The next MacBook Pro redesign (merged)

[toddzrx]

This is from the official Thunderbolt website:


"
@dustbeta asks: Will Thunderbolt 3 require special USB Type-C cables? Or will any Type-C cable work?

Any USB Type-C cable will work in a Thunderbolt 3 port. However, connecting to a Thunderbolt 3 device will require a Thunderbolt cable.
"

Sauce: https://thunderbolttechnology.net/blog/you-tweeted-we-listened-thunderbolt-3-capabilities-and-more

Ah, that's right. I forgot that Thunderbolt requires a chip in the cable itself. So there will indeed be USB-C cables that will or will not handle Thunderbolt 3. Kind of a nightmare for those no aquainted with all the protocols going into one connector. But I could see where, within a couple of years, every USB-C cable will just automatically include all the protocols, unless there's still a large cost between including it or leaving it out.

 

[WoodMath]

I have a 2012 MBP with a Nvidia GPU I've been very happy with. I'm looking to get a new MBP but have been dismayed to see that the MBPs are all using Intel and AMD discrete GPUs.

Any idea why they would switch over from this Given that Nvidia is supposed to be the Premium GPU?

I've also heard that the 2016 MBP redesigns will not only use Intel GPUs (Supposedly a step backward), but instead of discrete GPUs, they will use integrated GPUs? This seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom, but as I'm sure they may have good reason (I hope its not merely one of cost), why would they possibly do this?


Though I've heard this from multiple internet articles, one such articles is at http://www.latinospost.com/articles...ated-graphics-release-date-specs-features.htm


Thoughts anyone?

 

[killawat]

I think that latinos post article isn't the most reliable and its amazing how many other articles are sourcing to the post. I only trust MR, 9to5 mac etc with those types of rumors.

i believe we will see nvidia GPU in the next release, since they usually alternate with each revision.

 

[Oppenheim]

Pow

I have a 2012 MBP with a Nvidia GPU I've been very happy with. I'm looking to get a new MBP but have been dismayed to see that the MBPs are all using Intel and AMD discrete GPUs.

Any idea why they would switch over from this Given that Nvidia is supposed to be the Premium GPU?

I've also heard that the 2016 MBP redesigns will not only use Intel GPUs (Supposedly a step backward), but instead of discrete GPUs, they will use integrated GPUs? This seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom, but as I'm sure they may have good reason (I hope its not merely one of cost), why would they possibly do this?


Though I've heard this from multiple internet articles, one such articles is at http://www.latinospost.com/articles...ated-graphics-release-date-specs-features.htm


Thoughts anyone?

Power. Intel GPU will match current performance. Use half the power of GPU + separate CPU. If you need all that GPU on the move, you are a strange customer.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Almost pounced on a rMB today. But after going in to the store for around the 4th time, I just can't bring myself to liking that keyboard.

This redesign can't come soon enough, at the very least they need to be able to match the weight of the XPS 13/15.

 

[killawat]

Stay strong man, i'm limping along on an old 17" Macbook Pro 2010 that has none of the cool stuff (USB 3.0, Thunderbolt) and freezes every other day even with SSD. Everyday I look at that 15" rMBP and think of how much my workflow will improve but I gotta hold out. Even just a single update (Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 or Nvidia Graphics) is worth it.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Stay strong man, i'm limping along on an old 17" Macbook Pro 2010 that has none of the cool stuff (USB 3.0, Thunderbolt) and freezes every other day even with SSD. Everyday I look at that 15" rMBP and think of how much my workflow will improve but I gotta hold out. Even just a single update (Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 or Nvidia Graphics) is worth it.

Yeah exactly. That's what's keeping me going. I'd hate myself if I saw an update (even without a redesign of the body) but with USB C etc.

I just told myself in the store that I can hold out till next March at least. Hopefully we something then.

 

[clovehitch]

Bought a mid 2015 i7, R9 370X MBPr three weeks ago with no regrets. I don't see anything much waiting for at this time, until we see solid steps forward in RAM and SSD tech. Will replace it before Applecare runs its course, and look forward to solid improvements and a new form factor.

Here's hoping Intel gets it together and in the next tick/tock cycle.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Bought a mid 2015 i7, R9 370X MBPr three weeks ago with no regrets. I don't see anything much waiting for at this time, until we see solid steps forward in RAM and SSD tech. Will replace it before Applecare runs its course, and look forward to solid improvements and a new form factor.

Here's hoping Intel gets it together and in the next tick/tock cycle.

I think a weight reduction, among other things, will warrant an upgrade.

At the moment, the rMBPs are on the heavier side of things compared to the top Windows Ultrabooks such as XPS, Spectre etc.

 

[leedy]

I think a weight reduction, among other things, will warrant an upgrade.

At the moment, the rMBPs are on the heavier side of things compared to the top Windows Ultrabooks such as XPS, Spectre etc.

Exactly the reason why I'm waiting. Even a pound or two would really make a difference for a student lugging around textbooks.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Exactly the reason why I'm waiting. Even a pound or two would really make a difference for a student lugging around textbooks.

Same here. Precisely why I bought a MBA 11, as even the rMBP 13 with 2 econometrics textbooks, a note pad, lunch etc, can end up weighing a tonne.

 

[clovehitch]

Exactly the reason why I'm waiting. Even a pound or two would really make a difference for a student lugging around textbooks.

That kind of weight reduction is a stretch in the short run, where I think .5lb would be a hard won reduction, while at the same time keeping the aluminum case (my preference).

With major increased reliance of batteries in commercial aeronautics, lighter and more efficient battery tech is the future, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[CJM]

Bought a mid 2015 i7, R9 370X MBPr three weeks ago with no regrets. I don't see anything much waiting for at this time, until we see solid steps forward in RAM and SSD tech. Will replace it before Applecare runs its course, and look forward to solid improvements and a new form factor.

Here's hoping Intel gets it together and in the next tick/tock cycle.

What? There are way more important features the MacBook Pro is waiting for, before RAM and further SSD upgrades.
Battery improvements, weight reduction, a chassis redesign, a better GPU that's not almost 4 year old tech.

 

[Dydegu]

I have a 2012 MBP with a Nvidia GPU I've been very happy with. I'm looking to get a new MBP but have been dismayed to see that the MBPs are all using Intel and AMD discrete GPUs.

Any idea why they would switch over from this Given that Nvidia is supposed to be the Premium GPU?

I've also heard that the 2016 MBP redesigns will not only use Intel GPUs (Supposedly a step backward), but instead of discrete GPUs, they will use integrated GPUs? This seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom, but as I'm sure they may have good reason (I hope its not merely one of cost), why would they possibly do this?


Though I've heard this from multiple internet articles, one such articles is at http://www.latinospost.com/articles...ated-graphics-release-date-specs-features.htm


Thoughts anyone?

There are a few sites that post information like that without any credibility. I saw a bunch on the Christian Times, or something like that. You can usually tell it's a bogus website by all of the ads for stories about aging celebrities and diet pills.

 

[toddzrx]

I have a 2012 MBP with a Nvidia GPU I've been very happy with. I'm looking to get a new MBP but have been dismayed to see that the MBPs are all using Intel and AMD discrete GPUs.

Any idea why they would switch over from this Given that Nvidia is supposed to be the Premium GPU?

I've also heard that the 2016 MBP redesigns will not only use Intel GPUs (Supposedly a step backward), but instead of discrete GPUs, they will use integrated GPUs? This seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom, but as I'm sure they may have good reason (I hope its not merely one of cost), why would they possibly do this?


Though I've heard this from multiple internet articles, one such articles is at http://www.latinospost.com/articles...ated-graphics-release-date-specs-features.htm


Thoughts anyone?

Most of those sites are garbage.

As for GPU: Apple has switched between AMD and Nvidia for years. I think a safe guess for the next revision (whether it's a redesign or not) is that Apple will at least have an option of a dGPU in the 15". That said, Intel's iGPU's are getting pretty capable.

 

[Yulen Darlington]

My Prediction:

2016 Jan. / Feb.

MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro update with Skylake

(A routine update and the last update of the MBA line)

2016 Mar. [Spring Event]

Apple Watch 2, iPhone 6c, iPad Air 3

2016 Sep. / Oct. [Fall Event]

iPhone 7, iPad Pro 2, MacBook 14’’ version and MacBook Pro re-designed version (14’’ 16’’)

Let's wait and see.

 

[clovehitch]

What? There are way more important features the MacBook Pro is waiting for, before RAM and further SSD upgrades.
Battery improvements, weight reduction, a chassis redesign, a better GPU that's not almost 4 year old tech.

My point is I'm not expecting significant improvements in those areas this cycle and probably the next.

 

[toddzrx]

My Prediction:

2016 Jan. / Feb.

MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro update with Skylake

(A routine update and the last update of the MBA line)

2016 Mar. [Spring Event]

Apple Watch 2, iPhone 6c, iPad Air 3

2016 Sep. / Oct. [Fall Event]

iPhone 7, iPad Pro 2, MacBook 14’’ version and MacBook Pro re-designed version (14’’ 16’’)

Let's wait and see.

Sorry, but this reads a lot more like a wish list of what you want to see happen in contrast to well-informed predictions. Apple will not update the MBP early next year with Skylake, and then re-design it in the Fall without Kaby Lake, which as has been mentioned many times already won't be available until early 2017 (for the specific processors Apple will most likely use for the Pro). Additionally, why would Apple wait until next fall to release a 14" MBP, if they're going to make one?

 

[doitdada]

14" is big enough.

 

[PKBeam]

So on the tooic of bezel reduction, what's stopping Apple from keeping the screen at 13.3" and making the body smaller?

 

[NJPT]

So on the tooic of bezel reduction, what's stopping Apple from keeping the screen at 13.3" and making the body smaller?

Nothing of course. I think many people are speculating Apple will change the 13.3" model to a 14" one because Apple has historically maintained a 2" difference among its laptops (11, 13, 15, and 17") to more clearly differentiate its product lineup. Since the MB moved to 12" and given the prevalence of thinner bezels in PC laptops, a 14" model would then seem to make the most sense.

 

[leedy]

I hope the rMBP adopts the new speakers of the rMB. The stereo effect on that device is really impressive (not even considering the size).

 

[satchmo]

I'm holding out for the redesigned form factor. With the release of the rMB, the rMBP really cant be that far away... I hope.

Updated to Skylake in early 2016 with announcement of new design at WWDC.
Fall availability.

It's a long wait and buying first model years are always a bit more risky. But I've waited here with my trusty old 2010 MBP, I might as well get something different looking.

 

[maartin]

Ahhh, so bad position atm - but it's always I guess.

1) Buy almost outdated 2015 13' that might be refreshed in 3 months
2) Wait for new 2016 13' that will probs have its 1st gen problems
3) Wait for new 2015 13' that will actually be 14' and 300$ more expensive

I guess 1st option is still the best for me.

 

[NJPT]

Updated to Skylake in early 2016 with announcement of new design at WWDC.
Fall availability.

Apple doesn't typically announce updates to new products months before they go on sale as that would kill sales of the current product. The exception is if the announcement is for a new product category that will be sold alongside the current model. For example, it announced the rMB well before it went on sale, but it was a new product category, and the MBA is still being sold.

If Apple plans to keep selling the current rMBP models alongside a 2016 redesign, then and only then could I see a situation like a June announcement and then a fall sale date. Apple did that with the cMBP to rMBP transition, but I'm not sure I see them doing that here.