[michaelsshaw]

How improved though? iPhones are already pretty fast. I don't know about you, but i've never compiled a kernel on my phone. Having a faster, actual workstation grade computer would be better. But yeah you're right, sarcasm is the right approach.

[iknowstuff]

Haha yes compiling a kernel should be the focus. Forget all the advancements in instant computational photography, on-device voice recognition and Siri, 4K HDR 60fps stabilized videos, 120Hz retina screens running perfectly smooth animations on an all day lasting battery, because neckbeards can't compile a kernel

[michaelsshaw]

Using faster computer chips to make faster computers, rather than Apple products, should be the focus, yes.

[taylodl]

Apple's phone, tablet, laptop, and desktop products are computers. And they're making them faster, apparently. I would argue the phone is where the focus should be since that's the primary computer for many people around the world.

[freedomben]

I think GP's point is not that apple's products aren't computers (they are of course, although Apple themselves has been positioning them less as general purpose computers and more as appliances, especially ios devices), but that it only runs/benefits apple's walled garden system. If it was open hardware it could benefit computers in general no matter what OS you run, whether embedded and tiny or huge gaming workstation.

[ksec]

But it is not that only Apple gets to enjoy it, Other computer system do as well. Just a year later. Or any time other competitor are willing to pay up.

[hardware2win]

Whats the difference between taking photos/videos on a phone from 2018 and cutting edge?

[rowanG077]

50% more optical zoom. Real-time image stabilization. 4x the pixels. Deep fusion/photonic engine which vastly improves image clarity due to merging multiple pictures into a final image.

[madeofpalk]

There's also energy consumption.

[kitsunesoba]

Yep, reducing energy consumption and boosting performance per watt seems to be one of Apple’s main focuses, and for most people buying phones, tablets, and laptops that’s probably the correct choice — while raw perf is nice computers have been “fast enough” for a long time.

People who only browse the web need barely more than a Core 2 Duo, even now, and most devs and media professionals will find an M1 Pro to fill their needs somewhere between reasonably and very well. You know what almost nobody will turn down though? Laptops that are cool to the touch and rarely need to spin up fans and all manner of battery powered device that lasts longer, even doing “real” work.

Of course there will always be those who need the fastest big iron they can find and don’t care if they have to feed it 2000W and cool it a 15lb heatsink with ear piercing fans, but this group is comparatively niche.