lorin schultz

mindwaves said:

I make a lot more money now than what I did a few years ago, but cannot stomach seeing a $129 wireless keyboard when I can buy the same thing for $40 at some other place.

I was really excited that Apple FINALLY offered a full-size wireless keyboard (i.e. with number pad), but like you, did a double-take when I saw the price. Still, that wasn't the part that led me to accuse Apple of a foul. It was Apple charging an extra 20% -- on top of the already very high price -- to get it in Space Grey. That gives the appearance of opportunistic gouging.

fastasleep said:

lorin schultz said:

fastasleep said:

lorin schultz said:

StrangeDays said:

MplsP said:

StrangeDays said:

GeorgeBMac said:

I get it why they designed it this way.   But, essentially, it makes it a $2K+ disposable computer (it can't be upgraded and it can't be repaired) and that just goes against my grain.  I think I would have to carefully balance the benefits of the computer (and specifically how they would benefit me) and weigh that against the limited repair and upgradeability.

On the other hand, these are aimed at the truly "pro" market -- meaning not just power users but those who make their living with these machines.  So, for them, if it breaks they will be more inclined to treat it like any other piece of equipment and replace it.

Non-user-upgradable doesn’t mean “disposable”. It means you can’t upgrade it. It surely can be serviced if the need should arise. You can also resell it, as well as recycle it. Just like an iPad or even a car, neither of which most consumers ever perform repairs themselves on. 

It’s like complaining that your TV is “disposable”, despite having an expected lifespan of many, many years, and TV repair still being a thing. (I’ve had my expensive, non-user-serviceable plasma for almost a decade.)

That being said, despite being in IT I don’t know anyone, pro or consumer, who repairs their own laptops, TVs, or even cars (other than brakes or oil which isn’t really repair). Apple doesn’t design its products for DIY tinkerers. 

That's a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy - if something is made incredibly difficult to repair, you won't repair it.

I have to agree with wizard and bobolicious - components which get a lot of wear and/or are likely to need replacing, should be made so it's at least easier to do so. Take the keyboard - it's a mechanical component that's exposed to the environment and gets a ton of use. Even if the new design is more reliable as hoped it's still going to be one of the higher failure items. Is there any real reason they couldn't have fastened it with screws?

Apple also touts its environmental record, but one of the best ways to reduce environmental costs of products is maximize their life span. A design that prevents repairs goes against that. A modular design would be really nice, but modularity costs space, so that's a compromise that gets made in the name of size, but they've gotten to the point that they might as well just encase the entire thing in epoxy.

Concentrate real hard folks....MBPs are serviceable. They don’t need to be upgradable, or user-serviceable, for this to be true. I’ve had mine serviced before...sacre bleu!

Me too, and was shocked to the point of almost crapping myself at the cost!

Replacing the keyboard in my 2016 15” was almost $500! For a KEYBOARD.

It may be possible to repair a MacBook Pro but it sure ain’t practical.

Did you ask for a refund after they implemented the keyboard replacement program? You can probably get your money back. 

I didn’t have to pay but the invoice still shows what it would cost me today now that my AppleCare coverage has expired. The repair involves replacing the entire layer of the computer, including case component, batteries, keyboard, and trackpad. That adds up to a lotta dough.

A bad RAM chip will cost $815 (replace logic board).

The design of these boxes makes repairs really, really expensive.

For all the repairs that were not covered in full in the last decade or more, I think the few that weren't were all covered under the flat repair program which was like $310 for a MBP. In a couple cases, that included other items I didn't even request to be repaired. One repair got me a new logic board, new top case, new display, new hard drive, new RAM (even tho I tossed that and put my old RAM in). $310! That would've been wayyyyy more on a component-based repair. Seriously, always try to get the flat rate whenever possible and mention everything you know might be flawed. It gets shipped off, everything possible fixed, and back in a couple days. It's amazing. BEST SERVICE EVER.

That would be awesome, but I don't know where you'll find a $310 repair for a MBP now. Mine cost substantially more.

I reported three faults:

- Bad butterfly keyboard
- display discolouration
- loose USB-C connector

$519 Top case (had to replace the entire assembly just for a failed keyboard).

$973 Logic board

$782 Display assembly

$109 flat rate labour. That amount applies whether they replace one component or several. On the occasion described above it was $109 for multiple items. The next time the same $109 labour rate was applied for replacing a single component. So, $109 every time they service the machine, on top of the flat-rate component cost(s).

There were also costs for a couple IO boards and a heatsink, bringing the total bill to CAD$2445.00.

All those prices are in Canadian dollars, so three-quarters of those amounts in US dollars.

In my opinion that's freakin' insane and demonstrates a serious downside to Apple's current assembly methods.

macxpress said:

avon b7 said:

macxpress said:

avon b7 said:

macxpress said:

AI_lias said:

Would’ve been nice if they did this without thousands having to sign a petition. 

How do you know the petition is what caused this? Maybe Apple was just building inventories before doing this replacement program? Its not like Apple just has hundreds of thousands of replacement top cases for the various MacBook lineup sitting in warehouses. 

This isn't really anything new. Apple has always done things this way. They're silent forever and then all of a sudden there's a replacement program available. This was EXACTLY how it was under Steve if someone wanted to go down that road. Happened constantly. 

Apple wasn't building inventories as this isn't a pre-emptive repair programne. This repair (according to Apple) only affects a very small percentage of units and is dealt with as problems occur. It's not like the battery issue where you could check it's health. The only real difference with regards to keyboard problems until now is that Apple will supposedly show less resistance to repairing them.

On the communication question, this is what Apple has largely always done wrong. Silence.

You or Apple can call it what you want... in the end, it's a repair program. Of course Apple is going to make it sound like it doesn't affect a large number of units. Anyway they can get something under the radar they will as would any company. 

I think you're right with this. It seems like an attempt to play things down as there is nothing in what they've made available that points to anything specific as a cause for the problem.

That being said, I'm sure this will be spun around on all media sites that the keyboards are ALL defective instead of some. Anytime the media can say something negative about Apple they jump right on it. 

In a way, it IS kind of a case of all the butterfly keyboards being defective. The problem is not that some are coming off the line with problems, it's that the design makes every unit susceptible to failure caused by normal environmental conditions.

AppleInsider said:

[...] automatically formats manuscripts to avoid windows and short pages

I assume that should be “widows?” If not, can someone explain to me what “windows” are in the context of text layout?

This is the best Apple news I’ve read in a long time! By far my biggest and most persistent gripe about Apple is its pricing of Configure-To-Order options. Apple’s prices for RAM and storage upgrades have been a serious obstacle to buying in my world. A reduction here is both welcome and appropriate.

AppleExposed said:

Since when was Mac Pro NOT for the top 1%?

It wasn’t until 2013. There were affordable versions of the cheese grater. I bought one for under CAD$2500 in 2008.

Even the cylinder was within reach of one-man shops and serious enthusiasts.

So, in response to your question, I’d say the Mac Pro became a product for the 1% on Monday June 3, 2019.

randominternetperson said:

lorin schultz said:

randominternetperson said:

neilm said:

ap1971 said:

Quick question. I need a Macbook Pro without Touch Bar.  Is any model available now? 

"Need"?

No, other than maybe old stock in the retail chain, or possibly a refurb — either of which would mean settling for the old keyboard. Not a good idea. 

Other than price, there's no obvious reason to prefer the non-TB version of the MBP. If you don't like the TB, just ignore it. It's not in the way. And with the TB you get the fingerprint reader, which is well worthwhile, and with this new MBP the physical ESC key has now been restored, which matters to some people.

Maybe he spends all his time emulating a VT-220 terminal and is addicted to those physical F-keys.  I'm sure there are 2 or 3 users out there with that use case.  Yes, Apple has "abandoned" those (niche) users.  Oh well.

As someone else mentioned, it's common for production software to make extensive use of the function keys. My bread-winner app, Pro Tools, uses them for switching editing modes, something I do almost as often as hitting "play." Not having them would significantly impact my workflow and productivity.

Have you actually tested this hypothesis?  Have you tried working with one for a few days and seeing if your muscle memory doesn't solve the (potential) problem?

Personally, I like the touch bar and prefer it for things like changing volume and brightness.  The only things I used the physical keys for were for those actions (which are better done with a slider than key presses).  But I suppose I'm not "pro" enough.

If you didn't use the old F keys constantly for a primary function of your software, it's not surprising that you wouldn't miss them. I suspect spending an afternoon editing in Pro Tools would give you a different perspective. You'll be hitting an F key every few seconds.

To answer your question, yes, for a while I tried to work with just the laptop's keys, Touch Bar, and the mouse. It's certainly possible, but it's comparatively cumbersome and much slower. I TOTALLY understand your point about muscle memory, but in this case there really is a difference in efficiency. I now just carry a full-size keyboard with me. I'd prefer not to, though.

StrangeDays said:

MplsP said:

StrangeDays said:

GeorgeBMac said:

I get it why they designed it this way.   But, essentially, it makes it a $2K+ disposable computer (it can't be upgraded and it can't be repaired) and that just goes against my grain.  I think I would have to carefully balance the benefits of the computer (and specifically how they would benefit me) and weigh that against the limited repair and upgradeability.

On the other hand, these are aimed at the truly "pro" market -- meaning not just power users but those who make their living with these machines.  So, for them, if it breaks they will be more inclined to treat it like any other piece of equipment and replace it.

Non-user-upgradable doesn’t mean “disposable”. It means you can’t upgrade it. It surely can be serviced if the need should arise. You can also resell it, as well as recycle it. Just like an iPad or even a car, neither of which most consumers ever perform repairs themselves on. 

It’s like complaining that your TV is “disposable”, despite having an expected lifespan of many, many years, and TV repair still being a thing. (I’ve had my expensive, non-user-serviceable plasma for almost a decade.)

That being said, despite being in IT I don’t know anyone, pro or consumer, who repairs their own laptops, TVs, or even cars (other than brakes or oil which isn’t really repair). Apple doesn’t design its products for DIY tinkerers. 

That's a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy - if something is made incredibly difficult to repair, you won't repair it.

I have to agree with wizard and bobolicious - components which get a lot of wear and/or are likely to need replacing, should be made so it's at least easier to do so. Take the keyboard - it's a mechanical component that's exposed to the environment and gets a ton of use. Even if the new design is more reliable as hoped it's still going to be one of the higher failure items. Is there any real reason they couldn't have fastened it with screws?

Apple also touts its environmental record, but one of the best ways to reduce environmental costs of products is maximize their life span. A design that prevents repairs goes against that. A modular design would be really nice, but modularity costs space, so that's a compromise that gets made in the name of size, but they've gotten to the point that they might as well just encase the entire thing in epoxy.

Concentrate real hard folks....MBPs are serviceable. They don’t need to be upgradable, or user-serviceable, for this to be true. I’ve had mine serviced before...sacre bleu!

Me too, and was shocked to the point of almost crapping myself at the cost!

Replacing the keyboard in my 2016 15” was almost $500! For a KEYBOARD.

It may be possible to repair a MacBook Pro but it sure ain’t practical.

lkrupp said:

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that these neckbeards cobble together a gizmo that nears the performance of the Mac Pro with similar specs. Now tell me what real professional video studio whose livelihood depends on performance and reliability would actually buy homemade, unsupported hardware running an operating system whose licensing terms expressly forbids its installation on said hardware?. 

No professional studio will. The article said exactly that. So what? How does that mean the exercise has no merit? Even if it’s for no other reason than it’s fun. What part of this warrants insults?

lkrupp said:

So what is the point of this exercise other than to say, “We did it! Ha Ha Ha!”. 

1. Holding Apple’s feet to the fire by comparing what it does to what others do.
2. Satisfying curiosity.
3. Demonstrating the differences between a part-way solution and the “real” Mac experience.
4. Fun.
5. Providing an alternative for those whose hardware needs and/or budget are not well served by Apple.

lkrupp said:

Self-styled techies are such holier-than-thou egomaniacs. 

Again with the insults. Why?

lkrupp said:

So you’re an amateur self-styled techie who does no real work on your machine. It’s a toy for you. 

So anyone whose use of a Mac doesn’t satisfy your self-established criteria for legitimacy should be dismissed as irrelevant? I’d humbly suggest that it is your position that reeks of egotism.

Honestly, your constant lashing out at others does Apple no favours. First, it reflects badly on its image by portraying Apple users as judgmental, intolerant, and snobby. Second, lots of outside experiments have found their way into shipping Apple products, and activities like this foster such ideas. Lots of innovations originate outside of Apple’s campus.

pscooter63 said:

KITA said:

[chest thumping]

No one living in the Mac Pro world gives a shit about the spec porn of some Windows gaming machine that’s also incidentally not as highly customer rated (see Amazon).

Right. As Apple users we've come to expect that having the kind of construction quality and inter-device integration Apple offers means also having to accept paying higher prices for equivalent performance because Apple enjoys higher margins that its competitors and having to wait for some newer technologies until Apple decides to offer them (or announce that they never will, like Blu-Ray back when it was relevant).

Apple users don't bother comparing specs because it's a futile exercise. We get what we get. Some of what we get is cutting edge, some of it is outdated. There's no point comparing to Windows alternatives unless one is willing to switch.