the macbook just an expriment ?

[Theophil1971]

...Yes it would be useless, if your intended needs included carpooling which I would consider a typical usage case for a car. The typical usage case for laptop is using multiple ports.

Eh... I don't think this is any more true than saying that the typical use case for a vehicle is hauling cargo. For many, perhaps. For many others, not so. Hence bicycles, motorcycles, subcompacts, etc.... are very popular vehicles for many people's use cases.
I haven't even purchased an adaptor for my MB. I've only used the port for charging, and wireless has provided a perfectly suitable way for transferring the data I need transferred.
That won't be true of others, of course. They'll need ports for thumb drives, external HDs, optical drives, etc.... Some people need trucks, others don't, and would prefer the economy and portability of a motorcycle.

 

[dogslobber]

I haven't even purchased an adaptor for my MB. I've only used the port for charging, and wireless has provided a perfectly suitable way for transferring the data I need transferred.

The point is that adding a second port should have been mandatory. The form factor supports it easily but Apple didn't include it. It doesn't matter if the anecdotal evidence here says most don't need it; it should have been included without question. It's just one of several Macbook design problems that Apple needs to resolve.

 

[ahostmadsen]

Ah, the cloud, aka a remote insecure server not under my control. Yes, let me store my data there because I'm not a mug. But how does that help me get photos from my digital camera to my MacBook?

Very easy: you connect it to the USB port on the AV adapter. Or, if you have a modern camera, you can transfer through WiFi (my Sony came

The point is that adding a second port should have been mandatory. The form factor supports it easily but Apple didn't include it. It doesn't matter if the anecdotal evidence here says most don't need it; it should have been included without question. It's just one of several Macbook design problems that Apple needs to resolve.

Nonsense. Why mandatory? I prefer a single port. If a single port is not for you, don't buy and rMB.

 

[dogslobber]

Very easy: you connect it to the USB port on the AV adapter. Or, if you have a modern camera, you can transfer through WiFi (my Sony came

Did you read the post I was responding to? Perhaps not.

Nonsense. Why mandatory? I prefer a single port. If a single port is not for you, don't buy and rMB.

What does "anecdotal" mean?

 

[ixxx69]

Pretty much, this build is a bit of a lemon but they'll probably resolve the issues with the 2016 model. So I'd say avoid this model as it only has one external port.

It's fair enough to want more than one port... and you've made it clear that for your usage, it's a deal-breaker. And it's fine to express both those points, and your dissatisfaction with the laptop because of that. You obviously can criticize Apple for making the design decisions they made.

But that's where it ends. You're not going to convince people who LIKE their MacBook that it's actually a "lemon" because it doesn't fit your requirements. You can warn potential buyers that they might want to consider whether one port is going to be an issue for their usage, but telling other people they shouldn't buy it because it doesn't fit your requirements is not really cool.

 

[ZipZap]

First, 2.9GHz TURBO BOOST is not incorrect - that's the actual clock speed the 1.3GHz CPU version is able to operate at as long as it doesn't overheat (i.e. for short periods of time... and short periods of time are all that's needed for typical usage... we're talking seconds at a time).

The question wasn't that it couldn't eventually be "better"... every computer could be "better" with faster everything. The issue is that the OP implies that it has crummy specs, and in the context of what most users need in a 12" ultra-portable laptop, the "underpowered" argument is largely a fallacy. Personally, I would say it's most significant short-coming right now is that it can't use external 4K displays @ 60Hz... but that goes for a few current Macs.

There's no doubt that the next version will be even slicker. You can call it whatever you want. We've been reminded that the Apple TV is a "hobby" in every MR article about it over the last 8 years, but I've had all four versions now, and I've enjoyed 8 years of great Apple TV boxes. I don't quite understand why people around here keep insisting on the rMP FUD, like the thing is half-glued together with weird things sticking out and parts falling off and the whole thing might just start spewing smoke at any moment.

No one talks in terms of the turbo boost speed as its not the typical speed. Yes, the current CPUs are underpowered, but perhaps not for an on the go laptop for browsing.

Yes, lack of 60z 4K is a disappointment.

 

[dogslobber]

It's fair enough to want more than one port... and you've made it clear that for your usage, it's a deal-breaker. And it's fine to express both those points, and your dissatisfaction with the laptop because of that. You obviously can criticize Apple for making the design decisions they made.

But that's where it ends. You're not going to convince people who LIKE their MacBook that it's actually a "lemon" because it doesn't fit your requirements. You can warn potential buyers that they might want to consider whether one port is going to be an issue for their usage, but telling other people they shouldn't buy it because it doesn't fit your requirements is not really cool.

I think you're being disingenuous to buyers of the MacBook if you think my comments will have any bearing on their buying decisions. As to what comments I make, it's not really about me nor my ability to be cool in your eyes. These are public forums where opinion can be expressed, so please don't try to tell me what I can type.

 

[aristobrat]

As to what comments I make, it's not really about me nor my ability to be cool in your eyes. These are public forums where opinion can be expressed, so please don't try to tell me what I can type.

I think it was a suggestion for how you can make your posts more useful here on MacRumors.

You sniped into this thread with a first post of "Pretty much, this build is a bit of a lemon but they'll probably resolve the issues with the 2016 model. So I'd say avoid this model as it only has one external port.".

Great opinion, but absolutely meaningless to the 936 people that have read this thread so far because you didn't bother to add any relevance to it. Why do you consider it a lemon? What do you do that requires more than one external point?

It's one thing to give an opinion. It sometimes takes a little more when it comes to giving an opinion that's a useful contribution to an ongoing discussion. IMO.

 

[ixxx69]

No one talks in terms of the turbo boost speed as its not the typical speed. Yes, the current CPUs are underpowered, but perhaps not for an on the go laptop for browsing.

Of course people talk in TB speed numbers when it comes to CPU performance (we were specifically discussing "specs")... do you understand how TB works?

And again, "underpowered" by what standard? "Underpowered" implies that performance doesn't meet your expectations. So your expectations aren't in line with others who are perfectly happy with performance, so put your criticism in context. In what specific ways do you feel the MacBook underperforms?

 

[boltjames]

Yes it would be useless, if your intended needs included carpooling which I would consider a typical usage case for a car. The typical usage case for laptop is using multiple ports.

Carpooling is a typical use case for most cars but there are specific, specialized cars for which that is not an option. Convertibles and Roadsters come to mind. The RMB is that specific, specialized notebook. It's not designed for hauling capacity; it's designed for stealth.

BJ

 

[boltjames]

What I don't get is why Apple didn't simply give the MBA a Retina display. The form factor is a winner and the connectivity is excellent. I think it's a marketing decision given there's no way to milk the current MBA due to its price point. Inventing this MacBook simply makes it an outlier any useless to the majority of Mac users.

Because the Air is a 2006-era computer, it's 9 years old, it's no longer the flagship light/thin model, and it's clearly being phased out. It'll be marked down at Christmas and dustbinned as the iPhone 5C of the MacBook line, the cheap notebook for emerging markets like India and China.

May I suggest your workplace moves into the 21st century? At my workplace, all data exchange is done through the cloud.

The RMB is designed for cutting-edge early adopters. We don't use thumb drives, we don't use Ethernet, we don't use monitors, we don't have digital cameras. We use Dropbox, we use wi-fi, we have retina displays, we have phones with built-in cameras.

But how does that help me get photos from my digital camera to my MacBook?

I don't know anyone that owns a digital camera any more except my 80 year old aunt. The rest of us use our iPhone's. And those that have expensive DSLR's also own multiple legacy desktops and notebooks that have SD card readers precisely for that purpose.

You like old technology. That's cool. That's why Apple still sells the Air and it's 2006-era technology.

BJ

 

[kiranmk2]

To answer the orgininal question, it's definitely an experiment. A lot of the technologies on display here are likely to translate to the MBP - terraced battery, low-profile keyboard, USB-C,new screen technology (force touch has already transferred). By marketing the MB as a highly portable laptop Apple can target the same group who made the original Air a success (those who value portability above all else) and see what feedback they get on the technologies. From the sounds of it the batteries have some issues (degrading cells) the keyboard might need some tweaks and USB-C might not be ready to completely usurp USB-A. Thus when the rMBP (the big seller) is updated they can hit the ground running with a great product (hopefully). If they benchmarks about the Skylake Core-M matching the 2015 MBA performance, the MBA might be for the scrap heap if the rMB price can be cut towards $999.

 

[grahamperrin]

… I don't know anyone that owns a digital camera any more except my 80 year old aunt. …

And it serves me very well, sonny.

 

[maflynn]

I don't know anyone that owns a digital camera

I do, and in fact I still see them used quite often. I see plenty of people in DisneyWorld using digital cameras.

 

[dogslobber]

I do, and in fact I still see them used quite often. I see plenty of people in DisneyWorld using digital cameras.

When the iPhone 4 ariel fiasco was ongoing, it was because we were holding the phone wrong, not as apple designed it to be held. Grandparent poster would have been a flag waver back then saying the unwashed hordes don't need iPhone 4s if you don't hold it how steve says one should!

 

[aristobrat]

I do, and in fact I still see them used quite often. I see plenty of people in DisneyWorld using digital cameras.

I seem them quite often too.

I know this isn't your point, but I don't see what the issue is with getting photos from these digital cameras over to the new MacBook.

 

[boltjames]

I do, and in fact I still see them used quite often. I see plenty of people in DisneyWorld using digital cameras.

Hey, I own a few too, we just don't use them anymore. But if we did, we certainly have older computers in our homes that have SD card readers. My wife, kids, me, we have 6 computers in the house with SD card slots. It's not what the RMB is for, clearly. The RMB is for the person who has moved on from 1990's technology and the ports associated with them. It's not a detriment, it's a benefit. RMB owners don't want to pay for an SD card reader, have the thickness of the SD card reader, and the weight of the SD card reader 365 days a year for the 2 days they actually would need the thing. That's the whole point of the RMB.

I know this isn't your point, but I don't see what the issue is with getting photos from these digital cameras over to the new MacBook.

Yeah, you buy the USB adapter and that's that. Or even one of the third-party USB-C adapters out that have native SD card slots.

I would find it very hard to believe that a buyer of a $1,800 RMB doesn't own at least 3 other notebooks/PC's in the house with SD card slots. Camera > SD Card PC > Dropbox > RMB. It's not harder than plugging the camera into the RMB natively; you boot up your notebook, Dropbox is already running, photos are there before you can launch Safari and check the weather.

BJ

 

[toddzrx]

What I don't get is why Apple didn't simply give the MBA a Retina display.

As stated many times on other threads, adding a retina screen to the current MBA and keeping battery life the same would require a bigger battery and you'd have something the size of a MacBook Pro.

 

[ahostmadsen]

I would find it very hard to believe that a buyer of a $1,800 RMB doesn't own at least 3 other notebooks/PC's in the house with SD card slots. Camera > SD Card PC > Dropbox > RMB. It's not harder than plugging the camera into the RMB natively; you boot up your notebook, Dropbox is already running, photos are there before you can launch Safari and check the weather.

BJ

People who care about photography still buy cameras. You want low light? DSLR (or mirrorless). You want a non-wideangle lens perspective? DSLR. You want a tele-lens? DSLR? You want a narrow depth-of-field? DSLR. etc etc. No doubt the iPhone camera is very good, but for a very specific kind of photos.

The issue with your approach is that uploading is very slow, even if you have a fast connection. To upload my photos to iCloud initially took one month.

So, it is an advantage to download directly to the rMB. I don't see the problem there. Just use a USB adaptor. Or, many modern cameras can connect through WiFi.