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Apple Said to Ship New 'Ultra-Thin' 13" and 15" MacBooks by June-July
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They have offered upgrades to their MacPro line before. What Mac Pro's really need is just Thunderbolt 3 and EGPU support. Everything else is fine. I'm happy with the six core and 64gb of ram, I don't need a 12 core, and my d700 is okay...for now, but if I had TB3 life would be sweet.
You forgot to mention the VGA iSight camera.
Apple's business model going forward is a mix of spec bumps, holding back one or two obvious features to encourage people to upgrade, and designing ever-more disposable hardware that requires purchases every 2-3 years to keep the revenue flowing. When the only distant new products we hear about in the rumor mill are a car and (MAYBE) a television, you know they're throwing darts at a wall in R&D just to see what sticks.
They're out of ideas.
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Maybe this is a crazy idea but what if these new ultrathin 13 and 15" macbooks are just supposed to be part of the Macbook line rather than replacements for the MBPs?
I know everyone says that the Macbook Airs have no purpose after the release of the 12" rMB but I disagree.
If you look back in history, Apple's most popular and most critically acclaimed notebooks have almost always been the notebooks that met the sweet spot of (perceived) performance and portability. Think how much people missed the old 12" powerbooks, or how big a deal it was when in 2009 Apple upgraded their aluminum macbook to a 13" MBP with the portability of that was missing on the larger models but the vastly improved screen and the Pro branding of the MBP. That computer was hugely successful. In more recent memory the 2010 introduction of a MBA that could actually function as someone's ONLY computer (unlike the original gimped version) was a big deal and ushered in the era of ultrabooks for the entire PC industry.
The truth is that the 12" rMB is a great computer, but not enough for most people who are investing +$1000 in a laptop, especially if they want to use this as their only computer (most students).
The 13" rMBP while amazingly light for what is packed in, is no longer competitive in weight with PC laptops that offer enough ports and performance to serve as one's only computer. The Dell XPS 13 is comparable in function to the 13" rMBP (especially from a general consumer point of view of being "enough") but it only weighs 2.7lbs!
If Apple just drops the 13" MBA they are going to miss out on tons of consumers who they have trained to want the lightest laptop, but who need just a bit more function than a 12" rMB. Having a 13" rMB + 15" rMB with more ports, fans and MBA class processors (rather than Core M) would solve this issue without compromising their pro line or their dream of ideal computing that is embodied in the current 12" rMB. Getting rid of the "Air" branding would also help simplify the lineup.
TL;DR:
New Macbook line: 12", 13" 15" - with 13" and 15" having more ports + fans but still being ultra-portable (~3 lbs max)
Macbook Pro line: 13" + 15" - and they don't need to compromise on performance to meet "thin expectations" because they have the thin but functional segment covered.
I know everyone says that the Macbook Airs have no purpose after the release of the 12" rMB but I disagree.
If you look back in history, Apple's most popular and most critically acclaimed notebooks have almost always been the notebooks that met the sweet spot of (perceived) performance and portability. Think how much people missed the old 12" powerbooks, or how big a deal it was when in 2009 Apple upgraded their aluminum macbook to a 13" MBP with the portability of that was missing on the larger models but the vastly improved screen and the Pro branding of the MBP. That computer was hugely successful. In more recent memory the 2010 introduction of a MBA that could actually function as someone's ONLY computer (unlike the original gimped version) was a big deal and ushered in the era of ultrabooks for the entire PC industry.
The truth is that the 12" rMB is a great computer, but not enough for most people who are investing +$1000 in a laptop, especially if they want to use this as their only computer (most students).
The 13" rMBP while amazingly light for what is packed in, is no longer competitive in weight with PC laptops that offer enough ports and performance to serve as one's only computer. The Dell XPS 13 is comparable in function to the 13" rMBP (especially from a general consumer point of view of being "enough") but it only weighs 2.7lbs!
If Apple just drops the 13" MBA they are going to miss out on tons of consumers who they have trained to want the lightest laptop, but who need just a bit more function than a 12" rMB. Having a 13" rMB + 15" rMB with more ports, fans and MBA class processors (rather than Core M) would solve this issue without compromising their pro line or their dream of ideal computing that is embodied in the current 12" rMB. Getting rid of the "Air" branding would also help simplify the lineup.
TL;DR:
New Macbook line: 12", 13" 15" - with 13" and 15" having more ports + fans but still being ultra-portable (~3 lbs max)
Macbook Pro line: 13" + 15" - and they don't need to compromise on performance to meet "thin expectations" because they have the thin but functional segment covered.
Yes. Because at home at least you have your AC adapter with you, because we all know we lose battery life for thinness' sake. My original rMBP 15" is as thin as I really need. How much thinner (and flimsier) do I want my computer?
"Apple is able to fit pro-level hardware in an "ultra-thin" design ..."
Sure Apple is capable of! Just look at what they did with the new iPad PRO 9.7 inch! All pro! With USB 2.0, y'know...
Sure Apple is capable of! Just look at what they did with the new iPad PRO 9.7 inch! All pro! With USB 2.0, y'know...
The 12" Macbook IS at a reduced price if one understands Apple's thinking that going from 4GB to 8GB of RAM and that going from a 128GB to a 256GB SSD are separately each worth an extra $200 in price. The only way there will be reduced priced Macbooks will be if Apple slashes both RAM and SSD size.
I still argue the 12" Macbook because of its proper default RAM and SSD space are perfectly suitable for general use, particularly since those defaults allow one to comfortably run say Windows 10 in a virtual machine.
I have had many iPods and then iPhones and I have never used the supplied earpod monstrosities that Apple supplies - both for comfort and audio reasons. I use Bose headphones, noise-cancelling and normal, or decent in-ear phones, and if the 3.5mm jack is abandoned I will switch to Samsung for the phones (the Gear 2 watch looks like the better option that the Apple watch too).
Apple's obsession with thinness needs to stop, especially when it result in the abysmal MacBook keyboard. It seems to be an excuse because they cannot come up with a decent design that eliminates the bezel around the screen and makes the most of a compact design but with a decent sized screen.
I agree the situation is imperfect, where we expect close to perfect from Apple, and rightfully so considering the price they charge and the promises they make. I don't want to make excuses for them, not should anybody. We consumers should always push Apple to do better. Especially concerning the recent solder issues - that is not good.
I would take issue with a few of your points.
First, what is a "higher than normal logic board failure" for Macbooks? Macbook Airs, for example, have been super reliable work-horses by most statistics. So obviously not all Macbooks are included. Indeed, it seems to me only those Macbook Pros with discreet GPUs seem to do worse than normal. Second, from my experience, Apple's failure rate is still a lot better than many other manufacturers. While Dell and Asus and the like do make "cheap PCs" as you say, they also have some pretty expensive models that fail just as much if not more. Except in those situations, you don't have a store you can go to for technical support and repairs. As an anecdote, my work-provided Lenovo X1 Carbon, which is pretty expensive for what it is, has had it's USB port essentially break off from the board twice now, and the laptop mostly just sits on my desk and is never touched.
Second, take those "would have otherwise been" price quotes with a huge grain of salt. I had the SSD fail on my Macbook once, after warranty had expired. I did have a good personal insurance though that would cover the cost of the repair. Apple initially told me it would be $600 for just the SSD, but they have an out-of-warranty flat-fee repair cost they offer for something like $300 (don't remember exactly, it was much cheaper by comparison) that they offer when the computer looks to be in good non-damaged condition. For that, they ended up swapping out the SSD, and also the logic board and all connecting cables for good measure. The invoice said the components would have cost something like $1500 total, but I was only billed for the flat-rate repair. I don't know if this is always an option, but it's certainly never an option with any other manufacturer.
Third, a laptop that lasts 4-5 years reliably is still pretty darn good. I would hope it lasts longer, and the vast majority do, but I am not going to complain if after 5 years I have to go to ebay and search for parts here and there. I've certainly seen plenty of thousand-dollar Dells in much worse shape after merely 2 years.
Serious question. Do you find the butterfly keyboard equal to or superior to the MBA or MBP keyboard? Or did you have an adjustment period and find it to be compromise you will live with in Apple's relentless pursuit of thinness..
The current MacBook is a compromise machine in a lot of ways. Not surprising - V1 of most Apple products have always ambitious yet ultimately underwhelming - the original iphone, iPod, iPad, MacBook Air, etc.
Since it's unlikely the MBA and MB will co-exist, the hope is that they take the best of both (the keyboard/element of the form factor of the MBA) and the MB (Other than the screen, I'm not sure what that is.)
Given the recent track record (including the announcement yesterday), I'm fully expecting something cuts just a enough corners to be annoying and is priced slightly higher than what we expect.
Ultra-thin. So we drop ethernet, USB ports, and everything else useful like the current MacBooks? How does anyone own a computer with no damn USB port?
I'm definitely buying this. And I've been posting my thoughts a few times in the last few weeks:
I'm all for a thinner MacBook only if performance isn't compromised. I have no problem with the thickness of my Retina MacBook Pro; it's thin enough.
It is not unforeseen for Intel to give Apple chips before it does so to other manufacturers.
Intel seems to be delaying their roadmap again and again. I didn't think Kaby Lake was due out until end of 2016, meaning that this would be a full half year after these notebooks are supposed to be released.
Much thinner and flimsier with less battery life according to Jony Ive and Apple.
If they brought the Ethernet port back and offered a 15" matte screen option I would buy 3 Macbook Pros fully specd out.
The dongles are clumsy and not always there when you need them. Sure there are a bazillion wifi base stations out there but when I am at my desk I want that main line.
The shadows in the glare of the glossy are seriously way too distracting. I am constantly like "who is that behind me, oh, its just me." ...Well most of the time it is just me. How hard would it be to offer a matte screen.
The dongles are clumsy and not always there when you need them. Sure there are a bazillion wifi base stations out there but when I am at my desk I want that main line.
The shadows in the glare of the glossy are seriously way too distracting. I am constantly like "who is that behind me, oh, its just me." ...Well most of the time it is just me. How hard would it be to offer a matte screen.
I agree, their products last too long if you do the same tasks.
(Still on a 2008 17" MBP (sniff, goodbye)
There will be a divide in ADD raised younger generations who will keep on buying , need always new stuff to be satisfied and chasing specs and FASTER (yes, so they can get more unnecessary things done) more powerful etc. and older users who like me think the world has everything it needs. Hard to imagine anything new in MUST haves.
Maybe world peace and being left alone by politicians on how to live your life and their dumb promises (which none of them can keep) would be the last game changer ever needed.
Perhaps, but it will need to drop £2-300 before it can effectively replace the Air. Unless Apple want to price themselves out of a huge segment of the market.
Not being sarcastic, but we ALL know Apple will %$^ us with these new MBPs.
So, OWC dock to the rescue. It has everything the MBPs had taken out.
screw THIN - i want PERFORMANCE with PORTS!
Not another failure in form of a laptop with 1 USB-C !!!
Not another failure in form of a laptop with 1 USB-C !!!