Why the Mac just isn't what it used to be (to Apple, anyway)

It's not just in the minds of fans disappointed with Apple's long-awaited updates to the MacBook Pro line: the Mac is being neglected by Apple as a result of corporate policy, according to insiders familiar with the company, reports Bloomberg.

In an article titled "How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists", Bloomberg claims that the Apple's Mac design team has somewhat fallen-out with the Jony Ive's design team and the software team. Where once Jony Ive and his team would meet with Mac engineers once a week, those visits became less frequent as the iPhone and iPad became more important for Apple's revenue.

Despite seeing a huge jump in sales after the October refresh of the MacBook Pros, Macs still represented only about 12 percent of Apple's revenue this Q4 2016. In comparison, the iPhone and iPad together accounted for about 69 percent. Apple's internal organization has shifted similarly: there is no longer a dedicated macOS team in the software department—the iOS and macOS teams have merged, but the iOS engineers carry the most power, according to Bloomberg.

Another way the company has changed is in its handling of hardware development. According to insiders, managers tend to have multiple conflicting ideas, forcing engineers to divide their focus between two or more competing prototypes. For example, some wanted to update the 2015 12-inch Macbook with a fingerprint scanner and a second USB Type-C port—changes that consumers were clamoring for from the release of the first 12-inch MacBook. Instead, they added a rose gold variant.

The full report includes some more interesting details regarding the MacBook Pro battery issues, staff departures, and other turmoil, and is available here.