New MacBook Pro Nears Mass Production, But Four Bigger Upgrades Expected Next Year

[satchmo]

You ask "why are people so adverse to having options?" and the answer is that options cost money and require engineering compromises. Some options require shifts in engineering direction, sub-optimizing other things. And always adding cost. Designers cannot do everything at once.

That is not to say that your wishes are not appropriate, because they are for some users. Personally I do not want to mark up on a laptop display unless it was to convert to full tablet mode (e.g. Wacom), which would be a major shift in engineering direction, sub-optimizing other things.

As of today IMO Apple is better pursuing concurrent iPad/iPhone usage for markup. My personal wish is for iPhone Pros to support Pencil markup and to operate real-time concurrent with Macs.

As far as not wanting to mark up on a laptop, nor do I. Which is why I referred to a 2-in-1 type laptop that effectively turns it into a tablet.

Naturally, any change incurs costs from R&D to tooling and even marketing. But with every product cycle, it's inevitable that Apple will have to spend money to move the needle, and innovate to compete. And frankly, adding touch to a laptop isn't ground breaking stuff in 2025.

 

[jlc1978]

My cellular iPad Pro saw tons of use outside independently I will always get the cellular version no matter what. So, if MacBook Pro in the future also have cellular connection it would be incredible.

I agree it would be a nice option, but I tink how people tend to use an iPad vs Mac factors into the usefulness. I suspect people are more often at locations with wifi with a Mac than necessarily with an iPad, just like with a phone. But, it's all about use case.

I may not use it, but I welcome the idea to have it depending on how much money Apple decides to charge.

Based on the iPad Pro pricing I'd guess - 200 - 300+ Euros depending on how they price.

It’s less the touch in the UI, but rather the ability to use with an Apple Pencil for marking up PDF’s. Additionally I sketch out comps and ideas and send them to clients and team members. I’d much rather have a full MacOS and do without extra devices (iPad/Magic Keyboard).

Personally, I'd rather they ad a high resolution pencil capability to the touch pad so it could function like a Wacom tablet. I've used an iPad connected to my Mac like that and the ergonomics are much nicer.

Essentially a Lenovo Yoga 2 in 1 but running MacOS. So the question remains, why are people so adverse to having options?

Not so much adverse, in my case, just don't see such a device as a viable product rather than a very niche, and hence expensive, one. Alternatively, raising the price for features must will not use and/or compromising the design (not removable, for example) so that it really doesn't function well for users who want to use it like an iPad.

edit: typos

 

[wyliej]

And I lived through using swappable MBP batteries; no thank you. Today's built-in batteries that easily last a work day are far superior.

The problem is that every rechargeable battery either has failed or will eventually fail. A battery that isn't easily user-replaceable is effectively a time-bomb.

 

[jlc1978]

The problem is that every rechargeable battery either has failed or will eventually fail. A battery that isn't easily user-replaceable is effectively a time-bomb.

I suspect most users replace their device before the battery becomes so bad the device is useless.

 

[Runaway Train]

Just changed the battery in mine and it's still humming a long nicely! Photo editing, a bit of fusion, I'm surprised at how well it's still doing!

Yes, same. However the rub is the loss of features. I write Notes on mi M4 iPad and they are not readable. The OS versioning is frozen at Ventura - last stop on the train. In a sense, Apple builds in obsolescence via Software. Otherwise, yeah it runs fine except for media production tasks where it does really show it’s age.

 

[Shirasaki]

I suspect most users replace their device before the battery becomes so bad the device is useless.

May be true in the past, not so much now, with cost of literally everything ballooning and ever increasing medical bills. Device replacement is still a hefty cost that most don’t want to spend. Besides, why making expensive devices disposable anyways? Oh maybe Apple wants people to shell out $10k every year for the latest and greatest MacBook.

 

[Shirasaki]

Read up on Apple's Unified Memory Architecture, look at the relative performance of MBPs, and realize why upgradable RAM is a bad idea.

And I lived through using swappable MBP batteries; no thank you. Today's built-in batteries that easily last a work day are far superior.

Far superior for Apple, bad for customers, but most have accepted it unfortunately.
With that being said, battery being replaceable in more of a traditional manner (battery pack, mechanisms to lock it) isn’t the favoured option anymore. Battery being replaceable with tools and easy instructions even if it involves opening the device is ok. Gluing battery to expensive device, thus making it impossible to replace, is terrible. Only Apple (and shareholders) is happy if they get to force user to replace their $8k MacBook Pro every year.

 

[bigglow]

Macs (oldest to newest)

- May 2024 Mac Pro
- Oct 2024 iMac 24" 4.5K
- Oct 2024 Mac mini
- Oct 2024 MBP 16" & 14"
- Mar 2025 MBA 15" & 13"
- Mar 2025 Mac Studio

 

[jlc1978]

May be true in the past, not so much now, with cost of literally everything ballooning and ever increasing medical bills. Device replacement is still a hefty cost that most don’t want to spend. Besides, why making expensive devices disposable anyways? Oh maybe Apple wants people to shell out $10k every year for the latest and greatest MacBook.

Just to be sure we’re on the same page, I consider a user replaceable battery to be like the old unibodies, a separate part removable without disassembly of the device to access the battery.

Considering a non AppleCare battery replacement is $249, replacement after a number of years is not that expensive. I suspect if Apple had replaceable batteries like I described they’d likely cost close to that anyway. Just don’t glue it in Apple so if a user wanted to DIY it’s easier.

 

[Padaung]

If Apple ever do a touch screen, I hope they make a touch and non touch version and charge more for the touch function. Then we will see how many are actually willing to pay for the interaction.

Yes, I totally agree that a touchscreen on a laptop isn't for everyone. And I suspect that for many who would like a touchscreen on their laptop, it isn't necessarily an essential item (for some people it would be I imagine).

Windows laptop manufacturers often charge extra for a touchscreen, typically £20-50 as far as I remember, and speaking personally i feel that price range is fair/reasonable.

Some manufacturers couple the touchscreen with a frustrating compulsory spec bump which pushes the price up by a much higher amount (by £100-200, sometimes more). If this rumour does become reality, then I hope Apple doesn't pursue this route for upselling their hardware. A simple single extra charge for the touchscreen is definitely preferable (imo), as long as the cost isn't prohibitively expensive!

 

[TechAndOSWorld]

It could be called the MacStation Pro, StudioBook Pro, whatever.

PowerBook

also, to give you my two cents on the Touchscreen MacBook: I've never owned any touchscreen laptops/2in1s, but my relatives have. And I never see them use the touchscreens either. But at least, since the screens were meant to be touched, they don't smudge as easily as MacBooks (I swear those form fingerprints on displays on their own).

 

[Shirasaki]

Just to be sure we’re on the same page, I consider a user replaceable battery to be like the old unibodies, a separate part removable without disassembly of the device to access the battery.

Considering a non AppleCare battery replacement is $249, replacement after a number of years is not that expensive. I suspect if Apple had replaceable batteries like I described they’d likely cost close to that anyway. Just don’t glue it in Apple so if a user wanted to DIY it’s easier.

Yes, the user replaceable battery I am talking about is the one you described: a separate part removable without disassembly of the device.

As long as battery can be replaced with a certain level of skill, I still consider it somewhat user removable. It just needs tools to make it happen. I don’t want to see the battery being glued to devices so much that once it is gone, the only way to replace the battery is replacing the entire device. AirPods come into mind but that one is special, not a laptop or a smartphone or a tablet. AirPods also don’t cost $2k either.

 

[jlc1978]

Yes, the user replaceable battery I am talking about is the one you described: a separate part removable without disassembly of the device.

Despite the statement often made on MR that it's a conspiracy on Apple's part to sell more machines, I think there is a valid technical reason for not doing that. Apple's design allows the battery to be configured in sections around the case, rather than requiring a single portion. This allow better use of space in the design and smaller devices.

 

[wyliej]

Despite the statement often made on MR that it's a conspiracy on Apple's part to sell more machines, I think there is a valid technical reason for not doing that. Apple's design allows the battery to be configured in sections around the case, rather than requiring a single portion. This allow better use of space in the design and smaller devices.

And that is fine for the segment of the population that demands the absolutely smallest device possible, at all costs.

For the rest of us, who are willing to accept a slightly larger device in exchange for practical reasons (swappable batteries permit longer off-grid use), easier repairability and a lower cost of ownership, there should be options.

 

[The Game 161]

just makes sense why they would release a M5 macbook pro then an OLED macbook pro in same year. if they do this might as well release end of this year then october next year

 

[okkibs]

As long as battery can be replaced with a certain level of skill, I still consider it somewhat user removable. It just needs tools to make it happen. I don’t want to see the battery being glued to devices so much that once it is gone, the only way to replace the battery is replacing the entire device.

Apple has switched from strong glue to screwing the battery in place ever since introducing the 14" and 16" MBPs with M1 Pro and M1 Max. By your definition you can replace it yourself. There is some adhesive but you can see in ifixit teardowns it's very simple to get the battery out. The main issue is that nobody hands you a brand new original Apple replacement battery for less money than what it costs to pay Apple to do it the replacement.

If you merely want to replace a defective battery with a cheap third party battery that you source yourself then you can already do that. But this isn't something that is user friendly and a third party battery has the risk of lower capacity and higher failure rates. Often these batteries were intended to be original Apple parts but ended up being rejected for not performing at Apple spec.

 

[whatnot]

it will be so thin, that with liquid a$$™ transparency turned on to 100%, you'll see right through your touchscreen.

 

[jlc1978]

And that is fine for the segment of the population that demands the absolutely smallest device possible, at all costs.

For the rest of us, who are willing to accept a slightly larger device in exchange for practical reasons (swappable batteries permit longer off-grid use), easier repairability and a lower cost of ownership, there should be options.

Options are fine, if there is a large enough market for the option. I suspect the segment of the market wanting what you describe:

• is very small and thus does not warrant the costs to produce such a device,
• and if they did would only take sales from existing products so it wouldn't even expand Apple's marketshare

It simply makes no economic sense to make such a machine; just because there would be some customers for a product doesn't mean you should make it.

 

[shapesinaframe]

I'm still using a MacBook Pro from 2018 (with Touch Bar). The keyboard and the battery are barely hanging on anymore. I could wait until January 2026 at the most, but not March 2026. I had hoped the M5 MBPs would come by November. Not sure what to do anymore. Buy a 2024 MBP M4 Pro which is already 1 year old, or wait for the 2026 MBP M5 Pro... Hm...

I’m surprised you want another MBP at all. My 2019 MBP has been the worst experience ever. My 2017 12” MB was a far better product, wish I never sold it and got the 2019 trashbook pro.

 

[The Game 161]

certainly waiting for OLED macbook pro

 

[okkibs]

My 2019 MBP has been the worst experience ever.

I am going to bet it's a 16" Intel. These are known to be one of the worst Macbooks, from overheating issues and kernel panics and SSD failures to Apple dropping all actual support not fixing issues and each macOS version creating more issues.

The good news is that ever since the new 16" M1 Macbook Pros all of these issues have been fixed. Almost 4 years down the road these 2021 16" Macbooks are still working flawlessly and no major issues were ever reported. I too have a 14" version from 2021 and it hasn't had a single kernel panic in 4 years. The M2, M3, and the M4 versions are almost the same Macbooks with a newer chip generation so they should remain as solid as the first gen.

You couldn't have known about these problems back in 2019 but as an owner of a 2020 Intel Macbook as well as said 2021 M1 Macbook I can tell you with certainty that these Apple Silicon Macbook Pros are just about the best workstation laptops on the market. Most important, they are reliable and do not ever crash - mine's still on Sequoia but even with the uglier Tahoe liquid glass UI these Macbooks are still better than any comparable Windows 11 laptop.

 

[shapesinaframe]

I am going to bet it's a 16" Intel. These are known to be one of the worst Macbooks, from overheating issues and kernel panics and SSD failures to Apple dropping all actual support not fixing issues and each macOS version creating more issues.

13” i5 with 16GB & 1TB.

Gets stupid hot at the slightest hint of having to do anything (turned off turbo boost to minimise that).

Keyboard keys wear out quickly and high use ones have been replaced multiple times.

Battery lasts less than 4 hours (a few years ago I started charge limiting it to 70% to preserve lifespan).

Rubber sealant around screen is coming off.

Replaced it with an m1 Mac mini in 2021. So after just two years it got relegated to couch duty and is permanently plugged in. If it ever gets unplugged it will be dead within 24 hours.

It’s such a piece of **** product, especially considering how much it cost and how little it delivered.

 

[okkibs]

Interesting, I had a 2020 13” Intel and the Intel chip is drawing too much power for the small chassis and it does overheat. I did occasionally use that app to disable turboboost as well. The whole issue is the Intel chip and small chassis with insufficient cooling. Bad battery life is a given. Didn’t ever have any issues with the keycaps or the rubber on the screen but I guess that can happen. Anyways, those 13” Intel Macbooks with 4 cores were the fastest 13” Macbooks that existed until the 13” M1 Macbook Air came out in 2020.

If you look at other 13” Intel laptops from around 2019 you’ll see they all got bad battery life and if they got more power then the fans are probably going crazy.

Since you already got a M1 Mac you know how much better these Apple Silicon Macs are.