New MacBook Pro and 13-Inch 'MacBook' Coming Next Week, iMac and Display Not Ready Yet

[palmerc]

I bought it last June. 3-4 months, actually. What I meant was that from the indications of the new MacBooks, they won't be such a huge update that waiting for the new ones would have been a waste of time. Don't need or like the new keyboards. Don't need or like losing MagSafe or all the ports.

Mac laptops are generally solid performers for 5-years. As-in you shouldn't feel bad for using a device that is 5 years old. After that of course, it has tended to fall off because you start not getting new features released in macOS. I'm using a mid-2012 MacBook Pro and the biggest issue has been drive space, although Sierra did a lot to address that and now I can't unlock my laptop with my Apple Watch.
[doublepost=1477231304][/doublepost]

There's nothing wrong with a standard mouse. Trackpads aren't for everyone.

Except that using the mouse means you're missing out on a substantial number of improvements made to the OS and apps generally. You must assume the OS is being designed around the trackpad, not the mouse experience.

 

[TrueBlou]

Here are some very concise thoughts in my very first post as a "brand new newbie" planning to buy my first Apple laptop in the form of the top-spec 15" Retina MacBook Pro with FCPX and Logic Pro.

I'm choosing Apple because I'm persuaded by their reputation for reliability, design, and security.

Like many Apple product purchasers will think, I consider myself to be making a very costly purchase, (especially given my choice of laptop). Perhaps somewhat extravagantly, I am considering further Apple purchases in the form of the lovely looking iPhone 8 and Apple Watch in the next twelve to eighteen months pending how they develop?

But, "the straw that breaks the Camel's Back" for me metaphorically speaking is the lack of any decent DVD Menu Customization within the apps of a machine as lovely as the MacBook Pro. Honestly, with the wonderful options that exist in apps such as FCPX, DVD Menu Customization as it currently exists is more basic than Windows Live Movie Maker, imho!! Yes, I can assure readers I'm well aware of Apple's position on DVDs and well-versed with readers opinions of all kinds from Mac Rumors, but for me this absent detail is very disappointing as different details will be for others.

Will I go ahead and buy the MacBook Pro? Probably! But, I think I will try and "nurse along" my current 5 year old Windows 7 with Intel Core i3 laptop, (which is loosing functions by the week), until the release of AFPS replacing HFS+ in the very exciting new mac OS Sierra. Also, by that stage, any little 1st, Edition "teething problems" that may exist with mac OS Sierra will have been corrected, hopefully. Admittedly, I will be an "early adopter" of AFPS, but will be hoping for the best.

Would any readers more experienced than me like to offer estimates on when we might see AFPS? Q2, Q3, Q4 2017?

Fortunately there's other options you could consider software wise for your DVD menu needs. A quick search will return you dozens of options. Maybe even something like DVD Styler would suit? You can create any menu style you like in that from scratch, or use one of their templates of course.

 

[palmerc]

Fortunately there's other options you could consider software wise for your DVD menu needs. A quick search will return you dozens of options. Maybe even something like DVD Styler would suit? You can create any menu style you like in that from scratch, or use one of their templates of course.

What's a DVD?

 

[TrueBlou]

What's a DVD?

I think it's some sort of shiny thing you put your coffee mug on to keep your desk clean. Something like that anyway I'm sure

 

[AdonisSMU]

I want this. I'm going to have to save more money....

 

[Lachhh]

Ewww. So you've lost screen resolution for a bigger piece of glass... then what? An awkward keyboard and 'mouse' arrangement? No. Seriously, why even buy a mac if you just smear vasoline on the screen when you get it and attach some garbage scroll-wheel mouse. You should save your money and buy a Dell.

Are you trolling? No, seriously. I've been using my MBP with an external monitor since the beginning of time. Now it's a gorgeous UHD monitor, the magic trackpad 2 (which I consider an upgrade from the inbuilt one, because it's bigger) and apple wireless keyboard. Nothing awkward in that. The extra screen real estate is definitely a bonus, especially since I do a lot of work in PS, and every extra inch goes a long way. The keyboard is nicer vs. the inbuilt one for at home, because I can slant it to whatever angle I'm working at, even put it on my lap without the screen moving, too. (Ditto with trackpad).

When I'm away, disconnecting is as simple as pulling one display port plug out of the laptop.

It's a matter of preference, and you sound like a froth-mouthed fanboy. Committing to a vision? I'm buying a computer I want. And if Apple sells those displays... clearly external displays could be considered part of its "Vision". (Not that I give two hoots what apples vision is, as long as the computer suits my needs.)

As for Dell... well, if it ran MacOS and had the sturdy build quality of Mac laptops, I'd consider one, yes.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Perhaps that's the most wise choice. Instead of our expectations, let's look at their actions. And you're right, Apple made it totally clear.

And to be honest, I'm not sure if I disagree with them. The PC industry has been in a rough spot, in multiple ways. First, there's Intel who had so much problems with Skylake, that they changed their complete product release cycle. Then there's the slump in the graphics industry where both nVidia and AMD have a lot of trouble with their architectures on shrinking dies. And that's in an industry that's actually shrinking every year!

I bet 90% of the posters in this topic aren't really restrained (professionally or at home) by the current Macs. They just love new technology.

Basically. If Apple made the iPad Pro work ready as in I could do development and design with it...they wouldn't need the Mac line. They could focus on iOS.

 

[TrueBlou]

Basically. If Apple made the iPad Pro work ready as in I could do development and design with it...they wouldn't need the Mac line. They could focus on iOS.

I'd love a proper, full blown version of Xcode for the iPad Pro, that would make me very happy

 

[cerberusss]

There is no content for a 5k display

Well, isn't the idea of 5K that you get a decent resolution (in points)? 4K resolves to 1920x1080 points. 5K actually resolves to a decent 2460x1440 which is, in my opinion, really the best when using Xcode or something like that.
[doublepost=1477233485][/doublepost]

the desire factor plays a big part, it'll depend on how much they can make me go, "oooohhhhhh I want that"

Maybe we've hit the point where it's like (gas-powered) cars. Where you really only get small improvements like a more modern dashboard while the internals haven't really been changing.

 

[Cougarcat]

Except that using the mouse means you're missing out on a substantial number of improvements made to the OS and apps generally.

I used to think this way, and actually had a standard mouse which I used most of the time, and a trackpad for gestures, but then I realized I just never used the trackpad and it was taking up space on my desk. There's nothing you can't do with good old fashioned keyboard shortcuts.

 

[KPOM]

What happened to the apple that used to work with intel directly to get these things shipped out before any other notebook manufacturer? I believe there's some laptops already shipping or about to ship with Kaby Lake.

That happened once, with the MacBook Air in 2008. That chip overheated and frequently shut down a processor core.

Remember Apple stuck with the Core 2 Duo longer than anyone else because they were dissatisfied with Intel's integrated graphics in the first generation Core i5/i7. And yes, that was Steve Jobs.

Since Sandy Bridge (second generation Core) has released on or after Intel's schedule.
[doublepost=1477233983][/doublepost]

Like heck it is. One of the reasons I took my MacBook back is because I was constantly having to look down at the keyboard to re-center my fingers as it has zero tactile feel to it and is about as comfortable as trying to type on an ipads onscreen keyboard. With such little travel, my joints were sore after a couple pages. It's fine for quick emails or replies, but God help anyone who tries to use that thing to compose business letters or school reports.

The tip is not to "bang" on the keys like a chicklet-style keyboard. Remember the latter also functioned differently from the old-fashioned spring-loaded desktop keyboards of the 1980s-early 2000s.

I wouldn't be surprised if they added just a little bit of key travel to the MacBook Pro since they have a little more room to work with, though.

 

[2ilent8cho]

There is no content for a 5k.

I thought that was the whole point, 5k monitors are not for 5k content, but to edit 4k content in a 1:1 ratio leaving space around the edge for the menus?

 

[KPOM]

Agreed. that will kill the product line for those of use who use a laptop for work. Nobody every complained about too much key travel, but plenty complain about not enough key travel. The problem is the rest of the industry blindly follow Apple and also end up making **** products.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is a variant with slightly more key travel. The iPad Pro keyboard has a similar design but feels like it has more key travel than it really does.

 

[nt5672]

Hey guys - remember the Mac Pro? The Airport and Airport Express? The Cinema/Thunderbolt Display? The Mac Mini? The iPod Touch?

What's so different about Apple today relative to 5+ years ago?

Apple thinks they can rule the world with another 1/2 dozen iPhone styles and a bunch of watch bands. "Computers", that's just so yesterday.

 

[- rob -]

I'm a pretty big mac guy, have been for about a decade now. I've been using a MBA 11" mid-2013 which is a replacement for my MBA 11" 2011 (essentially the same computer).

At my home office I use Apple's somewhat awkward but reasonable form of docking via a magsafe power adapter and thunderbolt cable to Cinema Display. I use both the new magic keyboard and trackpad accessories in that setup and it is pretty good.

Both my mac and the cinema display are wildly out of date with the market and I've been waiting patiently to see if my core work gear will get an update.

These predictions are not very mobilizing to me. I am very interested in the magic touch bar, and it seems obvious to offer a fingerprint scanner on it.

But from a power, display and processing standpoint things do not sound very impressive. This release reminds me of what we saw with iPhone 7 which was an incremental one. (Except with exceptional internal progress anyway!)

I believe the company must have had a few release points in the past two years and decided to skip them. And then Intel hobbled the roadmap with Kaby Lake delays.

But if this is all we're going to see, with yet more delays on a reasonable external display, I think it is fair for folks to be disappointed with Apple's PC line.

It is especially disappointing to see the Mac Mini apparently passed over. I have bought a few of those in the past for various reasons and it is a great computer for someone moving over from the PC world. You can even use your old monitor.

I hope Tim will directly address both the long delay, and provide assurance about the future of each product that is out of date. Further, it would be really great if they have pulled off something in secret and the lineup is actually better than this article describes.

 

[nt5672]

. . . .
If you feel,like taking a selfie with your Mac, then Apple wants you. If you care about taking a computer to the next level, then Apple couldn't care less about you. . . .

You nailed it. "Apple, products that look good in a selfie, for work or professional use, not so much." We need to get the wording down to a slogan and repeat it over and over.

 

[pentrix2]

Can we definitively say, based on the available data, that Apple's product release cycles have slowed down to a crawl relative to five - ten years ago?

You got it all wrong. It's a magical 5-10 years cycle so it's ok. Lol

 

[MaxGravy]

I expect to see some sort of new or upgraded iMac on Thursday. Didn't "hello" refer to the original Mac, and then later the original iMac? That makes me believe "hello again" is referring to a desktop and not just MacBooks.

 

[576316]

The Pencil is a Pro feature, I doubt they are bringing it to the regular iPad line. Maybe they will but it seems unlikely.

Naa, I think they will. Pro doesn't seem to stand for anything. Seems odd to have an update to date iPad not support Pencil.
[doublepost=1477235619][/doublepost]

All I can say it Thank GOD for something interesting. The last keynote was a bad kind of boring

This one sounds pretty boring too. In fact, Apple as a company are boring and stale at this point.

 

[Mac 128]

These predictions are not very mobilizing to me. I am very interested in the magic touch bar or whatever, and it seems obvious to offer a fingerprint scanner on it.

Since they just announced Mac unlocking with the Apple Watch, it seems premature to add a fingerprint reader on the Mac. The fingerprint sensor will likely come next year when the autonomous Apple Watch Series 3 arrives. That gives Apple a year to sell more Apple Watches to customers for use with their Macs, then they can add a fingerprint reader, giving the Mac not only the ability to unlock with a fingerpress, but also the Secure Element for use with Apple Pay, and to set up an manage an Apple Watch without the need for an iPhone, which will help expand the customer base for the watch (the iPad would also be able to set up an Apple Watch at that point too).

 

[Gfive]

Where are the pro apples? I would love to buy a 17" macbook pro, but as well a new imac or mac pro(not the "new" current one while it's not for pros (expandable)
This is a big fail for apple. So my last bought mac is from 2010, sinds than no need to upgrade... before i bought a new mac pro or macbook pro once every 2 years. Now it's 6-7 years ago....

 

[AdonisSMU]

I'd love a proper, full blown version of Xcode for the iPad Pro, that would make me very happy

It's not just XCode but also command line stuff as well.

 

[Stella]

Also the ability to run other developer tools that we require on a daily basis. iPad has a looooong way to go.

My forgetting the ability for real multitasking.

It's not just XCodenbut also command line stuff as well.

 

[thekeyring]

After Tim Cook took over, the Mac has had longer upgrade cycles (e.g. The Mac Pro and Mac mini) so I think he has less passion for the Mac compared to Steve Jobs. I think they are doing a lot less of trying to improve figures on low selling products, except for the ones they have a vision for.

There's a lot of interesting differences between Apple now, and Apple while Steve Jobs was CEO. More informed and intelligent people will probably comment more accurately, however the thing I've noticed most is that Apple now seems more comfortable having things unfold in public.

For example, Apple's ability to use the Beats acquisition to focus' the product line on wireless headphones, advertise the hell out of them, and cause competitors to also release wireless headphones - realising Apple's vision of a wireless future.

It could be my imagination, but it seems like this is how Tim Cook organises things, so it all just comes together, amazingly well. And while most of it is in secret, he's okay with the certain things happening right under the analyst's noses', while they worry about things like peak iPhone.

 

[Mago]

Ming-Chi Kuo is not in China but Taiwan where NDA are indeed enforced. Please do not confuse Taiwan with China.

I don't care on politics, as FYI (educate yourself) Taiwanese are people born in the Republic of China, as people born in Beijing are from People's Republic of China, as Argentinian Mexican Spanish and others are tagged Hispanic, for instance there are Taiwanese Chinese , PRC Chinese , Hong Kong Chinese and so on , most or all of them speak Mandarin, and and actually neither are Chinese since China isn't the actual name they give to their territory, China its an historic error the actual name is Zhōngguó (middle land or middle state as you like), China comes from Portuguese charts and believed to be a Persian word "chin" but not the actual name of the territory we use to name China.

A bit of Wikipedia won't hurt.

I'm pretty sure Mr. Ming it's a proud Chinese (Taiwanese Chinese).

The political situation where Taiwan (ROC) self defines as independent territory (I think their have total right on that) and continental/mainland China (PRC) and other states (mostly due fear to RPC) names it as a Rouge Chinese province, this is nothing I care about as they do what we like they do: great gadgets for us.