Apple Registers Three New Macs in Eurasia Ahead of Thursday's 'Hello Again' Event

[citysnaps]

Or how about they drop the price of rMB to MBA level and have 'courage' and discontinue the MBA line up completely? One of the few things I don't understand is why the mid 2012 non-retina MBP is still here.

No, that's not an expression of courage. Courage is doing something risky, unpopular (in order to stand on one's convictions), controversial having potential negative consequences, difficult, etc.

Like Jobs introducing the MacBook Air with one port and underpowered CPU for $1,799. Or Jobs canning Flash. Or Tim Cook standing up to the government regarding privacy/security matters, or pushing Apple's wireless vision forward by getting rid of the headphone jack, etc.

 

[WigWag Workshop]

I am hoping for a updated Mac Mini, so I can pass along my current one to my 4year old Grandson. Won't lose sleep over it, if there is no update, I will just buy him the current model. The wife really wants to see a 17" Mac Book, but I am thinking she will have to decide between a 15" Mac Book, or a 21" iMac.

 

[choobs]

and please keep the SD card. it's the easiest way to augment the memory yet still keep it flush inside the body.

 

[MarvinHC]

Given that the 11" will be discontinued (because it's physical dimension is pretty much the same to rMB except the rMB is much thinner), I ignored it being in the possibility of this mix.

Although you are probably right knowing Apple's current philosophy, I disagree that there is no place for the 11". The rMB is not 'much thinner' - the difference is 3.9mm which might be significant on a phone, but on a laptop ...
The 11" Air remains the best no-compromise ultaportable Macbook, a real keyboard, enough ports, a fan to cool it down when needed, but ultra quiet when not, an easy to change battery...
No chance I would swap my 11" Air for a retina 12". Tried again last weekend to type on the retina at the Apple store and I get sick of it within a few minutes. I hope on the new Pros, they give the keys a bit more travel (if they use the same butterfly mechanism which unfortunately is likely).

 

[Mr. Dee]

Since you seem to know so much about what Mac Pro users do with their machines, I'd like to know just how much 3D rendering you think I could do an an iMac before it melted. The Mac Pro isn't only used by professionals. Lots of us hobbyists use it also. Any workflow that needs cores & rams isn't being done with an iMac.

I can move my entire workflow from OSX to Windows and only spend $500 (Zbrush 5 - which I would have to spend regardless of platform; Pixelogic doesn't do upgrade pricing.) Everything else in my workflow comes with binaries for both platforms. It's no big deal - I work in the software, not the operating system, so moving to Windows 10 isn't problematic, it seems to be as reliable as OSX.

Like the pros, I am looking at how I will transition off of OSX and out of the Apple ecosystem.

I said average users, notice I said Pro users are a niche. Personally, if you are using Pro apps, the operating system platform should hardly matter. You really should be on Windows or Linux. The fact that even Pixar doesn't use Macs anymore is telling. They are all tricked out with custom Linux workstations.
[doublepost=1477355543][/doublepost]

This won't happen. Simply because it will add a lot of confusing message to the users by offering an ARM Mac... except if this machine only runs iOS...

It depends, Apple could simply avoid the MacBook branding and call it iBook.

 

[smulji]

I said average users, notice I said Pro users are a niche. Personally, if you are using Pro apps, the operating system platform should hardly matter. You really should be on Windows or Linux. The fact that even Pixar doesn't use Macs anymore is telling. They are all tricked out with custom Linux workstations.
[doublepost=1477355543][/doublepost]
It depends, Apple could simply avoid the MacBook branding and call it iBook.

"It depends, Apple could simply avoid the MacBook branding and call it iBook."

Or Apple Book

 

[TheDreaded26]

Agree! What's this Russian connection? First they want to totally manipulate the election & now they want to take over Apple. Total BS, I say! What's next - their takeover of Jenny Craig & Chick-fil-A?

Not Chick-fil-A!

 

[manu chao]

The MagSafe bit...why do they eliminate things that make their products brilliant!? What's next, the backlit keyboard?

Because multi-use ports offer more options for the user than single-use ports. Charging via USB-C gives you an extra USB-C port when you are not charging the laptop. It also enables one-port hubs that provide both power and data via a single cable.

 

[smulji]

I said average users, notice I said Pro users are a niche. Personally, if you are using Pro apps, the operating system platform should hardly matter. You really should be on Windows or Linux. The fact that even Pixar doesn't use Macs anymore is telling. They are all tricked out with custom Linux workstations.
[doublepost=1477355543][/doublepost]
It depends, Apple could simply avoid the MacBook branding and call it iBook.

"The fact that even Pixar doesn't use Macs anymore is telling."

Doesn't tell me anything except for the fact that Pixar doesn't use Macs. Nothing else beyond that.

 

[manu chao]

You laugh, but as memory serves, they did that with the 2nd gen MacBook Air. One of the main reasons I stopped my friend buying a MBA until the 2011 revision.

The complete redesign from a single model to two models with different screen sizes let the MBA without a backlit keyboard for one model year.

 

[bjet767]

I am sure we will all survive, but carrying a few adaptors and external batteries is freaking annoying.

So did you buy the 12" or any other recent Mac product, or are you just ranting because it's fun to or you see yourself as a gadfly?

I own 2015 12" rMB, 2010 & 2012 Mac Minis, two magic mice, ATV 4 and have previously owned, 2010 & 2014 11" Air.

My wife has a 2010 MBP 13"

Unlike many I have never seen any of my Apple product move backwards or to not work well. Additionally the rare times I've used Apple Care it has far exceeded any service I previously had from a Windows based PC.

As I have stated many times, I will order a 13" MBP this week if the weight and size are closer to the 12" than the present 13." My wife will inherit the 12" and her 2010 13" will be retired and put for sale.

The stuff just works really well.

 

[manu chao]

I disagree that there is no place for the 11". The rMB is not 'much thinner' - the difference is 3.9mm which might be significant on a phone, but on a laptop ...
The 11" Air remains the best no-compromise ultaportable Macbook, a real keyboard, enough ports, a fan to cool it down when needed, but ultra quiet when not, an easy to change battery...
No chance I would swap my 11" Air for a retina 12". Tried again last weekend to type on the retina at the Apple store and I get sick of it within a few minutes. I hope on the new Pros, they give the keys a bit more travel (if they use the same butterfly mechanism which unfortunately is likely).

You know full well that there is a snowball's chance in hell of Apple releasing a laptop with a smaller screen than their 12" MB that is less geared towards portability.

 

[bjet767]

"You really should be on Windows or Linux"

OS X is running on top of a version of Linux/Unix.

Most "pro" users are fluent on more than one OS. I'm buying the new MBP because it will run Virtual Machines better than my 12" rMB.

I have a drawing program which is only available on Windows and need it for some video work, which I use Final Cut Pro for.
[doublepost=1477358835][/doublepost]MarvinHC

Onece you've gone retina you can't go back.

 

[macs4nw]

What's with the step back on the brilliant Magsafe conector?

I cannot count the number of times that has saved my MBP from destruction.

Since the USB-C connector will also recharge the new MacBooks, it's just one fewer cord and port to contend with. We all have little accidents from time to time, nothing that couldn't be avoided with a little extra care.

 

[windon]

that's not the point!

Under Timmy Crook every product or service from Apple has become a pesky fly in the house.

Does a fly kill you ? not. But it is super f-annoying!!!

1. Example is the latest macbook: less battery then previous MacBooks, no magsafe, no memory card input, same port to charge and deal with inputs/outputs

I am sure we will all survive, but carrying a few adaptors and external batteries is freaking annoying.

2. Example with the Mac pro: no space to put 4 full size HDs and cards like the previous model.

Sure you can fill your desk with cables and external HDs but it is STUPID and messy to do so.

3. Example with the imac: no microphone port, no 3500rpm drive, no input to use it's display

4. Example with the mouse having the charging port at the bottom

5. example of having the Apple pen with a male port instead of a female

the list goes on and on

When I spend thousands of hard earned dollars on a laptop, I want the latest and greatest that technolog has to offer, not the previous model of it's CPU

Every Point Spot On - we cannot hold on much longer...

 

[bjet767]

Every Point Spot On - we cannot hold on much longer...

So windon do you own a Mac, MB Of any vintage or do you just want to add to the din?

 

[asoksevil]

Laptops this month, desktops next month?

Next year probably.

 

[Val-kyrie]

The consecutive model numbers could mean they are stream lining the model lines.

For instance doesn't make sense to have MacBooks and MacBook Airs so those could easily be consolidated. Consolidating the pro lines seems a bit tougher since Pro users want more ports. But it could be all simplified into 3 different size "MacBooks" with each able to have upgraded performance/storage for pro users, and the 15in would come with a few additional ports. The only downside in that scenario is people who want the smallest size but pro number of ports maybe out of luck without adapters.

Time will tell!

If so, I still find a lineup with a 12" and 13" problematic for the consumer. They are just too similar in size. Besides, I have always loved the 14" form factor.

The 3 numbers only suggest that the want to start selling 3 new devices in Russia shortly after the event.

For all we know they might register another 26 devices the day after the event, all going on sale some time in november....

Interesting, but doesn't Apple use sequential numbers for the same product line? Are placeholders like this often changed?

 

[Jjaro]

The all-new MacBook Pro is also expected to have faster Intel Skylake processors and faster graphics, possibly including the option of AMD "Polaris" graphics on higher-end models. Kuo said Apple will offer a new option of 2TB SSD storage, while it or a third-party supplier will release a MagSafe-like USB-C charging adapter.

I personally am hoping for Kaby Lake over Skylake, although it shouldn't really matter all that much, but seeing how USB-C 3.1 is baked-into Kaby and it is rumored they will support that, I am keeping my hopes up.

Plus I'd like an Nvidia 1060 or 1050 over an AMD Polaris GPU, but I am almost guaranteed to be disappointed here, unfortunately. But isn't Polaris still unreleased? Pascal is out and has been proven to be a great performer.

On a side note, I wonder if they are going to announce an updated version of Boot Camp to coincide with the "Magic Toolbar" or whatever they decide to call it. I don't like that name, but hey if it works (and is in color and not B&W) then I won't complain!

 

[Slackula]

Upgrade to 2TB SSD, +$1,500 - Add to cart -

For $1,500 the 2TB SSD option would be well worth it as it would certainly be one of Apple's "magical" drives.

 

[Feenician]

More clowns insisting a processor that won't be available until next year should be incorporated in Macs today or one that only became available in June this year should have been incorporated a year ago. "Tech enthusiasts" ladies and gentleman.

 

[Neodym]

"only the 13-inch MacBook Air will be seeing an update with new USB-C ports"

... and not the 11" MacBook Air.

No chance I would swap my 11" Air for a retina 12". Tried again last weekend to type on the retina at the Apple store and I get sick of it within a few minutes. I hope on the new Pros, they give the keys a bit more travel (if they use the same butterfly mechanism which unfortunately is likely).

I felt the same when I first tried the rMB in store. You need more than a couple of minutes to get used to it. The fingers need to exert significantly less force due to the reduced travel and that is a signficant change for your muscle memory, which takes time.

Once you get used to it, however, it is a very precise keyboard that lacks the wobbliness of the normal keyboard in the current rMBP. By now I can type faster and with less errors on the rMB keyboard than on the rMBP one's.

 

[bsolar]

Upgrade to 2TB SSD, +$1,500 - Add to cart -

Overpriced as it might be, I'd likely buy it nonetheless...

 

[Workerbee Redux]

Skylake Xeons? What are those?

They will be called Xeon E5v5 with the number ranges 16xx/26xx and use the Purley platform chipset. Skylake v5 chips with lower core count have already been launched.

I am pretty stoked on their Omnipath fabric and on-die FPGA's. Hopefully, Apple has a couple of neat ideas how to utilize those.

 

[Tsaksonakis]

Hm. The laws of physics disagree with you.

I think the more likely answer has to deal with Apple's perceived "use case" where people don't need to charge their computer when they use them anymore (like an iPad, for example). That being said I am completely against getting rid of MagSafe - I would happily take 1 MagSafe and 3 USB-Cs instead of 4 USB-Cs. I'm not even complaining about the lack of USB-A, HDMI, Thunderbolt, SD slot, etc. But removing MagSafe is quite simply removing a feature that makes so many Apple products special (and makes PC users jealous).

If rumours are correct, there'll be no shortage of Thunderbolt ports; in fact there'll be four of them, as USB-C and TB3 share identical ports. TB2 devices, however, will need adaptors. I'm just wondering if they'll put one in the box along with the (equally rumoured) MagSafe to USB-C.

No doubt USB-C is the future, but surely even apple know we're kind of stuck in the present.