How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists • Hacker News Board

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#11

Post by equalarrow » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:53 PM UTC

stanislavb wrote: post #3

And that could be the beginning of the end. Yes, it might be slow; however, once devs start migrating to other platforms, it could become a serious hit on Apple.

Most of the people I work with use Python, Swift/Obj-C, Sketch, and Ruby. Every single one has a Mac laptop. I don't see any of these people switching soon.

I've played around with Linux (Elementary and Fedora) and it's usable for most of the Ruby and Python guys, but it's just not the same. Not the same attention to detail (even with macOS shortcomings) and not the same apps.

Windows 10, similar thing. It's getting better, but it still feels overly complicated and kludgy.

macOS isn't the be all end all - it still has its issues, but I don't see anyone but the hardcore crowd defecting anytime soon. I think a lot would have to change at Apple in order for this to happen. Like, several cpu series behind or just blatant massive missteps. (Some would argue these have happened, but I don't think so yet.)

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#12

Post by cupofjoakim » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:53 PM UTC

scrrr wrote: post #4

For me, there's still no alternative. And I also will not recommend anything but a Mac to friends and family. They just have the best personal computer on the market, period.

This response would've been exactly what I'd say like a year ago. The thing is that while a mac has in history delivered a better experience I'm not quite sure that's still the case. If you're buying premium hardware for a windows machine you'll still get a very stabile workstation.

I think it's just a tool in a toolbox and that your personal choice should depends on what you're using it for. Actually, hadn't it been for xcode being macOS only, i'd probably be on a linux machine right now, and if I worked more with 3D modelling I'd be on a windows machine due to the better availability of hardware/software.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#13

Post by deedubaya » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:53 PM UTC

I still think macOS/OSX provides the best user experience for personal computing. It's the lack of substantial hardware updates which is driving users away.

If creatives are going to pay a premium for a Mac, there should be something to differentiate it between the competition besides the privilege to run macOS. Heck, it should have something to differentiate it from the last model!

I'll still recommend Macs for my friends and family, but will likely look towards something which is cheaper, has better hardware, and has a fucking escape key for my next purchase.

Since I'll be departing from macOS and Messenger.app, I'll be opening the door to Android for my mobile when I make this switch too.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#14

Post by supergeek133 » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:53 PM UTC

anexprogrammer wrote: post #8

I find it remarkable that a company the size and profitability of Apple seems unable to do more than one thing at a time. Simply not enough engineers?

I work for a $40B company, albeit smaller than Apple.. it even seems like we can't do more than one thing.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#15

Post by systemtest » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:54 PM UTC

Sacrificing the keyboard and battery for a thinner housing was a mistake.

I upgraded my Macbook Pro 13" with 16GB of memory, a 250GB SSD, a 1TB HDD and a Bluetooth 4.0 internal card. I'll keep this for a few years.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#16

Post by beat » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:54 PM UTC

My main computer is a five year old 17" MBP. I've upgraded it to the max and done repairs to maintain it. I need the computational power - I use it for programming, photo editing at scale, and recording/mixing music.

It would cost me $3000 to replace it with a computer that is not significantly more powerful, has a smaller screen and less I/O functionality, and would be incompatible with my audio interface unless I daisy-chain multiple adapters to get Firewire. Fuck that, as long as possible.

This week, my mother's crappy Windows computer died, and I bought her a Chromebook. It was great! I'm now seriously considering getting a Chromebook for myself for day-to-day web browsing and such, and retiring the MBP to music and photos only. If I can figure out how to run Vagrant on one, I'll probably switch for development, too (or maybe I'll just start paying for a cloud-based dev environment).

Meanwhile, I keep having computer envy for a friend's MS Surface Pro. It's the first time I've ever looked longingly from a MacBook to a Windows machine! But frankly, it does things my Mac doesn't do, and the build quality is on par.

Someone please tell Apple than when you need to hold a press conference to convince people you're committed to your product, you're not committed to your product.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#17

Post by ythn » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:55 PM UTC

scrrr wrote: post #4

For me, there's still no alternative. And I also will not recommend anything but a Mac to friends and family. They just have the best personal computer on the market, period.

Out of all the devices I've ever owned, my Apple devices have had the most hardware failures. My iPhone 4S's headphone jack stopped working. I bought a replacement and installed it myself (which was a nightmare) but it was still broken. Turns out the logic board had an issue and replacing that is hundreds of dollars. My Macbook Pro 2010's hard drive cable failed. New one was $50.

I've never had any hardware issues with my PCs or Android phones. Sure, they arguably have more software issues, but those are "free" for me to fix.

Apple may be a good fit for some people, but it's too expensive for my blood. I'm not paying $1500 for a laptop only to shell out another $50 a year later for a hard drive cable. That's bullcrap considering my $150 chromebook has been running for 4 years now with 0 issues.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#18

Post by rch » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:55 PM UTC

dragonbonheur wrote: post #6

Maybe the time is right for SGI to get back into making workstations again now that Apple doesn't seem to care as much as before.

How about Cray? This was my favorite workstation:

> typical tower form-factor (a little oversized)

> maximum of eight modular single-width blades

> active noise cancellation system built into the cooling apparatus

> modules could be optimized for compute, storage, or visualization

> redundant power supplies designed to support traditional office power

> integrated network switches for Ethernet and/or Infiniband

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray_CX1

http://wwwjp.cray.com/images_jp/side-by-side-cx1-painted.jpg

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#19

Post by optimuspaul » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:56 PM UTC

As a Mac Loyalist I don't feel at all alienated. I am not merely a consumer and my life is more than the computer I use. I don't need or want constant attention. I think what they've been doing it great. Frankly I'm more annoying with the bloggers and media with their constant bullying of Apple. The iPhone 7 had just been announced and they were already speculating what the iPhone 8 was going to be. WTF? How about we give it some time before we start down that road.

Re: How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

#20

Post by anexprogrammer » Tue, Dec 20, 2016, 3:57 PM UTC

rch wrote: post #5

Has anyone taken the Novena laptop designs and tried to produce an updated version? Seems like fairly obvious Kickstarter material there. https://www.kosagi.com/w/index.php?title=Novena_Main_Page

https://puri.sm/ seem to have picked up that baton. Looking at their machines, pretty successfully too. If they can survive and get past teething issues and a couple of silly choices they could have a great future.