Next update for 13" MacBook Pro?

[FriedMac]

Hello,

Given the recent lackluster upgrade to the 13" MacBook Pro on October 31, 2011, which was just a 0.1 GHz increase in processor power, I was wondering what the speculation was for the next real upgrade. I read that Intel's next generation of high-performance mobile processors will likely be released in the second quarter of 2012. When do you think Mac will give a full upgrade to the 13" model? Is it worth waiting for?

 

[Hellhammer]

March-April sounds likely, as that is when the next generation Intel CPUs will be released. There are no components for an update before that.

 

[Naimfan]

Hello,

Given the recent lackluster upgrade to the 13" MacBook Pro on October 31, 2011, which was just a 0.1 GHz increase in processor power

Perhaps you missed that the hard drive was upgraded to a 500 GB from a 320 GB? And that all of them now have SATA 3 in the optical drive bay?

No one except Apple knows what the next 13" will be. Speculation based on Intel roadmaps strongly suggest that the next 13" will use Ivy Bridge, but beyond that anything is sheer speculation.

 

[warvanov]

You can find dozens of threads full of speculation about the next MBP update.

It's pretty clear that the next update will bring us the next generation of Intel processors: Ivy Bridge. According to some this is a major update in itself, but others see it as just an incremental update. Some speculate that we'll see a complete redesign of the MBP line, dropping the optical drive, moving to something more similar to an extension of the MacBook Air line. Others expect to see the MBP keep the same form factor with just the addition of Bluetooth 4 and maybe a few other tweaks. There's really no way to know at this point. Maybe we'll have a clearer picture closer to the release, but right now that's probably 8-10 months away.

 

[FriedMac]

Perhaps you missed that the hard drive was upgraded to a 500 GB from a 320 GB? And that all of them now have SATA 3 in the optical drive bay?

Actually, I did not see that reported. Thanks for the info.

Maybe we'll have a clearer picture closer to the release, but right now that's probably 8-10 months away.

Really? You think it'll be that long? Because I've seen a lot of tech sites speculating a late spring release. Like:

March-April sounds likely, as that is when the next generation Intel CPUs will be released. There are no components for an update before that.

Overall, do you think the upgrade will be significant enough that it's worth the wait if I can handle it?

 

[warvanov]

If you look at the buyer's guide for the MBP the time between releases has been pretty consistently every 8-10 months. Maybe we'll see the refresh in April, but that's still 6 months away. If you're counting on an update in March or April then you might end up being upset if you have to wait until July or August.

If you need a new computer now and can't get buy without one, then upgrade. If your current computer is adequate for your needs, then wait.

 

[CorporateFelon]

Overall, do you think the upgrade will be significant enough that it's worth the wait if I can handle it?

I know some people will think USB3 will be worth the wait. Whether or not that is important to you is the main question. There will be better performance, but nothing earth shattering.