Its clear that the Chromebook Pixel, in either its newer or older rendition, is a stretch on what one should pay for a Chromebook. But, in broad view, is the new MacBook all that much different?
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Its no argument that the new MacBook might be a tad underpowered to cost $1300, whilst only coming in with a measly 1.1-1.3 GHz Intel Core M processor, and minimal options in terms of memory and storage. One could even argue that it’s essentially an iPad with a keyboard that runs OS X. And, on top of that, for the same price, one could obtain a 13 inch MacBook Air with better specifications and even better battery life.
The same could be said about the Chromebook Pixel. Due to the operating system, performance is somewhat limited, and the onboard space somewhat constricting.
http://www.google.com/chromebook/pixel/static/images/assets/senses-04.jpg
But there is no question that both of these computers are redefining what a notebook can be. Throughout the Apple Keynote, Tim Cook and others frequently mention the MacBook changing the standard for notebooks, and thats exactly what it is designed to do.
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The notebook isn’t designed to be a beast of a machine meant to beat out even the higher end MacBook Airs, but what it is designed to do is change the way people look at the notebook; essentially breathing new life into the category. The design feat behind making a logic board 67% smaller, a trackpad taken quite literally to a new dimension, evenly pressed keys that are evenly lit, and designing a battery to contour with a curved edge will set the bar to a new level, facilitating room for implementation for newer models to come. Not to mention, the mere aesthetics of the device are enough to turn heads.
In my view, the MacBook isn’t designed to dominate markets as much as it is designed to generate a template for further technological innovations to come. In a way, it marks a change in the direction of what Apple computers are, and what they will be.
What’s your opinion on Apple’s latest notebook? Be sure to leave a comment below!
Guys
I hate to be a Punctuation Nazi but the nascent proofreader in me springs to life whenever I see errors like “thats.” All it takes is one little apostrophe and everything is better.
Why not send me your unproofed articles? I’d gladly proof them for free. The writing is fabulous. Its the thats that aint.
My apologies! I’m typically rather observant in pertinence to grammatical and punctuational errors, but I must’ve let that one slip! In fact, I’m usually the one found performing minor tirades when the vast majority of my high school counterparts seem to be unable to use “your”, “you’re”, “their”, “there”, and “they’re” properly!
Thanks for pointing it out! :P
I lust after this thing, but it seems to me Apple is losing touch with reality. Your observation that this is like an iPad except with a keyboard and running OS X couldn’t be more accurate.
But let’s start with the name. WTF??? Did I just step into a time machine? What, did they want to save on advertising somehow so they could reuse the old MacBook ads from yesteryear? Someone suggested going back to the iBook for the naming, which would have made much more sense than . . . this.
I mean, I’m all confused. How is this a MacBook? The last MacBook was the Unibody MacBook (Mid 2010).
That is five years ago. The entire design of this laptop is different from the ground up. It would have made just as much sense to call it a PowerBook.
Next, I love the thinnness. But they could have kept my wallet thin as well. Like the $15,000 Apple Watch, Apple seems to be going back in time to the era when Steve Jobs deliberately kept the price of Macs high to illustrate how different they were from PCs. When the 20th Anniversary Mac cost $10,000.
Is Apple now marketing to sheikhs and Kardashians? They’re going to lose their bread and butter — the “fanboys,” if they keep pursuing this shamelessly elitist path. I mean, is there any reason on earth to be offering a pure gold Apple Watch? It’s dumb, ill-advised and will most definitely come back to haunt Apple. Let’s all remember Gil Amelio, shall we? And the complete mess he inherited? Okay, most folks’ memories don’t go back that far. But coming from someone who bought a used Mac Plus 512kE for a cool 2,000 1986 bucks — that’s 512 kilobytes of RAM, people — half a MEGABYTE — I remember.
So the whole “less is more” philosophy on the design, but “more is more” philosophy on the price, signals to me that al is not well in the Lala Land that is Apple — perhaps a knighthood has gone to Sir Jony’s head.
Coupled with the decline of the desktop PC and “iBlank” fatigue, I get the feeling that this latest, somewhat frivolous addition to Apple’s lineup could actually be the marker at the top of the hill for Apple . . . and the brakes haven’t been looked at for years, while the hill is steep.