Apple's 2013 Product Roadmap Predictions: Multiple iPhones, Retina iPad Mini, All-Retina MacBook Pros

[CSanchez]

Where is the timeline for a new Mac Pro ? I have 2 of them in the studio --- from 2007 and 2009 - and I've been waiting to upgrade for over a year. I'm looking for faster Intel chips - USB3 - and Thunderbolt / external drive connections.

I really don't care where they are made .... Just Make Them !!!!!! Now, please.

The current Retina's are not USB 3.0? Wow, that shows how much I know about Apple. I expected everything to be top of the line since they just came out in October.

I am an Apple newbie, this will be my second Apple purchase. The first being a IPhone 5.

I've been doing research and I'm leaning towards waiting for the new MBP's to come out but I'm still shopping around. (Also considering a top tier Windows Notebook.)

You seem knowledgeable, so I wanted to ask you a question and ask for your opinion. (Any help from other members will be greatly appreciated.)

From what I've read , the 13 inch Retina is a better computer then the 15 inch Retina even though it has less RAM (8 GB for 13 inch compared to 16 GB for the 15 inch) and a older processor (2.9 Dual Core for 13 inch VS 2.7 Quad Core for 15 inch)

That doesn't make sense to me, wouldn't the computer with more memory and a "better" processor perform better?

What suggestions and/or recommendations would you have for a Apple newbie?

I'm looking for a top of the line notebook, I don't really care about storage since I plan on having a external hard drive as well so 256 GB or so would do. I rather spend my money and upgrade to the best processor and increase the RAM.

Before I did research I was leaning towards a 15 inch Retina because it's the only way to get the "best" processor ( 2.7 Quad Core I7) and increase the RAM to 16 GB from 8 GB. Otherwise I would actually prefer the 13 inch since it will be easier to travel with and not to mention cost less. But now I've read that the 13 inch 2.9 Dual core with 8 GB RAM outperforms the 15 Inch 2.7 Quad Core with 16 GB RAM?

I'm so confused and it seems like the more I read the more confused I get lol.

I'm hoping the upcoming MBP Retina makes the decision easier for me but as it stands I don't even know if I should wait for it to be released.

What would y'all recommend?

 

[iChrist]

The current Retina's are not USB 3.0? Wow, that shows how much I know about Apple. I expected everything to be top of the line since they just came out in October.

I am an Apple newbie, this will be my second Apple purchase. The first being a IPhone 5.

I've been doing research and I'm leaning towards waiting for the new MBP's to come out but I'm still shopping around. (Also considering a top tier Windows Notebook.)

You seem knowledgeable, so I wanted to ask you a question and ask for your opinion. (Any help from other members will be greatly appreciated.)

From what I've read , the 13 inch Retina is a better computer then the 15 inch Retina even though it has less RAM (8 GB for 13 inch compared to 16 GB for the 15 inch) and a older processor (2.9 Dual Core for 13 inch VS 2.7 Quad Core for 15 inch)

That doesn't make sense to me, wouldn't the computer with more memory and a "better" processor perform better?

What suggestions and/or recommendations would you have for a Apple newbie?

I'm looking for a top of the line notebook, I don't really care about storage since I plan on having a external hard drive as well so 256 GB or so would do. I rather spend my money and upgrade to the best processor and increase the RAM.

Before I did research I was leaning towards a 15 inch Retina because it's the only way to get the "best" processor ( 2.7 Quad Core I7) and increase the RAM to 16 GB from 8 GB. Otherwise I would actually prefer the 13 inch since it will be easier to travel with and not to mention cost less. But now I've read that the 13 inch 2.9 Dual core with 8 GB RAM outperforms the 15 Inch 2.7 Quad Core with 16 GB RAM?

I'm so confused and it seems like the more I read the more confused I get lol.

I'm hoping the upcoming MBP Retina makes the decision easier for me but as it stands I don't even know if I should wait for it to be released.

What would y'all recommend?

Please friend. At very least you must wait for Haswell update. Current retinas are having troubles to push such resolution. Also, updated and contemporary form factor after they update the body style will be welcomed.

 

[GorgonPhone]

If they don't upgrade the Mac Pro in 2013, I will be buying a desktop PC.

lololololololololoolloloolollolololollololololol a PC... olololloll

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Please friend. At very least you must wait for Haswell update. Current retinas are having troubles to push such resolution. Also, updated and contemporary form factor after they update the body style will be welcomed.

true the ipad 3 does not push its retina that well but the ipad 4 is perfect..

 

[50voltphantom]

I'm about to splash out on a new 27 imac and have been reading most of the threads on the imac subforum. What are the major issues? I really havn't come across any big complaints other than the delay and inability to upgrade components.

For my purposes, shelling out $200 for the upgrade to 16GB of RAM in an iMac
just isn't worth it when you add it all up

base 21.5" iMac 1299
Fusion Drive 250
16GB RAM 200
total = 1749

Versus $1049 for an i7 Mac Mini with a 1TB Fusion Drive, and I can upgrade the RAM for myself anytime for $100. Add about $150 for a monitor and I'm still only at about $1300. I already have a keyboard and trackpad. Discrete graphics aren't a deal-breaker so it's a good choice for me.

 

[Aidan5806]

He did something crazy..he read the article before posting.

As did i but everyone knows that there is practically 0 percent chance that will happen.

 

[CSanchez]

Please friend. At very least you must wait for Haswell update. Current retinas are having troubles to push such resolution. Also, updated and contemporary form factor after they update the body style will be welcomed.

Thanks for the reply.

I've read about the current retinas having problem. I'm about to research waht haswell means because to be honest, I don't have a clue.

I'm assuming the processor will be upgraded aswell?

 

[deconstruct60]

The current Retina's are not USB 3.0? Wow, that shows how much I know about Apple. I expected everything to be top of the line since they just came out in October.

Mac Pro -- top of the line desktop offering (sometimes abbreviated as MP )

http://www.apple.com/macpro/


MacBook Pro -- top of the line laptop offerings ( usual abbreviation MBP )

http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/

MacBook Air ( usually abbreviated MBA )


The Mac Pro hasn't had a major upgrade in terms of sockets (e.g., USB 3.0) and CPU architecture for several years. That is not the case for the rest of the Mac line up.

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I'm assuming the processor will be upgraded aswell?

For most Macs Haswell is both a CPU and GPU upgrade.

In the context of the MBP 13" (with no discrete GPU offerings ) the GPU upgrade is probably just as, if not more in some contexts, more significant than the CPU improvements that will come.

The Haswell offerings that MBP 13" will likely get will have HD4500 graphics. The HD4500 can be up to around twice as fast as the of the current HD4000.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6600/...rformance-compared-to-nvidias-geforce-gt-650m

Whether the MBP's get gt3 with embedded memory support is questionable. That may be part of the hinted redesign by this threads rumors. More likely will be closer to a 30-40% increase.

Intel isn't shipping Haswell until June so that likely means no MBP's till July. Intel has already slid the haswell launch, I doubt Apple is going to put all there laptop eggs onto a product that may be in limited quantity thoughout most of June.

 

[KnightWRX]

Please friend. At very least you must wait for Haswell update. Current retinas are having troubles to push such resolution. Also, updated and contemporary form factor after they update the body style will be welcomed.

My current Retina can push such resolution, multiple times, without issue. It's running both the 2880x1800 screen (in 1920x1200 scaled mode) and an external monitor at 2048x1156 right now as we speak. I'm also playing Guild Wars 2 on it while typing this post.

The "Retina Macbooks can't push the resolution!" thing is a myth that needs to die.

 

[deconstruct60]

I don't think this would do much for mass market appeal. 2-3 episodes is, frankly, nothing, and would do more in increasing production costs than it would be worth in increased sales.

It is mainstream. Go to your web browser and set the cache size to 1MB, or less, and turn of all page prefetching and try that experience versus the more typical double digit sized cache and acceleration.

Prestaged shows will start instantaneously and never hiccup do to network congestion. The performance would be the same (or better) than streaming content off a local mac (or server).

I'm not talking about users picking which shows to store locally. Talking about the AppleTV doing something smarter once bump the local cache from around 5-7GB up to 10-14GB ( total Flash going to 16GB versus the current, relatively limited in 1080p world, 8GB ).

Most current web browser have adopted web caching and prefetching techniques and they haven't resoundingly rejected by users.

But yeah for the subset of folks who live on fiber-to-home connectivity and zero local congestion it wouldn't be much of a difference. I don't think that is the mainstream though. Nor would it be effective if it was a clueless prefetch cache ( like fetch/cache something the user is not likely to watch).
Most TV users are predictable. Even more so if users explicitly tag their favorites (e.g., season passes, etc. ).

 

[CosmoCopus]

Sad that their getting rid of the classic MacBook Pro and only offering that skinnyfied retina model ...sad indeed.

 

[A Hebrew]

If I have to buy a 2012 MBP in July I will be disappointed.

 

[CSanchez]

Mac Pro -- top of the line desktop offering (sometimes abbreviated as MP )

http://www.apple.com/macpro/


MacBook Pro -- top of the line laptop offerings ( usual abbreviation MBP )

http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/

MacBook Air ( usually abbreviated MBA )


The Mac Pro hasn't had a major upgrade in terms of sockets (e.g., USB 3.0) and CPU architecture for several years. That is not the case for the rest of the Mac line up.

----------



For most Macs Haswell is both a CPU and GPU upgrade.

In the context of the MBP 13" (with no discrete GPU offerings ) the GPU upgrade is probably just as, if not more in some contexts, more significant than the CPU improvements that will come.

The Haswell offerings that MBP 13" will likely get will have HD4500 graphics. The HD4500 can be up to around twice as fast as the of the current HD4000.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6600/...rformance-compared-to-nvidias-geforce-gt-650m

Whether the MBP's get gt3 with embedded memory support is questionable. That may be part of the hinted redesign by this threads rumors. More likely will be closer to a 30-40% increase.

Intel isn't shipping Haswell until June so that likely means no MBP's till July. Intel has already slid the haswell launch, I doubt Apple is going to put all there laptop eggs onto a product that may be in limited quantity thoughout most of June.

Thanks for the reply.

Although you just made the decision for me harder lol.

I am in the process of replacing everything I own after my apartment building burnt down about a month ago.

I want to take $2000-2500 of my insurance money and buy a top of the line laptop. I'm not going to do heavy gaming, video or photo editing if at all. I simply want a great laptop that will last me 3 to 5 years.

I planned on getting a Macbook Pro Retina with the 3 year Apple Care.

I was ready to buy earlier, just couldn't decide which one. Now it's looking like if I buy today, there will be a better version of mine at a better price a few months from now.

I have access to a computer but I don't have a personal notebook at this moment so I don't know if I can wait till June or July like yous stated.

I wish Apple had some sort of price guarantee. Still kind of considering a top tier Windows notebook but I know I'll probably be complaining about it a year or so from now.

 

[Ralf The Dog]

Thanks for the reply.

I've read about the current retinas having problem. I'm about to research waht haswell means because to be honest, I don't have a clue.

I'm assuming the processor will be upgraded aswell?

All's well that Haswell. (Posting bad pun because, there is no down vote button.)

As to the story, the fact that he left out the Mac Pro tells me, he does not know what he is talking about. I am hoping, it will be in February or March, not November or December.

 

[deconstruct60]

As to the story, the fact that he left out the Mac Pro tells me, he does not know what he is talking about.

Actually since Apple doesn't normally talk about future products, there is a very good chance that the Mac Pro will be even more secret than normal, if Apple hopes to get any "surprise" out of the release.

I am hoping, it will be in February or March, not November or December.

If most folks are talking November/December then a Jan/Feb move would be a 'surprise'.

It really depends upon when they started working on the new update. If they started in 2011 then a Sandy Bridge Xeon E5 based then Jan/Feb make sense. [ The 1,1 (2006) and 2,1 (2007) models should be on the Apple Vintage and Obsolete list by Feburary 2013. ]

March does not make as much sense, although with the Haswell slide into June that probably means the Ivy Bridge Xeon E5 slide out of July toward August. So perhaps. But March is somewhat late if Intel plans to be 'on time' with Ivy Bridge Xeon E5. [ I don't expect them to be though but wouldn't bet a Mac Pro product cycle on that. ]

If Apple really didn't start on a Mac Pro update until 2012 then Q3-Q4 2013 is reasonable despite the blowback they'll incur for missing a whole Sandy Bridge Xeon cycle.

 

[Athonline]

I have access to a computer but I don't have a personal notebook at this moment so I don't know if I can wait till June or July like yous stated.

I wish Apple had some sort of price guarantee. Still kind of considering a top tier Windows notebook but I know I'll probably be complaining about it a year or so from now.

The top tier Windows notebooks in terms of specs are gaming notebooks, built for desktop-replacement. This means their battery is awful and they are bulky. Macbook Pro Retina sports similar specs -in aspects better- with the Windows ones plus it runs OS X. There are some new Windows "ultrabooks" that look more or less like a Macbook Air copy. Avoid them...

If you don't want it for gaming, professional usage then either get a Macbook Air, still a great machine, built to last or just a Macbook Pro Retina 13".

There is a "rule" in IT Consulting: Never wait for the next "big" thing. You never if and when it will come out. If you see something that covers your current needs, got the money for it, go for it. Do not wait as you will end up waiting forever.
If you want to play it "safe", wait until end of February. If nothing new comes out go and get yourself a new laptop ;-)

 

[deconstruct60]

Thanks for the reply.

Although you just made the decision for me harder lol.
.....

I want to take $2000-2500 of my insurance money and buy a top of the line laptop. I'm not going to do heavy gaming, video or photo editing if at all. I simply want a great laptop that will last me 3 to 5 years.

It is actually easier if that is your budgetary constraint and have immediate need. The retina MBP 13" (or classic MBP 13" ) are the only ones that primarily fit. rMBP 13" + Apple Care is about $2,000 by themselves. Throw in taxes and probably over that threshold.

In addition to AppleCare you likely need to replace software (unless had offiste backups). The retina MBP 15" will bust the cap once pay for complete set up ( hardware , software, maintenance, back-ups , etc. )

I wish Apple had some sort of price guarantee.

They effectively do. Next years (2013) MacBook Pros will likely cost as much as last year MacBook Pros. [ I'm a tad skeptical of Apple will drop the retina versions of the MBP by $500 into the current classic MBP price slots. I don't think apple has ever cut the price on something $500 in one generation. Maybe $100. Outside chance $200 but not what I suspect folks are thinking the cMBP going away would do. ]

More conventional there is about a 2 week window if buy a model that they replace with an upgrade.

Still kind of considering a top tier Windows notebook but I know I'll probably be complaining about it a year or so from now.

It is an option. Especially if you don't have a Mac OS X software base to migrate to (even more so if have an extensive Windows software base. )

 

[PVisitors]

Please friend. At very least you must wait for Haswell update. Current retinas are having troubles to push such resolution. Also, updated and contemporary form factor after they update the body style will be welcomed.

Stop giving false information. The resolution issues were software and have been fixed if you install a webkit or wait until Apple update Safari.

And the Retina Macbook is USB 3.0 too.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6495/...erformance-on-macbook-pro-with-retina-display

 

[ellsworth]

I don't see anything about Mac Pros.

 

[Squilly]

I really don't see much of this happening. Especially iPhone Mini. Just get the 4 or 4S.

 

[ppdix]

Mac pro????????????

Mac pro????????????

----------

I want a BIG iPhone.
Next to the huge Samsungs my iPhone 5 looks like a toy!
Have u seen the new Lenovo 5.5" Screen? 13MP camera. Dual Flashes. It's cool looking too!
That's what Apple should be aiming to do.

IMHO, a 3.5" econo iPhone
A 4' Iphone 5S
And a big 5" iPhone XL

 

[ppdix]

Lenovo K900

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/7866912033/hands-on-with-the-lenovo-k900-superphone

 

[doctor-don]

If they don't upgrade the Mac Pro in 2013, I will be buying a desktop PC.

I love Apple, but this is really getting insane.

I have work to do, Apple, and I'm not upgrading to the current Mac Pro.

If they don't upgrade the Mac Pro in 2013, I will continue using my 2008 Mac Pro. It shows no signs of being anywhere near obsolete.

 

[deconstruct60]

If they don't upgrade the Mac Pro in 2013, I will continue using my 2008 Mac Pro. It shows no signs of being anywhere near obsolete.

It shows all the signs of being classified Vintage and Obsolete relatively (with respect to its lifecycle) soon by Apple. It was superseded in March 2009. 2009 + 5 years is 2014. So by April 2014 it is a candidate for the "Vintage and Obsolete Hardware support" list. [ That's one reason why it would be useful to do an Ivy Bridge Xeon E5 upgrade around (or perhaps before ) Jan/Feb 2014. ]

Once the hardware is de-supported it will likely stop being a software porting target. It can be run in a static time capsule context but that will be a different stage of the the lifecycle.

However, it certainly can be "fast enough" for some subset of users . However, that subset that is willing to sit on vintage hardware is a contributing reason to why the new Mac Pro's aren't a high priority .
If a significant subset of former Mac Pro user workloads' have plateaued then Apple can target them with future Mac products that are lower priced than the Mac Pro. The emphasis will increasingly shift to those models.

 

[CSanchez]

The top tier Windows notebooks in terms of specs are gaming notebooks, built for desktop-replacement. This means their battery is awful and they are bulky. Macbook Pro Retina sports similar specs -in aspects better- with the Windows ones plus it runs OS X. There are some new Windows "ultrabooks" that look more or less like a Macbook Air copy. Avoid them...

If you don't want it for gaming, professional usage then either get a Macbook Air, still a great machine, built to last or just a Macbook Pro Retina 13".

There is a "rule" in IT Consulting: Never wait for the next "big" thing. You never if and when it will come out. If you see something that covers your current needs, got the money for it, go for it. Do not wait as you will end up waiting forever.
If you want to play it "safe", wait until end of February. If nothing new comes out go and get yourself a new laptop ;-)

It is actually easier if that is your budgetary constraint and have immediate need. The retina MBP 13" (or classic MBP 13" ) are the only ones that primarily fit. rMBP 13" + Apple Care is about $2,000 by themselves. Throw in taxes and probably over that threshold.

In addition to AppleCare you likely need to replace software (unless had offiste backups). The retina MBP 15" will bust the cap once pay for complete set up ( hardware , software, maintenance, back-ups , etc. )




They effectively do. Next years (2013) MacBook Pros will likely cost as much as last year MacBook Pros. [ I'm a tad skeptical of Apple will drop the retina versions of the MBP by $500 into the current classic MBP price slots. I don't think apple has ever cut the price on something $500 in one generation. Maybe $100. Outside chance $200 but not what I suspect folks are thinking the cMBP going away would do. ]

More conventional there is about a 2 week window if buy a model that they replace with an upgrade.




It is an option. Especially if you don't have a Mac OS X software base to migrate to (even more so if have an extensive Windows software base. )

Thanks to both for the reply.

I also noticed that I will probably have to spend more in the $2500 plus range and I'm ok with that. It's not the price that's making me wait but rather the product itself.

I wouldn't buy the 2012 model of a vehicle knowing that they're doing a model style change in 2013.

Like I've mentioned before I lost just about everything I own in a apartment fire last month so I would be starting completely from scratch. All my software and files are gone so I won't be migrating anything. I don't have any particular software I want or need aside from Microsoft Office which I can get for cheap or free.

The notebook will be mainly for leisure. The only thing I'm expecting from the notebook is that it last 4 to 5 years. I normally wouldn't spend this kind of money on a notebook but I have the means to do it right now so I want to make it count. Otherwise I would have bought the VAIO with the same specs for half the price by now.

If Apple offered the 13 Inch Retina MBP with 16 GB RAM, I would've bought it today and probably not even cared that the price dropped or something changed. But now that I read that there will be changes and upgrades fairly soon I want to wait. Lol, it's kind of dumb but I know I'll be checking to see what changed later and potentially regretting I didn't wait.

At least I know the 13 inch Retina MBP will have a better processor and I can hope that I will be able to upgrade the RAM to 16GB.

 

[Tech198]

Yay !!

New Mac stuff. ... Time to Gazelle

However, these thungs stood out like a sire thumb -:

Iphone 5s : Apple's using numbers now? (Taking a page of Intel's book are we).

Also, a fringer-print reader in a phone ... lol, i always fell outta bed.

Good for security, I admitt, but its a mobile device, not a laptop (often wonder why Apple ommitted this from devices where it matters frst)

-------------

MacBook Pro : I still have my non-Retina 15-inch,, and bought it *because* of it being non-Retina, but if true, this new one may be wrth looking at.. If prce s about the same. If its gonna be priced around the same as the current 15-inch Retina, then forget it. (AU pricing is $2499) .... Too expensve for my needs.

I don't mind paying a premium, but this is not a car.

-------------

Apple TV : pushed back the Television,,,,, of course, lack of content, (we knew that part)

What about an "updated" Apple TV 4....? Give consumers something interesting to play around with while we are waiting.