The next MacBook Pro redesign (merged)

[Gildarts]

Here's my thoughts on the redesign:

- All metal series 7000 aluminum body.
- Incredibly high pixel display (especially since the iPad Pro now has more pixels than the 15" rMBP at half it's price, we might even get 5K on the 15").
- Completely redesigned smaller and denser Logicboard.
- Intel Skylake chipset.
- WiGig wifi
- Wireless charging
- Wireless display connecting
- USB-C ports
- Thunderbolt 3
- Better battery life
- Increased graphics performance
- DDR4 RAM
- Redesigned speaker system

And of course 480p FaceTime camera.

 

[Cindori]

Forget wireless charging, it's a gimmick. You have to mount a charger under your desk. Even then, you're stuck with only one place to charge.
Wireless display? Show me the display first.
480p? Isn't that the current res? Should be at least 720p.

 

[Gildarts]

Forget wireless charging, it's a gimmick. You have to mount a charger under your desk. Even then, you're stuck with only one place to charge.
Wireless display? Show me the display first.
480p? Isn't that the current res? Should be at least 720p.

The 480p FaceTime camera was a joke jab at the new MacBook. Current MBP's and even MBA's have 720p camera's (if I recall correctly).

Wireless charging is only currently a gimmick. The display will probably be a new generation Thunderbolt (for Apple) which can connect wirelessly as well as via USB-C.

Edit: In regards to wireless charging being a gimmick. Think of it like NFC pre-Apple.

 

[jozero]

I do hear what you are saying, but I would strongly argue that the 2008 pre-unibody to 2008 Unibody was actually a very 'significant' redesign.....possibly even shocking some people - in a good way!

If we get a jump like that it would be great and the main things I am expecting are:
* USB C
* Keep MagSafe
* Add force touch
* Keep SD card reader

It is also possible IMHO for a display upgrade as the retina screens were introduced 3 years ago, and display technology seems to move a lot in 3 years?

Yes but Apple's focus has shifted to iOS devices. The most telling indicator to me was the iMac "redesign". Epic change engineering wise and huge change to the back. If anything should of kicked off a change in front design for the iMac it should of been that, and it ended up being the exact same.

Also it's really interesting to me the 12" Macbook, which obviously was a rethought, ended up being in an Air body.

I definitely think the Macbook pro chassis is way long in the tooth, but I think laptops from Apple are basically set. We will have the basic design until years down the road when Macbook and iPad merge.

 

[toddzrx]

I've gotta weigh in on the random predictions, It would be neat to see these sweeping updates:

• The MacBook Battery Layering implemented for all laptops
• Updated SSD Speeds on MacBook series to match Pro Series
• Retina Screens for all laptops
• Starting Storage space of 256 SSD on all Machines (Fusion option available for Desktops)
• New Butterfly keyboards (Pros would offer slightly more travel)
• External Butterfly Keyboard available
• Partnership with AMD or Nvidia for external GPU TB3 design (year away from release at least)
  • However, they'll maintain a dGPU system for the next few years
• Force Touch on all, along with external force touch pad
• Pros continue active cooling, which offers space for ports
• iOS devices convert to USB-C Ports

I doubt we'll see any of these until June/July next year.. maybe small performance bump here and there. I suspect I'll go the way of MacBook as soon as the update hits. Anyone that is thinking about going Pro ought to buy now, in my opinion, unless you really don't need it. For MacBook, still should probably buy now, but I personally am just being cheap and coping with my Air.

The one thing I can't get through my head (All of this is fictional, so it doesn't really matter) is if the MagSafe is dead. That's terribly hard for me to believe... perhaps the argument is that ultra mobiles ought to have USB-C, and Heavy lifters will have dedicated power adapter w/ MagSafe.

I feel like a broken record and hopefully no one is tiring of my posts in other threads, but I think the future of the Apple laptop will look like: 12" and 14" Macbook, and 14" and 16" Macbook Pro. Pros will retain a similar design to what they have now except a little thinner (but not tapered); they will have more powerful CPU's, fans, more ports, and high end models will have a discreet GPU. We'll see a 14" Macbook with (probably) at least one more USB-C port. Overall, the Pro will be the heavy lifter while the Macbook will take the place of the Air, which at most will only get a Skylake upgrade and then die on the vine like the cMBP did. Oh, I think we'll see an entry-level 12" with less storage and maybe less RAM as the el-cheapo, $999 laptop. Everything will have Retina and USB-C. I think MagSafe will stay on the Pros too.

 

[Time Less]

I hope a redesign will come with a larger trackpad with 3d touch and work with the new pencil.

 

[SDAVE]

It will be all USB-C. No more magsafe or USB 3.0 ports. Or thunderbolt. If you take a look at the current rMBP design, they can't shave off any more thinness without removing Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB 3.0 and the SD card slot.

 

[GrandPhrase]

It will be all USB-C. No more magsafe or USB 3.0 ports. Or thunderbolt. If you take a look at the current rMBP design, they can't shave off any more thinness without removing Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB 3.0 and the SD card slot.

My guess is 4 x USB-C, SDXC card slot (maybe), and a headphone port.

 

[SDAVE]

My guess is 4 x USB-C, SDXC card slot (maybe), and a headphone port.

4x USBc sounds about right. One of them probably for power, or all of them. I have a feeling they'll get rid of the headphone port and SDXC and somehow come up with an adapter for USB-C for all these functions.

 

[GrandPhrase]

4x USBc sounds about right. One of them probably for power, or all of them. I have a feeling they'll get rid of the headphone port and SDXC and somehow come up with an adapter for USB-C for all these functions.

I agree with you on the removal on the SDXC, but the reason why I don't think they'll get rid of the headphone port and come up with an adapter (USB-C to 3.5mm) is the Macbook.

If they thought to come up with an adapter they would have already done that with the Macbook IMO. >> 2 x USB-C instead of 1 x USB-C and 3.5mm.

 

[SDAVE]

I agree with you on the removal on the SDXC, but the reason why I don't think they'll get rid of the headphone port and come up with an adapter (USB-C to 3.5mm) is the Macbook.

If they thought to come up with an adapter they would have already done that with the Macbook IMO. >> 2 x USB-C instead of 1 x USB-C and 3.5mm.

True. They'll probably do a slant on the next rMBP and put the headphones in the fat area.

 

[cmChimera]

It will be all USB-C. No more magsafe or USB 3.0 ports. Or thunderbolt. If you take a look at the current rMBP design, they can't shave off any more thinness without removing Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB 3.0 and the SD card slot.

USB-C supports thunderbolt 3, so they could have both in the same ports.

 

[toddzrx]

USB-C supports thunderbolt 3, so they could have both in the same ports.

Keep in mind that if you have a USB-C port, it doesn't automatically support Thunderbolt 3 or even full USB 3.1 I think the next Macbook Pro will certainly have USB-C on it, but I figure only 2 of them at most will be Thunderbolt capable. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if they include at least one USB-A with the Skylake upgrade. It's not as if USB-A devices are going to disappear overnight.

 

[SDAVE]

Keep in mind that if you have a USB-C port, it doesn't automatically support Thunderbolt 3 or even full USB 3.1 I think the next Macbook Pro will certainly have USB-C on it, but I figure only 2 of them at most will be Thunderbolt capable. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if they include at least one USB-A with the Skylake upgrade. It's not as if USB-A devices are going to disappear overnight.

Indeed. They may be able to squeeze in 2 TB ports in the fat area along with a headphone jack and USB-C ports. I think that's what will happen. USB-A is too fat, if you look at the current rMBP design there's no way they can make it thinner and still keep USB-A. Apple even went to a greater length and made MagSafe 2, which is almost the same height as the TB ports.

 

[magnificentRuin]

16" not likely.

I can't think of a reason why 16'' would be a bummer for anyone if they manage to do it without adding to the footprint, well... anyone who's buying i mean

 

[kisbys]

4x USBc sounds about right. One of them probably for power, or all of them. I have a feeling they'll get rid of the headphone port and SDXC and somehow come up with an adapter for USB-C for all these functions.

I hope you are wrong about the sd slot I hate having to go through USB ports drives me nuts

 

[doitdada]

they will not drop the SD slot on the Pro.

 

[SDAVE]

they will not drop the SD slot on the Pro.

Ok Jony.

 

[cmChimera]

Keep in mind that if you have a USB-C port, it doesn't automatically support Thunderbolt 3 or even full USB 3.1

I'm aware, but I'm confident that Apple wouldn't skimp out here.

I think the next Macbook Pro will certainly have USB-C on it, but I figure only 2 of them at most will be Thunderbolt capable.

I think that leads to a bit of confusion, however slight. I think it's more likely that all USB ports on the new machine will be thunderbolt as well.

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if they include at least one USB-A with the Skylake upgrade. It's not as if USB-A devices are going to disappear overnight.

This isn't happening. USB-A is dead to Apple in regards to their Mac line, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Niarlatop]

I think that leads to a bit of confusion, however slight. I think it's more likely that all USB ports on the new machine will be thunderbolt as well.

While Apple (and users) would certainly prefer having four ThunderBolt 3 ports, the high-end Alpine Ridge controller only offers 2 ThunderBolt 3 ports.
They don't really have a choice here if they want to include more than two USB Type-C ports. And I hope they won't go with only two.

 

[SDAVE]

I'm aware, but I'm confident that Apple wouldn't skimp out here. I think that leads to a bit of confusion, however slight. I think it's more likely that all USB ports on the new machine will be thunderbolt as well. This isn't happening. USB-A is dead to Apple in regards to their Mac line, I'm pretty sure.

I agree too. USB-A is dead for them. It's ugly and the port is old. Apple never cared about the status quo, they will dump things in favor of design. USB-C seems good to me, but having just 1 would suck.

 

[cmChimera]

While Apple (and users) would certainly prefer having four ThunderBolt 3 ports, the high-end Alpine Ridge controller only offers 2 ThunderBolt 3 ports.
They don't really have a choice here if they want to include more than two USB Type-C ports. And I hope they won't go with only two.

Wasn't aware of that. That's pretty unfortunate. I wonder if they'll have three ports then. Two thunderbolt/USb ports on one side, and a standard USB type C on the other. Guess we'll see.

 

[Neirin]

when is this redesigned macbook pro expected to be announced?

 

[toddzrx]

I'm aware, but I'm confident that Apple wouldn't skimp out here. I think that leads to a bit of confusion, however slight. I think it's more likely that all USB ports on the new machine will be thunderbolt as well. This isn't happening. USB-A is dead to Apple in regards to their Mac line, I'm pretty sure.

I agree too. USB-A is dead for them. It's ugly and the port is old. Apple never cared about the status quo, they will dump things in favor of design. USB-C seems good to me, but having just 1 would suck.

Note the Alpine Ridge comment above. Having the physical USB-C port in place does not automatically mean that all of the protocols, and even power, come with it; all of those features have to have controllers and such in the computer, like the Alpine Ridge controller for Thunderbolt 3. For more info: http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/2/8704551/usb-type-c-is-the-future.

Not so sure you can call USB-A dead to Apple; it's only on one computer, which happens to be brand new and they obviously wanted to future proof it to a degree. If USB-A was indeed dead to them, why didn't they already put USB-C on the Pros that got updated in March/May?

 

[SDAVE]

Note the Alpine Ridge comment above. Having the physical USB-C port in place does not automatically mean that all of the protocols, and even power, come with it; all of those features have to have controllers and such in the computer, like the Alpine Ridge controller for Thunderbolt 3. For more info: http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/2/8704551/usb-type-c-is-the-future.

Not so sure you can call USB-A dead to Apple; it's only on one computer, which happens to be brand new and they obviously wanted to future proof it to a degree. If USB-A was indeed dead to them, why didn't they already put USB-C on the Pros that got updated in March/May?

They didn't put it in because Apple always designs for something smaller than goes big. IE, iPhone then iPad. Macbook Air then rMBP. Next is MacBook 12" then new rMBP with thinner design. They will drop USB-A, it's a given. If you follow Apple and see how they function you'll notice they go from small to big.

They can always put two of those controllers. Apple is very predictable.

They didn't put in USB-C in the newest rMBP's because they know it's not the right time yet and it wouldn't make sense to keep the design the same but remove USB-A.