The next MacBook Pro redesign (merged)

[mayuka]

A week.

Well. At least they would have something in hand to tackle the decreasing Mac sales...

 

[Wallabe]

It's a laptop, what more do you really want? Of course Apple does strange things every once in a while, some of them work out, some of them don't. I like the idea of an OLED bar, and some kind of touch ID login, but not sure if it will actually improve the experience. Not sure what kind of "innovation" you're looking for channeling the ghost of Steve Jobs. He is dead and not relevant to any current conversation at Apple, you just sound insensitive and entitled. Let the man rest in peace.

I never knocked him. I admire his thinking and he pushed things forward and made some good changes. Ever since he passed away, Apple (as a company without Steve Jobs) seems stagnant when it comes to wowing me. Perhaps it's just a matter of time.

 

[navaira]

I have to disagree with the desire for Apple to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack, in exchange for the lighting port.

If Apple were smart, they'd use both. For one, I agree with the idea that closely related generations of Apple devices need to be as similar as possible, so that everything is interconnected.

I'm starting to think that they'll just include the new Fancy Magic Dongle – same as the iPhone one.

Ha! Assuming that is you in the pic, then its 1000% more vexing why you're bitching about the overbearing weight of the current MBP's. I will affectionally nick-name you 'first world gym rat' from now on.

People. Really?

I hear from a good source called Serban that this is the new MBP prototype:

 

[Nautilus007]

This is getting a bit crazy now, approaching mid month, no leaks and no event invitation. This new machine better be baller for all this wait...it's almost comical.

 

[johngwheeler]

One area where removing the jack would be unthinkable, is in the are of video and audio content creation. More people than most of you realize, have expensive headphones and audio systems that require a headphone jack. Using an adapter, creates more of a likelihood for audio quality issues, or mechanical failure, because more parts means more potential for failure. For those of us who need the upmost accurate audio potential, this would be unacceptable, and Apple very well knows this. They have a history of using multiple generation ports and that will not change, I am certain.

My argument is exactly the same reason why they kept firewire after releasing usb, usb after releasing thunderbolt, and they will keep thunderbolt after releasing usb C on the rest of the portable devices. They also kept the analogue microphone input, even though there was an on board mic. The only real difference is audio accuracy is more sensitive of an issue.

The lightning port will come soon, but the headphone jack will be around for a ling time to come. Mark my words; The MB line may be heading toward ultra portability, but the Pro line doesn't need to be paper thin and therefore there is absolutely no necessity to remove the jack.

I have to disagree that "removing the headphone jack would be unthinkable" for audio/video content creation.

Just about anyone who cares about audio quality will use external audio interfaces for both input and output instead of the built-in connectors. I use a Cambridge Audio DAC-magic that plugs into a USB-A which is the size of a box of matches and greatly improves the audio quality of my MBP. In the office/studio I use a FocusRite pre-amp/MIDI interface that has proper 48V phantom power mic inputs and a decent headphone monitoring amp.

For the casual user, yes, removing the headphone socket will be a big pain for many years, until digital-only headphones become cheap enough to become the norm. I have to think that the connector standard should be USB-C rather than Lightning, for this to happen.

 

[gugy]

Damn, I hope the end of October event is true. I want to sell my Macbook while still under Applecare so I can get a good return. Come on Apple, stop this madness.

Please have all the current ports and at least 32gb RAM and 1.5TB SSD option.

 

[Bubble99]

I'm interested in buying a 13" rMBP next week, but I'm worried about purchasing it at the end of its design cycle. I recall Tim Cook saying that major hardware redesigns would be introduced in 2013-14 (I think), but it wasn't clear if this applied to Apple's notebook line. Can anyone comment on this?

Basically, I'm worried about purchasing a rMBP only to discover a major redesign next year. I don't want to be like that poor sucker who dropped $1.5k on a white macbook just before the aluminum unibody was released. Catch my drift? I don't care about minor spec bumps.

Speaking of which, what real-world improvements will Haswell bring? I thought of it as only a spec bump, but apparently others disagree? Truthfully, I've never noticed a difference based on processor speed, probably because I do simple stuff like movies, web, etc. I'm just hoping the graphics performance improves because that's the one area where the MB has always underwhelmed, even though I rarely play intensive games. My current machine could barely handled COD4 at medium.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

I would not hope much more than improvement in spects but nothing of that wow factor for hardware spects. As apple trend (post steve jobs) is fetish to make ultra thin computers with ports being removed so they can make ultra thin computers.

And you can't have really awesome hardware spects when it is ultra thin.

 

[whsbuss]

Damn, I hope the end of October event is true. I want to sell my Macbook while still under Applecare so I can get a good return. Come on Apple, stop this madness.

Please have all the current ports and at least 32gb RAM and 1.5TB SSD option.

The refresh will eventually come. I stopped waiting and got a new MBP 2 weeks ago. Happy with that.

 

[adobe]

Is this possible -- http://imgur.com/gallery/IylGC

 

[lewdvig]

This is kind of crazy, weeks before launch and no leaks? A leaked chasis is all we've seen, anyone remember if the retina macbook pro leaked before it launched?

Are you sure we are weeks from launch? I'm not.

 

[adobe]

This is getting a bit crazy now, approaching mid month, no leaks and no event invitation. This new machine better be baller for all this wait...it's almost comical.

No head phone jack on this version http://imgur.com/gallery/IylGC

 

[goobot]

No head phone jack on this version http://imgur.com/gallery/IylGC

That's a concept.

 

[BoneDaddy]

I have to disagree that "removing the headphone jack would be unthinkable" for audio/video content creation.

Just about anyone who cares about audio quality will use external audio interfaces for both input and output instead of the built-in connectors. I use a Cambridge Audio DAC-magic that plugs into a USB-A which is the size of a box of matches and greatly improves the audio quality of my MBP. In the office/studio I use a FocusRite pre-amp/MIDI interface that has proper 48V phantom power mic inputs and a decent headphone monitoring amp.

For the casual user, yes, removing the headphone socket will be a big pain for many years, until digital-only headphones become cheap enough to become the norm. I have to think that the connector standard should be USB-C rather than Lightning, for this to happen.

Based on your argument, I can see why you'd think this. Your argument is one that I would expect from an audiophile, but not a full time musician. The lack of an option to mix on headphones, is unacceptable to many musician, ESPECIALLY these days.

When you're in a profession studio and see a producer come in for a session and place his Macbook on a mixing board, for a quick session and then leave, you'll get it. Most musicians work on the go, when working in the studio isn't an option, for whatever reason. Nobody wants to carry around interfaces.

I'm not trying to argue a point due to my desire for a headphone jack. It's simply how it is. As a full time musician, it's my experience that colleagues and other fellow musician acquaintances are increasingly producing on the go. That's why I know you can take a headphone jack out of any other Mac product, except the MBP line.

It will be spared for at least another decade.

 

[unagimiyagi]

This is getting a bit crazy now, approaching mid month, no leaks and no event invitation. This new machine better be baller for all this wait...it's almost comical.

I bet you anything that the machine will disappoint. Not just because reality never meets the hype (after 4 years) but also because there's just not a whole lot of hardware-based innovation at present. There's nothing production ready that we can expect to find integrated.

All we're going to get is more convenience. Lighter, touch id. If they did just that and gave more choice, I'm totally happy. A 15" macbook? Yum. Or maybe a 13" retina macbook pro that weighs as much as the current macbook air (3lbs). Finally? Maybe.

 

[Nautilus007]

Are you sure we are weeks from launch? I'm not.

True, theres nothing really solid pointing to an October launch just whispers and rumors. When do you think we are looking at an announcement? Is it even this year?

 

[SamVilde]

My MacBook is celebrating its 8th birthday tomorrow. It was the lowest-end model at the time, but I’ve increased the RAM and swapped in a SSD. I replaced the battery 2 years ago.

It works perfectly. I’ve watched all the Airs and Retinas and Pros roll in, and - as pretty as they were - I figured the difference in performance between those new machines and mine wasn’t really that great. Compared to my 2012 iMac at work and my BF’s 2014 MBA , my 2008 machine is as-fast and as-able. No. It’s faster.

But now the replacement battery sucks. And experience with better screens is reminding me that this screen is pretty crap. Also there’s a weird buzzing noise. I’m ready to replace.

I know the new models are coming and I can wait another two weeks. I can wait a month. Here are my fears, though: I’m afraid that I’ll look at the new machines and have the same feeling I had at every other launch: that’s not a step up. That’s not better than what I have now. And I’m afraid that Apple is going to price the new machines where I have to buy the lowest-end model again. And it will still be expensive, but it won’t be as great or as stable as what I have.

 

[nj-morris]

My MacBook is celebrating its 8th birthday tomorrow. It was the lowest-end model at the time, but I’ve increased the RAM and swapped in a SSD. I replaced the battery 2 years ago.

It works perfectly. I’ve watched all the Airs and Retinas and Pros roll in, and - as pretty as they were - I figured the difference in performance between those new machines and mine wasn’t really that great. Compared to my 2012 iMac at work and my BF’s 2014 MBA , my 2008 machine is as-fast and as-able. No. It’s faster.

But now the replacement battery sucks. And experience with better screens is reminding me that this screen is pretty crap. Also there’s a weird buzzing noise. I’m ready to replace.

I know the new models are coming and I can wait another two weeks. I can wait a month. Here are my fears, though: I’m afraid that I’ll look at the new machines and have the same feeling I had at every other launch: that’s not a step up. That’s not better than what I have now. And I’m afraid that Apple is going to price the new machines where I have to buy the lowest-end model again. And it will still be expensive, but it won’t be as great or as stable as what I have.

Good for you. Keep going strong.

 

[lewdvig]

True, theres nothing really solid pointing to an October launch just whispers and rumors. When do you think we are looking at an announcement? Is it even this year?

I'm just cynical because of Apple's poor execution the last couple of years. Hopefully this month.

They are slow and bad. A tame tech press gives them an easy ride.

Everything Apple releases lately is junk. Eventually the crapitude is going to catch up with them.

But I don't like Windows 10 enough to change completely. Windows laptops are not as good as my rMBP IMO. And all the other phones and tablets are crap. So I am stuck with Apple even as they seemingly ruin everything I like about them with each new update.

Apple should:
- be the first PC maker inline for all of Intel, Nvidia and AMD's tech
- be the leader in display tech; 4k, HDR and high refresh rate for example
- update mac at least once per year
- not arbitrarily take away features used by millions (iMovie, Aperture, Music ratings, ports, etc.)
- trickle good features like TouchId and Facetime HD cameras to all devices
- be consistent with chargers; pick one (magsafe, usb c, lightning, wireless)

Otherwise, what the heck do we pay a premium for?

 

[johngwheeler]

Based on your argument, I can see why you'd think this. Your argument is one that I would expect from an audiophile, but not a full time musician. The lack of an option to mix on headphones, is unacceptable to many musician, ESPECIALLY these days.

When you're in a profession studio and see a producer come in for a session and place his Macbook on a mixing board, for a quick session and then leave, you'll get it. Most musicians work on the go, when working in the studio isn't an option, for whatever reason. Nobody wants to carry around interfaces.

I'm not trying to argue a point due to my desire for a headphone jack. It's simply how it is. As a full time musician, it's my experience that colleagues and other fellow musician acquaintances are increasingly producing on the go. That's why I know you can take a headphone jack out of any other Mac product, except the MBP line.

It will be spared for at least another decade.

Portability and having a "fall back" option are certainly a good idea, and I take your point about not forcing people to carry an audio interface (& buy it!) because there is no other way to listen to your audio sources (except the speakers ).

I suppose the use of the headphone output might depend on what kind of recording / production you do. If you're not recording analog instruments (for which you'd definitely use an external interface) then maybe the headphone output if good enough for monitoring or "casual" playback through a power amp. The guys I know who do this professionally are using ProTools or similar, and are using a hardware interface for input & output. But maybe I'm out of touch with current trends!

 

[mctrials23]

I'm just cynical because of Apple's poor execution the last couple of years. Hopefully this month.

They are slow and bad. A tame tech press gives them an easy ride.

The tech press don't give them an easy ride. They pretty much always come to the same conclusion. No real updates to the laptops but they are still easily one of the best laptops going. Thats just as much a reflection on the rest of the industry as it is on apple.

 

[Nautilus007]

another week no announcement

 

[lewdvig]

The tech press don't give them an easy ride. They pretty much always come to the same conclusion. No real updates to the laptops but they are still easily one of the best laptops going. Thats just as much a reflection on the rest of the industry as it is on apple.

Yup. They are just good enough to be the best because the other vendors are trying to catch up to what Apple did last year. Therefore there is no impetus for Apple to really push innovation. So that leaves us with major updates every 5 years or so, and maybe 1-2 interim updates in the middle.

Maybe Tim is trying to teach me not to be such a rabid consumer. Happiness can't be bought in the form of a new rMBP. I should find contentment in my 2013 rMBP and stop being so materialistic.

But honestly - it would take 15 min of engineering to stick an i7-6700hq and a GTX 1060 in this thing change or upgrade the specs of ports (probably comes with the new chipset anyway) and call it a 2016 rMBP.

 

[Stella]

The customer purchased the wrong machine. A Macbook or even an ipad would suffice.

Exactly.

I think most people who want a laptop, need it because the mobility if provides. Even it is just one day a week where we have to run around town and make presentations or see different clients. Carrying a 4lb + laptop for 8-10 hours is just not a palatable option at all. It is very different for those who only need to carry it to work and from work; but in most of those cases, you would be better off just to use your desktop at office and leave another machine at home; and most people would not enjoying bringing work home every day anyhow.

Plus you can always ssh or remote desktop into your work machine if you needed to access some files or applications there, there generally isn't a barrier that applies to remote logins but does not apply to the actual machine being off the company network. Cloud computing and network security has evolved to a point where having power on the go is an increasingly small niche to fill. Sure, for some people still very important; but probably not for mass market machines such as the 12" macbook.

 

[amirite]

With all this waiting perhaps there's more to it than just a touch bar.

They may be starting a yearly cycle and introducing an upgrade program. Perhaps they'd want to space that out from the iPhone a little more.

 

[calaverasgrande]

so bummed if the leaked pictures are what they appear to be.
I have a ton of stuff that uses plain old USB2/3, and more vexingly TB1/2.
If the new machine has only USB C that is just another in the long string of recent Apple headscratchers.
I suppose I can use adapters, but it's clown car ridiculous that I will be adapting every single device I own to make them work with the new MBP.
The Thunder Raid is brand new, so that is not getting replaced. The UAD2 DSP is also brand new.
Oh yeah, and all those TB to whatever adapters are obsolete now.
I can't wait to hear the justifications.
"But it's so thin!"
yeah, I care more about using my computer to get stuff done than how skinny it is.
I thought that was what the Air and rMB were for, thin and light low powered computers. The Mac Pro are supposed to be more robust, and better able to plug in to stuff. Also see no HDMI. Lame.
I suppose there may be some stupid fkludge of TB3 over usb C. Which begs the question what does that accomplish that having both TB3 and USB C ports does not?