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Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

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Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#141

Post by cobookman »

stcredzero wrote: post #120
yawn_010101 wrote: post #47

Having interfaced with Apple in a different way (apart from owning a new MBP and an iPhone X) I'd say the issue is, and continues to be, growing pains. They're certainly losing the lead in software engineer talent (giving it away to whom, I'm not sure). But the single most horrible experience I've had with Apple in the last year was trying to get software published on the App Store. That's a department that's so larg…

I'd say the issue is, and continues to be, growing pains. They're certainly losing the lead in software engineer talent (giving it away to whom, I'm not sure). I keep on interviewing recent Comp Sci graduates who have a 3.75 or a 4.0 and who can't tell me how to implement cycle detection -- to the extent that they could write a pseudocode function signature or some kind of concretely implementable design. Many of the…

Those things aren't taught in CS programs as the majority of companies don't need those skills. Most want application development such-as a web or iOS app developer.

However Computer Engineering programs teach those concepts as the focus is on low power micro controllers.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#142

Post by spiralpolitik »

el_benhameen wrote: post #38
ethagknight wrote: post #12

I picked up my repaired late-2016 15” mbp this morning from warranty repair (replacement). The keyboard feels 100% better. Apple replaced my top case, logic board, and display system for free, out of warranty. I was very concerned about this computer’s longevity, I’ve even ordered a Razer mx cherry keyboard to use when at my desk to take some workload off apple’s questionable design decision, but the replacement keyb…

How long did the repair take? I talked to a guy at the Apple store who said they’d likely do it even if the issue is intermittent, but I don’t love the idea of not having my machine for several weeks.

Dropped my MacBook 12 with an intermittent space bar off at the mall Apple Store on a Friday Afternoon. Got the email saying it was ready for pickup on Tuesday.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#143

Post by rmrfrmrf »

mehrdadn wrote: post #99
sandmansandine wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Serious question: Why didn't you mention the genders of the the people from "the "good old days"" but had to say over and over again that you were dealing with "Middle manager woman"

I'm confused what the point of this question is. Would you have found it more satisfying if the parent had said "I had a couple of [male] contacts from the good ol' days" ?

Quite the opposite, I would think. Removing the gender references doesn't detract from the argument, so why have them at all?

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#144

Post by mehrdadn »

monktastic1 wrote: post #114
mehrdadn wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm confused what the point of this question is. Would you have found it more satisfying if the parent had said "I had a couple of [male] contacts from the good ol' days" ?

Why mention gender at all? Does anyone call out a "young male manager" in such a story? Not saying OP did this, but one can imagine using adjectives to hint at competence or lack thereof here. FWIW I have no dog in this race. Parent comment just got me thinking.

> Why mention gender at all?

I don't know, but if that's the intended question then it'd make sense to ask that (which someone else already did, so I recommend upvoting if you're interested).

The question whose point I don't get is the one I responded to. It seems absurd to ask "why did you do X but not Y?" when doing Y would've only left you more dissatisfied.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#145

Post by rmrfrmrf »

dingo_bat wrote: post #121

> In the meantime, let’s give some other companies a shot. Dell and HP have gorgeous, reliable, repairable flagship laptops that are getting rave reviews. Right now, I think they’ve done more to earn your business than Apple has. The laptop mentioned in the "rave review" link is an elitebook 840 g5. I have been using the 840 g1 as my primary laptop for the last 4 years and it really is a sturdy device. The hardware i…

Windows is so terrible, though. I could never go back.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#146

Post by zamfi »

stcredzero wrote: post #120
yawn_010101 wrote: post #47

Having interfaced with Apple in a different way (apart from owning a new MBP and an iPhone X) I'd say the issue is, and continues to be, growing pains. They're certainly losing the lead in software engineer talent (giving it away to whom, I'm not sure). But the single most horrible experience I've had with Apple in the last year was trying to get software published on the App Store. That's a department that's so larg…

I'd say the issue is, and continues to be, growing pains. They're certainly losing the lead in software engineer talent (giving it away to whom, I'm not sure). I keep on interviewing recent Comp Sci graduates who have a 3.75 or a 4.0 and who can't tell me how to implement cycle detection -- to the extent that they could write a pseudocode function signature or some kind of concretely implementable design. Many of the…

> When my Macbook Pro is "locked" it flashes an image of the desktop screen just before switching to the login prompt.

This used to happen to me and I was very annoyed. Felt like a major security hole.

But now I get a scrambled image before the login prompt. Are you on the latest macOS?

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#147

Post by inapis »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #25
FreakyT wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In terms of their computers, there has absolutely been a decline in quality, but in terms of their other product lines (and you specifically mention phones), I don't really think this is correct. I mean in terms of phones, the iPhone X is pretty much top of the line -- are there other phones that exceed it in a meaningful capacity? Bezel-free design, face recognition, fake-DLSR like camera effects, etc.

None of those features on the X are what I’d call flagship, and is likely what is contributing to their lackluster sales numbers at that price point. Just provide a decent battery and screen, TouchID, and the best camera you can with the remaining space.

> and is likely what is contributing to their lackluster sales numbers at that price point.

I think the price tag alone has a significant impact on iPhone X's sale not withstanding the effect that the older iPhones (especially 6s) are holding up really well if you don't want or need a better camera.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#148

Post by Techonomicon »

yawn_010101 wrote: post #47

Having interfaced with Apple in a different way (apart from owning a new MBP and an iPhone X) I'd say the issue is, and continues to be, growing pains. They're certainly losing the lead in software engineer talent (giving it away to whom, I'm not sure). But the single most horrible experience I've had with Apple in the last year was trying to get software published on the App Store. That's a department that's so larg…

Duuuuuude my work macbook freezes at least 3 times a week when connecting up, I thought this was just my issue, I feel like we're part of a brotherhood now.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#149

Post by npunt »

mushufasa wrote: post #68
acomjean wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think they'll gradually improve the keyboard. It won't be great but it will be good enough. like the "don't hold it that way" antenna gate problem and the phone bending problems.. They'll fix.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_4#Antenna https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_6#Chassis_bending Honestly, its hard to get off the mac ecosystem though. I have a macbook pro, and am starting to look at linux laptops. Th…

System 76 (the small linux-only hardware manufacturer) just refreshed their Oryx Pro last month, which looks pretty capable and looks from afar to be really good build quality. https://system76.com/laptops/oryx I haven't found many/any reviews of it since the refresh -- does anyone on HN have one who can attest?

Note no mention of battery life. Look at the internals and you'll see why - the battery is absolutely tiny, and the logic board, disk, and fans are comparatively massive. The parts are definitely not power-friendly either. Seems very optimized for staying plugged in, with only a quick unplug to go into a meeting. My guess is it'll do ~3hrs w that 55Wh battery at most. This competes with gaming laptops and not MBPs, though it does look nice.

Re: Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall with the Macbook Pro Keyboard

#150

Post by nixpulvis »

ashishb wrote: post #137

I wrote about my experience while looking for a personal laptop in 2013: https://ashishb.net/tech/the-weird-state-of-laptop-industry/ Little has changed since then. There is still a considerable gap, and no one is building a developer laptop. What surprises me is the amount of energy Google is pouring into Chromebooks, they could have made an excellent (GCP-integrated?) developer laptop instead. For backend engineers…

My thinkpad x1 carbon running Linux feels like a pretty sexy developer machine.
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