Leaked Photos May Show Upcoming MacBook Pro's Top Case With Space for OLED Touch Panel, Four USB-C Ports

[JimmyHook]

Well, I was sure people would complain about the POSSIBLE lack of an SD Card reader and the POSSIBLE lack of MagSafe. Here are two points:

1) Every contractor I hire plugs their camera into their MacBook directly. Why remove the card??? Pointless step

2) It's POSSIBLE to combine USB C with MagSafe. Apple has patents that do just that.

 

[foem]

oh please, release in June or July..please please please...

If these leaked pics are legit, it seems like release will be much sooner than late 2016. Unless it is a prototype.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Personally, I'm stoked on a new design. I also intend on getting a dock for my desktop setup at work. I can then have USB A, SD, ethernet, HDMI etc etc all from one cable.

Please do tell me where to purchase this all-in-one cable. Actually, you will need an expensive dock or multiple adapters just to perform the same functions you can do today without the added expense or bulk.

Not ideal for the most mobile of pros but again, they are the complete minority. And not so long ago you were hauling a well heavy Mac, charger etc. A couple of little adapters is not a biggie.

It's not ideal, for pros or consumers. In fact, it is far from ideal and that's the problem. How do you explain to the average person that he/she needs to spend at least $50 more and needs to carry around a dongle just to use a simple USB drive?

Moreover, I will need at least three or four adapters which I don't currently use. Not exactly convenient.

USB-C = using docks for those that need to use multiple legacy ports at the same time. Like it or not, that seems to be the future until everything shifts to USB-C. The Pixel and MacBook may have been the first, but I'm guessing the design and manufacturing advantages will lead everyone (both computer and peripheral manufacturers) down this path by 2018.

That's a long time from now. Apple would be better off updating to all USB-C at that time with a transition period until the next major Intel update (Cannon Lake).[/QUOTE]

 

[oreggero]

So we're expected to gimp a device for its intended purpose because some people don't use it for its intended purpose?

I get that Apple loves killing legacy hardware, but for a pro device, this is just going from one port that nobody uses to 4 ports that nobody uses.

My rMBP has 2 Tbolt, 2 USB3, HDMI, SD, and Magsafe. This new machine is going from 7 input devices down to 4.

I'm glad I bought my machine last year when I did; means I don't have to deal with the adoption curve for the next few years. By the time I'm ready to upgrade, I imagine USBc with be the universal standard and we'll be burning piles of SD cards in the public square.

This is dumb. Thunderbolt 2 wasn't in many peripheral devices when it launched, still Apple included it in all Macs. Go some years earlier and you'll see when the original Thunderbolt was launched in Macs, Apple removed the Firewire 800 ports. Although there were so many Firewire devices back then.
Also, it's not really >removing< the ports. USB-C is compatible with USB Type A, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort and even Thunderbolt 3 if done right.
I sure hope Apple won't be dumping Thunderbolt from its Macs altogether, but instead make all 4 USB-C ports Thunderbolt 3, too.

 

[devasan]

Seriously, how often do you need a ton of ports when you're on the go?

All the time.

I use regular usb constantly... thumb drives, printers, music gear etc.
I also use my SD reader all the time (I'm a working photographer).
I also use the HDMI port for projectors.

I'm constantly at different locations and fast changing situations. I depend on those ports being on the machine. Right now all I need is the laptop itself and the charger and I'm good to go.

Getting rid of regular usb at this point is way too premature. I have yet to ever need to connect to usb-c (or find it in the places I go). Every single place I have been (offices, working spaces, event venues etc) all have regular usb in some device or another. Regular usb cables are ubiquitous.

If indeed there are only usb-c ports on the upcoming models, I consider that a big negative in terms of ease of use.

I'm also a volunteer coordinator at an environment/social justice organization. We have a couple laptops that get used by multiple people... in and out of the office. Now, each laptop will have to always be sent out with at least one adapter or it's connectivity is crippled. Adapters are so easy to forget, think they are in the bag when they aren't and so on.

Any such organizations waiting for new models should go buy the current ones while they still can. Assuming only usb-c on the new models, it is going to be years before they are actually as easy/useful as the current versions.

 

[Mactendo]

And yet, two of my Apple laptops and and least one Mac mini came bundled with adapters...

And the G4 Cube.
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Getting rid of regular usb at this point is way too premature.

I also think so. Apple could keep at least one current USB port and what else is used most. In any case they'll update Macbooks in 1-2 years so they could remove those ports later when it's clear that USB-C is widely used. MacBook Pro is a work machine and form should adapt to function not the other way.

 

[whitman-colm]

Photos have leaked depicting alleged components destined for the rumored redesigned MacBook Pro, giving us a look at the thin body of the device, the space where a rumored OLED touch panel will be positioned, and its possible ports.

Shared by Cult of Mac, the photos came from an anonymous source who claimed to work for Apple's manufacturing partner in China.

The images feature the body of what appears to be a MacBook Pro, which, based on size, seems to be the 13-inch model. The trackpad and the keys have not yet been put in place, but noticeably absent is a function row at the top of the keyboard, which rumors say will be replaced with an OLED touch panel.

Size wise, the MacBook model in the photos appears to be slightly thinner than existing MacBook Pros, and in pictures of the sides of the device, a total of four USB-C ports are available, with two on the left side and two on the right side. A headphone jack is also included, as are thin speaker grilles on either side of the keyboard.

Rumors have suggested Apple is working on completely revamped 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with a thinner and lighter form factor and a dedicated OLED display touch bar that replaces physical function keys. A dedicated Touch ID button is expected to be built into the bar, as is support for USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.

According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new MacBook Pros will feature the "most significant upgrade ever undertaken by Apple," with the machines set to be released during the fourth quarter of 2016. Many were hoping for a WWDC launch, which early rumors hinted at, but if Kuo's information is accurate, we will need to wait until the fall months to see the launch of the new devices.

Article Link: Leaked Photos May Show Upcoming MacBook Pro's Top Case With Space for OLED Touch Panel, Four USB-C Ports

this is fine. I'm honestly OK with my mac being wired up with USB C ports like a coma patient, I'm ok investing in bunches of adapters for USB C, but PLEASE, PLEASE at least have a Thunderbolt 3 Port (or two) and MagSafe.

 

[KoolAid-Drink]

View attachment 633862

I don't know why, but this render and the icons' layout somehow reminds me of Mac OS 9 (classic Mac OS).

 

[grayskyz]

I'd much rather spend 85 in a MagSafe Charger than having to buy a new computer after a nose dive in the floor.

MagSafe is one of the best features of the macbook lineup.

I can't say I've never needed it but, I can't recall the last time that's for sure. I'm imagining someone will fill that void.

 

[Val-kyrie]

I'm used to adapters, but not being able to plug in a regular USB-drive without having a adapter, that's where I draw the line.

Well said.

4 USBC ports is as versatile as you can get. You can connect to anything with the right cable. USB. FireWire. Thunderbolt. HDMI. Ethernet. It's the most flexible and versatile port there is.

Why have 4 different ports that can only do one thing each? What's the benefit of an hdmi port over USBC? You can't plug an hdmi cable into a USB hard drive. Or a FireWire audio interface. Or a SD card reader.

Versatile but not compact and not convenient. How much weight and space do you not save by eschewing "legacy" ports (as if USB type-A ports weren't ubiquitous)?

Two versatile ports (USB type-C) and two ubiquitous contemporaneous ports (USB type-A and HDMI) would be better. The point is maximum versatility in a single package.

 

[itsdjellz]

I thought USB-C was backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and just found out it isnt. I really hope this leak isnt real. 4 C and no 3.0? WTH would they do that? It should have been half and half

yes it is
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[zhenya]

this is fine. I'm honestly OK with my mac being wired up with USB C ports like a coma patient, I'm ok investing in bunches of adapters for USB C, but PLEASE, PLEASE at least have a Thunderbolt 3 Port (or two) and MagSafe.

Relax. It has four Thunderbolt ports.

 

[itsdjellz]

https://griffintechnology.com/us/breaksafe-magnetic-usb-type-c-cable


WELP we have a solution for magsafe yay!

 

[dallegre]

1) Every contractor I hire plugs their camera into their MacBook directly. Why remove the card??? Pointless step.

That is strange. Every photographer/videographer I know removes the card and uses a card reader or built in card slot. The main reason is because many shoots require multiple cards. Photographer/videographers generally always carry extra cards and a reader on them when working. The camera cable is generally only used when tethering to a monitor.

That said, the SD slot isn't completely necessary for photo/video work, because many cameras use CF or another type of card. CFAST and XQD seem to the standard for 4k video.

 

[Val-kyrie]

https://griffintechnology.com/us/breaksafe-magnetic-usb-type-c-cable


WELP we have a solution for magsafe yay!

Yes! I really want to spend another $40 to replace something that is currently included as a feature! /s

 

[monstruo]

Timmy, kindly throw in a free USB C —> A adaptor. (At least for this batch of MBP)
Don't be stingy!
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Yes! I really want to spend another $40 to replace something that is currently included as a feature! /s

Well, if only the type C magnetic has a slim profile. I'm sure many of us won't spend a tad more atop MBP.

 

[Hadron]

Dear Lord that would be a backward step. The main reason I carry a Pro rather than an Air is the Air's lack of ports. I use my laptop with an external monitor and keyboard, as well are wired networking and a USB headset, and a power supply. So that's 5 ports (MagSafe, HDMI, one Thunderbolt, 2 USB). This thing has 4.

So never mind having to buy new sets of adapters for everything, it's going to involve hubs just to get the basic functionality to use it in the office. Do Apple really think that people don't use the Pro models professionally?

 

[Ankaa]

Holding out hope that the 15" keeps the SD slot. That little port is invaluable to a photographer on the go.

Unless you're old-fashioned like me and still uses CF cards. But I do agree, getting rid of the SD slot in a Pro model seems kinda lame...

 

[dallegre]

Dear Lord that would be a backward step. The main reason I carry a Pro rather than an Air is the Air's lack of ports. I use my laptop with an external monitor and keyboard, as well are wired networking and a USB headset, and a power supply. So that's 5 ports (MagSafe, HDMI, one Thunderbolt, 2 USB). This thing has 4.

So never mind having to buy new sets of adapters for everything, it's going to involve hubs just to get the basic functionality to use it in the office. Do Apple really think that people don't use the Pro models professionally?

Just get a USB-C/TB3 dock. Great/clean solution for using an external monitor, drives, display, etc. when at your desk.

 

[RebelScum]

This is dumb. Thunderbolt 2 wasn't in many peripheral devices when it launched, still Apple included it in all Macs. Go some years earlier and you'll see when the original Thunderbolt was launched in Macs, Apple removed the Firewire 800 ports. Although there were so many Firewire devices back then.
Also, it's not really >removing< the ports. USB-C is compatible with USB Type A, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort and even Thunderbolt 3 if done right.
I sure hope Apple won't be dumping Thunderbolt from its Macs altogether, but instead make all 4 USB-C ports Thunderbolt 3, too.

I'm no big city mathemascientist, but a quick check with my colleagues confirmed that 4 holes is less than 7 holes. We ran the numbers several times and they check out. If you'd like we can show our work; I'll get the guys in the lab to snap a photo.

Obviously USBc will support TB3, HDMI, USB and charging. That's not the issue. The issue is now the fact that you're 100% reliant on adapters to use any of it.

One of my clients still has VGA...VGA!!!...adapters in their boardroom. So now I have to daisy chain VGA->Tbolt-> USBc. Granted that's an extremely rare thing, but if I now want to plug in my peripherals, including my 27" monitor, my Wacom, my USB hub, my powered external drives, my portable external drives, my USB speakers, and even my phone charger, I'm looking at dongles for days.

By 2018 this won't be an issue; I'm sure the industry will adopt USBc pretty universally. But I'm still gonna need hubs and adapters because, and once again we've done the math, 4 holes < 7 holes.

 

[itsdjellz]

And one more thing that has been of concern on this thread...MagSafe is NOT being dumped, if this patent is anything to go by

http://9to5mac.com/2016/03/31/apple-universal-magnetic-adapter-magsafe-patent/

https://griffintechnology.com/us/breaksafe-magnetic-usb-type-c-cable

 

[Hadron]

Just get a USB-C/TB3 dock. Great/clean solution for using an external monitor when at your desk.

And another USB-A adapter for using a thumb drive if I'm not at the desk. And another adapter or two for giving presentations, since I've never met a projection system that uses USB-C. Meanwhile rendering my existing collection of adapters redundant.

Not being negative for the sake. I really hope that OLED bar is programmable, rather than a set of fixed icons, so you can customise it to your tastes - that would be a genuine improvement. But I think it's premature to switch to an all USB-C solution, and TBH Apple have never included enough ports for my tastes (the current model is at least a lot better than my previous one, with 2 USBs too close together to use both of them at once!).

 

[itsdjellz]

Yes! I really want to spend another $40 to replace something that is currently included as a feature! /s

lol true

 

[zhenya]

https://griffintechnology.com/us/breaksafe-magnetic-usb-type-c-cable


WELP we have a solution for magsafe yay!

Carries power only though.

Dear Lord that would be a backward step. The main reason I carry a Pro rather than an Air is the Air's lack of ports. I use my laptop with an external monitor and keyboard, as well are wired networking and a USB headset, and a power supply. So that's 5 ports (MagSafe, HDMI, one Thunderbolt, 2 USB). This thing has 4.

So never mind having to buy new sets of adapters for everything, it's going to involve hubs just to get the basic functionality to use it in the office. Do Apple really think that people don't use the Pro models professionally?

You will keep one adapter at your desk connected to all of those peripherals, so leaving or arriving at your desk means 1 connection rather than 5! And you keep a 1 ounce adapter in your bag that covers all the common connectors you might encounter on the go.

 

[Ankaa]

Also, I don't yet see a sign of MagSafe removal in the Pro lineup. Probably a redesign but I believe that big space next to the left side USB-C ports is meant for something

How awkward would it look if they moved the USB-C ports on the left side all the way up to the end, but left the ones on the right side where they are? It's called symmetry.