Apple should refresh Mac accessories this fall

[nutmac]

First of all, I applaud Apple for bringing pro level products.

To me, Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR are Apple acknowledging their past mistakes. But their message won't be complete until some of their other products are revised, including accessories.

• Thunderbolt 3 display. Many portable Mac (and Mac mini) users rely on external monitor. For many, using LG or other third party monitor won't do. If it's too much work, just resurrect the Thunderbolt Display with 5K panel from 27" 5K iMac and several Thunderbolt 3 ports. Bonus points for updating the design with Pro Display XDR's thinner bezel and few local dimming zones.
• Revise Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse with USB-C port. It's ridiculous that I cannot connect them to portable Macs without a dongle or new cable. A bonus point for Qi wireless charging.
• New Magic Keyboard Pro with Touch ID and backlit keys.
• USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is a weakling. It does not pass full power to 15" MacBook Pro. It does not pass HDR over HDMI (and HDMI is flaky to begin with). Apple should revise it with full HDMI 2.1 spec, ideally with 2 USB-C ports (1 for power pass through) and 1 USB-A port.

 

[Richdmoore]

My thoughts.

New monitors. They should be both 21.5 & 27”, and be height adjustable to complement iMac 21.5 @ 27” when placed side by side. Removable stand for vesa mount. Usb-c display input in addition to thunderbolt for compatibility with MacBook (usb-c only)

Touch ID & display bar in new keyboard option. T-2 chip for security/Touch ID. I am fine with lightning charging. Maybe keep the current keyboard options (full function keys) the same and move the Touch ID sensors/display into Magic Trackpad 2 instead?

 

[martyjmclean]

A few things shown off at WWDC and mentioned on Apple's american website...

• Magic Keyboard in black/silver (AFAWK only the colour changed)
• Magic Trackpad in black/silver (AFAWK only the colour changed)
• Thunderbolt 3 Pro cables (thicker and braided, in 2 or 3 metres)
• USBC to Lightning Pro cables (thicker and braided, in 2 metres)

The head of Pro Workflows also confirmed that the new "findings" will be coming to MacBook Pro and iPad Pro as well.

 

[SomeMacGuy]

100% agree on the need for a standalone Apple display for MBP / iMac / Mini customers. Plenty of upcoming Mac Pro customers would opt for a cheaper display if they are not in high-end graphics / video and would make the high entry price of that machine more palatable for those on the fence. The 27" iMac panels are great and are more than adequate for most design, web video, scientific work, etc. I was eagerly awaiting new displays at WWDC and afterwards I spent the time to track down and purchase another mint Thunderbolt display to hold me over until something changes with their product lines. Currently running a maxed-out late 2015 MBP and at this point I am hoping to completely skip the 2016-present generation of MBP... The XDR seems to be fairly priced for what it is, but still total overkill for most users. I'm hoping by calling this the "Pro Display XDR" and not simply the "Pro Display" that they have left themselves a naming spot for a more mainstream product on the lower-end. If they released a new 27" TB3 display today for $2000 or less I would buy it in a second along with a new high-spec 15" MBP and happily settle into the USB-C ecosystem, (and pray that my keyboard doesn't die). For now, there is no way I can live with a cheap plastic display so I'm really hoping these new "findings" result in a a more complete and user-friendly line of Mac products.