Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
Does Apple no longer care about the entry-level user who needs an all-in-one?
Is Apple really saying, "If you want a laptop that can play or burn DVDs and CDs, or a laptop that has enough room to store music and movies, either pay $1200, or you're not good enough for a Mac"?
This is a stunning slap in the face to Mac fans on a budget. This really is the Apple elitism that (formerly) irrational Apple-haters go on about.
About a year and a half ago the FireWire port was removed from the MacBook. This resulted in fewer MacBook sales (completely predictable by the way).
The 13" MacBook Pro took significant sales away from the MacBook. I think the extra $200 for the MacBook Pro is well worth it considering it includes a FireWire port.
Does your 14-year-old son pay rent, utilities, car payments and insurance, taxes and self-employement tax and live with someone who is on disability? No, you say? What part of "on a budget" do you not understand?
It never ceases to amaze me how the forums here are populated by people with disposable income who white-knight everything Apple does while willfully, deliberately missing the point.
This isn't about me. I have a 18-month-old MBP. I'm fine. It's the priciple. Apple's taken a position that says they don't care about making a computer for the averge person on a budget. $999 is an unreasonable price for a computer with only 64GB of storage and a slower processor, except when there are extenuating circumstances, like the need for ultra-portability.
This is Apple saying "get lost" to college students paying their own way. It's Apple saying "get lost" to families on a tight budget. It's Apple saying "If you don't have an extra $200 to spend, you're not good enough for Apple. Go get a HP laptop at BestBuy."
I know three people on limited incomes who have been saving for over a year for MacBooks. They grew up on Macs, know them well and know they're better than anything else on the market. But all three of them are now having to consider Win7 machines because Apple has suddenly replaced the computer they were hoping to buy for their target price with a model that doesn't offer enough storage for their apps, photos, movies and music, and can't play DVDs or import CDs.
Just because your 14-year-old with no responsibilities in life can save $200 because he has nothing better to do with it doesn't mean $200 isn't a significant amount of money to others.
Get off your high horse.
100 Watt,
What exactly are you looking for? You haven't asked a technical question, and that's in violation of the forum TOU. When someone answers your questions, you reply by ranting and raving. Apple apparently does not offer the product that you want at a price you are willing to pay. That's a shame, and that's reality. We all agree that you should buy a product from a different vendor, and wonder what sort of disability you're referring to. We have a hunch.
Walrus your point is well taken and the replies prove your point about elite apple worshipping atitudes. Be encouraged, Walrus, because I and virtually every other person who will ever click on this topic agree with your sentiment that the Macbook was a great, sharp- looking, powerful, and lightweight alternative to the pro. My son has one, and it is great and is such a shame to see it go. The very reason people will click on this link is because they are disappointed that Apple made another boneheaded decision like the ones they were constantly making in Jobs' absence. Is Apple on its way back to the middle period of questionable decisions? Let's hope not since we love the products of the company we tolerate. BTW, a technical question was asked: WHY did Apple discontinue their value mac? Clearly, they understand that it is a value item with a lot of bang for the buck since they are continuing it for schools. The only thing really missing is the keyboard backlight.The Air is a novelty, not a serious machine like the Macbook.
I have a backlite on my key board! I ordered one with the back lite! I love my Mac. I even don't mind Lion becaue I've downloaded Clone! I can now use anything I use on Leopard! Sending love for the Mac. I do not worship my Mac. It is just an insturment to send messages to folks like you!
I have never seen a macbook offering a backlight. This is one of the feature differences between macbook and macbook pro. Do you mean you ordered a backlight keyboard and modified your macbook?
The Late 2008 model 5,1 2.4Ghz Aluminum Unibody was the only MacBook with the backlit keyboard.
My 2008 Aluminum Unibody MacBook is still going strong, best Apple laptop I've owned with dynamic backlite keyboard.
My quess as to why it was discontinued is that it was too closly aligned with the pricer MacBook Pros.
Hey Walrus, your alleged argument is completely pointless and off-base. You are ranting about people on a budget, yet your comparison is between a $999 and $1,199 product. You are in VIOLATION of this forum because this forum is to provide technical assistance, not listen to you complain about a $200 price difference between two Macs. Do you know why they dropped the white plastic MacBook? The plastics failed after a year, which caused Apple to replace the cases out of warranty. Your argument about "get lost" to college students is also meaningless. You obviously have no idea that college students get DISCOUNTS on hardware and huge discounts on software. They can get the aluminum MacBook Pro 13" that replaced the cheap white model for less than the general public. So how is that telling college students to get lost? Your argument would only be valid if the price difference was maybe $500-$1,000 more between two models. But $200 between models is not excessive. Did you know that the entry level iMac is also $1,199? Did you know that Apple sells a Mac called the Mac Mini that sells for $599? Is Apple telling those customers to get lost? Did you know that Apple has sold more computers in their entire business life over the past few years? People already find them to be an economical value when they are being sold in the millions. If you have friends that have been saving for over a year for a MacBook, then maybe they should not be spending $999 on a computer based on their "limited incomes" as you claim. There are many used Macs available on the open market that are only a few years old that would be far better for your friends on their limited incomes. Then you admit you own a more expensive model and it isn't about you. Again, pointless because you have made this issue all about you. Perhaps you need to get off your high horse.
"Do you know why they dropped the white plastic MacBook? The plastics failed after a year, which caused Apple to replace the cases out of warranty."
At last, the answer comes out. The failure of the rubber bottoms and hinges on the macbook is most likely the reason for discontinuing the macbook in favor of super slim unibody airs and beefier more useful unibody pros for only a $200 higher price than the $999 white macbook. This answer to a reasonable question could have been provided to Walrus without all of the defensive, "you're in violation," "buy a used model" antagonism. On the other hand, they aren't discontinuing them: they are limiting sales to bulk education markets. The ibooks and macbook served the masses who could not pony up the thousands required for a powerbook. Now that pros are down to a price that the masses can manage, the macbook was only a few hundred dollars savings. I loved my white plastic ibook but now that a pro is in my reach I won't be going back.
PS the existence of a backlight in a higher priced macbook from 3 or 4 years ago is hardly applicable when discussing the current $999 white plastic models being dropped.
I thing the reason was more of a profit marging issue, less money to be made on the MacBook plastic unibody and indeed the Ali unibody over the only slightly higher specification MacBook Pros.
Peter, $200 makes a big difference to some people. Don't presume you understand other people's finances.
The fact remains that is is now impossible to get a laptop from Apple that has enough HD space for a standard array of apps and a modern sized media library for under $1000.
As requested at least once upthread, if this is not the appropriate place for my question, please suggest an official venue where such a conversation is appropriate.
100 Watt Walrus wrote:
Peter, $200 makes a big difference to some people. Don't presume you understand other people's finances.
I don't need to understand other people's finances. I understand Apple's finances pretty easily. Apple sells all the products that it makes. They don't need to cut the price $200. In business, you raise prices until you start to lose sales. Apple isn't losing any sales. Some people cannot afford the extra $200. Sometimes life just isn't fair.
100 Watt Walrus wrote:
Peter, $200 makes a big difference to some people. Don't presume you understand other people's finances.
The fact remains that is is now impossible to get a laptop from Apple that has enough HD space for a standard array of apps and a modern sized media library for under $1000.
As requested at least once upthread, if this is not the appropriate place for my question, please suggest an official venue where such a conversation is appropriate.
If someone can save $999 for a laptop, then can easily save another $200 for one with more features. Again, your argument is pointless. Did you know that you can get an Apple loan if you can't afford the full purchase price? Have you ever visited eBay? If you are so determined to get an Apple laptop for less than $1,000 that meets only YOUR needs, then buy one that is only a few years old, then you can find one for less than $1,000 for the features you desire.
You fail to identify the size requirement of a "standard array of apps" and a "modern sized media library." Did you know that not everyone likes music or video? Just because YOU believe the $999 MacBook Air doesn't meet YOUR needs, doesn't mean the MacBook Air won't satisfy the millions of people that purchased one. Did you know that the last $999 MacBook only had a 160GB drive? Does that meet your needs? The $1199 MacBook has a 320GB drive. Does that meet your needs? Are you expecting a $999 product to ship with a 500GB drive? The top-of-the-line MacBook Pro 15" & 17" for $2,199 & $2,499 ships with a 750GB drive. How do you know if that is sufficient for a "modern day media library?" Based on your parameters, a $999 MacBook would not satisfy those requirements.
If someone is so strapped for cash, as you are trying to claim, then maybe an Apple product, even at $999 is not right for them. Maybe they would be better off with the many varieties of PC laptops for $300.
Since this forum is for technical support, and not complaints about Apple's price structures or product features, you need to visit this link:
The plastics failed after a year, which caused Apple to replace the cases out of warranty.
The plastics on my three-year-old white MacBook are in perfect condition.
Most people that I know went to purchase a MacBook, However upon discovering there was no FireWire port (starting about two years ago). They purchased a MacBook Pro or a Windows machine.
For a lot of people I know, it was the removal of the FireWire port not faulty plastics that hurt the MacBook sales.
Why was the MacBook Air discontinued?
