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Should I wait for MBP 16" early 2020? How long do you think will it take? Any gossips?

liriel_

liriel_

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 10, 2020
29
6
So basically this is a mental thing - seeking Macbook Pro 2020 instead of 2019. The specs would be similar but I can wait not a whole year but till summer/autumn. I called my local store and they told me they don't get notified and I'll get much better info on macrumors and internet overall. What's your take? Do you expect both mild refresh and later in winter the whole new version? I'd be very grateful!
 
The only thing due for release that apple will use in the 2020 model in the next 3-6 months is the 10 series comet lake CPUs and they are essentially the same as what already ships, other than being overclocked with higher power consumption.

If you're not planning to wait until 2021, I'd buy now, personally.
 
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I don't think they'll release a new 16" model too soon, maybe in a few months. If you need it, buy it now, the refurbished has an interesting price.
 
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throAU said:
The only thing due for release that apple will use in the 2020 model in the next 3-6 months is the 10 series comet lake CPUs and they are essentially the same as what already ships, other than being overclocked with higher power consumption.

If you're not planning to wait until 2021, I'd buy now, personally.
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So basically I'll be using more energy and less time without charger? That doesn't sound great!
 
Oh I see, I was hoping for a small June release and bigger one in December but I see the consensus here is that it's not likely! Got my hopes up too quickly!
 
liriel_ said:
So basically I'll be using more energy and less time without charger? That doesn't sound great!
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No. The chips consume the same energy as they have the usual TDP rating of 45 watts and Intel isn't changing that and the usual power saving features are there. The higher clocks can come into play with the configurable TDP systems up to 65 watts in the new 10 series Core i9, but that is obviously meant more for a thick and heavy gaming laptop or workstation (Apple will not likely exercise the option to use 65 watts cTDP). 10 series CPUs do offer higher turbo clocks too but turbo clocks don't last long in Macbook Pro kinds of thermal profiles. Otherwise it'll be more or less the same CPUs with a few added features and a little better performance.
 
Thank you. What's the best configuration for someone who changes iPhones every single yet, iPads every other year and laptops every few years? I'm a typical casual, non-professional user - netflix, browsing the internet, microsoft office but no photoshop or any heavy duty? Starting from the basic MBP 16" version, is there something I should invest in and upgrade?
 
liriel_ said:
Thank you. What's the best configuration for someone who changes iPhones every single yet, iPads every other year and laptops every few years? I'm a typical casual, non-professional user - netflix, browsing the internet, microsoft office but no photoshop or any heavy duty? Starting from the basic MBP 16" version, is there something I should invest in and upgrade?
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To be honest you probably wouldn't need a Macbook Pro 16 unless you wanted the larger screen. Netflix and internet and MS Office don't push the CPU or GPU very much. If you do want the larger screen then base to midlevel is perfectly acceptable and likely it would come down to how many programs you want running at a time (which will influence how much RAM you'll need), and how much you expect to store on the laptop (if you want to store every photo you've ever taken then you may want a larger SSD).
 
I’d always recommend you wait as long as possible. There’s no advantage to buying now as opposed to later, unless you have some kind of specific urgent need. No one here knows apple’s timetable. It seems unlikely they’d release something new so soon after the shift to the 16 inch, but there could possibly be a spec-bump when the new 13 inch MacBook Pro comes out.
 
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liriel_ said:
Thank you. What's the best configuration for someone who changes iPhones every single yet, iPads every other year and laptops every few years? I'm a typical casual, non-professional user - netflix, browsing the internet, microsoft office but no photoshop or any heavy duty? Starting from the basic MBP 16" version, is there something I should invest in and upgrade?
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Your use case is made for the MacBook Air, not the Pro. The Pro would honestly be overkill for what you are planning to do with the machine.
 
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mtneer said:
Your use case is made for the MacBook Air, not the Pro. The Pro would honestly be overkill for what you are planning to do with the machine.
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for those uses, id def go for a mba... there is no point in getting the mbp, esp the 16" at that... you will be spending a bunch of money for specs you would never use with the exception of the bigger screen...
 
Sometimes the bigger screen is worth it. But then go for a refurbished entry level model.
 
liriel_ said:
So basically I'll be using more energy and less time without charger? That doesn't sound great!
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well, potentially yes. Hence, I don't know if apple will even bother, and if they do, the update will be 100% "meh" for 16" buyers in terms of upgrades this year.

Maybe next year you'll see some updated AMD GPUs with RNDA2, but I very much doubt that will be ready this year.

I agree with some of the comments above. Your use case is MacBook Air all over - BUT if you want the bigger screen then the air doesn't come with that.

You don't need the power doing what you describe though, so if you do go for the 16" machine, base spec would be plenty. Overkill even.

the MBA IMHO is a great size/weight and the screen is big enough for a portable. Plug it into a monitor or airplay it to your TV if you want a big screen when around the house.
 
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mtneer said:
Your use case is made for the MacBook Air, not the Pro. The Pro would honestly be overkill for what you are planning to do with the machine.
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I see you but I'm using Macbook Pro 13" already and want something bigger. I had (still have) Macbook Air and like it way less!
Off topic, I'm that petty.. If I buy 16" know will it say "late 2019"? I want early 2020 :p
 
There may or may not be a new version of the MBP 16" released this year.

The original version (2019 MacBook Pro 16") just came out last November, so the current release is only 6 months old -- which isn't very long at all.

If this one is to be updated, it probably won't come until the end of this year, or perhaps early NEXT year.

Do you want to wait that long?

I wouldn't care "what year" it says.
If you need and want one NOW, then BUY one... now.

We don't know where in the world you are, but (here in the USA) Apple's online store currently has the base model 16" refurbished for 2,039. That's a pretty good price...
 
OP obviously doesn't need the Macbook Pro 16 and just wants to have the new, best things. Since that is the case, I can only recommend waiting, and possibly not even buying the new one when it comes out.

And if you're rich, then why even ask?
 
dapa0s said:
OP obviously doesn't need the Macbook Pro 16 and just wants to have the new, best things. Since that is the case, I can only recommend waiting, and possibly not even buying the new one when it comes out.

And if you're rich, then why even ask?
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just keep waiting and make sure to sign up for the "waiting for 2020 and maybe 2021 mbp"
 
I think the coronavirus changes a lot of things.

In a normal year I would have guessed a minor bump in 16" spec around May - in this instance to Comet Lake with (very) minor bragging rights in Turbo clock speeds and latest gen WiFi. I expect major bump Nov/Dec to Tiger Lake (10 nm) and new LED screen plus better graphics card. The last two may be expensive and BTO only - remember MBPs (long ago) with anti-glare screens?

Virus may add a month or three to both dates - China is working again, but not as before. Also the issue of who will have any money once lockdowns are over.

I suspect 14" (very likely size) will now be saved for developer conference with new body, Ice Lake and new keyboard (finally). ARM-based is most likely a 2021 release and may (?) revive the MacBook - possibly plastic skin (?) - think lower cost, high school/ROW model.

I don't think Apple will risk converting MBA and MBP over to ARM immediately - and a lot of developers/engineers use the Intel for Windows and Linux as well. Apple will need a path for this if it wants to move that crowd.
 
Just watched a PC notebook review last night with the new Comet Lake 10 series processor in it (10980H vs 9980H from memory), vs. an older 9 series.

In a lot of sustained load, multi-threaded CPU tests, IT WAS SLOWER THAN THE OLD CPU. In some CPU tests (single threaded typically) it was faster (barely, due to the limited time higher turbo clock).

This particular processor upgrade from intel is so "meh" I would not wait for it at all. If you need now, buy now. If you don't need now, wait for something better than the 10 series parts IMHO.
 
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