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Slate : You Should Think of the New MacBook As a Tablet

pasadena said:
This is exactly how I think about this new rMB : http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/03/09/apple_releases_2_lb_12_retina_macbook.html

Granted, that's a really expensive tablet. But that's what it seems to be - a new device for people who want the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a laptop (and a computer-style OS).
Click to expand...

or a laptop without a lot of peripherals. it's a LAPTOP. it runs OS X, not iOS. so, a macbook for people who want the portability of a laptop with the functionality of a laptop. :D
 
pasadena said:
This is exactly how I think about this new rMB : http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/03/09/apple_releases_2_lb_12_retina_macbook.html

Granted, that's a really expensive tablet. But that's what it seems to be - a new device for people who want the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a laptop (and a computer-style OS).
Click to expand...

Yup. I said this in another thread, but I think the 12" rMB is targeted at those who require Mac OS X but want the portability/benefit of an iPad. I could never use an iPad as my primary device for the simple fact that a desktop OS is best for how I work, but I also don't need things that the Pro/Air offers. So this new rMB will be perfect for my needs.
 
fisherking said:
or a laptop without a lot of peripherals. it's a LAPTOP. it runs OS X, not iOS. so, a macbook for people who want the portability of a laptop with the functionality of a laptop. :D
Click to expand...

I think you missed my point :)

To me, this is the best of both worlds, and the author explains it better than I can.
 
pasadena said:
I think you missed my point :)

To me, this is the best of both worlds, and the author explains it better than I can.
Click to expand...

i hear u, really. just...so much whining on the forums here, am surprised. it is exactly what it is, and will suit some people...and not others. like any other device...
 
fisherking said:
i hear u, really. just...so much whining on the forums here, am surprised. it is exactly what it is, and will suit some people...and not others. like any other device...
Click to expand...

Absolutely. One device can't suit everybody. I get the disappointment, though.

That's not much different than any other Apple launch. People hope for something that will fit them like it was made for them alone, and when that doesn't happen, they feel betrayed. We were all so convinced we would see a retina macbook air - e.g. with the same exact usage as the current one, maybe even closer to the MBP, that we have trouble fitting this one in.

We were expecting (and wanting) a full computer for classic computer usage. We didn't get that.

I'm lucky - it fits my usage and they traded off things I don't use or don't really care about. So much that I can adapt my expectations. Could have been the other way around.
 
pasadena said:
I'm lucky - it fits my usage and they traded off things I don't use or don't really care about. So much that I can adapt my expectations. Could have been the other way around.
Click to expand...


Mm-hmm. It's going to be great for people like us.
 
Fine, it's an ipad alternative. I wouldn't mind that comparison if the entry-level model wasn't over twice the price as the entry-level ipad air 2.

It's a laptop aimed at people that want form over function. If you want function and almost as much form, you get the macbook pro 13.
 
I agree that it does seem like an iPad replacement for those wanting full OS X on the go. Looks like those hoping for OS X on iPad can forget about that for a while.
 
If you want a tablet, you should get an 11-inch MacBook Air for $200-400 cheaper.

It's ultra-light, has what is essentially a tablet processor, puts long battery life first, and has few ports.
Click to expand...

The 11-inch Air weighs only 0.38 lbs more, and has the same battery life. It also has a much better processor.

So the only thing an extra few hundred dollars gets you is a retina display (which may be worth it) and a slight larger display.
 
rorschach said:
If you want a tablet, you should get an 11-inch MacBook Air for $200-400 cheaper.

The 11-inch Air weighs only 0.38 lbs more, and has the same battery life. It also has a much better processor.

So the only thing an extra few hundred dollars gets you is a retina display (which may be worth it) and a slight larger display.
Click to expand...

And 0.38lbs less, a 16:10 ratio and a much better trackpad if we believe the first hands-on reviews. As for the processor, I'll wait for the real reviews. One of them is probably enough for my usage and the rest of the criteria make up for it. All of this being exactly the whole point of this article.
 
It seems to me like a response to the Microsoft Surface and other convertible laptops. However, the segregation of iOS and Mac OS is getting in the way.

It actually reminds me a lot of the original macbook air launch in 2008. It's a computer that makes sense for very few people. Need a computer with a keyboard that's incredibly light because you're always on the go? There it is, sacrifices abound.

But going from a 5 pounds computer (old plastic macbook and original aluminium 13" macbook /pro) to a 3 pound laptop was a big jump. Going from 2.38 pounds (11" MBA) or 2.96 pounds (13" MBA) to 2.03 pounds on the 12" MB and a whopping 4 millimetres thinner at the cost useable connectivity seems iffy. Again, it's a rev 1 product and like the original MBA it doesn't make sense yet. Once the price drops significantly and the adaptors get figured out, I can see this taking over the market.

I'd love to see a USB type-C charging cable with a pass-through right on it. So, the plug would have the connector on one end to charge the computer but you could also plug something into the connector while charging.
 
OK, I see the ipad tablet function for people who hate tablets....

Why not put an LTE radio in it like the ipad? I use that unction on my ipad air all the time when traveling. Seems like an oversight, or am I just supposed to tether to my iphone?
 
Salty Pirate said:
OK, I see the ipad tablet function for people who hate tablets....

Why not put an LTE radio in it like the ipad? I use that unction on my ipad air all the time when traveling. Seems like an oversight, or am I just supposed to tether to my iphone?
Click to expand...

Yup, Apple wants you to use the iPhone hotspot feature on your Mac. I don't think they will ever include LTE connectivity on any Mac.
 
pasadena said:
This is exactly how I think about this new rMB : http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/03/09/apple_releases_2_lb_12_retina_macbook.html

Granted, that's a really expensive tablet. But that's what it seems to be - a new device for people who want the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a laptop (and a computer-style OS).
Click to expand...

No. Why? Because a tablet does not have the same software as a computer. There is a huge difference. Plus, you have a full size keyboard.

Apples and Oranges. Apples and Oranges...
 
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