Nearly the entire Apple product line is outdated

[xxray]

Just an interesting observation I made. Here's a list of all the products and the last time they were updated.

• Mac Pro - December 2013
• Mac mini - October 2014
• MacBook Air - March 2015
• iPad mini - September 2015
• iMac - October 2015
• 12.9" iPad Pro - November 2015
• 9.7" iPad Pro - March 2016
• iPhone SE - March 2016
• MacBook - April 2016
• MacBook Pro - October 2016 (newish, but still on Skylake while other new computers are on Kaby Lake)

I'm not hating on Apple, in fact, I'm kind of excited to see what's in store for the rest of the year since basically everything needs an update. It's interesting, they used to seem to update all their products pretty often, and now their entire product line is in need of some upgrading. It's confirmed there's new iMacs on the way this year, a Mac Pro sometime that's not this year, and a new iPad Pro redesign is rumored, but it's nearly halfway through the year and the only product that Apple has updated/released is the 2017 iPad replacing the iPad Air 2 as the low-cost iPad. It's like we're in this limbo, continuously waiting and waiting to see what's to come.

 

[ejb190]

I was looking at Dell laptops just yesterday and was confused by the shear number of models and what the difference between them was. Every different processor, memory, case, and screen is a different line and model number. But the advantage of this is being able to quickly change lineups with new processors, boards, video cards and other little changes.

Apple has a pretty streamlined product lineup. For the most part, incremental changes and new models for the sake of new models has never been their M.O. But that simplicity in offerings also means that there are fewer incremental choices and updates (and the need for updates) become more obvious when a model sticks around for a while.

The other thing is Apple doesn't seem to be afraid to hold products back until they get them the way they want them. Years and years ago everyone was clamoring for G5 PowerBooks. The delay for new laptops was not unsimilar to what we are facing now. But there were heating issues and the upcoming Intel switch. So Apple delayed rather then put out an inferior, "stop-gap" product. Is this what we are seeing now?

 

[theluggage]

iMac - October 2015

At least the 27" version has a Skylake processor - and a 5k display is still comfortably ahead of the game. If I needed a new iMac today I'd have no qualms buying one of those. ISTR there's an issue with Intel not producing desktop CPUs with Iris Pro graphics that would suit the smaller, no-discrete-GPU iMac.

The 7th Generation Kaby Lake processors are absolutely nothing to get excited about on their own - the interest is in possible upgrades to the AMD GPU. That and TB3/USB-C - which is both a hope (that they'll add TB3/USB-C but keep USB-A and ethernet) and a fear (that they'll go for 4xTB3 and that's your lot).

I was looking at Dell laptops just yesterday and was confused by the shear number of models and what the difference between them was

Yeah... there's an optimal balance between a simple product line and "all things to all people" and neither Dell or Apple seem to be on target right now.

This thread nails one of Apple's problems: their line-up would be much better if everything in it was up to date, instead of relying on 1,2 or even 3-year old products still selling at their original price.

 

[xxray]

This thread nails one of Apple's problems: their line-up would be much better if everything in it was up to date, instead of relying on 1,2 or even 3-year old products still selling at their original price.

Yes! This is the point I was trying to make. Apple has quality products that I'd normally love to buy. But I feel hesitant when nearly all their products seem to be outdated when it comes to incremental updates that keep them up to date, making me feel like I constantly am now waiting for the newer model coming out so I don't feel like I'm getting ripped off for buying already somewhat outdated tech that will only get worse as time goes on.

 

[Tech198]

I was looking at Dell laptops just yesterday and was confused by the shear number of models and what the difference between them was. Every different processor, memory, case, and screen is a different line and model number. But the advantage of this is being able to quickly change lineups with new processors, boards, video cards and other little changes.

you get more choice with as many chips and desktops/laptops in all shapes and sized with as much memory as you need, instead of being constraint by Apple..

With limited choice also comes easier selection, but with what u can get...

Apple's behind n terms of hardware, but that doesn't man Apple users would expect the newest hardware on Mac's..... There is more than just specs.. its how the OS runs smoothly without crashing allot.

Apple updates its hardware 'just enough' to keep users happy. They don't always have to be on the bleeding edge.

They probably should catch up more, but being slow at, just shows their thinking without diving in first.

 

[phrehdd]

It is unclear to me how anyone can defend Apple's decision to drag its feet, be lackluster in updates of hardware and then some. The Mac Pro turned out to be a dead end, the Mac Mini was castrated, Apple's less is more is really Less is Less when it came to ports on their laptops, phasing out of routers, the continual refusal of Apple to support certain media formats and on and on. This is not the Apple people years ago talked about, raved about, felt good to own and even more to enjoy using. As I say - Apple is now just another company.

 

[Tech198]

It is unclear to me how anyone can defend Apple's decision to drag its feet, be lackluster in updates of hardware and then some. The Mac Pro turned out to be a dead end, the Mac Mini was castrated, Apple's less is more is really Less is Less when it came to ports on their laptops, phasing out of routers, the continual refusal of Apple to support certain media formats and on and on. This is not the Apple people years ago talked about, raved about, felt good to own and even more to enjoy using. As I say - Apple is now just another company.

Change.. It's all about change, and we hate that. We think like Apple people but we our uses are more like PC people...where we want it and nothing can go away.

 

[Phil in ocala]

Just an interesting observation I made. Here's a list of all the products and the last time they were updated.

• Mac Pro - December 2013
• Mac mini - October 2014
• MacBook Air - March 2015
• iPad mini - September 2015
• iMac - October 2015
• 12.9" iPad Pro - November 2015
• 9.7" iPad Pro - March 2016
• iPhone SE - March 2016
• MacBook - April 2016
• MacBook Pro - October 2016 (newish, but still on Skylake while other new computers are on Kaby Lake)

I'm not hating on Apple, in fact, I'm kind of excited to see what's in store for the rest of the year since basically everything needs an update. It's interesting, they used to seem to update all their products pretty often, and now their entire product line is in need of some upgrading. It's confirmed there's new iMacs on the way this year, a Mac Pro sometime that's not this year, and a new iPad Pro redesign is rumored, but it's nearly halfway through the year and the only product that Apple has updated/released is the 2017 iPad replacing the iPad Air 2 as the low-cost iPad. It's like we're in this limbo, continuously waiting and waiting to see what's to come.

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Really, do these "outdated" products not connect, display etc everything on the internet? Do these outdated products not permit you to play music, movies, created a resumé? I think you are looking for change just for the sake of change...fixing things not broken.....I suggest you invest some money in Apple Stock...it updates everyday...mostly to the upside.

 

[phrehdd]

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Really, do these "outdated" products not connect, display etc everything on the internet? Do these outdated products not permit you to play music, movies, created a resumé? I think you are looking for change just for the sake of change...fixing things not broken.....I suggest you invest some money in Apple Stock...it updates everyday...mostly to the upside.

I agree with the person you responded to (above). The person did not say antiquated or archaic but outdated. There is a difference. An example of outdated is paying for a device with a 2 year old processor when another device has already traveled down the processor road map to a new more powerful model for the same price OR you pay today's prices for yesterday's technology. Some devices like the Mac Mini went down a sad path where once stood a nice quad CPU there stands none today. The list goes on and on. If I were to use your point about connectivity, then alas, we should all just use an anemic netbook.

 

[Phil in ocala]

I agree with the person you responded to (above). The person did not say antiquated or archaic but outdated. There is a difference. An example of outdated is paying for a device with a 2 year old processor when another device has already traveled down the processor road map to a new more powerful model for the same price OR you pay today's prices for yesterday's technology. Some devices like the Mac Mini went down a sad path where once stood a nice quad CPU there stands none today. The list goes on and on. If I were to use your point about connectivity, then alas, we should all just use an anemic netbook.

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My brother had a perfectly fine Audi...it had about 300+ HP....he said it was "outdated"...he just got a 5 liter Audi with twin Turbos...now he has over 500 HP....to drive to Walmart...and battle morning traffic on the highway ....but again...he says it was "outdated"....

 

[Strider64]

I look at it this way. People are always looking for the device that will make toast better and faster. The same principle goes towards Computer Manufacturers.

 

[phrehdd]

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My brother had a perfectly fine Audi...it had about 300+ HP....he said it was "outdated"...he just got a 5 liter Audi with twin Turbos...now he has over 500 HP....to drive to Walmart...and battle morning traffic on the highway ....but again...he says it was "outdated"....

Phil, I gather your point every well though I think the analogy is rather poor. As stated, we all should be using a netbook to do simple word processing and get on the internet. Thus, he should have never bought an Audi with your analogy but rather a corolla or similar. As for outdated with cars, often that is about the feature set, the available electronics, overall style and safety features. Also, petro/gas and roads to travel do not change in the same fashion as operating systems, applications and more.

 

[Abazigal]

I think the concern isn't that they have outdated specs, but the uncertainty as to when they will refreshed. Nothing sucks more than springing for a 5k iMac, only for Apple to announced an updated model two weeks later.

The previous annual update cycle lent some degree of certainty. Right now, it's really anyone's guess. Take the 12.9" iPad Pro for instance. There's rumours of a refresh at WWDC, while some believe it will be refreshed only at the end of the year. Nobody knows.

 

[spooklog]

I think people here know that a big chunk of the problem is how Apple has re-organized internally. With the overwhelming popularity of the iPhone & iPad, Apple's source of profits moved from computers and MacOS to iOS and the devices running it. Personnel were moved around (not a happy thing I understand) to accommodate why and how the money was flowing in.

The results are terrible for all those depending on, or expecting, modern computers and a modern up-to-date OS. I hate it; a phone to me is a thing to make calls with. A computer is where I need power, flexibility and so on. Because of this I now look carefully at competing products. I'm sure in the future I'll be more adept at cross-platform computing and my $$ will be shared between Apple, Microsoft and various hardware companies.

 

[BorderingOn]

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My brother had a perfectly fine Audi...it had about 300+ HP....he said it was "outdated"...he just got a 5 liter Audi with twin Turbos...now he has over 500 HP....to drive to Walmart...and battle morning traffic on the highway ....but again...he says it was "outdated"....

So your argument is no one should buy any Apple product, ever? Because there are plenty of adequate products out there that do the needful for less money.

People are willing to pay a premium for...premium. To use your overly simplified argument, would your brother buy a new 300HP Audi today for the same price as a 500HP BMW?

 

[Phil in ocala]

So your argument is no one should buy any Apple product, ever? Because there are plenty of adequate products out there that do the needful for less money.

People are willing to pay a premium for...premium. To use your overly simplified argument, would your brother buy a new 300HP Audi today for the same price as a 500HP BMW?

Nothing said about never buy an apple product....I am an apple stockholder...I hope everyone buys a iPhone 6,7 and an 8 and a new apple computer....the value of my stock goes up each day almost...and its people buying Apple products as if they were some kind of addictive substance...fine..profits up...keep buying..

 

[Pakaku]

Looks like everything on that list is either on a predictable release schedule (iPhone, MacBook), suits the target audience just fine despite being outdated (Mac Mini, iPad Mini), is promised to be updated anyways (Mac Pro, iMac), or is obsolete in Apple's eyes (MBAir)

If you're constantly worrying about being up-to-date, you're never going to be happy in the tech world, Apple or not

 

[AidenShaw]

People are willing to pay a premium for...premium. To use your overly simplified argument, would your brother buy a new 300HP Audi today for the same price as a 500HP BMW?

And be embarrassed when they realize that the 240HP turbo Ford has much better warranty, avionics, nav, UI and self-driving capabilities for far cheaper.

ps: I upgraded my "luxury European sports sedan" to the Ford - and couldn't be happier.

pps: A compact car with 240HP is really quite enough. On the rare occasion when I push the throttle to the floor my main concern is to avoid rear-ending the slower cars in front of me.

ppps: When I don't push the throttle to the floor, I get about 7.6 L/100km.