Kuo: iPad Pro With Rear 3D ToF Camera and Scissor Mechanism MacBooks to Launch in First Half of 2020

[jonasen]

I want a <13" Macbook again. I preferred the 11" Macbook Air, and currently have a 12" Macbook, but I'd really love a 11" or 12" Macbook Air of the current format with Touch ID/Face ID. The 13" is just too big to carry around despite the weight. It doesn't fit a smaller bag along with other stuff etc.

That or an iPad OS anno 2025 I guess.

 

[RFolk]

That won't happen because you can buy eGPU and run whatever graphics you want (all of which would be a lot lot better than anything that can find inside of a Mac mini)

The eGPU via TB3 is metered thus efficiency and speed will suffer, not to mention the fact that most of the video editing software is not really optimized to work with eGPU. Also, I have allot of weird stuff happening when using an eGPU , like multiple disconnects , system slow down etc .
They can take the power brick outside of the mac mini enclosure and make room for a decent graphic .

 

[Freida]

What’s the appeal of the rumored SE2 for you?

Geniune question, I’d like to understand.

Cheaper, smaller, lighter etc. I want iPhone Pro or XS in the form of iPhone 8. Just like SE and 6S share almost all parts thats what I would like to see. I really don't see the appeal of paying $2000CAD for flagship when my iPhone 6 (that was flagship) was pretty much half price. All I want to do is to say big FU to Apple for hiking the prices so much.

 

[alexandero]

I wish Apple would update the entire MBA/MBP line before the second quarter 2020. I don't want to replace my failing 2016 13" MBP with another MBA/MBP with a keyboard that easily breaks.

 

[myrtlebee]

Good. Anticipating that the upcoming 16” will be more computer than I want, this would be welcome. Even though it will be tempting not to wait all those months and just get the 16”. I have refused to buy a new Mac until the keyboards are 100% fixed. I got so much **** from people here every time they released an “updated” butterfly keyboard and I said it’s not completely fixed, so pass.

 

[PastaPrimav]

If it becomes fact that the scissor keyboard comes back, I can finally upgrade my 2012 Macbook Pro. I've been holding off because I don't want the problems with the butterfly keyboard. When my wife's Macbook Pro required replacing I purchased a iPad Pro for her to avoid the butterfly keyboard. However, she's still not 100% happy with it. She still prefers a Macbook.

Even without the problems, it is a junky keyboard to type on. Just does not have a good feel at all.

Compared to Apple's current Magic Keyboard for the desktop, which is one of the best keyboards I have ever used. Possibly the best keyboard I've ever used.

The difference between these two keyboards currently offered by Apple is staggering.

 

[FlyingDutch]

You know, I've had a butterfly keyboard since almost the day they were announced and have had absolutely ZERO problems with it. I wish it had slightly longer key travel, but that's it. Now that obviously hasn't been everyone's experience, and they've certainly needed to move on from it, but it wasn't like EVERYONE that used one had it fail.

here I am. Two different MacBooks with butterfly keyboard, zero issues so far.
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We have already started our plan to leave Apple by purchasing our first android phone. Our current iphone SE and 2015 Macbook air are nearing replacement. Guess we will wait until next spring to replace and see if Apple will actually provide a SE replacement and a Macbook air with a good keyboard before continuing to leave.

Remember, Apple left us, not the otherway around.

Android? If you are going to settle down for an inferior product, nobody will stop you.

 

[Mainsail]

Good. Anticipating that the upcoming 16” will be more computer than I want, this would be welcome. Even though it will be tempting not to wait all those months and just get the 16”. I have refused to buy a new Mac until the keyboards are 100% fixed. I got so much **** from people here every time they released an “updated” butterfly keyboard and I said it’s not completely fixed, so pass.

What makes you say the keyboards aren’t fixed? I see very few complaints about the 2019 keyboard, and they have been out for several months.

We can’t expect zero defects.....even the old scissor mechanisms would have occasional failures.

Also, there is the 4 year warranty as backup.

 

[FlyingDutch]

How often is Kuo actually right?

He says a lot of things. Statistically something is going to happen.

 

[FlyingDutch]

By the way I was planning to update my 10.5” iPad Pro this Christmas, so I still hope Apple will release a new one.
I’m not sure about a ToF camera on an iPad. I rarely use it to take photos (mostly to scan documents).
I think Apple will use a new camera technology on the iPhone next year.

 

[jeff282]

Is he talking calendar year or fiscal year? Apple has a Sept 30 year end so Q1 of FY 2020 is Oct - Dec 2019. If he’s talking financial year we could see this in oct.

 

[am2am]

The way this article is written is very confusing.
There is a mix of Kuo's predictions and news article author's assumptions IMO.

I see nowhere Kuo stating 16 Macbook Pro will be announced in October (I know he predicted this earlier but has changed his predictions few times already since).
What we see from Kuo is just the confirmation that all macbook lines will follow with new keyboard in 2020. Whether 16 macbook pro is released this year or in 2020 remains to be seen.

 

[nvmls]

That's a nice kick in the nuts for all those that embraced the Butterfly KB

That's the Apple marketing's beauty, you can actually embrace crap.

 

[dantracht]

Is he talking calendar year or fiscal year? Apple has a Sept 30 year end so Q1 of FY 2020 is Oct - Dec 2019. If he’s talking financial year we could see this in oct.

I could be wrong, but I took it to be calendar year.

 

[apolloa]

Hmm I’m pretty sure he said this year before...

 

[PastaPrimav]

So if new iPads Pro are not coming until 2020, then we can probably assume just a press release for the 16" MacBook Pro sometime this month.

 

[EugW]

Hmm I’m pretty sure he said this year before...

Actually, what Ming Chi-Kuo said earlier was that a new iPad Pro would begin manufacturing late 2019/early 2020. So a release in early 2020 doesn’t actually disagree with what he said before for the iPad Pros at least. Here’s hoping for a release sooner rather than later. Perhaps Jan/Feb.

I wonder if Mark Gurman will update his prediction, since it was he who suggested October.

How often is Kuo actually right?

Very, very often. When it comes to predictions based on supply chain info, he’s the most accurate analyst on the planet. Not perfect of course, but excellent nonetheless, although he’s sometimes off on the timing or the exact details. On the flip side, he’ll often make predictions that others wouldn’t even know enough to predict. For example he’ll say a product will use a very specific technology that hasn’t been used before and then 1 year later we see it being used.

By the way, last year he said that the 6.1” iPhone will not have 3D Touch and that in 2019 maybe none of the line would have it. He was absolutely correct even though he made that prediction well over a year ago, and months before the 2018 XR came out, 1.5 years ago in April 2018 in fact.

 

[GFLPraxis]

A ToF camera might be a good reason to pick up an iPad again. The AR implications could be very interesting. But for myself, I'm really looking forward to the 16" MBP.

One use I can think of is that it would allow indie developers to make 3D models of objects easily. No buying a 3D scanner; just download an app, take photos at a couple angles, the ToF camera generates a full 3D model.

It's already doable with just photos, just not as accurate as a real 3D camera. A ToF camera could probably make really good 3D models. This makes things way cheaper for a developer. Indie game developers could probably do mo-cap.

 

[otternonsense]

And toss the touchbar or make it optional

Yes, this, yes, +100 yes. Three years in and the abominable emojibar hasn't helped me in the slightest.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Can't wait for the 13" mBP with scissor mechanisms. Would be better if they could restore the USB a and other ports as well... But as long as they feel like the pre 2016 keyboards I'll be happy.

I think you meant, as long as the new keyboards function like the pre-2016 MBP keyboards.

 

[turbineseaplane]

What’s the appeal of the rumored SE2 for you?

Geniune question, I’d like to understand.

If only there were a section on the forum and entire threads, going back years, to better understand these motivations..

 

[turbineseaplane]

If they actually get the scissors keyboard right - something similar to the 2015 MBP, they're in for a super upgrade cycle! But sadly, I can't help but feel pessimistic. I can see the video now...

"But our engineers faced a daunting challenge: How could we combine the reliability of a scissors mechanism with the short travel distance and painful backstop of a butterfly keyboard? How could retain the poor ergonomics and incredible tapping noise using a technology previously designed for comfort? Well... we have succeeded!"

You nailed it.

I totally expect to be disappointed. Apple has never been able to simply do the easy thing that people want to solve the issue. We basically just want the Magic Keyboard put into the laptops.

Not a "new scissor switch that's thinner than ever and now as crappy to type on as the butterfly, but with a scissor below"... But that's what is coming... The "thinnest scissor ever" - "All new thinnovation from Apple"

ugh

 

[m4mario]

And toss the touchbar or make it optional

Not going to happen. I am thinking at one point all keys in the keyboard will have variable characters using an LED screen.

 

[turbineseaplane]

USB A is dead.

huh - weird - I just used it this morning on 2 different machines.
It's working great for being "dead".

Nice to be able to plug into the USB-A chargers I see weekly in "every hotel room I ever go to" also.

Same for the rental cars where USB-A is completely ubiquitous.

 

[Derekjv74]

I'm bummed there won't be an update to the iPad Pro this year. Mine will be 4 years old in a month. I use it for work everyday and it really could use an update. I had my heart set on an October update.