Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Thinner 15-Inch MacBook Pro Coming with Retina Display and USB 3.0?

I really hope Apple doesn't put ports on both sides like that. It will really clutter up my desk having cables coming out like that. :(

Lack of ethernet and firewire are a problem for me. Mainly ethernet, since USB adaptors aren't gigabit ethernet speeds. But if they go as far as removing the ODD, why would they keep the SD slot? Guess I'll be buying a new router and external HDD along side the MBP.
 
Last edited:
CodexMonkey said:
To me it looks "thinner" and that’s cool (lack of ethernet port aside), but I wouldn’t describe is as being "an ultra-thin version of the current MacBook Pro".

Somebody is going to run out of superlatives soon. I mean, if this is "ultra-thin" what will we call laptops when they’re as thin as a piece of paper?

Paper thin, I guess. Kind of answered my own question really.
Click to expand...

Well you also have to realize that's just a mock up, and I don't believe that image really does it justice. What I am imagining is the MBA's thickness, but just no tapering. That would be a pretty significant thickness decrease. In fact I would argue that it is virtually the thinnest possible implementation for many years when all ports are removed (or all ports are changed and become super thin).
 
Taking the "new Ultra thin" MBP out will be like organising a day trip for the wee ones, have i got this adapter, have i got that adapter, have i got the external drive, do not forget the dongle.
Iam not against change but i do not see this as an improvement except in weight department.
will this version of the MBP have regular HD or will it be like the Air, chips on a stick i wonder.
 
everything sounds to perfect to be true. just gave away my iPad(yw mum) and are looking to sell my mac pro and maybe my macbook pro 17" and get something like this.

love love love if they remove the ethernet and optical, I have never used it on my MBP and are looking forward to use my iPhone5(shut up and take my money) as my modem over wifi when I am not at home.

15.4", thin, unibody, ivy bridge, retina, misc.

I am sold :apple:
 
BK. said:
It's not even that, though. At least not for me. Give me a good enough reason and I'll kiss goodbye to the ODD.
Click to expand...

15+ hours of battery life. Maybe not that much, but it's a freaking laptop and I want to work all day on it without it dying three times a day. I would sacrifice the ODD, which I never use in the first place, to have more battery life.
 
I don't understand why so many people have this attitude:

"Oh no, Apple is removing legacy things (FireWire, optical drive) that I still use today from their upcoming new computers! I hope Apple doesn't remove them!"

Instead of:

"Sweet, Apple is removing legacy things and ADDING NEWER MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES (USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, App Store) that are much better/faster/smaller and supersede the legacy stuff. I hope software makers update the software to support modern technologies so I can keep doing the things I used to do with legacy ports, but BETTER!"

If you want legacy ports, buy legacy computers, not computers that aren't even released yet. It's not hard to buy a MBP from 2011 today or tomorrow.
 
derickdub said:
I really hope Apple doesn't put ports on both sides like that. It will really clutter up my desk having cables coming out like that. :(
Click to expand...

What they need is a true dock connector. I mean, those current stands are laughable.

But a true doc connector would allow a user to take advantage of the thunderbolt port. I'm sure some thunderbolt device manufacturer will try and do this the right way - hopefully soon.

That's why I'd think power and a thunderbolt adapter would go next to each other. Those are the two things you'd need for the dock.
 
miles01110 said:
...and the total discreditation of the "Pro" moniker is complete!
Click to expand...

Really? I know there are some people that rely on things like Ethernet, FW and ODD as part of their workflow--but it hardly discredits the Pro moniker.

Right now the assumption is that people will have to use a USB 2.0-Ethernet adapter. If the machine has USB 3.0 it only stands to reason an updated adapter will be released. Besides that, it's the rare user that has to connect to ethernet for Internet access anymore. Most people, professionals included, have access to Wifi or a mobile hotspot device to provide their Internet connection. Some specialized uses may have to use an adapter, but I have no doubt a faster one will be made.

Firewire is somewhat disconcerting because most audio interfaces use it. That said, a FW800-USB 3.0 should come around quickly. USB 3.0 is faster than FW800 anyway, so attaching an adapter to the end of a cable is no big deal. We'll likely see new interface products designed with USB 3.0 or TB going forward as well. These are both superior connections. This loss is not going to be an issue.

As for the ODD, seriously, it's time to get over it. I own a recording studio and work out of two and use Mac Pros. If any pro category needs an ODD, you would think it would be us. We decided to completely remove the optical disc from our work flow about 6 months ago. Clients receive their final product on a USB drive if they want, or they can download it from our Dropbox.
We went through thousands of blank CD's every year. The cost and hassle was ridiculous. We wasted most of them referencing, and that's easier and more realistic digitally anyway.

Beyond that particular use, I can think of no software that isn't downloadable. Media content is also almost all easily downloadable. With the exception of Blu Ray, optical media is dead, and if you really want Blu Ray there are plenty of external options. Why Blu Ray would be necessary on a laptop is beyond me,(don't get me wrong, I use and appreciate the format) it's a format that is designed for home theater.
 
skellener said:
Where are all the Thunderbolt adapters and hubs? :confused:

Thunderbolt-->Ethernet
Thunderbolt-->Firewire
Thunderbolt-->SATA
Thunderbolt-->USB 3.0

That would make the ports much more useful while we wait for more true Thunderbolt peripherals. ;)

At a minimum the MacBook Pro should come with a Thunderbolt-->Ethernet adapter. It is a Pro model.
Click to expand...

I would be afraid to ask what a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter would cost. I hate adapters I have to deal with USB to Serial a lot and they are are a PITA.
 
2015 the soonest possible 15" Air?

So, where does this place the 15" MacBook Air release? And what of a similar improvement to the (heavy) 17" MBP?

Can someone get back to me ASAP???
 
donx said:
Hi everybody, I am new on this forum.

I would like in new 13 inch MBP better graphics card, some kind of ATI with 1GB, that will be nice. Do you think is possible ?
Click to expand...

Possible yes but ultimately unlikely. If we get discrete graphics we're probably looking at 512MB for the frame buffer.
 
I wonder about the heat issue with the new design.

More powerful chips - will the air flicker atop of the MBP when e.g. editing 1080p video?

So this is the beginning of the end of FireWire. Means our old FireWire800 drives are ready to be back-up of the back-up. My G-Techs have FW400 and 800, eSATA (which I can use only when I buy an adapter), and the horrible USB 2.0

But that's always been the case with Apple: to be the first to drop obsolete technology. And, as uncomfortable as it may be, in the age of Thunderbolt and USB 3.0, FireWire is obsolete.

I don't mind dropping the optical drive. You can always use an external for uploading data.
 
I know this is only a mockup, but - make sure you keep that Thunderbolt on the same side as the power port please Apple! Hate stretching the TB cable on the other side of the air, looks ugly and feels awkward.
 
mikeandbecka said:
No FW800 is a deal breaker, as a photo / video pro everything I own right now is FW800
Click to expand...
So keep using your current MBP with FW800, no one is forcing you to buy a future not-yet-released model of MBP without FW and matching photo / video equipment that connects to USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt.
 
I don't buy the port layout

The Thunderbolt and Magsafe should be on the same side to accommodate the all in one cable on the monitor. I don't believe the cable would stretch to the other side.
 
grahamnp said:
The whole taper is there to give the appearance of slimness. Maybe it wouldn't be needed if the machine really was slimmer.
Click to expand...
The taper is needed, otherwise it would much harder to pick up the MBP when it sits on a flat surface.
 
KPOM said:
Just buy the external optical drive for when you really need one. It is a lot smaller than a Mac Mini, which also doesn't have an optical drive. People said the same thing when the iMac dropped the floppy drive. Get over it. In a few years, we won't be using optical drives at all anymore.
Click to expand...

What is there to "get over?" You said yourself "in a few years, we won't be using optical drives at all anymore." Now is not "in a few years."

Just because you don't use your computer to its full potential doesn't mean others don't.
 
Originally Posted by charlieegan3
I was never a fan of the built in SD slot, just room for dust to gather in my case.

I can see how it will be great for you photographers out there though.


Its Still there is it not? (perhaps you are saying its superfluous to your requirements) for my money i would like to see the express card slot return to the 15" MBP Skinny
Much more useful than SD slot.
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2012-05-14 at 18.04.15PM.jpg
    Screen shot 2012-05-14 at 18.04.15PM.jpg
    30.2 KB · Views: 79
Last edited:
barmann said:
You make a lot of valid points, but you don't consider one thing : any computer, OS and such that is being used in the professional world needs to maintain backwards compatibility a lot longer than anything that is made for the consumer market .
Click to expand...

This isn't a "pro" / "consumer" thing... It is has money , doesn't have money thing. There are consumer who buy just as infrequently as Pro's do.

There is this highly skewed definition of pro where "Pro" means carrying the Swiss army knife with the highest number of "gadgets" that fold out. That isn't "professional". That's a gadget thing.


It's always easy to be in favour of changes when you have no dog in the fight .
Click to expand...

No. It is alot easier when your future purchasing isn't hobbled by sunk costs. If the legacy equipment has paid for itself and producing revenue can pay for new stuff.

Besides if want to place a very high value on sunk costs has such then the FW/Ethernet dongle should be worth the price and bigger toolbox that need to carry.


It's way too early for an MBP without FW , but that's just me I guess .
Click to expand...

It probably is a bit early. However, even if Apple made the transition in 2013 there would still be folks who make alot noise on these forums. There is always can't upgrade because firmly gripped by a huge number of backwards looking decisions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back