Yep it feels like nothing goes smoothly in any way in regards to launches. It feels like the beginning of the end for Apple.
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What's going on with Apple release availability lately?
- Thread starter ilian92
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Stock could be limited for a number of reasons. There has been the odd suggestion that Apple wasn't planning to release these latest notebooks until the new year but the backlash after the lack of Mac updates over the Summer and falling sales may have driven them to release early.
Wishful thinking but would explain a few things, like poor cpu/graphic combinations in some models, higher prices because interim chips bought in smaller volumes at higher costs and the complete lack of desktop updates.
Not sure how much of this I believe though and doesn't explain the previous messy launches. Apple never used to announce products until they were available with the phrase "available today" often used but time and time again Apple is pre-announcing stuff. iPads, Watch, AirPods and now MacBooks leading to messy launches and missed deadlines. Actually started when the original, long term retail chief jumped ship a few years ago now.
Wishful thinking but would explain a few things, like poor cpu/graphic combinations in some models, higher prices because interim chips bought in smaller volumes at higher costs and the complete lack of desktop updates.
Not sure how much of this I believe though and doesn't explain the previous messy launches. Apple never used to announce products until they were available with the phrase "available today" often used but time and time again Apple is pre-announcing stuff. iPads, Watch, AirPods and now MacBooks leading to messy launches and missed deadlines. Actually started when the original, long term retail chief jumped ship a few years ago now.
Yeah, I'm sure they don't want it either and I'm basically just trying to find some reason for the whole thing. You raise some valid points with demand and manufacturing difficulty, it's likely that both are at an all time high for all product lines. Might also have something to do with the increasing number of products coming out. Having to manufacture more things in shorter times.
As for ordering within 30 mins, you shouldn't have to do that. Ordering within the first 30 mins just to secure delivery in 3 weeks, or else you wait almost a month and a half? It's definitely not an ideal situation.
And yes, watches have been strange this year. Some models were available quite early, but as with the first one Space Grey was nowhere to be seen. I spotted one available for pick up at the store in Hamburg a few weeks back, checked again today and they don't have it until Dec 5. That's insanely long.
The iPhones were quite good this year actually, apart from Plus and Jet Black. Lots were available for in store pick up every day, even if online orders had a significant wait still.
I would have expected stores to at least have display models of the new Touch Bar Macbook Pros though.
I think it's harder to keep secrets nowadays as the supple chain is very transparent so the media has insight into what Apple is doing when they're doing it. So they essentially need to pre announce before ramping up manufacturing to keep details secret as long as possible. This is generally the case with new tech like the magic bar. It's hard to blame Apple's stance TBH as they require secrecy to generate the buzz because they don't release products of the calibre of the Microsoft Surface Studio nowadays.
LOL. This is so true. The only people in Best Buy these days are those that can't afford to buy Apple stuff.
I was thinking the same thing. Hopefully Apple has set aside a small portion of their stock to ship to their retail partners. I'm sure most of the stock will be reserved for online orders until Apple catches up. I guess we'll know for sure later this week or next week.
I wish I could. The price is the one thing I absolutely can't stand about the new MacBook lineup. Sadly, right now I'm using a late 2013 13" retina model with only a 128gb SSD. I'm constantly having to move stuff around in order to not run out of room. Also, the duties at my job may be changing soon which will require a better CPU. I'm not really in a position where I can wait much longer.
No doubt the prices will drop eventually but I doubt we will see anything drastic. I'm thinking the 12" MacBook will go down to $999, the 13" Pro without touch bar will go to $1299 and the 13" with Touchbar will go to $1599.
Apple is no different to most companies when they do a product launch.
It's happened at New Car launches, and deciding, yup i want that, then having to wait as there are none in stock at launch.
The same with most other things, Graphic cards, CPU's most are launched with availability TBA or a date within in the next month.
Adding to the problem is that the Macbook Pro is a Global product, and demand is high, throw in the various Build to Order Macbook Pros alone the standard units, its become one hell of a job.
on the bright side, we are one week into waiting, so only another week and a half hopefully
It's happened at New Car launches, and deciding, yup i want that, then having to wait as there are none in stock at launch.
The same with most other things, Graphic cards, CPU's most are launched with availability TBA or a date within in the next month.
Adding to the problem is that the Macbook Pro is a Global product, and demand is high, throw in the various Build to Order Macbook Pros alone the standard units, its become one hell of a job.
on the bright side, we are one week into waiting, so only another week and a half hopefully
This, and it saves on overheads for Apple to operate like this. Apple solely serves Apple thinking otherwise is simply naive. Other 15" MBP`s I have bought were previously available in a matter of days. Only this time around it`s moot to me, as Apple is more than welcome to keep the current Gen 1 2016 MBP...
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Absolutely. But in most cases people have already decided to buy said product, and the 'hype' surrounding low availability helps spur people to think that the product is even better, and have them wait. And tell their parents how awesome said product is.
I think previous iPhone releases with long lines really show this effect.
I am not worried that it takes 4-5 weeks, I am more worried that they start building them faster to meet demand (Christmas is coming!) and because of this faulty units will be out of the factory with failed motherboards and uneven displays.
When there is a new product, there is always faults with them, and we don't want to see another issue like what happened with Note 7, especially with $2000 laptops.
I really wish I can do this, but I am on a 2008 macbook and have been waiting for 1.5 years for this updated, then you have to wait one more month for delivery, but where I am I probably have to wait for 2 months. If you have a recent macbook like 2013 and later maybe, my macbook on life support.
When there is a new product, there is always faults with them, and we don't want to see another issue like what happened with Note 7, especially with $2000 laptops.
I really wish I can do this, but I am on a 2008 macbook and have been waiting for 1.5 years for this updated, then you have to wait one more month for delivery, but where I am I probably have to wait for 2 months. If you have a recent macbook like 2013 and later maybe, my macbook on life support.
Wow, times (and expectation) have changed. I still vividly remember the first few years of Steve's second tenure. Every new machine that was announced wouldn't ship for months. By the mid-2000's it was a BIG deal when he announced "and its shipping today." Go back and watch those old keynotes, it puts things in perspective.
While I'm usually an Apple defender, I agree their product launches have been pretty poorly executed lately. Even the stainless series 2 Apple Watches, two months after the release, are still almost nowhere to be found.