Kuo: Demand for new MacBook Pro models tepid due to high prices, disappointing specs
Noted KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sees slow demand for Apple's recently released MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models, as the notebooks ship at higher than expected prices and present disappointing specifications to core Mac users.
Ming-Chi Kuo in a note to investors obtained by AppleInsider on Monday said initial demand for the new MacBook Pro models "seems tepid" in the days after Apple unveiled the laptops at a special media event last week.
At least part of the blame falls on higher than expected prices, with flagship 13- and 15-inch Touch Bar models starting at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively. By contrast, last year's 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh sold for $1,299 in March, while the larger 15-inch variant started at $1,999 in May.
In addition to high customer costs, Kuo believes key design changes are a major disappointment to core users. Specifically, the analyst cites Apple's switch to USB-C, the removal of the standard SD card reader and lack of support for higher memory allotments.
For the first quarter of 2017, the analyst anticipates demand for older MacBooks to remain steady, but forecasts a 15 to 25 percent a decline in overall shipments quarter-on-quarter due to slower uptake of the new models. The net result is three million MacBook shipments for quarter one, flat from the same time last year.
Despite mediocre readings on immediate demand, Kuo is optimistic going further into 2017. Specifically, the analyst believes Apple will lower pricing of MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models in the second half of next year to drive channel sell-through. Apple historically reduces hardware prices about a year after launch in conjunction with discounts on legacy models.
Beyond out-the-door cost, consumers might be more willing to adopt MacBook Pro as USB-C accessories become more prevalent in the marketplace, and developers begin coding for Touch Bar.
Finally, Apple's 2017 MacBook Pro update, expected in the second half of the year, may gain support for up to 32GB of RAM, making the platform a more compelling option for power users.
As AppleInsider noted earlier today, the recently released MacBook Pro series is powered by Intel's Skylake class of processors with LPDDR3 memory, a specification that supports up to 16GB RAM. Next-generation Cannonlake CPUs that efficiently run LPDDR4 RAM at higher allotments are scheduled for release in time for next year's MacBook update. If Intel fails to ship Cannonlake on time, however, Apple will likely turn to Coffee Lake, which features the same LPDDR3 specifications as Skylake.
For the latest prices and discounts on 2016 MacBook Pros, please visit our Mac Price Guide.
Ming-Chi Kuo in a note to investors obtained by AppleInsider on Monday said initial demand for the new MacBook Pro models "seems tepid" in the days after Apple unveiled the laptops at a special media event last week.
At least part of the blame falls on higher than expected prices, with flagship 13- and 15-inch Touch Bar models starting at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively. By contrast, last year's 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh sold for $1,299 in March, while the larger 15-inch variant started at $1,999 in May.
In addition to high customer costs, Kuo believes key design changes are a major disappointment to core users. Specifically, the analyst cites Apple's switch to USB-C, the removal of the standard SD card reader and lack of support for higher memory allotments.
For the first quarter of 2017, the analyst anticipates demand for older MacBooks to remain steady, but forecasts a 15 to 25 percent a decline in overall shipments quarter-on-quarter due to slower uptake of the new models. The net result is three million MacBook shipments for quarter one, flat from the same time last year.
Despite mediocre readings on immediate demand, Kuo is optimistic going further into 2017. Specifically, the analyst believes Apple will lower pricing of MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models in the second half of next year to drive channel sell-through. Apple historically reduces hardware prices about a year after launch in conjunction with discounts on legacy models.
Beyond out-the-door cost, consumers might be more willing to adopt MacBook Pro as USB-C accessories become more prevalent in the marketplace, and developers begin coding for Touch Bar.
Finally, Apple's 2017 MacBook Pro update, expected in the second half of the year, may gain support for up to 32GB of RAM, making the platform a more compelling option for power users.
As AppleInsider noted earlier today, the recently released MacBook Pro series is powered by Intel's Skylake class of processors with LPDDR3 memory, a specification that supports up to 16GB RAM. Next-generation Cannonlake CPUs that efficiently run LPDDR4 RAM at higher allotments are scheduled for release in time for next year's MacBook update. If Intel fails to ship Cannonlake on time, however, Apple will likely turn to Coffee Lake, which features the same LPDDR3 specifications as Skylake.
For the latest prices and discounts on 2016 MacBook Pros, please visit our Mac Price Guide.
Comments
Here, let me try: New Mac Pro refresh doomed, iPad Pro 2 sales 'disappointing'.
Wow, that was easy. Got my numbers from the same source too (thin air).
2) Here's a scenario. Apple updates their MBP to include Skylake and the better display in the new casing and future-forward USB-C ports at the previous price points. Or maybe they don't use the much better display or faster SSD in order to keep the same price points. They also have to eschew the notion of the Touch Bar, all the R&D that went into it for HW, SW, and APIs to make it easy for developers to integrate; not to mention not having the T1 chip which runs it and controls Touch ID and Apple Pay. Would that have made people happy? Personally, I'd ecstatic for my new MBP purchase. I wish Intel was doing a better job in more than just power efficiency for their chips, but I'm elated by the major innovations Apple has brought to this new MBP.
As much as i'm
impressed with the touch bar, I think I'm more in the market for an iMac (depending) an ipad (waiting for screen bump to see) or even a Mac Pro once they make it TBolt 3.
Too too bad they were unable to get all the top spec items into the smaller book. This seems like an Apple disease across all product lines.
Cheers!
Apple will not be able to make these computers fast enough to keep up with demand.
FUD.... FUD...FUD
ofcourse to take attention away from brand new libeup.... same as they do when they spread rumors about iphone 8.
its a securities trading firm formost ....... where manipulations are rooted.
Apple really screwed up by: not providing the iPhone 7 with a USB-C port over lightning; not creating an "exciting" dock brick to avoid dongle madness; not including one USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box; and, making the pro laptop decidedly consumer.
I get their heir strategy and motivation. In two years when their phones are all USB-C, and when someone (else) makes a slick dock... all the pieces will be there. Not willing to waste money on the goofy transitional products this time around though. If all else fails, my Air and iMac just become Remote Desktop thin clients... and I can live with that.