Super disappointing new MacBook configuration

[Dhonk]

That's 6am PT ?

Ouch - will have to watch the YT summary video.

Wait, do we know the dates of the announcements? The Mac might be released tomorrow.

 

[bzgnyc2]

A18 gets better graphics than the M1, a similar multi core score to the M2 and a similar single core score to the M4.
It will beat the pants off any Intel MacBook.

Generally yes but note that the Radeon Pro 5600M used in some late model Intel MacBook Pro's is faster than the A18 Pro for high-end GPU work. Similarly, for external storage and special peripherals, TB3 ~ 3x faster than the USB3.x available with the A18/Pro.

Completely different markets though. For productivity work like the one this laptop is aiming for, I would much rather have an A18 Pro than an Intel i9/Radeon, etc. More generally, I've been looking for the return of the ~ 5W laptop.

 

[Dhonk]

Apparently in the A19 Pro, where Apple used a slightly different version in the iPhone Air versus the iPhone 17 Pro:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A19

I know I was surprised when I first saw that. Personally I would have at least given the 8 and 12GB variants different part numbers...

As far as technical possibility, it should be possible for Apple to produce an A18 Pro variant with 16GB of RAM. The A18 Pro has 4 memory controllers and each memory controller can support up to 4GB of RAM (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_M4). Whether Apple has actually produced such a thing, we'll soon find out...

If not, I hope they've been working to optimize macOS and encourage 3rd parties to do the same. 12GB -- and even 8GB -- is certainly enough for the most common productivity tasks when the OS and related aren't a bloated mess that leak like a flat roof. Just haven't seen that since ~ Mojave.

I am expecting a modified chip. It could be the A18e, or the A19e. I am expecting they’ll have done some tweaking to the chip to make it different from the A18pro. It could have better graphics, or a different core utilization. I’m not a chip expert by any means, but I doubt it’s just the A18 pro that we already know.

 

[throAU]

Apparently in the A19 Pro, where Apple used a slightly different version in the iPhone Air versus the iPhone 17 Pro:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A19

I know I was surprised when I first saw that. Personally I would have at least given the 8 and 12GB variants different part numbers...

As far as technical possibility, it should be possible for Apple to produce an A18 Pro variant with 16GB of RAM. The A18 Pro has 4 memory controllers and each memory controller can support up to 4GB of RAM (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_M4). Whether Apple has actually produced such a thing, we'll soon find out...

If not, I hope they've been working to optimize macOS and encourage 3rd parties to do the same. 12GB -- and even 8GB -- is certainly enough for the most common productivity tasks when the OS and related aren't a bloated mess that leak like a flat roof. Just haven't seen that since ~ Mojave.

They could also just use different capacity memory chips.

You can buy M series in different capacities, A series is no different, just that so far they’ve only been used in the phone where configuration is fixed.

 

[tomtad]

Wait, do we know the dates of the announcements? The Mac might be released tomorrow.

Supposedly today, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Given the event is 9am ET I presume we'll see an announcement at that time each day, with the Wednesday announcement coinciding with the event.

I'm going to go with the iPhone E today, then iPad Air, and finally the new MacBooks.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

$799 feels high but this is Apple. People will buy it and many wouldn't know the difference between 8GB and 16GB anyway.

16GB makes more sense these days for most people who browse this forum; but for most general basic users 8GBs is still fine with SSD. Reboot it every morning to give it a fresh start.

Exactly. I'm still using a 2020 MacBook Pro M1 with 8 GB RAM and I have had literally zero issues with it. 8 GB is more than enough for users who don't compose multi-layered audio in Logic Pro or create videos in Final Cut Pro.

When these new MacBooks hit the refurbished section of the Apple store, the prices may go as low as $699 or even $599 over time.

 

[Dhonk]

Supposedly today, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Given the event is 9am ET I presume we'll see an announcement at that time each day, with the Wednesday announcement coinciding with the event.

I'm going to go with the iPhone E today, then iPad Air, and finally the new MacBooks.

Good guess on the E. I was responding to people that misunderstood the events on the 4th and thought they wouldn’t be released till then. Just like you, I assumed there’d be product launches all 3 days.

 

[bzgnyc2]

They could also just use different capacity memory chips.

You can buy M series in different capacities, A series is no different, just that so far they’ve only been used in the phone where configuration is fixed.

Yes that was my point -- previous poster was arguing Apple couldn't offer 16GB because A18 Pro never came with 16GB of RAM. My point is Apple has already demonstrated offering the same A series chip with different amounts of RAM. Beyond 16GB may be tough with A18 Pro as Apple hasn't previously offered more than 4GB of RAM per memory controller on any system (other than the M3 Ultra, which is kind of a special bird).

But I were Apple I would name this A18 Pro variant the A18Z to avoid confusion.

 

[wirefire]

It has to be $699 to hit its sweet spot. if apple wanted to go to $799 they should have released the M5 pro / max along side a price increase to the entire MacBook lineup. it is hard to see how a Mac mini at $599 with the M4 chip and 16GB ram equates to a colored laptop at $799 with an A19 chip 8GB ram and a basic display. I totally understand that the Mac mini is a super value at $599, but at $599 I can go get a basic monitor for $99 dollars and have something 2x the power for the same price. I understand it isn't portable but you could by the M1 air for a similar price at Walmart before it went out of stock.

 

[Takoyaki]

It has to be $699 to hit its sweet spot. if apple wanted to go to $799 they should have released the M5 pro / max along side a price increase to the entire MacBook lineup. it is hard to see how a Mac mini at $599 with the M4 chip and 16GB ram equates to a colored laptop at $799 with an A19 chip 8GB ram and a basic display. I totally understand that the Mac mini is a super value at $599, but at $599 I can go get a basic monitor for $99 dollars and have something 2x the power for the same price. I understand it isn't portable but you could by the M1 air for a similar price at Walmart before it went out of stock.

I think $699 as well, to match the price of the M1 Air when it first hit Walmart shelves. If it's higher than that, then possibly $749. While reading the press release for the M4 iPad Air today, I noticed how Apple was pointing out the RAM increase from 8GB to 12GB, which I don't remember them ever doing for previous iPad releases. This gives me a glimmer of hope that the new MacBook will have at least 12GB of RAM as well. If it were to have only 8GB, then Apple just put themselves in an awkward position to try and sweep that under the rug.

 

[Evangelion]

You can't be that much fanboy that you'd call a $799 computer with 8GB RAM amazing.

Looking at how RAM (and storage) prices are moving, 799 for 8GB of RAM might indeed be amazing.

 

[jonasen]

$799, 8GB RAM single configuration is super disappointing.

See https://www.tweaktown.com/news/1100...nt-for-25-percent-of-all-mac-sales/index.html

I find the screen size the largest disappointment. Why not give us back the 12". A small computer that can fit in any bag, for on the demand tasks when travelling etc. Would be gold. Making it the same size as a Macbook Air just makes it a low-cost Apple laptop. Great for some, but not a "2nd computer" for us already owning one.

 

[4sallypat]

I find the screen size the largest disappointment. Why not give us back the 12". A small computer that can fit in any bag, for on the demand tasks when travelling etc. Would be gold. Making it the same size as a Macbook Air just makes it a low-cost Apple laptop. Great for some, but not a "2nd computer" for us already owning one.

Agree!
12" is the best coming from 2015 and 2017 rMB.

Can't wait for the announcement and ordering window this week.

Will order a base model A18 since it's for travel use.

 

[Dhonk]

Agree!
12" is the best coming from 2015 and 2017 rMB.

Can't wait for the announcement and ordering window this week.

Will order a base model A18 since it's for travel use.

I loved the rMB 12” size. But if this device were the same size it could have the rumored 12.9” screen with smaller bezels.

 

[chars1ub0w]

I find the screen size the largest disappointment. Why not give us back the 12". A small computer that can fit in any bag, for on the demand tasks when travelling etc. Would be gold. Making it the same size as a Macbook Air just makes it a low-cost Apple laptop. Great for some, but not a "2nd computer" for us already owning one.

Do they already have a suitable display in the iPad series to use for this? But maybe too expensive? I had a 12" MacBook. Would love to see that size and weight class again.

 

[4sallypat]

I loved the rMB 12” size. But if this device were the same size it could have the rumored 12.9” screen with smaller bezels.

Oh yes, the same physical footprint, using thinner bezels would allow the larger 12.9" screen !

Good thinking - I wonder if that comes true - it would be a certain purchase for me.