To be fair, Apple's last 3-4 Quarters have been huge consecutive disappointments, and this line up was their last chance to turn that around I believe. And they've clearly failed. Who will pay $1,500 on a laptop that has second-grade components, a rather standard keyboard, etc. etc.
Heck, Asus' Zenbook 3 line costs around $1500 and it has the best possible components, better screen, better keyboard, better everything.
> Who will pay $1,500 on a laptop that has second-grade components, a rather standard keyboard, etc. etc.
People that really like macOS and have no other choice. I'm not happy with the new hardware at all, I can see other alternatives that Id be much happier with but then Id have to use Linux or Windows on the desktop. So either I put up with it and stick with Apple or change my OS too, against my will. Neither option is a particularly good one, so it comes down to lesser of two evils. They've put us in a bit of a bind.
I have spent twice the money you stated for a new MacBook Pro 13".
I'd say, the primary point is "it just works".
I know, once it's been delivered, I'll install a couple of tools, transfer some files and it will work. It won't get slower, it won't crash, the hardware won't break. And I don't have to waste time keeping that thing alive.
Maybe I was just lucky with my previous Macs but that's the experience I've had in the last years.
The latest iPhone literally cannot plug into the latest MBPs. The MBP also lacks the chip the AirPods need to work smoothly. I think it is safe to say "just works" is officially dead at Apple.
The W1 chip is in the AirPods, the device that it connects to doesn't need to have a W1, the only requirement is OS support, that includes Macs running Sierra.
Under system requirements: "Mac models with macOS Sierra or later"
Without developers running macos, there are no new apps for the iPhone. The high end market are the trendsetters, and if Apple doesn't want them they will end up as 'cool' as Microsoft was in the 00's. The iPhone will be the phone your grandma has.
Heck, Asus' Zenbook 3 line costs around $1500 and it has the best possible components, better screen, better keyboard, better everything.