Apple doesn't care as people will still continue buy the MBP with aged tech, as they have done exactly the same previously as there is no other option. Apple will only move to quad core CPU's if it's in Apple's benefit not the customers. Just look at the present line up, Apple's only moving on the iMac Pro & Mac Pro now as it's been getting so much negative coverage in the tech press, let alone the Mac Mini, just a joke.
Apple's best customer is the uninformed, looking to purchase a lifestyle product, with Apple delivering form over function, usability & scalability. Who's to blame it's where the money is thin & light, cool & trendy notebooks...
Q-6
Not trying to start an argument, but sorry, that's just bull****.
If you know just the slightest bit about computer technology, you'd see that Apple tries really hard to produce the best products possible. And in many ways, they excel at doing so. And yes, that's the key to Apple's success. Regardless of what many people seem to think, most people I know of are buying Apple computers not because they don't know better, but because they provide them with a product that hits the sweet spot between usability and performance.
To come back to your point -- "Apple will only move to quad core CPUs if it's in Apple's benefit, not the customers". So, increased sales don't benefit Apple? The old dual core CPUs are just as expensive and use just as much energy, and the result is a computer that's far less compelling.
The Mac Pro was an amazing machine back when it launched. I remember watching the keynote and reading through the specs multiple times. I was truly amazed how they managed to cram in a Xeon chip and two (!) workstation GPUs in an enclosure so small, with a fan that's almost silent. Sure, the bet didn't pay off. GPU optimization didn't take off the way Apple expected, so they started working on a new machine. That work did take some time, but as we already know, we'll see Apple's next vision on the professional desktop computer soon. So, in what world was that "Apple's benefit not the customers"? Again, do you think Apple would not have benefitted from better sales? They had a vision, pushed forward with it, and failed. This happens. But they were brave enough to do it, and I think that's a great trait of a company.
Form over function is another topic where I can't agree with you. With a notebook, the form is the function - since the form is what defines how portable it is. And portability is indeed a function of a portable computer, if not the most important one. The touchpad, keyboard, screen and thermal design are great compared to anything else out there. When you can easily cool an H-series CPU and a dedicated, specially designed GPU without throttling, I fail to see the point.
Don't get me wrong, I do see some areas where they could improve. A larger battery and lower weight are two of the main areas I'd love to see improvements. But I just love the compromise Apple has found between portability and power. If you want a mobile workstation, you're obviously not the target audience the MBP has been designed for. Maybe Apple will build a workstation notebook at some point, maybe they won't, but please don't blame a product for not being in the product category you want to buy a product in.
