Thoughts on a 15" MacBook Release

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Well, I'm currently in turmoil over what MacBook to get next. Okay so that's not what this thread is about, but it's got me thinking of the reasons why the current 12" model wouldn't satisfy my needs; and one of them is the awkward size.

I think the portability-factor of this product is exceptional - it's like a sandwiched iPad - but the screen size just doesn't cut it for me. For consumption and basic tasks, sure, but when you compare the 13" MacBook Air/Pro to this product (I've tried this endlessly at my local Apple store), it's amazing how that extra screen estate improves your productivity.

Since the 12" model is here to stay, how would you guys feel about a larger sibling to sell alongside it? A 14"-15" model would still retain the thinness and (almost) weight of the 12", but with much more space to work with.

Here's hoping Apple get their thumb out!

 

[Serban]

15" means that the first crucial thing of Apple in making this product is lost and that is the extreme portability

 

[xDKP]

They might do a 14" down the line - the new 12 inch is 11 inch form factor and the new 14 inch could be 13 inch form factor and then discontinuing the Air line..

 

[zamboni52]

I think the rMB meets the portability needs as is. Everything about it was designed to minimize its footprint while still offering significant capability. The thin screen, keyboard, touchpad, etc. maximizes the rMB capability while maintaining an iPad Air2 footprint. I carry a full fledged OS X device in my tablet sling bag. I'm sure a bigger sibling will also have its use especially if they can increase screen size without increasing the overall size, maybe by even further minimizing the bezel. For the ultimate in portability with it's know compromises ...the rMB is my choice.

 

[diggy33]

Nope

 

[maflynn]

Other then losing ports, getting a thinner slower computer. What advantage would a 15" MacBook provide over the MacBook Pro. There's too much product overlap as it stands now and I cannot see any good coming with a 15" MacBook competing directly against the MacBook Pro.

 

[boltjames]

15" means that the first crucial thing of Apple in making this product is lost and that is the extreme portability

I'll disagree here.

Much as I adore my 12" RMB, at proper resolution the screen is a bit difficult to read, having a larger screen would be beneficial for me. I moved from a Sony VAIO Pro and the smaller screen is noticeable.

"Extreme portability" to me means thickness and weight and the ability to pass through TSA airport security without being removed from my backpack (x-ray sees an RMB as if it were an iPad). I'd love a 14" Retina MacBook down the line when Apple can make it happen at just a hair over the 2 pounds we're carrying now. The extra screen real estate adding a bit more to the overall proportion wouldn't matter to me. It's about thinness and weight.

BJ

 

[zhenya]

I think it's certainly possible that we'll see a 14" model in the future. As for me, I'll be sticking with the smaller size. I guess I'm fortunate enough to still have excellent vision, and I've been able to make the move from 14" laptops that I'd used for years, to 12" models with higher resolution without feeling like I'm giving up much in workspace and productivity. My main work computer is a Surface Pro 3 that replaced my 14" Thinkpad. Yes, the Thinkpad had more real-estate, but I've worked from the Surface exclusively even for months at a time when I was on a remote project and I didn't miss the extra space.

 

[xDKP]

Other then losing ports, getting a thinner slower computer. What advantage would a 15" MacBook provide over the MacBook Pro. There's too much product overlap as it stands now and I cannot see any good coming with a 15" MacBook competing directly against the MacBook Pro.

I dont agree at all.. That would be the same as saying Apple should't make an 13 inch Air, because they have the 13 inch Pro.. What advantages would anyone get with an Air beside weight and size? Well for some of us, weight and size (and design) is pretty much a first bullet on our buying list...

If the Retina MacBook were available in 14 inch size I might have considered it, but 12 is optimal for me...

 

[Devyn89]

Yes, a 13" or 14" retina macbook I'd buy in a heartbeat.

 

[Psyfuzz]

15" means that the first crucial thing of Apple in making this product is lost and that is the extreme portability

Not really, their intention was to create the most portable option relative to the device's screen estate - by the logic that screen size alone = portability then the 11" Air is technically more portable than the 12" rMacbook, which we know isn't true.

If Apple provided a 14" rMacbook that was significantly more portable than say the 13" Macbook Pro then the intention of the range has been met.

 

[dogslobber]

Well, I'm currently in turmoil over what MacBook to get next. Okay so that's not what this thread is about, but it's got me thinking of the reasons why the current 12" model wouldn't satisfy my needs; and one of them is the awkward size.

I think the portability-factor of this product is exceptional - it's like a sandwiched iPad - but the screen size just doesn't cut it for me. For consumption and basic tasks, sure, but when you compare the 13" MacBook Air/Pro to this product (I've tried this endlessly at my local Apple store), it's amazing how that extra screen estate improves your productivity.

Since the 12" model is here to stay, how would you guys feel about a larger sibling to sell alongside it? A 14"-15" model would still retain the thinness and (almost) weight of the 12", but with much more space to work with.

Here's hoping Apple get their thumb out!

It's doubtful Apple would make one as they didn't make a 15" MBA. People want portability but they also want usability. Only a MBA gives you both.

 

[Max(IT)]

yep.
make it 14" and with 2 USB-C and you can replace the whole MacBook Air lineup.

It's doubtful Apple would make one as they didn't make a 15" MBA. People want portability but they also want usability. Only a MBA gives you both.

Did you ever try a 13" MBP ? Portability, usability and power under the same shell ....

 

[masotime]

The designs of the retina MBP 13" and 15" are IMO beginning to show their age. 2012 doesn't seem like a long time ago, but it's an eternity in the tech world. What I'm seeing is that Microsoft and other OEMs are coming up with gradually more and more capable ultraportables that approach the performance and battery life of the rMBP while being significantly more powerful.

I believe that they'll ( ) actually come up with a new rMBP design - one that is significantly thinner and lighter without compromising the current 13" and 15" specs. That's... well to me, that'll be awesome.

 

[dogslobber]

yep.
make it 14" and with 2 USB-C and you can replace the whole MacBook Air lineup.

Did you ever try a 13" MBP ? Portability, usability and power under the same shell ....

Or call the 14" rMB the new MBA But they're resetting the price point so I don't think they will.

Yes, I bought a 13" MBP to replace my 2010 MBA.

 

[Max(IT)]

Or call the 14" rMB the new MBA But they're resetting the price point so I don't think they will.

it was more or less my point.

Yes, I bought a 13" MBP to replace my 2010 MBA.

you should update your signature

 

[dogslobber]

you should update your signature

I try to be humble.

 

[toddzrx]

15" means that the first crucial thing of Apple in making this product is lost and that is the extreme portability

Extreme portability is obviously one of the main features of the rMB, but that doesn't mean a larger one isn't useful. I would welcome a 14 or 15 inch model, hopefully with Thunderbolt 3, that could easily replace my old iMac with the addition of an external monitor. It would spend most of its life as a desktop, but be easily packed up and brought on the road when needed.

 

[maflynn]

I would welcome a 14 or 15 inch model, hopefully with Thunderbolt 3, that could easily replace my old iMac

The issue is in going with a much thinner design, Apple may very well remove most if not all but one of the ports, just like the 12" rMB. So you'll need to address that short coming if you wish to use it with an external monitor. Plus making something so thin to increase its portability, will in all likelihood mean a slower computer (as compared to current 15" MBPs) and that might not make it an ideal replacement for an iMac. Just my$.02

 

[toddzrx]

The issue is in going with a much thinner design, Apple may very well remove most if not all but one of the ports, just like the 12" rMB. So you'll need to address that short coming if you wish to use it with an external monitor. Plus making something so thin to increase its portability, will in all likelihood mean a slower computer (as compared to current 15" MBPs) and that might not make it an ideal replacement for an iMac. Just my$.02

I hear where you're coming from. In my case, my 2010 iMac is still going strong with an SSD and 8GB of RAM. I'm hoping to get at least another year and a half out of it before I really start to notice any performance decrease, desire on my part to want something faster, or something breaks. So that gets me to spring of 2017 when hopefully Apple will have released computers with Kaby Lake. Kaby Lake should be pretty descent for the typical consumer grade stuff I do on my computer now, even the Core-M versions. In addition, USB-C with full Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1, DP1.3, etc., will hopefully be pretty mainstream at that point, which will allow for a single cable running from a 4K monitor to the Macbook for it to be fully docked (able to send data, video, and charge all at once). From what I've read so far, this is not pipe dreaming, but exactly what USB-C, with all the protocols, is supposed to deliver.