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The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

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Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#201

Post by hinathan »

bedris wrote: post #34
georgespencer wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Upgradability was a defect of technology not being good enough for long periods The other thing to consider is that the same applies to repairing technology. Why are we putting resource into catering for the tiny minority of a given product which experience mechanical failures which we can fix? 90% of BlackBerry users will never change the battery on their device. 100% of BlackBerries have a stupid door on the back…

90% of BlackBerry users will never change the battery on their device. 100% of BlackBerries have a stupid door on the back which allows you to remove the battery and eventually becomes very loose and slides off. True, but it was sometimes the only way you could do a hard reboot on those things!

So pulling the battery becomes a crutch for the RIM software team. No need to do a more elegant watchdog timer or properly trap Java errors. Just pull the battery!

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#202

Post by aggie »

DennisP wrote: post #118
archgrove wrote: post #7

The argument doesn't really hold up, as we're only given two choices: Upgradable, or amazing screen. If there was a third, "Upgradable and amazing screen" with the applicable price/weight tradeoffs, then the "we can choose" view would be more tenable. Regardless, the lack of upgradability isn't something that bugs me. My last two Apple laptops were "upgradable", but all I ever did was throw some RAM in there. The sub…

Further evidence that Apple has its thumb on the scale: special screws that can't be turned by readily-obtainable screwdrivers.

You can buy Torx screwdrivers in any half-decent hardware store or any number of online merchants.

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#203

Post by theorique »

gnaffle wrote: post #30
theorique wrote: post #18

What's the life cycle on laptops? I tend to upgrade every 18 months or so. I'm sure many other professionals and power users upgrade even more frequently. At this rate, as the article states, we've voted with our actions.

I think most people buying a $2000+ laptop keep it for more than 18 months. I know I would.

For personal machines, I agree. I had a 12" MacBook from 2004 until 2010 until it was stolen, though it was my secondary machine from about 2007 forward.

This is about a 3 year upgrade cycle. Since 2010, it seems to have accelerated, but mainly due to work (I've bought only one MacBook for personal use since 2010 - all others were company computers).

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#204

Post by diegobc »

ctdonath wrote: post #176
reneherse wrote: post #123

There is one thing that to me indicates Apple has really thought through the consequences of this new design: The fact that the SSD is socketed and thus user removable. The machine retains that most critical aspect of home or in-store servicability. Why this is important: the specific failure case where you have a faulty logic board, or any other failure that requires a full machine replacement. You still have the ab…

Bingo. Repairs are now super-easy: move SSD to identical replacement machine, done. Makes supply-chain management MUCH easier. For Apple, they can now concentrate actual repairs in one place, rather than rolling out parts & training & etc. to stores. Just have a stack of new or refurb units ready to swap and mailers for returns: user brings in a broken notebook, swap SSD, user has a like-new[1] machine in minutes and…

could you expand on the point that refurb units could be better?

Also, remember that most companies get valuable manufacturing feedback by analyzing failed machines which have been "in the wild."

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#205

Post by Ralith »

archgrove wrote: post #7

The argument doesn't really hold up, as we're only given two choices: Upgradable, or amazing screen. If there was a third, "Upgradable and amazing screen" with the applicable price/weight tradeoffs, then the "we can choose" view would be more tenable. Regardless, the lack of upgradability isn't something that bugs me. My last two Apple laptops were "upgradable", but all I ever did was throw some RAM in there. The sub…

> These days, the stock specs of the Macbook Retina will be fine for even power users for years; almost certainly the life of a laptop

A challenge which is much more easily met when the life of the laptop is limited by design.

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#206

Post by eddieroger »

KeyBoardG wrote: post #70
georgespencer wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh god don't remind me. You'd hear a notification for a text message, unlock the device and you'd see > JAVA MESSAGE ERROR Which required removing the battery to do a hard reset (which took about 120 seconds).

I used to have an auto-reboot app that scheduled hard resets to free memory and reduce crashes. So glad to be off that platform now.

I thought there was an OS feature that did that. I remember scheduling a reboot nightly at 3am. I loved that phone at the time, but hate it in hindsight.

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#207

Post by eddieroger »

neilc wrote: post #154
roc wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "But why would they turn the Mac Book pro into a MacBook Air with higher specs?" They didn't. You can still get an old-style macbook pro with updated internals. They're offering a new option that looks a lot like a MBP-Air. Doing essentially what you seem to suggest: giving people a choice of a new thing and not taking any old things away. And if/when most pros demonstrate that they don't care about the modicum of…

Doing essentially what you seem to suggest: giving people a choice of a new thing and not taking any old things away. You really think Apple will be selling old-style MBPs indefinitely? It seems like the product line is going through a transition, and the old-style MBPs will be the end of the line.

I think that if they can, they will. "Can" being dictated by the market of course. Look at the Mac Pro - arguably the most ignored product line Apple sells, yet it still sells. If people continue buying the non-Retina MBPs, I have no doubt Apple will continue updating it, even if slowly.

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#208

Post by spiralpolitik »

robert_nsu wrote: post #61

As long as other OEMs and other industry leaders don't follow Apple's lead on this, I'm fine. I won't need a retina display in the near future unless Visual Studio or vim suddenly require it. (and I really don't see that happpening -ever)

Given that Apple for the most part is the other PC manufacturers R+D arm I would expect most of the other OEMs to follow this move over the next 2-3 years.

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#209

Post by spiralpolitik »

mnl wrote: post #55

I don't get this "less options is better" vibe. Applying this logic the best thing is having just one option, isn't it? The fact that Apple reduce costs and their customers are always happy doesn't make it a good engineering solution IMHO.

In depends on the requirements. And if your requirements are to produce the thinest high-end laptop while minimizing production and support costs then the retina MacBook Pro is a good engineering solution.

Re: The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

#210

Post by marcocampos »

achompas wrote: post #175
jbellis wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please note that I cited the 420s, not 420. It's under 4 pounds, which is half a pound lighter than the new mpb. It's slimmer than my 15" old-gen mpb, although I believe the retina is slightly thinner still.

This is kinda moot, as Lenovo doesn't sell the 420s online anymore. Are there any decent alternatives?

The new T430s. Just came out.
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