Episode Summary
Executive Summary: The episode spans a long, meandering discussion of Apple’s battery-throttling notices, upcoming 32-bit app warnings, and especially the delayed Mac Pro, which Apple says won’t ship until 2019. The hosts debate Apple’s use of pro workflow teams, the tension between general-purpose vs specialized hardware, and whether Apple is overcomplicating a product pros mostly want to be a powerful, quiet box.
Main Topics: iOS battery throttling notifications: The hosts praise Apple for warning users after unexpected shutdowns caused by degraded batteries, but criticize the vague, passive wording and lack of direct remediation guidance. Mac OS 32-bit app warnings: They discuss Apple’s new warning for non-64-bit apps, comparing it to the iOS transition and arguing the message should be clearer about future incompatibility and developer responsibility. Mac Pro delay and pro workflow teams: The bulk of the segment analyzes Apple’s 2019 Mac Pro timeline, the new workflow group, and what that suggests about Apple’s design process, PR strategy, and pro-user engagement. What a Mac Pro should be: The hosts argue over whether Apple should make a conventional expandable tower versus a highly engineered custom machine, focusing on thermal capacity, modularity, quiet operation, and practical flexibility. Apple design philosophy and feedback: They debate whether Apple should consult users more directly, concluding that customer input is useful for details and workflow pain points, but Apple still must synthesize into a coherent product. Personal computing, performance, and hardware value: A broader philosophical exchange compares buying a Mac Pro to buying a sports car: most people don’t need one, but the existence of a high-end halo product matters for prestige, aspiration, and real productivity gains in some workflows. Ask ATP: coffee, TiVo, and clipboard managers: The final section covers practical gear advice: hand grinders and coffee setups, TiVo hardware tradeoffs, and clipboard history apps with security cautions around syncing sensitive data.
Key Arguments: Apple was right to notify users about battery-related throttling, but the current language is too euphemistic and should plainly say the phone will be slowed and the battery likely needs replacement. The 32-bit app warning on macOS is a good step, but the alert text is misleading because it suggests optimization issues rather than imminent incompatibility. The Mac Pro delay is less surprising than it seems; Apple likely started late and may be trying to build a more carefully engineered machine than a simple parts-bin tower. A Mac Pro should prioritize thermal headroom, expandability, quietness, and practical flexibility rather than novelty for its own sake. User research is valuable for specific workflow friction points, but Apple must still lead with product judgment rather than let a small group of pros dictate the whole design. High-end machines are often justified not by necessity but by productivity, reliability, comfort, and the prestige of Apple continuing to push the envelope. Clipboard managers are powerful workflow tools, but syncing them introduces security risks because copied passwords and other sensitive data can leak if not properly excluded.
Data Points: Mac Pro release timing: 2019 - Apple reportedly told Matt Panzerino the new Mac Pro would not ship in 2018. Battery shutdown notification: unexpected shutdown because the battery was unable to deliver the necessary peak power - The iOS 11.3 battery-throttling warning text discussed in follow-up. 32-bit app warning launch: Beginning April 12 - Apple planned to begin warning on macOS 10.13.4 when opening non-64-bit apps. Battery replacement remedy: new battery for your phone - Suggested as the practical fix for iPhone throttling caused by degraded batteries. HelloFresh promo: $30 off first week - Sponsor offer mentioned during the episode. Betterment promo: up to one year managed free - Sponsor offer mentioned during the episode. Molecule promo: $75 off first order - Sponsor offer mentioned during the episode. Pro workflow team access: creative professionals sit literally next to Apple staff - Described as Apple embedding pros with Final Cut Pro and Mac Pro teams. Clipboard size limit example: 50 megs - Suggested as a reasonable cutoff for clipboard managers to avoid storing huge copied items. Repeated code/build speed gain: seconds faster - Marco describes his iMac Pro as making frequent Xcode builds noticeably quicker, though not by hours.
Pivotal Quotes: "performance management has been applied" — Apple notification text: The iOS battery-throttling warning message, criticized for being vague and euphemistic. "whatever the application name is not optimized for your Mac" — Apple warning dialog: The macOS 32-bit app warning text, discussed as confusing and misleading. "This was an open-faced shit sandwich that fell face down on the floor" — Marco: His description of Apple’s Mac Pro announcement: bad news about delay, then a PR-positive workflow-team update, but little real product information.
Implications: Apple is signaling that pro hardware will return, but slowly and on Apple’s terms. Expect a more conventional yet carefully engineered Mac Pro, clearer deprecation warnings, and continued tension between Apple’s design philosophy and pro users’ desire for practical, expandable machines.