jkichline

I'll reiterate my stance on the topic.

First, Apple never, ever would abandon general computing. To think they would is absurd.  Same goes for pro devices.

The issue (once again) is that technology in the high end has stagnated, at least in the area where Apple is most profitable... portable computers (laptops).  This is where the majority of their macOS userbase lives and the trajectory they see in the marketplace.

The issue is that Intel has worked on more power efficient designs, but not necessarily more powerful designs.  Their chips are marginally faster with each iteration, and have become more efficient. Intel has slowed down below Moore's Law.  They've moved from tick/tock release cycles to "tick tock tock tock" cycles, with each new chip not really effecting performance, but supporting more features (USB 3.0, USB 3.1, TB3, etc).  Simply put... there is not any room for performance growth without changing the thermal and power thresholds in Apple's designs.  They are not one to be held captive by the business strategies of another company (see PowerVR/Imagination Technologies).  Intel has also worked hard to sellout on Apple's MacBook Air success by encouraging Apple's competition to create Ultrabooks, Chromebooks, etc.

I believe what Apple is waiting for is the moment when A-series chips become powerful enough to compete with Intel chips.  Not just powerful enough, but more powerful so they can tout some level of superiority over Intel chips.  This would allow them to redesign the MacBook with an A-series chip instead of Core-M.  This would provide better performance as well as superior battery life.  I think Apple is heading for completely controlling the vertical of their industry to give them a strategic edge.  They've seen it with iPhone and now they are back porting it to Mac.

Of course Apple will continue to use Intel in pro-level products and I expect them to redevelop the MacPro into a more professional-oriented variation that would fit in a rack and be upgradable. 

My hope is that they would see the logic in a product that I think would replace the "trash can" MacPro... there's a need for professionals to be mobile (laptops) but require more power when sitting at a desk.  The perfect combination would be a device that's like a hub that you connect into that provides additional processing power, GPU and connectivity to your desk's functionality.  That would allow workstations to be set up in an office and the user would simply plug in their laptop to enhance the experience specific to that task.

Anyway, just some thoughts.  I think Apple is in a lull due to market and industry forces and are waiting for technology to catchup.

I have to say that I've run into some troubles with my 2016 MacBook Pro.  I liked the keyboard, but I've found even the smallest piece of dirt can cause the keys tactility to change on those keys which confuses typing.  The up/down arrow keys are too small and I'd recommend that the right shift key be reduced to add a full size arrow key OR make the left and right keys the same size.  It's just hard to know which up/down key you're pressing.

In addition, I'm finding the USB-C ports while nice, small and fast... are very apt to disconnect if I move the cable just a little.  You know that annoying thing when your leg would push the MagSafe and disconnect power? Yeah that... BUT if you have an external display hooked to it, it disconnects the display and then takes FOREVER to redraw the windows, etc.   I mean, just brushing the wire causes a disconnect.  It's REALLY annoying.

I've also had numerous issues with the computer not going to sleep with the lid closed, or not be able to wake the laptop from sleep.  This has happened multiple times if I was away from the computer and it went to sleep on it's own.  I've had the TouchID stop working completely requiring manual password login (until I rebooted), and of course the power concern but I'm usually using development tools.  I also have issues with AirPods that still aren't fixed.

Needless to say, I'm making a Genius Bar appointment once I have time to get it looked at, but I'm not expecting a whole lot.  This on a $3,300 laptop...

I'll just say this again and maybe Apple will listen to this idea

I want the portability of a laptop and the power of a MacPro with a nice beautiful display when I sit at my desk.

I propose a system whereby connecting a laptop via a single TB3 cable will.

a) Power the laptop device.
b) Output to a 4K or 5K display.
c) Provide access to the compute power of the secondary device (CPU, GPU and RAM).
d) Provide access to additional drive space and backup.
e) Provide access to other connected peripherals or high-speed networking.
f)  Make resources on the MacPro accessible via iCloud if needed on the road.

Just some thoughts.

The issue is VP9 is googles attempt to workaround patents because they don't believe they should pay to use them. It's already been discussed that that VP9 may just be a ripoff of H.264 and can have intellectual property issues. Apple, for effciency of mobile devices, desires a standard that can be decoded in hardware for performance and battery life. It pays into the consortium to be a legitimate partner in the development of open source technology where companies work together for the common good.

k2kw said:

coolfactor said:

Lucky guy.

My heart breaks that today was the last day that those 5 others got to enjoy.  

I say unlucky guy.   Now he'll probably be forced to buy on of the newer MacBookPros.   Don't expect that thinner lighter laptop to stop all the bullets as the old could.   lol.

First off, it's pretty rude to inject your opinion in an attempt to be funny during a situation where people died and were injured. It's tonedeaf to LOL at the Jain and suffering of others.. Second, have you used the new MacBook Pro? It's built like a tank despite being thinner. I'm not a ballistics expert but I'm pretty sure it would stop a bullet.