[Dark 1]

So let's summarise about the 'new' Macbook Pro:

Make it thin at all cost.
Strip away useful features.
Add a feature most folk won't give a toss about.
Charge a HUUUUUUUGGGGEEEE premium for it.

Think I'll give this flop-in-waiting a miss and go lust over the 'standard' Macbook Pros.

[TheBigM]

I would summarise thusly: Apple is continuing down a conventional device path of separate laptops, tablets etc.

The new MBP is simply further along that evolutionary path of refinement of an existing idea.

What MS is doing with windows is not going down the crazy high-specs route (partly because they need to cater to low and middle-end devices in a way that Apple does not). But they are pushing the boundaries by enabling the exploration of new form factors (AIOs that fold down to be like surface, Asus TaiChi, Transformer-type laptop-tablet hybrids). They are pushing the boundaries by aiming to combine different types of user interaction in a device: mouse, keyboard, touch, pen, trackpad gestures, camera-based gestures.

There's every chance that consumers won't react well with Windows 8 but I hope they do because going down that path is currently more interesting for the betterment of computing as a whole.

With a lot of its technology releases this year, I think Apple is getting through all the micro-inventions they can and they need a real-step change to come along again soon.

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

What MS is doing with windows is not going down the crazy high-specs route (partly because they need to cater to low and middle-end devices in a way that Apple does not). But they are pushing the boundaries by enabling the exploration of new form factors (AIOs that fold down to be like surface, Asus TaiChi, Transformer-type laptop-tablet hybrids). They are pushing the boundaries by aiming to combine different types of user interaction in a device: mouse, keyboard, touch, pen, trackpad gestures, camera-based gestures.

I couldn't agree more with that. They certainly do seem to be pushing the boundary whether people agree with the direction or not.

There's every chance that consumers won't react well with Windows 8 but I hope they do because going down that path is currently more interesting for the betterment of computing as a whole.

This is such a fundamental statement! Got to agree with it entirely though.

[Nefrati]

Originally Posted by Dark 1

So let's summarise about the 'new' Macbook Pro:

Make it thin at all cost.
Strip away useful features.
Add a feature most folk won't give a toss about.
Charge a HUUUUUUUGGGGEEEE premium for it.

Think I'll give this flop-in-waiting a miss and go lust over the 'standard' Macbook Pros.

2880x1800
retina display = people care about.

maybe not you, but you aren't their target customer.

at least someone in laptop business is driving the market towards something better than 720p "HD" garbage displays.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by Nefrati

maybe not you, but you aren't their target customer.

Who are their target customer, and why doesn't Dark 1 fit the bill,other than not being in love with everything with a certain logo on it?

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Nefrati

2880x1800
retina display = people care about.

maybe not you, but you aren't their target customer.

at least someone in laptop business is driving the market towards something better than 720p "HD" garbage displays.

Most people have no idea what 2880 x 1800 means - they just look at a screen and decide if they think it looks nice or not.

720p does not equal a rubbish display

[IvanIV]

Apple really are a one trick pony now, aren't they. They look at something and think "This could really use more (no, not cowbell) pixels". They were telling their followers that 1280x800 is all they ever need and suddenly they have something revolutionary for them

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by Dark 1

So let's summarise about the 'new' Macbook Pro:

Make it thin at all cost.
Strip away useful features.
Add a feature most folk won't give a toss about.
Charge a HUUUUUUUGGGGEEEE premium for it.

Think I'll give this flop-in-waiting a miss and go lust over the 'standard' Macbook Pros.

It certainly isn't for most people but there are many people out there that work on graphics and video that will surely want one.

They can also charge a "premium" for it because no one else makes a laptop with a similar display. Competition will eventually level out pricing.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

Apple really are a one trick pony now, aren't they. They look at something and think "This could really use more (no, not cowbell) pixels". They were telling their followers that 1280x800 is all they ever need and suddenly they have something revolutionary for them

When did Apple say that?

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Batwing

It certainly isn't for most people but there are many people out there that work on graphics and video that will surely want one.

They can also charge a "premium" for it because no one else makes a laptop with a similar display. Competition will eventually level out pricing.

Apple have always been a premium make though - and that's the only reason I'll never get one - can't justify the cost!

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by Batwing

When did Apple say that?

Isn't everything they do revolutionary, magical, and resolutionary?

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

Apple really are a one trick pony now, aren't they. They look at something and think "This could really use more (no, not cowbell) pixels". They were telling their followers that 1280x800 is all they ever need and suddenly they have something revolutionary for them

Even if they did - things always move on - and I doubt they said it's all they will ever need.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

Isn't everything they do revolutionary, magical, and resolutionary?

No

Although to be fair to Apple they are the ones that have really pushed for higher resolutions screens on PCs and phones - everyone else was happy to do as little as possible.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by whoever,hey

I still cant get my head around removing the ethernet port. Is this going to be another apple peripheral at extortionate prices or an industry standard jobby?

There are two cables to address that, a usb and a thunderbolt adaptor. American pricing is $29.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by alan1302

Apple have always been a premium make though - and that's the only reason I'll never get one - can't justify the cost!

It depends on the device. iPads, Macbook Airs and the iMacs are reasonably priced compared to the competition.

remember also that cost for such things never ends at the time of purchase.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Oh go on then...

*Adds 16GB of ram + extras*

*looks at price*



Maybe not right now mate

Weird how they removed the Ethernet port. I know laptops are meant to be wireless but there are still a number of us who prefer a wired connection. Especially when it's the only option available.

Buy the ram elsewhere.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Batwing

It depends on the device. iPads, Macbook Airs and the iMacs are reasonably priced compared to the competition.

remember also that cost for such things never ends at the time of purchase.

I’ll have to agree to disagree with you on the pricing of them – always found them more expensive than what I would pay for something.

Not sure what you mean that the costs never end? What other costs are there?

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by alan1302

I’ll have to agree to disagree with you on the pricing of them – always found them more expensive than what I would pay for something.

Not sure what you mean that the costs never end? What other costs are there?

Than what you "would pay" but as they compare to the competition it would be difficult to call them premium priced.

Up until a recently, with a new HP model, you couldn't even get an all in one with beyond HD resolution 27" with an IPS LCD.

What other costs? Time spent dealing with unreliability, bugs and poor customer service, not to mention Windows being a much bigger target for malware.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Batwing

Than what you "would pay" but as they compare to the competition it would be difficult to call them premium priced.

Up until a recently, with a new HP model, you couldn't even get an all in one with beyond HD resolution 27" with an IPS LCD.

What other costs? Time spent dealing with unreliability, bugs and poor customer service, not to mention Windows being a much bigger target for malware.

Like I said we will have to agree to disagree on pricing - anything that costs the same as an Apple product I would class as premium priced as well – and I am sure Apple think of themselves as a premium manufacturer.


Unreliability – with Windows 7 I have not had any real problems at all and I have been using Windows since 3.11 so know what they have been like in the past but unreliability is no longer an issue

Bugs – all Oss have bugs

Poor customer service – 99% of the time I never use it and deal with anything that may come up myself so can’t comment although not sure who you are saying has poor customer service? Microsoft or a PC manufacturer?

Malware – it is a bigger target due to popularity but as long as you run an Anti-Virus software and don’t visit any dubious sites then it’s not going to be a problem.

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by alan1302

I’ll have to agree to disagree with you on the pricing of them – always found them more expensive than what I would pay for something.

Not sure what you mean that the costs never end? What other costs are there?

Somebody has to pay for all those litigations they do to bully the competition.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

Somebody has to pay for all those litigations they do to bully the competition.

All companies do that

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by alan1302

Like I said we will have to agree to disagree on pricing - anything that costs the same as an Apple product I would class as premium priced as well – and I am sure Apple think of themselves as a premium manufacturer.

Do you disagree with the example I provided? Can you provide examples of ultrabooks that are significantly different in pricing to the MacBook Air? Are there 21" all in ones with an IPS LCD?

Apple, I would say considering their philosophy, sees itself as a "premium" manufacturer as it relates to the quality of the product. Keep in mind that before the iPad was introduced most everyone thought it would be priced well above what it was priced. No one expected the MacBook Air to be selling at the price that it is.

So, as I said, not all of Apple's products are premium priced. The biggest example of a product of theirs that is premium priced is the Mac Pro. In fact, with that product I have to ask Apple what it is they are thinking, especially after this latest 'update."

Originally Posted by alan1302

Unreliability – with Windows 7 I have not had any real problems at all and I have been using Windows since 3.11 so know what they have been like in the past but unreliability is no longer an issue

Bugs – all Oss have bugs

When you compare Apple's computers to competitors you are comparing a very limited number of models and configurations to many more. That reality opens competitors to a much greater chance of running into issues with bugs, incompatibility issues and quality control. Anyone who has built many computers would understand that.

Originally Posted by alan1302

Poor customer service – 99% of the time I never use it and deal with anything that may come up myself so can’t comment although not sure who you are saying has poor customer service? Microsoft or a PC manufacturer?

And that is good for you but most users, which obviously you and I are not, will run into issues where they will have to depend on customer service and tech support.

Which customer service? Most people will be dealing with the PC manufacturer, as they are typically required to by the warranty.

Originally Posted by alan1302

Malware – it is a bigger target due to popularity but as long as you run an Anti-Virus software and don’t visit any dubious sites then it’s not going to be a problem.

On average anti-virus programs leave you open 5-10% of the time to get infected or compromised. Anti-virus on a Windows computer is far from reasonably secure experience.

And in this case it doesn't matter why they are a much bigger target, only that they are.

[and101]

Originally Posted by Batwing

Buy the ram elsewhere.

The ram in the new macbook pro is soldered directly to the motherboard so you can't upgrade it.

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by and101

The ram in the new macbook pro is soldered directly to the motherboard so you can't upgrade it.

I'm unsure why anyone would need more than 8GB of RAM on a laptop?

Mine has 2GB currently and I haven't ran into any problems.

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by alan1302

All companies do that

There are probably several reasons why their products are so expensive. The build is better than with cheap laptop ranges, but probably not so much if you buy a laptop in a higher price range. But nobody does that, it's either cheap laptop that turns out to be shite or an overpriced Apple, because it's so special and great. By overpricing their products they give the customers a feeling of having acquired something exclusive they do not find anywhere else, that not everybody has and for that price must be something really really special. Nobody looks under the hood of a Rolls-Royce if the parts plus work are worth price one pays for it. Also Apple make a lot of secrets about the product, the way they present it, how they do not say exactly what's inside, we just get buzzwords that don't mean anything for people who care about specifications. It adds to the "magic".