It's been detailed by many on how intel is part of the reason in what people complaining about the new Macbook Pros. It's funny how people were antsy, wanting Apple to release new stuff just because (despite their previous gen Macbook Pros gave them the power AND the connectivity they needed).
As a business, Apple has multiple dilemmas. Computer and laptop markets are shrinking. Let's be honest here. Heck, look at how many "fans" here are still using more than 5, 6, 7 year old laptops. So we have a shrinking and long product lifecycle market. Then there's intel, who switched from their tried-n-true tick-tock lifecycle into a longer one as well as there's limit on what they can do with silicon. Apple was between a rock and a hard place. They have to justify investing something that won't generate much revenue, with a partner that is also slowing down. They made a compromise and did what they could. As for the higher prices, again, Apple is all about margins. I mean people that expect Apple to suddenly behave like Acer is silly.
And this is not new. Many early iterations or revisions of Apple products come with questionable decisions.
- First iPad: 256MB RAM, making it useless fairly quick
- First Macbook Air: thermal issues, only one USB port
- First iteration of the current Macbook Air: No backlight keyboard (it was added on next revision), only Core 2 Duo
- First iPod nano: scratches like nobody's business
- 3rd gen iPod shuffle: no buttons at all
- First iPod: An MP3 player that only works on OS X, ignoring all Windows users
- First iPhone: 2G only, cost $500 WITH a 2 year contract
Oh for all Steve Jobs fans, ALL of those are under Steve Jobs.
And speaking of Steve Jobs, he himself said that he wants Apple to make computers for mere mortals. For decades, Macs are it. But Steve jobs himself recognized that the world is changing. He even used the truck vs cars analogy. And thus the focus on mobile. He even said during the announcement of iCloud, that the Mac is no longer the digital hub. It got demoted.
Now, for those complaining about the "Pro" monicker, go check out Microsoft's Surface Pros. It started with a core m3 processor. Is that a Pro machine? It is maxed at 16GB as well, and only has 1 UBS 3 port as its fastest i/o. Is that a Pro machine? The Surface Book also only have USB3 as its fastest i/o. Is that professional enough for you? These machines' target market are not people that need workstations.
Meanwhile, people is missing the fact that the new Macbook Pro contains a new Apple chip, T1, another amongst the slew of Apple custom designed chips: W1, S2, and A10. Apple is already preparing to play a different ballgame. For those only wanting Apple to be just another laptop company like Acer or Dell, well, I guess it's a good thing you are not working at Apple.
Am I buying the new Macbook Pro? Nope. Why should I? My current Macs don't suddenly self-combust after the keynote. And even if I must have a Mac with all the ports I needed, Apple has a well-known refurbished section in their online store.
