Apple Event to Include 13-Inch MacBook Pro, 16-Inch MacBook Pro, and 13-Inch MacBook Air With Apple Silicon Chips [Updated]

[eulslix]

But the most important part of the hardware - the CPU/GPU (and probably the memory, storage and bus technology) - will be upgraded. That is the gain.

The size and shape of an aluminium box don't have much to do with it apart from mostly aesthetic considerations.

But it’s not about the box, it’s about all the features that come with the box. There’s a lot of stuff that could see some improvement on the Mac, like the TouchBar itself, another try at the low travel keyboard that actually works, the promised MiniLED screen, FaceID, a better webcam, ... and in general, something that shows Apples unique vision in the laptop segment, some form of innovation.

Those are the most important things, the way we use our computers, because in the end this is where we lose most of our time: by communicating with them inefficiently. The computing power can be a problem, but it’s not of moment-to-moment nature.

 

[cmaier]

Cool - Do you have any insight if it works out cheaper at the fab level for Apple pushing their own silicon too?

There has to be a bottom line advantage here somewhere.

Say if it was 30% cheaper per chip (or do we know the average unit cost per new A chip, since the iPad and iPhone are well established lines, so this is an economy of scale exercise in many respects) - Apple might offset that by throwing more of they A silicon to compensate for performance drop, the end user will not notice, because the price tag is fine tuned to market exception for the Apple product.

Or, might we see a pricing advantage flow through to the consumer because Apple have more margin and be able to offer a bit more value across their range, but still retain the profit they like.

In short, if there is margin wiggle room, where will any fab cost advantage mostly benefit, shareholder or consumer.

It is unlikely that these chips are much cheaper to Apple, all things considered, than buying Intel’s chips. Depends on the chip yield. It could be that they are able to take die with bad cores and use them in lower-end machines (like MBP chips that don’t cut it become MBA chips, or iPad Pro chips, or even iPhone chips, etc.). That would help.

 

[SWAON]

I highly doubt they'll introduce 16" MBP with AS this year, probably it will be just a site refresh with 10 gen Intel as some recent leaks (the one with Bootcamp) suggested.

Although the tag line for the event is called "One more thing", Apple unveiled two devices at each previous ones, so very much possible two more things to come

 

[lxmeta]

My 1st gen Black MacBook was a lemon, as was my Rev A iBook G4.

First generation MacBook Pro no issues

My 1st gen MacBook Pro bought in 2017 was a lemon and returned as such for full refund. (7 repairs)
My MBA 2019 was a lemon, and returned as such after I proved to Apple it does not meet specs by design.
Not an Apple hater at all, the opposite: I’m all on Apple! But I’ll wait and see for the first tests before I pull the trigger on a 1st gen, and I know what flaws I will test for...

 

[leman]

I hope is more than that. An iPad Pro from 2018 already had 8 core CPUs and 7 GPU. Single core, multi core and GPU scores were up to par with a fully cooled MacBook Pro 13” 2020.

Don’t know what’s gonna happen really but I find it likely that it’s going to smoke the i9s

I am not counting the efficiency cores here, so with quad core I mean 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency ones (total of 8).

 

[kobefan234]

I have a new 2019 MBP 16inch coming in the mail. should I return it? Idk if they will be ready to ship the new MBP 16's on 11/10/2020.

 

[leman]

I have a new 2019 MBP 16inch coming in the mail. should I return it? Idk if they will be ready to ship the new MBP 16's on 11/10/2020.

I would definitely return it. You can always wait one week and it’s not like you are going to lose anything either way.

 

[CRoebuck]

I would definitely return it. You can always wait one week and it’s not like you are going to lose anything either way.

Unless he needs to run Windows occasionally ;-)

 

[leman]

Unless he needs to run Windows occasionally ;-)

Why, do you think that Intel MBP 16" will lose the ability to run Windows?

 

[jon08]

Do you think the prices of 2020 Intel MBP's will go down once these silicon MBP's are introduced?

 

[leman]

Do you think the prices of 2020 Intel MBP's will go down once these silicon MBP's are introduced?

I don't think it likely. There most certainly won't be any official price change and as to the rest... depends on how popular these models will be. If some retailers will want to get rid of the old socks, there might be some rebates here and there.

 

[CRoebuck]

Why, do you think that Intel MBP 16" will lose the ability to run Windows?

My mistake. I thought the poster was suggesting to wait in case a 16" MBP with AS was launched. In which case the decision is Intel v's AS (rather than Intel versus Intel Refresh)

 

[icymountain]

I just bought a nearly maxed out 16" so am glad I got the last of the Intel ones. I'll wait 2 or 3 cycles before moving to Apple Silicon.

Same! Actually I am still waiting for the delivery, and in no rush for it. I know I am getting a very competent computer fully compatible with all the software that I need for development purpose.
I am quite sure that, if Apple releases a new 16" with Apple Silicon chip next week, it will beat the Intel one in benchmarks, but why would I care right now if the current model fits my needs...

 

[adib]

Error in translation from a Mark Gurman Bloomberg article? He may be wrong, but has an excellent track record.

Nevertheless there's a recent Boot Camp update signaling a new Intel-based Mac.

 

[Tozovac]

Agh if they look exactly the same I'm not sure I will want to upgrade knowing there is a redesign coming next year. Still excited for the event though.

In the classic sense of “watch what you ask for,” combined with the fact that Apple’s calling card of Innovation/Design over the past 10+ years has been to give something new by taking something away (thickness, keyboard height, function keys, ports, jacks, software/interface details, a dedicated MagSafe charger, home button, etc.), I’m much more likely to take the plunge of replacing my 2014 MacBook Air with an ARM MacBook using the current hardware form factor having a good keyboard, actual usb-C ports, a dedicated ESC key, discrete function keys, and proper arrow keys, etc., rather than wait for what Apple removes for the next generation MacBook line.

 

[UltimateSyn]

My 1st gen MacBook Pro bought in 2017 was a lemon and returned as such for full refund. (7 repairs)

If you bought a new MacBook Pro in 2017 it was not a first-generation. The models from late 2016 to late 2019 are considered fourth-generation models.

 

[Maconplasma]

Make no mistake, these new laptops will impress. Big time.

You don’t launch a bold new platform with crap performance.

All eyes are on Apple to justify the switch over. They know it, and so do their investors and shareholders.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see 3-5x better than current hardware.

My only concern however, is pricing.

As much as I would love Macs to be a little cheaper overall I can say with conviction that price hasn't kept Apple from selling their products. Their phones are expensive, their Macs are expensive, their AppleCare is expensive, their accessories are expensive, but they have become a 2 trillion dollar company and they got that way because consumers enjoyed the great quality Apple puts out so they pay into it. So it's best to accept the inevitable.

 

[Maconplasma]

Maybe but I think there’s a demographic of document-based users who want iPad-level mobility but the power of MacOS—writers, journos, academics, researchers. In my industry, my cohorts prefer MacOS as iPadOS still isn’t good enough, but we don’t need the horsepower of a MacBook Pro. My wife works in science research and it’s the same for her as well. She tried an iPad Pro twice and even with the Magic Keyboard it still isn’t good enough.

Not sure why you're ignoring the MacBook Air.

 

[lxmeta]

If you brought a new MacBook Pro in 2017 it was not a first-generation. The models from late 2016 to late 2019 are considered fourth-generation models.

2016 was a complete redesigned MacBook Pro which I consider a 1st gen as it has very little similarity with the early 2008, which would be the 1st gen in your books, right?
I consider "1st gen" as the 1st new "design". Macbook Air Retina 2018 is a 1st gen in my books.

 

[Laii]

when all no understand that it is not only about performance but about lower temperatures, for example with 2x 4k monitors. (macbook pro 16 runs like a jet plane)

 

[mhoutman]

I have a new 2019 MBP 16inch coming in the mail. should I return it? Idk if they will be ready to ship the new MBP 16's on 11/10/2020.

I was in the same situation two weeks ago as my MBP 2012 retina reached EOL. I asked Apple to cancel the order and wanted to wait for a next Special Event rumoured to be held on November 17th.

Two weeks later we know the date is one week earlier and according Bloomberg 'something' is to come. I just took the risk of waiting but agree that the current MBP is a very capable machine

Today Amazon also discounts some 16" machines: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/04/deals-amazon-16-macbook-pro/

 

[wallaby]

I'm in the market right now for a new laptop, but I'm not sure I want to buy an AS version, when I'm sure so much third party stuff will be slow to catch up. I've already done this runaround once.

Honestly, a Dell XPS is a better value right now. I wouldn’t bother with these machines this year and would wait to see what comes of the rumored miniLED version next year.

 

[RowellE]

Will Apple Silicon make Macs a little more affordable than its Intel counterparts, more expensive, or around the same?

 

[ccsicecoke]

Will Apple Silicon make Macs a little more affordable than its Intel counterparts, more expensive, or around the same?

You should see 40% price hike in general.

 

[polaris20]

Honestly, a Dell XPS is a better value right now. I wouldn’t bother with these machines this year and would wait to see what comes of the rumored miniLED version next year.

Uh, so switch to an entirely different platform? Not really a solid idea. 😆 Last time I checked, Logic Pro X and FCP don't run on Windows.