lorin schultz

When the latest Mac mini came out there was some discussion around how Apple maybe didn’t need to use the fastest storage on the planet in that model, that maybe the value proposition for that model would be better served with slower and less expensive storage. The rationale was that even “slower” SSD storage is still really, really fast, and certain machines may benefit more from cost control than absolute state-of-the-art storage, particularly when the rest of the machine (CPU, GPU, display) is less than top-of-the-line anyway.

If the choice to use slower storage in the Air results in lower cost, I think it’s an excellent trade-off.

Rayer said:

Soli said:

waverboy said:

You also haven't addressed the Death Star-sized problem with USB-C for EVERYTHING. The loss of the MagSafe power cable. That was the most brilliant thing Apple ever invented. I'm not even going to fact check that statement to see if Apple was indeed the first one to have a magnetically attached power cable to any device because I think it is that amazing. Its removal from the MacBook line is the biggest mistake Apple ever made. Bigger than the stupid hockey puck mouse, bigger than the structural integrity flaws in various iPhone models, bigger than Steve Jobs saying, "You're holding it wrong", bigger than the first Apple Pencil being charged by sticking out the bottom of the iPad just waiting for it to be snapped off and damaging both devices, the stupid fucking notch on the iPhone, charging the Magic Mouse 2 from the bottom, etc. Every single flaw, small and large, Apple has ever made has nothing on the removal of the MagSafe power cable.

Agreed 10,000%.  Apple fucked up big time when they nixed MagSafe.  Stupid stupid stupid.

No they didn't. If you oddly require MagSafe in 2019 then there is a cornucopia of options to make that happen.

I'm going to use a saying from one of my old professors: It's ok, you're allowed to be wrong.

Actually he’s right. There are aftermarket MagSafe alternatives. You insert a plug with a magnetic connector into a USB-C port and a cable with a matching magnetic end attaches to that. It pops off under stress the same way MagSafe does

MplsP said:

What advantage is there to me getting a USB C keyboard?

1. When you reach behind the computer to plug it in you don’t have to worry about which side is “up.”

2. The connector is smaller, allowing the device bearing it to be smaller.

MplsP said:

What about the old external hard drive I have? It’s USB 3, so plenty fast enough for all I need. Should I trash it and spend a bunch of money on a new one

Of course not. Replace the cable. Right now it’s some version of USB-B (regular, mini, or one of the two versions of micro). The other end is USB-A. Simply replace it with one that has USB-C at the computer end.

Then, next time you buy an external hard drive, you get one with a USB-C port, thus eliminating one more argument for USB-A.

That’s what I’m doing, and I can tell you it sure is nice to have the same connector on every single device connecting to my computer, and being able to plug in any combination I want in whatever quantities I want into whichever port I want. No more wishing I had another HDMI port (or cursing that unused HDMI port when what I need is just one more USB). Any port can be any interface I want.

MplsP said:

When USB (A) came along, it was clearly superior and easier and more flexible than the interfaces it was replacing. It took some time, but there was a natural driving force for its adoption. USB C doesn’t have that driving force.

USB-C is “clearly superior and easier and more flexible...” What’s lacking is not advantages but awareness and understanding of the benefits. Soli spelled them out nicely. The objections to it seem to be more about irrational prejudice than valid use case issues.

With my wife’s phone (XS Max) it’s not alarms but alerts.

When a text or Messenger message comes in, the phone usually makes a sound. But every once in a while it doesn’t. No vibration either. Unlocking the phone shows a message has been received, but no alert heralded its arrival.

Soli said:
There are absolutely justification for their prices. and on multiple different levels at that.

For starters, [...]

I’m well aware of the arguments you present. Even if we accept them at face value, I find it difficult to imagine service overhead costing as much as Apple is charging for storage.

I’m not suggesting that Apple’s storage upgrades should cost the same as a discount parts vendor. I’m saying they should not cost double or triple that amount. What Apple is charging goes well beyond reasonable business practice. It’s gouging.

As for product demarcation, what you wrote is a very dignified description of “bait-and-switch.”

Soli said:
The bottom line is if one truly feels that a vendor's prices are too high then one should shop elsewhere.

Yup, and I’m practicing a version of that now. I’m simply refusing to buy any new Apple products until prices come down, and occasionally letting Apple know that via the feedback page.

i haven’t yet looked into how today’s announcement of SSD price reductions affect products I’m interested in buying, but it’s great news. Hopefully the reductions are substantial enough to make the total cost of configuring a machine with more than the bare minimum reasonable.