New MacBook Pro Still Planned for October, USB-C MacBook Air Also in the Works

[Three141]

I don't see that, especially given that in all likelihood what MS is rolling out is just an AIO, where as Apple needs to roll out a lot more mac models.

I definitely do, as for the AIO being the counter point; it's because the AIO devices are relatively new rumours and everyone

Last years 'Surface' event went down well and there was nothing really from Apple to break up the media coverage, Microsoft had a clean run last year which worked well for them, Apple would want to disrupt the Surface press and their highly anticipated revised laptop would do just.

Apple always try to disrupt strong competition by either releasing conviently timed 'rumours' or a product which disrupts rivals press media coverage.

 

[pbasmadj]

SJ sold the eMac for years. The 2012 MacBook with the DVD drive is not displayed in stores and exists primarily for the education market.

I think SJ would approve the 12" MacBook as the "ideal." It is the culmination of the vision he put forth with the original MacBook Air.

Ya true, there were times back then where it was fragmented as well, and a long list of terrible products too. I agree. The only qualm I have about the MacBook is going a little too far in putting form before function, with my only objection being that I would at least like 2 usb C ports on it so you can charge and have a phone or accessory plugged in at the same time, just seems a little odd to me. But oh well.

 

[unobtainium]

Does no one google anymore?

27" 4k display by LG.

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UD88-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

Sandisk thumb drive with both USB-C and A ports.

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Type-C-Smartphones-Tablets-SDDDC-032G-G46/dp/B00V62XBY8
[doublepost=1476799467][/doublepost]
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=computers&field-keywords=USBC+hdmi+adaptor

A quick search on Amazon turns up several third party adaptors at less than half the price.

Oh, interesting - a $700 monitor. I actually have a 32" external display that I connect with HDMI. Why would I want to buy a $700 USB-C monitor?

Removing all these CURRENTLY USED ports (they are NOT legacy ports) is a really anti-consumer move. HDMI is not even thick. The average TV and external display will continue to use HDMI for the foreseeable future. Nothing but the most expensive options will include USB-C ports natively.

 

[LordVic]

Stop whining about MacBook Pros already and just get the replacement. iPad Pro.

Can't do Database design and administration on an iPad, regardless of the marketing "pro".

Can't easily transfer RAW images from my SLR and post process them in lightroom on the iPad. And none of the "light" iOS versions have the same featureset I already use on the desktop


the iPad is a good device. I own one. Its great for consumption, and with a keyboard I can see it being quite competent for email and other text entry style writing

But it is NOT a replacement for a "Pro" computer.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Oh, interesting - a $700 monitor. I actually have a 32" external display that I connect with HDMI. Why would I want to buy a $700 USB-C monitor?

Removing all these CURRENTLY USED ports (they are NOT legacy ports) is a really anti-consumer move. HDMI is not even thick. The average TV and external display will continue to use HDMI for the foreseeable future. Nothing but the most expensive options will include USB-C ports natively.

I'd buy it. I've been looking for a new 4k display monitor.

 

[moderngamenewb]

I think (sad to say) that my 2012 retina macbook pro is actually my longest lasting laptop. I got it Christmas of 2012, and it still practically runs like new (minus a little bit of decrease in battery life since I often use it as a desktop), and surprisingly still pretty fast with Sierra.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Finally, getting rid of all the standard ports and replacing them with a bunch of usb-c ports that need adapters for all my devices.

This is my biggest concern. I'm all for USB-C only but I have my fingers crossed for two on each side and well spaced from each other.

Also, allow me to charge the machine from any port.

I remember the days of needing to plug in hubs and adaptors and chargers and it was a nightmare trying to fit everything.

 

[jdclifford]

Too good to be true?

To keep differentiation between 12"MacBook retina and MacBook Pro retina models.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Apple's design idiosyncrasies are well-known. They hate ports, amongst other things (buttons and moving parts).

If I were Apple, I would probably see the aforementioned example as a horrendous mishmash of ports and standards. The biggest eyesore I see are the 2 thunderbolt ports. Not everyone uses them. I have really only used the thunderbolt port on my MBA as a display port replacement. This means that you are looking at potentially wasted ports if the user's needs are wholly different from how you envisioned them, because I can't take that HDMI port and turn it into another USB port should I so desire.

Same with the HDMI port and maybe even SD-card slot. If I don't use them, they are dead weight. But take them away, and you are not being fair to another user who might need to plug in his MacBook to an external display every day. Truth be told, there is no 1-size-fits-all allocation of ports that will please everybody.

With USB-C, there would no such thing as a wrong port. Apple doesn't have to second-guess the user's specific needs. Use the right adaptor or USB-C accessory to mix and match the ports as you like, according to your needs. In theory, I could charge such a MacBook by plugging the power cable into any USB-C port on the right or left. I could connect as many USB-C accessories as there are ports on the laptop. There is an adaptor for when I want to hook up my Macbook to an external display, and when I am on the move, I can readily retrofit that display-port into another port which might be more useful at the moment, such as an extra USB port.

That, to me, should be the way moving forward.

I'm not so sure Apple would claim that their current lineup is a mish mash of ports. The simplest update that would please most people is to leave the current ports as is and simply update the TB2 ports to TB3/USB 3.1 ports. A mix of old and new for the current transition. Unfortunately, it makes sense, so Apple won't do it.

 

[Traverse]

I get the convenience argument, but not the "seamless clean look" argument for leaving lots of legacy ports. The more items directly plugged into a notebook, the more it resembles a messy octopus. That's why docking stations are popular on the PC side. USB-C enables universal docking stations.

I guess it's a desktop vs laptop thing. For the iMac, all the connections are in the back and it can be out of sight. On a notebook I actually do like docking stations.

 

[Val-kyrie]

- I don't think you're being picky. It's a legitimate concern about elegance. But I think you're misunderstanding things a bit perhaps. If you have a hard drive that requires whatever form of USB now, you don't need lots of hubs and adaptors. Just a cable that goes from USB-C to whatever USB type you need will do. Adds no bulk. But it does necessitate the purchase of a cable of course.

That is true except for the most highly used USB-A device--a thumb drive. Can you imagine a thumb drive dangling off the end of an adapter? Asinine.

Same goes for the SD card slot.

 

[dannys1]

So much for a "Pro" level laptop. Losing MagSafe, HDMI, and SDCard slots. I don't care about thinness in a Pro laptop. I value functionality way over thinness and portability. My Macbook Pro 2010 is the perfect size and weight. If you want to remove the ports that a lot of people use ALL THE TIME, then do that crap with the Macbook or the Air, not the Macbook Pro. That damn headphone jack better be there too or I'm roadtripping down to Cupertino.

If you don't care about thinness and portability then you won't mind using a HDMI to USB-C cable either... In fact, no dongles needed. There's no functionality removed in USB-C with TB3, it can do everything in all previous models and more - in 2016 there is no need to include a HDMI port on a machine its a redundant waste of waste of a bulky cable.

 

[Traverse]

- I don't think you're being picky. It's a legitimate concern about elegance. But I think you're misunderstanding things a bit perhaps. If you have a hard drive that requires whatever form of USB now, you don't need lots of hubs and adaptors. Just a cable that goes from USB-C to whatever USB type you need will do. Adds no bulk. But it does necessitate the purchase of a cable of course.

Yes, but I was responding to a comment about buying a hub to plug in all of your devices. I think the hub would ruin the look versus just plugging something into the back. However, I can still get a simple USB-C to A adaptor and still leave my iTunes HDD on a shelf behind the computer. It's not as easy, but not a big deal.

If I had to buy a hub just to use my HDD that would be annoying. As of now, a hub isn't necessary.

 

[sunapple]

This is my biggest concern. I'm all for USB-C only but I have my fingers crossed for two on each side and well spaced from each other.

Also, allow me to charge the machine from any port.

I remember the days of needing to plug in hubs and adaptors and chargers and it was a nightmare trying to fit everything.

Not sure exactly how many peripherals you're going to attach, but I guess "normal usage" will not be a problem. I have my MacBook docked at home with the USB-C to USB-C/HDMI/USB-A adapter for charging, external monitor and 4-port-USB-hub. Also the headphone-jack is occupied by my speakers.

That's 4 to 8 peripherals connected via just two ports. Very handy when you need to take the MacBook with you and when you're docking it again every day.

 

[Traverse]

Not sure exactly how many peripherals you're going to attach, but I guess "normal usage" will not be a problem. I have my MacBook docked at home with the USB-C to USB-C/HDMI/USB-A adapter for charging, external monitor and 4-port-USB-hub. Also the headphone-jack is occupied by my speakers.

That's 4 to 8 peripherals connected via just two ports. Very handy when you need to take the MacBook with you and when you're docking it again every day.

This is true. Right now when I need to unhook my MacBook Pro I have to unplug my power cord, HDMI, Display port, and headphone port. I would love the ability to come home and plug in one thing.

I'm considering an iMac now though and even on a MacBook Pro, not having any USB-A is a pain.

 

[SeattleMoose]

Apple seems to have more Gucci sense than common engineering sense. Apple products are so tilted towards looks that functionality losses seem expected anymore (e.g. MagSafe). Do dongle manufacturers sit on the board? Is the headphone jack still there?

 

[KPOM]

That is true except for the most highly used USB-A device--a thumb drive. Can you imagine a thumb drive dangling off the end of an adapter? Asinine.

Same goes for the SD card slot.

Thumb drives are falling out of favor in the enterprise (too easy for data to wind up in the wrong hands). That said, there are drives with both USB-A and USB-C plugs.

 

[thefauxtography]

This is the same rumor we've been reading for 6 months.

 

[JTToft]

That is true except for the most highly used USB-A device--a thumb drive. Can you imagine a thumb drive dangling off the end of an adapter? Asinine.

- One can just get a new thumb drive with USB-C.

 

[pbasmadj]

Why is everyone so concerned about USB C. This already exists. Cables already exist. For almost any USB item you have, you can already get it in USB C or get the cable for it, I really don't understand all the worry about it. It is so much better than the terrible non reversible ports that have been around forever. There is nothing negative about USB C really. They should DEFINITELY not have both old and new type usb ports on the same machine, if you believe that, please never be an engineer or designer, of any kind. If buying a cable is a huge ordeal for you, then you might worry.

 

[otternonsense]

Stop whining about MacBook Pros already and just get the replacement. iPad Pro.

The sarcasm is strong with this one.

 

[jonnysods]

USB-C is TB3

It's the shape. I have a TB display at home and the office, then another monitor hooked up to the second TB port on my 2013 rMBP. I don't want another adapter.

 

[aguyhasnoname]

MacBook Pro will not be so Pro without the SD card slot, an HDMI port and USB ports. I would like to keep the MagSafe connector cause it has saved my MBP so many times from hitting the floor

I am not opposed to USB C, I actually love the idea!! but you can't just expect us professionals to be happy about the removal of all these ports!!

 

[pbasmadj]

I am one of the few who has literally never used the SD card slot, but I get that a lot of people use it.

 

[fastasleep]

I am one of the few who has literally never used the SD card slot, but I get that a lot of people use it.

I can't fathom why all the people that do use them can't just get a card reader to plug in and call it good (if they remove it). Like it adds any weight to your current camera bag.