I don't understand why Apple is charging top dollar for outdated technology. I don't get it. The MacBook Pros are what build iOS apps and help their ecosystem stay vibrant. If they aren't going to release new technology, at least lower the price on outdated technology please.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why is Apple charging top dollar for legacy computers?
- Thread starter AdonisSMU
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
...because bean-counter Tim Cook said so
Apple saves money by using older technology.
Apple saves money by using older technology.
You mention Macbook Pro. The new Macbook Pro is launching any week now.
You mention lowering the price. After the launch, you will be able to buy the outdated model for a lower price.
Did you have something more specific to share?
You mention lowering the price. After the launch, you will be able to buy the outdated model for a lower price.
Did you have something more specific to share?
If Apple can keep selling older hardware for longer, ensuring ever-increasing healthy margins, and those decisions keep the Mac alive longer in a declining market - isn't that a good thing for people who love the Mac?
It's not like the MacBook Pro on sale today is a terrible computer. People will be amazed how close the processor in a late 2013 15" MacBook Pro benchmarks against a current top-of-the-line laptop Skylake processor. (we have a couple of Dell XPS 9550's here in our office that I have benchmarked) Everyone including Intel is slowing down the pace of innovation in traditional computing products because the market isn't there anymore.
The Mac Pro and MacBook Pro are a long way behind in graphics performance of course, but Apple has always been behind in this area.
Current MacBook Pro legacy equipment? No way, sure it's over due an update but the existing line of MacBook Pro's is far from what anyone would class as legacy equipment. Most business operate on pretty old equipment as it's not viable to upgrade to the latest and greatest year-on-year, the question I put to you is, "What does the current lineup of MacBook Pro's NOT do for you that an updated one would?"
Most people walking into the Apple store and buying MacBook Pros have no idea it's not been updated since March 2015.
Greed is good...and I would be willing to bet more than 50% of consumers have no idea that the macbook pro is due for a refresh, they think buying a new macbook pro..is buying a new macbook pro.
Pretty much. Apple products are also fashion statements. Great example is the young college kid getting a laptop for school. Most could survive with the functionality of a $200 chromebook, but Macbooks look cooler and that's often the only criteria that matters in our vapid, western society.
Saying they can get away with it seems to be contradicted by the 40% drop in MacBook sales last quarter:
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/11/mac-notebook-sales-1q16-trendforce/
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/11/mac-notebook-sales-1q16-trendforce/
Article states that a large portion of the %40 drop was due to a post-holiday cycle.
The article was a little obtuse, I admit, but the average decline across all notebooks for the post-holiday quarter was 19%. Apple was twice that, because:
"In the first quarter, Apple did not have any new MacBook products ready for the market, nor did it lower MacBook prices to generate sales. Apple’s Wintel-based competitors, on the other hand, benefitted from Windows 10 and the steady supply of Intel’s Skylake CPUs,” says TrendForce notebook analyst Anita Wang. “They were able to have numerous new products ready to promote and ship. As a result, MacBook shipments suffered a massive quarterly decline of 40.4% in the first quarter and Apple retreated to the sixth place in the ranking.”
From: http://www.appleworld.today/blog/20...sees-40-quarterly-decline-in-mac-laptop-sales
I want to give another point of view on this: I do not have Apple Stores in my country and I travelled to the US a month ago. I needed a computer and as I wanted a MacBook Pro, I got one. I knew that Apple is going to refresh them in a few weeks, but I could not wait. So it isn't that I'm not aware that I'm not buying the 'latest and greatest' it's just that I cannot do otherwise.
Just for you to know, the top-of-the-line current rMBP15 that at Apple it's 2500 dollars, here it is 5350 through resellers (5350, no, not a typo.) so I cannot wait for the new ones to come here as that will probably be like 8000. I guess I buy what's available at the time I need it to buy. If I could wait, I would, but sometimes that isn't the case.
Just for you to know, the top-of-the-line current rMBP15 that at Apple it's 2500 dollars, here it is 5350 through resellers (5350, no, not a typo.) so I cannot wait for the new ones to come here as that will probably be like 8000. I guess I buy what's available at the time I need it to buy. If I could wait, I would, but sometimes that isn't the case.
Last edited:
The dev tools don't require massive resources. their only requirements are later OS releases to be up to speed for swift versions (apple is cutting off version support via OS), if swift is even the language used. hell tbh I know of a few small dev projects applications for mac os where their in house mac testing and development of windows based stuff done on hackintosh. gets the job done, they release and kindly ask us authentic mac users to be proper test subjects.
They make no money from this so how ever they do this...its all good really. I know some zealots will be up in arms, eula, etc. Way it is, not everyone wants to splurge for the MacBook cost for small time, and free, applications. And its how I get some apps ported over to avoid virtual windows machines....so I say hackintosh away to keep the code flowing.
Apple's ecosystem is shifting to iOS of late. For whatever reasons they are ignoring VR is ignoring them, gaming is as well (even feral won't even port some stuff over these days, even for the 2015's) and from the video and audio realms we give our grumblings.
All we have are rumors it will get better. Which sadly works. My issue with apple's keeping the card close to the chest here is they only make 1 pro level laptop. they aren't like dell (and subs like alien ware) who play this game. they could dangle a few higher spec laptop options in a year. So yes they will keep quiet a bit to bait staggered sales. If Apple will wow us with a new MBP...they can spill the beans and say boys and girls...save up them pennies since this is what is coming. We can only buy the one.
It behoove them to do so. PX on base has some nice higher end dell and alienwares out for me to drool over. With some money saved up and a bit more avid licensing possible. Video my only apple only thing at this point. I need the FCP as I despise adobe. As time rolls on and apple stays silent, others look much better. When I can buy that avid cash on the barrel, I don't have to stay apple basically.
You can't blame Apple for offering old tech at top dollar prices. They would lower the prices if people weren't buying them. Talk with your wallet.. or your phone, as Apple wants you to do 
They are still selling a 13" MBP that was sold in 2012. Reason: It is one of the top selling Macs for sale today. The owner can upgrade the RAM, install an SSD and take out the DVD drive and put in another drive.
I'm typing this on my 2012 13" MBP that I bought last July, one month after buying my 15" 2015 MBP.
I'm typing this on my 2012 13" MBP that I bought last July, one month after buying my 15" 2015 MBP.
However, his current rant is still valid as we are using arguably 1.3 year old tech and charging for it as if it were brand new tech.
Call me insane, but I won't for over +$1.5k for a laptop with a 1.4 year old CPU in it.
Maybe Apple customers don't want bleeding edge?
Just stable, proven and reliable. Those qualities have value.
Just stable, proven and reliable. Those qualities have value.