Would you rather see a thinner new MBP or same size?

[GZR]

The previous advances in thickness were due to dropping the optical disc drive, new hard drive format, soldered in RAM, smaller logic board and new battery design. There aren't any developments of similar significance to make now. Given the thermal envelope they have to adhere to too cool the processors sufficiently, Apple can't go much thinner than the current models without having to move down to a lower power category of processors.

I would like the same thickness and thinner bezels and smaller width and depth dimensions.

 

[leman]

The previous advances in thickness were due to dropping the optical disc drive, new hard drive format, soldered in RAM, smaller logic board and new battery design. There aren't any developments of similar significance to make now. Given the thermal envelope they have to adhere to too cool the processors sufficiently, Apple can't go much thinner than the current models without having to move down to a lower power category of processors.

Not necessarily! If they redesign the cooling system somehow, switch to USB-C, as well as take over some of the MB 12" design solutions (keyboard, battery tech), I think shaving off a mm or two would certainly be possible.

 

[Bubble99]

I'm pretty sure you're describing a "netbook" not a notebook.

Either way, Apple calls all of their laptops "notebooks." Your definition doesn't change that.

Small form factors will be more like tablet it does better if the public or maker be Apple, HP or Dell calls it a notebook or netbook.

You want good CPU, good GPU, good RAM and good SSD you need more laptop size. Even a 13' is really small if you want a good performance laptop.

 

[T5BRICK]

Small form factors will be more like tablet it does better if the public or maker be Apple, HP or Dell calls it a notebook or netbook.

Apple calls all of their portable computers notebooks. It's right there on the website multiple times.

You want good CPU, good GPU, good RAM and good SSD you need more laptop size. Even a 13' is really small if you want a good performance laptop.

Your definition is different than theirs. It's an Apple notebook not an Apple laptop.

Either way, we're off topic, so back to the topic: Apple will probably continue making them thinner and calling them notebooks.

 

[Bubble99]

Apple calls all of their portable computers notebooks. It's right there on the website multiple times.



Your definition is different than theirs. It's an Apple notebook not an Apple laptop.

Either way, we're off topic, so back to the topic: Apple will probably continue making them thinner and calling them notebooks.

I'm not getting caught up on name, I don't really care what Apple calls it.

All I'm saying if the form factor is small like notebook or netbook it does not matter what they call it at all!! But small form factor it be more like a tablet.

You want a more laptop like computer you cannot have a small form factor.

The Macbook and Macbook air is more like a tablet than a computer when you look at he spects because of the small thin form factor.

If Apple keeps making small form factors than do away with the computer and just make ipad pro 10,11,12 and 13 inch. WHy? Because this is the hardware spects you will get not some laptop spects.

 

[T5BRICK]

I'm not getting caught up on name, I don't really care what Apple calls it.

All I'm saying if the form factor is small like notebook or netbook it does not matter what they call it at all!! But small form factor it be more like a tablet.

You want a more laptop like computer you cannot have a small form factor.

The Macbook and Macbook air is more like a tablet than a computer when you look at he spects because of the small thin form factor.

If Apple keeps making small form factors than do away with the computer and just make ipad pro 10,11,12 and 13 inch. WHy? Because this is the hardware spects you will get not some laptop spects.

Apple sells tablets, they're called iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro. Apple also sells portable Macs, they're called MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

You can call them whatever you want, but until Macs have touchscreens, they by definition are not tablets. It doesn't matter how thin or light they become.

Are you just trying to say that you don't consider MacBook Pros to be laptops if Apple continues making them thinner?

 

[andreyush]

I am tired of this new trend. Everyone makes everything THIN and LIGHT. Come on, i say it again, I don't want to cut my salami with my notebook. I want a tough and resistant device not so heavy thou. The size and the weight of the current rMBP are perfect FOR ME.

 

[Bubble99]

Apple sells tablets, they're called iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro. Apple also sells portable Macs, they're called MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

You can call them whatever you want, but until Macs have touchscreens, they by definition are not tablets. It doesn't matter how thin or light they become.

Are you just trying to say that you don't consider MacBook Pros to be laptops if Apple continues making them thinner?

Macbook air was more like notebook for light office and okay for internet, e-mail and MS office use for collage kids on the go. Well the Macbook pro was more like laptop better hardware spects more powerful computer. It had better CPU, GPU and RAM and better ports for doing video demonstration like DVI port or HDMI port. You could run two monitors and done editing.

If Apple makes the form factor smaller it be more like netbook or tablet spects it have no DVI port or HDMI port!!! It have RAM 4 GB if you lucky, onboard video and CPU not much better than a Celeron or Pentium. It have SSD probably no more than 300 GB.

 

[Patcell]

I really don't understand Apple's recent obsession with thinness... I really hope they don't compromise performance, cooling ability, and/or battery life in the name of a thinner MBP. That would be a slap in the face to professional users, IMO.

I mean... How thin and light to we really need our 'Pro' laptops to be? I am perfectly happy with the current thickness.
[doublepost=1471903455][/doublepost]Also, if they shrink internal components (keyboard, switch to USB-C, etc) that's great, but use the space for a bigger battery!

 

[leman]

I am tired of this new trend. Everyone makes everything THIN and LIGHT. Come on, i say it again, I don't want to cut my salami with my notebook. I want a tough and resistant device not so heavy thou. The size and the weight of the current rMBP are perfect FOR ME.

I really don't understand Apple's recent obsession with thinness... I really hope they don't compromise performance, cooling ability, and/or battery life in the name of a thinner MBP. That would be a slap in the face to professional users, IMO.

When did Apple compromise the performance of feature life of their laptops by going thinner/lighter? Similarly, when did an Apple laptop became less durable by making it thinner and lighter? Even a 12" MB feels more sturdy than a plastic brick other manufacturers produce.

As to why Apple is obsessed with making smaller and lighter computers (btw, there is nothing recent about it, it was always Apple's design goal) is that they actually care about functionality of their products. A laptop is by definition oriented towards a mobile computer user. For instance, I need to carry my laptop around everywhere — between home and office, between different buildings on campus, on business trips etc. etc. Having the same performance and power in a smaller laptop means that I can carry it more comfortably/use a smaller bag/pack other stuff I need. If they can make a 15" model thats 0.5kg lighter and still has same-class CPU/GPU/battery life? I'll take it over a bigger laptop any time of the day.

 

[Patcell]

When did Apple compromise the performance of feature life of their laptops by going thinner/lighter? Similarly, when did an Apple laptop became less durable by making it thinner and lighter? Even a 12" MB feels more sturdy than a plastic brick other manufacturers produce.

As to why Apple is obsessed with making smaller and lighter computers (btw, there is nothing recent about it, it was always Apple's design goal) is that they actually care about functionality of their products. A laptop is by definition oriented towards a mobile computer user. For instance, I need to carry my laptop around everywhere — between home and office, between different buildings on campus, on business trips etc. etc. Having the same performance and power in a smaller laptop means that I can carry it more comfortably/use a smaller bag/pack other stuff I need. If they can make a 15" model thats 0.5kg lighter and still has same-class CPU/GPU/battery life? I'll take it over a bigger laptop any time of the day.

Please do not misunderstand, I am a total Apple fan. They make incredible products that I am more than happy to pay for. I depend on my MBP in particular for productivity, and the portability is an absolute wonder. What I am really trying to say is if the choice is thinner at the expense of potential performance or battery life gains, I would much rather they keep to the current size and deliver vastly superior performance and runtimes. As opposed to keeping battery life the same for the sake of having a thinner device. Of course I also understand that Apple needs to cater to the entire market rather than the needs/wants of one individual consumer. By the way, I'll probably buy whatever they release anyway... And be totally blown away by the enhanced portability.

I absolutely hear what you are saying and I completely agree with your analysis. Apple computers are lightyears ahead of competitors in terms of build quality and durability in daily use.

 

[Bubble99]

I really don't understand Apple's recent obsession with thinness... I really hope they don't compromise performance, cooling ability, and/or battery life in the name of a thinner MBP. That would be a slap in the face to professional users, IMO.

I mean... How thin and light to we really need our 'Pro' laptops to be? I am perfectly happy with the current thickness.
[doublepost=1471903455][/doublepost]Also, if they shrink internal components (keyboard, switch to USB-C, etc) that's great, but use the space for a bigger battery!

I think apple go in future is to make the notebook computer more like the iPad. So every year it is going to get smaller and thinner.

And in future make OS X more like iOS. Where every year OS X will look less like OS X and more like iOS.

 

[Queen6]

I really don't understand Apple's recent obsession with thinness... I really hope they don't compromise performance, cooling ability, and/or battery life in the name of a thinner MBP. That would be a slap in the face to professional users, IMO.

I mean... How thin and light to we really need our 'Pro' laptops to be? I am perfectly happy with the current thickness.
[doublepost=1471903455][/doublepost]Also, if they shrink internal components (keyboard, switch to USB-C, etc) that's great, but use the space for a bigger battery!

Apple doesn't serve the traditional "Pro" market, Apple is looking for ever more consumer sales, so they don't need to produce this level of hardware with optional expandability and performance.

If you need a portable workstation class portable Windows based is the only option these days. Apple now is more about image, gadgets, services, a fashion house for electronics. If I need to return to a high performance portable Apple would be simply ruled out as they don't produce anything that makes sense, nor is it like to materialise.

Apple`s perception is simple thin sells to the masses....

Q-6
[doublepost=1471922163][/doublepost]

The MBP offers basically highest in-class performance components (within reasonable thermal envelope, obviously talking about release time). If they can maintain that while going thinner, then yes please. Reduction in weight is also a feature, and a very important one. Some of us arare using the laptop for work and not just as a fancy paperweight

Some of us who are using our notebooks for work purpose also want machines that can do the job; not overheat, throttle down, burnout dGPU`s, have usability & flexibility not be port constrained, have reasonable upgrade paths that are not purposely designed to scalp the customer, most of all additional battery life . Going thinner with the MBP is purely a sales & marketing tactic, same as the Pro in MBP these days, equally I am sure many of Apple`s target audience will just be happy, that it will be available in pink...

Q-6

 

[leman]

Some of us who are using our notebooks for work purpose also want machines that can do the job; not overheat, throttle down, burnout dGPU`s, have usability & flexibility not be port constrained, have reasonable upgrade paths that are not purposely designed to scalp the customer, most of all additional battery life . Going thinner with the MBP is purely a sales & marketing tactic, same as the Pro in MBP these days, equally I am sure many of Apple`s target audience will just be happy, that it will be available in pink...
Q-6

I regularly run heavy-duty statistical computations, GPGPU and intensive 3D games on my 15" MBP. Never noticed it to throttle, overheat or burn down. Of course, if you are looking for "workstation-class" performance, an MBP is simply not for you. Thst was never its purpose. A MBP - by design - is a versatile multi-purpose laptop which represents probably the optimal compromise between performance and mobility. AFAIK, Apple never had a mobile workstation in its lineup.

 

[Ries]

Are you taking about the front edge of the case where your wrists rest if you're typing improperly?

Having owned a mid 2009 13" MBP and a early 2015 13" rMBP, and also having used several mid 2012 13" MBPs, I can say that I can't notice a difference in the "sharpness" of the edge.

Im on the sofa with the macbook on my stomac.

 

[frankgrimes]

Thicker device because nothing beats more battery life on a productivity device and during a stressy college day with some libary breaks a quieter fan can be a godsend.

 

[maflynn]

I regularly run heavy-duty statistical computations, GPGPU and intensive 3D games on my 15" MBP. Never noticed it to throttle, overheat or burn down.

Of course, but just because your usage is such, doesn't mean Apple's intended target audiences is the professionals. They have long moved away from the professional sector. That doesn't mean professionals don't use MBPs, but rather Apple takes design cues based on what it thinks the consumer wants, i.e., thinner design, no need for expandability etc.

 

[leman]

Of course, but just because your usage is such, doesn't mean Apple's intended target audiences is the professionals. They have long moved away from the professional sector. That doesn't mean professionals don't use MBPs, but rather Apple takes design cues based on what it thinks the consumer wants, i.e., thinner design, no need for expandability etc.

I never quite understood what "professional user" means in the first place. AFAIK, Apple never offered a workstation-level laptop so I have real difficulty understanding how they can stop doing something they never did. Current MBP offer better performance/price ratio, expandability/connectivity (thunderbolt) as well as mobility than any previous Apple laptop. I see no objective base behind your argumentative position.

 

[maflynn]

I never quite understood what "professional user" means in the first place.

I know, and infact as I typed my response, I thought the same thing.

Here's my $.02. Apple is intending the MBP for consumers, people who will use the computer at home, school or what not. I consider a professional as someone who's using it for work, such as a photographer, or scientist. Those needs are such that they may want a computer that is designed differently or having features that fit their needs differently then a consumer who's looking to update his facebook page from his couch.

Where I work, there are scientists that use Macs quite heavily, and it was with them in mind, I posted my response.

Basically, I think the term professional may be over-used and under defined, but to me, its anyone who's not using it at home. Apple is targeting its MBP line more for the mom and pop type people and less towards the designer, or photographer.

 

[Queen6]

I know, and infact as I typed my response, I thought the same thing.

Here's my $.02. Apple is intending the MBP for consumers, people who will use the computer at home, school or what not. I consider a professional as someone who's using it for work, such as a photographer, or scientist. Those needs are such that they may want a computer that is designed differently or having features that fit their needs differently then a consumer who's looking to update his facebook page from his couch.

Where I work, there are scientists that use Macs quite heavily, and it was with them in mind, I posted my response.

Basically, I think the term professional may be over-used and under defined, but to me, its anyone who's not using it at home. Apple is targeting its MBP line more for the mom and pop type people and less towards the designer, or photographer.

Apple once did very much serve such communities, sadly I agree Apple no longer does, nor has Apple done for some time, leaving many with few options or more compromises. Another factor that I never personally considered, however another forum member stated is that many of the creative, engineering, scientific communities were very much evangelists for Apple this I see diminishing with many moving to Windows due to Apple`s lack of commitment.

Best way to describe is Apple came across a fork in the road, and took the downhill path in the hope that sales would boom. $2K for a consumer notebook is a stretch for many especially in todays highly competitive market. Right now either ways the mix is wrong as Mac sales are falling significantly, nor do I perceive the next iteration of the Mac line up will do much to resolve the trend for multiple reasons.

Q-6

 

[maflynn]

many of the creative, engineering, scientific communities were very much evangelists for Apple

At one point (prior to the transition to Intel), those people and hobbyists such as myself were really the ones that stuck by Apple and kept them going. They were close to bankruptcy but Apple did have a core of insanely dedicated fans. Now (especially with Cook), its a numbers game (profits).

 

[oldmacs]

I think they should make a thin model and a thicker model. Using the Non retina pro chassis, they could make an amazing laptop in terms of performance. They could also make it upgradable

 

[pmau]

At one point (prior to the transition to Intel), those people and hobbyists such as myself were really the ones that stuck by Apple and kept them going. They were close to bankruptcy but Apple did have a core of insanely dedicated fans. Now (especially with Cook), its a numbers game (profits).

Totally agreed.

There was a period were Linux was to diverse to develop attractive GUI applications and Apple was the go-to system to be able to develop some cool visualisation for your data.

When I bought my first MacBook Pro in 2006 you could immediately start with Xcode/Cocoa and people would be blown away by what you could do.

With the switch to Intel, Apple pushed really hard to get developers to OSX. They made great software to set an example.

Today, even basic Apps from Apple have major inconsistencies or their feature set is drastically removed.

They just introduce API's to stear people in a direction, not to really support them.

(I know it's a bit off-topic with regards to your post, but it resonated with me, because I still remember when I switched and everything was really well designed and supported.)

 

[robvas]

I'm fine with the current thinness of the Retina - any thinner wouldn't really matter, especially for the 15" - it's still a big laptop in width/length

If they made a 13-14" version of the MacBook, that would be cool.

 

[inhalexhale1]

Personally, I'm getting upset with Apple desperately trying to make their devices thinner and lacking improvement on function.

I'd rather see the new MBP have the same thickness as the 2012 model is that meant a better battery, quieter fan, and overall cooler temperature.

Do you think the trade off is worth it just for the thickness of the device?

What would you like to see as far as thickness vs specs are concerned?

I'd like to see them make the 15" lighter, while maintaining the same level of performance. I think the new GPUs should allow that. Or possibly embrace an eGPU option. Laptops are the one area I think improving weight and size is always welcome (unless it leads to big improvement declines).