MacBook Pro Models Said to Start at 16GB RAM and 512GB Storage, Feature Upgraded 1080p Webcams and New Charging Brick

[Admiral]

What scares me the most is honestly the prospect that 32GB will be the RAM ceiling. In my line of work the 64GB will be needed. I'm hoping that they offer what the Intel MBPs offered; I think that's logical.

How do you know that 64GB will be needed for your use case on Apple Silicon, inasmuch as nobody on Earth outside of Apple has a 32GB or 64GB Apple Silicon machine in his hands yet? I've got both 8GB and 16GB Apple Silicon machines and truth be told, even for video editing the 8GB memory is sufficient. Memory works differently between Apple Silicon and Intel.

 

[ShowsOn]

What scares me the most is honestly the prospect that 32GB will be the RAM ceiling. In my line of work the 64GB will be needed. I'm hoping that they offer what the Intel MBPs offered; I think that's logical.

The memory architecture is very different from x86. The memory controller on the M1 is 8 channel which is normally only something you find on servers which gives it enormous bandwidth.

 

[WinterEmerald]

How do you know that 64GB will be needed for your use case on Apple Silicon, inasmuch as nobody on Earth outside of Apple has a 32GB or 64GB Apple Silicon machine in his hands yet? I've got both 8GB and 16GB Apple Silicon machines and truth be told, even for video editing the 8GB memory is sufficient. Memory works differently between Apple Silicon and Intel.

Because maybe I'm not a total schmuck when it comes to knowing my professional needs? The nature of my work is pretty black and white when it comes to how much memory it needs. Apple silicon isn't so insanely different that I'm suddenly going to be able to use a project which uses close to 32GB of RAM (I have projects like this) and still have loads of give. I get that it may be more efficiently used on Apple chips, but there comes a point where a limit is a limit, and you can't suddenly magic more and more.

 

[jclmavg]

The memory architecture is very different from x86. The memory controller on the M1 is 8 channel which is normally only something you find on servers which gives it enormous bandwidth.

Seriously? You think memory bandwidth is the same as the amount of actual data you can store in ram? Same with the guy above, who thinks Apple silicon magically reduces ram storage needs. Ugh, why so much stupidity?

 

[nottorp]

I heard a rumor that apple is bringing back a Dot Matrix printer as well...... Why go back to MagSafe, unless it USB-C it is just stupid and a waste.

MagSafe has saved my laptops from falls countless times. I run an usb-c mbpro right now and I bought a magnetic charging cable after it pulled it off the desk the first time.

I suppose that if you use the laptop as immobile desktop replacement it doesn't matter, but I tend to move mine around. It's a portable device after all.

 

[nottorp]

Seriously? You think memory bandwidth is the same as the amount of actual data you can store in ram? Same with the guy above, who thinks Apple silicon magically reduces ram storage needs. Ugh, why so much stupidity?

I'm sure they won't mind when the ssds on their 8G machines wear out in a year or two due to constant swapping. Apple certainly won't mind.

My normal memory usage is 20-24 Gb. Occasionally more.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I'm sure they won't mind when the ssds on their 8G machines wear out in a year or two due to constant swapping. Apple certainly won't mind.

My normal memory usage is 20-24 Gb. Occasionally more.

So obviously an 8GB machine is not for you, but it IS enough for most people.

Live look at my M1 Mac mini with 8 GB RAM. This is how it looks almost all the time and I've had it for about 6 months.

Let me know how to check my SSD usage if you're curious and I'll show that.

 

[War833]

How do you know that 64GB will be needed for your use case on Apple Silicon, inasmuch as nobody on Earth outside of Apple has a 32GB or 64GB Apple Silicon machine in his hands yet? I've got both 8GB and 16GB Apple Silicon machines and truth be told, even for video editing the 8GB memory is sufficient. Memory works differently between Apple Silicon and Intel.

Memory is still memory. If someone has a use case that requires storing 50GB of data in memory, without swapping in/out and incurring the overhead of that, yes, they are going to "need" 64GB RAM, whatever optimisations Apple do. It is that simple.

Now, what you probably mean is: if the optimizations, juggling, swapping, etc. were fast enough, most could users make do with less RAM, perhaps without perceiving any slowdown. Yes, of course that is true. But let's not pretend that extends onto every use case and that everyone in the world is going to be able to magically halve their RAM requirements due to "magic" technology.

 

[oldMac]

The good ol Apple tax. That is why they make Mac’s not user replaceable anymore.

I remember those days were I bought the base 15” 2010 and fully maxed it out with 3rd party components for around $2000, while Apple was charging over $3000+ for the same specs.

I think you have a bad memory. 😂

The 2010 MacBook Pro started at $1,799. Assuming you “maxed it out” with 16GB of RAM a 512GB SSD, you would have, very conservatively, paid $1000 for a 512GB SSD. The RAM upgrade would have cost you about $300 for a “self-upgraded” total of about $3,100.

But yes, you paid less than you would have paid Apple for the upgrades.

I self-upgraded I’m still running on this machine 11 years later: my 2010 15” MBP with aftermarket 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. (I did pay Apple for the higher resolution display.)

It was expensive to start, but clearly it was a good investment as I’m still working on it 8-10 hours a day eleven years later.

Also, I got to skip the part where Apple screwed up the keyboard, added the mostly pointless Touch Bar, etc.

Hoping to upgrade next week!

SSD price reference:

SSD prices continue to plunge

Solid-state drive pricing has dropped about 30% this year, reaching what researchers call the magic price point of $1-per-gigabyte of capacity, according to information from IHS iSupply and Dynamite Data

www.computerworld.com

 

[Flood4]

I just wish Apple would release a worthy external display. I could easily see myself moving from using an iMac at home to a Macbook with an external display if I could only find one that matches the quality of the one in a 27" iMac.

I just need a real desktop experience at home. Getting it with a laptop is no problem, and heck it'd be nice to have the laptop to travel with. But someone needs to solve the monitor problem. Nothing I find is as good as the iMacs.

But the problem is they don’t/won’t have 21:9 monitor.
I bought one (38") a couple months ago to replace my dual 24" setup and it’s nice.

 

[dustSafa]

I suspect $1899-$1999 for the 14” and $2499 starting price for the 16”, both starting at 16GB/512GB SSD. The mini-LED display is going to increase the base price at least $100, just as it did with the M1 iPad Pro.

I’m fine with the base 16” starting at $2499 but what about the GPU?I think they will have a binned 24 or 28 core on the base 16” which you can upgrade to 32 cores if you want for $200-$300.What is your opinion on this?

 

[infernoguy]

My guess on the new lineup is:

1. 13 inch M1 MBA with 8/256 at $999
2. 13 inch M1 MBA with 8/512 at $1299
3. 14 inch M1X MBP with 8/256 at $1499
4. 14 inch M1X MBP with 16/512 at $1799
5. 16 inch M1X MBP with 16/512 at $2399
6. 16 inch M1X MPB with 32/1TB at $3499

Notice what's missing? The 13 inch M1 Pro! It will be discontinued. The low end will be the iPad Pro/MBA with M1 and the Pro models will have M1X only. This allows the line to expand year after year with M2/M2X, M3/M3X, etc.

Let me adjust this:

1. Mac Mini M1 with 8/256 at $699
2. Mac Mini M1 with 8/512 at $899
3. 13 inch MacBook Air M1 with 8/256 at $999
4. 13 inch MacBook Air M1 with 8/512 at $1199
5. iMac 24 inch M1 with 8/256 at $1299
6. iMac 24 inch M1 with 8/512 at $1499
7. 14 inch MacBook Pro M1X with 16/512 at $1799
8. iMac 32 inch M1X with 16/512 at $1999
9. 16 inch MacBook Pro M1X with 16/512 at $2499

So I added the desktop series (iMac and mini) and just listed what I think will be the base models for each line.

I think the mini will stay with the M1,M2,M3,etc. and the iMac will spilt like the MacBooks. I still think the 13 inch M1 pro will be discontinued.

 

[patent10021]

Good afternoon everyone. I'm proud to present to you the latest in notebook technology. It's truly cutting-edge. Introducing our new 1080p webcams. They're amazing and I'm sure you're going to love them.

The webcam in the M1 MacBook includes our new C19-S chip ('S' for "shame on you"). This chip includes ground-breaking machine learning technology that uses AR to replace the faces of the unvaccinated with a clown face. That includes those who have naturally recovered even though they have the strongest and longest-lasting immunity. That was Phil Schiller's idea. Can't innovate my ass.

 

[Chiromac81]

Because maybe I'm not a total schmuck when it comes to knowing my professional needs? The nature of my work is pretty black and white when it comes to how much memory it needs. Apple silicon isn't so insanely different that I'm suddenly going to be able to use a project which uses close to 32GB of RAM (I have projects like this) and still have loads of give. I get that it may be more efficiently used on Apple chips, but there comes a point where a limit is a limit, and you can't suddenly magic more and more.

Clearly you don't know what you don't know

 

[azentropy]

Let me adjust this:

1. Mac Mini M1 with 8/256 at $699
2. Mac Mini M1 with 8/512 at $899
3. 13 inch MacBook Air M1 with 8/256 at $999
4. 13 inch MacBook Air M1 with 8/512 at $1199
5. iMac 24 inch M1 with 8/256 at $1299
6. iMac 24 inch M1 with 8/512 at $1499
7. 14 inch MacBook Pro M1X with 16/512 at $1799
8. iMac 32 inch M1X with 16/512 at $1999
9. 16 inch MacBook Pro M1X with 16/512 at $2499

So I added the desktop series (iMac and mini) and just listed what I think will be the base models for each line.

I think the mini will stay with the M1,M2,M3,etc. and the iMac will spilt like the MacBooks. I still think the 13 inch M1 pro will be discontinued.

I still think the 14" will start higher than $1799 (hopefully I'm wrong) and the 16" will start lower than $2499 (hopefully I'm correct). I think it would make sense to discontinue the 13" MBP. What I would like to see is a 15" MBA Form factor in a 8/256 starting at say $1399 or 8/512 at $1499. I think something like that would fill out the product offerings better. That isn't happening next week but still hold hope for the refresh next year.

For example:
1. 13 inch MacBook Air M1 with 8/256 at $999
2. 15 inch MacBook Air M1 with 8/256 at $1399
3. 14 inch MacBook Pro M1X with 16/512 at $1899
4. 16 inch MacBook Pro M1X with 16/512 at $2299

Although I do think when the refresh next year it won't be called the Air anymore, and it won't be the M1 processor.

 

[crsh1976]

ARM Macs are scary in that everything is soldered and nothing is upgradeable, it was before but now they finally went all the way - the only thing keeping them in check is having laws in place making it mandatory for manufacturers to keep parts available for 7 years (in the EU, wish it were a global thing) - forcing Apple & co to make their products more repairable is the way to go.

 

[WinterEmerald]

Clearly you don't know what you don't know

I know that Apple aren't going to be able to magically make up a deficit of 32GB.

Look, Apple are fantastic and it's clear their silicon is proving to be extremely capable with a huge potential for their Pro-angled chips, but people need to understand that there are professionals who have high RAM requirements and know what they need. 32GB is not going to be good enough, so let's hope that's not the limit.

 

[Digitalguy]

Nobody got the drift from the leak "similar pricing"... The 14in price is going to be aligned with the 16in one, and not vice-versa... I already see the outraged comments once Apple announces that the 14in starts at $2399 and the 16in at $2499...
PS funny how people wishful thinking makes them like unrealistically low prices and dislike when the price hurts, I think the price surprise on Monday will be rough for some...

 

[anthony13]

but what about the GPU? could someone explain how those work in this new Apple Silicon world?!

 

[Falhófnir]

I suspect $1899-$1999 for the 14” and $2499 starting price for the 16”, both starting at 16GB/512GB SSD. The mini-LED display is going to increase the base price at least $100, just as it did with the M1 iPad Pro.

That's a big gap for just a 2" screen size increase though, based on other products you'd expect just the larger screen with all else being equal to be a $1-200 upcharge.

 

[ShowsOn]

I know that Apple aren't going to be able to magically make up a deficit of 32GB.

Look, Apple are fantastic and it's clear their silicon is proving to be extremely capable with a huge potential for their Pro-angled chips, but people need to understand that there are professionals who have high RAM requirements and know what they need. 32GB is not going to be good enough, so let's hope that's not the limit.

What are you doing that requires more than 32 GB of RAM? Remember, 32 GB on Apple Silicon is not the same as 32 GB on Intel.

 

[Digitalguy]

That's a big gap for just a 2" screen size increase though, based on other products you'd expect just the larger screen with all else being equal to be a $1-200 upcharge.

exactly, and that's what the leaker is saying, expect this kind of difference in price, with the 16in being at least $2500

 

[Digitalguy]

What are you doing that requires more than 32 GB of RAM? Remember, 32 GB on Apple Silicon is not the same as 32 GB on Intel.

Virtual machines.... Allocating more than 8GB RAM to MacOS and Windows and the same time, for instance

 

[ShowsOn]

Seriously? You think memory bandwidth is the same as the amount of actual data you can store in ram? Same with the guy above, who thinks Apple silicon magically reduces ram storage needs. Ugh, why so much stupidity?

Data can be copied into and out of RAM extremely quickly because it is 8 channel. The way Apple silicon reduces RAM usage isn't "magic", it is based on a completely different memory design compared to Intel. That's why for many tasks 8 GB RAM acts like 16 GB on an intel machine.

 

[ShowsOn]

Virtual machines.... Allocating more than 8GB RAM to MacOS and Windows and the same time, for instance

Great. So buy a 32 GB machine and allocate 16 GB to each.