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Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
The new 2019 Mac Pro is very much an indication that Apple is listening to it's professional's. The question now is will Apple apply the same logic to the MBP or will it remain as is?

Many I know very much want a professional grade Mac notebook, equally they don't want what Apple is currently serving up as it's entirely consumer focused. Maybe the rumoured 16" MBP will be the change? That said I think it will be more of the same and the only path for Apple and users that such need is a new product similar to the iMac Pro.

Has to be said I have little if any confidence as Apple has been ignoring us for years, with the current portable offerings driving many off the platform as performance, usability and portability are major factors, let alone reliability.

2019-mac-pro-internal-view.jpg

Modular notebooks, with solid cooling solutions that allow full performance and diverse port solutions would likely be of interest to many. Time will tell, although I rather feel I'm on the loosing side...

Q-6
 

leman

macrumors Core
Oct 14, 2008
19,492
19,628
A danger in this course of action that the “regular” MBP will be gimped down. I think there are many more users who prefer the MBP lightweight and mobile than ones who are willing to compromise on that for a workstation-class performance.

I guess we will see where they are going next year, when the redesign is out.
 

Thysanoptera

macrumors 6502a
Jun 12, 2018
910
873
Pittsburgh, PA
The new 2019 Mac Pro is very much an indication that Apple is listening to it's professional's. The question now is will Apple apply the same logic to the MBP or will it remain as is?
It is listening to large studios who finally switched their rendering farms to Windows, this machine looks like was created to live in server rack, not under somebody's desk which doubles as support for $1000 monitor stand. It doesn't have any internal or external bays, it is just a giant PCIe bus to use in MacOS. $6k for 8 core, 256 GB SSD (that's got to be a joke), 32 GB RAM and Radeon 580X? It is slower, more expensive, with quarter of storage of base iMacPro. And missing 5k screen. It should start at $3~4k. Overall I like it, except for the price, but this is not what the old cheesegrater was.

I'm also disappointed that they had to put two GPUs on a single card to make it look competitive. Sticking with AMD may kick them in the behind eventually.

As for Macbook - I doubt we'll see any changes, if anything further dumbing down to bring it level with iPad. I was really entertained when the guy showing iPadOS functions was fumbling with cursor placement and text selection. I counted three "ooopss" and one "aaawww" during a procedure that should require maybe 2 seconds using a mouse. The biggest change in Catalina - checkbox to compile mobile OS app to MacOS. And get rid of iTunes, after all it doesn't exist on phones and tablets.
 

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,132
14,562
New Hampshire
The Mac Pro is impressive.

I wish that Apple would come up with a Mobile Workstation, something the size of the 2008-2011 MacBook Pro 17. Offer up to 128 GB of RAM, lots of ports including legacy and a 4K display.
 
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turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,246
39,728
To me this just confirms that the new 16” MacBook Pro will be hilariously overpriced and underspecced at base.
[doublepost=1559611998][/doublepost]
I was really entertained when the guy showing iPadOS functions was fumbling with cursor placement and text selection. I counted three "ooopss" and one "aaawww" during a procedure that should require maybe 2 seconds using a mouse.


LMAO!
I had the same thought.

I was thinking “a mouse would be pretty handy there eh buddy?”
 

udflyer

macrumors 6502
Jan 3, 2011
424
104
I disagree. This is way out of normal peoples price range. How about a $2000 machine that looks like a darn alienware case. All I need. No Mac Mini. No laptop with constant issues.

This is not hard. Apple did nothing but introduce a NEW segment today.

I agree with the above this is for studios.
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
A danger in this course of action that the “regular” MBP will be gimped down. I think there are many more users who prefer the MBP lightweight and mobile than ones who are willing to compromise on that for a workstation-class performance.

I guess we will see where they are going next year, when the redesign is out.

Unfortunately I think that's inevitable as that's been the direction for some time, as for the rumoured 16" it's far more likely to be near identical to the current model with hopefully a little more headroom for cooling and a new keyboard design.

Q-6
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
It is listening to large studios who finally switched their rendering farms to Windows, this machine looks like was created to live in server rack, not under somebody's desk which doubles as support for $1000 monitor stand. It doesn't have any internal or external bays, it is just a giant PCIe bus to use in MacOS. $6k for 8 core, 256 GB SSD (that's got to be a joke), 32 GB RAM and Radeon 580X? It is slower, more expensive, with quarter of storage of base iMacPro. And missing 5k screen. It should start at $3~4k. Overall I like it, except for the price, but this is not what the old cheesegrater was.

I'm also disappointed that they had to put two GPUs on a single card to make it look competitive. Sticking with AMD may kick them in the behind eventually.

As for Macbook - I doubt we'll see any changes, if anything further dumbing down to bring it level with iPad. I was really entertained when the guy showing iPadOS functions was fumbling with cursor placement and text selection. I counted three "ooopss" and one "aaawww" during a procedure that should require maybe 2 seconds using a mouse. The biggest change in Catalina - checkbox to compile mobile OS app to MacOS. And get rid of iTunes, after all it doesn't exist on phones and tablets.

Tend to agree, although it's at least a step forward. Pricing is aligned with industry usage, similar to the HP Z Workstations not the average consumer who just wants an upgradable tower like the old Cheese Grater offered. Sadly I also agree regarding the MBP as that's been the trend for years.

Problem being is that once individuals and companies switch to Windows they are unlikely to return to the Mac in a hurry unless Apple offers a very specific advantage and the pricing makes sense. With the Mac Pro Apple's not looking at selling the base model to consumers or independent Pro's, Apple is looking to sell on mass with high spec's to companies with significant budget.

All in all "if" I needed a Mac desktop, I'd be far more inclined to opt for the Mac Pro versus the iMac Pro as it offers a lot more longevity versus the AIO. Given an MBP for my needs would be spec'd to well over $4K the Mac Pro's price point does not come as surprise, $1K for the monitor stand Only Apple...

Q-6
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
The Mac Pro is impressive.

I wish that Apple would come up with a Mobile Workstation, something the size of the 2008-2011 MacBook Pro 17. Offer up to 128 GB of RAM, lots of ports including legacy and a 4K display.

This is what I'd like to see as long as the SW holds up. Problem being Apple is already pricing the MBP excessively high for a decent spec, so a notebook that's a level up is going to be priced ever higher so Apple can differentiate it.

Apple would likely go with Xeon & ECC RAM, Vega with Navi upgrade, fast higher capacity SSD's then push the entry price to say just short of $4K. While what many want is the option for i9, user upgradable RAM & SSD with greater thermal & power headroom, decent GPU and God forbid a port solution that's not 100% reliant on dongles and or third party docks.

Problem being this would be directly in conflict with the current MBP and hence why Apple will never produce such a notebook as it's simply too arrogant and Apple's mindset is one of they will dictate what you will use.

In Apple's desktop space they now have a good range of differentiated products, however the notebook's remain to be very much the same being variations of the Air with scaling performance, that is ultimately neutered at the top of the range for the sake of the aesthetic. 15" MBP with the Octa core i9 is impressive for it's size, equally the performance remains lacklustre for the sake of a few mm and grams, with the keyboard objectively remaining questionable and subjectively a very poor user experience...

Q-6
 

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,132
14,562
New Hampshire
This is what I'd like to see as long as the SW holds up. Problem being Apple is already pricing the MBP excessively high for a decent spec, so a notebook that's a level up is going to be priced ever higher so Apple can differentiate it.

Apple would likely go with Xeon & ECC RAM, Vega with Navi upgrade, fast higher capacity SSD's then push the entry price to say just short of $4K. While what many want is the option for i9, user upgradable RAM & SSD with greater thermal & power headroom, decent GPU and God forbid a port solution that's not 100% reliant on dongles and or third party docks.

Problem being this would be directly in conflict with the current MBP and hence why Apple will never produce such a notebook as it's simply too arrogant and Apple's mindset is one of they will dictate what you will use.

In Apple's desktop space they now have a good range of differentiated products, however the notebook's remain to be very much the same being variations of the Air with scaling performance, that is ultimately neutered at the top of the range for the sake of the aesthetic. 15" MBP with the Octa core i9 is impressive for it's size, equally the performance remains lacklustre for the sake of a few mm and grams, with the keyboard objectively remaining questionable and subjectively a very poor user experience...

Q-6

I can justify the cost over a ten-year period. The problem is that there are so many Windows options for a fraction of the price right now (going the user-upgrade route). Yes, the model that I'm looking at is butt-ugly. Yes, it's Windows. Yes, the trackpad is awful. But I'd want it to get work done. Nice looks are nice. But not necessary.

Apple's stock hit $171 yesterday. It looks like we're in for a bear market and a recession sometime next year. At some point, consumers and businesses will retrench. I really like macOS but Apple is making it harder and harder to do so. In the meantime, I'm happy with 2014+2015.
 
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MrGunnyPT

macrumors 65816
Mar 23, 2017
1,313
804
A danger in this course of action that the “regular” MBP will be gimped down. I think there are many more users who prefer the MBP lightweight and mobile than ones who are willing to compromise on that for a workstation-class performance.

I guess we will see where they are going next year, when the redesign is out.

Those who need that performance get a workstation tbh... I am one of them
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
I can justify the cost over a ten-year period. The problem is that there are so many Windows options for a fraction of the price right now (going the user-upgrade route). Yes, the model that I'm looking at is butt-ugly. Yes, it's Windows. Yes, the trackpad is awful. But I'd want it to get work done. Nice looks are nice. But not necessary.

Apple's stock hit $171 yesterday. It looks like we're in for a bear market and a recession sometime next year. At some point, consumers and businesses will retrench. I really like macOS but Apple is making it harder and harder to do so. In the meantime, I'm happy with 2014+2015.

I do agree, I pay for my own hardware and equally it delivers as a function of my work. To shift back to the MBP would near double the price of each notebook and I'd loose an element of usability and certainly a good chunk of performance.

The other factor is the new 9th Gen i9 CPU's will be out with the Windows OEM's soon enough and performance will rocket again some now with evermore productivity based features. I'm simply tired of Apple and it's disappointment's, this notebook in front of me aesthetically is just ok, however performance, features, usability reliability are right up there.

TBH the i9 MBP would just be a downgrade on multiple levels barring the display, so from a strictly business point of view buying a MBP makes little sense with the current design. 2020 brings a redesign, I just expect more of the same; less for more...

Q-6
[doublepost=1559643642][/doublepost]
Those who need that performance get a workstation tbh... I am one of them

True, however they are a tad difficult to fly with :p If the profession dictates mobility, why do we have to be stuck with just Ultrabook's? Certainly on the other side of the fence with Windows if you want a powerful notebook there are numerous options, even with Linux, although more limited...

Q-6
 
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MrGunnyPT

macrumors 65816
Mar 23, 2017
1,313
804
I do agree, I pay for my own hardware and equally it delivers as a function of my work. To shift back to the MBP would near double the price of each notebook and I'd loose an element of usability and certainly a good chunk of performance.

The other factor is the new 9th Gen i9 CPU's will be out with the Windows OEM's soon enough and performance will rocket again some now with evermore productivity based features. I'm simply tired of Apple and it's disappointment's, this notebook in front of me aesthetically is just ok, however performance, features, usability reliability are right up there.

TBH the i9 MBP would just be a downgrade on multiple levels barring the display, so from a strictly business point of view buying a MBP makes little sense with the current design. 2020 brings a redesign, I just expect more of the same; less for more...

Q-6
[doublepost=1559643642][/doublepost]

True, however they are a tad difficult to fly with :p If the profession dictates mobility, why do we have to be stuck with just Ultrabook's? Certainly on the other side of the fence with Windows if you want a powerful notebook there are numerous options, even with Linux, although far more limited...

Q-6

I do agree there should be a Mac Pro variant for the mobility sector.

I just don't want a base 15" to suffer consequences because of it.
 

MrGunnyPT

macrumors 65816
Mar 23, 2017
1,313
804
Reality is I doubt Apple will as the demand will be limited and unless it can differentiate from the 15" MBP it will suffer the same fate as the 17" of years gone by...

Q-6

Hopefully the new redesign brings some answers for all of us..
 
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StuKatz1

macrumors member
May 24, 2019
88
211
This new Mac Pro is the perfect excuse to keep offering mediocre-at-best laptops for pro audio and video users.

Now there’s a convenient excuse: if you are a professional, you can buy a Mac Pro.

What do you mean it isn’t mobile, we listened to our customers and now you can buy wheels for the Mac Pro! See, we’re listening!

15” and 16” too expensive for what it offers? Do you know what the stand to the Mac Pro alone costs? The MacBook Pro is a great deal and very affordable.
 
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Dave245

macrumors G3
Sep 15, 2013
9,843
8,075
Personally I thought yesterday’s WWDC was one of the best i’ve seen in years. The software updates for that iPad were just what I was looking for, the “side car feature” for the Mac is a nice little feature and one I shall use with my iMac all the time.

The Mac Pro is not for me, I don’t need anywhere near that much power. The people it’s aimed for tho, that’s a different story, they will more than likely lap it up. Studios and editors on big projects will love it.

Overall very happy with where Apple is heading now. iPad getting its own iPadOS is a great thing, it’s clear that over time they will keep adding to it (much like they do with iOS and MacOS every year).
 
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pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,132
14,562
New Hampshire
Reality is I doubt Apple will as the demand will be limited and unless it can differentiate from the 15" MBP it will suffer the same fate as the 17" of years gone by...

Q-6

The Windows world seems to disagree. There are so many Windows options in the 17.3 Mobile Workstation market right now - what are these companies all seeing that they'd put all of these products out there? Does their market research show that there is demand for these systems? I guess we will find out in 2020. If the number of 17.3 MWs falls off a cliff in 2020, then they made products where there was no demand. I don't think that will be the case because it would be my preference; but we'll see. It would also be interesting to see if Apple would be more interested in this market if sales numbers indicate that it's a hot area.
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
The Windows world seems to disagree. There are so many Windows options in the 17.3 Mobile Workstation market right now - what are these companies all seeing that they'd put all of these products out there? Does their market research show that there is demand for these systems? I guess we will find out in 2020. If the number of 17.3 MWs falls off a cliff in 2020, then they made products where there was no demand. I don't think that will be the case because it would be my preference; but we'll see. It would also be interesting to see if Apple would be more interested in this market if sales numbers indicate that it's a hot area.

I know, I see more and more 17" notebooks in my travels and use a 17.3" myself and I only work internationally. They have never been more powerful nor offer so much usability, nor are they all 12lb beasts these days.

The comment regarding the 17" is solely related to Apple who were/remain unwilling to offer real value to the customer, beside the display panel a 15" MBP would be a significant downgrade in performance and usability. As for Apple if they stay on the same track no interest, as I need tools not lifestyle statements.

The only 15.6" notebook that I have interest in now is the upcoming ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo, as the duel displays adds another layer to productivity. Similar to the ASUS Zephyrus line I'm hoping for a 17" with RTX 2070.

Q-6
 
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Falhófnir

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,146
7,001
Maybe they will release a new 'PowerBook' or something in a similar fashion - a halo product with enterprise grade components; a degree of modularity (RAM SO-DIMM(s); M.2 SSD bay(s)) - I think the MBP is now too engrained as an enthusiast/ prosumer/ high end consumer computer to be wrenched back in this direction itself. People wouldn't understand and would just see them jacking up the price to $3,999 or whatever it is and complain, even if they introduced new MacBooks to slot in where the current MBPs sit.
 

StuKatz1

macrumors member
May 24, 2019
88
211
Those who need that performance get a workstation tbh... I am one of them

While this may be true for some professions, there are others in which mobility is not a luxury, but a necessity, I am one of them.

Never thought that I would have to look at Windows machine ever again, but I and many others are.
 
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inhalexhale1

macrumors 65816
Jul 17, 2011
1,101
745
PA
Unfortunately I think that's inevitable as that's been the direction for some time, as for the rumoured 16" it's far more likely to be near identical to the current model with hopefully a little more headroom for cooling and a new keyboard design.

Q-6

That would not be a bad thing at all. An update with a reliable keyboard and better thermal design would be more than fine. The specs are great if not limited by the chassis.

They could drop the Touch Bar, but I suspect it will stick around in one way or another. Vega should already be standard and not BTO.
 
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Mockletoy

macrumors 6502a
Sep 26, 2017
622
1,922
Gothenburg, Sweden
I still have my 2016 13" MBP because I prefer macOS for general use and productivity, but when my gaming desktop started getting a little long in the tooth I had to make a decision. Now, it's a 4790K, so it's still perfectly adequate, but I was mostly just wanting to move to something newer for newer technologies (M2 slots, USB 3 Gen 2, stuff like that).

That desktop has a really nice EVGA hybrid-cooled GTX 1080 in it that is both very fast and nearly silent. My plan was to eventually retire my desktop, upgrade my MBP to a 15", and supplement it with my GTX 1080 in an eGPU case.

But then Apple decided, arbitrarily and without warning, that my GTX 1080 would not be allowed to work with macOS any more past High Sierra. Just as a matter of principle that bugs the crap out of me. There is no logical reason it shouldn't work, Apple has just decided, they can't even be bothered to tell me why, and that's that. If I don't like it, tough.

And that's why I still have a nearly 3-year-old MBP I haven't upgraded. When AppleCare runs out in a few months, I dunno ... we'll see.

In the meantime, I bought an MSI GE75 Raider w/ a thin-bezel 144Hz 17" screen (meaning the chassis is about like a 15" normally would be), a 6-core CPU and a full RTX 2080, 32GB of RAM, and 2x512GB PCIE SSDs for $2399. The best part? The keyboard is phenomenal.

Lots of folks like me have money we'd love to throw at Apple, but they for whatever reason just don't want it. Well, it is what it is. Based on their bank accounts, they clearly aren't hurting because of it.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,164
13,209
"Many I know very much want a professional grade Mac notebook, equally they don't want what Apple is currently serving up as it's entirely consumer focused. Maybe the rumoured 16" MBP will be the change?"

At the rate things are going with Apple, the base price on the MacBook Pro 16" will probably be $5,499...
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
Original poster
I still have my 2016 13" MBP because I prefer macOS for general use and productivity, but when my gaming desktop started getting a little long in the tooth I had to make a decision. Now, it's a 4790K, so it's still perfectly adequate, but I was mostly just wanting to move to something newer for newer technologies (M2 slots, USB 3 Gen 2, stuff like that).

That desktop has a really nice EVGA hybrid-cooled GTX 1080 in it that is both very fast and nearly silent. My plan was to eventually retire my desktop, upgrade my MBP to a 15", and supplement it with my GTX 1080 in an eGPU case.

But then Apple decided, arbitrarily and without warning, that my GTX 1080 would not be allowed to work with macOS any more past High Sierra. Just as a matter of principle that bugs the crap out of me. There is no logical reason it shouldn't work, Apple has just decided, they can't even be bothered to tell me why, and that's that. If I don't like it, tough.

And that's why I still have a nearly 3-year-old MBP I haven't upgraded. When AppleCare runs out in a few months, I dunno ... we'll see.

In the meantime, I bought an MSI GE75 Raider w/ a thin-bezel 144Hz 17" screen (meaning the chassis is about like a 15" normally would be), a 6-core CPU and a full RTX 2080, 32GB of RAM, and 2x512GB PCIE SSDs for $2399. The best part? The keyboard is phenomenal.

Lots of folks like me have money we'd love to throw at Apple, but they for whatever reason just don't want it. Well, it is what it is. Based on their bank accounts, they clearly aren't hurting because of it.

Right now Apple's loss not mine. Regardless of their revenue losing customers is never a shrewd move, I dumped the Mac in 2016 as the MBP was simply inadequate. Now I have a ASUS GL703GS and use it professionally after a year of heavy use it's still as good as new and thx to updates from ASUS a little faster. Performs like a small desktop and has never raised any issue.

Summer I may replace if the right notebook is available, or I may simply keep it as it has a de facto 3 year warranty. Certainly another year with the GL703GS would not be a hardship by any means as it still remains to be tremendously performant.

Q-6
 
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