Not at first - but 3 years down the line they will. There’s no way they’ll keep two separate platforms over years to come. My guess would be that they’ll announce a 14” MacBook with ARM this year (probably shipping early 2021, due to corona), the Air next year and the rest of the lineup in 2023.
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Any reasons NOT to buy a MacBook Pro 16” now?
- Thread starter Cocorito
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Not at first - but 3 years down the line they will. There’s no way they’ll keep two separate platforms over years to come. My guess would be that they’ll announce a 14” MacBook with ARM this year (probably shipping early 2021, due to corona), the Air next year and the rest of the lineup in 2023.
I don't think we'll see any major updates to the 16" MBP anytime soon, Apple doesn't do major updates every year and since this is a new machine, the best we'll see is a spec bump, i.e., 10th gen processors.
Why do you need an i9 with 32GB of ram? You've not mentioned what you'll be using it for. If you'll be remoting into a your work computer for a lot of the heavy lifting what apps are you looking to run natively?
As far as I can tell, the problems seem to be software. Excessive power use when using an internal + external display, for example, seems to be universal. Also, while every release has bugs, Apple doesn't reform its internal software release methodology in response to all of them: https://9to5mac.com/2019/11/21/bloomberg-ios-14-ios-13/
Do you plan to use the machine docked? If so, hold off buying it--the machine is an absolute tire fire with regards to power usage with an external monitor and kernel panics waking up from sleep while connected to a dock.
(2019) 16" is HOT & NOISY with an external monitor! :(
I’m not so sure I agree at all with your first paragraph that external monitors are in the minority for MPB16 users. Those that actually NEED a high-end ‘portable workstation’, vs those who ‘feel like they want’ the highest model, are different groups, and while there’s nothing wrong with...forums.macrumors.com
10.15.5 & 10.15.4 = Wake from Sleep Kernel Panic on 16" MBPro (2019)
Does your 16" MacBook Pro 2019 Kernel Panic or Restart when you wake it from sleep after installing the Catalina 10.15.4/5 Update? Latest Info + Workaroundsmrmacintosh.com
Apple's Q&A has gone downhill. Is it as bad as Lenovo's Q&A? Probably not. But if you've got one of the Thinkpads that doesn't have peeling bezels, etc., I might hold onto it for another year.
I use mine with an UltraFine 21.5 with no issues...
Every operating system and app has bugs. If they didn't there would never be updates. Maybe I've been lucky but I haven't had too many issues with Windows after Vista died and never really had issues with macOS. In this context I just meant that people reporting some issue they have in the forums isn't a good reason not to buy a specific computer or product because issues will always happen with everything.
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Sometimes posts in a fourm make a problem one person is having out to be a problem everyone must be having. Most of the time people won't post or even reply to a thread if they're not having issues.
I'm a windows user I have an Asus rog strix scar 2 I use it for professional game development but lately I feel is not good enough for what I do, its slowing me down tbh, recently got a MBP 13 late 2017 and felt it more reliable and even faster in some cases even if the specs are way low compared to my asus.
I'm dying for an MBP 16 now the only thing holding me is not knowing if there is going to be a refresh soon or not.
I don't care about new tech like mini led or wifi 6 (even if I have a home mesh wifi 6 system) I just don't want to spend 3k on a laptop that could be outdated in a month but I don't want to buy 6 months to get it either, last year there wasn't any mid refresh tho.
I'm dying for an MBP 16 now the only thing holding me is not knowing if there is going to be a refresh soon or not.
I don't care about new tech like mini led or wifi 6 (even if I have a home mesh wifi 6 system) I just don't want to spend 3k on a laptop that could be outdated in a month but I don't want to buy 6 months to get it either, last year there wasn't any mid refresh tho.
There will likely be a CPU spec bump to the 10th gen but since the 16" just got a major update from the 15" model, I don't see Apple doing another one soon. It's always a risk when buying any hardware though. Don't forget about Apple's return policy so if you get it and it's not up to what you hoped it would be you can always return it within the time. I know it's normally two weeks but I think it's extended now. Make sure you verify this when buying it so you know your timeline to return it.
Please read up all you can about Intel's mobile CPU roadmap. Once again, there is no true CPU update for at least another 18 months for the Intel mobile 45 watt CPU class that the MBP 16 is using. The "10th gen" CPU spec bump for the MBP 16 (Windows machines have them now, but we're still waiting if/when Apple will be doing it) won't net you hardly any benefit as the higher boost speeds are only available IF the cpu is 65C or cooler which is not very frequent with my MBP 16. It has exciting headlines like "up to 5+ghz PERFORMANCE!" but in real world apps this will be very infrequent.
Even the next "gen" 11th iteration is STILL 14nm. So for the possible 10th gen cpu release for the MBP 16 will feature a cpu boost that you will hardly notice, even the generation after will hardly be any faster than the 9th gen CPU's right now.
The "excitement" right now is the true 10th gen 10nm chips that the MBP 13 is using, and even then the true boost for the MBP 13 is going to be Tiger Lake which is supposedly going to have a bigger performance boost going from 8th to 10th gen for the 25 watt CPU class that the MBP 13 is using.
TLDR, assuming Apple doesn't jump to ARM anytime soon in MBP's, the MBP 16 is going to be stagnant performance wise likely for the next 2 years, whilst the MBP 13 is possibly going to get a 40% boost next year in performance if Tiger Lake improvements are going to be believed. MBP 16 is going to stay on 14nm for now and will not benefit from Intel's fake generation improvements for the 45 watt 6/8 core mobile CPU's.
That's probably not an option for me, return a laptop like that from here (Panama) could be probably something around from $300-$500 😅
That's exactly what I was wondering if the MBP 16 would get the 10nm chip, I'm more interested in battery life and thermals than faster speeds (maybe faster ram too), I know the current i9 is fast enough for me
Well, so it sounds to me like you're just curious and not really that invested in a MacOS platform. In which case, I'd suggest that you either:
1. Stick with Windows and get one that fits your needs and don't look back. The grass is not greener on the other side. Mac does do some things better, but then so does Windows laptops nowadays. The playing field is actually pretty equal, all else considered. I wouldn't honestly consider going from Windows to MacOS to be an "upgrade" per se. This is mostly because Apple has been slacking off as of recently and MacOS Catalina has more than its fair share of bugs and issues that range from minor annoyance to major deal breakers. The "polished" aspect of MacOS is severely lacking right now, and that's coming from someone who uses Mac mostly natively almost all the time.
2. Get maybe a 13" MacBook Pro, the least error-prone one now, and perhaps buy an external GPU if you feel you need one. That can be a good setup to tie you over until Apple works out the issues with the 16". I love my 16" but honestly, I know it has problems that will rear their ugly heads as soon as you run certain configurations with it. Apple is not offering much in the way of a fix currently, and we may likely have to wait for one more MacOS revision to even see a fix.
Very well put! Intel is loosing it again. We wait for new CPU king. I do not think AMD is cutting it (they were bleeding out in the recent years). It is time for custom chips to reign.
I would like to add some different view on Windows vs MacOS saga from my experience.
My partner work computer is pretty decent i5 Thinkpad T460s (clean system managed by IT dep). Windows 10 Pro on this machine is just slowww and buggy. Almost every single programme is hanging and crashing intermittently and in worse of all moments (Word, Excel, MS Teams, Outlook, Skype...). It is not like there are blue screens but you have to restart machine to get it work properly (for a short moment).
In moments of despair (and deadlines coming), she reverts to her private 13" MacBook Pro 2016 to DO THE JOB RELIABLY AND ON TIME.
From MY experience using Windows is just annoying and waste of time. I personally steer away from Windows. My company is allowing me to BMOD so I am preferring using my private MacBook than company issued windows machine (I have tried but never coming back).
I do like Thinkpads though (hardware design - legacy of IBM). I own T410s BTO config (~3000 EUR when new in 2011). I can say that this machine is slow as hell even with fresh Win7. Practically unusable if you are used to work on any Mac. I keep it because it is currently worth nothing and cost me a fortune - better serve me as backup (or gap) machine. That's another downside of purchasing expensive windows laptops Dell/Lenovo/Razor - they are dropping in value like hell.
If I were OP I would buy MBP this year. I would not expect dramatic changes this year. Apple has to accumulate new features for next major updates. Faster WiFi or marginally better CPU/GPU is not enough for them to market new model.
Next year Apple has to come down with weight and thickness of Pro line. As they are at the verge of thermal envelope for current line of Intel CPUs and AMD GPUs they will (my guesses):
1. Go with hybrid CPU/GPU solution - redirect even more of day-to-day burden from main CPU/GPU to dedicated ARM based accelerators (T3??). This will allow for longer battery life and reduce CPU load = heat generated. I could imagine that using Apple apps will not use intel CPU at all. Like browsing Safari or checking Mail.
2. Maybe slightly thinner lid with new XXX-LED technology. This will also boost battery life. It is a selling point to market well this product.
3. Wifi 6e, next gen BT (needed for wireless toys they develop), improved TB maybe-maybe. Some tweaks to keyboard to reduce thickness (again -> maybe).
4. Biggest question is with battery as currently there are no (known to me) breakthrough technologies available commercially. The only way to reduce weight and thickness is by reducing wattage or super custom battery shaping (expensive and dangerous in long term).
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
It seems it's not clear what you'd like to do, and a lot of folks have already given a LOT of advice, so based on what I read here's a couple of options:
1. Buy the MBP:
You have 2 weeks to put it through all the paces you need it to
If it doesn't fit your needs, return it within that window
2. Go for an XPS instead:
Given that it sounds like you NEED and like Windows, the 17" will do all you need it to, is upgrade-able, and cheaper
3. Buy an iPad (to complement your iOS-life) with the money left over from the XPS purchase:
It might please you more than you think. Use it for consumption, light work, and maybe intermediate work
Of course, you also have 2 weeks to send it back if it's not for you
EDIT: I'd wait until issues with macOS Catalina are straightened out. I have held back purchases myself because of this.
1. Buy the MBP:
You have 2 weeks to put it through all the paces you need it to
If it doesn't fit your needs, return it within that window
2. Go for an XPS instead:
Given that it sounds like you NEED and like Windows, the 17" will do all you need it to, is upgrade-able, and cheaper
3. Buy an iPad (to complement your iOS-life) with the money left over from the XPS purchase:
It might please you more than you think. Use it for consumption, light work, and maybe intermediate work
Of course, you also have 2 weeks to send it back if it's not for you
EDIT: I'd wait until issues with macOS Catalina are straightened out. I have held back purchases myself because of this.
There's always gonna be something better coming up, it's the nature of technology.
If you want one, now's a good time to get one. The longer you wait the smaller the window becomes between the current model and the next one.
If you want one, now's a good time to get one. The longer you wait the smaller the window becomes between the current model and the next one.
Just buy the 16" and save a packet by getting a refurb. I wouldn't buy RRP again. But refurbs take about 4 month + after a product release to start appearing (I believe, correct me if wrong), so you'd be 4 months into the next cycle anyway. I'm loving mine.
Thanks for the reply. So I work in the architecture sector so my software use on the Windows side is mainly Revit & AutoCAD. These two software are used practically always via remote working when I use my own laptop. I use Revit & 3dsMax for personal work (non via remote working) but that’s now quite rare.
Other than that, I would use it for photo/video editing and the occasional gaming (something like Civ VI).
I have to agree that the XPS 17 seems quite tempting but it may be a bit too large for the few cases where I may need to carry the laptop with me (still thinner/lighter than my current W520 though).
I've had both the 2019 15" and the 2019 16" and both are great. I now use solely the 15".
I prefer the 15" because of design aesthetics and the overall lighter weight and foot print.
The 16" had somewhat of a yellower screen, which I didn't really appreciate.
The speakers were incredible though, the larger screen was a nice touch, keyboard was fine.
Really hard to choose tbh
I prefer the 15" because of design aesthetics and the overall lighter weight and foot print.
The 16" had somewhat of a yellower screen, which I didn't really appreciate.
The speakers were incredible though, the larger screen was a nice touch, keyboard was fine.
Really hard to choose tbh
It's odd how screens differ. I received my 16" and put it next to my 13" I've had since 2014, and the 13" screen immediately looked very pink! Bizarre as I'd been happy with it for 6 years!
I caved and finally bought it, I was worried about new displays, or new web cam but I doubt they will be this year. Just maxed it out.
I am on my 2019 15" 2.4 8c now and my boss just gave me a 16" 2.4 8c coming this week in the mail. I am torn. I think the 16" is the superior machine but man the weight is noticeable. I feel like I felt turning in my iPhone X for my 11 Pro. I can feel they pushed that weight *right* to the edge of where its noticeable but still not objectionable. I'll adapt.
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I think it is possible to adapt to the weight, at least for me.
It’s noticeable, but for me I’m not going to be holding it much. Or even carrying it too much. It mostly sits on my desk.
anyway, I have the 15” so it’s a mute point.
Both are so great lol in different ways it’s split even in my mind.
I suppose what would tilt me to the 16” is that it’s newer, so hypothetically it should run better for longer, more support, higher value for longer, etc
Not quite sure what year 15" system you have, but the 16" was a nice upgrade from my 2018 15" MBP. It is a bit heavier (0.3 pounds) but no worse to carry around than the 15". And to me the keyboard makes up for any small weight difference.
I was talking about my experience with personal computers but my experience with IT managed computers isn't as good. When I worked in an office our computers wouldn’t crash but they were extremely slow compared to a comparable Windows computer I would have at home. The only really negative memories I have with work computers is them automatically restarting while I had work open so I lost progress. My Windows computer at home does this but I don’t do work on it so this is not a problem. I mean it is common knowledge that overall Apple computers require less maintenance, are more reliable and last longer than Windows models but I think the experience with both can be acceptable under the right circumstances. I would never talk someone out of trying an Apple computer because it’s a good product and if you’re not constrained to using software that only works with Windows it’s great.
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Absolutely zero issues with macOS Catalina here. I’m not saying you don’t have issues but I’m saying that not everyone has issues.