I do. In fact, if I buy a Windows laptop today it actually BEATS MacBook hands down on that department. Don't have to pay $25.

It's the nature of the beast when pushing a new standard forward. But, by all means, enjoy your Dell and extra $25 for lunch.

 

[Manatlt]

It's the nature of the beast when pushing a new standard forward. But, by all means, enjoy your Dell.

But Apple's not fully pushing the new standard forward. They're half-assing it.

Don't worry, I'll enjoy the new Surface Book or the new HP Spectre x360. These are better than these MacBooks. Better value for my money. <Yes, Dell isn't the only manufacturer that produces Windows laptops, surprise!!>

 

[weckart]

Exactly!
I seriously want to know, who the hell are these people that are obsessed with plugging devices into other devices and enjoy having cables laying everywhere!
Do they also download their apps using iTunes and then sync them instead of using the App Store on their iPhone?

2005-2008 was the last time I was truly plugging devices into my computer and that's only because I was adding music to my iPod 5G...
Other than that the last time I plugged in a device was 2013 when I plugged in my old iPhone and used iTunes to back it up so I could restore everything onto my new iPhone 5s, because my old iPhone was on iOS 4 and I couldn't do an iCloud backup.

Professionals because that is what Apple has left them with since it dropped the Mac Pro all-in-one design for the MacTrashCan for which connectivity (e.g. storage) is entirely external. A mass of cables because Apple deemed that to be the future.

 

[deadsoul]

The Touchbar is an embarrassment. Years of ignoring and angering creative professionals has led to THIS... an emoji-selecting bar. Jesus!

This is just the beginning of the end...

 

[Neodym]

Wow!! You just made an excuse for Apple surviving by not spending R&D on new desktops!!!

No - I said they have to decide where to spend and how much. I did not say they would not do R&D on desktops at all.

And please shut up with this niche market BS please, desktops are used in the billions most likely daily around the globe.

Exactly - _existing_ machines are _used_. Not purchased in the billions. And if the existing computers are replaced for whatever reason, more often than not they are not replaced by a desktop, but by some mobile device.

Ever visited an office? And before you go down the business route, it was Tim Cook who signed a deal with IBM to sell Macs to the business market...

Ever worked in an office? Standard business tasks can be done on existing machines more than fine enough. They're practically overkill for what is required. If there is any requirement, it is to get less energy consumption and lower cost. More computing or GPU power is only very seldom on the wish list for average office users.

Thus the deal with IBM does make sense. It brings volume (economies of scale) and reaches people that never thought of buying a Mac in private. Having the business experience, they may opt for going Mac in their next private purchase. That's how the standard PC's (a.k.a. "IBM PC") have become so big, even in private households.

Too bad though that there are lucrative fields like 3D gaming, VR, beyond-4k video editing etc. that are either impossible or very difficult on the current hardware/software platform Apple offers.

All those fields are still far from being mainstream and therefore far from needing full support just yet. Cook has more than once hinted that Apple is aware and researching those fields, so I'm pretty confident they will have the required hardware ready once the market is big enough.

Because that's what has changed: Apple is not serving small niche markets anymore, like they used to in the past. They are serving the big markets. Either already existing or on the brink of becoming big.

 

[petvas]

No - I said they have to decide where to spend and how much. I did not say they would not do R&D on desktops at all.


Exactly - _existing_ machines are _used_. Not purchased in the billions. And if the existing computers are replaced for whatever reason, more often than not they are not replaced by a desktop, but by some mobile device.


Ever worked in an office? Standard business tasks can be done on existing machines more than fine enough. They're practically overkill for what is required. If there is any requirement, it is to get less energy consumption and lower cost. More computing or GPU power is only very seldom on the wish list for average office users.

Thus the deal with IBM does make sense. It brings volume (economies of scale) and reaches people that never thought of buying a Mac in private. Having the business experience, they may opt for going Mac in their next private purchase. That's how the standard PC's (a.k.a. "IBM PC") have become so big, even in private households.


All those fields are still far from being mainstream and therefore far from needing full support just yet. Cook has more than once hinted that Apple is aware and researching those fields, so I'm pretty confident they will have the required hardware ready once the market is big enough.

Because that's what has changed: Apple is not serving small niche markets anymore, like they used to in the past. They are serving the big markets. Either already existing or on the brink of becoming big.

Then how can Apple still use the "pro" word on their laptops? The MacBook Pro has gone mainstream and it is not a pro machine anymore.
Its sales will be very good, since Apple is now reaching to prosumers and normal consumers. Apple has abandoned the pros.