There is nothing a $1000 MacBook does that a $200 Chromebook cannot do.
And let's not forget the custom skinned launchers and bloatware.
Not saying iOS is perfect (far far from it), but there are a lot of areas of performance that Apple is full on curb stomping Google and Android on.
I can do things with it no iPhone can do. End of story.
I'm a bit curious... why don't you like Macs? I just find it an unusual statement given that Macs are generally considered the gold standard for laptop (and all-in-one desktop) design. That and Apple is one of the few computer vendors to have resisted the race-to-the-bottom pressure that hurt quality across the board.
The only benchmark I care about are battery life and screen-to-bezel ratio, two of which Apple loses mightily for almost a decade now.
And anyone saying Android has been fine for years, that's just BS. Look at the S810 (the 808 is a dog too) mess.
Not to mention how every other year Google claims the newest version of Android has totally made everything smooth and fixed performance! Which is odd since they allegedly fixed that already, multiple times...
Frankly, I find quite a few people's posts in this thread disingenuous since I see them regularly point out things like bad launchers and bloatware (which are just an Android problem), and even how Google's own apps are just plain better on iOS. Among other aspects.
First off I'm not from US so Apple is maybe a bit less common (but still pretty common) than US. First issue is price but yeah you can argue a windows laptop with similar quality is just as expensive. Somewhat true but you have no cheap Mac option. A Mac therefore is a status symbol as in "Hey look I'm rich I can afford a Mac and I'm different and better than you".
But really it's the whole closed-platform you buy into and the fact it's not windows. Sadly I need to know windows very well because for work and because for home (gaming and no don't bring up the argument you can game on a Mac with same ease). So why the hell would I chose a different platform for my laptop? Doesn't make much sense. And then for Mac you need that adapter and that thing and you always have to buy it from apple at ridiculous prices. Apple is a fan of proprietary connectors to force you to buy most accessories from them. I was just looking at powerbanks and one comes with tons of connectors for different laptops. Except Macs. You need to buy a thingy for $50 and then for the newest models with MagSafe2 another adapter for $10 because not compatible with MagSafe1. Seriously, how can you let yourself get ripped of like that? And the non-replaceable battery thing is also crap if you pay that amount of money for a laptop. I have to batteries for mine. A small and large one. So I can save weight if don't need the battery life.
But the 6P is on par with the 6 Plus battery life per GSMArena's battery endurance test, 79h endurance rating on the 6+ vs 74h on the 6P. Given that it has a bigger screen, higher pixel density, and better multitasking due to the 3gb ram compare to the 6+, it's not a bad performer by any stretch.Screen to bezel ratio 100%. Battery life in my opinion is better on iOS devices in my experience. I would still own my Nexus 6P if it was on par with the 6 Plus battery life. I had to buy an external battery pack to save my 6p from dying around 9pm at night. I hope the newer Nexus's fix that issue since I've been wanting to switch back to android.
Smart phones are all about personal preference.
There is the Mac mini at $499, but I'll agree that Apple's issue is more where the baseline starts than anything. I just like that it drew a line and refused to make those cut-rate $300 laptops that sacrifice everything (build quality, performance, support) in hopes of getting a little more market share. Ditto smartphones: you can get a good large-screen smartphone for $400 now, but it's always amusing when people think Apple "must" get into the sub-$300 market, where pokey processors, cheap plastic and mediocre cameras are par for the course.
However, you're a bit over-the-top with proprietary stuff... remember, Apple was key to making USB popular, helped design USB-C, and was instrumental to making both Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt.
That's actually why people are willing to buy Apple gear: it's usually interested in whatever makes the product better, not adhering to openness or standards for their own sakes. Android users are cheering the arrival of USB-C cables; iPhone users had reversible cables back in 2012. You decry 'having' to get an adapter to use an old MagSafe power supply; I'm thankful that MagSafe likely saved me from pulling my laptop to the ground and facing a much, much more expensive repair. (Apple may be ditching MagSafe entirely in favour of USB-C, but that's another story.)
If you don't need Mac-specific software, then you're right, you don't HAVE to choose a Mac. But the Mac can also run Windows I might point out. Certainly for business use, a Mac running Windows (it is after all, really just a PC) is perfectly adequate. Not really for gaming though, because the video hardware generally isn't much to shout about.But really it's the whole closed-platform you buy into and the fact it's not windows. Sadly I need to know windows very well because for work and because for home (gaming and no don't bring up the argument you can game on a Mac with same ease). So why the hell would I chose a different platform for my laptop? Doesn't make much sense.
That's certainly a legit gripe, and one thing I fault Apple for. Their constant need to shave off a freakin' mm here and there comes at the expense of useful ports, to the point of insanity IMO.And then for Mac you need that adapter and that thing and you always have to buy it from apple at ridiculous prices.
I still fail to get the problem with micro-usb and the hype about usb-c (which often is also confused with USB 3.1 which is NOT the same!). If I can't manage a micro-usb plug, I would be concerned about my sanity. Let's be honest. Changing to USB-C is great for the suppliers because people need to by new accessories and cables.
Next step is to remove 3.5mm jack you everyone needs new expensive headsets while phone makers save money. Yeah, USB-C is better than micro-USB connector but it's not such a huge issue as it's made to be.
No the must not go in that market. It's just that they are also several $100 more expensive than other flagship phones for what benefit? My 4 year old phone seems fast enough for some web browsing and other typical use-cases.
Thunderbolt is an intel invention and Apple up to now is more or less the only vendor that adopted it. Yes you can get it on some high-price PC mobs but all in all it's pretty niche. The simple reason being it's too expensive. And with USB 3.1 it's existence is questionable at best.
I still fail to get the problem with micro-usb and the hype about usb-c (which often is also confused with USB 3.1 which is NOT the same!). If I can't manage a micro-usb plug, I would be concerned about my sanity. Let's be honest. Changing to USB-C is great for the suppliers because people need to by new accessories and cables. Next step is to remove 3.5mm jack you everyone needs new expensive headsets while phone makers save money. Yeah, USB-C is better than micro-USB connector but it's not such a huge issue as it's made to be.
It's not huge, but reversibility was always going to need a change in cables... might as well make it now. And remember, it effectively eliminates the need for the whole micro/mini split that previously made USB a bit of a headache. You can use the same cable to hook up an external SSD on your computer as you would to charge your phone.
That and saying micro-USB isn't that hard reminds me of the people who chastise anyone who wants an ultra-light laptop. "But this more powerful desktop replacement laptop weighs only a couple more pounds! If you can't shoulder that, you're weak." Yes, I can carry a heavier laptop or figure out which way a micro-USB plug goes in, but that doesn't mean I want to. It's about making life a little bit easier. Yeah, needing to buy new cables and adapters is a pain, but you're never going to get long-term improvements if you don't endure some short-term pain. This is the same mentality that kept VGA ports on some Windows PCs many years after the format was obsolete, and why some companies still refuse to upgrade from Windows XP -- that insistence on legacy support at all costs, on continuity over progress.
They're more expensive than low-profit-margin devices like the OnePlus 3 or Nexus line, but they're still on par with flagships like the Galaxy S7 series and LG G5 (that is, when those two aren't being massively discounted to prop up sales). The question is, will those premium flagships continue to succeed when you really don't need them to get a good general experience?
Apple co-developed both Thunderbolt and USB-C with Intel... so it's a bit odd to suggest that Apple made a mistake. It's clearly willing to support whatever technology works best, even if that means obsoleting what it did just a few years earlier.
It's not huge, but reversibility was always going to need a change in cables... might as well make it now. And remember, it effectively eliminates the need for the whole micro/mini split that previously made USB a bit of a headache. You can use the same cable to hook up an external SSD on your computer as you would to charge your phone.
That and saying micro-USB isn't that hard reminds me of the people who chastise anyone who wants an ultra-light laptop. "But this more powerful desktop replacement laptop weighs only a couple more pounds! If you can't shoulder that, you're weak." Yes, I can carry a heavier laptop or figure out which way a micro-USB plug goes in, but that doesn't mean I want to. It's about making life a little bit easier. Yeah, needing to buy new cables and adapters is a pain, but you're never going to get long-term improvements if you don't endure some short-term pain. This is the same mentality that kept VGA ports on some Windows PCs many years after the format was obsolete, and why some companies still refuse to upgrade from Windows XP -- that insistence on legacy support at all costs, on continuity over progress.
But the 6P is on par with the 6 Plus battery life per GSMArena's battery endurance test, 79h endurance rating on the 6+ vs 74h on the 6P. Given that it has a bigger screen, higher pixel density, and better multitasking due to the 3gb ram compare to the 6+, it's not a bad performer by any stretch.
Not here. iPhone is usually at least $100 more than say an S7 with with 64 GB, the G% is even cheaper.
*snip*
I never said they made a mistake and I agree that USB-C is better, but just not such a huge deal. I mean I just yesterday buying a powerbank for someone as a present (because they will go travel to remote regions). There are 100s of options and only a single one (not in stock) had USB-C ports. I know they don't have any USB-C devices yet, so wasn't a big deal but would have been nice to buy a "future proof" powerbank". Just to show that going USB-C right now has some downfalls and you will need adapters.
And yeah my work laptop still has a VGA port (ok, it's pretty old now and will replace it soon) but most meeting rooms also still have VGA cables for the beamers. And yes, it's a huge WTF but that's life in huge companies.
If something is not working or no longer widely adopted, then sure, get rid of it. But ditching things like the headphone jack when those are ubiquitous still, is a backward step IMO.Fair points, and sounds like we agree on that front. I do think companies need to get out of that "we need to keep everything for 10-plus years" mentality, though!
If something is not working or no longer widely adopted, then sure, get rid of it. But ditching things like the headphone jack when those are ubiquitous still, is a backward step IMO.
I don't have a problem really with the switch to USB-C. If it's so good it's really worth switching to, then why shouldn't it last 10 years or more? The problem I have is when in just a few years it'll get tossed out and it'll be "Now you need USB-X!"
Now Android phones have their own problems, they are overloaded with bloatware and after a year they are pretty much unusable...
But the 6P is on par with the 6 Plus battery life per GSMArena's battery endurance test, 79h endurance rating on the 6+ vs 74h on the 6P. Given that it has a bigger screen, higher pixel density, and better multitasking due to the 3gb ram compare to the 6+, it's not a bad performer by any stretch.
Not according this benchmark: