Frustrating time to be an Apple user

[mikegg]

I own an iPhone 6s 16GB, Macbook Air, and I use a Macbook Pro at work.

I've already voiced my frustration with the new Macbook Pro in this thread but I gave it a chance and bought it. Sadly, I will be returning it because it doesn't make my life easier and it costs too much.

Ever since I updated to the latest iOS version, I've been having constant out of storage issues. Everytime I delete an app to free up more space, the space gets mysteriously filled up within hours without downloading anything. With each passing day, I have fewer and fewer apps on my phone but the the maxed storage issue doesn't go away. Anyone else having this problem?

So now I'm looking up get an iPhone with more storage. But I hate the iPhone 7 because it doesn't have a phone jack and it comes with a stupid lightning headphone that doesn't work with any other device on the planet. So if I'm traveling, I'll have to bring two different headphones, one for my computer, and one for my iPhone. Or I can bite the bullet and go wireless which has different issues. But I still can't listen to music and charge my phone at the same time and I can't charge my iPhone 7 out of the box with my new Macbook Pro 2016. I also don't like the feeling of the new Home button.

So my only options at this point are the old iPhone 6s 128GB and the old Macbook Pro. I'm so frustrated with Apple's recently products. They just make life harder.

 

[R0H1T]

Why don't you go for an Android phone, that also depends on whether iOS is indispensable for you or not? Also regular notebook if Mac OS/apps aren't a necessity.

 

[mikegg]

Why don't you go for an Android phone, that also depends on whether iOS is indispensable for you or not? Also regular notebook if Mac OS/apps aren't a necessity.

My entire eco-system is with Apple so it's costly and inefficient to switch. Apps are also higher quality on iOS. The iPhone is still much faster than anything else out there.

 

[R0H1T]

My entire eco-system is with Apple so it's costly and inefficient to switch. Apps are also higher quality on iOS. The iPhone is still much faster than anything else out there.

If you aren't tied into the iOS ecosystem as well then a switch to Android is still fairly inexpensive IMO, of course you can't switch away from the Macbook seeing as how invested you are.

Not really, a top of the line Android phone with Nougat is close enough.

 

[slugg]

I've had basically every type of phone out there and I still think iPhone is the best. Don't switch.

Here's my advice regarding the iPhone 7's lack of headphone jack: just deal with it. Yea, it sucks, I hate it too, but look at your alternatives. As far as listening while charging, Belkin (and likely others) make a dongle that lets you charge while you have something else plugged in, such as your headphones. And yea, I do carry two earbuds; the new ones and the old ones.

Annoying? Yes. Problem? No. I have a fast phone that has plenty of storage, is a pleasure to use, and is reliable. It replaces my laptop in many use cases. That's totally worth the annoyance.

As far as the home button, set it to the maximum strength and just roll with it. You'll get used to it and completely forget about it. Enjoy your water resistance! I read email in the morning while I'm taking a shower. We also take the phones to water parks and don't sweat it. The new home button is a compromise, but it unlocks other potential.

As far as the new MacBook Pros, yes, they're extremely disappointing. I was excited and ready to buy one before the announcement, then I was let down. No excuse for that - they suck. I'm hoping and wishing for a refresh...

 

[Ichinisan]

iPhone 7 has an adapter. You only need to bring one set of headphones.

 

[nerp]

Try forcing a total reset on your phone. Set it up as a new phone, don't restore from backup. That might fix your space issues.

I hate Apple products and will never buy anything from them, but I love my iPhone. I'm OK with being iPhone only.

I use no Apple services, no music, no subscriptions, nothing. Freedom is nice. Still a good phone with zero participation in the Apple ecosystem.

 

[Kazukian]

Just buy some dongles, it sucks, but they work fine.

 

[HiroThreading]

There's never been a better time to be an iOS user; it plain sucks to be a macOS fan right now though.

Go for the iPhone 7 128GB option.

The lack of headphone jack is such an overblown issue, and there really is no other phone in its performance class and with such large access to high quality apps. Furthermore, the iPhone 7 comes with a Lightning -> 3.5mm adapter in the box, so you can use your third party earphones/headphones with the phone without issue. If you have the money, then the AirPods are also getting very good reviews for ease of use and sound quality.

 

[swanysto]

What issues are you referring to in your original post when it comes to wireless headphones? I own a pair of bluetooth headphones that I use with my iPhone 7, my laptop, and my old galaxy S3 that I use as a workout MP3 player. I haven't had a single issue with connections or pairing. It jumps seamlessly from device to device. And the battery on them lasts a LONG time.

 

[PricklyPete]

It is very easy to determine what is taking up so much space on your phone...just go to "Manage Storage" in General Settings. Should be pretty easy to figure out what keeps eating up your space. I had an issue with Podcasts at one point.

The laptops are definitely overpriced...always have been (and were the last time you bought one). So this really shouldn't be a huge surprise to you at this point. Fact is that few people need the MBP. I have a 4+ year old MBP (original Retina) and it still is faster than I need for personal/programming usage.

I was "forced" by my job to adopt apple 9 years ago and while not perfect, it has made computing in my life simple and straightforward. I still have the original MBP that my company gave me in 2007 and it is still running (albeit slow) the latest software for my kids to mess around with.

 

[Murloc]

Honestly I'd just deal with the phone trouble, it's annoying but not a deal breaker. Going for an old phone over this is just meh.

Apple not making satisfying laptops anymore is an issue you can't get around, but since you use macOS at work for doing development stuff, I guess you're locked in, unless you want to deal with having to use a different environment for personal projects.

What issues are you referring to in your original post when it comes to wireless headphones? I own a pair of bluetooth headphones that I use with my iPhone 7, my laptop, and my old galaxy S3 that I use as a workout MP3 player. I haven't had a single issue with connections or pairing. It jumps seamlessly from device to device. And the battery on them lasts a LONG time.

maybe he's a FLAC audiophile, in which case bluetooth is too lossy.

 

[KeithP]

Or I can bite the bullet and go wireless which has different issues. But I still can't listen to music and charge my phone at the same time and I can't charge my iPhone 7 out of the box with my new Macbook Pro 2016. I also don't like the feeling of the new Home button.

Apple's Lightning Dock has a headphone jack so you can charge and use wired headphones at the same time. Of course, then you have to carry the dock around. The fact that a iPhone 7 needs an adapter for 2016 MBP wouldn't seem to matter since you said you are returning the MBP.

My entire eco-system is with Apple so it's costly and inefficient to switch.

Throwing good money after bad? Based on your post, it seems far more costly and inefficient to stay with iOS, and maybe MacOS as well, rather than switch.

If Apple actually lived up to "it just works" paying their prices and living with a limited selection of hardware would probably be worth it. However, they failed in that regard. Both iOS and MacOS seem to have a steady stream of bugs (many related to iCloud) that don't seem to get fixed.

Since someone will undoubtedly ask for an example…recently, a person I help with his two year old iMac had an issue with Calendar. Calendar groups that he deleted kept coming back. After some research I found this bug going back several versions of MacOS. The only thing that finally solved the problem was manually deleting a bunch of files from the Library folder on his iMac.

I found a similar thing with iOS. Researching problems you will discover bugs that have been present in the last several versions of iOS that remain uncorrected.

I use a MacBook Pro (2012) for my main machine and I used an iPhone for a number of years before switching to Android. I understand the appeal of Apple hardware and ecosystem. I purchased my first Mac in 1984. However, I am now looking to move on. The recent MacBook Pros were the final push I needed.

I think you should take this opportunity to buy an inexpensive Android phone ($200 or so) and use it for while. In 6 months if it is that much of a problem sell it, and go back to iOS. You can always sell the Android phone then and probably won't loose much money if you want to go back to iOS. However, I am guessing you won't.

-KeithP

 

[phillyTIM]

I completely understand, senttoschool. I've been heavily vested in the Apple Ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro) since 2009. The iPhones and iPads have been spectacular, but the major pain point is the MacBook Pro situation; the computer is of which everything else evolves around, right?

The MacBook Pros are getting more expensive, thinner, and now incapable of allowing we average Joe Techies from replacing even a simple hard drive, RAM, and battery. MacBook Pros are essentially just disposable, computing appliances now - not even real computers (in my mind).

I consider it hostile that I must custom order the Mac that is maxxed out on overpriced RAM, because Apple won't let me just pop a couple sticks in there anymore. For a company that has the most cash in the bank of any other company in the world, Apple could at least let us add RAM (or disk space) for *reasonable* prices, right?

When we're forced to throw a couple grand at a product, we should feel great about that product. And it doesn't make me feel great that I've got to overpay on maxing out RAM & HD just to be able to have a little room to grow over the next 5 years, because Apple has made upgrading myself completely unserviceable.

I'm hanging on to my 2011 MacBook Pro for dear life. I love it, I've added RAM & HD over the years, but I dread the thought of buying something new from Apple. In fact, I feel pushed over to the Windows laptops nowadays, with some very reasonably priced (and upgradeable) options from Dell and Samsung. I'd really miss having a Mac, but it looks like Apple is not interested to keep 'real Pros' like me around.

 

[desura]

Meh. Just stick with the old models. IPhone 6s is still quite good.

 

[Zaap]

I'd really miss having a Mac, but it looks like Apple is not interested to keep 'real Pros' like me around.

Good post, PhillyTIM, I feel the same as you.

My 2015 15" MacBook Pro may be the end of the line for me- and I've had Apple laptops as freelance work machines since the Titanium Powerbook.

In fact, that's an interesting computer to look back on. That thing was, beyond all doubt, the most advanced laptop money could buy back in the day.

It actually had a thinner bezel than today's MacBooks- a machine from 2001! And contrary to popular myth, it wasn't all that much thicker (as illustrated above) but accommodated removable battery, a full compliment of ports, an optical drive etc.

It was a joy of easy accessibility- the keyboard lifted up and allowed replacing RAM easily. (Also made the keyboard itself easily replaceable if needed.) Changing out hard drive, optical drive, battery, whatever was a breeze.

In 2001, it was so far ahead of everything else it was simply stunning- I mean, the design STILL holds up 16(!!) years later! Hardly a thing else from that long ago holds up as well. At the time, it was just obviously ahead of its time, and set the stage for everyone's design language, leading to what we have now.

That was a professional's professional machine. It makes me sad that Apple's level of innovation hasn't progressed anywhere near along that same curve.

I can remember thinking that if Apple makes a machine this damn awesome in 2001, I can only imagine what they'd be making by now. Well.. here it is, 16 years later and... meh.

Instead of offering at least one model that has that same spirit of give the pro user EVERYTHING possible, Apple's focus is just to remove, remove, remove. And for what?

The popular myth is that its to accomodate an endless thinning of the device- that's a lame tradeoff for all the lost function, because the 2017 Apple offerings are by no means that much thinner than their 2001 counterpart to justify all the removed function. (Again as clearly seen above when you compare side by side.) That's just been a load.

So the real reasons are unfortunately much less glamorous. Apple simply has agendas that aren't in line with professional users anymore. They love that ability to make us have to max out the laptop from the start just to hope it will keep up as the years go by. They'd love for us to simply toss it and have to buy a new one, sooner rather than later.

There has to reach a point though, where that design philosophy backfires. How long before people like me- that used to swear by Macbooks- stop buying them? How does that balance against those rooked into the quicker upgrade cycle of planned obsolescence? Once enough pros can no longer justify the 'pro' machines, how long until they are just top of the line toys, instead of true power houses?

Sad thing is, I understand a top of the line, truly Pro MacBook isn't going to be cheap. I've never flinched at the asking price for what I considered the best for my needs. I paid a pretty penny for my ahead-of-its-time TiBook in 2001, and I paid a lot for every top-of-the-line MacBook since.

I'd still pay a lot more than usual for a TRUE MacBook Pro with the proper compliment of I/O ports, modular components, etc. Other makes make laptops at all price points- Apple COULD if they wanted make a true MacBook Pro, then all the lesser ones for others. They don't because they don't care about pro users anymore, sadly.

 

[Oyeve]

I'm cranking on my mid-2009 MBP. IMO, these were the best mac books. Has a speedy CPU still, 8 gigs of ram and a CD/DVD burner. Added a 512gb ssd and this thing is still kicking ass. Oh, and 2 USB, SD, displayport et al built in.