Waiting for 2021 MBP

[baummer]

I've got a 13" 2017 nTB MBP. It's been running fine, but I am constantly hampered by RAM (only have 16GB).

Was going to upgrade to the 16", but want to see what the next update next year looks like. Depending on that (and as long as my machine remains operational), I might just wait for the ARM version. I think realistically we won't see an ARM MBP until 2022 at the earliest. I wouldn't even be surprised if an ARM-powered MBP doesn't come until 2023.

Curious question for you folks: do you think Apple will release a new design for the ARM-powered MBPs?

 

[simonmet]

There's basically no point in updating it at this point right before the ARM ones start coming out other than just for the sake of it because the new Intel chip, circling back to Intel's struggles, is a minor barely noticeable spec bump at most. We aren't missing out on anything really. If you bought the 2019 16" right now and a late 2020 16" with the 11th gen Intel chip came out, there'd be essentially no difference in performance CPU wise. The only thing that'd be gained is maybe Wifi 6. But judging how Apple didn't add Wifi 6 to the new 13" MBPs from earlier this year, it's looking like they're holding stuff like that back for the ARM models. It's end of the road for the Intel machines getting anything else substantial.

Apple always holds back. They’ve been beaten to the punch on miniLED and that is the update I’m most interested in. Processor and architecture aren’t hugely important for me.

 

[baummer]

Apple always holds back. They’ve been beaten to the punch on miniLED and that is the update I’m most interested in. Processor and architecture aren’t hugely important for me.

Why is miniLED more important to you than computing power? After all it is a computer.

 

[DanMan619]

Why is miniLED more important to you than computing power? After all it is a computer.

Everyone has different aspects of a computer they're most interested in. Everyone doesn't need unlimited raw power. Some people care more about a better screen, some want the longest battery life possible, so on and so forth. Differing preferences are a thing.

 

[baummer]

Everyone has different aspects of a computer they're most interested in. Everyone doesn't need unlimited raw power. Some people care more about a better screen, some want the longest battery life possible, so on and so forth. Differing preferences are a thing.

Yes I know. I was just curious from that poster what specifically about miniLED was so important to them.

 

[cool11]

What is so important about mini led?

 

[simonmet]

Why is miniLED more important to you than computing power? After all it is a computer.

Surprised I have to answer this, but screen quality is a big part of the experience of using a computer, especially for editing photos or videos; which Macs are commonly marketed and targeted towards. You literally can’t use a computer without the screen! I bet you wouldn’t want to go back to 2010-era LCDs or even pre-LED LCDs, now that we have retina resolutions with wide colour and higher brightness and contrast than those screens. MiniLED is a big, generational step up again from what I’ve read and seen.

Few people on the other hand will be limited by recent 6 and 8-core i7s and i9s used in the laptops, and I say that as someone who used to do computational modelling research, so I’m experienced in high performance computing including distributed computing. I’ve yet to really push the i9 on my 16”er, but if I start ripping 4K UHDs as planned then that will change, so I’m not saying there’s no benefit to faster CPUs. But the benefits of better screen quality are as or more relevant than getting faster processors at this point, at least for me anyway! Others might have no interest in or need for fast graphics, while for others it is vital. It’s a broad church you might say.

You can also just as easily say there’s no point in putting decent speakers (or indeed speakers at all) in a laptop, and yet Apple went to the effort of significantly improving those, because they understand they contribute to the overall experience in certain situations. And I’m glad they did!

You could also say: “if you need a better screen or speakers or keyboard or graphics etc, then go external”. But that’s kind of contradictory. Then you’d be saying “don’t buy a laptop” or that “there’s no point in improving any component of the laptop at all”, which is plainly untrue. A laptop is meant to be a complete package and for many people it’s all they want or need, yet there’s no reason all the key components shouldn’t continue to improve if possible.

 

[dinobear]

I've got a 13" 2017 nTB MBP. It's been running fine, but I am constantly hampered by RAM (only have 16GB).

Was going to upgrade to the 16", but want to see what the next update next year looks like. Depending on that (and as long as my machine remains operational), I might just wait for the ARM version. I think realistically we won't see an ARM MBP until 2022 at the earliest. I wouldn't even be surprised if an ARM-powered MBP doesn't come until 2023.

Curious question for you folks: do you think Apple will release a new design for the ARM-powered MBPs?

Apple said:
The entire transition of the Macintosh product line is expected to take "about two years", with the first ARM-based Macs to be released by the end of 2020.

So by the end of 2022 all Macs will at least have an Apple Silicon option (Possible legacy Intel models sold along side of it -or not- until it matures further).

My personal speculation: I think even if Apple probably has blazing fast chips ready they're going to slow roll the introduction to them so they can sell a bunch of 1st gen, and then release a second gen in less than a year later with predictible substantial increases in performance. Pretty much did the same thing with Core Duo-> Core2Duo. And the first ipad was also very limited comparted to the second one.

Once apple releases the first ARM macbook pros, I predict many threads on this forum asking for advice on waiting for the second revision.

 

[baummer]

Surprised I have to answer this, but screen quality is a big part of the experience of using a computer, especially for editing photos or videos; which Macs are commonly marketed and targeted towards. You literally can’t use a computer without the screen! I bet you wouldn’t want to go back to 2010-era LCDs or even pre-LED LCDs, now that we have retina resolutions with wide colour and higher brightness and contrast than those screens. MiniLED is a big, generational step up again from what I’ve read and seen.

Few people on the other hand will be limited by recent 6 and 8-core i7s and i9s used in the laptops, and I say that as someone who used to do computational modelling research, so I’m experienced in high performance computing including distributed computing. I’ve yet to really push the i9 on my 16”er, but if I start ripping 4K UHDs as planned then that will change, so I’m not saying there’s no benefit to faster CPUs. But the benefits of better screen quality are as or more relevant than getting faster processors at this point, at least for me anyway! Others might have no interest in or need for fast graphics, while for others it is vital. It’s a broad church you might say.

You can also just as easily say there’s no point in putting decent speakers (or indeed speakers at all) in a laptop, and yet Apple went to the effort of significantly improving those, because they understand they contribute to the overall experience in certain situations. And I’m glad they did!

You could also say: “if you need a better screen or speakers or keyboard or graphics etc, then go external”. But that’s kind of contradictory. Then you’d be saying “don’t buy a laptop” or that “there’s no point in improving any component of the laptop at all”, which is plainly untrue. A laptop is meant to be a complete package and for many people is all they need or want, yet there’s no reason all the key components shouldn’t continue to improve if possible.

Thanks for your answer. Makes perfect sense. I use a 32” 4K display currently with my MBP for times when I’m not mobile. For me, the amount of RAM is far more important.

Apple said:
The entire transition of the Macintosh product line is expected to take "about two years", with the first ARM-based Macs to be released by the end of 2020.

So by the end of 2022 all Macs will at least have an Apple Silicon option (Possible legacy Intel models sold along side of it -or not- until it matures further).

My personal speculation: I think even if Apple probably has blazing fast chips ready they're going to slow roll the introduction to them so they can sell a bunch of 1st gen, and then release a second gen in less than a year later with predictible substantial increases in performance. Pretty much did the same thing with Core Duo-> Core2Duo. And the first ipad was also very limited comparted to the second one.

Once apple releases the first ARM macbook pros, I predict many threads on this forum asking for advice on waiting for the second revision.

Interesting take. Apple is not known for meeting its “deadlines” the last few years. I’m far more pessimistic that we’ll see anything before _late_ 2022.

True; there’s always going to be folks who recommend waiting for 2nd gen.

 

[kp98077]

So after all of the rumors and lack of announcements the past few weeks, I am without a Mcbook and need one - but not sure if I should wait for an announcement or not lol... wanting a 13” or 14”... does anyone have any idea when they will announce the next laptop??

 

[Falhófnir]

So after all of the rumors and lack of announcements the past few weeks, I am without a Mcbook and need one - but not sure if I should wait for an announcement or not lol... wanting a 13” or 14”... does anyone have any idea when they will announce the next laptop??

Do you want an Intel or Apple Silicon machine? If the former, we're likely done for the year (if not for good) so grab one now. If the latter, the first Apple Silicon MacBook should arrive sometime this year, but it could be in October with the iPhones or at another event in November if Apple want to keep the iPhones as the star of the show as it were. Ming Chi Kuo has asserted the first models will be a new 13.3" MacBook Pro, and 24" iMac - which lines up nicely with Apple leaving out the 2 port 13" MacBook Pro and 21.5" iMac from significant updates earlier in the year...

 

[baummer]

Do you want an Intel or Apple Silicon machine? If the former, we're likely done for the year (if not for good) so grab one now. If the latter, the first Apple Silicon MacBook should arrive sometime this year, but it could be in October with the iPhones or at another event in November if Apple want to keep the iPhones as the star of the show as it were. Ming Chi Kuo has asserted the first models will be a new 13.3" MacBook Pro, and 24" iMac - which lines up nicely with Apple leaving out the 2 port 13" MacBook Pro and 21.5" iMac from significant updates earlier in the year...

I doubt we see an ARM MBP until 2022.

 

[liriel_]

So after all of the rumors and lack of announcements the past few weeks, I am without a Mcbook and need one - but not sure if I should wait for an announcement or not lol... wanting a 13” or 14”... does anyone have any idea when they will announce the next laptop??

I have the same question!

 

[Falhófnir]

I doubt we see an ARM MBP until 2022.

Based on what evidence, though? I'm not just navel-gazing what I think will happen here, I'm trying to offer an evidence-based guide on what to expect from someone with a decent track record (indeed he's just been proved right again about the Q3 Intel iMac):

Kuo: 24-Inch iMac With New Design to Launch in Fourth Quarter of 2020

Apple plans to launch a 24-inch iMac with a new design in the fourth quarter of 2020, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a research note obtained by...

www.macrumors.com

First Arm-Based Macs to Be 13-Inch MacBook Pro and Redesigned iMac, Launches Coming in Late 2020 or Early 2021

Apple plans to introduce its Arm-based custom designed chips for Macs at WWDC, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a note to investors today, agreeing...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Think creative]

waiting on a 14 inch MacBook pro (or air) 2nd gen. So honestly 2022 for me. At least 12 hours of battery, mini LED, the same new keyboard, at least 4 UCBC ports.

 

[richinaus]

waiting on a 14 inch MacBook pro (or air) 2nd gen. So honestly 2022 for me. At least 12 hours of battery, mini LED, the same new keyboard, at least 4 UCBC ports.

Why 2022.

My money is on the MBP AS is released 2021 at WWDC at the latest.
They will want to prove their muscle and the MBP is the prime candidate for this, with the opportunity to make an amazing laptop.
The desktops maybe 2022, but all laptops in 2021.

 

[Think creative]

Why 2022.

My money is on the MBP AS is released 2021 at WWDC at the latest.
They will want to prove their muscle and the MBP is the prime candidate for this, with the opportunity to make an amazing laptop.
The desktops maybe 2022, but all laptops in 2021.

Because I'll wait for gen 2 chips. I'm sure what I want will likely come out in 2021, but my MacBook pro (2015, 13 inch, 16 gigs of ram but a very small 128 SSD) is my second computer, and should hold me off till then. Storage is annoying, but doable. My iMac 5k from 2015 should last me till 2023 at this point, and then upgrade that as well. All in all loving that these machines are well built enough to last so long.

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

Do you guys think that these days are the most likely days for refreshed MacBooks to be announced this year?

 

[Falhófnir]

Do you guys think that these days are the most likely days for refreshed MacBooks to be announced this year?
View attachment 962117

The iPhone event is supposed to be the 13th so it could happen in with that. With the virtual format it does give them more flexibility though - it's not like usual where they have to book auditorium time or have journalists fly in from around the world.

 

[Woochoo]

My personal speculation: I think even if Apple probably has blazing fast chips ready they're going to slow roll the introduction to them so they can sell a bunch of 1st gen, and then release a second gen in less than a year later with predictible substantial increases in performance.

I doubt Apple goes for an iPad 3 situation all over again. But it seems like you are eager for "beta version" to be tested by early adopters fast so you can have one ironed out sooner ?

 

[aednichols]

Do you guys think that these days are the most likely days for refreshed MacBooks to be announced this year?
View attachment 962117

Yes. I don't believe Apple would do three fall events, nor that AS Macs will be announced via press release.

Obviously the 6th and 7th are now out of the question, we would probably have to get an invite in the next day or two for the 13th or 14th.

Why not three events? Even though the press is not flying in, the recorded video events are as highly produced, if not more so, than the traditional ones. Making them surely consumes a huge amount of executive and other folks' time internally.

 

[baummer]

Do you guys think that these days are the most likely days for refreshed MacBooks to be announced this year?

Clearly not the 6th or 7th. If the 13th or 14th, it’ll be announced this week. Otherwise I’d expect November. I don’t actually think they’d do anything in December, but 2020 is certainly unpredictable.

 

[aednichols]

Apple Announces Digital-Only Event to Be Held on October 13: iPhone 12 Expected

Apple today announced a second 2020 event, which is set to be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino,...

www.macrumors.com

Hoping the speed reference applies to Macs, not just iPhone 5G

 

[macnmac]

this gonna be spicy!

 

[liriel_]

Would you wait for mini led? When are we expecting it now?