Watch AppleInsider's Apple Pro discussion live

AppleInsider editors Daniel Eran Dilger and Victor Marks are in New York City to discuss the current state of Apple's pro-level hardware with the people that use it. If you're not in NYC, don't worry, you can watch a livestream of the event right here.

Streaming live from Adorama's Flagship NYC Retail Store, Dilger and Marks will present a keynote presentation on the Apple Pro user, to be followed by a Q&A session and discussion on the company's current pro-tier offerings.

The main event will offer insight into key Apple's existing professional product platforms, as well as a potential blurring of segment lines with upcoming products like the rumored "pro" iMac.

Also slated as a topic of discussion is Apple's forthcoming Mac Pro and accompanying "pro" display. In an uncharacteristic move, Apple in April announced plans to launch a modular Mac Pro sometime in 2018. Dubbed a complete "rethinking the Mac Pro," the upcoming desktop is being designed to meet the needs of the most demanding professional users.

We'll also be taking a look at how MacBook Pros and other Apple platforms factor into the mix, specifically the expanding HomeKit and Heath ecosystems fueled in large part by Apple Watch.

The keynote presentation is to be followed by an open discussion on everything Apple Pro, from the effectiveness of current product offerings to what pro users would like to see in future devices.

Update: AppleInsider's Apple Pro event has concluded. Those interested can view today's presentation via the embedded video player above.

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14 Comments

oakhammd

said about 6 years ago

Difficult to understand why the naysayers have been so quiet after watching this event. NOT.

blastdoor

said about 6 years ago

oakhammd said:

Difficult to understand why the naysayers have been so quiet after watching this event. NOT.

I don't have time to sit around watching videos, but let me guess -- AI found some pros who don't need anything more than what Apple is currently selling. Is that it?

If so, then big deal. I have never doubted that there the vast majority of pros needs are fully met by either a MBP or an iMac. And indeed, Apple said as much in their discussion with Gruber et al.

But there are some pros whose needs are absolutely NOT met by the current lineup. While the fanboys around here may stick their fingers in their ears and ignore those users, Apple apparently has decided to follow a different approach. Apple has decided to acknowledge that there are users who need a real Mac Pro, and Apple has decided that those are users they want to keep as customers.

I say, good for Apple for listening to these users!

christopher126

said about 6 years ago

I was able to watch the last 40 minutes or so....very interesting. I liked the timeline graphic Victor used. That was a good statement (I'm paraphrasing) that Apple believes the future of computing is the iPad Pro. Maybe not today, but soon. I'm writing this on an iPad Mini 2 w/ a keyboard.

I've been using it as my main work computer for over a month now. Yes, it's a bit small but I'm really getting to like iOS, specifically Pages. Granted most of the doc's/charts I use were created on my aging '09 MacBook Pro and are only being slightly modified on the iPad, but I'm really enjoying it. Notes, Dropbox, Mail are probably the other most used apps. And of course, Safari.

Am really considering getting the iPad Pro w/ the Apple KB (~$750) instead of a new MacBook (~$1,300).

Really enjoyed the talk. Thanks Victor and Dan.

Best.

zoetmb

said about 6 years ago

christopher126 said:

I was able to watch the last 40 minutes or so....very interesting. I liked the timeline graphic Victor used. That was a good statement (I'm paraphrasing) that Apple believes the future of computing is the iPad Pro. Maybe not today, but soon. I'm writing this on an iPad Mini 2 w/ a keyboard.

I've been using it as my main work computer for over a month now. Yes, it's a bit small but I'm really getting to like iOS, specifically Pages. Granted most of the doc's/charts I use were created on my aging '09 MacBook Pro and are only being slightly modified on the iPad, but I'm really enjoying it. Notes, Dropbox, Mail are probably the other most used apps. And of course, Safari.

For serious/complex work, I have to disagree. For the typical user who consumes media, posts short messages to social media apps, tweets, takes a few photos or videos, sure. But for complex work using sophisticated apps, one needs a larger screen and a decent physical keyboard. No one can tell me they can type as fast on an iPhone or iPad keyboard as they can on a physical keyboard (unless they don't know how to type in the first place). In fact, when I go to my consulting gig and I'm working on specifications or documentation, one screen isn't even enough - I need to work on two screens, so I can easily capture screens and paste them into the documents I'm working on without having to shift windows around. Same for people editing video. Efficiency is the key to productivity. I have a new MacBook Pro at home and I don't want to hog the table with a larger screen, but eventually I'm going to, especially if I find myself editing more video because it's inefficient trying to squeeze everything onto the 15" laptop screen.

One of the companies I consult for is in a WeWork shared working facility. They're a tech company and except for the graphic design department are mostly PC based, but as I walk around the floor and look at all the startup companies there, I'd say they're about 80% Mac based and it's rare that I see anyone working on an iPad. Obviously, that's anecdotal, but it confirms my view that for "real work", an iPad isn't going to cut it. But if it works for some people, it works: different strokes for different folks. That's why there are choices. If Apple ever choose to abandon the traditional computer line (which seems unlikely since the new Mac Pro will probably be the model with the lowest unit sales and they're committing to it anyway), I'm gone as an Apple customer.

tenthousandthings

said about 6 years ago

A lot of discussion of software, which tells you something about what "pro" users need and what they do. I liked the initial definition of a pro app, from Michael B. Johnson at Pixar: "A pro app is a collection of small capabilities that has been streamlined to accomplish larger tasks, but also reconfigurable by the user."

I found the story about Adobe threatening Apple over Final Cut (versus Premiere) interesting. Made me wonder about who really killed Aperture.

I'm in the same boat as Dan in hoping for continued progress toward brilliant iOS and macOS interaction. I would have liked to see someone ask him about the new file system and whether it is designed to help in that regard once it is the default in macOS.