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Why is everyone so upset about the new MacBook Pro?

4 points| mterwill | 9 years ago | reply

It seems like the entire tech community is up in arms about the new MacBook Pro. Let's remember stripping connectivity is nothing new for Apple. I have not missed my DVD drive for a day. It's increasingly rare that I find myself plugging in a USB drive, external display, or SD card. The SD card slot and HDMI port also ~~are~~ were fairly recent additions to the line. The running commentary seems to be "Pro is for professional," by which they really mean to say "Pro is for _creative_ professional."

For the few times per year I download pictures from my camera I will be happy to grab a dongle. Why? Because there's not a big air pocket where there once was an SD card slot. The machine is lighter, thinner, brighter, faster, all of which are steps in the right direction. USB C is fast and versatile. Yes, it will be sad to lose the MagSafe. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, I will miss the escape key. The criticism seems a bit premature, though.

The only thing that baffles me is why did they leave the headphone jack? And why is the iPhone 7 still Lightning and not USB C? Not enough courage.

10 comments

[+] PaulHoule|9 years ago|reply

It's just nothing special compared to what Microsoft is doing.

On TV Microsoft is advertising touch-screen computers used by artists to make art for stage sets, film, etc. Developers like the Unix personality in MacOS, so Microsoft is adding a Linux personality to Windows 10.

That is, a significant move into Apples turf.

Also Intel chips have not gotten that much better in recent years for laptop uses; you have to jump a long interval in time to feel an impact. Skylake's strength is the "Super Tablets" in the $999 price range that Microsoft wishes you would buy. They could have skipped Skylake and gone to Kaby Lake which would give a 10% increase in clock speed, which would have been noticable, particularly bundling in other x86 improvements, but they didn't.

Big picture is that Apple is focused on phones and the consumeration that entails. You can replace a cash register for a tablet, but if your work is creative you need a PC.

[+] usaphp|9 years ago|reply

what exactly is so special about what Microsoft is doing? A touch screen on a desktop? We had it for years. Faster processor? Not really...

[+] tjr|9 years ago|reply

I've been happily using Macs for 14 years. I routinely do things like burn DVDs, plug in USB and FireWire devices, use external displays, transfer photographs from cameras, etc.

I may be content with a current Mac, but it seems to me that the path Apple is on is moving away from what I personally want. I remain presently undecided, but I am starting to consider non-Apple alternatives for my next computer.

I'm not mad, though. Things change. I wish I could still realistically be using Commodore Amiga computers, but I'm not.

[+] mrits|9 years ago|reply

'memba video toaster?

[+] Szevth|9 years ago|reply

Because it's expensive and is a sidegrade to anyone who owns a MacBook Pro from 2012 and newer. I don't know why any developer would upgrade their MacBook Pro if they bought one in the last few years.

Call me when the MacBook Pro has an OLED screen.

[+] stray|9 years ago|reply

I for one, am looking forward to it -- my company ordered our new MacBook Pros yesterday.

I think the new touch bar is going to be the target of much elisp diddling on my part. And frankly, I don't care about connectors.