Microsoft's offering is now very compelling.
Except for a lot of the stuff we (now spoiled) Mac users are complaining about is rampant on Windows. We're just used to things being better. But, yes, if the Mac goes further downhill, and Windows improves a bit more... it's going to come down to which is cheaper and more flexible, at some point. If I'm going to put up with *%$#, I may as well get a good deal.
Er... Everybody knows half of those things won't ever be in a MacBook... Go buy a PC
Yea, I'm not even sure I'd want
all of that stuff anymore. I highly doubt Apple is going to built a boat-anchor laptop anymore (and not sure I'd want one... though I could see a very small niche who would).
I'm actually even fine with the sealed, non-upgradable, stuff if I know that going in... and if there are sufficient advantages to it (which I think there are... it isn't
just planned obsolescence). But, I do expect up-to-date hardware and reasonableness on the port stuff (i.e., not 1 USB-C that's also the charge port... or a desktop w/o ethernet, etc.).
I'm pretty easy to please. It's the utter lack of keeping pace with the hardware, and software that's continually being ignored or even degraded that is the problem.
Just to be fair, I was looking at laptops on the BestBuy website a few days ago. There are huge amounts of current laptops being sold with 5400RPM HDs to this date.
Yea, we've gotten spoiled by most of the Mac lineup being SSD. My bottom of the line MBA seems to fly compared to my way faster iMac because of that. It's just a whole different experience. They really should make the entire line SSD based now, though.
I reckon as far as Apple's market segments goes, I'm in the "starbucks crowd". I don't need super hardware.
Most people don't, and Apple knows it. But, that doesn't mean Apple should only focus on one market segment.
It's just silly. Imagine Ford saying... well, according to this here pie chart, pickup trucks outsell our other products. I think we'll just stop making the rest, because everyone could make a pickup truck work.
Or, McDonalds saying... french fries make up that big pie slice, lets phase out the burgers and coffee.
It's like Cook is so focused on maximization that he's going to kill the company trying. At the same time, they are fragmenting the product line when it comes to marketing/fashion purposes. It's just nuts... it's like the worst combo of Apple in the early to mid-90s, coupled with an ironic twist of that 'fashion product' accusation we long-time Apple faithful used to defend against and hate so much.
So why would they offer me a laptop that satisfies simple computing needs both on the road and at the desk, when they can sell me crippled hardware specialised for each scenario?
It is pure business logic.
Well, it's pure business school 101 for businesses that want short-term success to the detriment of the long-term. It's just not good business. More like, pure stupid (which is, unfortunately, modern business logic .... that's starting to change though. Listen to some of the more entrepreneurial types or newer businesses.)
As for me, the solution is old hardware. Find some outdated but OK-ish Apple tech on the second hand market and forget about new macs.
The problem is longevity... and it's a problem from OS to modern apps. Unless you use all 'owned' apps, you have to keep updating the OS and software, which means new hardware.
However, here in lies the answer to my upgrade path. Just the other day I bought a used Mini 2012 server (Quadcore) and this will make an excellent desktop for me for the coming 3-5 years.
I've considered that too, though I'm worried about the above.
I work in security/cryptography and in my personal estimation it's only better than Windows. Most Linux distros patch faster, same for the BSD ones, particularly OpenBSD which is very security-oriented.
Linux just isn't a viable option for most people though. I've used it professionally in the server room, and had a MythTV box at home for a number of years. But, as a typical desktop for even a 'pro' user, I think that would be rough.
I've started looking at replacing hardware in my current Ibuypower Revolt case, Desktop replacement laptops, and Single/Dual Xeon workstation hardware as options. It's amazing how much PC hardware you can buy at the same price as a fully loaded Imac, albeit in a much larger footprint.
I think you might be a bit surprised if you really use similar components, though you'll easily get more GPU, bit more CPU power, more storage and expandability. But, even the display itself on the iMac is a pretty expensive component if you want/need it. It's not that bad a deal, it's more the limitations.
I was actually considering a mini for a home media (and extra processing) server, but the new ones are kind of lame. I'd actually buy a used quad-core at this point, but I'm nervous about how long until Apple cuts support.
