I didn't mean that they were poseurs for disagreeing with my opinion. Everyone is free to do that of course (and often does).
I see hundreds of Apple laptops a year in my job, being bought by all kinds of people for all kinds of uses and in my experience, over the long haul, and on average, almost no one buys a 15" or a 17" MacBook Pro, although the 15" is far more popular than the 17". Those that do (again IMO), tend to be show-offs, or concerned with having the "biggest/best" laptop in the room far more than they are concerned with issues connected with actually using the machine.
All the real pros I know are more likely to be using a 13", or maybe a 15" if they need the screen size. I would say the majority of the power users and the majority of users in general have already moved to MacBook Airs. The 17" MacBook Pro is just over the top for almost everyone (only 1.6% of all Mac laptop users have a 17" model by the numbers in the article).
When someone comes into my office with one of these beasts, most of the staff kind of roll their eyes when the person isn't looking as it's usually someone with more money and more pride than they have common sense. It's not nice to hear perhaps, but it's true in my neck of the woods anyway.
Usage depends upon what your job actually is. If all you do with a computer is check email, surf the web, write small Word documents and simple spreadsheets, than a 13" might be good enough and a 15" is more than good enough. In fact, for those people, a Pad might be good enough, especially if you get the external keyboard. What I think we're starting to see when people talk about the post-PC era, is really a split between people who consume content and those who create (serious) content. For many people, a full-fledged computer is overboard, because they don't actually do much with it.
But if you do the kind of work where you have many apps open at the same time, do serious Photoshop or Illustrator work (or their equivalents), writing code where the code is in one window and the page results are in another and especially if doing things like video editing, you need the larger screen. If you want to argue that you can use a small laptop with an external display, fine, but that kind of kills part of the idea of a laptop.
I don't know why everyone thinks this needs to be an either/or situation. Apple needs to support all kinds of users and as I've written before, even if you don't sell a lot of units at the top, what you sell as top-of-the-line is what gives the product line its reputation. And you definitely want to keep your most critical users who want the high-end machines because those tend to be the users with the most influence.
At the office, I actually now work with two large monitors. It's the only way for me to work efficiently when I'm constantly moving between spreadsheets, a Word document, design tools and an older version of an app for which I'm writing the specs for an update.
Some people might "roll their eyes" when I go to events with my camera case that includes four lenses, but it's what I need to get the job done. The same is true for the computer. The other issue is that we're constantly increasing "resolution" on ever smaller screen sizes. This might be fine for a 22-year-old, but for us baby-boomers, our eyes aren't what they used to be and I can't read the equivalent of 4 pt type. So even though I regularly use my 15" pro, I want to see the 17" pro stay in the lineup. The only reason I didn't buy the 17" when I last upgraded was because of the cost.
So if someone walks in with a top-of-the-line 17" and all they do is surf the web, post to Facebook, check email and respond with 2-sentences, then I definitely agree that the "eye-roll" is in order. But if it's someone who does real, complex work with professional-level applications, then the 17" just might be the right tool for the right job. Today we would consider a 17" external monitor to be too small, so why is it too large for a laptop?
I read elsewhere that Kuo estimates that Apple sold 1.5 million 13" MB Pros, 500k 15" MB Pros, and only 50k 17" MB Pros in Q1 2012. Out of 3.1 million MacBooks of all types, including 1.1 million MB Airs evenly split between the 11" and 13" models. Interesting numbers, and rather disappointing for fans of the 17" MB Pro (if Kuo's numbers are in the ballpark.)
You hit the important point. Several people here have declared the 17" MBP to be a valuable machine because it fits their needs the best. That's largely irrelevant as it's the number sold that really matters. We could have the same argument for the MacPro but rumors are that it, too, could be cut because not enough are sold now. That doesn't mean it's not the perfect computer for someone... just not the perfect computer for enough people.
Really?!? So now I'm a show-off because I bought a 15" MBP? Way to generalize man. I bought my 15" MBP because, get this, I actually needed a 1680x1050 hi-res display for video editing and photography. I have a cinema display at home, but the extra res really helps on the road. No offense, but the 1280x800 res on the 13" really doesn't cut it.
That said, I had a 17" PowerBook G4 for 4 years and (in my opinion) it was a bit too big. I now have the same res that the PBG4 had in my 15" MBP. I do not, however, want them to discontinue the 17" MBP for those who use them. Obviously, if sales of the 17" model really start to fall off, Apple will give it the axe.
Actually, I think you misunderstood me. People who use 15-inchers are rare, but I didn't say anything against them. The people who buy the 17" are the ones I would say were primarily "show-offs" (again only based on my experience, but .... I have a LOT of experience with these machines).
This wouldn't surprise me at all if this happens. Obviously some will be upset but in the grand scheme of things if it's not selling well then it's probably in their best interest to cut it. I would think if they bump up the resolution on the 15" then that would compensate for a good portion of the 17" buyers. For those that need screen real estate, you can always plug in an external monitor. Honestly, I've been seeing a lot less of these big laptops in the stores in general so it's not like Apple is the only one seeing a trend towards the smaller laptops.
Another narrow minded poster that likes insulting folks that disagree with their asinine opinion.
Pretty much all the "pros" around here have 15" MBPs. The 13" MBPs only come with the GMA 3000 and for many if not most "pros" that's simply not good enough for rendering, development, graphics, etc.
The only poser around here is you since you clearly don't know many pros or why they select the 15" or 17" MBP.
Where do you get off making a personal attack against me? I said that in my (informed) experience that people who use 17" macBooks are often "poseurs" which is not exactly a compliment, but hardly a gigantic insult.
Based on that I'm some kind of narrow-minded idiot? You realise that you are insulting me here far more than anything I've said to you (or anyone for that matter), right? You are so quick to go personal.
I've probably worked with more Pros than you'll ever see and while those that need it use the 15", almost none use the 17".
The numbers are right in the source link. Less than 2% of sales.
... So if someone walks in with a top-of-the-line 17" and all they do is surf the web, post to Facebook, check email and respond with 2-sentences, then I definitely agree that the "eye-roll" is in order. ...
Yeah, well I think we are kind of on the same page anyway. I've already taken a lot of abuse over the remarks so maybe they should just die after this, but this description above exactly matches almost anyone I've seen with a 17" MacBook Pro for the last three or four years anyway.
It would be sad to see the 17" go away, as I had needed mine back when the first Intel machines came out in 2006. I used it for CAD when living on an island in the tropics, commuting back and forth to the US. I couldn't have used a desktop machine, and a second monitor wouldn't solve the issue with unreliable local power.
But, when I moved back to the US it didn't take long for the machine to become a pain-- to heavy to lug around everywhere, bad ergonomics, and an aging battery.
So, I replaced it with a 27" iMac for the office and a 13" Air for home and travel. I can't do CAD outside of the office, which is a pain at times. But unless I move back to my little island and live in a small bungalow, I would never buy another 17" laptop unless it was under 6 pounds.
I won't be buying a MacBook next year then. Was planning on buying a 17inch so if they discontinue it. I'll look elsewhere
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostface147
That would suck. I can't work with an 11, 13, or 15 inch laptop. 17 is a must for me, although my current one is less than a year old and will last me a few more years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by waldobushman
Hope not. My first MBP was a 15" and though it was a great first machine, the screen real estate was inadequate. A 17" screen is a necessity for me in a laptop.
Really! The 17" MBP is too big and heavy? Fits perfectly in a backpack, unless you prefer the laptop fit in your little girl's pink backpack she carries her lunch to school in.
And it's 6.6 lb. It's only 6.6 lb. Really! Please. Lose the 20 lb of extra fat you carry around and hit the gym a couple of times a week.
LOL. You guys are hilarious. A "necessity?" You "can't work" on one? I highly doubt both of these. I've been using 15" MBs and PBs for more than a decade. I've done everything from video and audio editing to Excel, Word, e-mail, browsing, photo editing, etc. There is absolutely no reason you can't work on a 15". In fact, right now I'm using a 14" PC laptop without the widescreen ratio of my MBP. The fact is you simply prefer the larger screen, which is fine. If they discontinue it, then I guess you'll go buy a PC. Have fun with that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mario
They might as well drop the pretentious Pro from the name of their products, since no pro of any kind is going to continue to use their iCrap any more.
Oh boy, we're either trolling or just back to this stupid argument from 2009.
I didn't mean that they were poseurs for disagreeing with my opinion. Everyone is free to do that of course (and often does).
I see hundreds of Apple laptops a year in my job, being bought by all kinds of people for all kinds of uses and in my experience, over the long haul, and on average, almost no one buys a 15" or a 17" MacBook Pro, although the 15" is far more popular than the 17". Those that do (again IMO), tend to be show-offs, or concerned with having the "biggest/best" laptop in the room far more than they are concerned with issues connected with actually using the machine.
All the real pros I know are more likely to be using a 13", or maybe a 15" if they need the screen size. I would say the majority of the power users and the majority of users in general have already moved to MacBook Airs. The 17" MacBook Pro is just over the top for almost everyone (only 1.6% of all Mac laptop users have a 17" model by the numbers in the article).
When someone comes into my office with one of these beasts, most of the staff kind of roll their eyes when the person isn't looking as it's usually someone with more money and more pride than they have common sense. It's not nice to hear perhaps, but it's true in my neck of the woods anyway.
Well, I apologize for being a bit harsh then. It just felt this way, but definitely Internet Forums allow misunderstandings ^^
I've had 17s since there have been 17s. I carried a 17-inch PowerBook for thousands of miles all over Europe on a one month trip. Worked perfectly.
I need the screen real estate, when I am not at home with my external monitor.
Period.
So get a high-res 15" and you'll have the same screen real-estate. I'm assuming Apple is going to put some kind of very high res 15" panel in the new 15" MBP or whatever they call it. Just because its a 17" doesn't mean you have more space to do things.
my co-worker's sister-in-law makes $74 hourly on the internet. She has been laid off for nine months but last month her income was $19601 just working on the internet for a few hours. Here's the site to read more http://keyfind.us/0h
Good. I see dozens of people with Macbooks every day, and don't even remember the last time I saw a 17inch in the wild. If that figure of 50,000 is true, it's pretty abysmal, especially for an Apple product. So yes, I believe they should discontinue it. Before some of you start shrikeing predictably about why I would want something discontinued that I don't use and that others might, I'm looking at the bigger picture and can understand that it doesn't make sense for Apple to engineer, support, market, etc a product that is such a small percentage of its sales. Is there a very small niche for whom the 17inch is an ideal machine? Sure. Does that justify the continued existence the product, which takes up valuable real estate in Apple stores and valuable engineering and support resources? No, I don't think it does. Apple got to where it is by trimming the fat and by streamlining its products, and I believe this is a prime example where it makes sense to do so. I think the high resolution BTO for the 15", or an iMac are both viable options for those that want a 17". The market for that machine is simply tiny, and it's not in Apple DNA to support such a device. Not only does it add an extra model thereby adding a bit more confusion for consumers, the high price it commands also feeds the notion of 'overpriced' Apple products. Not to mention the fact that it's always updated later than the other models, because the size requires re-engineering of all the internals. I think Apple would gain more than it would lose by simplifying its line and dropping it. There's other options that are quite capable of replacing the usage scenario of the 17in, and I very much doubt any real percentage of its users would jump ship to a PC laptop if its discontinued. IMO the ideal scenario is dropping the 13 Pro, and rebranding their entire line as Macbook 11,13, and 15, all in the Air form factor. 3 sizes with varying levels of horsepower would satisfy most everyone's needs.
Where do you get off making a personal attack against me? I said that in my (informed) experience that people who use 17" macBooks are often "poseurs" which is not exactly a compliment, but hardly a gigantic insult.
Based on that I'm some kind of narrow-minded idiot? You realise that you are insulting me here far more than anything I've said to you (or anyone for that matter), right? You are so quick to go personal.
I've probably worked with more Pros than you'll ever see and while those that need it use the 15", almost none use the 17".
The numbers are right in the source link. Less than 2% of sales.
Yep, sure does make you a narrow minded poster because you can't think outside your "experience" where your "real pros" largely use the 13" MBP. This is an indicator right off the bat that you aren't working with sufficient pros (or at a minimum, variety of pros) to make any assessment that 17" MBP users are "often poseurs". Which is more of an insult than "narrow minded".
It's bullshit that "almost no one" is buying the 15" and 17" MBP if there are 500K/qtr 15" MBP sales. And pros aren't getting the larger MBPs only "if they need the screen size" but because they have also often have greater CPU or GPU needs than available on the 13" MBP. Something that if you're working in some kind of tech support capacity for "real pros" should already know.
You posed as some kind of expert that "works with more Pros than you'll ever see" to give weight to your dubious opinion that "17" is mostly for poseurs" and you got called on it. The fact is, if you aren't seeing a lot of 15" MBPs then you aren't working with the kind of pros that would need the 17" MBP either so stating what you wrote is both narrow minded and asinine.
Why is MBP 17" not a big seller? Not because consumers would not find it useful or they find the laptop too heavy. But because consumers tend not the buy top-of-the-line. I certainly don't. I've never bought the top-of-the-line car, or refrigerator, or stove, watch, or iPhone, or iPad, or iPodTouch,
One commenter opined those people he's dealt with who had MBP 17" were arrogant or show off's or spendthrifts. I think that attitude is both ridiculous but also part of our consumer culture, that while we gluttonize, we need the psychological palliative that we aren't the gluttons we really are by backing off purchasing top-of-the-line as though to show, to ourselves and others, that we have some will-power. No gilded roach clips for us!
I think it takes a lot of guts to purchase top-of-the-line with all the psychological burdens that it causes -- and most people don't have the backbone. That said, an MBP 17" is a necessity for me, and I don't care what everyone else thinks.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I didn't mean that they were poseurs for disagreeing with my opinion. Everyone is free to do that of course (and often does).
I see hundreds of Apple laptops a year in my job, being bought by all kinds of people for all kinds of uses and in my experience, over the long haul, and on average, almost no one buys a 15" or a 17" MacBook Pro, although the 15" is far more popular than the 17". Those that do (again IMO), tend to be show-offs, or concerned with having the "biggest/best" laptop in the room far more than they are concerned with issues connected with actually using the machine.
All the real pros I know are more likely to be using a 13", or maybe a 15" if they need the screen size. I would say the majority of the power users and the majority of users in general have already moved to MacBook Airs. The 17" MacBook Pro is just over the top for almost everyone (only 1.6% of all Mac laptop users have a 17" model by the numbers in the article).
When someone comes into my office with one of these beasts, most of the staff kind of roll their eyes when the person isn't looking as it's usually someone with more money and more pride than they have common sense. It's not nice to hear perhaps, but it's true in my neck of the woods anyway.
Usage depends upon what your job actually is. If all you do with a computer is check email, surf the web, write small Word documents and simple spreadsheets, than a 13" might be good enough and a 15" is more than good enough. In fact, for those people, a Pad might be good enough, especially if you get the external keyboard. What I think we're starting to see when people talk about the post-PC era, is really a split between people who consume content and those who create (serious) content. For many people, a full-fledged computer is overboard, because they don't actually do much with it.
But if you do the kind of work where you have many apps open at the same time, do serious Photoshop or Illustrator work (or their equivalents), writing code where the code is in one window and the page results are in another and especially if doing things like video editing, you need the larger screen. If you want to argue that you can use a small laptop with an external display, fine, but that kind of kills part of the idea of a laptop.
I don't know why everyone thinks this needs to be an either/or situation. Apple needs to support all kinds of users and as I've written before, even if you don't sell a lot of units at the top, what you sell as top-of-the-line is what gives the product line its reputation. And you definitely want to keep your most critical users who want the high-end machines because those tend to be the users with the most influence.
At the office, I actually now work with two large monitors. It's the only way for me to work efficiently when I'm constantly moving between spreadsheets, a Word document, design tools and an older version of an app for which I'm writing the specs for an update.
Some people might "roll their eyes" when I go to events with my camera case that includes four lenses, but it's what I need to get the job done. The same is true for the computer. The other issue is that we're constantly increasing "resolution" on ever smaller screen sizes. This might be fine for a 22-year-old, but for us baby-boomers, our eyes aren't what they used to be and I can't read the equivalent of 4 pt type. So even though I regularly use my 15" pro, I want to see the 17" pro stay in the lineup. The only reason I didn't buy the 17" when I last upgraded was because of the cost.
So if someone walks in with a top-of-the-line 17" and all they do is surf the web, post to Facebook, check email and respond with 2-sentences, then I definitely agree that the "eye-roll" is in order. But if it's someone who does real, complex work with professional-level applications, then the 17" just might be the right tool for the right job. Today we would consider a 17" external monitor to be too small, so why is it too large for a laptop?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SockRolid
I read elsewhere that Kuo estimates that Apple sold 1.5 million 13" MB Pros, 500k 15" MB Pros, and only 50k 17" MB Pros in Q1 2012. Out of 3.1 million MacBooks of all types, including 1.1 million MB Airs evenly split between the 11" and 13" models. Interesting numbers, and rather disappointing for fans of the 17" MB Pro (if Kuo's numbers are in the ballpark.)
You hit the important point. Several people here have declared the 17" MBP to be a valuable machine because it fits their needs the best. That's largely irrelevant as it's the number sold that really matters. We could have the same argument for the MacPro but rumors are that it, too, could be cut because not enough are sold now. That doesn't mean it's not the perfect computer for someone... just not the perfect computer for enough people.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob55
Really?!? So now I'm a show-off because I bought a 15" MBP? Way to generalize man. I bought my 15" MBP because, get this, I actually needed a 1680x1050 hi-res display for video editing and photography. I have a cinema display at home, but the extra res really helps on the road. No offense, but the 1280x800 res on the 13" really doesn't cut it.
That said, I had a 17" PowerBook G4 for 4 years and (in my opinion) it was a bit too big. I now have the same res that the PBG4 had in my 15" MBP. I do not, however, want them to discontinue the 17" MBP for those who use them. Obviously, if sales of the 17" model really start to fall off, Apple will give it the axe.
Actually, I think you misunderstood me. People who use 15-inchers are rare, but I didn't say anything against them. The people who buy the 17" are the ones I would say were primarily "show-offs" (again only based on my experience, but .... I have a LOT of experience with these machines).
I've had 17s since there have been 17s. I carried a 17-inch PowerBook for thousands of miles all over Europe on a one month trip. Worked perfectly.
I need the screen real estate, when I am not at home with my external monitor.
Period.
This wouldn't surprise me at all if this happens. Obviously some will be upset but in the grand scheme of things if it's not selling well then it's probably in their best interest to cut it. I would think if they bump up the resolution on the 15" then that would compensate for a good portion of the 17" buyers. For those that need screen real estate, you can always plug in an external monitor. Honestly, I've been seeing a lot less of these big laptops in the stores in general so it's not like Apple is the only one seeing a trend towards the smaller laptops.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nht
Another narrow minded poster that likes insulting folks that disagree with their asinine opinion.
Pretty much all the "pros" around here have 15" MBPs. The 13" MBPs only come with the GMA 3000 and for many if not most "pros" that's simply not good enough for rendering, development, graphics, etc.
The only poser around here is you since you clearly don't know many pros or why they select the 15" or 17" MBP.
Where do you get off making a personal attack against me? I said that in my (informed) experience that people who use 17" macBooks are often "poseurs" which is not exactly a compliment, but hardly a gigantic insult.
Based on that I'm some kind of narrow-minded idiot? You realise that you are insulting me here far more than anything I've said to you (or anyone for that matter), right? You are so quick to go personal.
I've probably worked with more Pros than you'll ever see and while those that need it use the 15", almost none use the 17".
The numbers are right in the source link. Less than 2% of sales.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoetmb
... So if someone walks in with a top-of-the-line 17" and all they do is surf the web, post to Facebook, check email and respond with 2-sentences, then I definitely agree that the "eye-roll" is in order. ...
Yeah, well I think we are kind of on the same page anyway. I've already taken a lot of abuse over the remarks so maybe they should just die after this, but this description above exactly matches almost anyone I've seen with a 17" MacBook Pro for the last three or four years anyway.
But, when I moved back to the US it didn't take long for the machine to become a pain-- to heavy to lug around everywhere, bad ergonomics, and an aging battery.
So, I replaced it with a 27" iMac for the office and a 13" Air for home and travel. I can't do CAD outside of the office, which is a pain at times. But unless I move back to my little island and live in a small bungalow, I would never buy another 17" laptop unless it was under 6 pounds.
I can see why Apple would discontinue it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seankill
I won't be buying a MacBook next year then. Was planning on buying a 17inch so if they discontinue it. I'll look elsewhere
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostface147
That would suck. I can't work with an 11, 13, or 15 inch laptop. 17 is a must for me, although my current one is less than a year old and will last me a few more years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by waldobushman
Hope not. My first MBP was a 15" and though it was a great first machine, the screen real estate was inadequate. A 17" screen is a necessity for me in a laptop.
Really! The 17" MBP is too big and heavy? Fits perfectly in a backpack, unless you prefer the laptop fit in your little girl's pink backpack she carries her lunch to school in.
And it's 6.6 lb. It's only 6.6 lb. Really! Please. Lose the 20 lb of extra fat you carry around and hit the gym a couple of times a week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mario
They might as well drop the pretentious Pro from the name of their products, since no pro of any kind is going to continue to use their iCrap any more.
Oh boy, we're either trolling or just back to this stupid argument from 2009.
I hope not!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I didn't mean that they were poseurs for disagreeing with my opinion. Everyone is free to do that of course (and often does).
I see hundreds of Apple laptops a year in my job, being bought by all kinds of people for all kinds of uses and in my experience, over the long haul, and on average, almost no one buys a 15" or a 17" MacBook Pro, although the 15" is far more popular than the 17". Those that do (again IMO), tend to be show-offs, or concerned with having the "biggest/best" laptop in the room far more than they are concerned with issues connected with actually using the machine.
All the real pros I know are more likely to be using a 13", or maybe a 15" if they need the screen size. I would say the majority of the power users and the majority of users in general have already moved to MacBook Airs. The 17" MacBook Pro is just over the top for almost everyone (only 1.6% of all Mac laptop users have a 17" model by the numbers in the article).
When someone comes into my office with one of these beasts, most of the staff kind of roll their eyes when the person isn't looking as it's usually someone with more money and more pride than they have common sense. It's not nice to hear perhaps, but it's true in my neck of the woods anyway.
Well, I apologize for being a bit harsh then. It just felt this way, but definitely Internet Forums allow misunderstandings ^^
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleZilla
I've had 17s since there have been 17s. I carried a 17-inch PowerBook for thousands of miles all over Europe on a one month trip. Worked perfectly.
I need the screen real estate, when I am not at home with my external monitor.
Period.
So get a high-res 15" and you'll have the same screen real-estate. I'm assuming Apple is going to put some kind of very high res 15" panel in the new 15" MBP or whatever they call it. Just because its a 17" doesn't mean you have more space to do things.
my co-worker's sister-in-law makes $74 hourly on the internet. She has been laid off for nine months but last month her income was $19601 just working on the internet for a few hours. Here's the site to read more http://keyfind.us/0h
Good. I see dozens of people with Macbooks every day, and don't even remember the last time I saw a 17inch in the wild. If that figure of 50,000 is true, it's pretty abysmal, especially for an Apple product. So yes, I believe they should discontinue it. Before some of you start shrikeing predictably about why I would want something discontinued that I don't use and that others might, I'm looking at the bigger picture and can understand that it doesn't make sense for Apple to engineer, support, market, etc a product that is such a small percentage of its sales. Is there a very small niche for whom the 17inch is an ideal machine? Sure. Does that justify the continued existence the product, which takes up valuable real estate in Apple stores and valuable engineering and support resources? No, I don't think it does. Apple got to where it is by trimming the fat and by streamlining its products, and I believe this is a prime example where it makes sense to do so. I think the high resolution BTO for the 15", or an iMac are both viable options for those that want a 17". The market for that machine is simply tiny, and it's not in Apple DNA to support such a device. Not only does it add an extra model thereby adding a bit more confusion for consumers, the high price it commands also feeds the notion of 'overpriced' Apple products. Not to mention the fact that it's always updated later than the other models, because the size requires re-engineering of all the internals. I think Apple would gain more than it would lose by simplifying its line and dropping it. There's other options that are quite capable of replacing the usage scenario of the 17in, and I very much doubt any real percentage of its users would jump ship to a PC laptop if its discontinued. IMO the ideal scenario is dropping the 13 Pro, and rebranding their entire line as Macbook 11,13, and 15, all in the Air form factor. 3 sizes with varying levels of horsepower would satisfy most everyone's needs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
Where do you get off making a personal attack against me? I said that in my (informed) experience that people who use 17" macBooks are often "poseurs" which is not exactly a compliment, but hardly a gigantic insult.
Based on that I'm some kind of narrow-minded idiot? You realise that you are insulting me here far more than anything I've said to you (or anyone for that matter), right? You are so quick to go personal.
I've probably worked with more Pros than you'll ever see and while those that need it use the 15", almost none use the 17".
The numbers are right in the source link. Less than 2% of sales.
Yep, sure does make you a narrow minded poster because you can't think outside your "experience" where your "real pros" largely use the 13" MBP. This is an indicator right off the bat that you aren't working with sufficient pros (or at a minimum, variety of pros) to make any assessment that 17" MBP users are "often poseurs". Which is more of an insult than "narrow minded".
It's bullshit that "almost no one" is buying the 15" and 17" MBP if there are 500K/qtr 15" MBP sales. And pros aren't getting the larger MBPs only "if they need the screen size" but because they have also often have greater CPU or GPU needs than available on the 13" MBP. Something that if you're working in some kind of tech support capacity for "real pros" should already know.
You posed as some kind of expert that "works with more Pros than you'll ever see" to give weight to your dubious opinion that "17" is mostly for poseurs" and you got called on it. The fact is, if you aren't seeing a lot of 15" MBPs then you aren't working with the kind of pros that would need the 17" MBP either so stating what you wrote is both narrow minded and asinine.
Seems to me that the 'only my use case makes sense for anyone else' attitude is rampant on all sides of this thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slurpy
Good. I see dozens of people with Macbooks every day, and don't even remember the last time I saw a 17inch in the wild.
I've never seen one ever. All I ever see are 11, 13 and 15 inch MacBooks.
So from that I conclude
I think it's FUD. There is a market for high margin 17" laptops. And Apple rules that roost. Whatever the analysts say.
Why is MBP 17" not a big seller? Not because consumers would not find it useful or they find the laptop too heavy. But because consumers tend not the buy top-of-the-line. I certainly don't. I've never bought the top-of-the-line car, or refrigerator, or stove, watch, or iPhone, or iPad, or iPodTouch,
One commenter opined those people he's dealt with who had MBP 17" were arrogant or show off's or spendthrifts. I think that attitude is both ridiculous but also part of our consumer culture, that while we gluttonize, we need the psychological palliative that we aren't the gluttons we really are by backing off purchasing top-of-the-line as though to show, to ourselves and others, that we have some will-power. No gilded roach clips for us!
I think it takes a lot of guts to purchase top-of-the-line with all the psychological burdens that it causes -- and most people don't have the backbone. That said, an MBP 17" is a necessity for me, and I don't care what everyone else thinks.
The current 17" is 1920 by 1200. They're moving everything to Retina, right?
How much would a pixel-doubled 17" portable display cost? Prohibitive, I'd guess. It's almost the same resolution as a 4K TV!
Plus, as other people pointed out, the sales numbers of 17-inchers are just low, low, low.