Apple Expected to Ramp Up Production of Haswell-Based Notebooks Next Month

[Alenore]

The retina display is more useful for professionals

Some of them*
I couldn't care less about a retina display. So do most of people, since they seem perfectly happy with their non-retina cMBP/windows laptop

You're paying a premium price to get a retina display. If they drop the cMBP line completely (which I doubt they will), I'm gonna make fun of people saying "but they dropped Ethernet because only some people cared about it !".

 

[NT1440]

I hope they don't ditch the optical drive entirely.

That will be interesting to see. Personally I have no issue switching to an external when I eventually get a new Macbook. With Haswell we should finally have an integrated GPU with enough oomph to drive the retina display no problem (if I remember correctly this is supposed to double the GPU power compared to the HD4000), but will they redesign the entire line to the retina thinness or (my preference) keep the current MBP design, through in Haswell and a retina screen?

Personally the only thing I use my optical drive for these days is to burn installation DVD's of OS's...but only to fix machines that are too old to boot off usb drives. For my personal use this wouldn't be a big deal once those old computers finally start dying off (but the grey and black pentium 4 dell dimensions I went to middle school with WILL NOT DIE).

I find disc drives to be convenient but only for spur of the moment repairs. That said, I accept wholly that I'm only talking about my use cases and there are clearly many fields that needs access to a drive in the field rather than at a desk where an external is a viable and convenient option.

 

[iChrist]

You are correct. The bug-fixed version will be release by mid-July according to this report: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57578223-92/intel-confirms-usb-bug-in-haswell-chipset/

I just can't imagine Apple risking a new product line to have a well-known documented bug. It would make them vulnerable to a Class-Action Lawsuit, and bad products review, and their stock will drop even more.

Thank you for this info. I will definitely wait till fall, also when physical redesign will occur.

.

 

[Lancer]

Given their history I'm betting the next MBP update will say bye-bye to the DVD and the MBP and MBPr will merge into one line with retina on the top models and a 'normal' LCD on the lower models. JMO

 

[cppguy]

I think it was a mistake for Apple to ditch a physical ethernet port.

You can buy a thunderbolt - ethernet adapter: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD463ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-gigabit-ethernet-adaptor

 

[64Mario64]

Shouldn't the article mention what "Haswell" even is? For those who don't know, I Googled it. It's an Intel CPU.

 

[fastasleep]

It would be a GIANT mistake to remove the MBP non-retina line this early. The price of FLASH is still too high and professionals NEED more storage than 512GB in many cases. 768GB Flash is not affordable and 1TB is ridiculous, especially after the Apple Tax on a rMBP. If they remove the MBP non-retina line, they will eliminate a large base of customers who need a pro laptop.

Just bought a 960gb from Crucial for $600. It's getting cheaper.

 

[64Mario64]

I think it was a mistake for Apple to ditch a physical ethernet port. I know they won't put this back, but for me I won't be buying another MBP. I work as a contractor and the majority of sites I go to don't have effective wireless, or if it is good it's only a guest network and no good for development work. Plenty of sites are happy for contractors to use their own laptops on the physical network though and having to cart around an ethernet adaptor is just plain crap.

It's all nice having a 'retina' display and the latest CPU, but when basic connectivity is missing the design is flawed.

Adaptor. Sure you have to pay extra, but that's because you're the tiny minority. I'm also part of that tiny minority, but I have a desktop Mac.

 

[Yebubbleman]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Over the past several months, a number of rumors have suggested that Apple will be looking to update its notebook lineup at or soon after its Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off on June 10. In particular, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a relatively strong track record, laid out a roadmap in January predicting that the MacBook Air could see an update by late in the second quarter with Apple's MacBook Pro moving to an all-Retina lineup early in the third quarter.

Reports on whether there will be any design changes as part of a rumored June notebook update have varied, with a February report from Taiwan's Economic Times claiming that the MacBook Air will see a design refresh while Kuo has suggested that the Retina MacBook Pro may also see design tweaks.

Image​

Digitimes has weighed in several times on the June notebook refresh rumors, first noting them in late December while suggesting that Apple may cut prices on the MacBook Air in the interim in order to keep sales moving. To that end, Apple did in fact drop pricing on its high-end 13-inch MacBook Air alongside a February spec bump for the Retina MacBook Pro. Digitimes weighed in again just weeks ago, claiming that Apple will be updating its notebook lineup late this quarter, again suggesting a June launch.

In a new report out today, Digitimes claims that Apple's quarterly notebook shipments are expected to grow 10% sequentially as the company works through the remainder of its excess inventory and looks to begin ramping up production again in mid-May. The report notes that this new production will primarily be next-generation models based on the Haswell platform.Conflicting with some earlier reports of design changes for the MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro, Digitimes says that Apple's suppliers have not received any instructions for changes to designs or their equipment, suggesting that the upgrades may be limited to internal improvements.

During Apple's earnings conference call earlier this week, CEO Tim Cook appeared to play down the company's product launch plans for the next several months, specifically noting optimism about "amazing" new products coming in the "fall and throughout 2014".

Article Link: Apple Expected to Ramp Up Production of Haswell-Based Notebooks Next Month

I know that they're likely getting discontinued, but it'd still be nice to hear more definitive news/rumors about Apple's plans regarding the still-shipping non-retina MacBook Pros...

...and y'know Mac Pro news wouldn't hurt either.

 

[64Mario64]

Just bought a 960gb from Crucial for $600. It's getting cheaper.

$600 is NOT anywhere near cheap.

 

[tokyojerry]

Awesome news. Cant wait for my new Air or Retina 13"... Cant decide wich one yet..

Ditto here, but I will do my annual technology update to stay current and avoid planned obsolescence.

 

[2IS]

You are correct. The bug-fixed version will be release by mid-July according to this report: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57578223-92/intel-confirms-usb-bug-in-haswell-chipset/

I just can't imagine Apple risking a new product line to have a well-known documented bug. It would make them vulnerable to a Class-Action Lawsuit, and bad products review, and their stock will drop even more.

I'd say their stock prices will drop a LOT more if they're the only manufacturer not supplying their customers with Haswell equipped notebooks because of a bug almost nobody will encounter.

Any product reviews will put it up against machines of very similar hardware, so it's par for the course there. At least they'll have a product to review.

 

[tokyojerry]

Built in Ethernet Port Desired? How funny!

I think it was a mistake for Apple to ditch a physical ethernet port. I know they won't put this back, but for me I won't be buying another MBP. I work as a contractor and the majority of sites I go to don't have effective wireless, or if it is good it's only a guest network and no good for development work. Plenty of sites are happy for contractors to use their own laptops on the physical network though and having to cart around an ethernet adaptor is just plain crap.

Ha-ha-ha, I thought that was amusing. Having to 'cart' around..... ??
Just curious, how many kilos is your adapter? My TB to ethernet is a mere few grams. When I go on a trip, that little dongle (which BTW, is attached to the end of my ethernet cable which I also have to 'cart around', is just one small component in my little nylon bag of connectivity tricks. USB charger for ipads, power strip for multiple connections, micro-usb cable, etc.

Accommodating your wish to have an incorporated ethernet port makes absolutely no sense. That means Apple would have to go back to a thickened notebook, most likely a heavier notebook, to accommodate the wish to have a built in ethernet port only because one does not want to carry around a very compact and lightweight, thunderbolt to ethernet (or any thing for that matter) dongle. NEVER happen. I'll take the slender, slim line, lightweight dongle (attached to my ethernet cable which I also have to 'cart' around), any day. TB at 10Gbps, to ethernet, or even USB3 at 4.8Gbps to ethernet easily accommodates ethernet's paltry throughput of 1.0Gbps. You can always go back to 2009 era technology if you really want a built in ethernet so badly. Then, you'll have to cart around a notebook twice as thick and twice as heavy.

 

[whitedragon101]

Put that >1" bezel to use and you'll get tomorrow's 17" screen in today's 15" package.

I always hoped they would do this. Maybe start with 16"

 

[agmivh2f]

More Choice Please

I want an 11inch retina air quad core i7

I hate 13 and 15 inches but need i7 for my family videos.

 

[shaunp]

Ha-ha-ha, I thought that was amusing. Having to 'cart' around..... ??
Just curious, how many kilos is your adapter? My TB to ethernet is a mere few grams. When I go on a trip, that little dongle (which BTW, is attached to the end of my ethernet cable which I also have to 'cart around', is just one small component in my little nylon bag of connectivity tricks. USB charger for ipads, power strip for multiple connections, micro-usb cable, etc.

Accommodating your wish to have an incorporated ethernet port makes absolutely no sense. That means Apple would have to go back to a thickened notebook, most likely a heavier notebook, to accommodate the wish to have a built in ethernet port only because one does not want to carry around a very compact and lightweight, thunderbolt to ethernet (or any thing for that matter) dongle. NEVER happen. I'll take the slender, slim line, lightweight dongle (attached to my ethernet cable which I also have to 'cart' around), any day. TB at 10Gbps, to ethernet, or even USB3 at 4.8Gbps to ethernet easily accommodates ethernet's paltry throughput of 1.0Gbps. You can always go back to 2009 era technology if you really want a built in ethernet so badly. Then, you'll have to cart around a notebook twice as thick and twice as heavy.

It's not about the weight you muppet, it's about not being able to plug the cable in and been forced to buy an adaptor for something that should be onboard. Having to use an adaptor rather than just having the port there is plain dumb. Apple and the majority of the users don't see this. The current line up of Apple laptops aren't that appealing. No ethernet and a glossy screen? Apple need to get over the need to make everything as thin as possible. Lighter I get and appreciate, but thinner? Not if it means I have to carry around a load of **** just to plug cables in. It makes no sense. As for glossy screens Apple can shove them.

 

[4God]

Just bought a 960gb from Crucial for $600. It's getting cheaper.

Link?

 

[B...]

Link?

Google search for Crucial 960gb found me this:

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT960M500SSD1

 

[Kaspersky]

 

[SMDBill]

It's not about the weight you muppet, it's about not being able to plug the cable in and been forced to buy an adaptor for something that should be onboard. Having to use an adaptor rather than just having the port there is plain dumb. Apple and the majority of the users don't see this. The current line up of Apple laptops aren't that appealing. No ethernet and a glossy screen? Apple need to get over the need to make everything as thin as possible. Lighter I get and appreciate, but thinner? Not if it means I have to carry around a load of **** just to plug cables in. It makes no sense. As for glossy screens Apple can shove them.

Rather than throwing names at someone who disagrees, maybe consider that you are getting a multi-functional port rather than just ethernet. You can connect it to many different devices for different purposes. That makes the adapters necessary rather than filling the laptop with various sized ports for everyone's specific needs. You mentioned earlier that it was "ugly" to have the adapter plugged in, but that suggests that just an ethernet cord plugged in is somehow not ugly?

I'll take the smaller form factor and multi-purpose and faster port over an ethernet port any day. A simple adapter is tiny and if you plug in all the time to ethernet, as I do where I work, the time and frustration to use the adapter is far too minimal to be much of an inconvenience unless you forget to bring it or break it. It's really not a step backward....it's a step forward while giving you more choices in how you use the machine.

I'll agree with the screen being reflective. That's a huge pain and should at least have options to buy a matte or similar low-reflectivity screen.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Umm...

1. If you are a 'pro laptop customer' you are using an SSD and probably retina display. If you are not, I'm not sure I would call you a 'pro anything'.

2. If you are a 'pro laptop customer' you probably need more than 1TB of space anyway so you have an external storage solution using TB or USB3.

3. MBPc will be phased out by Apple. This year? Maybe. Next year? Probably.

-P

as a pro user, why in the world would I want a glossy screen or an sad over a 1tb hdd, esata, or Ethernet port? If you think that pros all need glossy hi-dpi screens and ssds, you should look up what a professional is.

Serious? A $25 dongle that allows ethernet connection is the deal breaker that will switch you from Mac OS to Windows? You will give up a retina display, latest CPU, superior build quality, longer battery, better resale, more stable OS, superior visual design, lower weight, etc. just so you don't have to carry an $25 ethernet to USB dongle that weighs two ounces and once attached to the ethernet CORD takes up no room.

Its not about dongle, its a out convenience. And there's nothing convenient about having to keep a dongle at work, one at home, and a spare in case. Then when I grab my laptop to go to a meeting, I need the dongle. Its just as bad as having to carry a portable hdd with me or a spare keyboard. Its a pointless accessory that exists only so that apple can make a laptop that is another mm thinner.

go and buy a 1TB 2.5inch thunderbolt (oh, USB3.0 is OK too) extern hard drive

The retina display is more useful for professionals

With all due respect, you're wrong. And excluding photographers, I think every single pro would find a larger hard drive more useful that a higher dpi screen.

 

[B...]

Didn't Intel announce that touchscreen capability is mandatory for the Haswell processor? I read that they can get around it if they are willing to pay full price, but would apple do that? Or am I misunderstanding that requirement?

Only for Windows Ultrabooks.

 

[tokyojerry]

It's not about the weight you muppet, it's about not being able to plug the cable in and been forced to buy an adaptor for something that should be onboard. Having to use an adaptor rather than just having the port there is plain dumb. Apple and the majority of the users don't see this. The current line up of Apple laptops aren't that appealing. No ethernet and a glossy screen? Apple need to get over the need to make everything as thin as possible. Lighter I get and appreciate, but thinner? Not if it means I have to carry around a load of **** just to plug cables in. It makes no sense. As for glossy screens Apple can shove them.

Fact of the matter is, Apple is obviously doing something right. They are proving it in their global performance, whether some like it or not. You can please the majority of the people, the majority of the time. But, you will never please 100% of the people 100% of the time. (Ask the politicians!) So, some will just have to bite the bullet and find alternative solutions. For myself, I came from a Windows world and really thought Apple was for tutty fruity types. Not any longer. They obviously have revolutionized technology in the world of smart phones and it's also happening in the world of computing too. Intel catalytic to giving rise to Ultrabooks in the PC world (= Windows) was catalytic and a result of the onslaught and sudden rise in popularity of the Macbook Airs, for example. For PCs to be competitive, the Ultrabook concept was born.

Personally I have no remorse over the demise of the ethernet (happening on Ultrabooks too.) Firewire ports, etc. Eventually wireless even eliminate dongles (hopefully) with GigaWiFi and beyond.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

A simple adapter is tiny and if you plug in all the time to ethernet, as I do where I work, the time and frustration to use the adapter is far too minimal to be much of an inconvenience unless you forget to bring it or break it.

See that's my point though. Its an unnecessary accessory, but if you forget it that's a days worth of lost productivity. The tradeoff is too high, and that one port alone is seriously causing me to reconsider a rMBP.

 

[tokyojerry]

I'll take the smaller form factor and multi-purpose and faster port over an ethernet port any day. A simple adapter is tiny and if you plug in all the time to ethernet, as I do where I work, the time and frustration to use the adapter is far too minimal to be much of an inconvenience unless you forget to bring it or break it.

Doing it even simpler, I just keep the short dongle connected to the of the ethernet I carry around, as sort of a natural extension of the ethernet cable. If I actually need ethernet to ethernet, it's as simple as disconnecting the dongle. The best of both worlds.

When in a hotel room, I carry a spare airport express wireless unit with me. Then, if the hotel room is equipped with a single LAN cable, I plug their ethernet cable into my airport express unit, and now have wireless in the room. Then, I don't even need to consider using the dongle on the MBA or MBP, nor for our iPhones and iPads as well which do not have the TB nor ethernet. Changing times.

----------

See that's my point though. Its an unnecessary accessory, but if you forget it that's a days worth of lost productivity. The tradeoff is too high, and that one port alone is seriously causing me to reconsider a rMBP.

If you forget your ethernet cable, that is a day's lost of productivity. The tradeoff is too high to use an ethernet cable.