The next MacBook Pro redesign (merged)

[toddzrx]

What do people think about the chances of (all on the 15"):

4K or wide-gamut display? It wouldn't have to be OLED - the latest iMacs have really nice high-resolution, relatively wide gamut LCDs (they have been full sRGB for years, and the latest version is P3, a digital cinema standard similar to Adobe RGB). I'd love to see a P3 display (and the 9.7" iPad Pro even has one).

32 GB RAM? Of course it would be an upgrade, and Apple might charge several arms and legs for it! Having it available would make a big difference for pro photo and video work.

2 TB drive space? Another pricy upgrade for sure...

If none of the above appear, I could actually see the new model being a downgrade...

Skylake is a 10% speed boost - not a big deal (maybe also 10% in battery life largely due to improved idling, on a machine that already has superb idle power consumption).

Polaris is a big GPU boost (on the one model that gets it)

BUT

It looks almost certain that we lose all ports other than USB-C. This means dongles for every standard peripheral, which is a pretty significant downgrade. My best example is that reading an SD card from my camera (one of the most common things I do on my computer) goes from "stick it in the side" to "attach a dongle, then attach a second peripheral to the dongle, then put the card in the second peripheral" (neither B+H nor Newegg yet show a direct-attach USB-C SD reader - there are one or two for Micro SD only, plus a couple of CFast or XQD readers that also read SD, but are larger and connect via cable). Using a projector goes from "attach it to the HDMI port" to "find the dongle, hope it isn't broken (because it's too new for University IT to have a backup), then worry about two connections coming loose". Thunderbolt storage (other than the very newest TB3 drives) needs a $100 active adapter. Every dongle needs a backup, because the darn things break all the time.

At least to me, dongles aren't worth it for Skylake alone - and Polaris would have to be pretty impressive to compensate for them... A smaller, lighter computer doesn't matter to me - the 15" rMBP is hardly a monster. If it picks up 4K, or improvements in RAM and drive limits, that starts to be worth dealing with the dongles.

Lots of hand-wringing in this thread about the transition to USB-C, yours included.

Being that USB-C was designed by a consortium of tech companies, its adoption is inevitable. I would expect it to be on MacBook Pros if they are being redesigned, which at this point is pretty much a given. Since Apple has historically leaned forward on new tech, I think it's safe to say it'll replace USB-A entirely on the MBP. Whether other ports are there remains to be seen. I would also expect the aftermarket to come up with solutions like the problem you describe above, but only after the problem exists (which it doesn't yet, except on the MacBook).

Also, think of it this way: if companies didn't take the step of designing new technology into their products, adoption of that new tech would grind to a halt. They have to take the plunge at some point, and Apple's done it time and again since it's rebirth in the late 90's.
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I know that no one knows for sure, but do you think it's likely that the new rMPB will not include USB, HDMI, SD card reader? Also, do you think the keys are going be shallowed more like the rMB? Trying to decide if I should past-proof my gear and just get the 2015 model with the ports. I don't want a bunch of USB-C dongles.

See my reply above.

 

[ChinkyBob]

They are growing at a faster rate because they started much lower. Once they start reaching for the same performance regions as Haswell progress will be much harder.
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At the core iOS and OS X are identical. It's just the GUI that is different.

I don't think that's true. You have any evidence of that?

 

[danwells]

Just as the very early generations of the floppy less iMac were inconvenient, and the first Macs with no DVD drive were inconvenient, a "dongles for everything" MacBook Pro is going to be inconvenient. In the end, Apple's generally right about what ports to drop, but the first generation of a severely pruned machine is often a pain. They drop something that people still count on to pass you files, then they turn out to be right a couple of generations later. 2016 was the FIRST year that no student tried to hand me assignments on CD or DVD (I teach landscape photography at a large public university). Students mostly don't have burners any more, they don't expect faculty to have readers, and the university has improved its campus file transfer system to the point that e-mail attachments and campus file transfer combine to 70% of what I get electronically (the remainder is USB sticks). The first year of no DVDs, though, I was getting 50% of my electronic assignments on CD or DVD.

The counterexample is the way they dropped FireWire. They let us know it was coming for years, then they went from multiple ports including FW400 and FW800 to a single FW800 port, then they finally moved it to a Thunderbolt to FireWire dongle on the Retina... I never talked to anyone who minded - the dongle worked pretty well, and Thunderbolt had been around for a couple of years, with Apple sending a clear message to buy Thunderbolt storage. The Retina models lost both FireWire (expected) and Ethernet (unexpected and more painful - I'm not sure that one is fully compensated for FOUR YEARS LATER - there are situations when Ethernet is much faster than (most) wifi - yes, there are fast access points that can beat it, but good luck finding one at universities and other large institutions, which have a lot of Gigabit Ethernet ports).

Losing Thunderbolt 2, which I'd consider highly acceptable, would be kind of like losing FireWire 400 (while 800 still existed), except that the adapter is much more expensive than a 400-800 cable (although it's still cheap compared to the majority of Thunderbolt storage out there - most of it is big RAIDs)... Realistically, a lot of the RAID problem will be taken care of by docks, which can easily have a Thunderbolt 2 port.

Losing conventional USB, on the other hand, is a much bigger deal, since it is something used by a lot of fairly inexpensive devices to transfer data around (and people hand you a USB stick without thinking "does your computer have the port for that")? In terms of data transfer, it's more like the first generation of no-floppy or no-DVD Macs, which were notoriously inconvenient. I'm willing to re-case or re-cable my own storage (and buy double-ended memory sticks) to deal with USB 3.1, but I want convenient access to other people's memory sticks, and I want a SD reader that is as simple as possible, built-in if possible, but one piece for sure - NOT a "stick a dongle on a reader then plug the damn hydra in" situation.

HDMI is somewhere in between these two - it means carrying a dongle any time you have to deal with a projector (if you OWN a projector, you may well be able to find one with USB-C (and you can certainly put a USB-C cable on your own projector to avoid a two-part connection), but it will be YEARS before these become standard in conference rooms, classrooms and meetings). The university I teach at still thinks Mini-DVI to VGA is a "Mac adapter" - even though Apple moved to Mini DisplayPort by 2010 or so, those adapters still aren't common in classrooms or what the library hands out - there are some around, but you need to know who to ask. Most of our projectors are finally HDMI as well as VGA - there are still a few VGA only dinosaurs around...

How long do you think it will be until USB-C to HDMI adapters are in every classroom? Until there are, faculty (and students making in-class presentations) will have to carry TWO USB-C to HDMI dongles, since they break. Not as bad as having to dongle a USB stick or use a two-piece SD reader, but not trivial like using a different cable or a dock on a RAID that probably isn't portable anyway.

In "payment" for dealing with these hassles, I'd want a radically improved machine in other ways. Thinner and lighter aren't my priorities, when the Retina MBP is already a thin and light machine. Skylake alone, with its 10% performance bump, isn't worth it. Polaris might be for some uses - I'd want to see how much it accelerates Photoshop and Lightroom... What I'd want to see is some combination of screen (resolution, gamut or both) and improved limits on RAM and SSD.

I'd love an improved keyboard, but the one on the Retina MBP is already pretty good. The latest Magic Keyboard is significantly better, and might fit in a laptop. The MacBook keyboard would be a major minus (although the same switches in the iPad Pro keyboard actually aren't awful - I'm not sure what the difference is, but the iPad Pro keyboard has more travel).

 

[RHD 42]

There's nothing infantile with buying a competitor. That's what competition is for. If Apple's offerings are not meeting your needs or is not worth the price, you look elsewhere. As consumers, we need to vote with our wallets. Your mentality of buying and waiting for Apple no matter what only hurts consumers in the long run, and likely part of the reason Apple has little incentive to regularly update other Macs in the line up.

Agreed. Some of us need up to date hardware to work.
I'm losing jobs because I can only afford one laptop every five years and if I buy one a year after it's last updated that effectively means it's only going to be functional for four years.

The corollary to that is if Apple discontinue all the ports on a MaCBook Pro as per that Cult Of Mac picture I would rather buy a year old one I at least have some chance of connecting my extensive array of peripherals to.

I cam in on the first Bondi iMac and it took over a month to get a printer and storage drive working on USB 1 because there were no drivers.
I spent days on the phone to 1 Infinite Loop listening to Dire Straits playing "So far away from you" which I took to be Apple's idea of a bad joke.

Apple picked up a lot over the years but now they seem to dropping off again and focussing on toys rather than pro computers and software which is a worry to someone who has invested a lot of time and money professionally in Apple's products and needs them to work and be useable and up to date in competitive market.

Apple seem to have forgotten pro customers in the race to the next new toy.

I gave up on the latest keynote at the joke about Minnie Mouse's knickers. Nobody needs this.

 

[LudicrousLampost]

Think Again!

I bought a MacBook Pro in 2007. Despite the age, it still works great! Unfortunately, the battery gave out and I need a replacement. I called Apple Support for help and was underwhelmed to say the least.



The first person I spoke with couldn't help so I asked to speak with someone who may have more resources at their disposal. The next person I spoke with came on the line with some serious attitude like "wow, your an idiot for owning such an old model so I'm going to talk to you like I would a child" sort of attitude.



She also said Apple can't help me. I let her know that with a quick search online, I found multiple places that carry a battery for my model. She essentially said "great, go for it, we can't help you."



Thanks Apple. Having been a customer for my entire working career (over 30 years) I'm really disappointed to find that you can't treat your customers with a little more respect and think a bit outside the box to solve my dilemma.



Though I was planning on buying another Apple laptop within the next 6 months, I'm going to rethink that decision and try my hardest to see what alternatives I have in doing so.



-SB

Basing your decision to buy the product of a company, based on the personal reaction of a single employee... I'm glad neither the employee not that guy work for me.

 

[Omega Mac]

I wonder how the entire campus construction and eventual move might be affecting commercial operational time lines. I wonder are we missing a beat by not factoring that in. I'm sure they have dedicated teams managing the whole process but none the less it would take up some executive time and there will be the. Physical moving. It may not have as great a short term impact but none the less it might be a factor. In the long term it may introduce an amazing capacity for greater progress and vision chasing.

So could plans been affected somewhat effect the role out of new hardware as is the case of the MBP?

There is no doubt new machines are on the way. Maybe they are really designing them to fit in the docking station For the new Apple car. maybe the Mac book pros will have the same pro connector as found on the iPad Pros. Perhaps on the base or side. That would solve the lack of mag safe connector. Might be cool.

 

[OriginalStix]

I wonder how the entire campus construction and eventual move might be affecting commercial operational time lines. I wonder are we missing a beat by not factoring that in. I'm sure they have dedicated teams managing the whole process but none the less it would take up some executive time and there will be the. Physical moving.

Interesting thought. Maybe back when Apple was scheduling the move, they projected that they'd have iCloud running just fine by now and all of the employees could just use new devices. Obviously they were fall off so the physical moving is setting them back

 

[rezwits]

All I know is I am ready, money is too. I have two request I hope they fulfill:

1. Replaceable M.2 (sometime in the next 4 years)
2. USB-C to Lightning, straight cable no adapters, I need 2.
3. Magsafe? Never Gonna Happen! I am going to miss this so much.

I sit on the couch and develop with MacBook plugged in 99% of the time.
I hit that power cable like once every 3 months, as it slips between my toes
Not bad but in 4 years. That's 12-16 possible times I could have BROKE the damn thing...

That should do it for me. If I can't replace the M.2 then I am probably going to get the 2015

I am thinking September...

It's starting to burn tho... it will be my first Retina Mac. UGH

edit: They already have the cables! man times go by...

 

[radus]

new SM961 to give you something to compare ...
XPS 15 9550 with new sm961 SSD using the Microsoft Driver:

 

[itsamacthing]

Bought a maxed out MacBook for now, replace my late '12 Air... will see what happens when the rMBP finally drops.

 

[LudicrousLampost]

I should state the obvious and hope... Ill miss magsafe, too. My MBA flies more than an easy jet, off the bed mostly. Two things that i personally love enormously which I really want apple to keep, are magsafe and the glowing apple logo. Id love massafe plus USBc.

 

[sziehr]

So the loss of magsafe is a blessing. I know how could i say such a thing. The fact is with this i can now replace the cable on a charger for a reasonable price and not 100 bucks every single time it frays. This also opens the door to charge bricks and other non-apple means of charging. This is a huge release of control by apple. I am exact about it.

I will only miss the usb a ports for a few months till i buy a bunch of cables on mono price.

The lack of the rest of the ports does not phase me.

I can echo i want a better display and a longer battery life.

But something has to be done about the weight it is a monster at 4.49. I think we need to aim for 3.8 we need to shave some serious pounds.

 

[silentownage001]

But something has to be done about the weight it is a monster at 4.49. I think we need to aim for 3.8 we need to shave some serious pounds.

4.5 pounds is heavy? Lol.

 

[Cougarcat]

So the loss of magsafe is a blessing. I know how could i say such a thing. The fact is with this i can now replace the cable on a charger for a reasonable price and not 100 bucks every single time it frays. This also opens the door to charge bricks and other non-apple means of charging. This is a huge release of control by apple. I am exact about it.

It's more of a mixed blessing.
A non-MagSafe cable will fray even more easily because it won't disconnect when it becomes stressed. And any potential power adapter savings will be quashed by one hard trip to the floor.

I'm hoping that Apple will come up with a magnetic version of USB C. But I've got my eyes on this:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1041610927/znaps-the-9-magnetic-adapter-for-your-mobile-devic

 

[SuprUsrStan]

If they lose the magsafe charger, I'll have to buy that magnetic adapter.

The magsafe charger has saved at least dozen macbook pro's over the years from accidental trips and careless people yanking the cord that would have resulted in a macbook pro flying across the room. The worst that has resulted from the magsafe adapter is whiplash from the charging cable as it comes undone

 

[BondFancy]

It's more of a mixed blessing.
A non-MagSafe cable will fray even more easily because it won't disconnect when it becomes stressed. And any potential power adapter savings will be quashed by one hard trip to the floor.

I'm hoping that Apple will come up with a magnetic version of USB C. But I've got my eyes on this:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1041610927/znaps-the-9-magnetic-adapter-for-your-mobile-devic

Really hoping Apple has a magnetic version of USB-C as a soon to be first time Mac user I'd love to experience the glory of MagSafe haha. Glad there is another option out there if they don't!

 

[Cougarcat]

Glad there is another option out there if they don't!

Well, upon further examination of hat Kickstarter it looks like things aren't going to well, so don't get your hopes up. Glad I've sworn off hardware kickstarters for good.

 

[BondFancy]

Well, upon further examination of hat Kickstarter it looks like things aren't going to well, so don't get your hopes up. Glad I've sworn off hardware kickstarters for good.

How does that not surprise me. Shame.

 

[trueredsoxfan58]

Muconnect on IdieGogo starts shipping in a few weeks and they said they have plans for USB C. Hopefully that one gets up and going fast

 

[Appleaker]

All I know is I am ready, money is too. I have two request I hope they fulfill:

1. Replaceable M.2 (sometime in the next 4 years)
2. USB-C to Lightning, straight cable no adapters, I need 2.
3. Magsafe? Never Gonna Happen! I am going to miss this so much.

I sit on the couch and develop with MacBook plugged in 99% of the time.
I hit that power cable like once every 3 months, as it slips between my toes
Not bad but in 4 years. That's 12-16 possible times I could have BROKE the damn thing...

That should do it for me. If I can't replace the M.2 then I am probably going to get the 2015

I am thinking September...

It's starting to burn tho... it will be my first Retina Mac. UGH

edit: They already have the cables! man times go by...

No there may still be a chance that they will develop a new MagSafe. What's never going to happen is the replaceable M.2 drives. The new storage on the MacBook Pros will likely be soldered on unfortunately.
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What do people think about the chances of (all on the 15"):

4K or wide-gamut display? It wouldn't have to be OLED - the latest iMacs have really nice high-resolution, relatively wide gamut LCDs (they have been full sRGB for years, and the latest version is P3, a digital cinema standard similar to Adobe RGB). I'd love to see a P3 display (and the 9.7" iPad Pro even has one).

32 GB RAM? Of course it would be an upgrade, and Apple might charge several arms and legs for it! Having it available would make a big difference for pro photo and video work.

2 TB drive space? Another pricy upgrade for sure...

If none of the above appear, I could actually see the new model being a downgrade...

Skylake is a 10% speed boost - not a big deal (maybe also 10% in battery life largely due to improved idling, on a machine that already has superb idle power consumption).

Polaris is a big GPU boost (on the one model that gets it)

BUT

It looks almost certain that we lose all ports other than USB-C. This means dongles for every standard peripheral, which is a pretty significant downgrade. My best example is that reading an SD card from my camera (one of the most common things I do on my computer) goes from "stick it in the side" to "attach a dongle, then attach a second peripheral to the dongle, then put the card in the second peripheral" (neither B+H nor Newegg yet show a direct-attach USB-C SD reader - there are one or two for Micro SD only, plus a couple of CFast or XQD readers that also read SD, but are larger and connect via cable). Using a projector goes from "attach it to the HDMI port" to "find the dongle, hope it isn't broken (because it's too new for University IT to have a backup), then worry about two connections coming loose". Thunderbolt storage (other than the very newest TB3 drives) needs a $100 active adapter. Every dongle needs a backup, because the darn things break all the time.

At least to me, dongles aren't worth it for Skylake alone - and Polaris would have to be pretty impressive to compensate for them... A smaller, lighter computer doesn't matter to me - the 15" rMBP is hardly a monster. If it picks up 4K, or improvements in RAM and drive limits, that starts to be worth dealing with the dongles.

4K not going to happen. Will Be P3.
32 GB of RAM is definitely plausible but likely exclusive to the 15" for now.
2TB also very plausible, over 1TB capacities should he expected this gen or at least in the near future.
Adapters are a bit of a downside but Apple should be releasing some pricey adapters.
Also who said anything about no SD Card slot on the 15"? The leaked images only show the 13" model and I think it is likely that there will be an sd card slot on the 15" as that is the more common model for users that take advantage of it (photograph and video editors) and there is more internal space.

 

[zombierunner]

would be nice to have lte sim support on the new mbps

 

[tofagerl]

It seems like sim support is kind of over. Apple punted on it, and that ended up being the right move for long term, though they must have lost sales in the last ten years. Now it's all about dem tablets and smartphones.

 

[Appleaker]

would be nice to have lte sim support on the new mbps

Would be nice if they were to do it, it would have an integrated Apple Sim but I don't see it happening as tethering works well so there wouldn't be a point, in their eyes, to have cellular connectivity.

 

[b_scott]

so tired of waiting for a true upgrade. I have a 2010 MBP and really want a new one (mine is plagued with kernel panics with the 330M card, and it's start to have magsafe oddities - let alone chugging along on Lightroom and Final Cut Pro X).

I'll buy the next one. I hope they announce one soon.

 

[ck204]

At this point, it's logical for them to wait till back to school season to clear all the old stock before release the new ones, or make sure the new ones come out by back to school time....but as we are seeing more discounts being offered on the current MBPs, I think it should be coming soon...I mean only the most uninformed buyer would buy one without thinking about it at this time