'Entry-Level' 13-inch MacBook, Redesigned iPad Pros With Faster 18W USB-C Charger Coming in September, But no New iPad Mini

[IscariotJ]

I would defy anyone to use the iPad Pro for proper light productivity tasks for a week instead of a pc/Mac and not end up frustrated. And this is basic stuff that the pc/Mac has been pretty good at since at least the late 80s.

An iPad Pro is my only device; I code on it, look after servers, and do all the usual office stuff. No frustration.

The lack of a Mini update is disappointing. I was hoping with iOS12 probably being the last supported version, an update would have been inbound. It surely can't be because of technical reasons.

 

[cmaier]

What is it with Apple's resistance to updating the Mini? I think it would be a top seller. What, not enough margin?

Apple doesn’t make product decisions based on what you think. They clearly think it won’t be a top seller.

That said, I’d buy one.

 

[GuruZac]

And I was considering waiting for the “entry” level MacBook before I purchased my refurb 2017 MBP...glad I didn’t wait. Let’s see, for the same price, you get smaller screen, less performance? What the heck is Apple thinking. The entry level ought to be priced at $899 or something far more reasonable than MBP price point.

 

[mollyc]

I have a mini 2 that is showing its age. I also am on my second plus sized phone and still prefer a mini iPad over a full sized one.

If they aren’t going to replace the mini, I am more inclined to get a budget priced laptop with a real keyboard over a larger sized iPad. At least with a full computer I can download photos from my cameras and edit them, or type coherently. And for the sand relative price as an iPad Pro (or less).

 

[DrJohnnyN]

The fact that Apple still can’t make a sub $1000 retina MacBook Air or MacBook is pretty laughable.

Can't or won't?

 

[pweicks]

Anybody know which specific 14nm Kaby lake models would be suitable for the new MacBook Air if that’s true? Would like to see what the exact specs could end up being as far as clock speed and stuff.

 

[topmounter]

Looking forward to the new MacBook / MacBook Air(s).

The lack of Mac Mini rumors is disconcerting.

Absolutely perplexing that no new iPad Mini is on the horizon. My 10.5" iPad Pro is nice, but I wouldn't think twice about replacing it with an updated iPad Mini for day-to-day use.

 

[augustya]

is this for sure now ? The September release for the iPad Pro 2018 ? It is becoming very monotonous and uninteresting to just keep reading this again and again !!

 

[pweicks]

Anybody know which specific 14nm Kaby lake models would be suitable for the new MacBook Air if that’s true? Would like to see what the exact specs could end up being as far as clock speed and stuff.

Well I just looked up the i7-7560U on intel’s website which I’d guess would be the cpu they would use considering its kaby lake, 14nm and has the exact same TDP as the processor in the current Air (15W - 9.5W), and dang, I am pleasantly surprised. Two cores, four threads, 2.4GHz base, 3.8GHz turbo. Could be my next computer if that’s really how good it turns out. Guess it just comes to show how outdated the current Air is.

 

[Chazz08]

I wonder why they aren't refreshing the mini. We sold a lot of them at Verizon. Parents would get them for their kids instead of the bigger ones. But I guess the new iPad that came out, what was it, last year, is cheaper.

 

[Solomani]

How about an AppleWatch mini?

 

[Dave245]

Well I just looked up the i7-7560U on intel’s website which I’d guess would be the cpu they would use considering its kaby lake, 14nm and has the exact same TDP as the processor in the current Air (15W - 9.5W), and dang, I am pleasantly surprised. Two cores, four threads, 2.4GHz base, 3.8GHz turbo. Could be my next computer if that’s really how good it turns out. Guess it just comes to show how outdated the current Air is.

This is how they can differentiate between the two models, the 12” MacBook will probably stick with the M series processors while the 13” version can get more powerful processors.

I think this 13” would better suited to either being rebranded as a new generation Air with Retina display, thinner bezels and these faster processors while the 12” MacBook can be kept around as an ultra portable

Or they bring the 13” into the Macbook branding and remove the Air completely. Personally I think this is more likely than rebranding the Air, especially since the 12” MacBook is thinner and lighter than the Air.

$999 starting price for the 12” MacBook
$1,200 for the 13” version

This is similar to what they did with the Air anyway when they offered the 11” and 13” versions.

 

[profets]

If so, I think the iPad is forever doomed to be a nice supplementary device to your phone and pc that is a ‘nice to have’ product for those with the cash to spare, but not a ‘must have’ ie in the same way that a pc or a smartphone is.

I know it’s not good to map your own experiences and needs onto billions of other potential customers but...

I’m a ‘tech enthusiast’ and own a Mac, iPhone & Apple Watch, I just can’t justify buying an iPad. In fact I considered getting one instead of a MBP last year but it just wasn’t worth it.

It’s not as powerful (meaning functionality not processing horsepower) and even with a Smart Keyboard it was clunky to use.

I had to keep on reaching up to use the touchscreen - you know like people with those touchscreen pcs that Apple are so fond of laughing at.

I would defy anyone to use the iPad Pro for proper light productivity tasks for a week instead of a pc/Mac and not end up frustrated. And this is basic stuff that the pc/Mac has been pretty good at since at least the late 80s.

If Apple just come out this year and say ‘here’s the new iPad Pro, it’s faster and it has the notch - which you can use in landscape as well as portrait!’ I’ll just shrug my shoulders and continue to not buy one.

I disagree. I don't think the iPad has to be a laptop/Mac replacement, rather though a laptop alternative. Nothing wrong if one prefers or requires a Mac or laptop for day to day use, but for plenty of people an iPad is more than sufficient as their large screen computing device.

I'm a tech enthusiast as well, and own an iPad Pro, iPhone and Apple Watch. I can't justify buying a Mac as I prefer using my iPad for those times when I'd like a larger screen. I love Macs, but there are just so many things that I prefer about iOS and iPad that I can't do on a Mac.

$150 for a wireless charging "mat"? My Samsung wireless charger cost only $25.00. Is there something about the Apple version which would justify a $150 price?

What is likely driving part of the price is ability to charge multiple devices in many different orientations. Unlike most charging pads where you have to place the device in a specific spot, it sounds like with this AirPower mat you can place the phone, watch, AirPods, anywhere.
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This is how they can differentiate between the two models, the 12” MacBook will probably stick with the M series processors while the 13” version can get more powerful processors.

I think this 13” would better suited to either being rebranded as a new generation Air with Retina display, thinner bezels and these faster processors while the 12” MacBook can be kept around as an ultra portable

Or they bring the 13” into the Macbook branding and remove the Air completely. Personally I think this is more likely than rebranding the Air, especially since the 12” MacBook is thinner and lighter than the Air.

$999 starting price for the 12” MacBook
$1,200 for the 13” version

This is similar to what they did with the Air anyway when they offered the 11” and 13” versions.

I agree. Wouldn't be surprising to see the lineup cleaned a bit to just MacBook and MacBook Pro (each with 2 sizes to choose from). It's unfortunate they didn't work toward this more quickly after the introduction of the 12" MacBook 3.5 years ago.

 

[CyberBob859]

So you’re saying the chassis of the MB except in 13? If they’re going with an all new chassis why didn’t they just go with 14 then? MB 12/14. MBP 13/15. Also the biggest problem with the MB is the damn keyboard.

I think it's going to be 13" because they're already buying a 13" screen for the MacBook Pro and can just use that. Higher volume purchase can lead to lower component cost, which will be important for the "mainstream" or "entry level" model that will probably have the most interest.

Love it or hate it - they're going all-in with the new keyboard design. By removing all the older MacBook Pro models - and probably the Air shortly - this is what they're going to offer, and its no turning back. I think its gotten better over the past three years, but its still not for everybody.

 

[TechZeke]

The fact that Apple still can’t make a sub $1000 retina MacBook Air or MacBook is pretty laughable.

Honestly, I'm surprised that NONE of the prices of the current MacBook/Pro lineup hasn't come down in price like previous model years. The price just seems to keep jumping every re-design. A base 15" is going to be $3000 by the time the next redesign comes around.

There's no reason why a base 12" MacBook should STILL cost $1300 in 2018.

 

[predation]

They can. Just won’t. Plus the entry model priced high = $2trln company.

 

[Rafterman]

Apple doesn’t make product decisions based on what you think. They clearly think it won’t be a top seller.

That said, I’d buy one.

Well, they keep it around, so it must still sell.

 

[eVolcre]

This is how they can differentiate between the two models, the 12” MacBook will probably stick with the M series processors while the 13” version can get more powerful processors.

I think this 13” would better suited to either being rebranded as a new generation Air with Retina display, thinner bezels and these faster processors while the 12” MacBook can be kept around as an ultra portable

Or they bring the 13” into the Macbook branding and remove the Air completely. Personally I think this is more likely than rebranding the Air, especially since the 12” MacBook is thinner and lighter than the Air.

$999 starting price for the 12” MacBook
$1,200 for the 13” version

This is similar to what they did with the Air anyway when they offered the 11” and 13” versions.

To your last sentence. Not entirely accurate. The 11” MBA was just as powerful as the 13, same keyboard, same ports (except the card reader) just in a smaller size. Didn’t have to compromise.

The 12” mb would be pretty underpowered compared to the new 13” model. If they keep the air keyboard that’s another differentiator.

 

[djtet]

Best Buy actually has the iPad mini 4 128GB on sale for $275, down from $400). I've been wanting a 12.9 Pro but can't justify the price. Hopefully if these new ones come up, I can find a deal on a current/2nd Gen!

 

[pipis2010]

The 13" MacBook Pro is the new MacBook Air.

Let's rewind time for a moment. It's Thursday, October 27, and Apple's event is under way.

Imagine that instead of introducing the new MacBook Pro, Apple unveiled a new MacBook Air. One that's 12 percent lighter, 13 percent smaller by volume and practically the same weight -- but manages to cram in a faster Intel processor, faster graphics, plus the far sharper, brighter and more colorful Retina Display the MacBook Air so desperately needed.

Sure, it starts at $1,500 rather than $1,000, but you get twice the solid-state storage for the price -- and you can double the RAM, quadruple the storage and get the awesome new Touch Bar secondary screenwith Touch ID fingerprint sensor if you're willing to pay even more.

How long has your MacBook Air had a 1.6GHz processor? This new one is 2.0GHz or 2.9GHz; there's even a 3.3GHz option.

And sure, it's got a thinner keyboard and only two (or four) general-purpose Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of handy full-size USB ports and SD card slots. But we, Apple, figured you'd rather have a more accurate keyboard and amazing single-cable Thunderbolt 3 docking options to go with your mobile MacBook Air lifestyle.

Now, you can pull your MacBook Air right out of your manila envelope and plug in a single cable to charge it, dock with your peripherals and power multiple monitors all at the same time.

Oh, and one more thing: we knew you'd like the MacBook Air so much, we built a 15-inch model. You won't believe how fast it is -- this Air has a quad-core CPU that's 50 percent faster than last year's MacBook Pro! The graphics are over twice as fast, and yet we've kept the same 10 hour battery life as the 13-inch version.

If you've ever wanted to edit photos or home videos on a MacBook Air, this computer's for you. Oh, and it comes standard with the Touch Bar and Touch ID, too.

We think you're going to love the new MacBook Air. It's the best MacBook we've ever made.

I think that’s exactly the problem, isn’t it? Apple keeps making thinner and thinner laptops, in the end it makes sense to keep 1st generation devices, like Macbook and just slash its price to appeal to the sub-$1000 crowd. Same with MBP, as they could eventually make the non-TB MBP model appeal to sub-$1000 customers... so what exactly would be the need for a new Air laptop? My guess is that the ports aren’t coming back either, even if they released a new Air, because of their strong focus on USB-C...

Fyi, I LOVE my 2014 Air and would buy a new one, but I am not convinced that Apple will release a new Air or what would be its real purpose exactly in their laptop line...

 

[The Game 161]

Certainly going to be an action packed event...and expensive one.

 

[mdorais]

Who needs a iPad mini?

I do for my kid. Thanks for asking.

 

[limo79]

Entry Macbook Retina with dual core CPU, 4GB RAM DDR3 and 128GB SSD... No thanks. I cannot believe that Apple will make a product that could compete internally with current MBP 13". With the classic good old keyboard in refreshed MBA and with lower price who really wants MBP 13"? Possibly no one. Maybe they plan to use standard 4 core CPU with Intel UHD instead of Iris to cut the cost.

 

[CyberBob859]

All I really want is for the non-touch bar MacBook Pro to be refreshed with the 3rd gen keyboard and newer processor. But it appears like Pro users will be forced to use the touch-bar, like it or not.

I think if they planned on keeping the non-touchbar model around, they would have refreshed it to the new keyboard and processors a month or so ago when they upgraded the TouchBar 13" and 15" models.

To me, they're going to clean-up the consumer line by getting rid of the Air and the MacBook Pro "Escape" and replace it with one 13" model.

 

[BigJohno]

will we see a hint of the Mac pro? Probably not till WWDC next year.