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Is Apple going backwards? Or is it just me?

A

anti-microsoft

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 15, 2006
1,665
6
Edinburgh, Scotland
The reason I say this is because the old iBook G3 had a composite/audio port insted of just a line-in port. It also had a modem built-in (like the iMac G3).
You see The MacBook doesn't have the TV connector (composite), is that because most TV's have component or HDMI? Well, I think they should still include that feuture. And about the modem, yes I know that apple has an external modem, It's really tiny and It's really cheap, I know, I know...
But I think It was better Inside the machine, do you think the same?
 
I disagree. These things are now longer offered because Apple is moving forwards.
 
composite is ancient and other newer better technologies exist. maybe your TV is too ancient.

I have zero use for a useless modem port. I'd like that extra space for something more useful like another USB port, honestly.
 
people gave apple so much crap for dropping floppy drives and adb ports in favor of usb. was apple moving backward then? is it really going backward now?
 
I can't think that many people would use that feature on their Mac in this day and age. Good to free up space and save some power...
 
anti-microsoft said:
The reason I say this is because the old iBook G3 had a composite/audio port insted of just a line-in port. It also had a modem built-in (like the iMac G3).
You see The MacBook doesn't have the TV connector (composite), is that because most TV's have component or HDMI? Well, I think they should still include that feuture. And about the modem, yes I know that apple has an external modem, It's really tiny and It's really cheap, I know, I know...
But I think It was better Inside the machine, do you think the same?
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the plug on the old iBooks where you had both audio channels and the composite video channel in just one plug? I guess they dropped that. But I think the a video cable giving a composite signal can now be connected to the dvi port of the MacBook, so this feature is not lost.

The modem is really a feature missing on the new Apple Laptops, but also is kind of an obsolete feature. Like someone already mentioned: Apple should rather add more USB ports than a modem.

So I don't really see a step backward here.

One case of a step backward was when they dropped the firewire 800 port when going from the Powerbooks to the MacBook Pros. But in the second revision of the MacBook Pros it was reintroduced.
 
I think Apple made a mistake not including a built-in modem . MOST people in the world do not have access to broadband or wireless. Even in the U.S. and Europe, broadband is still less widespread than a lot of people think. I think it was premature given the state of broadband even if I seldom, if ever, need a modem except when I'm in rural areas.

Especially in a portable device that is made for flexibility when traveling....
 
PDE said:
I think Apple made a mistake not including a built-in modem . MOST people in the world do not have access to broadband or wireless. Even in the U.S. and Europe, broadband is still less widespread than a lot of people think. I think it was premature given the state of broadband even if I seldom, if ever, need a modem except when I'm in rural areas.

Especially in a portable device that is made for flexibility when traveling....
Click to expand...

See I knew there wasn't only one person in this world that thought different!!
The apple external modem is tiny and cheap I know, but why not have it built in?
 
Anyone travelling to Oman can buy an external modem. As for those of us who live in civilization (or at least the main Apple target countries), a cheap external modem is a fine alternative. Why would Apple include extremely dated technology that the vast majority of the consumer marketshare will never use, save for a rare fax?
 
Klrbee25 said:
Anyone travelling to Oman can buy an external modem. As for those of us who live in civilization (or at least the main Apple target countries), a cheap external modem is a fine alternative. Why would Apple include extremely dated technology that the vast majority of the consumer marketshare will never use, save for a rare fax?
Click to expand...

I can't believe you actually used the word civilisation in this context, but whatever. The OECD rececently published a report on the number of broadband subscribers in OECD countries. The average broadband subscriptions among OECD countries is 16.9 subscriptions per 100 people and the U.S. is slightly above the average at 20/100 people. By comparison, Denmark has around 32/100 people and there are many countries ahead of the U.S. in this regard.

The bottom line is still that many countries, including the U.S., are far from being the broadband havens that many people want to believe. I think it was short-sighted of Apple given that the company wants to increase its market share in huge economies like China. IF nothing else, they should have left modems in their portable line for convenience as it still is a good way to access email when traveling.
 
Wait....what is this "Floddy Drive" you all talk about... or this "Dial up modem"... I have no idea what these things are...:confused:

[/Sarcasm]

Seriously though... Most places in out in the country now have broadband. I used to live out in the sticks and I had High speed DSL. I would rather another USB port then have a modem that I may only use if I go to a Country which does not have high speed.
 
Apple has many adapters for the mini-DVI port, including one that converts it to composite/s-video. The real injustice is the removal of the s-video port from the MBP, making it much more difficult to use it to watch videos on your TV.

As for the Modem thing... I agree is seams a bit early to dump the modem, but most of Apple's Clientele don't need it, and if they do, it is an easy addition.

As for information regarding the broadband penetration into the marketplace, much of the problem in the US is two fold, the high expense for broadband away from cities and towns (many times 3-5 times more than dial-up), and those who live in cities under the mistaken impression the DSL (in particular) is more expensive than dial-up, when in fact it often cheaper (for the 128k or 256k packages.)

TEG
 
Internal Modem

I also think an internal modem would be a waste of space and money if included. MacBooks are aimed for students and casual users of the Western world. Yes, broadnand isn't that widespread but these types of users would have access to the 'net either from univeristy, campus or their local Starbucks. As for MacBook Pros, they would probably use their computers in hotels, etc. that have 'net access.

Apple are not targeting everyone, just everyone who has money. There are still quite a lot of those people around that Apple want converted.
 
Composite/S-Video

If your ancient TV has only composite and/or S-Video connections, Apple has a miniDVI to composite/S-Video adapter, available at the Apple Store. Additionally, the Mac Book Pro's DVI port accepts the PowerMac G5's composite/S-Video adapter as well.

So, instead of including a feature very few people use anymore, Apple has saved money by making it external... like the modem. Does anyone really use dialup anymore (excluding people who live in BFE and can't get anything else)?

-Aaron-
 
210 said:
I also think an internal modem would be a waste of space and money if included. MacBooks are aimed for students and casual users of the Western world. Yes, broadnand isn't that widespread but these types of users would have access to the 'net either from univeristy, campus or their local Starbucks. As for MacBook Pros, they would probably use their computers in hotels, etc. that have 'net access.

Apple are not targeting everyone, just everyone who has money. There are still quite a lot of those people around that Apple want converted.
Click to expand...


Well, maybe you're right, but Apple's future is also linked to those who don't have money now but will have it in the future. That includes potential customers all over the world who will wonder why a PC laptops for half the price can have a bigger display, larger HDD, PC card slot, mediacard slot and modem. If I knew nothing about MacOs and was looking at computers I would choose whatever gives you the most for your money. A modem seems like a basic thing that should still be included - for new buyers but also for the many macbook users who actully travel with their computers. As you suggested, at the very least, the MBP should have them.

I didn't realise that macbooks are for wealthy urban westerners only. If that's case, they should really stop trying to gain market share in places like China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, or anywhere outside western Europe and the U.S..
 
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