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Apple Registers 7 Unreleased Mac Notebooks in Eurasian Database
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Actually, the Retina MBA has a fan inside of it. It rarely powers up, but it has a fan.
Another fun fact, the battery is removable in the Retina MBA top case, like the iPhones. We might see this flow to the other new MacBook Pros...
I know folks love the Air, but since the new Macbook came out, a lot of folks (myself included) have wondered, "Why have both?" I'm just wondering at what point they'll make a Macbook that does just the trick for everyone who wants a Mac but only uses one for internet, email, photos, etc. I used to work for Apple Retail, and it seemed like most people needed only the "basics." A low-level Macbook was all most people needed (I left in 2011). At some point, the "Air" becomes superfluous, IMO. Or, they keep the "Air." My point is that I see them rolling Air and Macbook into one line (as you suggested, just in reverse). This would certainly simplify things, and I hope they do it.
Thanks. I think it might be a good move for them, actually. Keep the low-tiered Macbook (or Macbook Air, just not both), start at a price that is reasonable, but add upgrade options (including screen size) for folks who need a boost (or larger screen) but don't need legitimately "Pro level" computing power. They have shown us with the new Mac Pro that they are serious about making workstation-level machines for "Pros." I can only surmise much of what they presented was in response to the mistakes they made (and criticisms they received) with the Trashcan. I can also guess they are planning to do the same thing for the Macbook Pro... make it a legit "Pro" machine. It'll cost an arm and a leg, but no one will be able to say, "the MBP is a mid-level system between the MacBook And the older MacBook Pro's." (see quote below). As for screen size, and this is anecdotal, based on my experience at Apple Retail, I cannot tell you how many 15" MBPs we sold to people who didn't need the horsepower. They just wanted the bigger screen. I absolutely think they could sell a ton of scaled down Macbooks (or Macbook Airs, whatever they decide to call them) with larger screens. To the folks who don't need to run 128 tracks in Logic. No, that's where the new MBP would come in. All speculation on my part, but just going off my experience with working there, as well as an observation that Apple likes to keep its reputation as an "elite" brand intact. They've suffered amongst pros in the last several years, and they are looking to rectify that.
Totally agree with you on the MBPs being "mid-tiered" and advanced amateurs and pros being left out. See my above comments where I flesh out a bit more detail on where I think they may but going.
In response to your proposed MBP (a "Pro's Pro"), I think you may be reaaaaaally darn close, if not nail-on-the-head accurate. The new MP is the tower version of what you're describing. For serious, workstation-level laptop computing, they really need to produce something like what you described to scratch that itch for folks who need it in portable form. For everyone else, we won't need it (or be able to afford it). Personally, as a professional musician, I can use a lot of horsepower for running Logic or Ableton, but I get by just fine on my maxed out Mid-2014 15" MBP. Point being, if I had the option of buying a tricked-out 15" Macbook (Air) that would get me by for say, $3k, I'd do that. But if I could get a New MBP (the one you're describing) for another grand, I'd do that. Especially since I tend to keep my machines for 5-7 years. It'd be nice to have all the options you describe.
You may be right on the Air name (see my comments above). I've thought about the starting price... I think you may be right on that, too. I'd guess an $1199 starting point if you are. I don't think it would be smart on their end to start at that point, as they'd price out a lot of college kids, but I can certainly see them doing it.
Gosh, this is a long post. Sorry, everyone, but since leaving Apple, I don't have anyone to geek out with over all these things.
Thanks for dialoging.Here's my guess:
- New 16" MacBook Pro, fullscreen display. Will be launched at a premium over the 13" and 15" models that were just updated. Those will probably remain for sale for the coming years. Typical Apple strategy to increase ASP.
- Updated 13" MacBook Air
- Updated 12" MacBook
Possibly 2-3 SKUs of each. No way is Apple going to release 7 new laptop models. Manage expectations!
As for the timeline, I think this would align well with an October event, or possibly September if Apple decides to skip their October event altogether.
Do we know what the rumored Ice Lake processor might bring for the MacBook Air? A switch to a low-voltage Quad Core would be really appealing!
- New 16" MacBook Pro, fullscreen display. Will be launched at a premium over the 13" and 15" models that were just updated. Those will probably remain for sale for the coming years. Typical Apple strategy to increase ASP.
- Updated 13" MacBook Air
- Updated 12" MacBook
Possibly 2-3 SKUs of each. No way is Apple going to release 7 new laptop models. Manage expectations!
As for the timeline, I think this would align well with an October event, or possibly September if Apple decides to skip their October event altogether.
Do we know what the rumored Ice Lake processor might bring for the MacBook Air? A switch to a low-voltage Quad Core would be really appealing!
Lenovo is coming out with OLED laptops next month. I hope Apple does the same soon.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
So, fake news from the corrupt media, right? Yea, uh-huh.
Apple did sell 18M Macs in 2018. Recalling ALL of them makes little business sense when you can offer a repair program and hedge your bet against recalling every single machine. Oh, oh, oh but there's no real numbers as to how many repairs! Like they'll release that info. They'd be absolutely stupid to do so.
Instead, they hedge their bet even further by very publicly stating they redesigned the keyboard (a THIRD time), but when iFixit tore it down there was little difference.
The evidence is clear. And Apple is the strongest piece of it: They redesign something YOU say doesn't need fixing 3 times, APOLOGIZE for it, and offer a Repair Program for your supposedly non-existent issue and market it all as "Hey, check OUT our customer service! It's second to none. We care about you!"
Please.
Here it is folks: you can lead a horse to water, but sometimes it wants Apple-flavored Kool-Aid instead.
This is the strange thing though, Apple don't have different model numbers for SKUs of a product line. All 2018/19 MBP 15s are A1990, for example. Possibilities I can see given the 13 and 15 Pros have just been updated:Here's my guess:
- New 16" MacBook Pro, fullscreen display. Will be launched at a premium over the 13" and 15" models that were just updated. Those will probably remain for sale for the coming years. Typical Apple strategy to increase ASP.
- Updated 13" MacBook Air
- Updated 12" MacBook
Possibly 2-3 SKUs of each. No way is Apple going to release 7 new laptop models. Manage expectations!
As for the timeline, I think this would align well with an October event, or possibly September if Apple decides to skip their October event altogether.
Do we know what the rumored Ice Lake processor might bring for the MacBook Air? A switch to a low-voltage Quad Core would be really appealing!
MacBook Air - Intel
MacBook Air - ARM
MacBook - Intel
MacBook - ARM
MacBook Pro -13" nTB
MacBook Pro - 14" (Or MBA 15" Intel)
Macbook Pro -16" (Or MBA 15" ARM)
Edit: Or perhaps cellular MacBook variants like iPads have?
I suppose these don't have to be announced immediately, some could come via a press release in the next couple of weeks, some could be held back for an October Mac event. I think the 12" MacBooks might well be imminent given a lot of retailers seem to be selling off stock.
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They are not going to remove the touchbar, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon... If anything they will improve it but removing it I don't think so...
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
OK, after arguing pointlessly to no end over keyboards and headphone jacks (why do I do this to myself?), I can say that the mockup they show here is awesome-looking.
If Apple released a 17", it would be difficult for me to resist. Pointless touchbar and crappy keyboards be damned.
Crap, I did it again.
If Apple released a 17", it would be difficult for me to resist. Pointless touchbar and crappy keyboards be damned.
Crap, I did it again.
They should have
MACBOOK AIR 12":
$999
GOOD FOR BASIC NEEDS
Long battery life
Thin and light
MACBOOK 13"
$1299
non touch bar
Middle specs
MACBOOK PRO 15" and 17"
Most expensive
Highest specs
With touchbar
MACBOOK AIR 12":
$999
GOOD FOR BASIC NEEDS
Long battery life
Thin and light
MACBOOK 13"
$1299
non touch bar
Middle specs
MACBOOK PRO 15" and 17"
Most expensive
Highest specs
With touchbar
Wish Apple to just kill the retina MacBook. With the new Air, the retina MacBook feels out of place. It’s only slightly lighter, but compromised too much on the hardware, and battery life is not better. The original intention was to have the MacBook Air lineup as the regular consumer laptop, with the MacBook Pro for the Pros. The Air monicker was just a transition from the traditional MacBook. It would be much simpler if Apple can just have the current Air as the consumer MacBook, removing the 12” retina MacBook altogether.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
You may be right on the Air name (see my comments above). I've thought about the starting price... I think you may be right on that, too. I'd guess an $1199 starting point if you are. I don't think it would be smart on their end to start at that point, as they'd price out a lot of college kids, but I can certainly see them doing it.
Gosh, this is a long post. Sorry, everyone, but since leaving Apple, I don't have anyone to geek out with over all these things.
I for one, appreciate long posts!
Regarding the Air name, I wish Apple retired it, but it doubled down on it not just with the MB but with the iPad as well.
Looks like it's here to stay.
The CPU only has a heatsink sitting on top and passively cooled by the Fan blowing air far away from it ( if I remember correctly ) , not really the usual active cooling. Hence the CPU could only do about 10W max, compared to previous MacBook Air 15W.
And one reason why it sucks, the 7W gets you 1.6Ghz, While it *can* turbo to 3.6Ghz, it quickly throttles down within minutes... ( if not seconds )
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The new air is the most lackluster in terms of sales
Its not much different in weight compared to non TB 2017 macbook pro which offers greater performance.
Its the odd one out.
They should just discontinue the new Air, and make the rMB with lower price
[doublepost=1560451432][/doublepost]
The problem is the new air is heavier than the Macbook and is almost thetsame weight as the new macbook pro lol
I don’t think apple will ever consider AMD for their chips. Intel still provides superior perf/watt on mobile parts and I don’t see apple changing cpu brand just to end up relegating their control to a different chip manufacturer. If apple decides to use a different chip it will most likely be their own
Funny you should ask. Just read this article implying the same thing.
https://stratechery.com/2019/apples-audacity/
Please, back to a reliable, useful keyboard. Maybe even an SSD in a slot. (Naahhh; that's too much to hope for.)
It's important to note that the Y-series part is a 9-watt part I believe. It kind of makes sense why Apple used a fan on the 7-watt part used in the MacBook Air released last October. They were planning ahead. That said, it would be really nice if Apple dropped the 12-inch MacBook & the 13-inch MacBook Pro sans Touch Bar from their line-ups. It would clear things up considerably.
[doublepost=1560457354][/doublepost]Oh and hopefully they drop the entry price of the MacBook Air to $999!
[doublepost=1560457354][/doublepost]Oh and hopefully they drop the entry price of the MacBook Air to $999!
Uuum, no, au contraire. The MBP without Touch Bar gives you the best of both worlds: it is priced closely to the MBA, but has a MBP screen and CPU. If only Apple cared to give it a 4th gen keyboard.
Apple should merge MB and MBA, and update the n-TB MBP.
Thanks! Did not know that.
This makes it very interesting. Can't wait to see what Apple has in store!