I'm glad they're focusing on thin notebooks. Think of how thinner it could be without a screen or ports.
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New MacBook Pro Still Planned for October, USB-C MacBook Air Also in the Works
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2016 would be a great year to kill the embarrassingly outdated iMac and Mini and merge them into one killer desktop line.
Yeah, I know. I may as well ask for a unicorn while I'm at it. Still, can't wait to see what "unnecessary" features were courageously removed from the iMac to make it even thinner than before.
Yeah, I know. I may as well ask for a unicorn while I'm at it. Still, can't wait to see what "unnecessary" features were courageously removed from the iMac to make it even thinner than before.
The Thunderbolt III port is the same physical port as USB-C, and its backwards compatible. You will need an adapter though....
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MagSafe is the only point on the list that actually is a problem. HDMI, why not use AirPlay instead, SDCard slot, cameras now have WiFi, Headphone should be gone, because we got Bluetooth. So, four USB-C/Thunderbolt III, that IS nice!
Honestly I have no idea what that OLED bar could possibly be used for. To me it seems like nothing but a gimmick. The Finder bar having the necessary information anyway.
Just bring the spec bump and be done with it OR have some real "courage" and make a lightweight convertible (touchscreen with multitouch) with portrait-mode OSX with a few dedicated Apps (like preview for pdfs, iMessage, iCal, mail etc.).
It shouldnt be too difficult as a first step.
Just bring the spec bump and be done with it OR have some real "courage" and make a lightweight convertible (touchscreen with multitouch) with portrait-mode OSX with a few dedicated Apps (like preview for pdfs, iMessage, iCal, mail etc.).
It shouldnt be too difficult as a first step.
Don't need that OLED thing, touch ID or anything thinner. I need touch screen, 4K resolution and a decent mix of ports that work without pricey dongles.
I'm slightly desperate to replace my 2010 17"MBP with a modern 'pro' machine, after my wife ended up snagging the 2013 MBPr I'd bought as a replacement just a few weeks after it arrived. She truly needed it more than I did, and the 17" MBP has been a great computer, but it's just not fast enough to do many of the things I'd like it to at this point, even with RAM and SSD upgrades.
It's sitting on my desk attached to power via Magsafe, a 27" iMac-screen Dell Monitor via MiniDisplay Port, to my home Gig-E network via the Ethernet port, a 2TB external drive via USB 2, a 3TB drive via FW800, my desk speakers via 3.5mm headphone jack, and has a 16GB SD card in the SD adapter in the card bay.
I don't think this is a particularly demanding setup, or super 'Pro', other than the old FW800 drive, maybe.
But 4x USB-C, especially if one of them is used for power, doesn't leave much room for hanging things off the machine.
Ethernet - needs an adapter. MiniDisplayPort needs an adapter. USB 2 needs a different cable or an adapter. FW800 needs an adapter. SD card needs an adapter.
Just sitting here in my home setup, not working hard, not editing video or trying to handle multiple external drives, etc., a 4x USB-C machine is going to be out of ports in a huge hurry.
With power, ethernet and one video connection, there will only be one empty port! Thin/light's not very helpful if you need to carry around a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 hub to be a 'pro'.
We'll see what they release.
I'm ready to spend $3K or so on a maxed out good machine, but losing Magsafe and having to use dongles for Ethernet, Video and SD cards is super unappealing in a 'pro' machine.
It's sitting on my desk attached to power via Magsafe, a 27" iMac-screen Dell Monitor via MiniDisplay Port, to my home Gig-E network via the Ethernet port, a 2TB external drive via USB 2, a 3TB drive via FW800, my desk speakers via 3.5mm headphone jack, and has a 16GB SD card in the SD adapter in the card bay.
I don't think this is a particularly demanding setup, or super 'Pro', other than the old FW800 drive, maybe.
But 4x USB-C, especially if one of them is used for power, doesn't leave much room for hanging things off the machine.
Ethernet - needs an adapter. MiniDisplayPort needs an adapter. USB 2 needs a different cable or an adapter. FW800 needs an adapter. SD card needs an adapter.
Just sitting here in my home setup, not working hard, not editing video or trying to handle multiple external drives, etc., a 4x USB-C machine is going to be out of ports in a huge hurry.
With power, ethernet and one video connection, there will only be one empty port! Thin/light's not very helpful if you need to carry around a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 hub to be a 'pro'.
We'll see what they release.
I'm ready to spend $3K or so on a maxed out good machine, but losing Magsafe and having to use dongles for Ethernet, Video and SD cards is super unappealing in a 'pro' machine.
if it is a drastic change, they should have an event. and these rumors seem drastic but there is no announced event date yet..
still hopeful that there will be a refresh soon as my mba needs upgrading
Magsafe is the only problem on the list if you don't actually need one of these for professional use. If you do, then you couldn't be more wrong.
HDMI = far superior, stable connection than AirPlay, which is not at all suitable for anything that really matters.
WiFi on Cameras: couldn't be more useless for those of us shooting video for a living. When the SD Card is full, I can't exactly tell my client to hang tight until the camera transfers the card wirelessly through the magic of WiFi. I have to replace it immediately with a new card and then duplicate the old one to two drives in the background (using the SD slot) while continuing to shoot on the new card.
If the rumors are correct, then the new Macbook Pro will be just like the cylinder Mac Pro: A pretty machine turned into a bird's nest of adapters for those of us who actually need to connect important stuff to it.
Apple marketing isn't stupid. They must be selling ten Macbook Pros to people who don't actually need these things for every person like me, but they are close to losing me forever. Due to software investments (for now), my company needs Pro Apple products. This doesn't sound like one.
And as far as dongles go, the last time I needed dongles, I got to experience the low-powered garbage FW800 dongles Apple produced.
And it would kill you to use a card reader? Like...seriously? If you could trade this one slot for more battery life what EVERYONE who uses a MACBOOK (Pro) as it's supposed to be used (i.e. on the go) should want.
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I don't think that's gonna happen, unfortunately. Retina in the MBA would increase the price closer or above the MB...firstly, there won't be a real point to keep the MBA in that case and secondly, they're loosing their entry-level Macbook.
Don't even bother calling it a Macbook if they get rid of magsafe, let alone calling it a pro machine.e
Oh good. Losing a bunch of useful ports and the MagSafe charger in favor of four ports that work natively with nothing I own. And they're throwing in that sh*tty new keyboard too? Sign me up!
Yeah, it's quite amazing. I have no idea why the complainers keep posting, too.
The last form factor was 4 years ago, I am really looking forward to upgrading my stuff! I love the looking around for a new setup.
Personally, I'd really dig an MBP with a fancy new form factor and nothing but USB-C. And I've got, let me count, EIGHT normal (type A) USB devices: Kinesis keyboard, RollerMouse, Logitech V20 (USB-based audio), a printer, a printer, the Apple USB-Ethernet adapter and a harddrive for Time Machine. Plus an iPad and an iPhone, because I'm an iOS developer.
This will all be easily solved by the market; we already have stuff like this Anker USB-C hub which comes even with power delivery! I'm also eyeing a new monitor with USB-C connection, like the LG 27UD88-W. Basically all my devices will hang off the monitor, I'd walk up to my desk and hook it up with 1 single USB-C connector. Bam, insta-connect a complete desktop.
Frankly, it'll be amazing.
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Pro used to actually mean something. Now its just a reason to sell the same thing for more. Pathetic
Courage
Courage
The "full-display on every key" keyboard already exists
However, it is very expensive and each key is 72x72 pixels.
I do agree with you! And yes, you can change every key for each application.
However, it is very expensive and each key is 72x72 pixels.
I do agree with you! And yes, you can change every key for each application.
"OLED display touch panel that replaces the physical function keys at the top of the keyboard"
useless!
why not remove the WHOLE physical keyboard and make OLED display touch panel keyboard; so the keyboard can CHANGE depends of the app; that will be very useful for different apps like video editing and more.
something like this but better... of course.
Don't worry.
At the end of October, there will be rumors that Apple will announce new Macs in November.
Now I understand why their address is Infinite Loop...
Actually, I don't think you'll need to. There's this HooToo hub that has USB, SD and HDMI. For the Ethernet, just carry around the dongle you already have, and hook it up to the USB.
However I bet even that won't be necessary, Apple's size alone will probably drive 3rd party suppliers to offer a hub with Ethernet integrated.
As for the audio jack, do you use it for a headphone, or for external audio? If you think Bluetooth won't suffice (and I'd be inclined to agree with you), there are speakers like the Logitech S150 that are USB-based.
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802.11ad is just the beginning ~ soon, we won't need any ports?
(yes, wireless-charging across large distances is technically possible, just not currently practical)
My $$ is on Apple waiting until DisplayPort 1.3/1.4 is supported on Thunderbolt 4 connection, then and only then will they ditch Lightning and the audio head jack and go 100% USB Type-C as the *only* opening on any device ~ one hopes? One fears?
(yes, wireless-charging across large distances is technically possible, just not currently practical)
My $$ is on Apple waiting until DisplayPort 1.3/1.4 is supported on Thunderbolt 4 connection, then and only then will they ditch Lightning and the audio head jack and go 100% USB Type-C as the *only* opening on any device ~ one hopes? One fears?
Nah, they can always talk about Sierra adoption rates, the Mac App Store, Mac sales numbers...
Ok, maybe just the first two.
If there is time left they can always throw in some Watch Band color announcements.
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
I don't doubt that USB C flash drives will proliferate and come down in price. I do wonder if they'll be able to sit as flush with the computer as the current ones. I keep one in my computer all the time for backups, and it sits very securely and is so flush it doesn't snag on anything. It's a very nice feature to have.
It's a nice feature for you but bad for Apple's business. If you didn't have that option, you would more likely buy a bigger SSD where the margins must be just phenomenal given Apple's upgrade pricing.
No surprise if someone calls into next Monday's Apple earnings call and asks Tim Cook why the Mac product line has been deprecated. https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#Mac
No SD Card Slot, No MagSafe, 4 USB-C ports, sounds like a downgrade to me...will probably ship with a charging only USB-C cable like the MacBook too.
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