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>Implying apple wont reduce the number of ports on the rMBP

I'm confident the number of ports on the rMBP will be the same as the MBA. Apple is going to fit the rMBP into the MBA frame or at least borrow heavily from the MBA design.

Apple will abandon USB-3 and replace it with USB-C and replace TB 2.0 with TB 3.0. These both save vertical room and if placed far back enough will allow a wedge shape like the MBA.

They might even abandon Magesafe. Or, better yet, create a Mafesafe to USB-C charger.

Edit: I think Apple is going to start making accessories rather than cater to make the redesigned rMBP to be 'everything to everyone'. It will be a money grabbing, but why wouldn't Apple do that? They'll make adapters to cater to each crowd. Need camera centric adapter? Buy the 'Pro Camera USB-C Adapter'! It'll be brilliant from a marketing pespective since Apple can just say 'Redesigned rMBP: Use it how you want!'

Well that wont be the one announced at WWDC whatever happens.
 
Oh FFS I hope not. Its called the Macbook Pro for a reason. Why does it need to be a smidgen thinner? Its getting very appearance over functionality here. The point of a laptop is to not be lugging around adaptors and connectors and the like. A MagSafe less Macbook Pro is also a poor compromise.


I don't understand this argument.

How much functionality are you really losing? Comparing the ports on a MBA 13" with a rMBP the only thing you're losing is HDMI and 1 TB Port.

The only big transition would be USB-3 to USB-C and the loss of 1 TB port. But, with the addition of USB-C and TB 3.0 you're not losing much of anything in terms of ability to connect peripherals. The only think you'd need an adapter for would be USB-3 to USB-C.

The only reason I mentioned getting rid of magesafe is it seems strange they did that on the rMB. But, with Skylake getting wireless charging, it actually makes sense that the next rMB wouldn't need a plug to charge if it could do so wirelessly.

If Apple does go wireless charging, what's the point of Magesafe? If you really need an outlet and don't have your wireless charger with you, plug in a USB-C or TB 3 cable to charge. Put in this context, it makes sense why apple would ditch Magesafe: there's no reason to keep you computer plugged in (unless its overnight) when you can get by on a full day away from your 'wireless base station' and if you absolutely need an outlet, use one of the 3 ports the double as a charging cable.

I think with these 'compromises' (as some might call them) it's very feasible to do a Skylake rMBP within the confines a MBA case. There will be comprises that people wont be happy about, but I think Apple is embracing what you just said: "the point of a laptop is to not be lugging around adaptors and connectors and the like." the future is wireless, which implies thinness as the need for ports reduces.

But, if you're a pro user and need 4 4K monitors and a RAID Array connected to your rMBP it can do that as well.
 
I don't understand this argument.

How much functionality are you really losing? Comparing the ports on a MBA 13" with a rMBP the only thing you're losing is HDMI and 1 TB Port.

The only big transition would be USB-3 to USB-C and the loss of 1 TB port. But, with the addition of USB-C and TB 3.0 you're not losing much of anything in terms of ability to connect peripherals. The only think you'd need an adapter for would be USB-3 to USB-C.

The only reason I mentioned getting rid of magesafe is it seems strange they did that on the rMB. But, with Skylake getting wireless charging, it actually makes sense that the next rMB wouldn't need a plug to charge if it could do so wirelessly.

If Apple does go wireless charging, what's the point of Magesafe? If you really need an outlet and don't have your wireless charger with you, plug in a USB-C or TB 3 cable to charge. Put in this context, it makes sense why apple would ditch Magesafe: there's no reason to keep you computer plugged in (unless its overnight) when you can get by on a full day away from your 'wireless base station' and if you absolutely need an outlet, use one of the 3 ports the double as a charging cable.

I think with these 'compromises' (as some might call them) it's very feasible to do a Skylake rMBP within the confines a MBA case. There will be comprises that people wont be happy about, but I think Apple is embracing what you just said: "the point of a laptop is to not be lugging around adaptors and connectors and the like." the future is wireless, which implies thinness as the need for ports reduces.

But, if you're a pro user and need 4 4K monitors and a RAID Array connected to your rMBP it can do that as well.

I'd be loosing the ability to connect a plain USB to my Mac like pretty much all USB devices are. I frequently use HDMI as well. The point of a Laptop is to be able to do things without adaptors and honestly doing things wirelessly is freaking annoying half the time. Loosing ports for no good reason (Apple already sells two super thin laptops) is just pointless.

I find it hilarious that 'upgrading' to one of these proposed Macbook Pros would be the first downgrade I'd have to deal with. iBook to Macbook White, no compromises, just increases in functionally and performance. Macbook White to Macbook Pro, again all positives. Yet moving to this future Macbook would have no benefits, just downsides. Why don't they keep the current case and continue to improve it. There is the Macbook and Macbook Air for the thin/no port people. Leave the Pro for people who want functionally.

Or strip the Name Pro, it doesn't deserve to have the name if it looses what makes a pro a pro.
 
I'd be loosing the ability to connect a plain USB to my Mac like pretty much all USB devices are. I frequently use HDMI as well. The point of a Laptop is to be able to do things without adaptors and honestly doing things wirelessly is freaking annoying half the time. Loosing ports for no good reason (Apple already sells two super thin laptops) is just pointless.

By this logic 'I frequently use VGA as well' so therefore a rMBP should have VGA as well. But in any case, there's nothing stopping a manufacture from making a USB-C to HDMI cable. If you want to use HDMI, use HDMI.

usb-type-c-displayport-hdmi-adapters.jpg


I'm not sure how combining multiple display connectors into one port is 'pointless' ...

Hell, Belink makes a USB-C to 3.1 Micro--B cable. There's literally no loss of fuctionality, if you don't want there to do.

Granted, I'm sure Apple will sell you adapters and their own cables which will make upgrading a bit more expensive.


I find it hilarious that 'upgrading' to one of these proposed Macbook Pros would be the first downgrade I'd have to deal with. iBook to Macbook White, no compromises, just increases in functionally and performance. Macbook White to Macbook Pro, again all positives. Yet moving to this future Macbook would have no benefits, just downsides. Why don't they keep the current case and continue to improve it. There is the Macbook and Macbook Air for the thin/no port people. Leave the Pro for people who want functionally.

Or strip the Name Pro, it doesn't deserve to have the name if it looses what makes a pro a pro.

The only functionality you're losing is being able to directly plug what you have into the rMBP. You'll need to buy new cables, but that's it. You can keep using every single peripheral you have now.... with a new cable.

So, yeah...
 
By this logic 'I frequently use VGA as well' so therefore a rMBP should have VGA as well. But in any case, there's nothing stopping a manufacture from making a USB-C to HDMI cable. If you want to use HDMI, use HDMI.

Image

I'm not sure how combining multiple display connectors into one port is 'pointless' ...

Hell, Belink makes a USB-C to 3.1 Micro--B cable. There's literally no loss of fuctionality, if you don't want there to do.

Granted, I'm sure Apple will sell you adapters and their own cables which will make upgrading a bit more expensive.




The only functionality you're losing is being able to directly plug what you have into the rMBP. You'll need to buy new cables, but that's it. You can keep using every single peripheral you have now.... with a new cable.

So, yeah...

No... Many people use HDMI... So removing it for no purpose is just a stupid stupid idea. It is an unnecessary sacrifice. Best thing Apple has done recently with ports is to put a HDMI port on, meaning the lesser used ports can use the adaptors we already own. Lugging around USB C adaptors is crazy.. Many people still use USB 3.0. Everything is still USB 3.0.

What if I want to use my HDMI and multiple USB ports and thunderbolt port? I often do. THIS IS A PRO MACHINE. Not a super thin compromise machine. The Macbook Pro should be the laptop without compromise. Its the machine you're meant to be able to take and have as a mobile workstation. Not a workstation where you've got to take adaptors .

Buying new cables is a poor solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Its also a terrible waste of existing resources and terrible for the environment, considering we're not solving any problems doing this.

Degrading the Pro to the Level of the Air is crazy. The Air does not have the cooling abilities for a discrete graphics card. It is too thin, considering the rMBP already runs hot now.
 
No... Many people use HDMI... So removing it for no purpose is just a stupid stupid idea. It is an unnecessary sacrifice. Best thing Apple has done recently with ports is to put a HDMI port on, meaning the lesser used ports can use the adaptors we already own. Lugging around USB C adaptors is crazy.. Many people still use USB 3.0. Everything is still USB 3.0.

They're not removing it. They're saying 'If you want to use HDMI, you can. You just need to buy a USB-C to HDMI cable'. You can still used HDMI, just with a new cable. I think you're confusing adapters and cables. You don't need an adapter. You literally just need to buy a new cable. No breakout boxes, nor large adapters, just a cable.

What if I want to use my HDMI and multiple USB ports and thunderbolt port? I often do. THIS IS A PRO MACHINE. Not a super thin compromise machine. The Macbook Pro should be the laptop without compromise. Its the machine you're meant to be able to take and have as a mobile workstation. Not a workstation where you've got to take adaptors .

This is more of a valid concern. But, Apple is a profit maximizing company. Why WOULDN'T Apple encourage pro users to buy adapters? But, I think you're missing the bigger picture which is the ability to daisy chain USB-C and Thunderbolt and the ability for these standards to pass-through.

Why does the rMBP need more than one or two TB port when you can daisy chain TB devices to each other? Same argument for USB-C. All you need is a device with pass through capability and you're set. No need for a USB-C hub or the like.

I do understand, you want to have the MacBook Pro have all of the accessories and ports you want. But, I think you lack imagination in terms of how a device could be used of function.

Buying new cables is a poor solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Its also a terrible waste of existing resources and terrible for the environment, considering we're not solving any problems doing this.

Degrading the Pro to the Level of the Air is crazy. The Air does not have the cooling abilities for a discrete graphics card. It is too thin, considering the rMBP already runs hot now.

Again, Apple is a profit making machine. Why wouldn't they sell you cables? Why wouldn't they make a problem that doesn't exist and force you to buy new cables from them?

You're right, they're not solving any problems doing this, they're createing one and asking you to pay them money to solve it. I'll grant you that. But, so what? I personally would prefer a thinner, lighter, rMBP.

And, on that note, I'll say we'll just have to agree to disagree. Because, personally, I'd get a rMBP right now, but its too bulky for me while the MBA is too underpowered and has a terrible screen. For me, it's something in the middle.
 
They're not removing it. They're saying 'If you want to use HDMI, you can. You just need to buy a USB-C to HDMI cable'. You can still used HDMI, just with a new cable. I think you're confusing adapters and cables. You don't need an adapter. You literally just need to buy a new cable. No breakout boxes, nor large adapters, just a cable.



This is more of a valid concern. But, Apple is a profit maximizing company. Why WOULDN'T Apple encourage pro users to buy adapters? But, I think you're missing the bigger picture which is the ability to daisy chain USB-C and Thunderbolt and the ability for these standards to pass-through.

Why does the rMBP need more than one or two TB port when you can daisy chain TB devices to each other? Same argument for USB-C. All you need is a device with pass through capability and you're set. No need for a USB-C hub or the like.

I do understand, you want to have the MacBook Pro have all of the accessories and ports you want. But, I think you lack imagination in terms of how a device could be used of function.



Again, Apple is a profit making machine. Why wouldn't they sell you cables? Why wouldn't they make a problem that doesn't exist and force you to buy new cables from them?

You're right, they're not solving any problems doing this, they're createing one and asking you to pay them money to solve it. I'll grant you that. But, so what? I personally would prefer a thinner, lighter, rMBP.

And, on that note, I'll say we'll just have to agree to disagree. Because, personally, I'd get a rMBP right now, but its too bulky for me while the MBA is too underpowered and has a terrible screen. For me, it's something in the middle.

I'm not sure who's side you're on here. I'm on the consumers side where being forced to buy more cables for things that should be built in is not reasonable. Theres no way in hell I should need to afford to shell out and replace all my cables. Most of the situations I'm in there is a HDMI cable hanging out of the wall and I have to plug in, so yes I would need a new adaptor.

Not sure how I'm meant to daisy chain my current non daisy chain able devices... Its a far better solution to just be able to plug them in.

Oh I have a perfectly good imagination for how the Pro should work, and the imgiatination is a better one for me where I don't have to A. shell out for yet more freaking adaptors 2. have to take them with me everywhere when they should just be built in.

Why don't you instead hope that the Air gets a better screen and more power? The Macbook is not a great example of Apple miniaturising and maintaining power, its like a 2011 Air or something. Making the Pro smaller will just lead to it not being a pro anymore. And the Pro is definitely not chunky.

Personally I'd love Apple to resurrect the Classic pro as the proper high end machine, with the latest specs + retina display + solid state storage + better battery etc, then they could fool around with the Retina Pro as much as they like and still have a machine that catered for everyone.
 
I don't understand this argument.

The only reason I mentioned getting rid of magesafe is it seems strange they did that on the rMB. But, with Skylake getting wireless charging, it actually makes sense that the next rMB wouldn't need a plug to charge if it could do so wirelessly.

If Apple does go wireless charging, what's the point of Magesafe? If you really need an outlet and don't have your wireless charger with you, plug in a USB-C or TB 3 cable to charge. Put in this context, it makes sense why apple would ditch Magesafe: there's no reason to keep you computer plugged in (unless its overnight) when you can get by on a full day away from your 'wireless base station' and if you absolutely need an outlet, use one of the 3 ports the double as a charging cable.

I think with these 'compromises' (as some might call them) it's very feasible to do a Skylake rMBP within the confines a MBA case. There will be comprises that people wont be happy about, but I think Apple is embracing what you just said: "the point of a laptop is to not be lugging around adaptors and connectors and the like." the future is wireless, which implies thinness as the need for ports reduces.

I keep my MBP sitting on my ottoman most of the time. It's always plugged in unless I need to carry it around. My 1 year old son frequently seems to trip on the wire but it instantly pulls out so it's fine. Removing magsafe is a downgrade for me. In addition, "wireless" isn't truly wireless. It's just "port-less" - but you'd still need to touch whatever the pad or charger is to the MBP, which may be clunkier.

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The Pro market does make them money. Plenty of Pros buy Macs. That is why Apple should continue offering choice. Make the Macbook Air and Macbook the thin ones and leave the Pro as a Pro machine.

No it doesn't, or not enough to bother having people dedicated to that. If it did, they would do it. Basic business sense there.
 
I don't understand why all of you people think there is a chance of a skylake 15" macbook pro coming out soon???

That chart of intel roadmap is out of date. Intel's chips are delayed several months like they are every generation. Skylake is not really coming out in 2015.

Only like half the broadwell chips are out so far.

By the end of 2015, we may get CORE M skylake chips but thats it.
Then early 2016 more skylake chips will start trickling in.
And it will not be until Q3/Q4 of 2016 until skylake chips come out suitable for the 15" macbook pro.

At some point later this year we will get a broadwell 15" macbook pro.
And at some point in late 2016 we will get a skylake (and possible redesigned) 15" macbook pro.


Stop hoping a skylake macbook pro will be coming out this year, and stop asking Apple to skip broadwell generation because that makes no sense.

You're simply wrong:

http://wccftech.com/intel-confirms-skylake-launch-2h-2015-idf15-100series-chipsets-shipping-2015/

Skylake will be termed the quickest transition in Intel’s history as they plan to replace the entire mobility line in 2H 2015 which was launched with Broadwell a few months ago.
 
When will desktop-class skylake come out, do you think?

mid to late 2016 most likely.

Would not be surprised if its Q4 2016.

And the high end skylake desktop processors, the ones w/o integrated graphics, and with the quad channel memory, and using the next gen 2011vs socket. Skylake-E. most likely will not be out until 2017.

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I have already read that article.

Did you watch IDF '15??

I did, all they say is that skylake is coming soon. All this means is that core M skylake processors will be available this year. You will see.
 
The Pro market does make them money. Plenty of Pros buy Macs. That is why Apple should continue offering choice. Make the Macbook Air and Macbook the thin ones and leave the Pro as a Pro machine.

Apple pretty much said this when they dropped 17" MBP that there weren't enough sales to justify making these type of high-powered products.

They dropped xserv, MBP 17", neutered the Mac mini, focused on energy efficiency instead of power for Mac Pro, and so on. They have shown every sign in the past 3 years that they do not care about these markets anymore.

Aperture were killed, iWork were practically neutered to simplify it, and so on.

These are all products tailored for the prosumers and so on.
 
I just pulled the trigger on a 2,5ghz 15 mbpr, 512gb ssd, 16gb ram and got delivery date set to between the 10th-16th of June. I guess i will get the updated version released on WWDC. What do you guys think?

I think it's weird anyone who reads this site would've ordered a MBP right now.
 
I keep my MBP sitting on my ottoman most of the time. It's always plugged in unless I need to carry it around. My 1 year old son frequently seems to trip on the wire but it instantly pulls out so it's fine. Removing magsafe is a downgrade for me. In addition, "wireless" isn't truly wireless. It's just "port-less" - but you'd still need to touch whatever the pad or charger is to the MBP, which may be clunkier.

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No it doesn't, or not enough to bother having people dedicated to that. If it did, they would do it. Basic business sense there.

Plenty of businesses Apple could be making money in but isn't. There will always be a segment of Pro users who would buy expensive machines. Or Maybe Apple could for once make a tiny bit less money then they're used to and help the pope that help them out
 

This site isn't very authoritative. I believe a number of other posters on MR have already pointed this out. Just the fact that the articles are so thin should be a strong clue.


But even if you took it as 100% authoritative, don't you know that stating '2H 2015' rather than 'Q4 2015' is a way of giving themselves the leeway to miss by a full Half year, rather than just a quarter? In other words, if things go wrong we're looking at next May/June, not just February.

Even with the least cynical interpretation, it should be obvious there was a reason they weren't more specific. If they were confident of an imminent release - and wanted you to know it - they would boldly state 'Q3 2015!'

To say '2H 2015' late in 1H 2015 means they either want to be really ambiguous, or they're unsure.
 
Plenty of businesses Apple could be making money in but isn't. There will always be a segment of Pro users who would buy expensive machines. Or Maybe Apple could for once make a tiny bit less money then they're used to and help the pope that help them out

You're right, Apple could do this, by why? Your only answer is 'Because there there are people who would buy it' but this isn't a large market, and not one for growth. It's a stagnate market. It's an afterthought, and nothing more.

The big reason is that Mac sales don't account for a large part of Apple's revenue:

appleq114-rev-by-product-line-100227796-orig.png


appleq114-mac-rev-100227794-orig.png


Driven largely by the iMac and MacBook Air, Mac sales were up a robust 19 percent, with accompanying revenues coming in 15 percent higher. And that's in an overall PC market that declined 6 percent in the same period. Macs have gained global market share in 30 of the past 31 quarters.

And the Mac's that DO drive revenue and growth are iMac and MacBook Air. That's the entire point of my argument: Apple has an opportunity to grow revenue and sales by increasing its focus on MacBook Air and iMac products.

In addition, you're forgetting where their biggest source of growth is: China.

appleq114-china-100227822-orig.png


Why in the world would Apple devote its attention to such a niche market as the pro user when the growth, revenue, and profit is in catering to the people who like iMacs and MacBook Airs along with catering to the Chinese crowd?

You bring valid concerns, but I think you're going to be EXTREMELY disappointed by Apple in the coming years as they switch to focus on revenue growth rather than the user experience.
 
You bring valid concerns, but I think you're going to be EXTREMELY disappointed by Apple in the coming years as they switch to focus on revenue growth rather than the user experience.

So is Tim really just a bean-counter at heart, as some have claimed? And if so, why would Steve have been OK with handing over the reigns to him?

I ask because it almost appears as if this were true, even though I hope it's not!
 
So is Tim really just a bean-counter at heart, as some have claimed? And if so, why would Steve have been OK with handing over the reigns to him?

I ask because it almost appears as if this were true, even though I hope it's not!

It appears that way....

Considering how much money is invested in Apple, it seems unlikely that they would want to disappoint their stakeholders.

I mean, take a look at the largest owners of company stock: Arthur Levison and Tim Cook. Tim is CEO and Arthur is Chairman of the Board. Why in the world would they NOT want to grow their company and get incredibly rich?

The two people leading Apple are also the two people most invested in its success.

After Tim and Arthur is Craig Federighi (V.P of Software Design), Angela Ahrendts (V.P of Retail), Ricco Dan (V.P of Hardware Egineering).

The largest owners of Apple Stock are also the people controlling product design and the direction of the company. There is absolutely zero incentive for them to focus on niche markets. Their only incentive to to drive revenue growth which in turn drives profitability and pushes their stock prices and dividends higher.

The only way these people can get richer is by appealing to mass markets.

Think about it this way: stock price is a function of revenue growth and profitability. Apple is incredibly profitable and are known for their profit margins, what Apple is lacking is growth. Niche markets don't create growth. Appealing to wider markets and creating innovative products creates growth.
 
Plenty of businesses Apple could be making money in but isn't. There will always be a segment of Pro users who would buy expensive machines. Or Maybe Apple could for once make a tiny bit less money then they're used to and help the pope that help them out

a "segment" may not be enough money for them to bother. If those machines cost them $4K each with R+D plus parts and labor and employees, etc, and they're selling for $5K - then the $1K they make per machine may not even be worth the trouble when maybe 5,000 people want them.
 
It appears that way....

Considering how much money is invested in Apple, it seems unlikely that they would want to disappoint their stakeholders.

I mean, take a look at the largest owners of company stock: Arthur Levison and Tim Cook. Tim is CEO and Arthur is Chairman of the Board. Why in the world would they NOT want to grow their company and get incredibly rich?

The two people leading Apple are also the two people most invested in its success.

After Tim and Arthur is Craig Federighi (V.P of Software Design), Angela Ahrendts (V.P of Retail), Ricco Dan (V.P of Hardware Egineering).

The largest owners of Apple Stock are also the people controlling product design and the direction of the company. There is absolutely zero incentive for them to focus on niche markets. Their only incentive to to drive revenue growth which in turn drives profitability and pushes their stock prices and dividends higher.

The only way these people can get richer is by appealing to mass markets.

Think about it this way: stock price is a function of revenue growth and profitability. Apple is incredibly profitable and are known for their profit margins, what Apple is lacking is growth. Niche markets don't create growth. Appealing to wider markets and creating innovative products creates growth.

Interesting info - I hadn't looked into who holds most of the stock.


I've been ruminating on this over the last couple of days. I've thought about how Steve was just plain wrong a number of times. Tim will never fail big, but ironically that's the scary part! Jobs' drive to produce great products is what made the company great. The inability to risk (sometimes spectacular) failure stifles innovation. With Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, and others, we virtually forget the failures while celebrating the successes for decades or centuries.

I'm afraid Tim and the top stockholders will leave us nothing to celebrate.
 
Hey Guys, i had a Order which was not shipped.
So, today i got an email from Applestore that this will be automatically upgraded to new MacbookProRetina and then ship ;) Nice thing, only thing that changed (from technical specs sheet) is graphic card and force touch
 
The game of the year. Who gets Skylake out the door first - MBP or Surface 4?

Tell me about it !!! The difference between the two companies is that the surface 4 is coming and will have the new chip ! Apple is shrouded in secrecy and nobody knows!
 
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