Skylake Mac Notebooks May See Staggered Launch in 2016, Led by MacBook and 13" MacBook Pro

[flottenheimer]

...Considering how Intel has screwed up with its 14nm processes this could be a very real possibility...

I wouldn't put blame on Intel for "screwing up" 14nm manufacturing. Personally, I'm truly amazed at humankind being able to do this kind of stuff. The scale and the tri-gate transistor technology is simply mind-blowing.

Watch this:

And that's a 22nm tri-gate explanation. As far as I know, 14nm is much harder - and even more amazing. Even if you get delayed by a year or two.

 

[joueboy]

I need to upgrade from my 2010 Macbook Pro ASAP for work, and I'm not sure if I should wait for the next version or not.

I heard the next version after this upcoming version is so much better. The processor and graphics is a huge improvement new features and possibility of new design. If I were you wait a little bit more longer. I'm sure it's really worth it and you won't regret if you decide to wait.

 

[kingtj]

I get this, but the few times I've used my 15" MBP on a plane flight, I was able to do it (yes, while sitting in coach). I couldn't open the screen much more than vertical, but it was usable. Probably wouldn't have worked if the person in front of me leaned their seat back, but I find people rarely do on flights these days, knowing all the problems it causes for people behind them.

I'm much more concerned with having a nice, comfortable computer to use when I reach my destination. When I unpack my MBP 15" and set it up on the desk in my hotel room, for example, I appreciate the extra screen space. (So used to big external monitors, it's a compromise enough without going with a 12" or 13" screen.)

I always wonder how much real work anybody gets done with a laptop on a typical plane flight, anyway? I usually see people just trying to use one to watch a movie, and I'd rather just take an iPad along for that stuff.

This guy gets it. I travel a lot and I can never unfold my 15" with the seat tray. The new 13" MBP should be more than powerful enough to do what the 15 MBP does (even without a dGPU). The Skylake chips have 40% faster Iris Pro integrated graphics, closing the gap.

Needless to say, I've sold my 15" MBP and will be buying the new 13" Skylake MBP for a perfect balance of power vs. mobility.

 

[groundcontrol]

The idea that Apple would not release 15 inch models until later just "to give the current 15-inch MacBook Pro a longer shelf life before replacing it" is absurd to me. The 15 Retina has hardly had any significant changes for almost 4 years now. Tiny bumps in processor speeds and a couple minor GPU changes have been peanuts. Meanwhile, all kinds of competitors have Thunderbolt 3 Skylake notebooks with similar resolution, size, etc.

Apple are going to release the 15 absolutely as quickly as possible. They're already many months late. I find the notion that they would update more slowly for no very compelling reason to be laughable. Who comes up with this stuff?

It serves Apple's marketing machine to keep people in the dark for as long as possible about the actual release date of any new product, especially Macbook Pros, it would seem. The complete absence of (quality) rumors about updated Macbook Pros, and rumors like this one (suggesting Q3 release), just encourage people to surrender and buy the 2015 models - which is what Apple wants. Hopefully the Q3 rumor is false and an earlier release holds true. I'm not buying anything but a 2016 model Macbook Pro, with the right guts in it, that's for sure!

 

[kingtj]

And I bet El Capitan is running just great on that, right? Oh, wait ....

Sorry Apple. I already bought a Dell XPS.

 

[venom600]

The rMB can keep it's one USB-C port, but I will not buy it until they have a dedicated charging-only port, which would ideally be MagSafe2. I don't want to hear the bull that there isn't enough space - there is.

The reason for no MagSafe isn't a space or engineering one. Phil Schiller said they just wanted to see what would happen if they introduced a computer with no ports at all, and since they had to have one for power, they chose USB C. If he'd gotten his way you'd be charging the Macbook with induction like the Apple Watch and have no ports on it all.

 

[ctyrider]

Retina MacBook Air. My body is ready.

There will be no such thing. "Retina MacBoor Air" is called Retina Macbook 12"

 

[manu chao]

The rMB can keep it's one USB-C port, but I will not buy it until they have a dedicated charging-only port, which would ideally be MagSafe2. I don't want to hear the bull that there isn't enough space - there is.

I don't think you actually want a dedicated charging port. What you very likely want is a second port such that you can charge the computer and connect a peripheral to it at the same time (without the need for an adaptor/dock).

 

[GhostRaider]

WHAT ABOUT THE MAC MINI?!

The mini hasn't had a decent update in over three years. The late 2014 one was a bloody joke.

No wonder Apple had to issue an update for Snow Leopard. Some mini owners are still waiting for a decent hardware boost. (I upgraded the RAM in my mid-2007 to 2GB so have Lion; Safari 6.x not so good as websites update.)

The Mac Mini gets a refresh with the new Mac Pro every 2 years. These usually get announced in October. Though rumors are that the Mac Mini was suppose to get a redesign but wasn't ready in 2014.

 

[shameermulji]

If Apple really wants to stay in the game, expect to see quad core processors in the Skylake rMBP 13, since that's what you get with the 13 inch Microsoft Surface Book.

Intel does not make a quad-core mobile processor that falls within the 28W envelope required for the 13 rMBP.

 

[ProjectManager101]

You bet, Apple will release those Mac Book with one one port. Every time they release a new generation, the first revision lacks of everything.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I don't think you actually want a dedicated charging port. What you very likely want is a second port such that you can charge the computer and connect a peripheral to it at the same time (without the need for an adaptor/dock).

Yes, I do. See this post for the explanation.

 

[agnor550]

So, if they announce a 13" updated rMBP in March, are the computers buyable at that point, or does the computer-in-my-hands time lag behind the announcement? Similar to the person previously who wants to upgrade their 2010 MBP, I'm in a situation where I need a replacement soon.

 

[manu chao]

Yes, I do. See this post for the explanation.

If you use Apple's charger, then trusting Apple that the firmware and OS in their computers doesn't steal stuff from you should extend to trusting that their charger neither does so.
[doublepost=1454019038][/doublepost]

Apple really needs to put a second USB-C port on the rMB. It would fit on the other side just fine. Not having a dedicated charging port is a pain.

You mean not having a port available for peripherals while charging the computer? Or do you mean not having MagSafe for the charging port is a pain? Because nothing stops you from dedicating one of two USB-C ports for charging (on a device with two USB-C ports).
[doublepost=1454019201][/doublepost]

I'm a dedicated Aperture user. Is there any reason to think Aperture might not work with Skylake an d all these other hardware changes. I'd hate to waaaaaaaiiiiiiiitttt and only find out in September that the new computers don't work with my most critical software.

There is zero reason to assume that Aperture won't work with Skylake. As long as the OS that ships with Skylake-equipped computers runs Aperture, there is no reason to worry. And these computers won't come with a major new version of OS X. If there is anything that is backwards compatible, it is x86 processors.

 

[unobtainium]

If manufacturing starts in late March or early April, that doesn't suggest a launch in March as the article suggests. It takes a while to build up inventory and start shipping. So...WWDC?

 

[oneMadRssn]

If you use Apple's charger, then trusting Apple that the firmware and OS in their computers doesn't steal stuff from you should extend to trusting that their charger neither does so.

I do trust the charger that I know came with my laptop in the retail box. It is all other chargers I am concerned with. Sometimes I borrow a charger, for example the public libraries around here have common chargers they lend out, or when I visit offices of other companies. It wouldn't be impossible to modify an Apple charger to inject some rogue code through USB, or make a charger that looks like like an Apple charger.

Indeed, it isn't the charger itself that worries me, it is the fact that the charging port also provides for firmware level access to the hardware. It's a totally pointless exercise - I totally get the desire to simplify and make more things wireless - fine. But there should always be a way to just charge, without compromising or risking data.

 

[venom600]

If Apple really wants to stay in the game, expect to see quad core processors in the Skylake rMBP 13, since that's what you get with the 13 inch Microsoft Surface Book.

No, you don't. The Surface book is dual core only.

 

[BWhaler]

Pair the release with a new 4K or 5K display and I'll be a first day buyer.

 

[Oppenheim]

I need to upgrade from my 2010 Macbook Pro ASAP for work, and I'm not sure if I should wait for the next version or not.

I'm in exactly the same boat.

I was looking around last spring for a new machine. Decided to wait until Q3/Q4. Now it's WWDC! Now it's Q3/Q4 2016!!!

I really need a new 15" MBP!!!

I guess this new MBP will be 14"? Tempting, but I will wait again... It's very frustrating.
[doublepost=1454021968][/doublepost]Oh, and please get rid of the prehistoric 3.5mm headphone jack. It's amazing that it's lasted this long into the 21st century.

 

[Pdp7]

Regarding usb-c and MagSafe: why not just redesign the charger?

What if the magnetic break wasn't the power plug at the port? Why not add a magnetic break a few inches down the cable from the computer port. Or better yet, put the magnetic breakaway on the white brick end of the thin cable. Same result if someone carelessly trips on it. Usb-c at the computer end, MagSafe at the brick end.

This way, it would work regardless if using the thick extension cable or just the prong adapter on the brick.

 

[dwsolberg]

I will buy a 15" MBP when they're released, but not before (unless my 15" 2011 dies). This is a big jump in battery life and/or lightness. In addition, it will likely be able to drive a 5K display without hacks, and will have modern ports. I'm very excited for all this, but I can wait.

 

[Cayden]

I would love for the 13" Skylake to come out in March. I was planning on upgrading around June, so that'll be perfect

 

[Matt Leaf]

I'm actually in that position right now where a project I'm working on demands a new MBP 15". My 2011 still does pretty well, but some of the realtime graphics stuff I'm doing is just pushing it that bit too far and I'm dropping frames. On my iMac its fine. But, you know what? Screw it. Some comments in this thread helped me to decide. I'm not upgrading right now. This time, I'll cop it on the chin. I'll lose those frames and instead try to optimise my code and my system as much as possible. The stakes are just too high - a macbook pro is such a significant investment, you'd be an idiot to buy right now. If its chipset were Broadwell then you'd be a bit more safe. But the next rMBP whether a Skylake bump or a full redesign is the model to go for, and thats not happening before this project is due so screw it. I'm waiting.

 

[LauraJean]

I'm going to see if my 2010 13"MBP can make it to 2020! Its still going strong!

Mine, with Snow Leopard, is still going strong too! However, when a bank threatened to prevent online access with this platform earlier this month, I bought a Macbook Air for finance and shopping. No way would I kiss off Snow Leopard.

 

[Catalyx]

Mine, with Snow Leopard, is still going strong too! However, when a bank threatened to prevent online access with this platform earlier this month, I bought a Macbook Air for finance and shopping. No way would I kiss off Snow Leopard.

I'm still hanging in with Snow Leopard on a 2007 15" MBP and do not look forward to being forced into the annoyingly bright blue folders of feature bloated El Capitan.