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

[willcapellaro]

If the problem with the ethernet port is the size of the connector, why not design a smaller connector? It's not live they haven't released miniaturized connectors before (think mini display port). A mini-RJ45 to RJ45 adaptor wouldn't need to do anything clever and could support gigabit ethernet. Or am I missing some technical or political hurdle?

We think alike. Ethernet is a few pins and a lot of bulk--it should take Apple about 20 minutes to make a new miniaturized port for this. Then they can sell two new products: a Ethernet to Mini-Ethernet cable for home and office use, and a teensy little converter for travel. Not a corded dongle, just a little plastic pin adapter that can fit in a backpack pocket.

Throttling Ethernet through USB2 is misguided, I usually hook up to Ethernet for higher speeds and more reliable connection than Wifi. The ugly dongle solves reliability, but not the speed issue.

 

[Stetrain]

What if they release their own Thunderbolt dock at the same time as the new MBP?

$99-$199 with FW800, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, and an ExpressCard slot.

 

[marcusj0015]

Marcus re-read my first post before you right in capitals again, as well as the point I am making about the high res panel of the current pro having more real estate than a "retina" mbp in hidpi. This hasn't got anything to do with font. It's to do with pixels and pixel count.

Write* I still don't have a clue what you're talking about, but ok.

 

[bdavis89]

Yeah you for sure need a 17" laptop for sure....if you are 70 years old with vision problems.

This has been discussed at length already, read my other posts instead of just reading the first one and jumping on the bandwagon.

And yet our editors and graphic artists at our post house here prefer the 15" MBPro....go figure.

I guess auditors are 'Pro' users.

Same goes for you. Different people have different uses. You editors and graphic artists seem to think you're the only professionals. Catering to your needs is not what Apple's business is about. It was at one point, and almost ran them into the ground. Apple's focus changed with the advent of the iPod. The fact is, the vast majority of people buying macbooks have no need for an Ethernet port. The other fact is that Apple sells more 13inch and 15 inch than 17 inch laptops to non professionals. Apparently many of you do use 15 inch for your professional work, but it looks like Apple might have made the judgement call to cut items out of the smaller models, and leave the 17 inch with things such as the Ethernet port. Just my two cents.

Its all a mute point anyways, though, because who here currently using macbook pros will rule out a macbook pro for their next computer if this rumor happens? Nobody? Yeah, didn't think so.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

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The report indicates that the USB ports on the new MacBook Pro will support USB 3.0, a feature some had questioned whether Apple would adopt given the move to Thunderbolt connectivity. But last September it was reported that Apple was still considering support USB 3.0 alongside Thunderbolt, and that appears to be the route the company has taken as Thunderbolt peripherals have been rather slow to roll out in many cases. A fresh report from Digitimes also claims that Genesys Logic has won a contract to supply USB 3.0 chips for a forthcoming MacBook Air revision, and it seems likely that such compatibility would also be coming to the MacBook Pro.

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

Considering that the 7-series chipsets that will accompany Ivy Bridge have USB 3.0 built in, I don't see any reason for Apple *NOT* to include it...

 

[AidenShaw]

bad info

I don't have one, but if it follows Ethernet standards (and I assume it does) the max would be 100Mb. Networks have been migrating to 1000Mb for some time and the only way to get this would be with the Thunderbolt display (or a Thunderbolt -> Ethernet adapter). USB 2 has 480Mb/s so it can't reach gigabit speeds.

This is simply wrong.

You could have a Gigabit Ethernet USB 2.0 dongle. It would buffer a bit - receiving/sending data on USB at 480 Mbps, while receiving/sending packets on the Ethernet at 1000 Mbps.

You'd get real world performance of 300+ Mbps...

Network protocols easily handle speed mismatches - otherwise you'd never be able to connect a 100 Mbps line to a 1000 Mbps switch with other 1000 Mbps connections.

 

[Virinprew]

I would trade one TB for one usb3.

 

[derickdub]

It's not a problem with the actual port, I mean that each time I want to hold a presentation or connect to a projector or a TV, I simply have to use an adapter, which is bulky and has to be bought separately, and not forgotten at home. Meanwhile, people who bought a crappy netbook can instantly connect to anything without an adapter since they have VGA.

Yes, I know, VGA is old and stupid and bulky, but most things still use it, except high end monitors.

I'm not saying VGA should come back, but something has to be done to make modern computers easily connect to every screen and projector, even if the projector is more than 2 years old.

And DisplayPort is that very thing.

No matter what kind of port Apple uses, you're going to need an adaptor somewhere for something, so why not use the best? Unless of course you're suggesting that Apple should try to create another industry standard. Then we'll just suffer through years and years of failed implementation and it will die. DisplayPort is alive and well, and only becoming more of the norm. Not to mention it's royalty-free.

I'd rather not be forced to use an outdated monitor because my MBP isn't compatible with newer ones.

 

[Val-kyrie]

A retina display would be great as long as they have a antiglare option.

Does any company manufacture a 'retina display' for the equivalent of the current hi-res 1680x1050 anti-glare display (i.e., a 3390x2100 display)?

Dual thunderbolt (could even theoretically support dual external monitors without requiring daisy chaining) and the possibility for two standard SSD (instead of soldered on flash sticks) doesn't make this pro enough for you?

There are plenty of options to get wired connectivity if you want it. Check out the Belkin thunderbolt dock for example.

Too bad it won't be for sale until at least September.

You can't satisfy everyone I suppose..

These are good on my book..

Removal of Optical Drive --> Good
Removal of Ethernet -> Good

I'd go even further and get rid of SD, all USB, and all Firewire, and add 1 or 2 more Thunderbolt with optional dongles for these..

I rarely use the firewire, usb, SD.. these days, thanks to Thunderbolt Display..

Not everyone wants to replace their current displays just to pay for Apple's overpriced TB display.

Thunderbolt-->Ethernet - shipping: ATD announced: various
Thunderbolt-->Firewire shipping: ATD announced: various
Thunderbolt-->SATA shipping: Lacie
Thunderbolt-->USB 3.0 nothing announced, but with dedicated USB 3 ports, I don't think it's an issue.

It is nice that adapters are becoming available. I am just not thrilled with the need to purchase additional adapters and carry them around for basic functionality (e.g., ethernet connections).

Calm down, if Apple releases a Macbook with 802.11AC, it'll release a new Airport router alongside it.

Makes me wonder if a new AEBS will include or omit ethernet ports. If the latter, I will consider a different company for my router.

 

[Sackvillenb]

Hmmm, I quite like this concept. A hybrid of sorts between the MBP's and the airs... yes... I like this...

 

[Tmoney64]

Firewire please

unless someone knows of any audio interfaces for music production that uses Thunderbolt and/or USB 3.0

 

[Nostromo]

unless someone knows of any audio interfaces for music production that uses Thunderbolt and/or USB 3.0

You have a point there.

As lots of music makers buy MBPs, Firewire should stay.

But I think you'll have bad luck. Once Apple decides a technology is obsolete, they ditch it.

Maybe you can get an USB 3.0-Firewire adapter or Thunderbolt-Firewire.

Apple should ditch the SD slot. Higher end cameras use CF.

 

[thekev]

You have a point there.

As lots of music makers buy MBPs, Firewire should stay.

But I think you'll have bad luck. Once Apple decides a technology is obsolete, they ditch it.

Maybe you can get an USB 3.0-Firewire adapter or Thunderbolt-Firewire.

Apple should ditch the SD slot. Most people use their iphone.

Hehe... fixed it for you

 

[Tmoney64]

You have a point there.

As lots of music makers buy MBPs, Firewire should stay.

But I think you'll have bad luck. Once Apple decides a technology is obsolete, they ditch it.

Maybe you can get an USB 3.0-Firewire adapter or Thunderbolt-Firewire.

Apple should ditch the SD slot. Higher end cameras use CF.

Yeah, SD slot can go, hell I can even live without the optical drive if they're hell bent on going that route, but while we're in a transition period, my hopes that Firewire stays for at least this year's refresh. My link below proves my point at the limited offerings for those of us who record music have for Thunderbolt interfaces at the moment.....yikes.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Univers...nderbolt-I-O-Option-Bay-107896078-i2333655.gc

 

[aaronvan]

I remember the angst and gnashing of teeth when the first iMac arrived without a floppy drive. Time marches on.

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Apple hasn't sold kits since 1977.

Kit = stuff

 

[theSeb]

No, as I said, FACT wireless is NOT secure, ethernet IS. Many offices will give their employee's wireless for smart phones or whatever, but for computers it will be ethernet ONLY. Plus it's faster for VPN or network profiles. You can argue as much as you want, doesn't change the facts over which is more secure and which method is more forced upon for work machine use.

And if corporate computers get viruses then they are not locked down enough or lack proper security or the users are not using them as per guidelines. I have even read story's of people sitting outside offices that use WiFi to steal their internet because it's so easy.



Your comparing a tablet to a computer? You may as well state what's the point in ANY computer.

I am not sure where you get your "facts" from. Nearly all corporate companies do run wireless networks throughout their offices. Whilst a typical home wifi network on a netgear router may not be secure, this is not the class of equipment they use. Corporate wireless networks can be very secure. It all depends on how well it's set up. Simply saying wireless is not secure and stating it as a fact is plain, old silly and naive.

Many offices do run non-corporate and unsecure wifi networks for visitors. Sometimes they have passwords and sometimes they don't. These networks are for Internet access only and have nothing to do with the company's internal network. I see now where you get your facts from.

 

[orthorim]

I have no issue with removing the port or Firewire for that matter to conserve space. Fine. However, what's the point of multiple Thunderbolt ports if there are no devices for it? It's not as if Thunderbolt to ethernet and Firewire isn't doable. It's on the bloody Thunderbolt display.

Really? Ethernet is on the thunderbolt display?

Well then there you go for you cubicle dwellers in corporate environments, now you can request a fantastic Apple monitor to go with your new MacBook Pro - everybody's happy.

Can we cease talking about ethernet now? It bores me to death. The tech had its time, but it's a dinosaur. For stuff that you need only every blue moon, it makes perfect sense to exist as external dongle only. Keep the hardware bloat to a minimum.

I last used ethernet in our corporate office ... 2 years ago? Even that office had WiFi so it wasn't like you had to be on ethernet. (since then I managed to stay away from offices... much better )

Now with iPad rollouts throughout the entire corporate world, WiFi will be everywhere too.

Please stop spouting nonsense about WiFi not being secure. WPA2 hasn't been cracked yet. Ergo, it's secure - as secure as ethernet, which is the whole point.

 

[Tmoney64]

I remember the angst and gnashing of teeth when the first iMac arrived without a floppy drive. Time marches on.

----------



Kit = stuff

Yeah, just sucks in the mean time
Not really afraid of moving forward, just the cost of getting a new audio interfaces may be almost if not more expensive then a new MBP itself for the time being.....sigh.

 

[orthorim]

I am not sure where you get your "facts" from. Nearly all corporate companies do run wireless networks throughout their offices. Whilst a typical home wifi network on a netgear router may not be secure, this is not the class of equipment they use. Corporate wireless networks can be very secure. It all depends on how well it's set up. ....

It doesn't take much more than click on the "Use WPA2 encryption" in the router. Any router can do that, even at home.

WPA2 provides wired-equivalent protection. E.g. nobody can listen in on your communications to and from the browser.

It's not rocket science, people!

 

[theSeb]

It doesn't take much more than click on the "Use WPA2 encryption" in the router. Any router can do that, even at home.

WPA2 provides wired-equivalent protection. E.g. nobody can listen in on your communications to and from the browser.

It's not rocket science, people!

There is a bit more to corporate wireless networks. You don't get to type in a WPA2 or whatever password.

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Really? Ethernet is on the thunderbolt display?

Well then there you go for you cubicle dwellers in corporate environments, now you can request a fantastic Apple monitor to go with your new MacBook Pro - everybody's happy.

Can we cease talking about ethernet now? It bores me to death. The tech had its time, but it's a dinosaur. For stuff that you need only every blue moon, it makes perfect sense to exist as external dongle only. Keep the hardware bloat to a minimum.

I last used ethernet in our corporate office ... 2 years ago? Even that office had WiFi so it wasn't like you had to be on ethernet. (since then I managed to stay away from offices... much better )

Now with iPad rollouts throughout the entire corporate world, WiFi will be everywhere too.

Please stop spouting nonsense about WiFi not being secure. WPA2 hasn't been cracked yet. Ergo, it's secure - as secure as ethernet, which is the whole point.

Yes, the ATD has 2 x FW 800 ports and a GbE port.

 

[mdgm]

The reason is, that USB 2.0 does not support the 1 GBit/s transfer speed.

I know that, but my point is that a USB dongle is a terrible alternative to a built in ethernet port. A built in ethernet port is a basic thing that is a part of all professional laptops. It's one of many reasons to get a MBP over a MBA. I don't want a MBP that's turned into a MBA.

There are other things I want to stay like being able to use my own 2.5" SSD and to have upgradeable RAM.

I do want Ivy Bridge and USB3.

 

[Peace]

There is a bit more to corporate wireless networks. You don't get to type in a WPA2 or whatever password.

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Yes, the ATD has 2 x FW 800 ports and a GbE port.

Are you saying there's a disproportionate number of people using packet sniffing software in the corporate environment ?

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Really? Ethernet is on the thunderbolt display?

Well then there you go for you cubicle dwellers in corporate environments, now you can request a fantastic Apple monitor to go with your new MacBook Pro - everybody's happy.

That's the standard here if you pick a Mac. (You get your choice of Dell or Mac.) Works great. Too bad I'm in a position that I get a desktop - and they don't do Mac desktops, only laptops.

 

[theSeb]

Are you saying there's a disproportionate number of people using packet sniffing software in the corporate environment ?

You've lost me mate.

I am saying that the set up to be able to join a corporate network is a bit different to whacking in the WEP or WPA2 password.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

It doesn't take much more than click on the "Use WPA2 encryption" in the router. Any router can do that, even at home.

WPA2 provides wired-equivalent protection. E.g. nobody can listen in on your communications to and from the browser.

It's not rocket science, people!

Sorry, calling WPA2 "wired-equivalent" is a bit optimistic. There used to be a standard that they considered so secure, they actually named it "Wired Equivalent Protection"... AKA: "WEP", now known as "the least secure "security" available - essentially only secure against the completely non-tech-savvy." WPA2 has already been broken.

In our environment, we deal with sensitive customer data, including some that is regulated by the government and Bad Things™ would happen if that data were breached. We have certain segments of our network that are completely blocked from our WiFi network. And the remaining corporate assets aren't even available "plain" via the WPA2-secured WiFi network, you still have to VPN in, even though you're in the building. (You can print, and you can access any service that you can access from outside the network like our email server, but that's it. Can't even get to our intranet web sites without VPNing in.)