Next-Generation MacBook Pro's Touch ID Feature Likely Built Into the Power Button

[convergent]

It's better than a status bar on top of the keyboard. Sure it looks cool, but what extra productivity do you get from it?

This could have a lot of value. Think about something like Lightroom. There are a ton of things that could be automated with touch enabled buttons and greatly increase productivity. People have tried to develop apps for the iPad to create programmable buttons and they haven't worked out well in practice; but if it were integrated into the keyboard it could be a big hit.

 

[satchmo]

This could have a lot of value. Think about something like Lightroom. There are a ton of things that could be automated with touch enabled buttons and greatly increase productivity. People have tried to develop apps for the iPad to create programmable buttons and they haven't worked out well in practice; but if it were integrated into the keyboard it could be a big hit.

If this takes off, expect to see an Apple branded iPad keyboard with the same implementation.

 

[kildraik]

I'm okay with the "bar." I'm only concerned about major hardware upgrades.

I carry three USB keyboards around for DAW shortcuts, anyways. Gotta have that numeric pad. And trackball. Haha.

 

[ke-iron]

touch id does not require a click, you just rest a finger on it.

True but for the fact that some people press the home button instead of touching it, Touch ID will not be implemented into the power button on a mac. It makes more sense to build it into the trackpad or keyboard, besides think of the iMac. Who's going to place their hand behind the display to touch the power button if Touch ID were there...

 

[DevNull0]

But i want. I just don't want FBI to see my porn collection. Is it too much to ask?

It's not too much to ask. Put it on an encrypted partition with a password and no fingerprint access. Use touchID for the rest of the mac.

 

[9081094]

Hopefully not a brewing Lenovo > Apple patent lawsuit. Lenovo patents it and fails in the market... Apple is able to successfully deliver it to the market... Lenovo sues.

Sounds like Samsung/Apple to me

 

[Mac 128]

I think Mag-Safe will definitely go away with the new products. The idea of needing a power adapter with a proprietary connector is going away, period. My Dell XPS 13, for example, does still have the round barrel type AC adapter and port on it. But really, it's not necessary. You can also charge it through one of its USB ports with any standard USB device charger. Dell only keeps the traditional power adapter because they know you might want to have other things in the USB ports while you charge it, and the same barrel connector fits many other Dell notebooks - so it's "standardized" in that sense.

I'm sure Apple will want people to get into the mindset of charging via one of the USB-C connectors instead of needing to take up space for a port that does nothing except let you hook up a charger.

Because the MacBooks are so light now, the magsafe adapter really isn't very practical anymore. I've almost pulled MBAs off the counter without the magsafe plug detaching.

As for USB-C, there is space on those rumored "leaked" cases where magsafe would be. My guess is, that's where the Lightning port is going to go. That way, all of the USB-C ports are left open for data, and customers don't have to learn to use one for power. Instead they use the exact same cable that they use with their iPhones and iPads to charge their Macs. If they need to listen to music using their new Lightning headphones, then they can reverse the Lightning cable and use it to charge the MacBook via one of the USB-C ports, though this would be optional, not the default. I'm foreseeing Apple adding a Lightning port to the current charging brick to make this possible.

 

[44267547]

The new MacBook Pro's are 1000000000000x more exciting than iPhone 7.

They certainly are more exciting. You know what would be even more exciting? When they are actually released.

 

[fivetoedbear]

Reminds me of the time Lenovo tried to remove the Fn buttons on one generation of their X1 Carbon notebooks and it failed miserably. I think it could have worked, so hopefully Apple can do a better job.

I think it's a big mistake to lose the F-key row. This is a MacBook "Pro". Pros use apps that have F-keys. Pros use the ESC key. Pros expect to be able to feel these keys as they touch type.

I don't relish the thought of having to carry a keyboard for my laptop.

All for what? So I can have a cutesy display for my music track? There's a whole screen right above it! Let me customize how to use the screen!

 

[rdlink]

Tim Cook has heard everyones complaints!

Yep. Because he gets up every morning, flips open his computer, reads a bunch of ridiculous comments from a group of over entitled geeks on MacRumors, picks up the red phone and says, "Design a completely new MacBook. And we need it in two months, because people are complaining."

 

[Soccertess]

interesting. I have bashed Apple and especially the goof Tim lots, but this is a good sign.

Only thing I don't like are the ports. I think it had 4 USB-Cs? It would be a shame if it lost the SD and HDMI. The SD I don't care that much for, but the HDMI would be sad.

 

[MacHiavelli]

the new MacBook Pro will be "the most significant upgrade ever undertaken by Apple."

Got the message? It's clear and loud, and the source is reliable. Give Apple the benefit of doubt, they deserve it, and they've earned it.

To complain behind a keyboard is so much easier.

ARM, perhaps?

 

[newdeal]

sounds good but it all depends on the price point. I look at the retina macbook and its insane price and can't even imagine how much they would try to sell the new macbook pro for. Unless they slash the price of the retina macbook at the same time which would surely be justified

 

[pat500000]

Tim Cook has heard everyones complaints!

not really.

 

[xmonkey]

ARM, perhaps?

Not if we're talking about the MacBook Pro.

the new MacBook Pro will be "the most significant upgrade ever undertaken by Apple."

Got the message? It's clear and loud, and the source is reliable. Give Apple the benefit of doubt, they deserve it, and they've earned it.

To complain behind a keyboard is so much easier.

Wow, I can't believe what I'm reading.

 

[pat500000]

I'll be the most positive person on this forum when your message is true. First I want real evidence in the form of a real 'most significant upgrade ever undertaken by Apple' product. I've have enough of 'amazing', 'thrilled', 'you only see this at Apple'. I want to be amazed for real.

You know...apple...especially Tim Cook would be saying "we got the most amazing products .....etc..etc."
I just can't buy that statement..."amazing" "awesome".

Of course all/most salesmen will say something like that. I haven't heard any CEO saying, "our products sucks...but if you like us...please buy it."

 

[Zoolevation]

interesting. I have bashed Apple and especially the goof Tim lots, but this is a good sign.

Only thing I don't like are the ports. I think it had 4 USB-Cs? It would be a shame if it lost the SD and HDMI. The SD I don't care that much for, but the HDMI would be sad.

As a photographer I will miss the SD slot A LOT.

 

[SeanG1027]

flips open his computer

Tim Cook doesn't have a computer LOL. He used his iPad Pro.

 

[manu chao]

But i want. I just don't want FBI to see my porn collection. Is it too much to ask?

You want TouchID but have it automatically shut down when a law enforcement agent approaches your computer.
[doublepost=1470680693][/doublepost]

Awesome. And about time. Standalone trackpad next please.

You do realise ...

 

[Gorms]

Dream on...Planned obsolescence (and broken computers) help Tim sell product. Unlike the old way where quality, great service and usability made Mac's the best computers in the world.

I just had my 4 year old 2012 rMBP fixed for free (graphics card/logic board, so not a cheap fix either) by Apple & personally I call that great service. But I guess you have loftier goals?

 

[Thunderhawks]

I cannot afford whatever new MBP they are releasing. But at least it will make the older one more affordable.

I always wait 1 or 2 gens when they show up on eBay or as refurbs at the prices they should be to begin with.

As for annoying us with all ports removed, OWC dock to the rescue. Has all the old (even FW) ports.

macsafe is a must. Even if they take it out , they'll go back to it.

Would like to see at least an outside source with a dongle for that.

 

[manu chao]

I think it's a big mistake to lose the F-key row. This is a MacBook "Pro". Pros use apps that have F-keys. Pros use the ESC key. Pros expect to be able to feel these keys as they touch type.

Being the left most virtual key, the ESC 'key' will be bounded on three sides, I think it should be touch-typeable. I never touch-type any of the other function keys. Very few apps I know use any function keys, usually only those that have big Windows presence.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

the new MacBook Pro will be "the most significant upgrade ever undertaken by Apple."

Got the message? It's clear and loud, and the source is reliable. Give Apple the benefit of doubt, they deserve it, and they've earned it.

To complain behind a keyboard is so much easier.

I wholeheartedly agree. I realise that it's been quite a while since the MBP was refreshed, but clearly Apple themselves are not all to blame. Much of the wait has been due to Intel.

Given the demand for a new model, I can see this being a success.

 

[StevieD100]

Apple is done building Macs.

So where will all those iDevice apps get built? Windows 10? You can't be serious.

So.... citation please.

 

[Durentis]

I love the idea of a touch bar, especially if it's 3rd-party programmable and it can change with the active window.

But not at the expense of function keys. I do still play games on my laptops from time to time and losing the function keys would suck.