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Apple Notebook Refresh Expected Late This Quarter, But Only Modest Shipment Growth for 2013
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Apple figured that out and decided to solder the RAM to the board to make sure they get their money up front or force you to replace your laptop in a couple years because you need more RAM. It's so obvious and annoying.
For example. Why not make the imac 21" upgradeable (RAM). Why put it on the underside of the logic board and then glue the screen on. LOL Answer: Because they want $200 for $40 additional (actual cost) of memory and they know you can't do anything really about it. They provide the access on the 27" because they over-price it from the start. They want to act like they have a reasonable AIO desktop at $1299 and they get folks to buy it without thinking through the next few years.
If their trend is all about thinner and less about usefulness to the consumer, then good luck. Your competition is either catching up or already caught you.
There is evidence that this is not Intel's only 2 core offering that will be rolling out this year.
The FUDzilla article mentions ULT processors. CPU-world has commented on Intels 2013-2014 rollout plans for desktops and mobiles and names U processors that are on track for release with the desktops.
" ... Desktop microprocessors, built on yet unreleased Haswell microarchitecture, are expected from May 27 to June 7. The launch lineup includes ..... It seems from the document that the Haswell NDA expires on June 2, and we may see more information and first official reviews of Haswell products on or after this date. ...
... Intel mobile roadmap doesn't have much new information, as it matches one for one previously published reports. According to the reports and the roadmap, Intel Core i7-4700HQ, i7-4700MQ, i7-4702HQ, i7-4702MQ, i7-4930MX, i7-4900MQ, i7-4800MQ will be released from May 27 to June 7. .... At the same time, Intel will launch HM86, HM87 and QM87 Lynx Point chipsets. Ultra low voltage Core i3-4100U, i3-4010U, i5-4250U, i5-4200U, i7-4650U, i5-4350U, i7-4550U and i7-4500U will be released simultaneously with standard-power mobile Haswell parts.... "
http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2013/2013032501_Intel_desktop_and_mobile_CPU_roadmap_for_2014.html
A couple of these U models appear to have GT3 graphics ( HD5100 ; not the integrated VRAM version. )
"...Core i3-4005U, i3-4010U, i3-4100U, Core i5-4200U, i5-4200Y and Core i7-4500U will come with HD 4400 graphics processor. Core i5-4250U and Core i7-4550U will have HD 5000 unit. HD 5100 GPU will be on Core i3-4158U, Core i5-4258U, i5-4288U and Core i7-4558U microprocessors...."
http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2013/..._i7-4850HQ_and_i7-4950HQ_CPUs_in_Q3_2013.html
Mobile CPUs are the fastest growth, most dynamic ( most competitive with tablets ). It would be extremely dubious for Intel to sit on a large fraction of whatever they have targeted at the mobile market until Q4. I can't think of a better way to shoot themselves in the head.
What is going on though is that Intel will be release really two classes of "ulta low" product offerings. One will be along the lines of previous generations. Another with be Intel's new SoC ( system on a chip) offering. SoC offering will combine CPU+GPU+IOHub. Some reports have it as that combo also plus Thunderbolt controller weaved in: that would make sense as being the "T" in ULT .
Given the glitches Intel had in the Lynx Point support chips ( USB problems , etc.) it would make extremely good sense that the SoC offering has been pushed back a quarter as fixing that is going to trigger validation of the whole SoC. So yes, those in Q4 would be expected in Q4. The operative question though is why Apple would want to use them.
IHMO it is more likely that Apple would want the GT3 graphics variants of the newer lower TDP chips rather than something that integrated everything into one package. Eventually sure, but I suspect those SoC offerings are more so targeted at Windows 8 "tablets" rather than MBA or MBP class systems. You'll get everything in one chip ( so the system can be more affordable) but it won't be a significant computational performance step up from last year's offerings. Think Microsoft Surface Tablet with battery life much closer to iPad as being the primary value proposition.
I don't think Apple is going to make a tablet/slab Macintosh. They don't need one. They already have the iPad. It would be more than a little crazy for Apple to introduce something that kind of looked like an iPad but wasn't. Therefore, there is a class of Intel's offerings that Apple isn't going to use. that isn't "new". It has been true ever since Apple transitioned to x86.
"left" is dubious connotation.
The MBA never had a discrete GPU. Ever. That the next one will have integrated graphics is just the status quo.
Likewise the MBP 13 has never had discrete graphics ( ditto for the MacBook ).
Mac mini has only had discrete graphics twice over its entire lifetime. Once when it had a G4 processor ( there were no integrated graphics in the PPC chipset space). The other was not across the whole line up ( the "better" non-server model had it for one year). There is no solid track record for discrete graphics for the Mac Mini. There a two anomalies.
So "left"? Discrete graphics never were really there.
When Apple made the x86 transition, integrated graphics became firmly implanted in the Mac line up. That happened 7 years ago and being driven by natural course of technology advancing ( Moore's law , doubling of transitors )
EDIT: accidentally double quoted
Based on what they are saying about haswell's low power consumption that could possibly translate into ~1/3 more battery life, and also the upgrade to hd4600 graphics (vs ivy bridge hd4000) I would say yes. However if you aren't going to be away from home too much and you really need a machine then you are probably fine.
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" Likewise the MBP 13 has never had discrete graphics ( ditto for the MacBook ). "
My 2009 MacBook has discrete graphics. So does the 2010, I'm unsure about the pro line though.
Based on what they are saying about haswell's low power consumption that could possibly translate into ~1/3 more battery life, and also the upgrade to hd4600 graphics (vs ivy bridge hd4000) I would say yes. However if you aren't going to be away from home too much and you really need a machine then you are probably fine.
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" Likewise the MBP 13 has never had discrete graphics ( ditto for the MacBook ). "
My 2009 MacBook has discrete graphics. So does the 2010, I'm unsure about the pro line though.
I dont like the direction apple is headed....
I have the last 17" Macbook Pro model apple made. The retina display is nice however not a necessity to me. However the new models force you to no be able to upgrade the ram yourself or the hard drive (Without a lot of hassle) makes me unhappy with the direction they are going. If I want a faster processor and a lot of ram - now I have to pay even more money to order it custom from apple while paying another premium on top of the already high cost of the computers. Its getting to the point that it is going to be out of the price range of what I can afford and may resort to something else. Being a big apple fan this is just unacceptable to me - I worry that since steve is no longer around apple will go in the wrong direction just like they did last time steve left the company.
I have the last 17" Macbook Pro model apple made. The retina display is nice however not a necessity to me. However the new models force you to no be able to upgrade the ram yourself or the hard drive (Without a lot of hassle) makes me unhappy with the direction they are going. If I want a faster processor and a lot of ram - now I have to pay even more money to order it custom from apple while paying another premium on top of the already high cost of the computers. Its getting to the point that it is going to be out of the price range of what I can afford and may resort to something else. Being a big apple fan this is just unacceptable to me - I worry that since steve is no longer around apple will go in the wrong direction just like they did last time steve left the company.
A "discreet" graphics card? I surmise you mean one that keeps your web-surfing habits secret from your wife, but knows it's okay to show your buddies?
Two points on slowing MBP sales, I think:
- iPad sales have reduced the desire to upgrade laptops for people with both devices, because as the Pad fills in the role of checking email, reading, and watching movies, the laptop is used less, and it makes a less compelling case to shell out $1500 for a laptop upgrade.
- Retina, while impressive, doesn't have a quantum marketing advantage over IPS screens on competing PC laptops, and will not drive growth as a standalone feature, especially if it comes at the expense of battery life.
If Haswell is not out by June, I wonder what a June upgrade would have since we just had a processor bump? Perhaps if Haswell is being delayed till Q3-Q4, Apple is rolling out Retina Airs and 802.11ac in June anyway, and then have a processor bump late in the year.
- iPad sales have reduced the desire to upgrade laptops for people with both devices, because as the Pad fills in the role of checking email, reading, and watching movies, the laptop is used less, and it makes a less compelling case to shell out $1500 for a laptop upgrade.
- Retina, while impressive, doesn't have a quantum marketing advantage over IPS screens on competing PC laptops, and will not drive growth as a standalone feature, especially if it comes at the expense of battery life.
If Haswell is not out by June, I wonder what a June upgrade would have since we just had a processor bump? Perhaps if Haswell is being delayed till Q3-Q4, Apple is rolling out Retina Airs and 802.11ac in June anyway, and then have a processor bump late in the year.
Even the Core 2 Duos didn't have discrete graphics. It's just that Intel allowed others, such as NVIDIA, to make integrated graphics chipsets. That ended with the switch to the Core i3/i5/i7 line.
This is exactly why I recently bought the 15" cMBP with an upgraded screen (it's no retina, but it's still a nice display), and I have every intention of upgrading the hard drive to an SSD at some point and upgrading the RAM to 16GB (which the computer will support despite what apple says.)
hmmm...
nooope... i'm still seeing a lot of 13 and 17 inchers at educational institutions and more airs in businesses along with competitor ultra books etc in the corporate level. a lot of designers are still running around with 17 inchers, i have not seen a single retina macbook pro in any cafe's, libraries or universities, because i work with a lot of students and business people. what i do see the most of are tablets and iPhones. when asked, people are more likely to spend on the entry 13 in macbook pro without retina. the general public are just not that interested in the 'retina' technology, only macheads are and they are the minorities from my experience.
a refreshed 17 inch macbook pro come back would be most welcome
nooope... i'm still seeing a lot of 13 and 17 inchers at educational institutions and more airs in businesses along with competitor ultra books etc in the corporate level. a lot of designers are still running around with 17 inchers, i have not seen a single retina macbook pro in any cafe's, libraries or universities, because i work with a lot of students and business people. what i do see the most of are tablets and iPhones. when asked, people are more likely to spend on the entry 13 in macbook pro without retina. the general public are just not that interested in the 'retina' technology, only macheads are and they are the minorities from my experience.
a refreshed 17 inch macbook pro come back would be most welcome
yes!!! I waiting too for a better price on the 15 retina!
what price you expect? from $2,199 to $1,799
I believe the current density limitation on GDDR5 is 2 Gb (256 MB). You would be limited by area on the logicboard to solder VRAM. Most notebooks with more than 1GB of VRAM have a much larger daughter card.
apple's just continuing with their recent summer refreshes for their notebook lineup.
0.1GHz increase is not an update; it was merely an excuse to change pricing and put the "New" badge across the website to make it obvious. Marketing.
I'm confused by this article and those discussing it - are we expecting Haswell in the Summer refresh, or later this year? I was going to wait for Haswell, but it's getting ridiculous now - been waiting since early this year.
And for those arguing that the 13" will get cut - I really want the 13", I'm just concerned about Intel HD 4000 on a 27" Thunderbolt Display. Loud fans are a PITA. 15" is too big, and looks odd in my opinion.
The endless wait for a refresh
I badly need to replace a failing laptop for my partner and want a MacBook Pro. The retina display is incredibly overrated (vs the hi res displays never mind the horsepower needed to support it) and SSD memory is too expensive for the amount I need. Buying a plain ole MacBook Pro w/1TB HD and 8G of RAM seems like a no-brainer but I've been waiting for the refresh, which seems to never be coming.
As a practical matter, is there really any good reason to not just buy a non-Retina MBPro today? My only reservation is the hope that the new MBP will support 16 GB of RAM which I would like. If, as has been suggested, the new MBP will be all retina display, that will eat up the extra RAM anyway.
Sorry if my rambling doesn't make any sense.
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It's been 302 days since a refresh of the MBP with the average between refreshes 267 days (I think).
The Retina MBP model was recently refreshed, but there are some real differences between the two, like the option of a normal hard drive versus only (extraordinarily expensive) SSD.
I believe SSD remains too expensive for use in one's only computer. It's perfect in my MBA but that is just a travel computer not responsible for long-term file storage.
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When it was time to replace my 13" MB, I went with the MBA because it's my travel laptop and the MBA is the perfect solution.
I LOVE my MBA.
I badly need to replace a failing laptop for my partner and want a MacBook Pro. The retina display is incredibly overrated (vs the hi res displays never mind the horsepower needed to support it) and SSD memory is too expensive for the amount I need. Buying a plain ole MacBook Pro w/1TB HD and 8G of RAM seems like a no-brainer but I've been waiting for the refresh, which seems to never be coming.
As a practical matter, is there really any good reason to not just buy a non-Retina MBPro today? My only reservation is the hope that the new MBP will support 16 GB of RAM which I would like. If, as has been suggested, the new MBP will be all retina display, that will eat up the extra RAM anyway.
Sorry if my rambling doesn't make any sense.
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It's been 302 days since a refresh of the MBP with the average between refreshes 267 days (I think).
The Retina MBP model was recently refreshed, but there are some real differences between the two, like the option of a normal hard drive versus only (extraordinarily expensive) SSD.
I believe SSD remains too expensive for use in one's only computer. It's perfect in my MBA but that is just a travel computer not responsible for long-term file storage.
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Bingo! I think that is exactly right, and this problem gets exacerbated as prices on the MBA continue to come down.
When it was time to replace my 13" MB, I went with the MBA because it's my travel laptop and the MBA is the perfect solution.
I LOVE my MBA.
^^^
THIS
I was contemplating upgrading my work 2010 13"MBP to a 13" Air. But I just got an iPad 4/Refurb from work. I'm finding I just leave the MBP on the desk when I'm out/about, meetings, etc. We've implemented VDI, so if I need a document, etc. I just logon to that...
aha YEAH!!!!This is certainly elegant but the high cost of SSD memory is still a problem.I hope the future of their laptop line is just one type of machine:
- Air body
- Pro features (external optical if needed)
- Retina display
In 11, 13, 15 & 17" sizes. Add an Apple-designed discrete graphics card (so it'll fit in the Air's body) as a BTO option.
One model. Four sizes. Keep things nice and simple.
My partner's only computer is his laptop which contains all his music, videos, movies, files, photos, etc. He needs a TB. He only wants 1 computer that he can take with him. SSD just isn't an option for him, at least not yet and he needs a new computer like last month.
My iMac is the home for all my long term storage and I used a 13" MBA for travel but no long term storage. I LOVE my MBA but then I ask very little of it.
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I think this is very insightful.
I've said before that the Retina display is really over-rated, and in addition to battery life, extra processor power and RAM needed to drive the higher res.
I love my iPad but I've found that it doesn't replace my MBA on business travel because I need to do more than the iPad can reasonably do. BUT, there is no question I used the MBA much less and am much more reluctant to upgrade it as a result of the iPad.
