New MacBook Pros Max Out at 16GB RAM Due to Battery Life Concerns

[needfx]

you're right, it's [Wh] which is kind of the same isn't it? i'm not expert on batteries

I don't think wattage explains capacity (mAh) but I am no expert either

 

[Rocket Man]

If removal of the headphone jack in the iPhone was Courage, then what does that make the MacBook pro then?

Fearful? Non-courage?

Courage to limit their new laptop to 16GB so a few years down the road they can sell you you a 32Gb version. But no... planned obsolence is just a myth

 

[pat500000]

Should anyone take Phil's comment(s) seriously? He's a marketing guy...so he would say anything to make sales, right?

 

[macsrcool1234]

proving once again, than this is a downgrade and an inferior product to the older models.

 

[5590982]

Millionaire Apple executives look at their two problems:

1. Having to plug the machine into the wall a couple hours earlier.
2. Not having the specs to ensure a lengthy machine lifecycle.

Most people can see that one of these problems is worse than the other.
Most people are not millionaire Apple executives.

 

[bobdobalina]

edit

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Ridiculous and false reasoning. Had they used LPDDR4 instead of LPDDR3 they could have stuck 32GB in that machine at an even lower voltage level.

EDIT:// Also Samsung is selling LPDD4x a new off-shoot which goes down to 0.6v (compared to 1.2v of LPDDR3 and 1.1v of LPDDR4). They definitely could have got some from Samsung but chose not to.

The CPU used in these computers supports both DDR3 and DDR4 and the Samsung LPDDR4x is materially identical to LPDDR4 in compatibility, it just lowers I/O voltage.

And that may be the difference that makes all the difference. Perhaps Kaby Lake CPUs can be configured to use a 0.6v Memory Bus, but the Skylake CPUs cannot. And since there are no Quad Core Kaby Lake chips yet...

 

[matjamca]

I wholeheartedly believe Apple are taking the piss out of their loyal customers.

Yet, shipping dates for the new MacBooks have already slipped, so people are buying them.

If people are unhappy we need to vote with our wallets. We need to show Apple that they're on the wrong path and the only way they'll see that is if everyone stops buying their mediocre offerings at world class prices.

 

[BeefCake 15]

My 2012 MBP has 16Gb RAM and 768Gb fusion drive. How on earth would I justify buying a new laptop for $3000 that has almost the same specs in 2016?

Easy, I'm in the same group of people that are sitting this one out with 2012 rMBP awaiting for the price to go down...The big thing that's making it attractive for me is battery life but not at that price

 

[blackcrayon]

proving once again, than this is a downgrade and an inferior product to the older models.

Did the old MacBook Pros had a 32 GB of RAM config?
(The answer is no; I'll assume you're being intentionally ignorant)

 

[2457248]

I don't think wattage explains capacity (mAh) but I am no expert either

here you go.

2016 models:
13" 49,2Wh (edit: 54,5Wh for the one without touch bar)
15" 76,0Wh

2015 models:
13" 74,9Wh
15" 99,5Wh

as i said, if they do reach 10 hours, i'm undoubtedly impressed.

 

[ayokkay]

ddr4?

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Just wait another 3 years. You will get your 32GB.

Actually, I would expect this to be rectified next Fall, when the Quad Core Kaby Lake CPUs are actually available.

 

[matjamca]

Easy, I'm in the same group of people that are sitting this one out with 2012 rMBP awaiting for the price to go down...The big thing that's making it attractive for me is battery life but not at that price

But, Apples prices never go down. In fact, the 3-year old Mac Pro has increased significantly in price - in the U.K. anyway.

 

[arkmannj]

So here's a (dumb) thought.
But if RAM is potentially a concern in terms of power consumption. Wouldn't the innovative question to answer be this:
"How can we manage the power usage the memory more efficiently and dynamically?"
I'm not a hardware engineer or a low level (OS) coding expert but is seems to me that innovation and courage wouldn't be in limiting the RAM it would be in how to manage that RAM better, only powering chips/sections as they are needed or something.

 

[winston1236]

That's a pretty lame excuse for limiting RAM given the ultra low power usage of RAM from even three years ago.

 

[bobdobalina]

edit

 

[matjamca]

So here's a (dumb) thought.
But if RAM is potentially a concern in terms of power consumption. Wouldn't the innovative question to answer be this:
"How can we manage the power usage the memory more efficiently and dynamically?"
I'm not a hardware engineer or a low level (OS) coding expert but is seems to me that innovation and courage wouldn't be in limiting the RAM it would be in how to manage that RAM better, only powering chips/sections as they are needed or something.

Or just use the most up to date RAM with lower power usage.

 

[Larry-K]

And they have the guts to put this on their webpage

because, yeah, people that are going to be using TWO 5k displays and TWO Raid systems are definitely not the kind of people who are going to need more than 16GB. They just need the displays and Raid to create their annual Halloween invitation flyers with iWork Pages.

Yeah, they're gonna need a control strip for that.

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Apple's reasoning is indefensible.

Give customers the OPTION. I guarantee you that those of us that need 32GB of RAM have NO problem finding a power outlet when required.

Defending Apple on this requires one to go full-retard.

Not necessarily.

Do you know how hard it would be to explain to most people that you get 10 hours of battery life up to 16 GB, but 8 hours if you have 32 GB?

People, even some fairly technically-savvy people, don't understand that more RAM means more RAM cells to power, and even more important more RAM cellse to keep refreshing, which in turn means more power, which in turn means shorter battery life.

It's obvious to some; but not to most. And it would simply sound like an excuse to those who didn't understand.

 

[jigzaw]

Good answer. 99% of all users value battery life over masses of unnecessary RAM that macOS really doesn't need. I'm glad Apple remains focused on the important things.

Except that what they're focused on that causes this issue to begin with is thinner/lighter. Enough room for a robust battery and they could make an actual Pro laptop.

 

[naeS1Sean]

If everyone hates Apple so much why are they on a completely Apple focused website? Try www.windowscentral.com and stop spreading your hate here.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

That does it. All my excitement has just gone down the drain.
I'm sure Apple doesn't want explosive MBP in the wild.

 

[jujufreeze]

Honestly just drop the "Pro" moniker and the marketing works

 

[Larry-K]

Apple needs to listen to what an English bloke from a car show usually says:
"More Power!"

He stole that from Scotty on Star Trek.