Intel's Mobile Processor Roadmap May Force Graphics Changes for Apple's 15-Inch MacBook Pro in 2017

[LordVic]

Whatever happens, Apple's GPU solution will be pig schlock; it ALWAYS is across every device. So no point in getting your hopes up for Apple giving consumers a decent GPU.

This is what I don't understand

"Apple is just waiting to do it right, they wont release a computer with a crappy GPU, they will only release them with the Iris version!"

what a load of codswallop. the Iris might be intel's top of the line GPU that is embedded into the CPU, but since Apple computers aren't really all that capable of gaming, especially on those integrated GPU's, the difference between the Iris, and the one just below it are so very minor. Both will drive the desktop fine. Both will support the same outputs. the people who are clamoring for Iris pro version over the lower model as an excuse not to update are arguing that their games will essentially run at 7FPS instead of 10FPS.

If Apple really cared about quality of their hardwares performance they wouldn't be relying on intel's GPU's at all, but going with discreet options.

no, in reality, Apple has skipped over 3 generations of CPU's because "REASONS". despite every year Mr Cook saying "Best product pipeline we've ever had" and "Mac updates are coming and yo'll love them!"

well, Haswell CPU's are not today's standards, so, it's clear that Mr Cook doesn't give two squirts of piss for Apple Computers.

 

[azpekt]

as an owner of mbp 2105 with broadwell, this article makes me calm...

 

[reyesmac]

The Macbook Pro 15in is pro machine that really needs pro graphics. They have saved a lot of money charging pro prices for an average gpu for many years. Its time they get with the program and make a an entry level pro machine with pro graphics capabilities that wont easily be obsoleted in a few years. On the PC side you can make a 6 year old core2 duo PC with a fast enough graphics card run pretty demanding games that only the top end macbook can run well, its pretty sad. Unfortunately because of Apples own designs for their laptops it makes cooling a 3rd party GPU very hard to do so they have a high failure rate. But Apple painted themselves into that corner, and everyone else has to pay for it.

 

[alexgowers]

So it seems that Apple really should just go for dedicated graphics chips then.

I agree. It seems like performance of graphics has turned a corner with lower power and desktop class graphics. Apple needs to be capturing the gaming users now. There is such high demand for these new breed of laptops that can do that and still be slim. It's the weak point and there is no excuse now for Apple do ignore that huge new demand.

It baffles me as to why apple doesn't offer newer cpu versions pike they used to with refresh. It's suspicious and point to apple dumping Intel, soc apple chip or AMD!

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Seems smart to just return to dedicated graphics. Seems most people would prefer it anyway.

I'm not so sure about that. Seems 95% of those that own a MBP have no reason to over a MBA other than Pro sounds better (a status symbol). Most simply browse the web, watch some videos, email, and do some light word processing. For those, there's no need for dedicated graphics.

Very few of those that buy Pros are really pros with any need for the high-end features they offer. Seems the current solution of offering machines with dual graphics cards meet the needs of most.

While the true pro market folks may cry about the choice, if you were running a business, would you opt for the choice that makes your product a bit cheaper and will result in 100x more sales or a bit more expensive and result in far less sales?

 

[keysofanxiety]

Thinness
Battery life
Performance

Designers can pick two. Why wouldn't Apple choose that latter two for a "Pro" line?

Apple have never had the most powerful hardware in their portables. Ever. They go for the balance between the three.

Plus with all the moaning around here, people still can't find a laptop as thin as a 15" rMBP, with equivalent build quality, same weight, same battery life, and same horsepower. It can't be done.

People have been groaning about Mac laptops being 'underpowered' since I can ever remember. But they last. They work. Plus the 15" rMBP is still a beast of a machine. It's a heck of a workhorse and a damned beauty.

 

[LordVic]

Yet another step towards Apple putting their own chips into the Mac line, IMHO. The graphics performance of the A-series chips aren't anything to be scoffed at either. Might kill two birds with one stone.

I wonder...

they're not comparable in any means at all.

Dedicated GPU's from Intel and AMD are capable of absolutely tremendous raw power. Even on the mobile stage that no mobile GPU is even remotely capable of.

if you're talking about just displaying a desktop, sure. you can still use a 10 year old GPU from intel to do that. That's not the point and sure, an A10 could likely run that.

But compare the quality output, even at 1080p of a dedicated GPU found in even laptops to the quality / featureset and sheer power to the A10, or any other mobile GPU and you will be dissapointed how much lower the quality in mobile is compared to a real computer running a dedicated GPU

 

[nagromme]

Apple is in a bind with Intel for sure. And gets burned when they skip a generation—NOT a good mix when your partner is also LATE with each generation.

For me, the slight silver lining... I care more about getting stuff done than I do about spec bullet points, but this makes me feel a little more secure about jumping on Skylake this year:

As a result, the currently available Skylake "H-series" chips appropriate for the 15-inch MacBook Pro that we're expecting to see in an update as soon as next month may remain Intel's lead offerings for these types of high-performance mobile chips until the introduction of new "Coffee Lake" chips in the second quarter of 2018.

2018!!

Well, this kind of delay worked out nicely with my Mac Pro Decided to jump on gen 1 two years ago (LOVE the silence/transportability) and in no way would I ever have spent money to replace or even upgrade it sooner than 4 years anyway. And yet I can still enjoy that I have the latest model If I had waited for gen 2 as many did... wow, that sucks! I hope the nightmare ends shortly.

Same thing may happen with my next MBP: it will be fantastic at first, but then remain close to the best available for much of its life, as "Coffee Lake" drags its feet.

(No Apple A-series dreams, please. Pro work on A-series emulating Intel? I think not. Third party devs—Adobe!—wouldn't jump on ARM speedily I'm sure. I'd rather see Apple design their own x86 branch. I'm sure they do have A-series Macs, but only In Case of Emergency.)

 

[Roobun]

Plus with all the moaning around here, people still can't find a laptop as thin as a 15" rMBP, with equivalent build quality, same weight, same battery life, and same horsepower. It can't be done.

It already has. Razer has a macbook pro clone. The biggest difference is that it uses windows.

 

[LordVic]

Why not just use AMD dGPU instead, of this crazy thought?

Why do Apple always needs to get stick, from forum members, for things that are not responsible for?

I'm going to wait to see what AMD has in mobile before I make that claim over Nvidia though.

Nvidia's current generation chips for mobile are identical to the desktop. you can get full 1060 power in an ultrabook form factor now. and 1070/1080 in larger laptops.

not the scaled down "mobile" versions of previous GPUs, but the exact same chipsets. thats an impressive feat that I'm not sure AMD can match right now.

 

[tom vilsack]

Maybe Apple will simply keep the MBP the same for years to come. Think Mac Mini. No real reason for a update as they work great as is. Apple is really more a mobile device company and as such there computer's are no longer much of a priority.

 

[LordVic]

Actually the PPC to Intel was the worst kept secret. I remember how there were so many rumors of Apple running two versions of OS X, PPC and Intel.

If Apple ditches Intel over this, I see no positives coming from this, they'll not sell more laptops (which is their goal), but less. I for one would stop buying Macs, as I need and want an intel based computer

as soon as Apple purchased NeXt and brought Steve Back into the fold, the rumour mill was immediately on the x86 transition, long before it happened.

 

[maflynn]

Maybe Apple will simply keep the MBP the same for years to come.

There was a news story about how Apple's laptop shipments dropped 40% last quarter. I don't think they have the option of doing nothing when sales are plummeting.

 

[keysofanxiety]

It already has. Razer has a macbook pro clone. The biggest difference is that it uses windows.

On paper, maybe. But when you use it, the difference in build quality is immediately apparent.

You are right, though. Razer are a great exception to the rule.

 

[maflynn]

as soon as Apple purchased NeXt and brought Steve Back into the fold, the rumour mill was immediately on the x86 transition, long before it happened.

Yup, I remember, and the transition was going to happen sooner, but IBM approached them and promised them the sky, saying the their "G5" would hit 3Ghz, and they'd have a mobile processor in short order. Neither of which actually occured so they finally dumped the PPC platform

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Seems smart to just return to dedicated graphics. Seems most people would prefer it anyway.

Most people don't care. They'd rather have the cheaper version with longer battery.

Two experts at odds. All it takes is one dog-and-pony show for Tim to show how AMAZING the new Macbook Pro with high-end dedicated graphics driving a new 5K display is and EVERYONE will want that. Just like the iPhone 7 Plus -- no one is buying the cheaper 7's when the 7 Plus model has all the bells and whistles.

Oh, and for those saying to use the A10 or A11 chip for graphics...how would Basecamp/Windows run on an A-series chip?

 

[SirRahikkala]

Solution: Stop using ****** Intel graphics.

They wont. It's the cheapest acceptable solution which enables larger margins, lower battery consumption and form factor without heat problems. Macbook Pro has not been "pro" for a couple years already.

 

[LordVic]

I'm not so sure about that. Seems 95% of those that own a MBP have no reason to over a MBA other than Pro sounds better (a status symbol). Most simply browse the web, watch some videos, email, and do some light word processing. For those, there's no need for dedicated graphics.

Very few of those that buy Pros are really pros with any need for the high-end features they offer. Seems the current solution of offering machines with dual graphics cards meet the needs of most.

While the true pro market folks may cry about the choice, if you were running a business, would you opt for the choice that makes your product a bit cheaper and will result in 100x more sales or a bit more expensive and result in far less sales?

its not as simple as that.

Performance might make each job / task faster, which allowss you more room to accept more sales, thus increasing value and businses. This makes a case that sometimes, it's more beneficial to pay up front more money, with the expectation that the savings in time, will in itself, be cost positive.

Basically, the termonology used by accounting is Return on Investment. you need to be able to show that the extra costs spent will yield itself in more income via reduced times.

 

[meaning-matters]

It's confirmed there will be MBPs in 2017?

 

[oneMadRssn]

The situation is a bit better for the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air, which use 28-watt and 15-watt versions of the "U-series" processors respectively. The leaked roadmap indicates that Kaby Lake versions of these chips with GT3e graphics are scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2017, making them available for updated notebooks perhaps in the middle of next year following Skylake updates within the next month or two.

It's more likely Apple will just use these chips in the 15" MBP. With their focus on thinness and battery life, Apple is likely to stop using the 45-watt chips entirely in laptops.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Macbook Pro has not been "pro" for a couple years already.

Pray tell, SirRahikkala... what can't you currently do on your MacBook Pro? What 'Pro' functionality and ability will you suddenly unlock with a slightly faster processor and dGPU?

 

[rishiomedia]

I think the best way for Apple to deal with it is to kill the Mac and create a new OS based on iOS that replaces both the iPad and the Mac. Or you could just look at is as the successor to the iPad which is kind of in "no mans" land between the iPhone and Mac. They really need to use the ARM chip and end the aging MacOS platform gracefully over the next 5 years. Well, that's what I think.

 

[Zarniwoop]

(No Apple A-series dreams, please. Pro work on A-series emulating Intel? I think not. Third party devs—Adobe!—wouldn't jump on ARM speedily I'm sure. I'd rather see Apple design their own x86 branch. I'm sure they do have A-series Macs, but only In Case of Emergency.)

And that's what Apple has been "Cook'ing" past three years with AMD. Their own custom x86 SoC. Apple did not invent the ARM processor, or most of the tech in their Axx chips. Instead, they built their custom version with the latest ARM principles and incorporated the GPU of their choice plus a number of co-processors.

Similarily Apple buys the core elements of x86 Soc from AMD, add their co-processsors and voila, here we have a new line of Apple chips. Z1 being the first? (Z as Zen, A as ARM)

Best part for Apple (and for Macs in the end) is that Apple will get most of the profit that Intel takes at the moment.

Disclaimer: assumptions

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

HAHA what a BURN for the "waiting for kaby lake MBP" thread.
They will never stop waiting...

Best regards
"Waiting for Skylake MBP" thread

Don't forget about the people waiting for the PowerBook G5. They've been waiting for about 10 years now.

I don't think Apple is looking at Intel for 2018. I think Apple is planning on ditching Intel in favor of bringing ARM to Mac before then.

Maybe we'll see A10X in the MacBook within the next half year or so. By the end of 2018, all of their laptops and the MacMini will be on ARM, and maybe even the iMac. The MacPro will probably stick with Intel, since I don't think Apple wants to invest a lot into designing CPUs for that kind of machine.

 

[manhattanboy]

It's confirmed there will be MBPs in 2017?

LOL.

Forget about the 15 inch, and Apple should just put out what's ready already. If that's a 13 inch then so be it.

If apple is no longer serious about power laptops and desktops, then just remove these items from their stores to make room for something else, like the Apple necklace or Apple earrings, etc.