Apple Drops 'Late' From 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro Model Names

[macs4nw]

Shoot. I literally just bought a 15" base model yesterday. I shouldn't have done that, huh?

The guy was musing about a possible reason for the "late" nomenclature change, and in his words, a "Conspiracy theory", but if my reply to him came to pass in the next few months, I'm fairly certain a lot of people would indeed be upset.

If you're really concerned about that possibility, take advantage of your return window privileges, and sit tight for a few months, but keep in mind there'll always be something newer and better just around the corner.

 

[LiveM]

Apple just doesn't want to admit they are always late.

 

[navaira]

They should just rename everything to New. Especially New Mac Pro.

 

[Reason077]

Of course. They don't want to remind everybody how "late" the 2016 MacBook Pros were!

 

[fortheus]

Mac pro has not been updated for so long because the capex not yet fully offset by the sales.

Remember that mac pro is now built in US where it is more costly to make and require big upfront investment

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Yup, they are getting ready to pull an iPad 4 on us all! Get ready for the ****storm to follow!!!

You want to talk about a crap storm? Talk to people who bought the Rev C iMac G5, which came out 4 months before the first intel model iMac. Talk about salty salty people.

 

[Claymore]

Loosing patience with current 2010s Mac Pro as people eagerly await the upcoming 2020s Mac Pro only to wonder if it's better hanging off and skipping the next decade model until the 2030s one comes out

 

[polee]

Conspiracy theory: they want to release an early 2017 MacBook Pro, and don't want people to easily see "late 2016 and early 2017" beside each other, causing some buyers remorse.

This makes a lot of sense. Now for those who are about to buy, we just have to hope like mad that they will also drop the high price tag.

 

[zhang96]

When you realize it's "late".

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Conspiracy theory: they want to release an early 2017 MacBook Pro, and don't want people to easily see "late 2016 and early 2017" beside each other, causing some buyers remorse.

Hit the nail on the head. To have a late 2016 and early 2017 would be like admitting or rectifying a mistake. Much better to have it look like a yearly upgrade plan/strategy.

 

[pat500000]

Apple loves to remove things that they think is annoying: battery time, Mac chime sound, naming, and Tim cook's brain and phil's ***

 

[Mainyehc]

Or maybe they just thought that “MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)” was a bit of a mouthful and decided to remove the “late” from all three models' names to make the non-touchbar outlier's shorter?

Although now that I think of it, I don't get why they aren't calling that one “MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Keyboard with Function keys)” instead, like they call it in the Apple online store… Perhaps they are planning an upgraded model with function keys *and* four Thunderbolt 3 ports? Now that would justify the option of focusing on the ports instead of on the keyboard (which is a waaaay more recognisable distinctive feature – or lack thereof –, mind you), and would also leave some people rightfully pissed… After all, having less ports can be a bit more galling for current owners than dealing with slightly lesser performance, IMHO.

Just ask the MacBook [Pro] (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) [MacBook5,1] owners, who don't have a FireWire port and, thus, can't use Target Disk Mode, even though their computer is, for all intents and purposes, almost entirely similar to the brand-spanking-new 13'' MacBook Pros that followed (the screen was also a bit worse, I think, but not very noticeably so)… That has got to be the stupidest and most confusingly-branded product Apple has ever developed, just because they didn't have the courage (yes, courage!) to get rid of removable batteries straight away (cool as those magnetic battery compartment door latches may be, they are certainly not worth more than a FireWire port, which is infinitely more useful in emergency situations). Duh.

The fact that the plastic Unibody MacBook that replaced it didn't have FireWire either is a bit egregious, too, but hey, at least it was cheaper (and I really do mean “cheaper”, not “more affordable” like Apple likes to claim; that polycarbonate casing is much crappier than the ones found in old iBooks, it always develops stress cracks in inner corners faster than an original de Havilland Comet went boom… The only time I've seen shoddier industrial design and choice of materials was when repairing an Asus with a faux-unibody screen casing, which was actually just pressed sheet aluminium with plastic-encased serrated mounting screw-holes that obviously broke off from said casing by hinge-induced stress, heh).

 

[dontwalkhand]

Further potential evidence for the next iPhone just simply being called "iPhone" and being identified by year in the future.

Maybe they're preparing for their entry to the car industry with car industry like naming

 

[JaySoul]

confusing? seriously?
How do you do your family budget, make summer vacation plans ... do your job?!?
If naming something 'early 2015' vs 'late 2015' is "confusing" to you, how do you even function in life?

Hello again.... Maybe your team just threw away the Superbowl?

But when you have an early-2015 Macbook Pro and a mid-2015 Macbook Pro that use completely different hard drives, it can be confusing because you'd think they are simply slightly changed but Apple throw in proprietary and fundamental differences that means without clear explanation, the goal posts have shifted massively. Or when you have an early-2012 and a late-2012 model that uses different chips - one that is like a ticking timebomb, the other perfectly reliable - then it can, again, be difficult to understand without context.

And that's without getting into the frequency of a refresh cycle - an annual one would arguably be more fair to consumers, as well as being simpler to understand long-term for when they need parts/fixing.
[doublepost=1486584221][/doublepost]

Or maybe they just thought that “MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)” was a bit of a mouthful and decided to remove the “late” from all three models' names to make the non-touchbar outlier's shorter?

Although now that I think of it, I don't get why they aren't calling that one “MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Keyboard with Function keys)” instead, like they call it in the Apple online store… Perhaps they are planning an upgraded model with function keys *and* four Thunderbolt 3 ports? Now that would justify the option of focusing on the ports instead of on the keyboard (which is a waaaay more recognisable distinctive feature – or lack thereof –, mind you), and would also leave some people rightfully pissed… After all, having less ports can be a bit more galling for current owners than dealing with slightly lesser performance, IMHO.

Just ask the MacBook [Pro] (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) [MacBook5,1] owners, who don't have a FireWire port and, thus, can't use Target Disk Mode, even though their computer is, for all intents and purposes, almost entirely similar to the brand-spanking-new 13'' MacBook Pros that followed (the screen was also a bit worse, I think, but not very noticeably so)… That has got to be the stupidest and most confusingly-branded product Apple has ever developed, just because they didn't have the courage (yes, courage!) to get rid of removable batteries straight away (cool as those magnetic battery compartment door latches may be, they are certainly not worth more than a FireWire port, which is infinitely more useful in emergency situations). Duh.

The fact that the plastic Unibody MacBook that replaced it didn't have FireWire either is a bit egregious, too, but hey, at least it was cheaper (and I really do mean “cheaper”, not “more affordable” like Apple likes to claim; that polycarbonate casing is much crappier than the ones found in old iBooks, it always develops stress cracks in inner corners faster than an original de Havilland Comet went boom… The only time I've seen shoddier industrial design and choice of materials was when repairing an Asus with a faux-unibody screen casing, which was actually just pressed sheet aluminium with plastic-encased serrated mounting screw-holes that obviously broke off from said casing by hinge-induced stress, heh).

Agree with all of this!

 

[dampfnudel]

Conspiracy theory: they want to release an early 2017 MacBook Pro, and don't want people to easily see "late 2016 and early 2017" beside each other, causing some buyers remorse.

That's definitely plausible. Given the lackluster reviews which were mostly a result of a combination of high prices and a macgyvered battery that falls way short, if the form-fitting battery is now ready for production, Apple is probably eager to make things right as quickly as possible. The pieces may now be in place for the MBP they originally wanted to release. Why wait another 7 or 8 months? Maybe a price reduction of $200 on each model (reflecting some current discounts from third-party resellers). The right battery with significantly improved battery life, Kaby Lake and a significant price reduction sounds like something that will be music to the ears of potential customers.
[doublepost=1486586219][/doublepost]

Maybe they should call the early 2017 model: "The New 2016 Macbook Pro"

Or the one you should've waited for. Or the one replacing the iPad 3's new housemate.
[doublepost=1486586504][/doublepost]

Hit the nail on the head. To have a late 2016 and early 2017 would be like admitting or rectifying a mistake. Much better to have it look like a yearly upgrade plan/strategy.

That would be a good way to make it less obvious for sure.

 

[navaira]

The right battery with significantly improved battery life, Kaby Lake and a significant price reduction sounds like something that will be music to the ears of potential customers.

The "not-late-anymore" 2016 model buyers are already painting banners and preparing for riots!

 

[robeddie]

But when you have an early-2015 Macbook Pro and a mid-2015 Macbook Pro that use completely different hard drives, it can be confusing because you'd think they are simply slightly changed but Apple throw in proprietary and fundamental differences that means without clear explanation, the goal posts have shifted massively. Or when you have an early-2012 and a late-2012 model that uses different chips - one that is like a ticking timebomb, the other perfectly reliable - then it can, again, be difficult to understand without context.

Not getting your attempt at an explantion at all. If you do any research whatsover before throwing down $1000 plus on a computer, you'll find all that stuff out, regardless whether your comparing 'early 2015' to 'late 2015' or '2014' to '2015'. The slight change in naming convention doesn't change anything materially about what you'll find out about the products.
To your other point, if you're someone who is interested in the differences in the hard drives (as I often am), that's something you'll research and figure out real quickly.
[doublepost=1486597621][/doublepost]

The "not-late-anymore" 2016 model buyers are already painting banners and preparing for riots!

Can't have pity for those idiots who spent excessive cash on a compromised product.

 

[stanman64]

Makes perfect sense. Drop the S moniker.

Also, you have AirPods?! How are they?!

Yes! I got lucky and have had them since before Christmas. They are absolutely fantastic. Best all around headphones I've ever owned!
[doublepost=1486646896][/doublepost]

Right. Like cars... Just call it the 2017 iPhone. Sorry - Apple would likely switch priority to lead with device name followed by year: iPhone 2017. #wayeasier

Yep, just like the Macs. "MacBook Pro (late 2016)." (Well, now just "2016" )

 

[loby]

Ever since the original MacBook Pro, Apple has identified the notebooks based on the time of year in which they were released.
Early: January-April
Mid: May-August
Late: September-DecemberThe first MacBook Pro with a Retina display, for example, has a "Mid 2012" model name because it was released in June of that year.

Apple continued this trend when it launched its latest MacBook Pro lineup in October. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, along with the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a standard row of function keys, were described as "late 2016" models on Apple's website and support documentation.

Just recently, however, Apple appears to have dropped the "late" portion of "late 2016" when referring to its latest MacBook Pro models, as spotted by Apple blog Pike's Universum. Apple now simply identifies all of its latest MacBook Pros as "2016" models on its tech specs pages and under "About This Mac" on the second macOS 10.12.4 beta.

The latest MacBook Pro models are still identified as "MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)" or "MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016)" under "About This Mac" on earlier macOS Sierra versions for some users. Apple also has a few support documents that still refer to a "late-2016 MacBook Pro" in sentence usage on its website.

Given that Apple only refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup once last year, it is reasonable to assume that "late" was an unnecessary descriptor; however, Apple still refers to its latest 12-inch MacBook as "Early 2016" despite there being no other updates to that notebook last year. The same applies to the "12-inch MacBook, Early 2015."

Apple has also yet to remove "Mid" from its "Mid 2014" MacBook Pro, despite the fact that it was the only MacBook Pro model released in 2014, so this appears to be a clear deviation from the company's traditional nomenclature. We've reached out to Apple for an explanation, and we'll update this article if we hear back.

Update: MacRumors reader Peter Cao tweeted us a screenshot that shows "Late" has indeed been dropped under "About This Mac" on a 2016 MacBook Pro running the second macOS 10.12.4 beta.


Article Link: Apple Drops 'Late' From 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro Model Names

Me "thinks" apple is moving toward a complete "retail" model of business instead of an innovation tech company. Just like....PCs....

 

[potatis]

They could change >5 year old models to display "(obsolete 20xx) where xx is always the current year. Maybe along with a link to the Apple store to upgrade with Apple pay.