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New Entry-Level Mac Notebook Expected to Adopt Retina Display, Likely Launch at WWDC in June
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Totally agree with this. They need to get the price down.
I'm expecting the following:
MacBook Air - minor spec bump and price reduced to $799-$899 range. No changes to the design, and it retains the non-Retina display. The major draw is that its the cheapest way to get into a Mac laptop.
MacBook - No changes to the design for a 12" model, but I think a new SKU (Core M3 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage) drops the price from $1299 to $999 . This becomes the cheapest way to get a Retina display in a Mac laptop. The rest of the 12" model lineup stays the same, but there's a newer 13" Retina model lineup which provides a 2nd USB-C port and better battery life. As someone mentioned previously, the MacBook line will feature dual-core processors and Intel-integrated graphics. This becomes the closest thing to the Retina MacBook Air.
MacBook Pro - Probably no changes to the 13" and 15" design and SKU's across the board, but I would expect newer quad-core processors and better AMD graphics (along with Thunderbolt 3) that differentiate the Pro line from the MacBook. I personally would like to see AMD graphics on the 13" Touch Bar model, and they add an SD card slot and FaceID throughout, but it probably won't happen.
What component(s) in the Macbook dropped $200-300 dollars to support a $300 price drop?
Intel is having a firesale on 10nm Y class CPUs because they can't find any other buyers? Apple can squeeze some out of them, but not sure it is going to be in the $100 range.
The monitor also dropped in price? I guess it has been 3 years since they started making these screens. So should have past the novel stage. Can see maybe $50-60
Perhaps, I think only if Apple had stuffed extra bonus margin in them that they are letting go of. An "one and only one" port tax.
I"m not sure though that if lower the price most folks are going to be happy with the 1 port sacrifice.
There is no room inside the MBP 13" for a discrete GPU and its associated VRAM. Even packed in as a Vega + HBM2 add on to a multichip module package it would be a tight fit if it fit at all. It would expect Apple to press a T2 controller onto the board before that.[/QUOTE]
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Not confusing at all its just the current grossly inhibited MacBook makes no sense. Release a 13" Retina MacBook Air and the 12" MacBook would become irrelevant.Confusing product line.
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I'm not sure non-pro users evaluate internals for Apple computers. Its not like Apple goes out of their way to advertise whats inside their boxes.
My parents are still quite happily browsing the internet and using iWork on a 2009 iMac running High Sierra. When it comes time for them to finally upgrade, what stat on internals are going to sway them from one model to another?
I'm pretty sure Apple would love to kill the Air (and has wanted to for years), but there isn't a way to do so yet without them losing money.
The MBA is probably Apple’s biggest selling laptop, due to its being the least expensive model. If they want to go downmarket to increase market share with a $849(?) laptop, the current Air with a refreshed CPU would be the most cost effective way of accomplishing that. Adding a Retina display to the Air makes no sense. If the body does change, I could see MagSafe going away and it (and the TB2 port) becoming TB3 ports. Maybe the SDXC slot goes as well.
If Apple wants a $999 13” model with a Retina display, they don’t need a new Air; they already have the non-Touch Bar MBP. How could a new 13” Retina Air model have a lower BOM than the non-TB MBP?
But could Apple really cut $300 from the cheapest 13” MBP’s $1,299 price? Not without a hit to gross margin. So if they can’t make $999 work, the current Air has to remain in the lineup. I think the best case scenario, if Apple has indeed decided to reduce prices at their low end, is a refreshed Air at $849 and a 13” non-TB MBP starting at $1149.
I’d like to see the rMB with a larger display, either update the 12” to 13”, or double down by keeping the 12” (with a price drop to $1,149 or so) and adding a 14” model. I definitely think there’s room in Apple’s lineup for a 5W CPU laptop. But maybe not two, so no 14” after all?
Re: MBP, quad core 28W CPU options on the 13” TB and a hexacore option for the 15” are obvious upgrades. The 15” could very well use the 65W versions of the Intel G-series CPU/dGPU for the quad core models, but so far there are no hexacore CPUs in the G series, so the hexacores would have to continue using a traditional discrete GPU.
On at least the 15”, I’d like to see Apple add back the hard row of esc/F-Keys, while keeping the Touch Bar. It would also be nice if the 13”/15” were upgraded to 14”/16” (in a barely larger footprint if necessary). Along with FaceID replacing TouchID, a new MBP platform isn’t likely this year.
If Apple wants a $999 13” model with a Retina display, they don’t need a new Air; they already have the non-Touch Bar MBP. How could a new 13” Retina Air model have a lower BOM than the non-TB MBP?
But could Apple really cut $300 from the cheapest 13” MBP’s $1,299 price? Not without a hit to gross margin. So if they can’t make $999 work, the current Air has to remain in the lineup. I think the best case scenario, if Apple has indeed decided to reduce prices at their low end, is a refreshed Air at $849 and a 13” non-TB MBP starting at $1149.
I’d like to see the rMB with a larger display, either update the 12” to 13”, or double down by keeping the 12” (with a price drop to $1,149 or so) and adding a 14” model. I definitely think there’s room in Apple’s lineup for a 5W CPU laptop. But maybe not two, so no 14” after all?
Re: MBP, quad core 28W CPU options on the 13” TB and a hexacore option for the 15” are obvious upgrades. The 15” could very well use the 65W versions of the Intel G-series CPU/dGPU for the quad core models, but so far there are no hexacore CPUs in the G series, so the hexacores would have to continue using a traditional discrete GPU.
On at least the 15”, I’d like to see Apple add back the hard row of esc/F-Keys, while keeping the Touch Bar. It would also be nice if the 13”/15” were upgraded to 14”/16” (in a barely larger footprint if necessary). Along with FaceID replacing TouchID, a new MBP platform isn’t likely this year.
I’ve wanted a 13” MacBook since its inception in 2015. Idk why they couldn’t have introduced it alongside the 12” and simply replacing the Air with a 12” and 13” MacBook.
Why is everyone fixating on a Retina display? Isn’t there something between current MBA screen and full retina? (Mb12). Perhaps 1080? That way the entry level has an older design and something less than retina with legacy ports and keyboards, the ultraportable (mb) has a retina (12 and perhaps add a 14) with just one port and then the MacBook Pro stays at 13 and 15 (or if it doesn’t involve a chassis change bump them up to 14 and 16)
That makes sense from a product Strategy. Not so much for naming. The ultraportable should have the AIR moniker and the entry level called MB. Switch the names around between current MBA and retina MB and it’s sorted.
That makes sense from a product Strategy. Not so much for naming. The ultraportable should have the AIR moniker and the entry level called MB. Switch the names around between current MBA and retina MB and it’s sorted.
My thinking exactly...especially your last comment on having a 12" and a 14" macbook.
A 14" retina macbook (air) would have me racing to an Apple Store to buy.
I think if they were to go to a 14" macbook (air) they would have to move the macbook pro lineup to 14"/16" respectively as well. I've said this before that Apple could probably fit larger screens in the same footprint if they shrank the bezels especially the bezels on the side.
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I agree that the screens need to go larger but I think a bezel-less 16" retina with the same footprint as the 15" macbook pro would be optimal.
Because people have been asking for a retina display in the MacBook Air for a long time, the MacBook Air is very popular a lot of people would run out in droves to Apple stores if they updated the MacBook Air with a retina display.
Personally i would love them to put a retina display in the Air OR even make a bigger 13.3" or 14" MacBook, the 12" isn't big enough for some people. The new reports that are coming out are saying just that.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...macbook-with-retina-display-in-q2-report-says
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/cheaper-new-macbook-coming-june-report
People have been asking for it sure. Doesn’t mean they get it. A retina MBA has too much overlap with the MB and MBP. That’s why I think we’ll aee a screen upgrade but maybe not full proper retina (whatever the term is) something like 1080 lower quality may work. Is 1080 lower than retina? That would be enough for a so called budget laptop and it saves retina for the ultraportable (mb 12 perhaps add a 14) and the MBP at 13 and 15. I don’t expect a chassis change on the MBP but as part of the transition maybe next year we are a 14 and 16 MBP in the same body.
That does clean up the line.
MBA ... budget, students. Legacy ports and keyboard. Same chassis just a better screen than now (its atrocious) but not as good as retina.
Ultraportable (can justify the extra cash) with retina at 12 and 14
And then the MBP at 14 and 16
Clear upgrade path from budget to either ultraportable or power , whatever you need.
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Just saw your links. Perhaps that works too. Keep the air as it is with a huge price drop to get the entry level. Have a cheaper MB12 as an aspirational model. Perhaps a larger size MB too with the same thickness and body style. Then the pros.
Who knows. I pay attention to the rumors and specs not the names. Supply chain is notorious for messing up the names. Remember the iPhone “math”? Ended up being the 6 + which is suppose could be called math if you’re not a native English speaker.
That's where i think some of these reports are getting confused, some are saying MacBook Air update while others are saying MacBook update, personally i would be happy with a 13.3" or 14" MacBook as i think the 12" is a little small especially considering my iPad Pro 12.9" has a bigger screen. I also wouldn't complain if they put a retina screen in the MacBook Air.
The rumoured screen is as quoted from the reports:
"The source claims that LG Display has been tasked with making more panels with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution – aka Retina Displays."
https://www.t3.com/news/first-ever-...na-display-leaks-alongside-affordable-macbook
I don't see Apple continuing to produce any non-retina MacBooks. The parts are not expensive these days. After all, there haven't been non-retina iPhones or iPads for many years, even on the cheapest models.
The polycarbonate MacBook was discontinued once the MacBook Air was established. That had probably always been their plan.
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But why is the MacBook Air popular? Only because it is cheaper. The form factor is bigger and clunkier than the 13" MBP these days, and the weight is virtually the same. I went from an MBA to a 13" MBP and it was a huge upgrade - I sure don't miss those giant bezels!
People like the MacBook Air not just because it's cheaper but for many other reasons, the form factor and so on. Putting a retina display in the screen would be popular and sales would increase.
I agree, i really like the design of the MacBook Air and the MacBook 12" i just wish they made a larger 13" or 14" version of the MacBook. I would say that the design of the MacBook Pro is great as well.
Exactly, while people complain about the complex or illogical lineup, Apple can only do what is possible given the limitation impose by Intel. For a 50% margin, you are looking at taking off $150 BOM cost from the cheapest MBP, this is a tall order.
No matter how you spin it, I find it hard to calculate where cuts are being made without Apple losing its margin. Especially at the bottom end.
It is one thing to argue you want $899 Macbook and get rid of MBA, it is another thing to look at reality and deem this is not possible.
I know people who have purchased the MBA over the MB and the reasons are several. Yes, one reason is price, but the most important factor has been ports, specifically inclusion of USB type A ports. USB-A is still ubiquitous and is not going away any time soon. Other reasons include IO--keyboard and trackpad (many don't like the oversized trackpad on the newer MB/MBPs)--and dislike of the TouchBar, but ports followed by price have been the deciding factors for people whom I know.
Apple products are so over priced that they can make a pretty steep cut and still make a nice profit. It's not like their margins are razor thin. Matter of fact...their margins are pretty fat.
I guess that Apple makes at least $2 for every $1 spent. So a $1299 macbook has $650 of profit in it. If Apple were to drop the price on the macbook by $350 that would bring the price to under $1000 and Apple is still clearing a hefty profit.
The 15'' MBP is a really bad compromise. If it was meant to be light, it failed (about twice the weight of a 15inch LG Gram). If it wanted to be powerful, it failed too (little RAM, not a decent GPU).
The problem with the MacBook line is not that they have "too many models".
At least 4 MacBooks would fit nicely:
1- Very light 13 inch MB (below 1 kg)
2- Very light 15 inch MB (at 1.2 kg)
3- Powerful 15 inch MBP (at 2 kg)
4- Even more powerful 17inch MBP (below 3 kg)
No confusion with such 4 models... every customer would know what to buy.
However, the current line is really confusing... it's hard to really know what each model is meant for.