There will not be a new MacBook pro.

[maflynn]

I have been obsessing to myself and losing sleep over a new MacBook pro case redesign and refurnish.

You really should not be getting all worked up over apple updating their laptops. It is a computer after all, a tool

The Macbook Pro name says it all: it's a professional notebook, optimized in screensizes, HD capacity, optical storage device, ports, CPU and seperate GPU for professional users and college/university students in practical science (graphical, ICT, etc...) and engineering.

They added the word Pro to the model to differentiate it from the old Macbook models they used to sell and marketing came up with the idea. The laptop was not optimized, or configured with professionals in mind per se. Its useful to professionals but they didn't set out to fulfill professionals needs but rather consumers. If they did, then the GPU, memory ports would be different because professionals need more ports, more memory etc.

 

[mcman77]

And Apple will be moving heavily into iCloud based laptops. This is why they are taking so long.

I don't trust Cloud devices and would never trust Googles CLOUD!!! They would probably glimpse at your projects and documents (which will be added later in the T&C).

Its a wrong move and apple will lose customers. I already know many people who are against googles cloud computing.

Leaving aside gaming, is there a reason Apple couldn't drop the discrete graphics from its notebooks and just use integrated graphics in 2012? I'm genuinely curious.

Yes, the GPU is a necessity when rendering 3D, videos and pictures !

 

[Zendokan]

They added the word Pro to the model to differentiate it from the old Macbook models they used to sell and marketing came up with the idea. The laptop was not optimized, or configured with professionals in mind per se. Its useful to professionals but they didn't set out to fulfill professionals needs but rather consumers. If they did, then the GPU, memory ports would be different because professionals need more ports, more memory etc.

I had a whole long post written and I lost it thanks to the time-out of this site


So short version:

YES and NO

When the Intel-era started, Apple Inc had just 1 line in idea (13", 15" and 17") to replace the iBooks and PowerBooks.
A bold move, but combined with stepping to Intel CPUs and the idea that a 13" would be unmarketable for (high-end) consumers, they broke their idea up into 13" MB and 15",17" MBP.

Unfortunally, the extra costs of producing a plastic casing proved not to be a good idea business wise, so Apple Inc gave in the next refresh the MB and MBP the same alu-casing. The sale statistics showed them that the world was ready for a 13" high-end notebook, so they rebranded the alu 13" MB to MBP.

Not to alienate their MB buyers, Apple Inc again reintroduced their plastic casing, which again wasn't considered cost effective and now with having a 13" MB and a 13" MBP in their lines, they found out that the MB cannabilizes the MBP line, but not the lines of the competition.

Add the introduction of the MBA line and the mess was complete, so their idea was to kill off the MB, which they did (every refresh of the MBP and MBA made the gap bigger, but it took them still 3 years, which is long in the world of notebooks).

Now the MB is only used in the educational system, just to get students to be aquinted with Macbooks and to facilitate their transistion to MBPs and MBAs once they enter professional life and start earning real money.
Yet this will not be enough to justify the development and production of the MB line, so expect this program to stop in one or two years, when the gap with the new MBPs and MBAs becomes too big.


It's just a textbook case of a company that didn't proceed with their initial idea because some factors came together (or didn't) at the wrong moment.
- investing in new technology (Intel)
- breaking with tradition (replacing iBooks and Powerbooks with one line)
- miscalculation of the market (a 13" as high-end consumer product)
- the (low-end/normal) consumer products weren't available yet (no MBAs at the switch, but they were in the R&D pipeline)

Would it have been wise of Apple Inc to take the chance and just brought out the Macbook in 13", 15" and 17"? We will never know, probably not, but if they would have succeeded the only thing that would have been changed on the long term would have been the name: the high-end line would have been called "Macbook" instead of "Macbook Pro".

Nowadays they are getting there also, doing it in several steps, but the high-end is called "Macbook Pro" instead of "Macbook" because of that.

 

[NicoleRichie]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

I could see a MBP without an optical drive (not an air) but I doubt there will be no pro. Time will tell.

 

[eowl]

I can't imagine pros will be replaced by airs. I'm about to upgrade to a pro from an air because I think pros are better at the moment!

 

[maflynn]

I could see a MBP without an optical drive (not an air) but I doubt there will be no pro. Time will tell.

Its not if apple will remove the optical drive but when. It may or may not occur for the next refresh but the optical drive's days are numbered. Apple has a vested interest in streaming content and removing a potential impediment to increasing their revenue in that category is a no brainer.

 

[mcman77]

Its not if apple will remove the optical drive but when. It may or may not occur for the next refresh but the optical drive's days are numbered. Apple has a vested interest in streaming content and removing a potential impediment to increasing their revenue in that category is a no brainer.

Excuse my ignorance but how does the OD restrict revenue from streaming?

I believe the users who use CD/DVD as a substitute to streaming will continue to do so except via USB.

 

[thermodynamic]

I have been obsessing to myself and losing sleep over a new MacBook pro case redesign and refurnish. Check my prior threads. However, I have finally realized after being able to check out the Google Chrome and now I see that the future of Apple products will not have a MacBook Pro.

It will all be replaced by a Macbook Air. There will only be Airs, the pros will be decommissioned.

And Apple will be moving heavily into iCloud based laptops. This is why they are taking so long.

Basically, the next generation of Apple laptops will be: All Airs, heavy on iCloud features, using the new generation of intel processors. They will be even faster than the current MBP that are top of the line.

It really makes no sense to create a "full feature" laptop anymore, and by that I mean a large device. We'll get rid of the CD drive once and for all, freeing up a lot of room, and use the next gen ATI video card and intel processors.

I for one am all for it. Computers are simply getting smaller.. but do we really need an ultraportable as well as a portable? No. We just need a unified line in the AIR.

Professionals will need more than a cutesie tablet to do content creation/editing on. I don't dislike the iPad, but its range for editing is a tad limited, and - as with photography - I prefer using the tools and settings for MY benefit. Not because the computer within decides what it things is right. Art is about the person doing the work. Not the computer deciding what it thinks it should be.

I know Adobe is working on a cloud-based Photoshop, but to really get this out will take time -- oh, and bandwidth. Lots of it. And the US is nowhere near capable on that scale.

Plus, small businesses might want to rely on their own data backups. Some cloud providers' TOSes are draconian, giving the cloud provider a royalty-free license to use one's own material to profit off of. Excuse me, I am working to enrich myself. Not to have some slime-O leech off of MY hard work because they helped shape the future paradigm and want others to make them rich.

That's not to say Apple is so regressive, but when it comes to putting your own data in someone else's hands, they'd better be a monopoly that will never go out of business, or ethical. And those two qualifications NEVER go hand-in-hand.

----------

Its not if apple will remove the optical drive but when. It may or may not occur for the next refresh but the optical drive's days are numbered. Apple has a vested interest in streaming content and removing a potential impediment to increasing their revenue in that category is a no brainer.

As is the App Store (hence free Flash games endangering their profitability too).

Still, let the drive be an optional feature or bought at a discount. Many apps (like Logic Studio) require half a dozen DVDs (or one Blu-Ray if Apple really wanted to keep up with technology, since 32GB USB flash drives are still cost-prohibitive to distribute all that software on... for now... and downloading 32GB? Out of the question, especially if the entire US converts to a wireless network paradigm to save on cabling costs but then imposes usage caps and fees... )

 

[SurferMan]

Losing sleep over a laptop??? Dude you need to get out more

I highly doubt we'll see cloud only computer's, that will be a while away, will/could we see some features integrated... possibly, but having everything done and stored in cloud, not likely at this moment. For one thing icloud (and similar choices) is still a growing tech for personal use, there are still issues and hurdles to overcome to have almost everything done on a computer from the cloud (big difference between corporate and personal use). Another big issue like pointed out above, bandwidth, completely overhaul of the system would be needed to enable a satisfactory experience for everyday use (not just simple contacts and syncing etc). We are a long ways off from the bandwidth and tech needed for that.

I think we'll see the optical drive removed, and most likely a hybrid SSD/HD as straight SSD would be too expensive especially with the rape you in hte butt prices Apple charges anyway for the SSD's that are outperformed by 3rd parties for cheaper. I think you'll see a smaller SSD for strictly the OS, and a HD for everything else.

But at the same time, they may not, like I don't see them removing the Optical from 17... as a lot of users for the 17 use it for work, production, media etc... and power users need the drive for the dozens of cd's that even a couple programs may come with.

 

[Fubar1977]

LOL.
Good thing that this is just 'your' interpretation of what Apple will do in the future.

Although the way he`s posted it makes it sound like "certain facts" rather than just his opinion.

My opinion: There is NO way in hell Apple will drop the MBP at this point.
I can see the pro and air lines eventually merging when technology allows MBP performance in an air form factor but we are a ways off that yet.

 

[palpatine]

if the op's predictions come true, then i guess i won't ever upgrade, and i will have to bid a fond farewell to apple.

i simply don't have the always-on connectivity, bandwidth, and so forth to handle the data i have in the cloud. i use the cloud all of the time, and it is integral to my workflow, but i need more.

i think that as long as there are people like me who will pay for the extra processing power, extra ram, and so forth, then the macbook pro will stick around. there are huge tradeoffs when you squish everything together, and i am not willing to make them.

 

[Fubar1977]

I agree with Palpatine, I`m out in the sticks and my ADSL is patchy and sluggish at best so a total "cloud" computer is not a practical or desirable solution.

 

[broad]

threads like this hurt my brain

 

[Krazy Bill]

I can't believe so many people are even engaging the OP on such a ludicrous prediction.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

No I think this is the natural order of things.

Right, I forgot. Ceasing production of your best-selling computer is definitely the natural order of things.

The "updates" are just faster CPUs and other part switching. It's not that hard to switch around a processor or RAM, and I don't consider that an upgrade.

So when, in one update, the MBP gets half again as much power as it had the previous iteration that's not an upgrade, but when the form factor changes it is? You obviously don't care about the same things that power users do...

Yeah, but I think we'll be shocked at the new release.

This tells me nothing other than you don't have anything to say to my comment you quoted...

 

[BluAffiliate]

Wow, went out to dinner to a nice restaurant with my parents and just checked this thread in the morning.. Wow, so much hate, as if I personally insulted you somehow.

Explain: What's the point of having 2 lines of the same size laptops? The airs are thinner yes, but not that much thinner than MBP. Why not just combine them?

Get rid of the optical drive, use flash memory. Want to store a lot of music on your device? It's called iTunes match. As well as web-storage from a revamped and enhanced iCloud if you run out of the 160gb SSD offerings.

Everyone seems to glean from this discussion is that: Airs are destined to be underpowered compared to MBPs. Um, no. We're talking about the future. The next gen intel processors can be smaller and use less power but be faster than the processors we're using in current Macbooks. As well as smaller GPUs and a 15-17inch form factor can accomodate powerful AIRS. Airs NEED NOT BE WEAK, this is apple we're talking of here!

Calm down people, jeeze. It's like I'm blasheming your god.

 

[mcman77]

Wow, went out to dinner to a nice restaurant with my parents and just checked this thread in the morning.. Wow, so much hate, as if I personally insulted you somehow.

Explain: What's the point of having 2 lines of the same size laptops? The airs are thinner yes, but not that much thinner than MBP. Why not just combine them?

Get rid of the optical drive, use flash memory. Want to store a lot of music on your device? It's called iTunes match. As well as web-storage from a revamped and enhanced iCloud if you run out of the 160gb SSD offerings.

Everyone seems to glean from this discussion is that: Airs are destined to be underpowered compared to MBPs. Um, no. We're talking about the future. The next gen intel processors can be smaller and use less power but be faster than the processors we're using in current Macbooks. As well as smaller GPUs and a 15-17inch form factor can accomodate powerful AIRS. Airs NEED NOT BE WEAK, this is apple we're talking of here!

Calm down people, jeeze. It's like I'm blasheming your god.

There is a big difference between mobile processors, desktop processors and ULV (ultra low voltage) processors. Desktop obviously being the superior,going down to mobile and then to ULV.

2 Ghz for example is not the same across these three die shrinks. The one that has best cooling runs better
desktop > mobile > ULV

There is no way that a air (if it carries on running ULV, even with Ivy bridge) a MBP.

Its too thin, generates more heat so its underclocked. Don't get offended many comments are baste on facts.

If they do get rid of the pro line then they better find a better cooling system to run mobile CPUs in the Airs.

There are many users that spend their time waiting on the processor to calculate/render the task. Not everyone streams the web, checks mails and streams movies/clips. These ULVs won't cope with heavy tasks. Simple as...

Btw I would not mind if MBA replace MBPs. As long as they are a clean substitute and can deliver the goods, as appose being a gimick that is thin and not necessarily needed.

MBP = Performance > aesthetics

 

[MagicBoy]

@OP : U on crack bro?

 

[thekev]

Everyone seems to glean from this discussion is that: Airs are destined to be underpowered compared to MBPs. Um, no. We're talking about the future. The next gen intel processors can be smaller and use less power but be faster than the processors we're using in current Macbooks. As well as smaller GPUs and a 15-17inch form factor can accomodate powerful AIRS. Airs NEED NOT BE WEAK, this is apple we're talking of here!

Calm down people, jeeze. It's like I'm blasheming your god.

You know it's entirely possible they'll trend toward such a form factor. What you don't seem to understand is thermodynamics. You really need to look at what Intel actually makes rather than what you'd like them to make. They're not going to drastically lower power consumption in 2012. Most of the changes involve the capacity to throttle down the cpu on the fly to conserve power when possible. In 2013 they've claimed a 30% reduction over today which would still leave them too hot, and Intel always over promises these things.

Now look at the macbook air line. They use the ultra low voltage processors from Intel. Currently they use every one of those processors that Intel produces. If you buy the 13" Air with the cto upgrade, you cannot get any higher in that cpu line. They're set to a 17W tdp. While you seem to think Apple is magical, they design computers. If they try to shove 45W cpus into a Macbook Air enclosure using present technology that falls within their manufacturing budget, that thing will run too hot, and you will end up with a throttled machine comparable to the first generation Airs.

The thing is, they really may make them all basically into Airs in form factor eventually because Apple does cater to people who like bright shiny objects, but such a transition would require the availability of parts to do so. If they decided it was all the Air today, there wouldn't be a single cpu option higher than what is offered right now.

Edit: noted the "so much hate comment" so to clarify, my comment isn't hateful

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Explain: What's the point of having 2 lines of the same size laptops? The airs are thinner yes, but not that much thinner than MBP. Why not just combine them?

Because the 13" Air is weak compared to the 13" MBP. The point is flexibility. You have two VERY different machines.

Get rid of the optical drive, use flash memory. Want to store a lot of music on your device? It's called iTunes match. As well as web-storage from a revamped and enhanced iCloud if you run out of the 160gb SSD offerings.

It's not called iTunes Match. You can't play music straight from iTunes Match, you still have to download it to your computer. Do you honestly want to be constantly deleting and re-downloading different parts of your library based on what you want to listen to?

Um, no. We're talking about the future. The next gen intel processors can be smaller and use less power but be faster than the processors we're using in current Macbooks. As well as smaller GPUs and a 15-17inch form factor can accomodate powerful AIRS. Airs NEED NOT BE WEAK, this is apple we're talking of here!

We're not talking about some vague future, we're talking about the next release. I don't doubt that EVENTUALLY the MBPs will get down to the form factor of the Air, or even smaller. But it's certainly not going to happen in the next revision. The technology isn't there.

What you're describing can be done eventually, but not now, and not 4 or 5 months from now. 4 or 5 years from now, and we'll see some fun stuff like what you're talking about, possibly.

Calm down people, jeeze. It's like I'm blasheming your god.

It's more like you're describing something that can't be done, and then getting annoyed when lots of people say so.

 

[palpatine]

Wow, went out to dinner to a nice restaurant with my parents and just checked this thread in the morning.. Wow, so much hate, as if I personally insulted you somehow.

Explain: What's the point of having 2 lines of the same size laptops? The airs are thinner yes, but not that much thinner than MBP. Why not just combine them?

Get rid of the optical drive, use flash memory. Want to store a lot of music on your device? It's called iTunes match. As well as web-storage from a revamped and enhanced iCloud if you run out of the 160gb SSD offerings.

Everyone seems to glean from this discussion is that: Airs are destined to be underpowered compared to MBPs. Um, no. We're talking about the future. The next gen intel processors can be smaller and use less power but be faster than the processors we're using in current Macbooks. As well as smaller GPUs and a 15-17inch form factor can accomodate powerful AIRS. Airs NEED NOT BE WEAK, this is apple we're talking of here!

Calm down people, jeeze. It's like I'm blasheming your god.

No hate, at least from me.

Some of us don't want / cannot use cloud services for professional work. The next processor that comes out will likely have a full-powered (mbp) and under-powered version (mba); I'll pick the full-powered one for my work. Apple also tends to short its customers on RAM; I'll want 8GB (or more) for my work.

I don't really care if Apple continues or abandons the Macbook Pro line. I kind of doubt they will do what you said, but if they stop offering the best components (full-powered processors and the ability to upgrade RAM), then they lose me (and I imagine many other professionals).

It's not personal--like or dislike. It's business. The scenario you describe doesn't make business sense (to me).

 

[BlaqkAudio]

Explain: What's the point of having 2 lines of the same size laptops? The airs are thinner yes, but not that much thinner than MBP. Why not just combine them?

Because they do different things and it offers consumers a choice. That's like asking why don't car manufacturers consolidate to one sedan, one SUV, one minivan, etc.

Also, why do you think Apple decided to keep the iPhone 3Gs and iPhone 4 around once they release the iPhone 4S? They knew not everyone wants a 4S or can afford one, so they offered a choice.

Get rid of the optical drive, use flash memory. Want to store a lot of music on your device? It's called iTunes match. As well as web-storage from a revamped and enhanced iCloud if you run out of the 160gb SSD offerings.

iTunes match works because AAC files are only a few MBs. Try doing cloud-based computing with larger video files, uncompressed studio projects, etc. There's a reason why Apple decided to release a Lion USB stick as well as allowing people to download the file in store (hint: not everyone has a fiber optic connection).

 

[nick9191]

I do hope they drop the hard drive (put SSD on the board like the Air) and superdrive from the 13" Pro. With all that room they could claw back we could have a 13" with a quad core i7, discrete GPU, 10 hour battery life and room to cool it all. Although knowing Apple they would just keep similar specs and get rid of thickness and weight.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

I do hope they drop the hard drive (put SSD on the board like the Air) and superdrive from the 13" Pro.

So you want a SSD that you will be unable to replace yourself, or at all? Apart from the prohibitively expensive SSD OWC has, there are no internal capacity upgrades for the Air. I would not want this in a MBP.

 

[saberahul]

Taking so long? I think you should read this first.