New Macbook in 2018?

[Mike Boreham]

That is VERY reassuring. Just getting my MB 12 2017 m3 to replace my MBPro 2015, just for the portability. If I get a pass thru charging hub, I think even the ports will not be an issue [for me].

The extra ports on a passthrough charging hub will not be equivalent in capability to the extra ports on an MBP. Bandwidth and power mean that tasks like connecting two drives to the MBP and transferring data between them is very flaky. And if you use the one USB-C port for a 60hz monitor you are restricted to USB2.

Of course the MacBook is not really aimed at connecting multiple drives.

You can get more capability with the large and more expensive OWC and Caldigit powered hubs.

 

[Dave245]

Final Cut Pro X is absolutely superb on the MacBook 2017 Dave! Heck, I loved using it when I had a 2015 MacBook. Apple simply manage to optimise all of their software beautifully for their Macs Adobe Premiere is not nice on it but then again, many people say that even for the MacBook Pro. I'm not worried as I much prefer FCPX to Premiere anyway - the thought of just 'renting' the software for Adobe is a real turn off for me.

Yea definitely, Final Cut Pro is by far the best video editing software in my opinion I do not want to pay a monthly or yearly fee just to use Adobe software. I think the MacBook would suit my needs, it’s just whether I can use a 12” display when I’m use to using bigger ones, for example my MacBook Pro from 2011 is the 15” my iPad Pro is the 12.9” and my iMac at home is the 27” version for, 2012. I wish Apple would release I larger version of the MacBook in either 13” or maybe a 14” version. I guess I will see as I’m waiting for this years refreshes before finally deciding what to buy.

 

[ofarlig]

Probably late 2018 at the earliest but possibly not until 2019. OTOH, part of the rumours suggest a possible quad MacBook with Thunderbolt sometime later in 2019.

If you want a big performance boost soon, new quad 13” MacBook Pros would fit the bill. As much as I like my 2017 Core m3 MacBook, I wouldn’t recommend upgrading from a 2016 m3 to a 2017 i7. You’d gain perhaps about 25% to 35% performance which is decent but I’m not sure it is worth it given the cost. Consider waiting until next year for a much bigger boost if you really must have the 12” form factor.

Yeah that is what I am worried about. I don't really think the 13" will be too bad but there is a big difference in weight between the 12" and the 13" though. If the 13" MacBook Pro gets the quad core I doubt I can pass that though.

 

[Macalway]

Intel's guidance with the Y-series is so weak, predictions of 2019 are optimistic. Apple will probably beat them there.

And good riddance. Remember When Apple first moved to Intel? What fun that was.
The day Apple announces their own chips? deja vu all over again

note: I remember the hacker community racing to make a Windows emulator after the move to an Intel machine, with a bounty and all (I donated BTW). The drama was there, and it moved very quickly. DAYS after a working hack was finished, Apple announced their own 'Bootcamp'. They were watching the race pretty closely. Funny stuff.

 

[RegularGuy09]

So I've been wondering, just like how the MacBook Air underwent major price drops and changes around 3 years into its life, maybe the same will happen with MacBook. The MacBook Air added ports, reduced price, and improved performance.

So, think about this. The new 2018 12" MacBook(base model). New Intel processors, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 2 usb-c ports. Add in a 720p cam for good measure. All this for $999.

Now will that be a BUY for people who were still on the fence for this device? I think for that price range, and those specs, it can be great entry-level notebook for casual users. What say?

 

[EugW]

So I've been wondering, just like how the MacBook Air underwent major price drops and changes around 3 years into its life, maybe the same will happen with MacBook. The MacBook Air added ports, reduced price, and improved performance.

So, think about this. The new 2018 12" MacBook(base model). New Intel processors, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 2 usb-c ports. Add in a 720p cam for good measure. All this for $999.

Now will that be a BUY for people who were still on the fence for this device? I think for that price range, and those specs, it can be great entry-level notebook for casual users. What say?

Wishful thinking.

BTW, there have been no leaks for new Intel Y series processors any time soon.

 

[adamfozzy]

I am really tempted to by MacBook. My wife has 2015 11 inch MacBook Air (which I really like) and I have been using a Mac mini and iPad for past 6 months but they belong to my work. I had to return the Mac and iPad to work so been using the MacBook Air for my work, including editing short videos in iMovie and Parallels.
I did briefly have the MacBook 2017 last year but returned it because I had the Mac mini and iPad. I am now thinking the MacBook will be the sweetspot. I had 2017 MacBook Pro too but that was a bit heavy and overkill really.
I am waiting to see what Apple does at WWDC. A 13 inch MacBook in the current form factor would be amazing, with better FaceTime camera but very wishful thinking. If not that then a price drop on the current model would be good.

 

[RegularGuy09]

Whats the wishful thinking part? Asking for a 720p cam is not outrageous, nor is the $100 drop in price. Havent the MacBook sales not been too amazing? I think dropping the price a bit to make it more accessible, can go a long way. Also adding another port would be a godsend.

Why havent newer processors not been released though? So what processors do you see them using in the next gen, and what changes do YOU think are likely?

 

[EugW]

Whats the wishful thinking part? Asking for a 720p cam is not outrageous, nor is the $100 drop in price. Havent the MacBook sales not been too amazing? I think dropping the price a bit to make it more accessible, can go a long way. Also adding another port would be a godsend.

Why havent newer processors not been released though? So what processors do you see them using in the next gen, and what changes do YOU think are likely?

You’re asking for 4 different things simultaneously including new chips in a period where none have had any rumour leaks.

What do I think is likely? No new 12” MacBook at all in the next few months.

 

[RegularGuy09]

New processors always happen with a upgrade. Although the added port is wishful thinking I agree, the price drop and new webcam are not too outrageous.

Also I'm hoping for a MacBook update this summer. Goes in line with how its been updated yearly.

 

[adamfozzy]

Whats the wishful thinking part? Asking for a 720p cam is not outrageous, nor is the $100 drop in price. Havent the MacBook sales not been too amazing? I think dropping the price a bit to make it more accessible, can go a long way. Also adding another port would be a godsend.

Why havent newer processors not been released though? So what processors do you see them using in the next gen, and what changes do YOU think are likely?

Yes, I meant the 13 inch screen in same form factor is wishful thinking. Not the better FaceTime camera.

 

[iPlodder]

Based on the announcement from Intel on what coming, or more importantly for the MacBook what isn't, in the near future along with the rumour of Apple using their own chips in Macs, the current MacBook/MacBook Air range may not receive an update. OK, maybe a minor spec bump for the Air.

I can see Apple releasing a new MacBook powered by an A-Series chip next year or the year after which would replace both the rMB and the Air, maybe using the 10.5" and 12.9" iPad Pro screens.

Think of a touch screen convertible MacBook which could display your apps in a windowed macOS format in laptop mode and switch them to full screen iOS style apps when it's folded into a tablet.

 

[kokako]

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a Macbook Intel Core 7 1,4GHz 512 / 16 GB Ram
Its good moment to do it or its possible that Apple comes with a new one in 2018?
Thanks in deed and best regards from Spain!

Cool machine, the MacBook 12” is great. Is that what you meant? Or the Pro?

Re: 12” There will be a new one shortly but it’ll be the same design better internal specs and the USBC port will be a single thunderbolt3 port so backwards compatible with USBC, if you can wait until after WWDC might be worth it.

 

[EugW]

Cool machine, the MacBook 12” is great. Is that what you meant? Or the Pro?

Re: 12” There will be a new one shortly but it’ll be the same design better internal specs and the USBC port will be a single thunderbolt3 port so backwards compatible with USBC, if you can wait until after WWDC might be worth it.

No guarantee the 12" will get updated at WWDC.

But if you can wait, then wait.

 

[ksec]

The MacBook is way more portable.

Because when I think of ULTRA portability, i tends to go with iPad Pro. ( I even think iPad Pro could be a little thinner )
May judging from the response it seems people are happy with those trade off. And that is fine.

I think the only Macbook update this year will be price reduction. Assuming Intel missed their product update and Apple is hard press about some discount to compensate. Likely the same spec for $1099.

And someone bet his life on 14" Macbook in WWDC.

 

[EugW]

Because when I think of ULTRA portability, i tends to go with iPad Pro. ( I even think iPad Pro could be a little thinner )
May judging from the response it seems people are happy with those trade off. And that is fine.

Thing is, the iPad Pro is arguably less portable, or else less effective as a portable for content creation.

In order for an iPad to begin to be effective, an external keyboard is necessary, so for say a 12.9” iPad Pro it’s actually heavier than a 12” MacBook and less convenient. But even with a keyboard, it’s a pain and much less effective than a proper laptop. The interface just doesn’t cut it.

For a lot of users like me, the trade off from an iPad Pro means it just doesn’t count. It’s a tablet with a limited OS, not an ultraportable laptop with a full fledged OS. That may change in the future but we’re not there yet.

BTW, I have a ThinkOutside Bluetooth foldable fullwidth keyboard, one of the best rated full sized keyboards out there. All that does is make typing text like for email and surfing macrumors forums easier, but for real work the lack of a trackpad or mouse along with many other drawbacks is still a deal killer.

I have said many times that for a lot of users, the CPU performance on iPads is no longer a limitation. iPads are fast enough now for a lot of work. Unfortunately the interface remains a huge limitation, so much so that it’s basically unusable in many scenarios.

 

[apiro]

There is always a wildcard that Apple offers 12" or 13" Macbook with enough passive cooling to use TDP-downed 15W Intel CPU. Look at Microsoft Surface Pro - they've managed to make 15W passively cooled and barely throttle.

Quite unlikely though.

 

[adamfozzy]

Thing is, the iPad Pro is arguably less portable, or else less effective as a portable for content creation.

In order for an iPad to begin to be effective, an external keyboard is necessary, so for say a 12.9” iPad Pro it’s actually heavier than a 12” MacBook and less convenient. But even with a keyboard, it’s a pain and much less effective than a proper laptop. The interface just doesn’t cut it.

For a lot of users like me, the trade off from an iPad Pro means it just doesn’t count. It’s a tablet with a limited OS, not an ultraportable laptop with a full fledged OS. That may change in the future but we’re not there yet.

BTW, I have a ThinkOutside Bluetooth foldable fullwidth keyboard, one of the best rated full sized keyboards out there. All that does is make typing text like for email and surfing macrumors forums easier, but for real work the lack of a trackpad or mouse along with many other drawbacks is still a deal killer.

I have said many times that for a lot of users, the CPU performance on iPads is no longer a limitation. iPads are fast enough now for a lot of work. Unfortunately the interface remains a huge limitation, so much so that it’s basically unusable in many scenarios.

Agreed. I used iPad for my primary device for a few years but now I’m doing more web editing and video creation the trackpad is a must.
I didn’t like the iPad’s Smart Keyboard when I tried it. On lap the iPad just keeps falling over because it’s unsteady plus you have to keep reaching up to screen. I could understand it at a desk for writing longer emails/documents but it wasn’t for me.
Whenever I’m looking to change devices, I make list of which does the tasks I do better. When I made a list between iPad and MacBook, the MacBook came out on top.

 

[Dave245]

Thing is, the iPad Pro is arguably less portable, or else less effective as a portable for content creation.

In order for an iPad to begin to be effective, an external keyboard is necessary, so for say a 12.9” iPad Pro it’s actually heavier than a 12” MacBook and less convenient. But even with a keyboard, it’s a pain and much less effective than a proper laptop. The interface just doesn’t cut it.

For a lot of users like me, the trade off from an iPad Pro means it just doesn’t count. It’s a tablet with a limited OS, not an ultraportable laptop with a full fledged OS. That may change in the future but we’re not there yet.

BTW, I have a ThinkOutside Bluetooth foldable fullwidth keyboard, one of the best rated full sized keyboards out there. All that does is make typing text like for email and surfing macrumors forums easier, but for real work the lack of a trackpad or mouse along with many other drawbacks is still a deal killer.

I have said many times that for a lot of users, the CPU performance on iPads is no longer a limitation. iPads are fast enough now for a lot of work. Unfortunately the interface remains a huge limitation, so much so that it’s basically unusable in many scenarios.

I think the iPad Pro is better when used alongside a Mac, for example using the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro for taking notes and now being able to draw on Pages documents (that feature is still in beta) is great, but when i want to type up a document, edit some footage or play a game (only light games like the Sims or Prison architect) i head straight for my Mac. I prefer to own both devices and have them as a separate thing rather than what Microsoft have done and merged a tablet with a desktop to create the very annoying to use Surface range.

Also i do love to use a Mac in my opinion MacOS is the best out there, the same with IOS which is why i stick with Apple for my laptops, desktops (iMac's) phones and just about everything else.

 

[RegularGuy09]

I think the MacBook is very close to replacing the Air(and already has for some people) as the go "all-around best laptop". Drop the price a bit and a few minor upgrades(camera, newer cpu/gpu), and it will be a formidable machine.

How many of you guys are using the MacBook 12" as your daily/primary machine?

 

[c0ppo]

How many of you guys are using the MacBook 12" as your daily/primary machine?

For 2 months I've used 2016 m5 version. Unity3D for mobile games, corona sdk, visual studio and xcode.
Worked like a charm. Only problems where when importing larger projects. But that was to be expected.

Now I use iMP for those kind of tasks, MB for light tasks, and Lenovo p51 when traveling and working.
But MB imho can be used as primary machine if someones workload isn't that demanding.

 

[EugW]

Agreed. I used iPad for my primary device for a few years but now I’m doing more web editing and video creation the trackpad is a must.
I didn’t like the iPad’s Smart Keyboard when I tried it. On lap the iPad just keeps falling over because it’s unsteady plus you have to keep reaching up to screen. I could understand it at a desk for writing longer emails/documents but it wasn’t for me.
Whenever I’m looking to change devices, I make list of which does the tasks I do better. When I made a list between iPad and MacBook, the MacBook came out on top.

I have both. The iPad is for media consumption and surfing. It’s sufficient for weekend trips for fun. I also bring it to work for lunch breaks etc. For work trips or work meetings I bring my MacBook.

I think the MacBook is very close to replacing the Air(and already has for some people) as the go "all-around best laptop". Drop the price a bit and a few minor upgrades(camera, newer cpu/gpu), and it will be a formidable machine.

How many of you guys are using the MacBook 12" as your daily/primary machine?

I personally would not be happy with my MacBook as a primary machine. But then again I prefer desktops as my primary machines. My primary machine is a 2017 Core i5 dual 27” iMac. My primary Windows machine is an AMD hex-core Phenom 1055T with 24” 1920x1200 screen.

I could probably replace my Windows desktop with a MacBook but I’d want an external mouse, screen, and keyboard and I always like to have a Windows machine around anyway.

I couldn’t replace my iMac with a MacBook though for both performance reasons and because of the dearth of ports on the MacBook.

If I had to use a Mac laptop as a primary machine, I’d personally buy a MacBook Pro.

 

[RegularGuy09]

If I had to use a Mac laptop as a primary machine, I’d personally buy a MacBook Pro.

For the increased processing/GPU power and the ports?

 

[EugW]

For the increased processing/GPU power and the ports?

Yes, and storage.

 

[Macalway]

I suppose the could update the MacBook with a few minor improvements this year if it comes down to it. Nothing I can afford to act on.

At least the coffee smells good