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Can the Macbook Pro get even thinner?

W

wuush

macrumors member
Original poster
May 4, 2014
76
9
I'm not an engineer, thats why i'm asking this question:

Can the next generation of Macbook Pros get even thinner?

I have doubts, because of how big the Ports are, by that i mean, look at the side of your MBPr:

Magsafe2
Thunderbolt2
USB3
Headphone Jack
HDMI

are all connections that are nearly too big (even) for the current generation.

They can replace many connectors with mini/micro etc. Versions but not USB (they could but then many devices would be useless) and the next Thunderbolt Gen. is still far away (at least i think so)

edit: just thinking: maybe if they introduce thunderbolt 3 u won't need a new magsafe connector (3) because you can charge with a thunderbolt cable. Does anyone know the specs of thunderbolt 3 yet? how much power does tb2 deliver?
 
Once graphine becomes simple to product it can technically be about few million microns thin (that is still pretty thin, don't let the scale fool you). I suspect we will have it by 2017.
 
The part of the MBP that holds the ports is only part of the thickness of the notebook:

ports_hero.jpg


There's plenty of thickness that could theoretically be shaved off of the display and the bottom of the device in the future. They could also go for a tapered design like the Air.

I don't think that will happen in the near future though, I think Apple would rather keep the current sizes and let battery life and performance grow with new generations of hardware.
 
The next generation of Thunderbolt (3) and USB 3.1 Type C are both meant to be considerably smaller as well as reversible in USB's case, throw in mini-HDMI or mini-Displayport as well as a smaller Magsafe 3 then yes it could well be thinner. Personally I don't care if it get's any thinner as it's already extremely think, a bit lighter would be nice though.
 
Should it? because it'll always be at the expense of features, performance, battery life, heat, durability, capacity, upgradability... etc.

If thickness is one's top priority, go with a MB Air...
 
don't think the problem is the ports, but rather keeping the battery life and performance while making it noticeable thinner
 
One thing is for sure (at least in my opinion), apple will be looking to shave more millimeters off the MBP and definitely make it thinner. I think we're approaching the point where you cannot make it thinner unless you remove the ports however.
 
The mechanics of the hinge will probably be as much of a limit as the ports, but the hinge relies on basic levers to hold the screen at any angle so while ports could gradually be replaced with thinner versions (especially if a detachable dock that attaches via a purpose-built wafer-thin connector is used), I can't see the hinge depth reducing much, hence the tapered MBA shell....
 
Apple could go the way of Asus Transformer, detachable keyboard(ports) and go for a touchscreen on the next MacBook Pro... then Apple could then launch iOS application layer so you get the best of both worlds OS X+iOS :cool:
 
USB 3.1 type C is even smaller and suppose to replace the regular Type A port used my the rMBP eventually. Probably not any time soon though.
 
happyfrappy said:
Apple could go the way of Asus Transformer, detachable keyboard(ports) and go for a touchscreen on the next MacBook Pro... then Apple could then launch iOS application layer so you get the best of both worlds OS X+iOS :cool:
Click to expand...

I just threw up a little in my mouth.
 
Razers razer blade is thinner but with more powerful components, so apple could make the macbook pro thinner.

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egy195 said:
drop the usb for more thunderbolt ports :)
Click to expand...

So when I want to plug in my usb stick ill need to get a power hogging thunderbolt (pcie) to an entire hub? No thank you.

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simsaladimbamba said:
They could get rid of the curves and make it thinner.
Click to expand...

Curves are good when you want to lift it of a flat area, like a table.
 
Sifinity said:
But the Blade only gets 4-5 hrs of non-gaming battery life
Click to expand...

Thats because they have other priorities meaning the battery cant be as big. They want to have better cooling for the 7xxm gtx gpu. Apple might even get rid of the dgpu in next release. Meanin more room for battery.
 
You do know Apple has both models one with and one without. Apple will not be moving away from that model anytime ever.

Anitramane said:
Thats because they have other priorities meaning the battery cant be as big. They want to have better cooling for the 7xxm gtx gpu. Apple might even get rid of the dgpu in next release. Meanin more room for battery.
Click to expand...
 
happyfrappy said:
Apple could go the way of Asus Transformer, detachable keyboard(ports) and go for a touchscreen on the next MacBook Pro... then Apple could then launch iOS application layer so you get the best of both worlds OS X+iOS :cool:
Click to expand...

Ummm, yeah, right, that's it. Microsoft tried that paradigm with Windoze 8 and created nothing but hate and discontent in the process. :eek:
 
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