Apple to Release New MacBook Pro and Air as Early as October, AMD iMacs and 5K Display With LG Also in Works

[theluggage]

You know what the irony is? I charge my Apple Pencil that way every time, and I can vouch from personal experience that it works a lot better in real life than the critics are giving it credit for.

Sure, and that might be an ideal compromise if it was a third-party stylus designed to work with existing iPads.

However, the Pencil was, apparently, designed side-by-side with the only two (premium-priced) iPad models able to use it - so why on earth isn't everything designed so that the pencil snaps magnetically to the smart connector to charge? Amongst other things, that would mean that the pencil could charge overnight with the iPad: currently, you need two chargers for that and a fiddly little gender changer. Why isn't that built in to the cap? Why don't the Apple Smart Keyboards have holders for the Pencil? The design also rules out the 'eraser' functionality used by others styluses.

What it sounds like is that someone decreed that the Pencil shalt - for absolutely no good reason at all apart from looking cool - be exactly the size and shape of a regular pencil, and everything else has been constrained by that. Again, part of a worrying trend of form (and thinness) over function.

 

[Abazigal]

Sure, and that might be an ideal compromise if it was a third-party stylus designed to work with existing iPads.

However, the Pencil was, apparently, designed side-by-side with the only two (premium-priced) iPad models able to use it - so why on earth isn't everything designed so that the pencil snaps magnetically to the smart connector to charge? Amongst other things, that would mean that the pencil could charge overnight with the iPad: currently, you need two chargers for that and a fiddly little gender changer. Why isn't that built in to the cap? Why don't the Apple Smart Keyboards have holders for the Pencil? The design also rules out the 'eraser' functionality used by others styluses.

What it sounds like is that someone decreed that the Pencil shalt - for absolutely no good reason at all apart from looking cool - be exactly the size and shape of a regular pencil, and everything else has been constrained by that. Again, part of a worrying trend of form (and thinness) over function.

Maybe so I can do something like this?

The size of the Apple Pencil means that it feels just right in my hand, which in turn means an uncompromised writing experience, which is likely what Apple was gunning for. My colleagues who have handled it were also impressed by the weight and heft of the pencil and stated that it felt appropriate.

I keep my iPad Pro in a case that makes it impossible to attach anything to the smart connector. Your suggestion would make it impossible for anyone to use a case with their iPad (or at least limit them to Apple covers).

So yeah, there are compromises, and there are compromises.

 

[theluggage]

So it's just too hard to let it sit there for the 4 minutes it takes to go to the bathroom or get a cup of coffee?

...I quite like to choose the time of my bathroom and coffee breaks, thanks - preferably not it the middle of a complicated job, while demonstrating something or taking a phone call, or immediately having come back from a break. Also, relying on quickie "top-up" charges just means that you'll keep on getting these interruptions whereas a full charge would last for weeks.

Why are people so desperate to make excuses for Apple? They charge premium prices and blow their trumpet loudly (often with justification) about their design skills. Hold them to their own high standards!

 

[NT1440]

...I quite like to choose the time of my bathroom and coffee breaks, thanks - preferably not it the middle of a complicated job, while demonstrating something or taking a phone call, or immediately having come back from a break. Also, relying on quickie "top-up" charges just means that you'll keep on getting these interruptions whereas a full charge would last for weeks.

Why are people so desperate to make excuses for Apple? They charge premium prices and blow their trumpet loudly (often with justification) about their design skills. Hold them to their own high standards!

Again, 15 seconds to get 30 minutes of use. Apple really has to design around your inability to find 15 idle seconds?

Get real.

 

[theluggage]

I keep my iPad Pro in a case that makes it impossible to attach anything to the smart connector.

You're still thinking retrospectively, in terms of some kludge to make the current pencil use the current smart connector that worked with cases made to the current specs. These things were designed at the same time - they should have been designed to work together.

...oh, and your set-up leaves the pen hugely vulnerable: you snag the end of that Pencil while reaching for something and all the force goes on the lightning connector.
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Again, 15 seconds to get 30 minutes of use. Apple really has to design around your inability to find 15 idle seconds? Get real.

That would be 15 seconds for every 30 minutes of use. Apple really should just design for people with 30 minute attention spans? You get real.

 

[OC40]

Declining performance is different than a dying motherboard or failing display. I was just looking for clarification as I was hearing 4 year old machines were mysteriously dying when my 8 year old one was still alive. New toy is fine, but call it how it is so we don't even more like first world problems.

Okay, pal.

 

[NT1440]

That would be 15 seconds for every 30 minutes of use. Apple really should just design for people with 30 minute attention spans? You get real.

You're saying you can't find a single minute to plug in for 2 hours of use...

Mountain out of molehill, and frankly I find that charging scheme to be impressive. Hell, if you buy a dock you'll never have to plug into your iPad whatsoever to charge it. In the time it would take to change out a AAA battery you get over an hour of usage, I really can't fathom any credibility to your critique other than it looks a little funny.

 

[Abazigal]

You're still thinking retrospectively, in terms of some kludge to make the current pencil use the current smart connector that worked with cases made to the current specs. These things were designed at the same time - they should have been designed to work together.

...oh, and your set-up leaves the pen hugely vulnerable: you snag the end of that Pencil while reaching for something and all the force goes on the lightning connector.
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That would be 15 seconds for every 30 minutes of use. Apple really should just design for people with 30 minute attention spans? You get real.

And a magnetically-attached Apple Pencil isn't vulnerable to being dislodged or knocked over when you pick up the iPad? I honestly don't get what your obsession with the smart connector is.

The iPad Pro and Apple Pencil do work together via the Lightning port, just not the way you envisioned. There are cases which cover the smart connector, but just about every iPad case will definitely leave the Lightning port unblocked, meaning I will never be in a situation where I cannot charge my Apple Pencil in this manner (unless the Lightning port is already used up by another cable or adaptor).

As for the Magic Mouse, how often do you see yourself having to recharge it? This isn't the Apple Watch, where you have to recharge it on a daily basis. You are easily looking at weeks or even months before needing to plug in the cable. Not to mention you will have had ample "low power" warnings and opportunities to recharge before the mouse finally runs dry.

 

[sziehr]

But what will the display be at the desk at home with your older 15" MBP? For me, I love having a big 27" iMac in my home office to relax and enjoy. I've had an iMac for most of the past 6 years (2010 and 2013 model). Where I've flip-flopped on is the portable solution. I embraced the iPad with an iPad 2, iPad Air, and iPad mini 4.

While they were O-K, I always found myself frustrated by the ergonomics of typing and multitasking on them. With the release of the 2016 12-inch MacBook, I jumped at the crazy good $999 deal on the 2015 model through Amazon. So far I love it, and am waiting for an all new 5K iMac to replace my 2013 non-retina model. But, if the MacBook Pros and 5K Thunderbolt Display come first, I may not be able to resist selling everything I have to get that setup. Excited for fall.

I have a 24 cinema display i am still rocking for my desk setup not the same as a 27 sadly. The retina macbook i am rocking can not muster the power for a 4k display. I think that is going to end up being the death nail its coffin for craigslist. I want 4k displays and even the tinny 2015 macbook can drive a 4k display might be 30 hertz but it still can muster it.

It is just time for me to upgrade all my systems. I try to go in 5 year cycles when ever possible. The iMac lasted about 5 years the macbook will not make it the full 5.

 

[danielwsmithee]

If Apple just released a new thicker and cooler iMac that's user upgradable that can do dual HDDs/SSDs, I'd be a happy camper.

With the availability of M.2 form factor for SSDs it really wouldn't need to make the computer any thicker either.

Just make the memory door on the back large enough for 4 ram slots and a pair of the M.2 SSDs. I'd like to see the iMac 27" transition to using 6/8/10 core processor variants.

The Mac Pro would be vastly improved by having 2/3/4 M.2 slots instead of the 1 it currently has. Most of the motherboards from Gigabyte, Asus, MSI for the latest Intel processors all come with 2-3 M.2 slots, and the Mac Pro doesn't have any internal SATA connectors to worry about. An updated Mac Pro should also transition back to using dual sockets for differentiation from the high end iMac. If it is meant to be a niche very high end workstation, make it that.
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Likewise, why use extra power to run another screen that is at best only periodically needed. It will be also viewed at an oblique angle so it will not be as clear as a key would have been. It screams of gimmick.

While I agree with everything else in your post. Neither of these points are really true for OLED.

 

[PowerGala]

And a magnetically-attached Apple Pencil isn't vulnerable to being dislodged or knocked over when you pick up the iPad? I honestly don't get what your obsession with the smart connector is.

The iPad Pro and Apple Pencil do work together via the Lightning port, just not the way you envisioned. There are cases which cover the smart connector, but just about every iPad case will definitely leave the Lightning port unblocked, meaning I will never be in a situation where I cannot charge my Apple Pencil in this manner (unless the Lightning port is already used up by another cable or adaptor).

As for the Magic Mouse, how often do you see yourself having to recharge it? This isn't the Apple Watch, where you have to recharge it on a daily basis. You are easily looking at weeks or even months before needing to plug in the cable. Not to mention you will have had ample "low power" warnings and opportunities to recharge before the mouse finally runs dry.

If it were up to me I'd give it a dock or make the mouse slightly taller so you can give it a bigger battery and plug it into the front like with the Razer Orochi. What they did just seems kind of lazy.

Ideally for me, they'd just selp me a wired mechanical keyboard and a premium wired mouse. I personally dislike wireless keyboards and mice. Keyboards much more so than the mice. To each their own.

 

[PortableLover]

So... Is the mp dead now?

 

[theluggage]

And a magnetically-attached Apple Pencil isn't vulnerable to being dislodged or knocked over when you pick up the iPad?

Magnetically attached parallel to the edge of the iPad vs. sticking straight out from the lightning socket? Perhaps I can enlighten you about a bit of cutting-edge physics called "the lever". Dislodge the pencil from the smart socket and it falls off harmlessly (unless you're really unlucky and it falls several feet and hits a hard floor point first). Snag the pencil against something while its sticking straight out and it places a huge amount of force on the lightning socket end.

(unless the Lightning port is already used up by another cable or adaptor).

...i.e. you can't charge the pencil at the same time as the iPad, so you have to carry a second charger, or put up with continually topping up the pencil.

As for the Magic Mouse, how often do you see yourself having to recharge it?

Very frequently if you're going to rely on 2-minute top-ups... and, of course, Finagle's law says that it will run out when you're in the middle of a rush job. With my Logitech MX Master mouse, the charge warning comes up, I plug it in, go on working with the wire connected and an hour later I can forget about charging again it for about a month. Isn't that just better? Not to mention the array nice, positive buttons and wheels falling neatly under fingers vs. finger-twisting gestures, or the ability to pair with 3 different computers...

 

[WinstonRumfoord]

...
Er, no, the alternative would be to have considered the location of the charging port and the value of being able to use the mouse while it was charging before deciding on the shape of the mouse ...

Right, this is a classic study of form before function resulting in a ridiculous final product

 

[Abazigal]

i.e. you can't charge the pencil at the same time as the iPad, so you have to carry a second charger, or put up with continually topping up the pencil.

Why would I be charging the pencil at the same time as the iPad anyways?

I charge my iPad every night, overnight, while I sleep. I charge my pencil once every few days, and I am certainly not going to be leaving my pencil plugged in and charging overnight.

And not once have I felt that the Apple Pencil was ever in danger of snapping off while plugged into the Lightning port.

I find the current implementation of the Apple Pencil to be working great for me. Apple seems to have made the right compromises here (for me at least).

 

[joepunk]

The MBP's don't need anymore thinness.

 

[62tele]

Not to be hyperbolic, but if Apple delivers solidly on all of these promises by year end (new iPhone, new Watch, new MBP, new iMac, new Thunderbolt Display...), they are looking at one of the most blowout quarters they're ever had. Almost every Apple user I know has been eagerly waiting to buy at least one of those products.

Totally agree, provided they can produce enough to ship. I'm patiently waiting for a new MBP or a new iMac. Don't need a new phone, my 6 is still quite capable. I'll probably opt for an iMac and then get an MBA if my current 2011 MBA gives out.
I think the OLED touch panel has potential since it's reportedly going to offer contextual features depending on the App being used. I wouldn't discount it as a gimmick yet.
As for those wondering about the MBA. It's too popular in it's current configuration for them to ignore or discontinue it. It has a relatively low price point and really doesn't need sophisticated features. Upgrade the processor, etc and it's still got life in it.
Too many seem to expect "pro" features in every model. Most consumers don't give a flying rodent's derriere about many of the features mentioned in an entry level device like the MBA. (Entry level but still damn capable)
If you really like HP, Lenovo so much and think them to be superior, then don't stay with Apple.

 

[32828870]

You're ruling out the possibility of larger MacBooks. Also, all 1080p iMacs will be probably be discontinued by the end of next year.

Well, of course. That's all a given (most likely) . I was referring to product fragmentation as we move into other markets. Jobs' "Quadrant" will always remain a principle foundation; maintaining "simplicity" while launching new products in new markets. It's a balancing act.

Jobs, Cook, and Ive were a great trio that worked well. Behind the scenes, Cook has become a bit of a "Forstall" (or so we have dubbed him as he's been divisive); he's a CEO and that's what he knows best. Jobs was the visionary perfectionist who neither programmed or engineered. He didn't believe in products for profits sake but rather realizing an idea into reality. Among his many projects, the tablet was Jobs' passion product (developed from 1999-2004). The iPhone was developed after the iPad as Jobs knew it needed a primed market for its success. The iPod was Apple's then cross platform hit but a tablet tied to Apple's system needed a strong user base. The smartphone industry needed a shakeup. Carriers demanded their software run on all mobile devices at that time. Apple tested the waters with the (unsuccessful) Motorola ROKR in 2005. Jobs knew the only way to succeed in the mobile market was by breaking that cycle. AT&T was the only US carrier in 2007 who would allow Apple's then Phone OS, hence the initial iPhone exclusivity.

After 3-4 years of iPhone sales and a solid iOS App Store, Apple was unstoppable and the market was primed for the tablet. Jobs had already resigned much of the daily operations to Cook around 2009 and slowly Ive, he remained to give his last keynote address in 2010 for the project that started it all: the iPad.

From this one idea came the iPhone, iPod Touch, Multitouch HID's, increased sales and developed new product lines and a multi-billion dollar company. Cook and Ive aren't "visionaries"; they know their respective fields yet lost the crucial third player that made the trilogy work well.

Tim Cook is thinking as a CEO; his focus is on profits, new markets, BCR, etc. Jobs was the creative force who focused on one idea and perfected it with amazingly talented teams that brought his ideas to life. Jobs wanted to revolutionize (a strong word, but I'm lacking a better one at the moment) and believed a solid creation would generate success, profits would follow. Jobs wasn't focused on money, he was focused on change. That's what's lacking at Apple.
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LOL touché

 

[zorinlynx]

Can someone please help me understand why we should be excited for AMD GPUs? The one in my current iMac sucks. I'm having a hard time understanding from a performance standpoint why we should want them? How are they better than a comparably priced Nvidia GPU? It seems like Apple is just sticking it out with them, reason be damned.

If the driver issue is as you describe then it's Apple's fault for not keeping up?

Yes, drivers. Apple's drivers for AMD GPUs have always been far superior to their drivers for Nvidia. So if you're going to be on the Apple platform it's best for you to have an AMD GPU, historically.

And yes, this is Apple's fault. But the simple truth is that Apple has crappy Nvidia drivers. Unless you want to run Windows, you need an AMD GPU to get the best experience on a Mac.

 

[smulji]

There was a big thread over on the Mac Pro forum started by someone who claimed Apple are building inventory of a new Mac Pro mini tower. Probably wishful thinking but a full redesign would explain the 3 year wait. If true, then Apple could be waiting on availability of a 5K SST USB-C display.

Do you have a link for that? Just curious.

 

[zorinlynx]

There was a big thread over on the Mac Pro forum started by someone who claimed Apple are building inventory of a new Mac Pro mini tower. Probably wishful thinking but a full redesign would explain the 3 year wait. If true, then Apple could be waiting on availability of a 5K SST USB-C display.

There have been threads and predictions like that ever since people have been wanting a capable desktop Mac, commonly referred to as the "xMac".

 

[smulji]

You're ruling out the possibility of larger MacBooks. Also, all 1080p iMacs will be probably be discontinued by the end of next year.
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The new keyboard is significantly thinner, and considering it takes up most of the area above the electronics it'll likely be included. I don't mind it but I think implementing the redesigned scissor keyboard with new backlighting would be more acceptable for the target audience of the Pro.
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Probably next year with the Kaby Lake refresh.

The low-power Kaby Lake processors that are designed for the MB line were officially announced today so Apple doesn't need to wait till next year to update the MB to Kaby Lake. The MBP, on the other hand, is a different story.

 

[pbasmadj]

Thinking about it some more, the OLED bar could work out pretty well if implemented correctly. For one thing, Touch ID could easily go in the upper right where the Power button is now; a single-press in that area brings the machine out of sleep/turns it on and logs in at the same time. You could also just drag along the bar to increase/decrease volume and brightness instead of repeatedly pushing the function keys as with the older models.

On the other hand, I can see how it could be annoying if you use apps that rely on those keys being, well, actual function keys. But perhaps the same technology used in the trackpad to simulate clicks could help here?

Honestly, the only keys I really use much on the function row are volume and brightness. But, those, I do use very often. I guess we will see how it pans out.

 

[koyoot]

Can someone please help me understand why we should be excited for AMD GPUs? The one in my current iMac sucks. I'm having a hard time understanding from a performance standpoint why we should want them? How are they better than a comparably priced Nvidia GPU? It seems like Apple is just sticking it out with them, reason be damned.

If the driver issue is as you describe then it's Apple's fault for not keeping up?

Yes, drivers. Apple's drivers for AMD GPUs have always been far superior to their drivers for Nvidia. So if you're going to be on the Apple platform it's best for you to have an AMD GPU, historically.

And yes, this is Apple's fault. But the simple truth is that Apple has crappy Nvidia drivers. Unless you want to run Windows, you need an AMD GPU to get the best experience on a Mac.

This is because Apple writes their own drivers for their hardware on macOS. AMD GCN and Intel Architectures are very well documented so it is easy for Apple to write and optimize their drivers.

Nvidia hardware is not as well documented, because Nvidia does like to control the experience of the user of their hardware, thats why they do share some of aspects of their hardware but not that much.

On the other hand you have such thing from AMD like this: http://gpuopen.com Gigantic online library about optimizing the software for hardware, and massive amount of Open Source Initiatives, that everyone: Microsoft, Intel, Nvidia, Apple, developers, Linux people can use for getting every last bit from AMD hardware, and are not biased, and not gimping performance on hardware of other vendors.

Most of opinions on this forum are based on perception of Nvidia brand, which lately has nothing to do with reality, really. AMD did a lot of work on software side.

And add to all this picture the fact that Metal is based on Mantle, the API that has been spawned by AMD, and you get the overall picture.

 

[danielwsmithee]

The iPad was Jobs' passion product. The iPhone was developed after the iPad as Jobs knew it needed a primed market for its success.

Your understanding of Jobs, Cook, and Apple is off. Jobs has been really passionate about a few products, the original Mac, the iMac, the iPhone, and unrealized Apple TV. The iPad was relative afterthought, which is why it was essentially just an enlarged phone when it first launched.

My point: Jobs created a device in the early 2000's (2004) and with Cooks marketing expertise formed a plan to ensure a successful launch.

Cook has never been known as a marketing expert. His expertise is operations/supply chain management. Which has been critical to Apples success and growth. If anything Jobs had a much better grasp of marketing, and was historically poor at the operations side (one of the major issues that caused his original dismissal from Apple).

The thing that Jobs excelled at was balancing form and function. Jonathan Ives is a great designer but he does tend to prioritize form over function in many cases, imho. Ive's understands that they need to be balanced, he just doesn't do it that well.