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When will 2017 Macbook be released?


  • Total voters
    32
  • Poll closed .

- rob -

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 18, 2012
1,030
705
Oakland, CA
I had hoped we were going to see an update to the Macbook alongside the iPad line updates in March. Now I'm hoping for April.

But I had read that we should have gotten an update about an April event by now. Others have mentioned that WWDC has become a software-only launch event these days. There are articles suggesting a Q3 launch as well.

Supposedly the new macbooks are entering mass-production now. So what's the story here, are we looking at a press release in April, a return to HW release at WWDC? Could a delay to Q3 be possible for some reason?
 
If they are entering production now then it could be that they are given a small silent update in April, it doesn't mean they need an event especially for a processor update and the rumoured 16GB Ram option.
 
It's all speculation, but I'd say the odds of anybody actually getting their hands on a 2017 MBP before Q4 of this year are pretty slim.
 
A dramatic form change (like two USB-c) seems unlikely.

Hopefully, we see an update of "slightly more than the proc", with 16Gb option, keyboard from the new MBPr (I tried them side by side at the Apple store the other day and definitely noticed the difference), and a couple of other things which would make a promising design a really mature laptop like previous Apple laptops have evolved to. Though, if that happens, I fear it will be after April.

So my uneducated guess is either silent update in April (but then maybe not worth the wait, unless prices are lowered a bit this time), or more thorough update a bit later.
 
I don't expect anything more than a spec bump for this one, particularly if Apple are going to continue down this line of having their "normal" devices and then the "pro" devices. I genuinely don't know what they could do to improve the form factor - like their other laptops and other iMacs, other companies often try to copy their designs and end up failing miserably - I don't think the rMB design has aged at all.

The current model is still fast enough for anything most users will throw at it, but I get the nervousness about buying something which might be replaced soon.

Its already got USB-C, so maybe the keyboard will be updated to the new MBP one - they're very similar, but you can definitely feel the difference.

I think like the current iMacs, if you need one, buy one now, otherwise you can keep holding out, but who knows for how many months?
 
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Just wait and if there's no updates by May and you have to have one now, buy a used one. That way, even if new ones come out you'll have gotten a good deal and maybe won't lose much or anything selling it so you can get the latest.
 
I wish they added Touch ID in the latest one but I doubt it, it will probably come along with toucher as a must. I don't need the touchbar at all but Touch ID would be amazing
 
I wish they added Touch ID in the latest one but I doubt it, it will probably come along with toucher as a must. I don't need the touchbar at all but Touch ID would be amazing

The thing about TouchID is that in its current form, its support is frustratingly limited in macOS. There's so many occasions where you still have to enter passwords, for things which are part of the OS or Apple-owned apps. I'm sure support will improve for it, but you'd have thought it would be used for any and all interactions with Keychain for example.
 
Fwiw, last year's press release came out the third Tuesday.

If the majority of poll respondents in this Thread are correct, and Apple holds a pattern, we are ten days from a refresh.
 
Happy potential Macbook Update's Eve.

Tomorrow is "the day" if the update announcement is to mirror last year's.
 
last year best buy pulled all of their macbook inventory on the Monday before (4/18) which would be today..... that hasn't been reported this year, maybe I'll check if I can reserve one for store pickup at my local best buy a little later. If anyone has time now they can give it a shot.
 
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Just checked availability in NYC - it still looks pretty widely available (only certain stores showing low stock, others all available). SF looks good too.

Hopes dashed :(
 
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