Mac Mini Refresh, New Low-Cost Notebook, Apple Watches With Larger Displays and More Coming This Fall

[jclardy]

Do we really need another low cost notebook? There is macbook and macbook air. They should merge those and leave it as it is. Just give more ports for crying out loud. Who wants a notebook with just one port that can't even be charged at the same time when using another peripheral
All we need is macbook, macbook pro line when it comes to notebook line. No need for mess

Yes? "Low-cost" shouldn't mean starting at $1299 (MacBook/MacBook Pro) or $999 with a display that hasn't changed since 2010.

Calling it "MacBook" is fine, but they kind of screwed themselves over by selling the 12" MacBook at $1299. So either they drop the price on it, or they come out with a new MacBook Air at $999 with a display from this decade. Maybe they change the 12" MacBook to an "Air" then release a new 13" MacBook for $999.

 

[centauratlas]

Yes, with absolutely no ports. Wireless charging, Bluetooth mouse, and keyboard via Handoff.

It will be as thin as a piece of paper too?

 

[manu chao]

$799 12 inch MacBook

I'd say there is basically no chance that Apple will reduced the price of the 12" MB by 38% within one year ($1299 to $799).

 

[ChrisMoBro]

I don’t want a display performance upgrade on an iMac, I want a bezel-less screen.

 

[Appleaker]

I'm most excited about the new iMac and Apple Watch.

I'm wondering if this iMac display rumor is referring to a 120Hz refresh rate for the iMac, similar to the iPad Pro? I suppose that would be nice but I feel like it's nicer on the iPad due to the responsiveness needed for touch/Apple Pencil input. I'd rather see even better color reproduction, which is already quite excellent. The only other thing I can think of is if they moved to 6K displays—perhaps at a larger size. For instance, a 31.5" (32" for marketing) iMac 6K would have approximately the same PPI as a 27" 5K iMac and would make for quite a compelling upgrade. Then they could leave an 8K Cinema/Thunderbolt/whatever display for the new Mac Pro.

As for the Apple Watch, 45mm is a nice bump but I was hoping for something more in the 46-48mm range. I think they'll reduce the bezel somewhat, but doing so will require a lower corner radius on the Apple Watch display bevel. This could have the effect of making it look a little fatter—even if it's the same overall thickness—because the case itself would be a little thicker. I wonder if they will make the case size slightly bigger, and perhaps make the watch itself a little more slim. I would be fine with this, as it's already way smaller than most other smart watches in this class on the market. A bump in size will go a long way towards better usability, IMO, especially for those with bigger hands/fingers. There is a reason why Apple Watch seems to be more popular with women, so Apple may be looking to strike a better balance.

I'm also marginally excited about the new iPad and hope it doesn't have a notch. I doubt I'll upgrade this year, but it will be interesting to see what they do with an 11" display size. I hope they put the same resolution as the 12.9" model into the 11" model so we can have full sized apps side by side. I know it will make the interface smaller overall, but it should still be a little larger than the scale of the iPad Mini UI at 310ppi vs. 326ppi.

I believe it will be 120Hz (with ProMotion). As for a larger display, it’s possible but at 32”, I would expect it to be the 8K panel and it would be on the iMac Pro, as well as one of their displays.

With the new display, the Apple Watch is expected to achieve that display increase without a change to the overall size.

It’s important to remember that the display aspect ratio will be changes as well, resulting in the larger screen size. This also means the 12.9” wont be 12.9”. So it would actually be a higher resolution in total, I while would love that resolution scaling although many prefer it how it is. But aside from that, the aspect ratio change could lead Apple to have 3 app side by side multitasking, but even without that it will still be beneficial for multitasking, media, reading, etc.

 

[topmounter]

I don't think I'm asking too much in this day and age, but a Mac Mini that can drive a pair of 4k/5k displays at 60Hz would be nice.

 

[manu chao]

I've always wondered where Ming-Chi Kuo gets his information from. Does he have someone on the inside feeding him info or is he just guessing?

He has some sources of his own (presumably in the Asian supply chain), and for the rest he reads MacRumors.

 

[Swift]

We have the most-recent Mac mini at work. It’s used to make 1080p black masters of subtitles, to burn in German and French subtitles of American shows in Europe. I wouldn’t use it to make 3D models or VR. But for 99% of what goes on, it’s still quite fast enough.

 

[redheeler]

$799 12 inch MacBook

More likely $899 (if it starts at 128 GB SSD + 8 GB RAM) or $999 (if it starts at 256 GB SSD + 8 GB RAM). Still much more reasonable than the current pricing.

 

[democracyrules]

Apple is working on updates across its entire product line for the second half of 2018, according to a new investor's note shared this morning by reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with refreshes expected for iPhone, iPad, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Apple Watch.

Much of what Kuo has to share has been mentioned before, but he provides a nice overview of what we can expect to see this fall along with some interesting new tidbits on Apple's upcoming product lineup.

[*]iPhone - There are three iPhones in the works, two OLED models in 5.8 and 6.5-inch sizes and one lower-cost LED model that will be available in a 6.1-inch size. All three will feature Face ID and upgraded A12 processors. While the two OLED models will have dual-lens cameras, the lower-cost model will feature a single-lens camera.
[*]iPad Pro - Apple is working on two new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that are equipped with a full-screen design similar to the iPhone X and no Home button, with Apple to replace Touch ID with Face ID.
[*]Mac mini - Kuo didn't have a lot of information to share on the Mac mini, but he says a processor upgrade is expected. The Mac mini has not been updated for more than 1,300 days, aka over 3 and a half years. It's not clear if additional upgrades will be included, such as a redesigned chassis, but at least some kind of refresh is on the horizon.
[*]MacBook Pro - Processor upgrades expected.
[*]MacBook - Processor upgrades expected.
[*]New Low-Priced Notebook - Kuo believes Apple is designing a new low-priced notebook. He originally said that this would be in the MacBook Air family, but now has changed his mind. Previous rumors have suggested this machine could be a 12-inch MacBook, so Apple may be planning to expand the MacBook lineup with an additional low-cost option to replace the MacBook Air.
[*]iMac - Kuo says to expect a significant display performance upgrade, but he does not go into detail about what this will entail and we haven't heard additional iMac rumors at this time. He says the iMac, like other Macs, will get a processor refresh.
[*]Apple Watch - Apple is working on two new Apple Watch models for 2018 that will have bigger displays and enhanced heart rate detection features. The two Apple Watch models will measure in at 1.57 inches (39.9mm) and 1.78 inches (45.2mm), compared to the current 38 and 42mm sizes. Rumors have not been clear on whether the Apple Watch itself will be larger or if the bigger display will come from a reduction in bezels.

Kuo wraps up his note with a prediction that the highly-anticipated AirPods and the AirPower will go into mass production in the third quarter of 2018, suggesting a late fall launch. Apple first announced the AirPower in the fall of 2017, but has reportedly run into some problems with production. Recent rumors have said Apple is aiming for a September launch for the AirPower.

Kuo doesn't provide details on when we might see refreshes to Apple's other product lines, but the company could be planning to launch all of the new products at its annual September event, which is typically held during the first or second week of September.

In the past, Apple has also held separate October events when there is a heavy fall product lineup to unveil, so Macs and iPads could also come in that month.

Article Link: Mac Mini Refresh, New Low-Cost Notebook, Apple Watches With Larger Displays and More Coming This Fall

While the rumor looks exciting, we should not be too excited since some or all might not be materialized. Just chill and see in September announcement. After all, this is just a rumor. Keep calm.

 

[Yvan256]

He has some sources of his own (presumably in the Asian supply chain), and for the rest he reads MacRumors.

Let's put that theory to the test!

"I've heard the new Mac mini will only come in Banana Yellow."

 

[JesperA]

Whatever, just hurry up with a new display in sizes 24, 27 and 32.

Just put computer and computer related products under a new subdivision or subcompany of Apple with a new leadership; NOT under Tim but next to Tim on the same level, mr Tim LOVES iOS products but it is amazing that he (and admittedly some other people in Apples upper management) doesn't realize that iOS products still need contents and apps and those are developed on Mac hardware, preferable fast and modern hardware with great accessories, none of which Apple has today......

 

[urnotl33t]

I've always wondered where Ming-Chi Kuo gets his information from. Does he have someone on the inside feeding him info or is he just guessing?

He has a wee bit of info, and well-paid insiders tipping him off, but mostly he's just guessing. You can do just as well as he can. You have almost the same info he has. He's probably around 60% accurate whereas you'd be right at 50%. Like DigiTimes, he has some info, but he doesn't have the context, which is where he guesses.

There was some article a while back about "Apple working to put Intel chips in iPhones" in 2015-ish. Well yeah, but it was the LTE modem, not a CPU/GPU. A "chip", yes, but he didn't have context of what defines a "chip". So yeah, if you heard about a meeting with Apple and Intel, what would you think? Of course, an x86 chip! Intel makes much more than CPUs, but YOU know that, HE doesn't (apparently).

So yeah, he's just guessing.

 

[Apple_Robert]

My 2017 5K iMac will be 1 year old in September. It is running fine. Even if the new alleged iMac can slice bread on command, I won't be upgrading. I will think about the watch, provided it is a big enough upgrade. Will see what happens with the iPad and MBP.

 

[Spock]

I'd say there is basically no chance that Apple will reduced the price of the 12" MB by 38% within one year ($1299 to $799).

The 12 inch is older than a year, might have had a spec boost but it hasn’t been redesigned. And Apple has updated products while lowering the price in the past.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Why not just make the MacBook the low cost laptop? There’s already the MacBook Pro & MacBook, Why create a 3rd laptop? The MacBook Air is gonna be discontinued. Makes no sense anymore. The MacBook is slimmer and lighter than the Air. So why not just make the MacBook the low end laptop? Then have the iPads filling in the gap for low priced web surfing device? Makes sense to me.

 

[bodonnell202]

[*]MacBook - Processor upgrades expected.

I wonder what upgrades are in store for the 12" Macbook? While 8th gen core processors have long been available for most of Apple's mac lineup, the 7th gen Core M (yes I realize they now market some of them as Core i5 and Core i7) that is in the 12" Macbook is still the latest chips available from Intel in the 4.5 W TDP. Perhaps Apple will actually be one of the first to get (Cannon Lake) 10 nm chips?

 

[Dorje Sylas]

People in this forum that complained Apple didn't update the Mac Mini are ALL going to buy it!

100% sure, you can bet on it.

Cause after that it may be another 1400 days before we see it again. The Mac Mini was one of the best developer entry points into AppStore, and one of the best entry points for people new to Macs. They made great gifts to less technologically inclined family members. But that was almost 4+ years ago (if one doesn't count the non-consumer upgradable joke of current one that's been sitting being outdated).

I'm personally out of the Apple ecosystem. Apple forced me out with lack of a MacPro (trashcan didn't out), smaller form iPhone updates (5/SE form), and just generally lowering of quality in the OS and Apps (iWorks got gutted, iPhotos to Photos was a disaster, among others).

Professionally, unfortunately, I need a new Apple "approved" development box to test ports of applications on their new OSes. I still have clients who some how still believe in Apple and want (will pay) for that porting to be done. But I'm not committing any more money to Apple than absolutely necessary. So an updated minimum spec MacMini would be just about right.

 

[rynx9]

I’ve been wanting to replace my Windows desktop for a while but the iMac is out of my budget at the moment. A refreshed Mac mini would be great! I hope it happens.

 

[urnotl33t]

Only if they stay in my damn ears

Curious, do you have AirPods?

I've found that it was the earbud/EarPod wire itself that causes them to fall out. The pull and tug of the wire was causing torsion on the stem and dislodging them from the ear. The wire had weight, then add motion plus gravity, and the tiny little things would come out easily.

I've had my AirPods for about 6 months, and not once have they fallen out. Running, walking, stairs, jumping, ... never fallen out. There's no weighty tug that encourages them to be pulled.

 

[name99]

Good, the home button is annoying to use, it's out of the way, I always use the gestures when I can.

BUT the gestures need to be fixed!
The great advantage of the home button is that it gets you to the search bar. The drag up gesture ONLY shows you recent items.
It would be easy to fix by making the drag up gesture ALSO fit the search bar onto that display of the most recent apps all minified (it could easily be fitted), but it needs to be done...

 

[oosamon]

It would be so sweet if the Mac mini came with HDMI 2.1.... But I'll take one that isn't about to obsolete.

 

[Yvan256]

While the rumor looks exciting, we should not be too excited since some or all might not be materialized. Just chill and see in September announcement. After all, this is just a rumor. Keep calm.

edit: if anyone knows how to display images at a smaller size, I'll edit my post.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Obviously getting the iPhone X plus, AirPower and new AirPods charging case.

Will have a look at the new iPads and hopefully the new Mac mini.

 

[halluxsinister]

Did i just read Mac Mini ?

Yep. I'll believe it when I see it though.