Who Else Changed Their Mind?

[JTToft]

But still, they shouldn't use this fact to sell their products at over-exaggerated prices. It's unethical and just plain wrong of Apple.

- Annoying, sure. But unethical may be stretching it.
Apple, Inc. isn't a charity and they aren't responsible for providing computers to the poor and needy.

 

[gregvet]

Why else would they not include ports or a card reader? There are thinner laptops that have them, so its not the size. Its high priced, so its not like its an entry level product. I don't NEED a 4 door vehicle but I have one, because there have been times its come in very handy. Why do you think Apple intentionally left out ports and media readers when every other laptop within $500 of its price point has them?

Probably because they believe a large enough portion of buyers don't want/need/use them, but would gladly buy a machine with only essential ports, clean lines, with the smallest form factor they can make while still packing a good screen and good enough battery life.

This MacBook will not fail, in fact I think it will be a big success. It only needs to be seen as a step backwards if all apple laptops follow suit, which isn't giung to happen any time soon IMO.

 

[hans1972]

Well lucky you. I haven't had a single presentation venue yet that had an Apple TV. In 90% of the cases it's VGA, the rest HDMI. I wish there was a universally accepted wireless standard ...

If 90% are VGA, you would need a dongle for every Mac that Apple sells.
I have a rMBP and at customer sites the screens at the desks are VGA and DVI so I would need two dongles, and a third if I wanted to connect to Ethernet.

 

[Theophil1971]

That's obviously even worse than a dongle, and doesn't help if there is only a VGA cable or no free power outlet for the Apple TV ...

Ya. You definitely should buy a computer with direct VGA-out, then, to avoid the use of any dongles, adapters or additional equipment.

(If you have MacBook Pro with lots of ports, you still need a Display-port to VGA adapter/dongle, right?)

 

[dexterbell]

It only needs to be seen as a step backwards if all apple laptops follow suit, which isn't giung to happen any time soon IMO.

Thats what concerns me, I think Apple is headed in this direction with all their laptops.

 

[Theophil1971]

Thats what concerns me, I think Apple is headed in this direction with all their laptops.

I don't think so. I think they're heading this way with their consumer-grade laptops, but not their pro/power line. I think the Air line will become replaced by the new rMacBook, with radically slim design and few ports (one port). But the MacBook Pro line will continue to have various ports.

 

[newellj]

Why else would they not include ports or a card reader? There are thinner laptops that have them, so its not the size. Its high priced, so its not like its an entry level product. I don't NEED a 4 door vehicle but I have one, because there have been times its come in very handy. Why do you think Apple intentionally left out ports and media readers when every other laptop within $500 of its price point has them?

Honestly, because I think there are a bunch of designers and engineers in Cupertino who are obsessed with one or both of the following: (1) designing the sleekest, smallest workable machine they can produce and (2) producing a machine that leapfrogs several steps forward into what they think the future should look like.*

I cannot imagine that they're thinking "if we get rid of the ports, we can shaft them on dongles" - which is a very different question from whether they shouldn't price and ship the machine with some basic adapters.

* You may not buy into their vision of a wirelessly connected world where everything is wifi or Bluetooth and nothing has wires. Personally, *I* do not buy into that vision. But I think the correct response is to not buy the computer, or if you really want to send a message, buy one and then return it. Complaining here really does nothing to get a message to Apple.

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I don't think so. I think they're heading this way with their consumer-grade laptops, but not their pro/power line. I think the Air line will become replaced by the new rMacBook, with radically slim design and few ports (one port). But the MacBook Pro line will continue to have various ports.

I have no idea about this, but I will observe that the Air line started out as a very premium (with a very premium price) ultralight, limited function notebook (sound familiar?) and only became the entry/mainstay consumer notebook several years later. History could certainly repeat itself here, and I guess that you're right that it wouldn't necessarily affect the MBP lineup.

 

[dexterbell]

I don't think so. I think they're heading this way with their consumer-grade laptops, but not their pro/power line. I think the Air line will become replaced by the new rMacBook, with radically slim design and few ports (one port). But the MacBook Pro line will continue to have various ports.

I hope you are right but they killed off the MBP 17 and the GPU in the MBP 15 is two generations old with still no update but they are putting this out. Seems to me they are slowly killing off or moving away from their pro features

 

[newellj]

I hope you are right but they killed off the MBP 17 and the GPU in the MBP 15 is two generations old with still no update but they are putting this out. Seems to me they are slowly killing off or moving away from their pro features

I think the problem with the 15" rMBP is Intel, not Apple.

 

[Rigby]

If 90% are VGA, you would need a dongle for every Mac that Apple sells.

I do indeed, and it's annoying enough. With this new Macbook you can add a few more dongles to the collection.

 

[driftless]

You are making silly assumptions, just like Apple. Thats like saying no one needs an SD card slot anymore because everyone has wifi capable cameras. I have news for you, there are MANY people who don't want all their personal photos, music, movies etc...stored in the "cloud". There are even more people who still use cameras that capture photos and videos to SD cards, including photo/video professionals like myself. Cloud based devices and storage of their content have NOT become industry standard and probably never will. They certainly aren't the standard for the average user either. Just about every other laptop I can think of has an SD card slot, ports and offers a good amount of storage. Apple is heading down a path that is starting to alienate them from the average user and its not very smart IMO.

Well this one doesn't, you will have to use a USB-C SD reader. This Mac, like the other Macs, will be extremely popular and will suit many well. You don't have to use the Cloud if you don't want to. If I am doing video it is not going into the Cloud but on to a portable SSD. I view the MB as a travel device and not a laptop to a production or documentary video.

 

[eifer]

Personally, I think this is the laptop I've been waiting for. I'm currently using the late 2008 mbp I bought back in early 2009. My complaints about it are that it's too big and it runs too hot. I've been wondering for a while now why we can't have low power, fanless laptops, similar to a beefed up iPad. Well, Apple has delivered. The only problem I have is that this laptop keeps chugging along lol. Its power management system is kinda broken though... It'll randomly shut off even with plenty of battery left if I unplug it.

So anyways, I was really hyped about the Apple Watch, but I might end up buying the rMacbook 1st lol.

 

[iRun26.2]

Personally, I think this is the laptop I've been waiting for. I'm currently using the late 2008 mbp I bought back in early 2009. My complaints about it are that it's too big and it runs too hot. I've been wondering for a while now why we can't have low power, fanless laptops, similar to a beefed up iPad. Well, Apple has delivered. The only problem I have is that this laptop keeps chugging along lol. Its power management system is kinda broken though... It'll randomly shut off even with plenty of battery left if I unplug it.

So anyways, I was really hyped about the Apple Watch, but I might end up buying the rMacbook 1st lol.

In all of my excitement over the new rMB I forget about the watch. More money to be soon flowing from my bank account to Apple's...

 

[newellj]

I do indeed, and it's annoying enough. With this new Macbook you can add a few more dongles to the collection.

All of our projectors at work need VGA, and none of the Windows laptops we issue have VGA ports any more... 🙄

 

[ctyrider]

I don't think so. I think they're heading this way with their consumer-grade laptops, but not their pro/power line. I think the Air line will become replaced by the new rMacBook, with radically slim design and few ports (one port). But the MacBook Pro line will continue to have various ports.

I believe the line between "consumer-grade" versus "pro-grade" is going to continue to blur. As CPUs become more powerful while at the same becoming more power efficient - it's going to be unnecessary for Apple to continue offering several overlapping laptop lines.

Over the years - I expect Apple to converge on a single line of MacBooks, differentiated simply by their screen size - likely 12", 14", and 16". Not dissimilar to their lines of iPhones and iPads.

This converged line will be ultra-thin, retina across the board, and of course offer an all day long battery life. The era of so-called "pro-grade" laptops with variety of ports and connectors will be coming to an end.

This won't happen this year or even next, but it will happen. It's the matter of "when" not "if". The 12" rMB is the blueprint for the future Apple MacBook.

 

[newellj]

I think it's already quite blurry. The hallmarks of Pro used to be things like dual batteries, dual drives, tons of ports. The MBP line has converged on the MBA line and it looks like it's basically going to replace the MBA line. Apple needs a new thin/light/consumer laptop, and the rMB might fill that role after a couple of price reductions. I bet it's going to be quite popular even at $1300.

 

[driftless]

Right now the big differences between the MB and MBP lines are: RAM, GPU & CPU. I suspect that the differences will narrow over the coming years.

 

[iRun26.2]

I think it's already quite blurry. The hallmarks of Pro used to be things like dual batteries, dual drives, tons of ports. The MBP line has converged on the MBA line and it looks like it's basically going to replace the MBA line. Apple needs a new thin/light/consumer laptop, and the rMB might fill that role after a couple of price reductions. I bet it's going to be quite popular even at $1300.

When Skylake is released I bet the price will drop to $1099. Certainly when the MBA disappears there will be a computer for $999 (or less).

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Right now the big differences between the MB and MBP lines are: RAM, GPU & CPU. I suspect that the differences will narrow over the coming years.

and PORTS!!!

(My only concern about the new rMB...that I'm willing to live with)

 

[dexterbell]

Well this one doesn't, you will have to use a USB-C SD reader. This Mac, like the other Macs, will be extremely popular and will suit many well. You don't have to use the Cloud if you don't want to. If I am doing video it is not going into the Cloud but on to a portable SSD. I view the MB as a travel device and not a laptop to a production or documentary video.

So someone wants a new MacBook because its light and portable but then has to carry around a dongle, USB-C card reader and a portable SSD? Makes no sense. Might as well just get a rMBP and have everything in one device.

 

[Vanilla Face]

So in the end, it's us consumers that support their greed.

Given how many people purchase Apple products, Apple has them priced just right. You don't sell stuff for less than its worth, and worth is determined by what people are willing to pay for it. That's not greed. Apple isn't a parasite sucking the life out of their consumers. Apple has formed a symbiotic relationship with the market by supplying easy to use, beautiful, quality devices that people want to use.

 

[iSheep5S]

UK £600/$900 should be the price. Its the Mac you love to hate. 😀

That would make it less than the 'entry' Air... with ports. NOT more than the 128GB rMBP which is insane.

I haven't read all posts but yes that price is greed.

At the price above i'd convince myself i need one even tho i don't.

 

[gregvet]

UK £600/$900 should be the price. Its the Mac you love to hate. 😀

That would make it less than the 'entry' Air... with ports. NOT more than the 128GB rMBP which is insane.

I haven't read all posts but yes that price is greed.

At the price above i'd convince myself i need one even tho i don't.

Don't forget the entry air has only 4gb ram and 128gb storage (compared to 8gb and 256gb in the rMB). So you are paying more for more ram, more storage, much better screen, thinner form factor, and less ports and battery life.

It'd not quite as black and white as you make it sound.

 

[Queen6]

I think it's already quite blurry. The hallmarks of Pro used to be things like dual batteries, dual drives, tons of ports. The MBP line has converged on the MBA line and it looks like it's basically going to replace the MBA line. Apple needs a new thin/light/consumer laptop, and the rMB might fill that role after a couple of price reductions. I bet it's going to be quite popular even at $1300.

Apple only produce "consumer" portables. they left the "Pro" niche market some years back. The only reason for "Pro" in the MacBook Pro is sales and marketing, no more, no less...

Q-6

 

[newellj]

Don't forget the entry air has only 4gb ram and 128gb storage (compared to 8gb and 256gb in the rMB). So you are paying more for more ram, more storage, much better screen, thinner form factor, and less ports and battery life.

It'd not quite as black and white as you make it sound.

I agree and I'd say the suggestion in the post you quoted makes no sense at all. Why should the rMB be priced under a machine with half the storage, half the RAM and a junk-bin display? Oh, wait, I forgot, what you're really paying for with these machines is ports??? 🙄

 

[MyopicPaideia]

$69 from Apple. Buy one one bring it with you to any venue.

The absolutely most silly thing about this is that the multi-adapter dongle actually costs MORE than an Apple TV!

Agree on ATV though. Would be very handy to have with at all times if you do a lot of presentations.