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Recently dropped by the local Apple store here. I was in the market for a laptop. They had about 4 different Macbook variants. Plus some older Macbook Pro mode

Recently dropped by the local Apple store here. I was in the market for a laptop. They had about 4 different Macbook variants. Plus some older Macbook Pro models with HDD. Others with non-retina screens. A few years ago, it was pretty simple: you bought the Macbook Pro for serious work, Macbook Air for portability. Now it's just confusing. Like Dell or Lenovo.

threeseed 10y ago
Revisionist history. Apple was still selling the MacBook back then so it was never just two models. And they were still selling the non Retina MBP for a while as well.
kirykl 10y ago
Its about the same level of complexity now as it was say around 2010 Same choices too - Macbook/Macbook Air/Macbook Pro Hardest part for most buyers was determining what the spec differences would mean for them and if the price difference was worth it. Same issue now
christoph 10y ago
I worked out the iPad choices. Options is a of mix connectivity & size: iPad Pro (12.9") - 3 Colours x 5 Options (15) iPad Pro (9.7") - 4 Colours x 6 Options (24) iPad - 3 Colours x 4 Options (12) iPad 4 Mini - 3 Colours x 2 Options (6) That's 57 variants, clearly designed by a bean counter judging by the deliberate storage choices (i.e. no 64gb options across the whole line). 32GB seems totally pointless to me unless you are only using it for email & web browsing. Why is the mini 4 - a device that wouldn't appear to appeal to "power users" only available in 128gb? Why would anyone purchase a 12.9" iPad Pro with 32GB of storage? The iPad line is all over the place - I had re-write the above as I got confused by what base options are available. What's even more baffling is that they all come with regular USB cables which means I can't plug any of them into my new Macbook Pro.
- jakobegger 10y ago
  The iPad mini starts at 128 so that it can have a higher starting price than the 9.7" iPad.

threeseed 10y ago

Revisionist history. Apple was still selling the MacBook back then so it was never just two models. And they were still selling the non Retina MBP for a while as well.

kirykl 10y ago

Its about the same level of complexity now as it was say around 2010 Same choices too - Macbook/Macbook Air/Macbook Pro Hardest part for most buyers was determining what the spec differences would mean for them and if the price difference was worth it. Same issue now

christoph 10y ago

I worked out the iPad choices. Options is a of mix connectivity & size: iPad Pro (12.9") - 3 Colours x 5 Options (15) iPad Pro (9.7") - 4 Colours x 6 Options (24) iPad - 3 Colours x 4 Options (12) iPad 4 Mini - 3 Colours x 2 Options (6) That's 57 variants, clearly designed by a bean counter judging by the deliberate storage choices (i.e. no 64gb options across the whole line). 32GB seems totally pointless to me unless you are only using it for email & web browsing. Why is the mini 4 - a device that wouldn't appear to appeal to "power users" only available in 128gb? Why would anyone purchase a 12.9" iPad Pro with 32GB of storage? The iPad line is all over the place - I had re-write the above as I got confused by what base options are available. What's even more baffling is that they all come with regular USB cables which means I can't plug any of them into my new Macbook Pro.

jakobegger 10y ago
The iPad mini starts at 128 so that it can have a higher starting price than the 9.7" iPad.