Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

9to5mac.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 90 posts

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#51

Post by johansch »

oldmanjay wrote: post #47
johansch wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you nailed it. Their 40% gross profit margin is quite infuriating. Particularly since they're just milking the franchise by now, rather than actually innovating.

I'm ever curious about this topic - what do you define as innovation?

Innovation means doing something new, doesn't it?

The last Apple-ish innovation I saw out of Apple was that "magic" touch-pad that just feels like you're pressing it down, even though you are not.

What they have done recently with the new Macbook Pro and iPhone 7 does not really qualify as "innovation" - they have reduced functionality (CPU power/battery and headphone jack, respectively) - and in turn made the goods thinner and prettier.

Some people might say that OLED display they installed on top of the keyboard instead of old-school function keys might be an innovation. I disagree - it's not functional (it changes over time, non-newbies don't look at the keyboard, it kills muscle-memory), but it's so, so, pretty. Hence it's another step towards a piece of jewelry rather than something that just works.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#52

Post by oldmanjay »

johansch wrote: post #51
oldmanjay wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm ever curious about this topic - what do you define as innovation?

Innovation means doing something new, doesn't it? The last Apple-ish innovation I saw out of Apple was that "magic" touch-pad that just feels like you're pressing it down, even though you are not. What they have done recently with the new Macbook Pro and iPhone 7 does not really qualify as "innovation" - they have reduced functionality (CPU power/battery and headphone jack, respectively) - and in turn made the goods…

They did add an OLED touch bar that no other laptop has, to my knowledge. Does that not count? Why not?

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#53

Post by johansch »

oldmanjay wrote: post #52
johansch wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Innovation means doing something new, doesn't it? The last Apple-ish innovation I saw out of Apple was that "magic" touch-pad that just feels like you're pressing it down, even though you are not. What they have done recently with the new Macbook Pro and iPhone 7 does not really qualify as "innovation" - they have reduced functionality (CPU power/battery and headphone jack, respectively) - and in turn made the goods…

They did add an OLED touch bar that no other laptop has, to my knowledge. Does that not count? Why not?

I just added something on that via editing, sorry, didn't think you'd be that fast.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#54

Post by johansch »

geodel wrote: post #48
johansch wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you nailed it. Their 40% gross profit margin is quite infuriating. Particularly since they're just milking the franchise by now, rather than actually innovating.

Well all other vendors are selling for much less profit. If margin is really an issue others would end up having windfall.

But all the other vendors suck. We're all having this conversation because we hold Apple to a higher standard. And more pragramatically speaking, because we're tied to OS X, which is really the only desktop OS that does not suck immensely on a laptop.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#55

Post by eridius »

j45 wrote: post #33
eridius wrote: post #31

> But I discovered that Apple did have one more hidden extra cost in store for 2016 MacBook Pro buyers This seems like an extremely misguided article. The overwhelming majority of users don't buy extra power adaptors. I'd wager that most power adaptors that are purchased are to replace the old power adaptor (because it was damaged or lost). So no, this is not a hidden cost in store for MBP buyers, this is a "hidden c…

I have one for each of my desk setups at work and home. I don't think I'm the majority in any way but I don't think it's that uncommon either. USB-C cables are cheap enough anyways as long as you find one that can handle the power and amperage

Everybody that I've ever worked with (that uses an MBP) has an external monitor at work, and external monitors provide power so you don't need a separate charging brick.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#57

Post by oldmanjay »

johansch wrote: post #53
oldmanjay wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They did add an OLED touch bar that no other laptop has, to my knowledge. Does that not count? Why not?

I just added something on that via editing, sorry, didn't think you'd be that fast.

Well I appreciate your explanation of your thoughts, although my feelings are that it's far to early to be so dismissive of something people haven't really used yet.

I'll grant it may turn out to be a useless bauble, but I'm old enough to remember people saying that about the mouse, too.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#58

Post by jsz0 »

johansch wrote: post #37
micaksica wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they want to turn into a Prada/Chanel/Hermes/LV style super luxuary brand. The Watch Edition showed that there's a step too far for them, but it's not the definition you used. Nobody bought the thing. We had to get into the five figures for that to happen, though, and it's because Apple didn't fully understand the luxury watch market isn't entirely driven by how expensive the thing is. That said, Apple has been pus…

I think you're missing the point. We all looked to Apple for technical, user-focused innovation.. now all we're getting is a good-looking and expensive things that's best sold in a jewelers shop. I really can't see this working out for them in the long run. (In the short term, sure.)

Are you unfamiliar with USB-C? It offers some obvious benefits to users.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#59

Post by quink »

eridius wrote: post #29
quink wrote: post #5

Two complete power supplies for a MacBook Pro cost more than the ThinkPad my dad is running Creative Cloud and Visual Studio and whatever else on. With huge financial jump in the barrier of entry with these MacBook Pros, and with my Mac Mini no longer being supported with this release of mac OS why would I (and I suppose many others) still want to touch the Mac ecosystem with even a ten-foot pole? I think Apple is pu…

I'm pretty sure ThinkPads cost more than $160.

A$266 for two complete power supplies.

I just hopped on eBay and surprisingly lightly used T- or X-series ThinkPads i5 and some i7 for under that price, shipped. Sure, they hold no candle to the MacBook's display. But when you could buy literally ten ThinkPads for a MacBook with effectively the same non-screen specs there's a bit of a gap there.

And I've had way more problems with Apple build quality over the years than ThinkPads.

Re: Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far

#60

Post by jsz0 »

pedalpete wrote: post #2

Is there a reason why the power adapter wouldn't include a USB-C cable? Can it be used without it? Does the power adapter work with older Macs using a different cable? I'm not trying to forgive apple, I'm trying to understand why/how a decision like this could be made.

The best reasons I can think of are:

1. Combating e-waste. Pack-in cables are convenient but not always needed.

2. It encourages people to buy and use the appropriate length cable for their needs. With USB-C it's a lot harder to include a 'good for most people' length because the cable connected to the laptop for charging doesn't have to connect directly to the DC adapter.

Post reply on HN