Why the company's laptops aren't worth the hype.
Comment: I'm tired of all hype and no show. Apple has nothing new to offer, what a surprise! I like Apple but they are way over priced, so while I might have to go with Vista at least it's affordable. Apple needs to drop their prices and up their computer performance if they are ever going to compete with HP, Toshiba, Sony, or Dell. Until then I'll take the latter and use the extra $1,000 on something else.
Comment: So, you're sick of the hype, too?
Try Linux. What Google uses to run their servers. What the U.S. government uses to run their supercomputers.
No marketing department. Just performance.
Comment: Are you the guy who says, "I'm a PC" on Apple ads?
Comment: Are you the guy who says, "I'm a PC" on the Apple ads? You sound a little bitter.
Comment: As a parent of a college student I find it sad and curious that Apple didn't introduce their new products and products a few weeks ago when we (and many others) were buying.
Comment: As the parent of a college student I find it sad and curious that Apple's new products and pricing weren't available just a few weeks ago, when we (and many others) were purchasing.
Comment: "At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old crank"
Yup.
Comment: clearly as a writer who has to see way too many of these presentations, unless it's eye-popping big news, not likely that anything will be impressive. for the rest of us, it's about the little things that apple does that makes using their devices a more pleasant experience. i'm one of those fortunate ones who has both PCs (Dell & HP) and Macs laptops at my disposal (one of each at my desk), and i can safely say that Macs now rule my day. they look better, feel better, perform better, and are clearly better thought out. something simple like opening one up and it's instantly on. every PC maker has had a chance to get this done w/their systems, and still nothing. it's not rocket science nor a lot to ask for, but it's this attention to the small details (aka. "sweating the small stuff"), that makes even this basic announcement fm apple, significant. something simple like removing the click bar and making the track pad clickable makes a usability diff when you're on a computer several hours per day.
Comment: clearly as a writer who has to see way too many of these presentations, unless it's eye-popping big news, not likely that anything will be impressive. for the rest of us, it's about the little things that apple does that makes using their devices a more pleasant experience. i'm one of those fortunate ones who has both PCs (Dell & HP) and Macs laptops at my disposal (one of each at my desk), and i can safely say that Macs now rule my day. they look better, feel better, perform better, and are clearly better thought out. something simple like opening one up and it's instantly on. every PC maker has had a chance to get this done w/their systems, and still nothing. it's not rocket science nor a lot to ask for, but it's this attention to the small details (aka. "sweating the small stuff"), that makes even this basic announcement fm apple, significant. something simple like removing the click bar and making the track pad clickable makes a usability diff when you're on a computer several hours per day.
Comment: Steve Jobs could fart in a bottle and sell it as MacAir Cologne to his blind faith disciples.
You Mac fanboys nauseate me. I have used both PC and Mac, and they all suck; all computers will eventually let you down at the worst possible moment.
I built my own PC, it's the only way I could get a reliable machine.
Comment: clearly as a writer who has to see way too many of these presentations, unless it's eye-popping big news, not likely that anything will be impressive. for the rest of us, it's about the little things that apple does that makes using their devices a more pleasant experience. i'm one of those fortunate ones who has both PCs (Dell & HP) and Macs laptops at my disposal (one of each at my desk), and i can safely say that Macs now rule my day. they look better, feel better, perform better, and are clearly better thought out. something simple like opening one up and it's instantly on. every PC maker has had a chance to get this done w/their systems, and still nothing. it's not rocket science nor a lot to ask for, but it's this attention to the small details (aka. "sweating the small stuff"), that makes even this basic announcement fm apple, significant. something simple like removing the click bar and making the track pad clickable makes a usability diff when you're on a computer several hours per day.
Comment: My daugher, who is a college Sr and purchased a MacBook less than 15 months ago, just had the hard drive crash and burn. She was referred by her local Apple store to someone to try to retrieve the data on her hard drive. He told her that there have been numerous problems with the MacBooks sold around that time (June '07) and that Apple knows about it but has not notified owners nor issued a recall. None of the data could be retrieved and because she had not done any backups, lost everything. She should have done back ups but Apple should have notified owners, especially since she had gone to Apple about a month previously when it froze up and they just passed it off as a simple glitch and did not say anything about the possibliy of future problems.
Comment: The improved MacBook will bring Apple into the enterprise notebook mix to a much greater degree than it has been in the past. The old MacBook had substandard graphics and just didn't look corporate enough, the MacBook Pro was too expensive to deploy as a mainstream system, and the MacBook Air was underpowered; the new MacBook is much closer to the sweet spot for corporate laptops.
Comment: I can't afford a Lexus, but I can afford a MacBook and an iPhone. Complain all you want, but people will pay for great design and engineering. If they hold an event and release crappy products, then you have every right to complain.
Comment: Until I can purchase parts and build an Apple computer at a reasonable price, I personally will refuse to purchase one. I liken them to PC companies, like Dell and HP, a lot of money for little performance. If you do the research and plan you purchases you can use the money to purchase the parts that could easily out perform the Mac and its PC counterparts. If you want performance go independent PC if you want image go Apple.
Comment: Apple products are fantastic, and will be sold to India and China. Both countries now have our jobs, and our money. I don't want to leave out the oil producing countries. They too will be able to afford apples. Americans have lost 3.69 million jobs in the past few years. Sent overseas. Basically Americans will not be able to afford all but the cheapest laptops and cars, made in India and China. Thanks guys, good work, you all deserve a pat on the back and a huge Christmas bonus.
Comment: Apple products haven't lived up to the hype for a long time. Its customer service is great if you have a question, but if something is wrong with your computer, good luck. My family had 3 laptops. Two were dead within days after the extended repair contract (3 years). The other was repaired within warranty, only after the investment of many hours of time on the "AppleCare" phone line. After the computer reached the ripe old age of two, it was referred to as an "older" model, the implication being that I should just buy a new one if I wanted to be cool. Apple is much better at maintaining an image than in delivering and maintaining a product. In our house, Apple is "Crapple."
Comment: Well, aren't you a cranky writer.
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Comment: what is the matter with this guy? He is seriously f'd up. Stick to Vista and shut the f up.
Comment: These comments are absolutely hysterical - Heaven help the writer who breathes a negative hint of a whisper about Apple. (And really, that their latest product release was not revolutionary is hardly negative in the world of tech media.) Why do I get the feeling that the same set of people screeching "FOUL" in this forum would be the same ones to heap their vitriol and scorn on any positive comment about a competitor, Linux or Windows, for example?
Really, it's this "Apple as Messiah" hype that is really starting to wear thin. They're just a company, subject to the same rules as everyone else. Sometimes they hit, sometimes they miss.
Ahhh, let the hatin' begin...... I await your scorn. ha ha ha ha
Comment: It's not about Apple as Messiah. It's about a review of their products that bags on Apple for their marketing presentation rather than on the actual pluses and minuses of the products themselves. Lyons could have done a very thorough review in the same amount of words, and given us all a better idea of the problems and benefits of these laptops. Instead, he attacked Apple for their style and didn't even fully cover the devices.
Comment: Fact is Apple is growing about as fast as they can and should at this point. Any faster, and there would likely be quality control and customer service issues. The number of lcomputers they are selling ths year vs. last year and the year before is remarkable. As for the new laptops, they are evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary(like the macbook air was), but thats when Apple excels. They do best when they constantly improve an already great product year after year. The latest imac had a similar upgrade and sales skyrocketed; expect the same now. I know a lot of people, me included whom have waited for this update to buy.
Comment: Dan, you continue to be the biggest ass hat of all time. WTF is wrong with you? You are not objective.
Comment: Re-runs are a bitch, but sometimes they are still the most watched. A has been innovation still beats a never was innovation. Apple's act is familiar but not yet worthy of contempt. Give them a break, they have earned a little slack time.
Comment: RE: "But if the company ever hopes to pick up big share of the overall market, it will have to do more than crank out incremental improvements on its laptops."
Apple is interested in selling the most easy to use, beautifully engineered products. If Apple wanted the most market share, it would be producing junk like Dell, Acer, etc. make.
A computer manufacturer can't introduce a "revolutionary" and "gamechanging" model every year.
No one, no one improves products like Apple.
By the way, Mr. Lyons, you haven't written anything revolutionary at all in your lifetime.
Comment: Newsweek, could you please get some writers to objectively cover Apple, instead of negatives-only hacks like Daniel Lyons and Brian Braiker? If you're going to write negatives, don't ignore the positives. If you're going to complain about their showmanship and slick presentation, also mention that Apple make terrific devices that are well-designed. Part of the problem may be that we've come to expect consumer tech miracles from Apple at every event, and when we don't get spectacular advances then hacks like Lyons revert to bash mode to create a more attention getting article. Sadly, it's not even thoughtful bashing! There are so many other things Lyons could have written about here, including some negatives: Apple's decision to drop Firewire 400 and what it might mean for DV using consumers, for instance, or Apple's proprietary new video adapter. Lyons could have even paid some positive attention to the minor miracle of the no button, multiple finger action trackpad. Apple leveraged their work on the iPhone interface to create a trackpad that functions as both pointer and click, and allows for triggering motions using up to four fingers. No other laptop manufacturer can touch that right now. Was this guy even present for the event, or did he just skim the web for a few clues? Seriously, Newsweek, can you get some better writers for these spots?
Comment: Apple is selling alot of products. That is all that really matters. However, I really like the design of their computers. They have a right to be proud and it sounds like they are.
Comment: Is Apple selling lots of computers and other products - YES!!! That is really all that matters. However, I really like the design of their computers. They have a right to be proud and it sounds as if they are proud - unashamedly/
Comment: I completely agree. Apple makes great products and this is a nice upgrade to their line. But there is nothing "amazing" here that warrants all the hoopla they try to create . But of course when Steve Jobs get on stage to announce anything it gets covered, snooze-fest or not. I was also pretty miffed last year when the last hoopla was made by Steve about the new iphone (which I own) and then we were told we'd have to wait months to get one. Er... wtf? Apple is great, but Daniel Lyons is quite right that they strain their innovative credibility when they try to make a big deal out of something that's not a big deal. Save Steve for when you're really got something cool to show us...
Comment: Sounds tough. Maybe, you'd like me to take your place for the next few "Apple Hype" events. I'd love to go! Just ask. Really! I would probably have a new perspective. I certainly would be objective and a new enthusiasm for Apple, might just be what you'd need to write your next article. Just call. I'm here to make your life less gloomy for you and turn all those rotten apples into bright red, sweet, cruchy, FRESH APPLES! I'll be waiting.
Michael
Comment: Was this author informed of writing on a non-biased position? Writing to both sides makes and article more convincing. This article sounds too negative and seems as if very little was put into writing it. The process to make these new MacBooks is highly innovative and interesting. Apple seems to set new standards every time they release new products. I think that it is possible that the PC market wishes that Dell or HP could put Apple to shame. It's good to have high hopes, but when they are shattered, writing with jealousy, doesn't help the issue. =P
Comment: Wow Mr. Lyons, you are not the brightest star are ya? Everyone knows that Apple is now taking games seriously. One missing factor, 3D acceleration for the masses. As a long time MS platform developer, I've often been in awe as to what Apple has been able to do with less then steller hardware. There OS runs just as smooth and nice as Window's 'Areo' w/out the need for a 3D accelerator chip and years before Vista ever came to market. I can hardly imagine what kind of performance increases we'll see now that there optimized software (READ: not fatware like M$) meets new hardware functionality. This is a big deal as Apple's offerings puts 3D in the hands of everyone setting there MacBook line into a new class of PCs apart from the Netbooks we see today that offer shabby graphic capabilities.
Comment: apple are for show offs., only if you like graphics and spend a lot of money
Comment: Mean-spirited comments like this make me wonder. Our economy is in the tank, but here is a company that is cranking out new products that win design awards, and you think you are within your rights to trash their latest offerings? Certainly one can criticize without being rejecting and unappreciative of the upside of this event. I find this piece inapproprately sour and cranky. I am sorry you did not see the value of applauding effort and commenting on shortfalls, rather than stomping on a company that has repeatedly brought fresh ideas to the marketplace and will hopefully offer us more. What poor timing and what a narrow vision this article suggests. Will someone offer Mr. Lyons a slice of sweet apple pie so he can regain a balanced tone?
Comment: I didn't think the article was mean-spirited at all - Mr Lyon's is just telling the truth. Don't get me wrong, I love Apple computers. But these last couple of announcements have been definite yawners. Slap some paint on an iPod? Speed up the processors and RAM on your laptops (something the competition did two months ago)? That's the best you can do? Come on guys, you can do better than that.
Yes, Apple is the leader in innovation - but making such a big deal out of these types of non-events only strains their credibility.
So what's next? My guess - a 32GB iPhone, just in time for the holidays, and just in time to screw all the Apple fans who bought the 16GB iPhone three months ago. But then we should all be use to that. Remember when Apple dropped the price of the original iPhone a couple of months after it was first launched?
I love Apple and I am a big Apple fan, but I am getting a little tired of how they treat their greatest supporters. And I am getting a little tired with all the hype about nothing.
Comment: Wow - Apple announces a press conference to announce their new notebook line and all they do is announce "??? some upgraded notebooks." What a scam !
Could you please sound more negative and one-sided ? I don't know if everyone can understand where you're coming from.
Comment: This sounds kind of sour...and yes, cranky. Apple is the premier producer of beautiful designs and creative products, why would you want to write such a negative article just because you didn't find the new offerings to your liking. Criticism does not have to be mean-spirited. Are you aware that we need more not less new products for sale in the world market? Will someone serve this writer a slice of sweet apple pie?
Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Lyons You obviously have a bug up your ass with regard to Apple and a hard-on for SCO group. Therefore, reading your biased little rant is a total waste of time.
Regards,
Mike
Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Lyons Hmmm, looks like you've got a real bug up your ass and a hard-on for SCO group. So, reading your little rant is a complete waste of time.
Regards,
Mike
Comment: Makes me cringe when I read reviews like this. Often times, everyday consumers and journalists place higher priorities on misguided / short sighted areas in product development and really miss out on the bigger picture. For one, we should really commend Apple for being more environmentally conscious. Changing one's manufacturing processes to improve product quality AND lessen the environmental impact is not easy. Being more responsible now will pay big dividends later. Second, the devil is in the details. While other PC manufacturers churn out plastic covers in various colors and prints that will never fit quite perfectly, Apple is refining the touchpad, reducing the number of pins and screws in connectors, and enhancing every bit of fit and finish that is possible. While Microsoft keeps adding gratuitous features on top of junk code, Apple is cleaning up its OS, reducing the overall size, and optimizing it for multi-core processors.
Consumers may want to compare specs before making the purchase but it is much longer after the purchase of an Apple computer will they truly appreciate all the thought that went and will continue to go into it. Industry experts should really recognize these facts and commend Apple for taking a leadership in this type of thinking... instead of spewing adolescent thoughts that belong on fanboy sites.
Comment: Obviously, the author and some bloggers decided some time ago they did not like Apple. My solution to their distress is to write about something else. Their negativity and bias is neither informative nor constructive- not only that, it's off the wall. The nerds don't get it.
Comment: Drug you out there? Geez, that's terrible you had to go out there and do your job! Some people actually work for a living so forgive me for my lack of sympathy. You sound waaaay out of touch. But at least you nailed it in the first ten words of your rant. It's a great looking laptop, so it's not for you, calm down.
Comment: test
Comment: test
Comment: Whaaa - tell us the right products to pick then Mr. Lyons - you make no assertions as to better choices, only that you're not satisfied with the hype vs. product development speed.
Comment: I went to an apple computer store. I agree with your assestment, it's all hype mumbo jumbo fancy
marketing publicity stunt to lure the curious seeking a better pc as an alternative to an HP.
I prefer an HP in all its hardware and software.
In addtition to the hoopla and hype of the Apple Computers, it's just too darn expensive.
They promise alot but give little!
Yours truly,
RT
Comment: Liar!
If you'd been to an apple store, you would have bought one.
do yourself a favor, get a mac
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