"Flawed" is not the criticism I see most. It's more a concern over misunderstanding the users. I'm sure the new MBP is a lovely machine, a work of art and feat of engineering. I'm sure I'll probably upgrade (or maybe I'll wait another 1049 days). The issue is that the PRO should be for PRO users, and it isn't. What pros care about:
Speed
Memory
GPU
Battery life
Ports
Mainly because a lot of pros use a laptop as a "desktop" in conjunction with an external display (this has to be like >80% of users). Notice what is not on the list:
Lightness
Thinness
Reduced travel keys
Touch-sensitive keyboard that requires me to look down
Those things are ideal for non-pro users (I don't mean this in a derogatory, "your mom uses a computer" way). It means people who don't have processor-intensive tasks or who are on the go a lot, without dedicated workstations. That's why I thought the latest Macbook (from last year) was a triumph: it was bold, innovative, novel, and perfect for smart, non-pro users (like my wife) who don't care about SD & HDMI ports. She even likes the keyboard.
So to characterize detractors as expecting Apple "to revolutionize entire industry segments" is, I'm afraid, a bit of a strawman that misses the point. MacBook Pro should meet a pro's needs, Macbook should meet the needs of everyone else. I would GLADLY trade an extra pound or two -- and millimeter or three -- for extra battery life, more ports, or a discrete GPU.
I don't criticize Apple because I don't like Apple; quite the opposite. I'm a huge fan. I care deeply about the company, its products, its cultural impact and what it enables creators to do. I'm invested in it. And I want to see some clarity in the product line -- Pros for pros, MacBooks for everybody. Why is that so hard?
"Flawed" is not the criticism I see most. It's more a concern over misunderstanding the users. I'm sure the new MBP is a lovely machine, a work of art and feat of engineering. I'm sure I'll probably upgrade (or maybe I'll wait another 1049 days). The issue is that the PRO should be for PRO users, and it isn't. What pros care about:
Mainly because a lot of pros use a laptop as a "desktop" in conjunction with an external display (this has to be like >80% of users). Notice what is not on the list:
Those things are ideal for non-pro users (I don't mean this in a derogatory, "your mom uses a computer" way). It means people who don't have processor-intensive tasks or who are on the go a lot, without dedicated workstations. That's why I thought the latest Macbook (from last year) was a triumph: it was bold, innovative, novel, and perfect for smart, non-pro users (like my wife) who don't care about SD & HDMI ports. She even likes the keyboard.
So to characterize detractors as expecting Apple "to revolutionize entire industry segments" is, I'm afraid, a bit of a strawman that misses the point. MacBook Pro should meet a pro's needs, Macbook should meet the needs of everyone else. I would GLADLY trade an extra pound or two -- and millimeter or three -- for extra battery life, more ports, or a discrete GPU.
I don't criticize Apple because I don't like Apple; quite the opposite. I'm a huge fan. I care deeply about the company, its products, its cultural impact and what it enables creators to do. I'm invested in it. And I want to see some clarity in the product line -- Pros for pros, MacBooks for everybody. Why is that so hard?