Tim Cook Says 'Strong Demand' For 2016 MacBook Pro Helped Set New Mac Sales Record Last Quarter

[choobs]

How many of those sales were for the outgoing MacBook Pro?
So many people held out for the new machine only to buy the old one once all the bad reviews for the new machine hit. I'd be curious to know that number.

 

[cnairn]

Apple reported its second quarter earnings results earlier this week, and during its subsequent conference call, CEO Tim Cook said Mac revenue hit a new March quarter record due to "strong demand" for the latest MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models, released in October 2016.

Apple sold 4.2 million Macs in the quarter, up four percent from the 4 million it sold in the year-ago quarter, but it does not break out sales on a model-by-model basis. Mac-related revenue totaled 5.8 billion, up 14 percent from 5.1 million in the year-ago quarter, a new all-time record in the second quarter.

Apple's record March quarter was achieved despite a lack of hardware updates to the MacBook, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac mini in over one to three years depending on the model. The MacBook Pro was the only Mac that Apple updated in 2016, beyond making 8GB RAM standard on the 13-inch MacBook Air.

MacRumors Buyer's Guide​

Even the 2016 MacBook Pro faced its fair share of criticism when it launched. Some professional users were disappointed about the removal of all but two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports, while others faced battery life concerns and graphics issues that were eventually addressed with software updates.

Fortunately, updates are on the horizon. Last month, Apple made the rare move of pre-announcing that it's working on new pro-focused iMac models that will launch later this year. It's also working on a new Mac Pro that will feature a "modular" design, after admitting the 2013 model has thermal constraints.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with faster Kaby Lake processors would enter mass production in the June quarter. He also said new 12-inch MacBook models would enter production in the spring, and some high-end models could supposedly have 16GB of RAM.

Kuo also mentioned a "15-inch MacBook" that would include 32GB of RAM and enter mass production in the early fourth quarter, which starts in September. He said the model would be "the most significantly redesigned product this year," and he believes it will adopt desktop-class RAM to satisfy high-end users.

Hardware references to possible next-generation MacBook Pro models were discovered in macOS 10.12.4 in February. It's less certain if the MacBook Air will continue to receive updates, or be supplanted by the 12-inch MacBook entirely, while Apple said the Mac mini remains an "important product" in its lineup.

"We're investing aggressively in [the Mac's] future, and we are very excited about the innovation we can bring to the platform," said Cook.

Article Link: Tim Cook Says 'Strong Demand' For 2016 MacBook Pro Helped Set New Mac Sales Record Last Quarter

[doublepost=1494025089][/doublepost]"... we are very excited about the innovation we can bring to the platform... ". Can I suggest an innovation Mr Cook?Macbook Pro keyboard keys [black] that don't wear completely and invisibly out. They're an absolute pain in the *ss for me and a minor pain in the wallet for you - you've changed mine under Applecare 3 times now. My old MacBooks never suffered thus. And yes, I cut my finger-nails ....

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Keyboard: getting good reviews? epic. If you say so, it must be that way.

Not me. Here's a couple NON-APPLE fan site reviews picked at random:

The Verge:

"The keyboard’s keys seem to have been melted down into millimeter-thick slabs: they’re wider and a little more densely packed than on an Air or earlier Pro models. I found them alien at first, but once I stopped "testing the keyboard" and just started typing naturally, I found my rhythm and was quickly up to full speed — after a while, these larger keys start to feel like big input islands that are hard to miss. Their key travel is a shallow 0.55mm, which won’t be to everyone's taste, but this updated MBP keyboard definitely has a better feel than the practically flat one on the MacBook."

https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/2/13490774/apple-macbook-pro-review-2016-13-inch-laptop

Wired:

"The keyboard (a refined take on the 12-inch MacBook’s butterfly keys) doesn’t have much travel and takes getting used to, but it’s accurate and crisp and works beautifully."

https://www.wired.com/2016/11/review-apple-macbook-pro-touch-bar/

Magsafe: a step back, 3k laptop and you can get 3rd party solutions, so aside from adapters, you can now get the magsafe extra accessory on a 3k laptop as well? impressive thinking.

I think that this will come back to Apple "in-house". My feeling is they didn't like the prototype USB-C MagSafe connectors they tried, and so decided to ship without it.

SSD: Backups are great when time machines actually works, but I'll give you that one, even though, seems kinda ironic they are trying to reduce waste in the world and promoting sustainability and they aim to replace laptops boards entirely every time a drive fails, because it's not like their GPUs failed and cracked the board before even though they are low-end.

They have a recycling program, you know; and besides, if you aren't selling your old MacBook Pro on eBay or Craigslist, then you are paying too much for your next one...

Reselling reduces waste to zero, BTW.

Battery: you call that "advantage"? interesting, I'd consider it an advantage to be superior, not the same, which is not either, and capacity is smaller. Form over function, thanks god for thinness.

People who actually own the new MBPs seem to appreciate the lighter battery. They understand that any real "heavy-lifting" will require an AC outlet for any laptop for more than a couple of hours, no matter the battery size.

GPU: Only choice? LOL, and what do you run on those two 5k monitors, crossy roads and tetris at 15fps? Tremendous graphic power, a true powerhouse Stevie would say. Reminds me of the 5K iMac running mechanical drives, must be amazing to watch the beachball in such resolution & colors.

Sorry. The 460 isn't bad. In fact, it's only about one generation slower than NVidia; but NVidia can't support as many displays, which actually matters to video cutters, graphic artists, and multitrack recording. Ya know, Pro Applications. Unlike Gaming.

Want a Gaming Laptop? Get a THIRTEEN POUND Sager "Laptop" (in name only).

Note I didn't mention ventilation neither dongles.

As well you shouldn't...

 

[IG88]

Tim Cook has sales data you do not. I think he knows what he's talking about vs the fake news here.

Ok great, lets see the 2016 MBP sales data broken out!

 

[indiekiduk]

Imagine their sales if they make a laptop that pros actually buy. Easy to do, just add back magsafe, offer a 15" with no annoying GPU switching, add back the headset port (they removed the mic), fit in the 32GB RAM, a SSD a bit bigger than 256GB, remove touch bar (obviously).

 

[CWallace]

Microsoft is eating your Pro lunch with their GREAT products.

Where Mac revenue rose 26%, Surface revenue dropped 26% Year on Year for the last Quarter. Yeah, really putting the hurt on Apple.

 

[Soccertess]

The best thing about the Macbook pro is you need so many adapters. It's fantastic.

If you want to plug in those headphones from your new Iphone 7, you can't. Need a USB-C adapter. Maybe use 3.35 and the adapter that came with the iphone? NO, you need a 2nd adapter to connect it (3.5MM to 3.5MM male to male).

Have any other devices that use USB, adapter! Jesus, USB-C is so unpopular, NOT EVEN the iphone 7 came with a USB-C adapter. That's a separate cable!

HOW CAN THAT FOOL STILL BE the CEO!!! AND it's logical that this was a great quarter for them when all the others have been the worst. He is playing games, takes an EXTRA long time to update his product till sales are extremely so, put out an update and all the pent up demand is release.

Make no mistake, Apple products are at an all time low in terms of functionality and quality. Only the Blind aren't calling him a fool, thankfully not everyone is willing to tell the emperor his cloths are amazing.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Why wouldn't you buy one without touch bar?

Wanted the touch ID , finger print scanner.
[doublepost=1494028027][/doublepost]

What naively?

It most certainly does do a lot more than a bunch of dedicated function keys. How do you not see that?

I assume you meant TouchBar, not TouchID.

Do you even own a TouchBar MBP? I'm beginning to wonder...
[doublepost=1494023138][/doublepost]
Um, it wasn't "pro" Mac Users, it was "well-known Tech Journalists".

Maybe it is you that needs to follow more closely, eh?
[doublepost=1494023272][/doublepost]
You're joking, right?

Just read the reviews of the Surface Pro's keyboard, trackpad, digitizer, and pseudo-cloth covering.
[doublepost=1494023368][/doublepost]
Desperation? Over a ONE YEAR "refresh-cycle"?

Gimme a break!

Wanted the touch ID , finger print scanner part of the bar.

 

[MrGuder]

I did not participate in those numbers, but did pick up the 2015 maxed out version after announcement.

But I think you actually did....

"Apple sold 4.2 million Macs in the quarter, up four percent from the 4 million it sold in the year-ago quarter, but it does not break out sales on a model-by-model basis."

This means your 2015 MBP that you purchased was most likely included in Apple's latest figures since Apple does not break down which models that 4.2 million includes.
[doublepost=1494028264][/doublepost]

...or the MacBook Pro that doesn't have a touch bar. They sell one of those too.

but not in a 15"

 

[62tele]

I love my 2016 non-touchbar MBP. It's fantastic.
I was waiting for a new iMac to be released but decided to give the mbp a try. I havent looked back!

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

...or we could have had 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt ports for the future and some USB-A/HDMI ports for today.



No, that's what the lunatic fringe who telepathically knew the sales numbers before they were released said.

Others gave reasoned arguments as to why the new machines didn't fit their needs - particularly those who would have liked a bit more grunt and some legacy ports at the expense of a bit of extra bulk (because the 2015 models were SO big and bulky - not).

...and is 4% growth really that impressive when you've just released a 2-year-overdue update to your flagship product?

Let's be honest, 99% of those that complained about the MBP don't have the money to buy one even if it had all the specs they wanted. They would have complained about price instead had it been to their liking hardware wise. This group never actually buys them and justifies the reasoning by finding something to complain about.

I'm not gonna buy that Porsche 918 because it doesn't have enough cup holders. If they added a couple cup holders I would but until they do, I'm going to wait for the next one. *Porsche adds cup holders.* The navigation system can't be changed at speeds over 80mph. I'm going to wait for the next version and if they change it I'll buy one.

 

[Hank Carter]

If the new MacBook Pro is selling like hotcakes, why is it that I have only seen two or three in the wild since the release? I travel a lot so my local coffee shop is not my metric.

 

[44267547]

I love my 2016 non-touchbar MBP. It's fantastic.
I was waiting for a new iMac to be released but decided to give the mbp a try. I havent looked back!

I also have the Non-Touch Bar model and really like it. And the battery life is stronger with the Non-Touch bar, which is advantage for me.

 

[flat five]

Dongles don't bother me. I'd rather have USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 and deal with dongles. What really bothered me was the extra $400 compared to previous models. I definitely don't think the touchbar which I barely use was worth an extra $400.

how is it $400 more for touchbar?
last time i bought a MBP (2014), it was $3000..
if i bought one today, it's $3100 for similar configuration..

it's not $3400 as i'm imagining the price would be if someone said "yeah, touchbar will cost you $400"

idk, laptops for me have always been $3000 since i've been purchasing them (starting with powerbook)

 

[BootsWalking]

What "Long pent-up demand cycle?"???

You DO realize, of course, that the MBP was updated in 2015, and then again in 2016.

That's "long"?

No, that's more like they already had the 2016 model on the drawing-board when they released the 2015 model. It takes a bit more to squirt-out a new laptop design (even one that is much like the previous one) than you would think...

There's meetings, and proposals, and more meetings, and more proposals, and prototyping, and more meetings, and more prototyping, and engineering sign-offs, and more prototyping (remember, Custom TouchBar display and Custom TouchBar Controller, and Customer SSD Controller, and???), and Software changes to the OS and Drivers, and then there's the whole Supply-chain and Contract Manufacturing trip.

Yeah, a "whole year" sounds like a long time, until you've actually done Product Development, like I have...

Many didn't consider the 2015 an update, hence the pent-up demand for what Apple finally delivered in 2016. And Apple doesn't have any problem with all the logistics you cite for products they're more interested in keeping competitive like the iPhone.

 

[Abazigal]

The best thing about the Macbook pro is you need so many adapters. It's fantastic.

If you want to plug in those headphones from your new Iphone 7, you can't. Need a USB-C adapter. Maybe use 3.35 and the adapter that came with the iphone? NO, you need a 2nd adapter to connect it (3.5MM to 3.5MM male to male).

Have any other devices that use USB, adapter! Jesus, USB-C is so unpopular, NOT EVEN the iphone 7 came with a USB-C adapter. That's a separate cable!

HOW CAN THAT FOOL STILL BE the CEO!!! AND it's logical that this was a great quarter for them when all the others have been the worst. He is playing games, takes an EXTRA long time to update his product till sales are extremely so, put out an update and all the pent up demand is release.

Make no mistake, Apple products are at an all time low in terms of functionality and quality. Only the Blind aren't calling him a fool, thankfully not everyone is willing to tell the emperor his cloths are amazing.

There is a cost to transitioning to USB C no doubt, but that should not be used as an excuse to dig in your heels and stubbornly refusing to change.

How many adaptors you want to use, is ultimately up to you.

 

[nvmls]

Not me. Here's a couple NON-APPLE fan site reviews picked at random:

The Verge:

"The keyboard’s keys seem to have been melted down into millimeter-thick slabs: they’re wider and a little more densely packed than on an Air or earlier Pro models. I found them alien at first, but once I stopped "testing the keyboard" and just started typing naturally, I found my rhythm and was quickly up to full speed — after a while, these larger keys start to feel like big input islands that are hard to miss. Their key travel is a shallow 0.55mm, which won’t be to everyone's taste, but this updated MBP keyboard definitely has a better feel than the practically flat one on the MacBook."

https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/2/13490774/apple-macbook-pro-review-2016-13-inch-laptop

Wired:

"The keyboard (a refined take on the 12-inch MacBook’s butterfly keys) doesn’t have much travel and takes getting used to, but it’s accurate and crisp and works beautifully."

https://www.wired.com/2016/11/review-apple-macbook-pro-touch-bar/


I think that this will come back to Apple "in-house". My feeling is they didn't like the prototype USB-C MagSafe connectors they tried, and so decided to ship without it.


They have a recycling program, you know; and besides, if you aren't selling your old MacBook Pro on eBay or Craigslist, then you are paying too much for your next one...

Reselling reduces waste to zero, BTW.


People who actually own the new MBPs seem to appreciate the lighter battery. They understand that any real "heavy-lifting" will require an AC outlet for any laptop for more than a couple of hours, no matter the battery size.



Sorry. The 460 isn't bad. In fact, it's only about one generation slower than NVidia; but NVidia can't support as many displays, which actually matters to video cutters, graphic artists, and multitrack recording. Ya know, Pro Applications. Unlike Gaming.

Want a Gaming Laptop? Get a THIRTEEN POUND Sager "Laptop" (in name only).


As well you shouldn't...

Keyboard: So your opinion on the keyboard is based on theverge and wired, the same guy who got his iCloud account hacked, terrific.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7762123?start=0&tstart=0

https://9to5mac.com/2017/01/23/12-inch-macbook-stuck-keys/

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s-inside-and-all-possible-mbp-issues.2025751/

I can keep going but you are probably re-filling your coffee by now..

Reselling reduces waste to zero: Resell what? we are talking about an eventual case of hardware failure, which sadly on macbooks happen often, that is parallel to reselling or not.

I'm sure this guy knows nothing, bashing apple cause he is making too little money off them..

People who actually own the new MBPs seem to appreciate the lighter battery: Sorry I disagree, has nothing to do with the fact we've returned 2 13"and 1 15". Not to add the touch bar glitches and software bugs patched later on, first week was hell. What an improvement we've failed to see, I must have only read complaints online without actually trying one.

Video cutters, graphic artists, and multitrack recording: *cough* LOL *cough* yea pro applications. Wanna try something funny? render some 3d effects on illustrator in real time, or actually, integrate these 3d shapes into after effect on a 4k vid and render real time while having a couple virtual machines up, maybe add 30-40 audio tracks in ableton or cubase. Try to use some pro USB accessories.. oh wait, nevermind, wacom intuos, cintiq, native instruments, avid USB interfaces, uc-33 midi controller, xone 4d, fast track pro, you know how many of these pro devices work with the current mbp? none without adapters, with adapters a few, outside of logic pro and final cut it's pretty funny, but you know what's even funnier, have you actually checked latency on a mac vs a windows with high end hardware laptop? but I don't like windows sadly.

Gaming laptop? What for? the industry has been making computers for only 50-60 years, why expect in 2017 a computer to be able to handle games? it's crazy, afterall Apple doesn't give out any free games weekly. It's not like games perform much better on bootcamp under the same hardware either. When you think of how games perform on iPad & iPhone, curiously they are unable to achieve that on laptops/computers which are made to create those games and have been around longer.

You have stated in your first post this generation of mbp is superior in every aspect, I feel it's a step backwards on many therefore I extend arguments, it's great that you love it, would be great if we both could, it's hard to please everyone but it happened before.

I'm just a customer who would like the company to regain it's vision, not this garbage profit > all - zero discretion penny pinching attitude, of course I have no entitlements whatsoever, Apple is a business and cash is top priority, but on Jobs era that was somehow properly balanced with products & user experience, probably because he actually cared.

Maybe most critics are consumers with too much free time who simply hate apple, haven't invested in AAPL and/or can't afford dongles.

 

[PrfPam]

I have been a Mac/Apple enthusiast since 1980! Steve Jobs' loss impacted this company. I am an early adopter and in Tim Cook's figures - I am not enamored with this version. It is ilconceived. The dongles, seriously; Steve Jobs would have cut that off before it was a prototype. My computer looks ridiculous with 4 dongles hanging off the sides. The Touch bar is OK but if you work fast it it is hinderance. SIRI, omg what rocket scientist put that button above delete?

For this life long Apple fan - this is almost as big a disappointment as Gil Amelio's products.

I look to Apple to create insanely great devices. This is not one
[doublepost=1494032314][/doublepost]

Haha, love it. We grew 4% and made money. So everything is fine. I mean Microsoft Office sales grew 15% in the last quarter, so hey that product is also awesome. Nothing to complain about there either.

They made $$$$ off those stupid dongles - what an ilconceived product

 

[Cloudkicker]

how is it $400 more for touchbar?
last time i bought a MBP (2014), it was $3000..
if i bought one today, it's $3100 for similar configuration..

it's not $3400 as i'm imagining the price would be if someone said "yeah, touchbar will cost you $400"

idk, laptops for me have always been $3000 since i've been purchasing them (starting with powerbook)

Maybe I'm not making a connection here, but wouldn't that late-2016 TB still pretty much have 3+ year old technology in 2016 prices?

Seems like the rip off is just shifted a bit. Yeah, not $400 for the TouchBar but you're still paying for way behind tech w/ the addition of losing neat Pro features (MagSafe & stuff).

 

[citysnaps]

I have been a Mac/Apple enthusiast since 1980! Steve Jobs' loss impacted this company. I am an early adopter and in Tim Cook's figures - I am not enamored with this version. It is ilconceived. The dongles, seriously; Steve Jobs would have cut that off before it was a prototype. My computer looks ridiculous with 4 dongles hanging off the sides. The Touch bar is OK but if you work fast it it is hinderance. SIRI, omg what rocket scientist put that button above delete?

For this life long Apple fan - this is almost as big a disappointment as Gil Amelio's products.

I look to Apple to create insanely great devices. This is not one
[doublepost=1494032314][/doublepost]
They made $$$$ off those stupid dongles - what an ilconceived product

Why did you buy it? Were you really unaware your peripherals would not plug in without an adapter. So your computer wouldn't "look ridiculous." Right?

 

[6836838]

Wow. Strong demand from three users? Offer a Mac that's upgradable and I may consider.

 

[flat five]

Maybe I'm not making a connection here, but wouldn't that late-2016 TB still pretty much have 3+ year old technology in 2016 prices?

Seems like the rip off is just shifted a bit. Yeah, not $400 for the TouchBar but you're still paying for way behind tech w/ the addition of losing neat Pro features (MagSafe & stuff).

what do you mean 3-year old technology? and anyway, is 3 year old technology 'bad' or 'outdated'?
seems a little bit of weird perception there imo.
like, is literal cutting edge/2 month old technology going to allow me to work any faster? i doubt it.

re: MagSafe.. that is the single thing that's been problematic for me on the macBookPros.. maybe if used occasionally in a well controlled environment, it's ok.. but put it in a faster paced 'pro' environment (multiple users / many uses throughout a day) -- and it fails.. or, becomes finicky and unreliable.. i wouldn't necessarily call magsafe a 'pro' feature.. pros want reliability above anything else and that thing doesn't really cut it.. srry.

 

[a.gomez]

I have been a Mac/Apple enthusiast since 1980! Steve Jobs' loss impacted this company. I am an early adopter and in Tim Cook's figures - I am not enamored with this version. It is ilconceived. The dongles, seriously; Steve Jobs would have cut that off before it was a prototype. My computer looks ridiculous with 4 dongles hanging off the sides. The Touch bar is OK but if you work fast it it is hinderance. SIRI, omg what rocket scientist put that button above delete?

For this life long Apple fan - this is almost as big a disappointment as Gil Amelio's products.

I look to Apple to create insanely great devices. This is not one
[doublepost=1494032314][/doublepost]
They made $$$$ off those stupid dongles - what an ilconceived product

Yep, all around agree. And now they using a page off the Microsoft playbook. "We sold XXX, so everything is fine" nonsense.

 

[CWallace]

The dongles, seriously; Steve Jobs would have cut that off before it was a prototype.

Yeah, cause Steve made sure you never needed a dongle to connect a Parallel, Serial or ADB device to your USB-only G3 iMac or your 30-pin iPod device to your Lightning iPhone.

 

[IG88]

I'm just a customer who would like the company to regain it's vision, not this garbage profit > all - zero discretion penny pinching attitude, of course I have no entitlements whatsoever, Apple is a business and cash is top priority, but on Jobs era that was somehow properly balanced with products & user experience, probably because he actually cared.

Maybe most critics are consumers with too much free time who simply hate apple, haven't invested in AAPL and/or can't afford dongles.

I think Jobs subscribed to a simple motto: build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.