Overview: What did Apple update in 2018 winter?
Apple usually updates products 2 times a year, June and September(+October). I think Apple is trying to engage with new customer during back to school season and holiday season. In September, Apple announced new iPhone, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS and iPhone XR. In October 2018, Apple updated iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Apple Mini.
I’m simply Mac user for 10 years. Because design studio normally uses iMac or Mac Pro. Nowadays, it may be not necessary, but I’ve never seen Widows at design studio. I’m considering buying a new product for travel. Therefore, I would like to review for deciding my mind.
Ref.01: Apple Official Website
Analyze: How different?
I avoid saying that Apple products are everything great. This is kind of practice. As designer, you have to explain your proposal logically. Just like or sense don’t allow in a project. I don’t consider the latest technology so much. I do much curious to surface, form and color. So, let’s take a look.
– iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS and iPhone XR
I really don’t like iPhone X notch. It’s majority I feel. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that we want to be a best, not first. Is iPhone X display best? I don’t thinks so. It’s unnatural.
I cannot like the color. iPhone XS has 3 colors, silver, space gray and gold. I often get a different impression compare it on website and at Apple store. It’s not so crisp. Silver may be acceptable, but space gray and gold, I can’t.
I don’t like back material since iPhone 8 released. It calls corning gorilla glass 5 with oleophobic coating. According to the article, it doesn’t show many fingerprints. Okay, but I worry if it’s crack even though I’ve never dropped iPhone in my life. Apple will repair it US$99 for the first two back panel repairs. After that, US$349 or US$399. I am still using iPhone 7/128GB/Jet Black. I like it.
– iPad Pro, MacBook Air
These are atractive to me. I don’t want to carry MacBook Pro when I travel. It’s too heavy. So, I was considering an alternative idea since I visit Silicon Valley in May 2018. The answer is iPad Pro or MacBook Air which is updated last month. iPad Pro installed Face ID without home button. This is great result. Left and right space of home button is disappeared on iPad. It doesn’t stand out on iPhone. Edge is solid compare to previous model. It’s stylish. I like it. I added iPad Pro in my wish list.
– Apple Pencil
I didn’t know that Apple Pencil has the tip. It need to replace when it runs out (how can I say?). I was surprised this business thinking. We usually don’t need to buy a hardware at least 5 years. That’s why people consider subscription business model or something consuming products, like a ink jet printer and ink. I didn’t realized until recently. Very flawless.
Opinion: I cannot afford it.
– 11-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi 256GB – Silver
$1,199.00 (11-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi 256GB – Silver) + $169.00 (Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) + $239.00 (Smart Keyboard Folio for 11-inch iPad Pro – US English) = Total $1,607.00 x Tax.
-13-inch MacBook Air/256 GB Storage
$1,749.00 (13-inch MacBook Air/256 GB Storage) + case (Amazon)= Total $1,749.00 x Tax.
Products are attractive. However, it’s too expensive for me. Hence, I am going to search for a refurbished model.
I have MacBook Air(11 inch/2009). Logic board has a problem. There is noise when I watch the RGB image. I am going to fix it. Apple didn’t accept to fix it(I’m upset about it.). Apple said around $500. I will find a private repair company.
Recap: What did I learn?
1. iPad Pro literally updated(better than before). Very attractive.
2. iPhone X lineup still has top notch. I don’t like it.
3. iPad Pro(with Apple Pencil+Keyboard) and MacBook Air are almost same price.
Reference:
Apple Special Event: October 30, 2018 in NYC
Apple: Refurbished and Clearance
