Is now a good time to buy?

[kmac007]

I bought a refurb 2015 13" retina MBP with the Broadwell CPU a month ago despite everybody's warnings that a newer better model is almost here. I'm very happy with it as a replacement for my doddering 2010 model.
This article says Sky Lake CPUs can't handle Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, and that the Kaby Lake chips that can handle them won't be available until the end of the year.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...-macbook-pro-graphics-processing-unit-choices

Thanks for the information.

I may hold out enough month or so and if nothing comes end up purchasing the current model because waiting another six months will be too long for me.

I wish they would at least announce something in the meantime.

 

[killawat]

This article says Sky Lake CPUs can't handle Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, and that the Kaby Lake chips that can handle them won't be available until the end of the year.

Skylake can handle TB3 just fine.

 

[maflynn]

Skylake can handle TB3 just fine.

I was under the impression myself that we had to wait for Kaby Lake but I've done a bit of research (not much) and found shipping skylake computers with TB3

 

[JTToft]

This article says Sky Lake CPUs can't handle Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, and that the Kaby Lake chips that can handle them won't be available until the end of the year.

I was under the impression myself that we had to wait for Kaby Lake but I've done a bit of research (not much) and found shipping skylake computers with TB3

- Skylake is perfectly capable of TB 3, as mentioned. What we have to wait for Kaby Lake for is native TB 3 within the Intel CPU. Skylake requires a separate TB 3 controller, which is probably much of the reason it hasn't been built into the rMB.

 

[Erdbeertorte]

If I am not wrong even Kaby Lake needs the Alpine Ridge controller chip for Thunderbolt 3 support just like Skylake. But Kaby Lake has native USB 3.1 Generation 2 support with 10 Gbit/s what Skylake doesn't have, it needs an extension chip for that too.

 

[JTToft]

If I am not wrong even Kaby Lake needs the Alpine Ridge controller chip for Thunderbolt 3 support just like Skylake. But Kaby Lake has native USB 3.1 Generation 2 support with 10 Gbit/s what Skylake doesn't have, it needs an extension chip for that too.

- The newest information I am able to find claims native Thunderbolt 3 support. Some older information has been vague on it.

Intel also said that Kaby Lake processors will have native support for USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3, and that models in the family will range up to 95W TDPs.

http://www.channelpro.co.uk/advice/9734/skylake-vs-kaby-lake-8

Kaby Lake will also boast native USB 3.1 support, native Thunderbolt 3 support, and a thermal design power of up to 95 watts.

http://www.itpro.co.uk/strategy/27106/intel-kaby-lake-7th-gen-core-chip-will-launch-this-autumn

 

[bobbie424242]

If you need it *now* then do not wait. Because something better is always 6 month away.
I have the 2014 MBP (bought last year a few months before the 2015 refresh), and this thing is still a beast and will remain so for a while, old design or not.

Alternatively, if you do not require a Mac, you could look into recent Windows laptops.

 

[maflynn]

Alternatively, if you do not require a Mac, you could look into recent Windows laptops.

Sadly (for Apple), I see a number of machines available that exceed what you can get and there's some fine choices that cost less then what Apple charges (and a few near what Apple charges - I'm looking at you SurfaceBook)

 

[d0nK]

Don't give Apple 'now' money for 'then' tech. The new mbp should be out any time now. It'd be daft to not wait, unless you can get the "current" mbp for a lot cheaper than Apple want you to pay.

 

[bobbie424242]

Don't give Apple 'now' money for 'then' tech. The new mbp should be out any time now. It'd be daft to not wait, unless you can get the "current" mbp for a lot cheaper than Apple want you to pay.

In a way it's a shame you cannot give Apple 'yesterday' money for 'tomorrow' tech, and do it 'now'...
Again, there's always something new that's coming out in 6 months.
When the Skylake macbooks will be out, you'd rather wait for kabylake because it will be 5% faster.

 

[d0nK]

In a way it's a shame you cannot give Apple 'yesterday' money for 'tomorrow' tech, and do it 'now'...
Again, there's always something new that's coming out in 6 months.
When the Skylake macbooks will be out, you'd rather wait for kabylake because it will be 5% faster.

You make no sense.