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).