Kuo: Apple Headset Will Use Same 96W Power Adapter as 14-Inch MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple's rumored AR/VR headset will use the same 96W USB-C power adapter included with the higher-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple Headset render by Ian Zelbo​

In a research note today with TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said that Apple's headset using a 96W power adapter proves that it will have Mac-level computing power, as he has predicted previously.

Kuo also reiterated that Apple's headset will be equipped with two processors, including one 5nm chip and one 4nm chip, each manufactured by TSMC. In November, Kuo said the higher-end processor would have similar computing power as the M1 chip for the Mac, whereas the lower-end processor would manage sensor-related aspects of the headset.

Apple's headset will offer an innovative experience with seamless switching between AR and VR modes, according to Kuo, who added that Apple's headset will be two to three years ahead of competing products in terms of computing power.

Kuo has previously claimed that Apple's headset will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2022, with shipments ramping up in the first quarter of 2023.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Headset Will Use Same 96W Power Adapter as 14-Inch MacBook Pro

 

[wozmatic]

go skiing while you VR

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Sure, it has the 96WUSB brick on the end…
But the actual headset will charge via lightning.
I’m 90% sure of that, would love to be proven wrong though

 

[Analog Kid]

100W, strapped to my head?

 

[JPack]

Better hope it's fanless!

But seriously, people who believe the myth that smaller nodes always means less power will be in for a surprise. More transistors and slower advancements in lithography means power is plateauing or actually going up.

 

[Pupi]

Sure, it has the 96WUSB brick on the end…
But the actual headset will charge via lightning.
I’m 90% sure of that, would love to be proven wrong though

I don’t think Lightning can handle close to 96W. It could be MagSafe only though (the MacBook kind). Maybe that would explain why they brought MagSafe back to the Mac.

 

[44267547]

I believe Kuo on the tech details, but I don’t believe this will launch 4th quarter 2022. With the production delays and other constraints, I’d say 1st quarter 2023. There’s just too many manufacturing delays.

I still think for a ‘consumer product’, the success of a product like is dependent on the price point. However, from a technical-education standpoint, this will offer a lot of potential in the future for training in professional standards.

 

[staveb]

Holy smokes! That's a lot of wattage for a wearable. Why does it need to be so high?

 

[Lcgiv]

What is the battery life supposed to be?

 

[Pupi]

Apple failed to sell a $400 speaker even though it was high quality and worth the pricetag.

I just fail to see how they will convince the mass market to buy a $1-$2K device with niche use cases. I’m so curious to see what are the killer apps they will bring to drive mass adoption (probably fitness if I had to guess).

One thing is for sure, the AR part better mean it’s portable enough for people to bring it around to wherever they want to. Apple’s forte is and will always be portable devices.

 

[richinaus]

the more I read about this the more excited I am. I am very hopeful this is going to transform the way I [and my design studio] works and what we can create.
For consumers of this device, that will be the outcome of our work with the headsets.

 

[HiRez]

Daaaaamn that sounds like a huge battery hog. Going to be tricky for this thing to either get decent battery life or not weigh a lot. Cue the lawsuits of people saying it gave them neck problems.

 

[Freeangel1]

I could think of much better things to spend $3000 plus dollars on in the age of COVID and the great JOB resignation and the rise of robots and Job automation.

Just sit around in your VR world and be lazy.

Yeah this is not gonna sell well.

 

[dguisinger]

Apple failed to sell a $400 speaker even though it was high quality and worth the pricetag.

I just fail to see how they will convince the mass market to buy a $1-$2K device with niche use cases. I’m so curious to see what are the killer apps they will bring to drive mass adoption (probably fitness if I had to guess).

One thing is for sure, the AR part better mean it’s portable enough for people to bring it around to wherever they want to. Apple’s forte is and will always be portable services.

I agree. I can't figure out for the most part why I would want this. Sure, I could use it with MSFS2020....except it doesn't run on anything Apple.... so I guess not. I'm not going to walk down the street with it. None of the games I play run on Apple products and they've done their best to box out streaming games.

What exactly is the market they expect to sell this to?

I feel there is an obsession from tech companies with VR/AR and its just going to be a failed fad in the consumer space

 

[porscherain]

Can’t be fitness; all the sweat on the headset is not appealing.

 

[dguisinger]

Can’t be fitness; all the sweat on the headset is not appealing.

Maybe its how you drive the Apple Car without a steering wheel

 

[44267547]

I could think of much better things to spend $3000 plus dollars on in the age of COVID and the great JOB resignation and the rise of robots and Job automation.

Where did you come up with a $3000 price tag? If I had to guess, you’re purposely inflating the price of this product that you don’t know, only to disparage against it.

I think we need to look beyond the potential of somebody like an average consumer just buying this, where it might have benefits in training in the medical industry, automotive, etc. We don’t know the potential this product, because nothings been demoed or particularly how Apple plans on executing its capabilities.

Yeah this is not gonna sell well.

Yeah, you genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about, because you don’t know the potential behind this product and its future.

You’re the same type of person that would say things like.. ‘The Apple Watch would never make it, or sell well’, and look how it expanded beyond just being a ‘notification device’, but a Health gauge to better ones lifestyle.

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

I believe Kuo on the tech details, but I don’t believe this will launch 4th quarter 2022. With the production delays and other constraints, I’d say 1st quarter 2023. There’s just too many manufacturing delays.

I still think for a ‘consumer product’, the success of a product like is dependent on the price point. However, from a technical-education standpoint, this will offer a lot of potential in the future for training in professional standards.

And Kuo had a really big mistake with the AirPower. I remember he said it was about to be released in a couple of weeks and then the very next week Apple announced the cancellation.

 

[_Spinn_]

So is this thing supposed to have a battery or do you have to be plugged into a wall? I can't imagine what the battery life would be on this thing.

 

[Celtic-moniker]

I could think of much better things to spend $3000 plus dollars on in the age of COVID and the great JOB resignation and the rise of robots and Job automation.

Just sit around in your VR world and be lazy.

Yeah this is not gonna sell well.

Geez this is a straw man argument and a half! It’s weird seeing some respond to a price that’s only in their head.

 

[syklee26]

Imagine that thing exploding on your face…

 

[foobarbaz]

I don’t think Lightning can handle close to 96W. It could be MagSafe only though (the MacBook kind). Maybe that would explain why they brought MagSafe back to the Mac.

I mean MagSafe is literally the perfect solution for this. You could even have it plugged in while using it. Not if you're running around, obviously, but if you're watching a movie with it. Move too much and it just unplugs. Any other cable would yank your head if you forget you're attached and walk away.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Lord Sidious is getting excited!

 

[TracerAnalog]

Holy smokes! That's a lot of wattage for a wearable. Why does it need to be so high?

If the rumors are to be true, it’s a high end PC strapped to your face. That takes power.

 

[iDento]

Apple failed to sell a $400 speaker even though it was high quality and worth the pricetag.

I just fail to see how they will convince the mass market to buy a $1-$2K device with niche use cases. I’m so curious to see what are the killer apps they will bring to drive mass adoption (probably fitness if I had to guess).

One thing is for sure, the AR part better mean it’s portable enough for people to bring it around to wherever they want to. Apple’s forte is and will always be portable services.

My bet is fitness and education. Interest in personal trainers and experts “udemy, masterclass, skillshare” is very high Apple can’t ignore it.