"Introducing the new Macs..."

[scottrichardson]

"Introducing the new Macs..."

That's how I see it all going down towards the end of this month. Yet another speculation thread, but hey what else is this site for.

I imagine that given the timing, Apple will announce a completely new Macintosh lineup, with the much anticipated Mac Pros included running Sandy Bridge E, with everything else running on the new Ivy Bridge platform.

Would be a pretty cool thing to have a completely new lineup, something Apple could play on in their marketing etc.

Thoughts?

Scottie

 

[goMac]

Apple has already said at the beginning of the year they planned on an all new lineup. If they were going to do something significant with the Mac Pros it might make sense to pair it with things like the significant Macbook Pro refresh.

Or by all new lineup, they could mean slightly smaller lineup.

 

[scottrichardson]

Or by all new lineup, they could mean slightly smaller lineup.

Yes this is also possible, but I choose to ignore this possibility for now. LOL. I don't see how they can remove the Mac Pro without removing the MacBOOK Pro too. Or it makes their product matrix look like its missing something. Of course they could always drop the pro laptops too and just have Airs. Though, honestly, I really don't see this happening. I think this time next week we'll all be ordering our shiny new (expensive) Mac Pros.

 

[goMac]

Yes this is also possible, but I choose to ignore this possibility for now. LOL. I don't see how they can remove the Mac Pro without removing the MacBOOK Pro too. Or it makes their product matrix look like its missing something. Of course they could always drop the pro laptops too and just have Airs. Though, honestly, I really don't see this happening. I think this time next week we'll all be ordering our shiny new (expensive) Mac Pros.

If the Macbook Pro rumors are true and they're going to be more heavily using integrated graphics, the Macbook Pro might be removed in everything but name only.

 

[xgman]

So if the new macBook Pros and imacs and maybe even minis come out between now and June and still not a peep about the MP's, well . . . if that isn't the final answer, it sure would still be a slap in the face.

 

[macpro2000]

Wirelessly posted

So if the new macBook Pros and imacs and maybe even minis come out between now and June and still not a peep about the MP's, well . . . if that isn't the final answer, it sure would still be a slap in the face.

Then it's game over.

 

[goMac]

So if the new macBook Pros and imacs and maybe even minis come out between now and June and still not a peep about the MP's, well . . . if that isn't the final answer, it sure would still be a slap in the face.

It's only over when the fat lady sings.

(I.e. Apple announces it's over.)

 

[RedCroissant]

New lineup

I would like to see the following changes:

Limit the Macbook Air to 11", 13"
Limit the Macbook Pro to both 15", 17" but keep the ODD

 

[gamaliel2222244]

The New Macs

Is the new mac available now on South East Asia? I've heard there more cheaper compared here.

 

[LachlanH]

It would be nice to see Apple do a Back to the Mac Part 2 type event.

Revamp the entire line from Macbook Air 11" to Macbook Pro 17", from Mac Mini to Mac Pro and everything in between.

And please keep the 13" MBP. Dual core and integrated graphics may make it less of a 'pro' device than it's bigger brothers but it's still a fair whack more powerfull than the Air's. I love my 13" Pro. Coupled with an SSD it's far more of a work machine than an Air, especially since I need the extra CPU grunt to run VM's and what not.

If the Pro's are indeed losing the ODD then I don't want to see it being done for the sake of a smaller form factor, I want that extra space to be used for a bigger battery, more USB/Whatever Ports, better cooling or hell even room for a GPU in the 13"er to make it more of a 'pro' in some peoples minds.

EDIT: And for christ' sake give the Mac Pro some decent GPU options! Do this and my next desktop won't be windows based.

 

[-hh]

I would like to see the following changes:

Limit the Macbook Air to 11", 13"
Limit the Macbook Pro to both 15", 17" but keep the ODD

We're all going to differ in what we would like.

For example, I'd like to see a 15" Air ... that's added in an EC34 slot.

For that matter, I'd like a 13" Air w/EC34 too, but I don't think that that's particularly likely.


Of course, being that this is in the Mac Pro forum, what is foremost in our thoughts are that the MPs aren't cancelled and that they're going to have some nice updates...preferably with a price cut (what the heck, never hurts to ask ;-)



-hh

 

[Moonjumper]

I doubt we will see the entire line updated simultaneously, the logistics would be a nightmare. They are all due a refresh, but I think it more likely that the releases will be staggered as components become available. Maybe there will be a final press release "and now we have updated every Mac".

 

[scottrichardson]

I doubt we will see the entire line updated simultaneously, the logistics would be a nightmare. They are all due a refresh, but I think it more likely that the releases will be staggered as components become available. Maybe there will be a final press release "and now we have updated every Mac".

Quite possible yeah. I just thought they might be able to leverage the whole "Say hello to the new macintosh family" kind of deal. Logistically, they are probably more able to pull it off now more than ever, what with the voluminous amounts of iPads and iPhones they are used to moving quickly around the world.

 

[thefredelement]

I hope they are just making them awesome.

 

[RedCroissant]

Mac Pro and other thoughts...

We're all going to differ in what we would like.

For example, I'd like to see a 15" Air ... that's added in an EC34 slot.

For that matter, I'd like a 13" Air w/EC34 too, but I don't think that that's particularly likely.


Of course, being that this is in the Mac Pro forum, what is foremost in our thoughts are that the MPs aren't cancelled and that they're going to have some nice updates...preferably with a price cut (what the heck, never hurts to ask ;-)



-hh

I might end up eating my words, but I don't think a 15" MBA would be good. Maybe they're going to start making the size of the computer correspond to the type of use expected of it. For example: 11" &13" MBA for light to medium computer use by surfers and emailers; maybe a reintroduction of the macbook in a 15" size that caters to the needs of students and employers; and a MBP in the 15" & 17" sizes that is the portable version of the MP for, of course, professionals that require that type of computing power.

I don't think they're going to cancel the Mac Pros. The fact that they're still selling the displays says something about their intentions. Sure, it's nice to have another monitor to use for laptops, but the main thing is to sell the display to either a pro buying the MP or to someone saving money on a computer by purchasing the Mini only to spend it on ultra HDness. I also do not see Apple making a decision to cancel this product when doing so will cause them to lose those industry professionals that rely on the MP for their work and also cause Apple to lose its favored spot in that field.

 

[deconstruct60]

It would be nice to see Apple do a Back to the Mac Part 2 type event.

The "Back to the Mac" event was to introduce Lion. Apple has already done an introduction to Mountain Lion with the one-on-one meetings with bloggers/journalists. It is extremely likely that Apple will do a more public demo of Mountain Lion at WWDC in June. There is zero need for yet another event. OS X Developers conference is an extremely good place to talk about the new OS. Both of them iOS 6 needs intro too. I doubt there is time for a long hardware introduction.


Yeah there was a MBA component to the "Back to the Mac" event but it was also an non regular event. The primary point of the event was Lion, not the MBA. The MBA is was a nice "one more thing" gimmick.

Revamp the entire line from Macbook Air 11" to Macbook Pro 17", from Mac Mini to Mac Pro and everything in between.

The huge flaw in this thread is that Mountain Lion (ML) is due in July/August timeframe. Why release every Mac possible and then turn around have to port to the new OS a month or so later? It doesn't make sense. In 2011, June was "dead" month in part due to Lion coming in July. It is extremely likely to happen again this year. If ML won't appear until August maybe there are upgrades in June.


Given Intel's track record over the last 6 months of not getting full line ups out at launch there is no good reason to rush Mac product entries so they all happen before mid June.

 

[RedCroissant]

power consumption

By the way, how does the power consumption of a Mac Pro compare to an iMac?

 

[GermanyChris]

I would like to see the following changes:

Limit the Macbook Air to 11", 13"
Limit the Macbook Pro to both 15", 17" but keep the ODD

Except their best selling notebook is the 13" MBP..

They won't ditch the full featured small guy..

 

[TType85]

I think the Mac Pro will be updated this round.

The Xenon E3-12xx processors were only single processor capable, had some limitations on the ram since it uses unbuffered ddr 3 you were almost limited to 16GB ram (4GB sticks) since the 8GB ones are few and far between.

The new Xenon E5-26xx processors are able to be done as single or dual processors and a whole lot more ram 384GB?.

If I was introducing a top of the line Mac Pro I would do dual E5 6 or 8-Core processors and at least 16-32GB ram (8 slots per processor).

 

[Umbongo]

It would be nice to see Apple do a Back to the Mac Part 2 type event.

Revamp the entire line from Macbook Air 11" to Macbook Pro 17", from Mac Mini to Mac Pro and everything in between.

Half the products use dual-core processors though, which won't be available until June at the earliest. If they are going to launch stuff together I'd expect Mac Pro, iMacs and the 15" and 17" to come first. The Mac Pro doesn't need to be involved though, it can ship on a simple press release statement and that is what I'd expect. Maybe even this coming week as others are now shipping.

 

[wallysb01]

Half the products use dual-core processors though, which won't be available until June at the earliest. If they are going to launch stuff together I'd expect Mac Pro, iMacs and the 15" and 17" to come first. The Mac Pro doesn't need to be involved though, it can ship on a simple press release statement and that is what I'd expect. Maybe even this coming week as others are now shipping.

Agreed, I think at this point, its fairly likely Apple "announces" an entirely new line, but really we just see a few models shipping until we reach june or even july. That will probably even include a new Mac Pro, as HP still has 10-14 day waits on shipping many of their Z series stuff. Any how, with the low power stuff behind the desktop and higher power mobile ivy bridges, it could be that Apple waits on the Mac Mini and Macbook Air until Mountain Lion is ready, just as they did with Lion last year.

 

[-hh]

I might end up eating my words, but I don't think a 15" MBA would be good.

I'd not be too surprised by it.

Maybe they're going to start making the size of the computer correspond to the type of use expected of it. For example: 11" &13" MBA for light to medium computer use by surfers and emailers; maybe a reintroduction of the macbook in a 15" size that caters to the needs of students and employers; and a MBP in the 15" & 17" sizes that is the portable version of the MP for, of course, professionals that require that type of computing power.

That sounds good, but IMNSHO, it is a horribly bad idea.

Take a portable Photoshop machine for on the road, for example. Yes, having a 17" screen sounds like a good idea ... until you realize that the weight budget of all of the serious photo gear means that a 3lb laptop is a far better trade than a 6lb one .. even if the trade space is a 13" screen for a 17" one.

For example, I'm going to be flying on Singapore Airlines later this year and they're very strict about their 15lb max carry-on weight ... the 2lb difference of a tiny-but-powerful laptop makes a difference.

Ditto for flying on the bush planes in Africa: the rule of thumb is a 25lb budget for everything you're carrying ... checked+ carry-on baggage, so that's clothing+cameras+computers.

I don't think they're going to cancel the Mac Pros. The fact that they're still selling the displays says something about their intentions.

You're referring to the old display, or the same-priced Thunderbolt display that's not compatible with the current Mac Pro?

... I also do not see Apple making a decision to cancel this product when doing so will cause them to lose those industry professionals that rely on the MP for their work and also cause Apple to lose its favored spot in that field.

Understood, but mobile is the future and where the money is, so the concern I have is predicated on the question is if a Mac Pro is necessary to write/develop iOS apps. I suspect not.


-hh

 

[xgman]

T

The huge flaw in this thread is that Mountain Lion (ML) is due in July/August timeframe. Why release every Mac possible and then turn around have to port to the new OS a month or so later? It doesn't make sense. In 2011, June was "dead" month in part due to Lion coming in July. It is extremely likely to happen again this year. If ML won't appear until August maybe there are upgrades in June.

I have been testing DP3 and from what I can see, this is a minor update of an OS. Hardly noticeable to the casual user. I don't think it will weigh on any decision that much.

 

[LachlanH]

Good point on the Dual Core CPU's causing half the notebook line to be released at a later date.

In reality we most likely will see a staggered release schedule. I imagine everything will be upgraded and refreshed in time for ML. Barring the Mac Pro, they moved their entire line to Sandy Bridge within a couple of months of Lion, so let's hope they do the same again.

And if it has to be staggered then it should go:

Round 1: Mac Pro, iMac, 15" / 17" MBP
Round 2: 13" MBP, 13"/11" MBA (with possibly a redesign?)
Round 3: Mac Mini

 

[deconstruct60]

Good point on the Dual Core CPU's causing half the notebook line to be released at a later date.

Another factor is the the MBP got speed bumped in the Fall. Hence they could take a longer delay.

And if it has to be staggered then it should go:

Round 1: Mac Pro, iMac, 15" / 17" MBP
Round 2: 13" MBP, 13"/11" MBA (with possibly a redesign?)
Round 3: Mac Mini

The problem is that Apple has largely done single models per month for last several years. There have been some double-ups . In 2010 there was a iMac launch alongside a Mac Pro "announce for next month". In 2011, the Mini and MBA doubled-up after Lion (10.7) launch.

More likely would be something like this.


1: Mac Pro ( perhaps in April 24th - May 1st timeframe ** )
2: iMac ( late May. 5 Tuesdays in May so can stagger by 4 weeks )
3: MBA ( demo only at WWDC *** )
4: MBP ( July after/with Mountain Lion. defacto double-up shipping with MBA )
5: Mini ( August due to logjam in July )



** If waiting on Nvidia's newest cards that should uncork by May 1st. Similarly, the lower end E5 1600 should get freed up by 32nm Core i winding way down. At very least, they should have enough insight to announce at that point and ship later in month (like some others are doing now).

*** If Apple wants to make a major demo feature of HiRes Displays then MBA is most likely candidate. It has smaller screens so the model most likely to go "all HiRes" (it is already a bit ahead of Mac line up in that respect. HiRes would get rid of those screens making fonts smaller than they should be).

The iMac and external displays are too large for HiRes without blowing up the pricing. The latter likely means Mac Pro and Mini aren't good options. [ Mac Pro could if Apple jumped back into the pure display market, but I doubt they will do that. ] The MBP 17" is also a bit large to crank the resolution up on without price blow up. So MBA is more likely candidate.

If Apple doesn't need a WWDC demo then the Mini could possibly be pushed into the "early in June as possible" slot if missing "back to school" sales (or some major mini purchasing cycle ) were going to be an issue. Otherwise, June goes "dark" like 2011 for similar reasons.