Bored and Disappointed with Apple computers

[OldCorpse]

I still like Apple, and I won't abandon OS X anytime soon. However...

I must say, I'm disappointed with Apple when it comes to the frequency with which they update their computer line. When the switch to Intel happened, everyone said that one big consequence will be more hardware updates. Instead, if anything, it's actually slower (check out the buyers guide)!

The designs and form factors also seem to have stagnated. Macbook Pros, are no different from Powerbooks. The iMacs look pretty much like the G5 series (OK, except we now have the 24"). OK, so we had new Macbooks - fine, though it's been awhile now.

I'm also disappointed that the rumored ultraportable has been either a pure rumor, or delayed.

In general, delays, delays, delays - even apple TV, not to mention Leopard.

Last Mac Pro update was minor. Apple should expand their lines - a mid-tower, less expensive Mac Pro would clean up... and the iMac is not a substitute for those who don't want a monitor, not to mention the laptop components.

It seems like forever since we've had a decent computer update from Apple: ages since iMac, Macbooks, MBPs, Minis have been updated.

The current lines I'm familiar with, to me they are tired, and nothing new - I want some new toys! Wow me, Apple! C'mon, throw us a bone! It's been forever and a freakin' day.

Frankly, I've started looking at PCs again - of course I'm put off by Vista, but more and more I totally understand the hackintosh motivation. OS X on PC hardware... yeah! Apple is driving me toward that from sheer boredom.

Anybody have the same feelings?

 

[Henri Gaudier]

I agree with you ...

.... there seems to be no computer news now it's just phones and tv. The whole line is over priced and out of date. Anyway, prepare to be roasted. You can't say anything remotely critical round here or ze Apple Jugend will get you.

 

[mrkgoo]

I still like Apple, and I won't abandon OS X anytime soon. However...

I must say, I'm disappointed with Apple when it comes to the frequency with which they update their computer line. When the switch to Intel happened, everyone said that one big consequence will be more hardware updates. Instead, if anything, it's actually slower (check out the buyers guide)!

The designs and form factors also seem to have stagnated. Macbook Pros, are no different from Powerbooks. The iMacs look pretty much like the G5 series (OK, except we now have the 24"). OK, so we had new Macbooks - fine, though it's been awhile now.

I'm also disappointed that the rumored ultraportable has been either a pure rumor, or delayed.

In general, delays, delays, delays - even apple TV, not to mention Leopard.

Last Mac Pro update was minor. Apple should expand their lines - a mid-tower, less expensive Mac Pro would clean up... and the iMac is not a substitute for those who don't want a monitor, not to mention the laptop components.

It seems like forever since we've had a decent computer update from Apple: ages since iMac, Macbooks, MBPs, Minis have been updated.

The current lines I'm familiar with, to me they are tired, and nothing new - I want some new toys! Wow me, Apple! C'mon, throw us a bone! It's been forever and a freakin' day.

Frankly, I've started looking at PCs again - of course I'm put off by Vista, but more and more I totally understand the hackintosh motivation. OS X on PC hardware... yeah! Apple is driving me toward that from sheer boredom.

Anybody have the same feelings?

Boredom? I don't get it - is buying new computers like a pastime for you? It might seem boring if you sit there waiting for new announcement's particularly if you are in the market for a computer.

But for people like me, a computer probably only gets upgraded once every few years. Even though I enjoy the new Apple news as much as the next person, I don't see the need to have to upgrade models often.

 

[Max Payne]

I don't see the need for a new design or upgrade.

No new processors from Intel. No new anything. How exactly will they upgrade?

Why would they upgrade now to something old, if santa rosa is released on May.

Computer design might be changed after a year or two. All Apple's PCs are still going strong.

 

[OldCorpse]

Boredom? I don't get it - is buying new computers like a pastime for you? It might seem boring if you sit there waiting for new announcement's particularly if you are in the market for a computer.

But for people like me, a computer probably only gets upgraded once every few years. Even though I enjoy the new Apple news as much as the next person, I don't see the need to have to upgrade models often.

Well, I like new toys. Same reason I'll buy a new car every couple of years. Sure I'll keep a favorite for a long time, but I'll buy a secondary one just to keep things interesting... plus what if a fantastic new product comes out... I want to try it out! My grandpa was the opposite - man, I'd go to their house, and the TV is like from the 70's or something, the radio more like from the 50's and the car from the 60's. Not me.

Same here. I'll keep my iBook for as long as it lasts - cause I just luuuurve it ... but I want to buy another one to play with, or several...

Anyhow, regardless of my personal tastes, What about all those folks who were waiting forever to buy a needed computer, but didn't want to shell out for outdated hardware? I feel Apple has really slowed down most computer updates. Tired lines, and many delays.

 

[Chaszmyr]

Have you considered that maybe it's seemed slow lately because Apple has been working on a lot of different stuff at once? I mean, in addition to the obvious (the recently released AppleTV and the upcoming iPhone and Leopard and iLife) it sounds like Apple is in the process of completely redesigning the iMac and possibly the iPod as well. Further, they are reportedly developing a new ultra-portable notebook. With so much on the table, it's no surprise that we haven't been saying a torrent of small updates.

 

[OldCorpse]

Have you considered that maybe it's seemed slow lately because Apple has been working on a lot of different stuff at once? I mean, in addition to the obvious (the recently released AppleTV and the upcoming iPhone and Leopard and iLife) it sounds like Apple is in the process of completely redesigning the iMac and possibly the iPod as well. Further, they are reportedly developing a new ultra-portable notebook. With so much on the table, it's no surprise that we haven't been saying a torrent of small updates.

Well, I wasn't really into why they are so slow, just that they are slow. Maybe because they are constipated for all I care. Slow - that's the problem.

Besides, I frankly resent this whole focus on things like apple TV and iPhone - this is still a computer company, right? What's the problem? You know, I'd think that computers are their bread and butter, so delaying Leopard and computer hardware, while focusing on gadgets like iPhone just pisses off a lot of computer users. Besides, they can't walk and chew gum at the same time? Why don't they hire more people?

Whatever the excuse is, the fact remains: they're slow as molasses in winter.

 

[mrthieme]

I can understand where this sentiment comes from, I remember the buzz leading up to and following Macworld 07, everyone was slightly puzzled about the lack of Mac. Most said surely some new Mac news would be forthcoming, here we are a few months later and the next hope is pinned on WWDC, which doesn't sound promising for new hardware, and after all Steve told us 07 would be a great year for Macs.

That said, I think they have alot of balls in the air, and are working on some exciting things that we will see by year's end. The phone seems to be their new favorite child, and alot rides on it. Certain things are most likely hinged on Leopard, and until it's complete and ready to ship I am not expecting any serious changes, maybe a proc upgrade ( when available ).

 

[mrthieme]

Well, I wasn't really into why they are so slow, just that they are slow. Maybe because they are constipated for all I care. Slow - that's the problem.

Besides, I frankly resent this whole focus on things like apple TV and iPhone - this is still a computer company, right? What's the problem? You know, I'd think that computers are their bread and butter, so delaying Leopard and computer hardware, while focusing on gadgets like iPhone just pisses off a lot of computer users. Besides, they can't walk and chew gum at the same time? Why don't they hire more people?

Whatever the excuse is, the fact remains: they're slow as molasses in winter.

One thing to remember is that the iPod has really been a lifesaver for them, without it does anyone think they would be as hot as they are now, or as rich.

 

[Queso]

They kept the G4/G5 form factors to emphasise how Intel Macs were the same machines as their PowerPC counterparts, reassuring the user base during the switchover really. There's no point them releasing new iMacs, minis, MBPs etc at the moment with Intel's new Santa Rosa chipset so close. Better to wait for that and update the entire line once it's released. Some time in June most likely (WWDC?).

Of course, if they don't update a couple of the form factors at that point your comments still stand, but I reckon we're going to see the mini and MBP change to something new, since they're pretty much the oldest form factors out there (the iMac G5 design got a tweak just before the Intel switch).

 

[mrkgoo]

Well, I wasn't really into why they are so slow, just that they are slow. Maybe because they are constipated for all I care. Slow - that's the problem.

Besides, I frankly resent this whole focus on things like apple TV and iPhone - this is still a computer company, right? What's the problem? You know, I'd think that computers are their bread and butter, so delaying Leopard and computer hardware, while focusing on gadgets like iPhone just pisses off a lot of computer users. Besides, they can't walk and chew gum at the same time? Why don't they hire more people?

Whatever the excuse is, the fact remains: they're slow as molasses in winter.

Well, they DID drop 'computer' from their corporate title... :/

But yeah, I love a new gadget as much as the next guy, but I get all drool-y over lovely new tech I can't afford. So I love the idea of anything that can delay a purchase, if I don't really need it I love my Powerbook 12" - and how it was teh last (and best) of its breed...

 

[PlaceofDis]

i don't see what there is to be bored or disappointed with?

many thought that the move to Intel would create more updates, but what kind of updates could they do right now? honestly?

 

[dartzorichalcos]

after all Steve told us 07 would be a great year for Macs.

Perhaps that would be the 2nd half of 2007. June and onwards.

 

[Chaszmyr]

Perhaps that would be the 2nd half of 2007. June and onwards.

Chances are, he meant one or both of two things. One, Leopard is going to be bigger than we yet realize. Two, Apple has multi-touch equipped Macs in the pipeline.

 

[Henri Gaudier]

many thought that the move to Intel would create more updates, but what kind of updates could they do right now? honestly?

The Mini & the IMac have obviously got places to go. Come on! The Mini isn't even C2D yet and the iMac is at 2.16. A simple improvement could come by using a desk top chip instead of a mobile one. Voila - instant 2.93GHz with Core 2 Extreme X6800. The tech is old, around 9 or 10 months but it would get my credit card out! Why not pass on the Intel price drops at the very least?

 

[Sesshi]

Personally in terms of the way they look I can't see anything wrong or not contemporary with Apple. It's how - not what - they put stuff inside on some of the models that bothers me more.

 

[Queso]

Personally in terms of the way they look I can't see anything wrong or not contemporary with Apple. It's how - not what - they put stuff inside on some of the models that bothers me more.

Could you just elaborate on that a bit? I'm not quite getting what you mean.

 

[PlaceofDis]

The Mini & the IMac have obviously got places to go. Come on! The Mini isn't even C2D yet and the iMac is at 2.16. A simple improvement could come by using a desk top chip instead of a mobile one. Voila - instant 2.93GHz with Core 2 Extreme X6800. The tech is old, around 9 or 10 months but it would get my credit card out! Why not pass on the Intel price drops at the very least?

hm well i doubt very much that a desktop processor could work in the iMac, unless you want fans blaring from the moment you turned it on. the enclosure is too small.

and the justification of the mini being CD is so it wouldn't get any more expensive and wouldn't cut into iMac sales.

 

[Queso]

and the justification of the mini being CD is so it wouldn't get any more expensive and wouldn't cut into iMac sales.

Definitely more the latter than the former. A C2D costs less now than a CD did when the mini last got updated.

 

[PlaceofDis]

Definitely more the latter than the former. A C2D costs less now than a CD did when the mini last got updated.

very true. and i agree.
this is the way that apple works, always has been the way they worked.

 

[Cooknn]

I must say, I'm disappointed with Apple when it comes to the frequency with which they update their computer line.

A little late to this thread, but I've been thinking about it... To be honest I'm glad they're slow to change. I've never had one computer as long as my Power Mac. I bought it in the fall of 2003 and it still kicks ass. And looks almost identical to the newest Mac Pro's. Sure, there's a side of me that wishes Apple would move faster, but my wallet is thankful that they don't

 

[Sesshi]

The Mini & the IMac have obviously got places to go. Come on! The Mini isn't even C2D yet and the iMac is at 2.16. A simple improvement could come by using a desk top chip instead of a mobile one. Voila - instant 2.93GHz with Core 2 Extreme X6800. The tech is old, around 9 or 10 months but it would get my credit card out! Why not pass on the Intel price drops at the very least?

iMacs and Minis use Socket 478 - i.e. they use desktop motherboards which take laptop processors. This is desirable from a thermal management point of view, as well as a relatively low profile. You couldn't drop a desktop chip into an iMac without a total redesign. And there hasn't been anything beyond a 2.33Ghz as far as S478 is concerned. You could look at using 2.33Ghz processors with unlocked multipliers as with my Dell XPS M1710 which runs stably at 2.5Ghz... but Apple have never really been an OCing company for good reasons.

Mini spec is probably as Placeofdis said.

 

[miniConvert]

Personally I think Apple have a pretty tight product lineup and the update frequency is just about right. They don't want to be pumping out lots of variations of hardware because then OS X has to bloat to cater for it all.

 

[Sesshi]

It depends on your buying patterns. I dont think there is anything wrong with the update frequency either, and clearly by pushing people into "buying up" they're winning converts simply by dint of making people buy machines they never would have done if they had the choice to buy cheaper or different - or if they knew what they really needed to buy.

Most people on a budget who don't quite know what they should be buying will buy under their actual requirements if given the choice, then bitch about it all the time after an initial honeymoon period. By putting in much wider markers as it were in terms of performance and pushing you into buying a machine beyond your immediate requirements if you're at all unsure, Apple have more satisfied customers. It's pretty simple.

 

[Henri Gaudier]

iMacs and Minis use Socket 478 - i.e. they use desktop motherboards which take laptop processors. This is desirable from a thermal management point of view, as well as a relatively low profile. You couldn't drop a desktop chip into an iMac without a total redesign. And there hasn't been anything beyond a 2.33Ghz as far as S478 is concerned. You could look at using 2.33Ghz processors with unlocked multipliers as with my Dell XPS M1710 which runs stably at 2.5Ghz... but Apple have never really been an OCing company for good reasons.

Mini spec is probably as Placeofdis said.

True but we've been hearing stories of a radical new industrial design. Give it a bit more depth and get the 'bigger bits" in is my thinking. How long has it been now.... 7 or 8 months without an update/price cut? Rumours persist in it being another 2 months before we can expect anything. this is scandalous. It's just like the PPC days.