MacBook Pro 2011 predictions

[Erasmus]

I wouldn't give too much credit to the Wikipedia article. In fact, now that I looked at the current CPUs Apple uses, there is no embedded version of Core i5-540M. Looking a bit more shows me that embedded seems to mean that it is integrated onto the motherboard so non-embedded can still be soldered onto the logic board, just like Apple is doing.

Yay! So hope remains of a Quad 2.3GHz option for those willing to pay an extra 2 grand!

Still, considering the dual core SB wiki range consists of a 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 GHz, Apple could avoid going quad core. However, as Intel are certainly midway through a transition to all quad cores, Apple will have to as well sooner or later, and sooner is better.

EDIT: I would like to take a minute to vent my feelings about a "Retina" MBP screen. To have that moniker, the screen would have to be around 2880 by 1600 pixels for a 15", ie. 4 times the number of pixels than present. I hope people realise that the maximum resolution that even the GTX 480M beast can support is 2560 by 1600. And you would literally need that card to drive the screen for basically anything more interesting than looking at the desktop.

 

[Yin]

O rly?

nope. mbp 13" will, under no circumstance, be canceled. it was just a stupid answer to a stupid comment.

 

[Hellhammer]

EDIT: I would like to take a minute to vent my feelings about a "Retina" MBP screen. To have that moniker, the screen would have to be around 2880 by 1600 pixels for a 15", ie. 4 times the number of pixels than present. I hope people realise that the maximum resolution that even the GTX 480M beast can support is 2560 by 1600. And you would literally need that card to drive the screen for basically anything more interesting than looking at the desktop.

One very important thing that most people are forgetting is the viewing distance. iPhone is often viewed very close to your head/eyes (@1ft in the pic), thus you can see higher PPIs. When the viewing distance doubles, you can only see half the PPI.

In that graph, 2ft is considered as normal viewing distance for computers. That means your eye can only see 150PPI and most Macs are already pretty close to that. E.g. 15" with 1920x1200 would give a PPI of 147 which is very close to the maximum of what your eye can see if the display is 2ft away. 13" with 1680x1050 would give a PPI of 149.

Resolutions greater than that may not be beneficial because your eye can no longer see the pixels and in worst case, things start to be too small to be comfortable. At least better support from OS and apps is needed when we get resolutions like that. People are already complaining about too small text in hi res 15".

Step by step is the way to go. Besides, 1920x1080 is the "standard" res nowadays, there aren't greater resolutions in mainstream products (if iMac is excluded). 2560xSomething displays are all nearly 1000$. I wonder what 15" with 2560x1600 would be

 

[rossgumbrell]

likely:
SB processors
Improved graphics (minor)
higher res screens

want:
light peak (dont think we will see this until lion release and the next next revision)
removal of OD (jan 2012 me thinks)
2nd HDD (SSD + HDD hybrid?)
new form factor

 

[Yin]

i don't think that apple will change the form of the mbp. the current one is absolutely fine and quite young.

 

[Richard1028]

I see a lot of talk about dual drive options. (SSD+HD)

This just seems like it goes against Apple's simplistic approach to provide easy computing for the masses and they really never compromise when it comes to implementing technology trends as is the case now with their flash memory. Even if it seems to be a step backwards with regard to cost.

I know people aren't stupid but Apple thinks we are. (We must be stupid otherwise we'd be allowed to delete a file with one keystroke instead of two). In that grain, I just can't see the potential new Mac user forced to manage and navigate 2 internal drives unless Apple codes OSX to do something that shields them from this task.

A single device for storage is their best bet and that's what Apple will continue to do. Unfortunately, upgraders accustomed to 500GB-1TB drives will have to settle for 256GB at best. (Without mortgaging their homes).

If this is the case and I'm not allowed to swap out the SS-memory for a conventional and much larger HD then the new MBP lineup will be a deal breaker for me. (at least until flash memory prices come down).

All the other ideas here like a faster processor, better GPU, No OD and better battery are indeed fine but not if I have to drag around an external hard drive in order to use these features.

 

[miata]

I see a lot of talk about dual drive options. (SSD+HD)

This just seems like it goes against Apple's simplistic approach to provide easy computing for the masses and they really never compromise when it comes to implementing technology trends as is the case now with their flash memory. Even if it seems to be a step backwards with regard to cost.

I know people aren't stupid but Apple thinks we are. (We must be stupid otherwise we'd be allowed to delete a file with one keystroke instead of two). In that grain, I just can't see the potential new Mac user forced to manage and navigate 2 internal drives unless Apple codes OSX to do something that shields them from this task.

A single device for storage is their best bet and that's what Apple will continue to do. Unfortunately, upgraders accustomed to 500GB-1TB drives will have to settle for 256GB at best. (Without mortgaging their homes).

If this is the case and I'm not allowed to swap out the SS-memory for a conventional and much larger HD then the new MBP lineup will be a deal breaker for me. (at least until flash memory prices come down).

All the other ideas here like a faster processor, better GPU, No OD and better battery are indeed fine but not if I have to drag around an external hard drive in order to use these features.

Great points. I've also been thinking about how I would split my data to use SSD in a laptop. Things could get really complicated quickly.

I want to go for as much performance as possible, so my plan is to go for a pair of drives with RAID 0. Then I would then need to partition many of the larger media files like music, photos and video off the SSD. It would be really nice if I could have subset of files that are accessible on the go and the rest stays on my "home drive" which could be any attached HDD at home. Wait, this sounds like an application for Time Capsule. This would be almost like configuring an iPod. I suppose if most people who require hand holding are using iTunes, iPhone and iMovie this could be controlled by Apple. They might also be interested in storing data in Time Capsule, so that they can more easily access it from their Apple TVs.

The interesting approach that might be even more likely for Apple is to store all your media data in the MobileMe cloud. In this case, the Time Capsule could be used as a local cloud for those without serious internet access or funding.

Wow. Seems like Apple is working on covering all the bases.

Now, back to the internal SSD HDD hybrid scenario -- Apple would simply treat the internal HDD as another kind of "local coud."

 

[vipergts2207]

I just don't see Apple offering a base MBP with only 64GB or even 128GB in storage.

This. The reason those small storage sizes work in the Macbook Air for the people who have them is because either, a. the MBA isn't their primary computer or b. the person has very low tech requirements. In 2010, 64 GB or even 128 GB of storage isn't enough for most people. That little amount of storage would be laughable in a "pro" machine. I have a 160 GB HDD in my MBP and I've only got <2 GB left on my windows partition and <7 GB on my Mac partition. I've had to delete things from both to make room for other things. My next notebook will need 256 GB of storage at a minimum.

 

[wizzlez]

This. The reason those small storage sizes work in the Macbook Air for the people who have them is because either, a. the MBA isn't their primary computer or b. the person has very low tech requirements. In 2010, 64 GB or even 128 GB of storage isn't enough for most people. That little amount of storage would be laughable in a "pro" machine. I have a 160 GB HDD in my MBP and I've only got <2 GB left on my windows partition and <7 GB on my Mac partition. I've had to delete things from both to make room for other things. My next notebook will need 256 GB of storage at a minimum.

The MBP is meant for Final Cut Studio and Adobe CS5 users and both of those require at least a couple dozen GB so you bet you'll never see a double digit storage capacity. Plus they cant promote their most popular softwares iTunes and iPhoto and not give consumers enough room to create big libraries in them. While I need at least 500 GB for my media, I'm a high volume media consumer, most consumers could settle for a 250 GB drive. If they are stingy enough to the point that they give you 128 GB in blade SSD's, then they will probably sneak an HDD in there. Does anyone know if the blades are small enough to fit them underneath the HDD?

Also about me hoping for a retina display, I didn't mean at the same ratio as the iPhone because obviously that would be impossible. I didn't know the hi res 15" was as optimal as it is, but it still could see some improvements in color vibrancy. There are ppl in this forum that know much more about this than me, what makes the retina display so smooth and flawless on the iPhone? Is it simply just higher res or are there other variables that make the picture so smooth?

 

[Hellhammer]

Is it simply just higher res or are there other variables that make the picture so smooth?

iPhone uses IPS display while MBPs use TN The resolution has some effect as well but IPS is what makes the colors and viewing angles so great.

 

[wizzlez]

iPhone uses IPS display while MBPs use TN The resolution has some effect as well but IPS is what makes the colors and viewing angles so great.

I've never seen a screen of the iPhone's DPI any bigger than a few inches, do they even exist in the 10"+ market? I've been hearing people predict the iPad will get the retina display but is that even possible yet?

 

[Hellhammer]

I've never seen a screen of the iPhone's DPI any bigger than a few inches, do they even exist in the 10"+ market? I've been hearing people predict the iPad will get the retina display but is that even possible yet?

It again depends what is considered as "retina" display. If it means +300PPI, then it's highly unlikely because iPad would need resolution of 2560x1920. Even high-end 30" EIZOs and NECs have only 2560x1600 and they cost thousands so that resolution is more or less impossible in iPad.

If ~150PPI is enough to be considered as retina display (it is if viewed from 2ft), then it's very possible because current iPad has PPI of 132. 1280x960 or 1400x1050 is something that I could expect from iPad. That would increase PPI to 160-170 and as it's not that big step, it shouldn't cost too much.

It's hard to predict anything though. We didn't have 330PPI in smart phones before iPhone 4 so when it comes to Apple, nothing seems to be impossible.

 

[radicaldog]

if they don't upgrade the mbp 13 with a better processor than why should they not discontinue it? it's only advantage over the air 13 is storage space.

But I'm confident that the 13 will get upgraded so it will not get discontinued.

Because there are legions of computer-illiterate users who still think the MBP 13 is a neat little computer that does all they need to do and doesn't cost the earth. I've decided to wait for the next upgrade though.

 

[radicaldog]

Better yet, just revamp the 13" whitebook, offer more colors (including black) and discontinue the 13" MBP all together. I still insist there are too many 13" laptops in the lineup so something's got to give.

This would be very sensible. Also, they wouldn't want the 13MBA to be too similar to the 13 MBP.

 

[mlynchmob16]

This would be very sensible. Also, they wouldn't want the 13MBA to be too similar to the 13 MBP.

I think if they wanted the 13MBA to replace the 13MBP, they wouldn't have removed the backlit keyboard. They seem to be making more differences between them so that they can both coexist. I see the price for the 13MBP rising $100 after the next update.

 

[Richard1028]

Also, they wouldn't want the 13MBA to be too similar to the 13 MBP.

The only way to keep them apart features-wise is to really boost one and basically sit on the other. But they already did that with the original Air and nobody bought the damned thing.

Apple is becoming like Dell. More confusing feature overlap in their 13" lineup and pretty soon consumers won't know what they want so most will continue to fall back on the plain old macbook.

I think if they wanted the 13MBA to replace the 13MBP, they wouldn't have removed the backlit keyboard. They seem to be making more differences between them so that they can both coexist. I see the price for the 13MBP rising $100 after the next update.

Good point. I hope you're right.

But if they make the SS flash drive standard it will cost considerably more than $100 for us folks that need more than 128-256GB storage capacity. I can't work with less than 500GB no matter how fast it comes out of sleep or how fast it boots. I might be in the minority though.

 

[LinkMx]

I see a lot of talk about dual drive options. (SSD+HD)

This just seems like it goes against Apple's simplistic approach to provide easy computing for the masses and they really never compromise when it comes to implementing technology trends as is the case now with their flash memory. Even if it seems to be a step backwards with regard to cost.

I know people aren't stupid but Apple thinks we are. (We must be stupid otherwise we'd be allowed to delete a file with one keystroke instead of two). In that grain, I just can't see the potential new Mac user forced to manage and navigate 2 internal drives unless Apple codes OSX to do something that shields them from this task.

A single device for storage is their best bet and that's what Apple will continue to do. Unfortunately, upgraders accustomed to 500GB-1TB drives will have to settle for 256GB at best. (Without mortgaging their homes).

If this is the case and I'm not allowed to swap out the SS-memory for a conventional and much larger HD then the new MBP lineup will be a deal breaker for me. (at least until flash memory prices come down).

All the other ideas here like a faster processor, better GPU, No OD and better battery are indeed fine but not if I have to drag around an external hard drive in order to use these features.

iMacs already have and option to have a SSD+HD

 

[InfinitySquared]

iMacs already have and option to have a SSD+HD

And, quite obviously, so do Mac Pros.

The Macbook Pro is sort of the mobile equivalent of the Mac Pro. There's an implicit assumption that its purchasers require a laptop for more technical application. I don't think more than one drive would be out of bounds.

The white macbook's a different story though. Still, if Apple decides to turn lion into OS11 and base it off of plan9, even that'll work. ^.^

 

[DVD9]

I think if they wanted the 13MBA to replace the 13MBP, they wouldn't have removed the backlit keyboard. They seem to be making more differences between them so that they can both coexist. I see the price for the 13MBP rising $100 after the next update.

Only a $100 increase in price? In this rock-N-roll economy where employees at Wal-Mart are quitting to become day traders at home, and buying estate size homes with water-fountains in the big circular driveway? Damn nice of Apple to sell a laptop under $2,000 the way we have it goin' on here in America.
--

 

[swingerofbirch]

I may be one of the few who would like Blu-ray as long as they are keeping optical drives around and it takes up the same amount of physical space.

Maybe Apple could also help the Blu-ray Disc Association clean up the product a bit. They are buggy and slow, in my experience, but I still buy them for the quality and other less tangible reasons.

 

[petsk]

Sandy bridge, SSD, light peak, USB3 - won't happen any time soon, not before late 11. USB3 could happen but since Steve already have shared he's thoughts about it, it seems unlikely to happen now.

If we'll see an upgrade in 1Q/2Q the superdrive will stay, screens will stay the same, design will stay the same - only small spec bumps are to be expected.

Those are my thoughts, hopefully I'm wrong but I don't think so

 

[Nein01]

Sandy bridge, SSD, light peak, USB3 - won't happen any time soon, not before late 11. USB3 could happen but since Steve already have shared he's thoughts about it, it seems unlikely to happen now.

If we'll see an upgrade in 1Q/2Q the superdrive will stay, screens will stay the same, design will stay the same - only small spec bumps are to be expected.

Those are my thoughts, hopefully I'm wrong but I don't think so

you're out of your mind

 

[wizzlez]

you're out of your mind

If they weren't adding Sandy Bridge they would've updated on schedule in October with SSD's, but they waited and will still be on schedule from their last update gap [10 months] if they release it in January or February. Producers have had Sandy Bridge for awhile now if they're showing it in a month [from today] at CES, and Intel claimed a few months ago that they would be sending Light Peak for production at the end of this year. So Apple most likely is currently manufacturing SB MBP's right now unless they're still waiting on LP. I think a new iPad is coming at the end of January and since it's so popular they will probably wait on the MBP and let the iPad carry sales for a few months and then release the MBP once the iPad hype has died down.

 

[vipergts2207]

Some of the things people say will or will not be in the next MBP refresh make me go followed by and . I wonder if they know anything about computer hardware at all. Seriously, Apple not including Sandy Bridge in the refresh? We've already got Arrendale in the MBP's, the only place to go from here is Sandy Bridge. FFS people, quit making crap up. Especially when it doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

 

[apolloa]

Sandy bridge, nvidia integrated and discrete graphics with auto switching, larger SSD? the superdrive will remain, longer battery life, lightpeak, bigger trackpads, possible screen resolution increase but doubt it.
Apple will absolutely not offer a dual hdd setup I think. The chassis design will remain the same as it is.