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It is surely not too much to ask for. The problem is that the number of software engineers that will buy a MBP every six years is a relatively small market comp

It is surely not too much to ask for. The problem is that the number of software engineers that will buy a MBP every six years is a relatively small market compared to the general public buying MBP every three years that are more gadgety with crap like the touch bar. Apple wants growth and expanding TAM is the easiest path forward.

mr_custard 8y ago
That's an excellent point snarf21, and I don't disagree with you. I know that you're right, really. Another take on this, though, in terms of our value to Apple though is the concept of "developer mindshare" (as well as power users). A small percentage of customers can have a massive network effect in terms of sales. This whole cycle of history seems to be repeating itself all over again. Right now when I go to developer conferences, I still see MacBooks everywhere, but of course this was't always the case. It only takes a few years for things to flip. This whole cycle of tech history seems to be repeating itself all over again. Which is a shame, because, on the whole I've benefited greatly from the combination of macos, the hardware and "it just works"; it's allowed me to simply get on with my work, unencumbered by faulty drivers, weird library interactions and whatnot, and to earn a living without unwelcome distractions. I continue to monitor the Linux options and don't want to use Windows. I like Unix. I've been comfortable here with macos, but I feel Apple are "this close" to blowing it with the hardware.
berberous 8y ago
I think there is a happy medium, though. I don't know anyone clamoring for the touch bar, but I think the general public loves MagSafe and a working keyboard. I also have a 2012 rMBP and think that if Apple released a new version with a working keyboard (even if with a bit lower travel), no touchbar, USB-C magsafe, and frankly, thinner than the 2012 without causing failures of some components, they'd have something that would please most.

mr_custard 8y ago

That's an excellent point snarf21, and I don't disagree with you. I know that you're right, really. Another take on this, though, in terms of our value to Apple though is the concept of "developer mindshare" (as well as power users). A small percentage of customers can have a massive network effect in terms of sales. This whole cycle of history seems to be repeating itself all over again. Right now when I go to developer conferences, I still see MacBooks everywhere, but of course this was't always the case. It only takes a few years for things to flip. This whole cycle of tech history seems to be repeating itself all over again. Which is a shame, because, on the whole I've benefited greatly from the combination of macos, the hardware and "it just works"; it's allowed me to simply get on with my work, unencumbered by faulty drivers, weird library interactions and whatnot, and to earn a living without unwelcome distractions. I continue to monitor the Linux options and don't want to use Windows. I like Unix. I've been comfortable here with macos, but I feel Apple are "this close" to blowing it with the hardware.

berberous 8y ago

I think there is a happy medium, though. I don't know anyone clamoring for the touch bar, but I think the general public loves MagSafe and a working keyboard. I also have a 2012 rMBP and think that if Apple released a new version with a working keyboard (even if with a bit lower travel), no touchbar, USB-C magsafe, and frankly, thinner than the 2012 without causing failures of some components, they'd have something that would please most.