Apple's new MacBooks :do not

[TakingBackSunday]

 

 

http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro

the Touch Strip thing makes very little sense to me.  Apple really needs to get the ball rolling on marrying macOS and iOS together and create full on touch-based laptops.

[bork]

The touch pad seems fine to me.

Yup, it's a MacBook.  LOL those prices, etc. etc.

Nothing new to see here.

[brawndolicious]

It's like a baby step to adding a full touchscreen. I don't get who would really benefit from this.

More worrying is that this could signal their exit from the MacBook Air level of the market.

[Madrun Badrun]

what's a touch strip?

[Tasty]

It's like a baby step to adding a full touchscreen. I don't get who would really benefit from this.

I have a Chromebook Pixel and full touchscreen on a laptop makes very little sense. You only really need it on convertibles like the Surface and Yoga.

I'm not completely sure of the technical details but I wonder if iOS apps being written in native languages, and hence written specifically for ARM, is preventing Apple from implementing windowed iOS apps on macOS (like Google is doing with Android apps on Chrome OS.) There's a lot of potential value there so it must have occurred to Apple at some point.

More worrying is that this could signal their exit from the MacBook Air level of the market.

Wasn't last year's "Macbook" as thin as an Air anyways? They're probably consolidating the line.

[bork]

Have you seen Microsoft Surface Studio.

It's not perfect, but it really does make Apple look like they only give a shit about the smartphone market.

Unbelievable.

Yeah, looks pretty cool.  It's also pretty underpowered if we look at its specs and costs a shitload, just like Macs do.  At least with it you can justify the cost because of that huge touch screen.

Apple is DEAD.

[bork]

I have a Chromebook Pixel and full touchscreen on a laptop makes very little sense. You only really need it on convertibles like the Surface and Yoga.

At this point, unless you're looking for something with some crazy horsepower behind it (I.E. a gaming laptop), I don't get why all 'regular' laptops aren't convertibles (or rather, tablets with keyboard docks).  They can certainly sell them cheap enough.

[T-Short]

Have you seen Microsoft Surface Studio.

It's not perfect, but it really does make Apple look like they only give a shit about the smartphone market.

Unbelievable.

I don't actually care about Surface Studio at the moment because I draw exclusively on paper for the time being.

But eventually I'll go digital, and I'll be dreaming of owning that thing.

Apple is DEAD.

I really liked the Surface Studio presentation video too! Looked great. But it's only a reveal video yet. I still have no idea what any of that software was that was shown in the video. But the smartest thing about the vid was definitely that it didn't have a single shot of the OS or even a "Powered by Windows 10" at the end.

[Tasty]

I must be weird but after using various tablets and various laptops (though unfortunately, not any convertibles yet), I prefer the laptop form factor to everything out there.

The "stand" for the screen is built-in. Full hardware keyboards are a must. The power and apps are there. Mouse cursors are insanely powerful.

I wonder if this is what hardware keyboard phone owners felt like right before Apple destroyed that market.

[Tasty]

Also, re:Macbook Air: http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/10/27/13434046/new-apple-macbook-pro-air-announced-release-date-specs-price

[bork]

I must be weird but after using various tablets and various laptops (though unfortunately, not any convertibles yet), I prefer the laptop form factor to everything out there.

The "stand" for the screen is built-in. Full hardware keyboards are a must. The power and apps are there. Mouse cursors are insanely powerful.

Right...that's why they have keyboards available.     You can buy an ASUS T-whatever Windows tablet and it will come with a full-on "real" keyboard dock with touchpad included.  I'll give major props to Microsoft for how their keyboard cover works (so thin, but feels great to type on and is even backlit), but it is another $100. 

But for basic browsing and such...it's awesome having the tablet form factor.  Best of both worlds.  Surface is fucking awesome and if I didn't care about playing games it's all I'd need.

[brawndolicious]

I have a Chromebook Pixel and full touchscreen on a laptop makes very little sense. You only really need it on convertibles like the Surface and Yoga.

At this point, unless you're looking for something with some crazy horsepower behind it (I.E. a gaming laptop), I don't get why all 'regular' laptops aren't convertibles (or rather, tablets with keyboard docks).  They can certainly sell them cheap enough.

That's what I'm thinking would be logical. Have a touchscreen and you can put whatever apps you want. But like Tasty says it could be an issue of rewriting apps for the Intel chips or running a emulator type of thing. Sounds like a big problem with little reward on terms of additional app sales.

My main concern is that if they consolidate the Air line into the Pro, the price is just going to go up but there's no increase in functionality. Between that and lack of display ports, SD card slot, and USB 3 makes it kinda hard to deal with as a student or business laptop.

[Tasty]

I must be weird but after using various tablets and various laptops (though unfortunately, not any convertibles yet), I prefer the laptop form factor to everything out there.

The "stand" for the screen is built-in. Full hardware keyboards are a must. The power and apps are there. Mouse cursors are insanely powerful.

Right...that's why they have keyboards available.     You can buy an ASUS T-whatever Windows tablet and it will come with a full-on "real" keyboard dock with touchpad included.  I'll give major props to Microsoft for how their keyboard cover works (so thin, but feels great to type on and is even backlit), but it is another $100. 

But for basic browsing and such...it's awesome having the tablet form factor.  Best of both worlds.  Surface is fucking awesome and if I didn't care about playing games it's all I'd need.

I just don't have the desperate need to touch things on a big screen. I tolerate it on my phone because it makes sense for the form factor. Much prefer keyboard and mouse to touch.

New Macbooks are doing it right. No touchscreen, good old folding hinge, keyboard and touchpad, and the Touch Bar actually looks like it could be useful (emoji, custom shortcuts and controls, etc.)

[Dennis]

My MacBook Air is getting up there so this is tempting.

[brawndolicious]

I must be weird but after using various tablets and various laptops (though unfortunately, not any convertibles yet), I prefer the laptop form factor to everything out there.

The "stand" for the screen is built-in. Full hardware keyboards are a must. The power and apps are there. Mouse cursors are insanely powerful.

Right...that's why they have keyboards available.     You can buy an ASUS T-whatever Windows tablet and it will come with a full-on "real" keyboard dock with touchpad included.  I'll give major props to Microsoft for how their keyboard cover works (so thin, but feels great to type on and is even backlit), but it is another $100. 

But for basic browsing and such...it's awesome having the tablet form factor.  Best of both worlds.  Surface is fucking awesome and if I didn't care about playing games it's all I'd need.

I just don't have the desperate need to touch things on a big screen. I tolerate it on my phone because it makes sense for the form factor. Much prefer keyboard and mouse to touch.

New Macbooks are doing it right. No touchscreen, good old folding hinge, keyboard and touchpad, and the Touch Bar actually looks like it could be useful (emoji, custom shortcuts and controls, etc.)

I don't think touchscreens are really necessary but they're nice to have. The contextual thing is cool and I hope more laptops have a little touchbar on the keyboard but the one bad thing about the new MBP is it's lack of conventional ports/slots. That's just stupid.

[nudemacusers]

thankfully someone in the industry is moving us to a portless future. at this point holding on to them is technological creationism.

[thisismyusername]

Touchpad is fine. Especially with them merging Apple Wallet (or whatever it's called... iPay?  ) together with their laptops for secure payment/biometrics. The lack of an ESC and other function keys, meanwhile..

Have you seen Microsoft Surface Studio.

It's not perfect, but it really does make Apple look like they only give a shit about the smartphone market.

Unbelievable.

I don't actually care about Surface Studio at the moment because I draw exclusively on paper for the time being.

But eventually I'll go digital, and I'll be dreaming of owning that thing.

Apple is DEAD.

I liked what I saw of the Studio, but the Studio is vastly overpriced. I enjoy my Surface 3 for what it's worth. I use it for general web-browsing/e-mail, programming, eReading (in tablet-mode/hold) and word-processing (laptop). The surface cover could be better (I don't like the felt) but for what it's worth: I feel like this is what laptop and tablets should be: Hybrids that have magnetic keyboards to attach for a cover.

[chronovore]

what's a touch strip?

It's any gentlemen's club which allows over-the-clothes handling of the talent.

[Cerveza mas fina]

ugh why cant apple make a proper laptop with a gpu

[bluemax]

Unless for some reason I go back into iOS development professionally, I think my current Mac might be my last with the direction they're going. The prices and hardware and features don't make any sense anymore.

[Cerveza mas fina]

1500 dollar model is an i5  with no gpu

[T-Short]

friend made this:



dat zeitgeist

[fistfulofmetal]

so if you bought a new iphone and a new macbook pro, you wouldn't be able to plug your earbuds into them out of the box. like how do apples own stuff not work with each out out of the box?

[Take My Breh Away]

Touchpad is fine. Especially with them merging Apple Wallet (or whatever it's called... iPay?  ) together with their laptops for secure payment/biometrics. The lack of an ESC and other function keys, meanwhile..

Have you seen Microsoft Surface Studio.

It's not perfect, but it really does make Apple look like they only give a shit about the smartphone market.

Unbelievable.

I don't actually care about Surface Studio at the moment because I draw exclusively on paper for the time being.

But eventually I'll go digital, and I'll be dreaming of owning that thing.

Apple is DEAD.

I liked what I saw of the Studio, but the Studio is vastly overpriced. I enjoy my Surface 3 for what it's worth. I use it for general web-browsing/e-mail, programming, eReading (in tablet-mode/hold) and word-processing (laptop). The surface cover could be better (I don't like the felt) but for what it's worth: I feel like this is what laptop and tablets should be: Hybrids that have magnetic keyboards to attach for a cover.

Most of the price of the Studio is for that screen, but it's not really a product that's designed for the mass market as it's clearly targeting enterprise grade but then it seems to have struck a chord with the general public.

I spoke to a friend who's an animator who's salivating over it and he mentioned the specs are just fine for what he needs (As he does concept art and storyboarding). And studios are pretty hyped they have a product different teams can network in with the rest of the studio without fucking around on Cintiq's and using Wacom's archiac file transfer systems. For a lot of the design industry they are really happy with the studio and its specs are fine for what it is in working with their own 2D applications and Photoshop. MS will probably adapt Pascal with the next refresh if there's enough demand to put some heavy lifting for 3D now that Nvidia's started to integrate in full Pascal tech to Laptops but it's filling a gap in the market that Apple abandoned and will probably get better with refreshes.

Still, Apple becoming The Onion's version of Apple, whew. 

     

[thisismyusername]

Oh I know the price is on the monitor. But like Dufus said: the specs are overpriced for that. Microsoft would be better off (IMO) releasing just the monitor with the touchscreen capability for that price (or lower depending on how much the bundling the all-in-one PC parts in with it would be... probably $200 or so less?) to have for consumers.

[thisismyusername]

Now I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do.

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Just kidding, you'll continue to stick with Big Brother 10, because we all know there is no software on those.

[close]

[brawndolicious]

so if you bought a new iphone and a new macbook pro, you wouldn't be able to plug your earbuds into them out of the box. like how do apples own stuff not work with each out out of the box?

That's exactly what I said when the new iPhone was announced! Probably it's an issue of lightning being a useless standard that will be replaced by USB C.

[VomKriege]

Maybe because I was forced on PC for the last couple of years (after being Apple only for over two decades) but everytime I interacted with the latest MacOS versions, I found the experience terrible.

[T-Short]

Really quite good:

http://cdm.link/2016/10/apples-computer-vision-looks-backward-others-look-forward/

[thisismyusername]

Maybe because I was forced on PC for the last couple of years (after being Apple only for over two decades) but everytime I interacted with the latest MacOS versions, I found the experience terrible.

Really? Last time I used OS X was 10.4, but that was fine. I feel like OS X's UI and kernal/BSD-based is what OS's should be going forward in regards to "casual user-ability." But I haven't used/tried a Mac post-Intel switch since they're like $1,000 a pop + refreshes keep constantly coming out for my taste. Then they integrated like the iPhone app store or whatever and then removed the Escape key to where I'm not sure I want to try Macs ever again. :'(

Steve Jobs must be rolling in his grave at what Apple is doing. He's probably be shaking Tim Cook like a baby over them iterating on hardware over and over and over and doing nothing "new". Touch bar is nice, but not screaming "OMG I NEED THIS" like Steve seemed to hound out.

[VomKriege]

10.4 was looooong ago, man, and yeah that's perfectly fine (10.5 too), it's 10.12 now apparently ?
Now I only barely interacted with whatever is the current release, but even some basic stuff (resizing windows and shit like that) really threw me off. That's a very shallow impression but I had earlier gripes (price, closed environment, the whole "you can only add stuff on iPhone via iTunes sync") and overall I don't see me coming back to Apple unless it's mandatory for work.

[Cerveza mas fina]

wait you cant connect your iphone to the new mac without an adapter and cant use the 7 airbuds?

Apple used to be all about "it just works" but this shit

also why no kalby lake?

 

[VomKriege]

Maybe wireless (just an uneducated guess) ?
Apple has always been fickle with regards to ports.

[bork]

I watched some demos/unboxing crap videos for the new MacBooks, looked over at my Surface Pro 4, and thought "Wow, how is it that Microsoft did it so well and Apple still can't seem to do anything right?" 

I think mine has better specs than these new Macs and it's a year older. 

[nudemacusers]

yeah but since apple controls the os and hardware they can code to the metal using c and assembly like sony/ps4 and ms has to code using inefficient libraries for backwards compatibility  and write programs in visual basic/javascript languages so stuff doesn't run as fast and uses more memory.

[Tasty]

yeah but since apple controls the os and hardware they can code to the metal using c and assembly like sony/ps4 and ms has to code using inefficient libraries for backwards compatibility  and write programs in visual basic/javascript languages so stuff doesn't run as fast and uses more memory.

[nudemacusers]

also windows has to work with dos, windows xp, 95, NT and 3.1 programs. thats like 5 extra operating systems of overhead. os x just has os x. unless you count the unix command line os but that's a super efficient so at most it's 1.5 operating systems total for mac.

[bork]

also windows has to work with dos, windows xp, 95, NT and 3.1 programs. thats like 5 extra operating systems of overhead. os x just has os x. unless you count the unix command line os but that's a super efficient so at most it's 1.5 operating systems total for mac.

Can I play Overwatch on a MacBook without dual booting?  No?

I rest my case. 

[bork]

"So what's new?  It's thinner and lighter!  It has two colors!  It's thinner!  The Apple logo no longer lights up.  It's also thinner.  And it's thinner, too.  Did I mention that it's thinner?"


Didn't know that the lower-end model also only has two of those type-C ports and nothing else.

I just don't get the appeal behind Macs anymore, and I say this as someone who had Apple computers in the house from 1986 on and only had Macs up until 2004, switched back to Apple in 2008, and then ditched it for a PC in 2010.  Windows is fine these days and for the basic user who is just gonna do some web browsing and whatnot...just get a cheaper PC or a Chromebook.  No reason to throw money away on this shit.  If you want to spend more and want a thin, all-metal, sleek laptop...pick up a Razer Blade Stealth.  Pretty sure it has better specs and is still cheaper than a MacBook.

[nudemacusers]

also windows has to work with dos, windows xp, 95, NT and 3.1 programs. thats like 5 extra operating systems of overhead. os x just has os x. unless you count the unix command line os but that's a super efficient so at most it's 1.5 operating systems total for mac.

Can I play Overwatch on a MacBook without dual booting?  No?

I rest my case. 

nobody games on pc anymore, it's all consoles now.

[bork]

nobody games on pc anymore, it's all consoles now.

[benjipwns]

crazy roundup of all the micro$hit $hill$ hating on built to the metal innovation:
http://mjtsai.com/blog/2016/10/27/new-macbook-pros-and-the-state-of-the-mac/

[bork]

crazy roundup of all the micro$hit $hill$ hating on built to the metal innovation:
http://mjtsai.com/blog/2016/10/27/new-macbook-pros-and-the-state-of-the-mac/

He's right, though- why do all of the MacBooks need to be ultra-thin and light, sacrificing ports and hardware features?  Isn't that the whole point of the Air line?

[Cerveza mas fina]

Yeah

I think giving the Airs a refresh would have been better then releasing an even weaker and more expensive version with the Macbook

Seem like they are totally abandoning that "low" end segment.

[Samson Manhug]

I didn't realize this.

That's the same style MBP I had for 4.5 years—I loved it because of how upgradable it was. I had put 10gb of RAM in it, swapped out the DVD drive for an aftermarket SSD and had two hard drives in it. It never felt dated. I only replaced it because I had a corrupted OS install and couldn't troubleshoot it from Afghanistan with limited internet and month long shipping times from the states.

I got an Air and while it's light and the battery lasts a long time, I only played $100 less for it than my original MBP and honestly the thing is underpowered. It's sluggish with Photoshop open and sluggish with 10 Safari tabs open. I was going to get another MBP but now I don't know.

[T-Short]

http://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/31/macbooks-2017-price-cuts-32gb-ram/

uh lol

[brawndolicious]

You can't upgrade the RAM on most thin laptops these days. The price for the parts is pretty ridiculous although I guess you're mostly paying for the software. I don't know how I would deal with not having legacy USB or SD card support though.

[bork]

http://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/31/macbooks-2017-price-cuts-32gb-ram/

uh lol

Would be hilarious, but-

Update: As pointed out by Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham and others, Kuo's outline of chip possibilities does not match up with what is known from leaked Intel roadmaps. Intel is not planning MacBook Pro-class chips in the Cannonlake family at all, and Coffee Lake chips aren't arriving until 2018.

[bork]

It feels like the post-Jobs Apple is really starting to come out.  Doubt it's possible they'll ever slip all the way down to post-Jobs 1990s levels though.  Will anything ever burst the iPhone bubble?

[bluemax]

My current Mac Book Pro is probably my last Apple laptop if things don't change in the next five years.

[VomKriege]

Will anything ever burst the iPhone bubble?

Given how insanely competitive that market is, I wouldn't be surprised it could be burst.

[Raist]

I can see Apple sloooowly losing market share in the mobile space, but I doubt it will ever reach a point where they'll fall behind Samsung / Sony etc.
"First to mass market" is too stronk.

I'm fully expecting them to go full distinguished mentally-challenged fellow with macbooks though. Give it a few years and they will get rid of all the ports. Even the charging one. You'll need an appointment with a Mac Genius to get your battery replaced once it's drained.

[nudemacusers]

nobody games on pc anymore, it's all consoles now.

Sorry u spent $2000 to sit in front of a tiny screen cramped over a keyboard in your moms basement to play year old ports while us console guys chill on a couch with our 55 inch tvs playing bloodborne, getting head and pussy  while killstreaking on noobs.

[nudemacusers]

Bu bu I  can play excel! 

[bork]

nobody games on pc anymore, it's all consoles now.

Sorry u spent $2000 to sit in front of a tiny screen cramped over a keyboard in your moms basement to play year old ports while us console guys chill on a couch with our 55 inch tvs playing bloodborne, getting head and pussy  while killstreaking on noobs.

Damn, u SUPER MADD   

Spend $500-600 (more than a PS4 Pro) every year replacing graphics cards and installing all the latest drivers for a platform that: A)Doesn't have exclusives B)Can't render effect-heavy games like the Order C)Can't even play Batman.

   

Come on, I expected more from the man who destroyed Amirox. 

Who buys graphics cards every year?  Installing drivers?  You mean like installing updates to console games?   

A) Doesn't have exclusives?  PC has like 100 times more exclusive games than consoles do.    B) The Order C) Never had a problem playing Batman.

You can do better than this.

[thisismyusername]

It feels like the post-Jobs Apple is really starting to come out.  Doubt it's possible they'll ever slip all the way down to post-Jobs 1990s levels though.  Will anything ever burst the iPhone bubble?

It totally could happen. Let OS X hit Wintels like the classic Mac OS ... 5? 8? did post-Jobs before.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

PLEASE let that happen so I can jump from Windows on hardware that'll let me game.

[close]

[nudemacusers]

Lol enjoy defragging ur hard drive  every time u install a game so it doesn't chug and skip frames. Oh and don't forget to fiddle with the bios to overclock  ur CPU so you can negate all the software overhead you paid a premium for 

nevermind endless hours tinkering with configuration panels and settings just to make it look half decent on your no name gpu you got off aliexpress

Meanwhile I'll just hit the gym, get some numbers, swing by GameStop for another console exclusive you'll cry about not getting, pop the disc in, and rock some dudes online nohomo.

[bork]

Lol enjoy defragging ur hard drive  every time u install a game so it doesn't chug and skip frames. Oh and don't forget to fiddle with the bios to overclock  ur CPU so you can negate all the software overhead you paid a premium for 

nevermind endless hours tinkering with configuration panels and settings just to make it look half decent on your no name gpu you got off aliexpress

Meanwhile I'll just hit the gym, get some numbers, swing by GameStop for another console exclusive you'll cry about not getting, pop the disc in, and rock some dudes online nohomo.

This might be decent trolling for 2005.  Come on, guys.  What's going on this morning?  I am so disappoint. 

[bork]

[nudemacusers]

Why would I keep up with a loser platform ? Am I supposed to have up to date blackberry jokes?