Who is the new Macbook geared towards? - According to Apple

[pasadena]

Who is the new Macbook geared towards? - according to an Apple chat.

[start chat]
Me:Who is the new Macbook geared towards?
Rep:Do you mean the type of user or a person?
Me: Type of user
Rep:Ok
Rep: New MacBook is a combination of a Mac and an iPad. It’s light, thin and compact product. At the same time it’s a full MacBook experience, with keyboard, touchpad and Retina display...
Perfect for day-to-day tasks, internet browsing, mail, documents
For studying or working on the go
Me: As a student, I can't see myself plugging my USB flash drive or SD card in to it
Rep:Do you mean flash storage?
Me: Yes, a flash drive
Rep: Ok
Well, you can connect it using an additional cable.
[end chat]

I still don't understand who it's aimed towards. Perhaps the person who can handle a string of adapters, or mostly works online
Hoping that this chat shines a light for some people who seem puzzled as to why Apple would release such a thing.

The person who doesn't need a host of peripherals. The person who has enough storage with 256Gb.

 

[chukronos]

This is a great machine for the grandparents. Although, FaceTime with the grandkids will suck. Also, if you are in school and want a beautiful looking machine for writing papers, this is it. While not even close to the most economical for its uses, it looks really good. And, isn't that what matters anyway?

 

[actuallyinaus]

seems pretty obvious to me:

• parents with very basic computer knowledge / usage - they only ever use email or the internet (think chromebook type of people)
• students who take notes - an ipad is not as convenient for typing

yes it's true that you cant use a normal flash usb drives with this, but remember type-c is the future of usb, the goal is that this connector will be on everything including flash usb drives, on your phone ...

 

[slight32]

Because some of us still need to.

As do I, but I am talking about the future, the near future too. It won't be too long before we see affordable wireless portable SSD drives, HDD drives already exist. There are USB-C flash drives already. What else do you connect that you can't with the right adaptor?

Yes, I know, we'd have to buy new adaptors. Haven't we always though, and why is this an issue for some people? We buy updated software all the time, so why not updated hardware too?

because not all of us choose or wish to do so for a variety of reasons, not least that I, for one, like to actually have my data on my own hard drive, and, on USB sticks.

Again, wireless external HDD/SSD.

I would argue that when the MBA was new people were aghast at the lack of DVD Drive, ethernet port, vga port etc. etc., but we've realised we didn't really need them and could buy third party options if needed. The Macbook is a step forward from that, one that is getting the same criticisms the MBA did but which will eventually become the norm.

 

[Serban]

Remember when i say this now 11 March 2015.
This is a very strong clue that in 5 years for now..the icloud storage will be your flash storage. I bet that apple will modify again the price point for icloud storage and 10 gb free will be a must. icloud will be an important app in iOS i think with iOS10 to be easy to use from iOS to mac and backwards. Now the iOS icloud storage is not a real thing but it will be. It will connect the Apple devices from a storage point of view, like they did with continuity

So why you need a flash storage when you have 10 gb free or 100 gb for 1$/month into cloud?
So the need for an usb flash storage will be obsolete (but i guess usb-c flash storage will be available in the next 3-4 months)

 

[zhenya]

Cloud storage is already here and ubiquitous. And using it doesn't even mean needing connectivity because with services like Dropbox/OneDrive, etc. your content is always stored locally on your device and it moves seamlessly online and offline. Yes, there is a segment of the market that still needs to be able to share files via usb sticks where there is no connectivity or it's not a reasonable option - but that's the tail of the market, not the primary hump. And the new MacBook is a recognition of that reality.

 

[linkgx1]

Then who is the Macbook Air aimed for?

 

[leman]

I see two classes of users that this machine is geared towards:

1) The casual personal user who need a computer for communication, Facebook, web browsing, personal organisation, that kind of stuff. Also students of most disciplines.

2) The professional user who values mobility but does not need a lot of performance. These are journalists/writers, educators/coaches, scientists, managers, insurance agents, on-call IT support, the list continues.

While I agree that a second USB-C port would have been nice, I certainly don't see it as a deal breaker. If you need to connect multiple things to it, say, you are at a desk and want to use an external monitor, ethernet, etc. — thats what hubs are for. Frankly, I'd say that connecting a single cable to a hub is much less hassle than plugging in a bunch of separate cables every time. And when you are on the go, you generally don't need that much connectivity, save for occasional presentation or USB stick data exchange (which is certainly not a problem with the new MacBook). There are dongles for that. And its not like using a dongle makes it more cumbersome, because if you have a Mac, you probably already are carrying a dongle around.

If OP is trying to complain about the lack of USB-C ready products (not really sure about this, the post is extremely vague about what exactly bothers her/him) — it will come. USB-C is such a good connector that the industry will have no choice but to embrace it. Many don't seem to realise that yet, but this is indeed the first time we managed to get a one connector 'to rule them all' — something that the computer industry was trying to achieve for decades. Its a dramatic innovation and its importance can't be understated.

P.S. What I will add here might come over as a bit aggressive, but I have to maintain my reputation . The above mentioned "people who seem puzzled as to why Apple would release such a thing" are one's who are too lazy or simply incapable to see things beyond their quite limited system of values and make-beliefs. They are not far off from kids who are genuinely wondering "why would anyone buy a computer with a slow GPU, it can't play GTA V at 60fps so its completely pointless!". Realise that your needs and ideas do not represent everyone and try to think about stuff in a more broad context — and you just might be able to see the big picture.

/rant end

P.P.S. Hell, I would love to get one of those machines but I am routinely running prototypes of numerical simulations on my laptop before it gets sent off to the supercomputer, so the CPU would be too weak for me.

 

[Rachel Faith]

Its way too pricey to be a pad killer. And too underpowered to be a laptop. Personally I think it is too clever for its own good.

 

[slight32]

Its way too pricey to be a pad killer. And too underpowered to be a laptop. Personally I think it is too clever for its own good.

Why would it be seen as a pad killer, it's not a tablet. How is it too pricey? A similarly specified Macbook Air is about the same, and unless I'm mistaken, the Macbook Pro is a laptop, for those wanting one.

 

[mattopotamus]

it would be a perfect work laptop for me. I only need to run a remote desktop and do light word processing

 

[Nozuka]

intel said this CPU is meant to be used in ultrabooks with a price as low as 600$. there must be alot of room for apple to lower it.

i'm sure apple will lower the price eventually.... new Macbooks are always more expensive at the beginning.

 

[pmau]

People need to stop complaining because Apple did not launch a computer just for their specific needs.

Thanks. I totally agree. Apple has extended the low-end mobility product line and people sound like they cannot buy anything else. Everything is fine, people.

 

[lowendlinux]

It's aimed at people like me. I simply don't need a powerful portable I have a powerful desktop. It's light has a nice screen and runs OS X what else do I need?

 

[PotatoAir]

It's meant for usage like ma 300$ tablet.
Office in coffee shops.

 

[slight32]

It's meant for usage like ma 300$ tablet.
Office in coffee shops.

But with a 12" screen, full size keyboard, 256gb / 8gb, better processor....wait, not like a tablet at all.

 

[inhalexhale1]

I think the Apple representative did a great job of telling you who it's aimed for. It certainly fits my usage.

Yea, I agree with you. The rep said it's basically a cross between a laptop and an iPad. Obviously if you need something that will allow more productivity, don't buy it.

 

[Rachel Faith]

Why would it be seen as a pad killer, it's not a tablet. How is it too pricey? A similarly specified Macbook Air is about the same, and unless I'm mistaken, the Macbook Pro is a laptop, for those wanting one.

That is the problem, YOU see it as NOT in competition with the pad, others say just the exact opposite. So which is it really? Time will tell. A new direction... away from Mag Safe and Thunderbolt towards main street PC land? Or a big mistake? Stay tuned.

 

[sorryiwasdreami]

3 points all readers should be aware of regarding the strategy of the new macbook:

1) the fact that there is so much controversy over this machine already in its first week of announcement means Apple has succeeded in creating just the buzz they need to sell it.

2) iPad sales have been on the steady decline the past few years and the Macbook is just the product debut they need to whet iPad demographic buyers' pallets.

2a) iPhone is the best selling Apple product and for those buyers, the macbook is a step deeper into the Apple quicksand.

3) all computing is going wireless whether you like it or not and Apple is challenging you to make yourself evaluate whether you really require ports vs. connecting to devices wirelessly or is it just a mental crutch. ("think different?)

The product yet to be released is a wild success already and Apple knows you will come along for the ride. Maybe one of their smartest moves yet.

 

[flyinmac]

It's geared towards anyone who buys the marketing hype. They don't care if it's better suited for anything. Strip it down, Polish it up, make it shine and sell it before people realize it's a pinto made up to look like a Cadillac.

 

[dexterbell]

It's aimed at the person dumb enough to drop $1300 on what is basically an iPad running OSX. Oh wait, I think my iPad Air 2 is faster.

----------

certainly a great machine for ppl on the go;

or a secondary laptop, if you have something like a rMBP 15" for work related stuff.

The only complaint is that you can't hook anything else up when charging, unless you pay for a $70+ adaptor somewhere.

Really hope they come out with a 10.1 inch version of it, would be even better suited for a lot of things.

So you've already spent well over $2k on a 15 rMBP but it's too heavy, so now you need to spend another $1300 on another laptop? $3500 on what should be taken care of in ONE laptop. Apple loves people like this!

 

[ponytrekker]

Sorry for my ignorance, but why not just use the cloud?

How'd that work out for Jennifer Lawrence?

 

[hans1972]

$899 - MacBook Air 11 (Light and Portable with Ports)
$999 - MacBook Air 13 (Light and Portable with Ports)
$1299 - MacBook Pro 13 (More Processing Power)
$1299 - MacBook 12 (Light and Portable without Ports)

$899 - MacBook Air 11 (Lousy screen, light weight, low footprint with ports)
$999 - MacBook Air 13 (OK screen, light weight, ok footprint with ports)
$1299 - MacBook Pro 13 (Great screen, medium weight, ok footprint with ports)
$1299 - MacBook 12 (Great screen, very light, low footprint without ports)

Compared to MBA you are paying for a great screen and some reduction in weight. Compared to rMBP you are paying for reduced weight and footprint.

Yes, it is worth paying $400 for reduced weight and footprint and getting a great screen.

I almost never use USB for storing files and the few times I do it, I can just unplug the power, plug in the USB-device and copy the files, unplug USB-device, plug in the power.

Connecting to a screen at customer´s sites I must use a dongle today already since the screens have DVI or VGA.

And yes, almost everything I do is non-USB: printing, skanning, file storage (NAS), file storage (cloud services), streaming (NAS), streaming (cloud services), Apple TV.

 

[slight32]

I don't mean to make you more upset than you are, but does that list make sense when you factor in cost to your reasoning?

$899 - MacBook Air 11 (Light and Portable with Ports)
$999 - MacBook Air 13 (Light and Portable with Ports)
$1299 - MacBook Pro 13 (More Processing Power)
$1299 - MacBook 12 (Light and Portable without Ports)

The new MacBook 12 is lighter than the Air but also has less power and costs significantly more. So I'm not sure why you are so offended by people on an Apple board asking "Who is the new MacBook geared towards".

Personally, I agree with the reps statement because when you factor in price and compromises then it does seem like its main target is iPad Power Users.

Fixed.....

$1199 - 8gb/256gb - MacBook Air 11 (Light and Portable with Ports)
$1299 - 8gb/256gb - MacBook Air 13 (Light and Portable with Ports)
$1499 - 8gb/256gb - MacBook Pro 13 (More Processing Power)
$1299 - 8gb/256gb - MacBook 12 (Retina Screen, Light and Portable without Ports)

Not so different now is it? In fact the 13 Air and Macbook, in both 256gb and 512gb configurations are priced exactly the same.

 

[Menel]

Who is the new Macbook geared towards? - according to an Apple chat.

[start chat]
Me:Who is the new Macbook geared towards?
Rep:Do you mean the type of user or a person?
Me: Type of user
Rep:Ok
Rep: New MacBook is a combination of a Mac and an iPad. It’s light, thin and compact product. At the same time it’s a full MacBook experience, with keyboard, touchpad and Retina display...
Perfect for day-to-day tasks, internet browsing, mail, documents
For studying or working on the go
Me: As a student, I can't see myself plugging my USB flash drive or SD card in to it
Rep:Do you mean flash storage?
Me: Yes, a flash drive
Rep: Ok
Well, you can connect it using an additional cable.
[end chat]

I still don't understand who it's aimed towards. Perhaps the person who can handle a string of adapters, or mostly works online
Hoping that this chat shines a light for some people who seem puzzled as to why Apple would release such a thing.

EDIT: The new MacBook doesn't bother me in any way. It's a broad step in to the future of the notebook world. I understand why Apple made all those decisions - but some people seemed perplexed about the whole thing, so this thread is for them to see Apple's reasoning behind the creation of the device. Admittedly, its just one Apple rep's opinion so it should be taken with a grain of salt.

It could work for some students. It's geared for highly technical person who can work from the cloud, and don't need massive processing power.

I could see this working for my current job if my company issued it.
- team files are networked
- I use Photosync to send photos or video from phone to laptop (with a mac could use Airdrop
- I'm running docs and spreadsheets. and occasionally pcba cad, but this is not very performance intensive.
- Sync through OneDrive and OneNote

If corp issued macs, and our cad software was on mac, this would work perfect.

On the go? I was thinking this thing could use cellular.. but then remembered how fast and seemless Apple made it where OSX can grab tether from iPhone in pocket.

but a student? not in nerdy professions like engineering.
I needed RS232 and and such ports for development kits.