Ultra-Thin 15" Mac Notebook Getting Closer to Production

[thekev]

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The faster processors are kinda pointless when the standard MacBook pro ships with a 5400rpm hard drive. I hope the next revision includes ssd drives in the base model.

Ehh it all depends on what you do. If you're using it as a desktop replacement then being able to hold everything in ram would be an upgrade beyond what an SSD can give you once your files are open, and if you're dealing with really large files, you'd need an external anyway. SSDs are really cramped on space.

Forcing the professional/prosumer market to merge with the consumer market is not a good idea at all.
People want the MBP for power. Most of these people are professionals that need this power.
People want the MBA for mobility. When they buy the MBA they don't care about power, and are mostly consumers.
By merging these two markets, you get a laptop that's:
1. too big to be as mobile as an ultraportable
2. too weak to satisfy the professional/prosumer market
which will shy away many customers.

Product line wise, it's a good idea. Revenue wise, it's not.

A few people mentioned upcoming wattage reductions, but quite a few of those points seem to be staying the same. If they tried to approach the macbook air it's going to drastically limit their processor choices, or we'll be faced with a machine that runs hot and noisy under load (the current one already does to a degree). If anything I'd like to see them use upcoming wattage reductions to deliver a powerful laptop that runs cool, quiet, and stable versus just focusing on aesthetics.

There's always a choice there. The wedge style seems remarkably stupid for a prosumer machine even just with how limiting it would be on ports. If future ports begin to slow down or wireless IO standards are able to pick up slack, that will change. It just sucks whenever there's a backwards step in usability in an updated product generation. A thunderbolt hub isn't a solution here as it's just another gadget to carry around that will likely fail at a bad time.

 

[MartiNZ]

I doubt Air & Pro will converge.

You don't foresee the new MacBook PrAir?

 

[Prodo123]

Remember, the Ivy Bridge and Haswell chips will run a lot cooler than Sandy Bridge and at lower TDPs (Intel will have variable TDP ratings for its CPUs starting with Ivy Bridge). Plus there is more surface area to dissipate heat. There is also plenty of room to accommodate a larger logic board with FireWire and perhaps even user-upgradeable RAM. Also, by 2012 there ought to be more Thunderbolt adapters available since Windows Ultrabooks will begin including the port. There likely would even be room for a 1.8" hard drive as secondary storage. Remember, the footprint of the 15" Pro is a lot bigger than that of the 13" Air or Pro today. Also, there's nothing to stop Apple from making the 15" version a bit thicker than the 11" and 13" versions.

My guess is that the 17" will retain the existing form factor, much the same way that it is the only one left with ExpressCard.

I'm guessing what carlemil is guessing: no more 13" MBP, just 13" MBA. The 15" and 17" MBP stays where it is.
Because they can actually handle the heat of the GPU.

Also, I'm not talking about the logic board, I'm talking about the casing. It can barely handle a Thunderbolt port; how is a FW800 port going to fit?

You don't foresee the new MacBook PrAir?

MacBook Prayer?

 

[MShock]

Now that I stream/rent most of my video online, I don't need the superdrive. And a 13in screen is too small for me. But audio is also a big factor. I would stick with 15in MBP if speakers aren't dramatically better in a 15in MBA.

As for the discussion of merging product lines, it would make sense to eliminate the 13in MBP, but the not entire line. I would like to a dedicated graphics card in a 13in MBP myself. The point being, graphics, audio, and superdrives are needed by pros and prosumers. Apple blurs that line between consumer and prosumer with aesthetics and usability, starting at the low end (11in MBA). Apple will blur that further as the market demands, but right now, the market is not demanding that. I bet it will demand a larger screen and better audio on a 15in MBA though... for a reasonable if not outrageous price that I'll probably pay... because Apple is awesome... <Sigh>

 

[gramirez2012]

This is the computer that would convert my dad to the Mac. I hope the rumors turn out to be true.

 

[MartiNZ]

MacBook Prayer?

That's the one . I think that's what they might need if they do end up converging.

 

[Stella]

A thinner, optical less 15" Macbook Pro would be great. What I wouldn't like is a far lower hard disk capacity due to SSD, so hopefully it would still be thick enough to accommodate a hard disk. Personally, I like to have all my applications and data with me - having to also carry an external hard disk is just a hassle.

A Discrete graphics card is a must for a so called "Pro" machine. Integrated GPUs just aren't powerful enough.

 

[heisetax]

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The faster processors are kinda pointless when the standard MacBook pro ships with a 5400rpm hard drive. I hope the next revision includes ssd drives in the base model.

Most users need more storage than the affordable models will hold but do not have enough money to purchase the 512 GB model. The new MacBook Pros come with a 750 GB 7,200 rpm drive.

SSDs doesn't make it a Pro model. It is the total package. That really means that the total package is available only with the 17" model for a while now. That has been that way since the PC card slot was removed from the 15" model. Also the Pros are the only models that have built-in ports in order to connect to many outside devices in an easy, (no more hardware needed), manor.

For those with the money the interior DVD burner can be replaced with a SSD or second hard drive. Then with up to 2 SSDs or up to 2 HDs you can make the decision. The Air is typical Apple in that it put style & looks before the job that must be done. If the Pro model gets any thinner it will not have room for what it needs to be a Pro model. HP can put a numeric keypad on even their 15" models. Compare this to the thin MacBook Pros & you will see that Apple doesn't even have room for a numeric keypad on even their 17" MacBook Pros.

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A thinner, optical less 15" Macbook Pro would be great. What I wouldn't like is a far lower hard disk capacity due to SSD, so hopefully it would still be thick enough to accommodate a hard disk. Personally, I like to have all my applications and data with me - having to also carry an external hard disk is just a hassle.

A Discrete graphics card is a must for a so called "Pro" machine. Integrated GPUs just aren't powerful enough.

It the laptop is so thin that 2nd, 3rd, 4th & so devices have to be carried to make up for the lost interior devices, isn't the laptop now more of a liability rather than an asset. I know on my 17" models I have to carry a keyboard & a Kensington trackball to make up for missing items. How can that help me just to have a 1" laptop. Just think of how many more devices I'll have to carry if more items are squeezed out because of a false gain by making the laptop even thinner.

Thinner may be pretty, but it is not always the best in the long run. Just think we could have a 42" MacBook Air that plugs in everything through a ThunderBolt connection. We could plug in the drives, the memory, the motherboard, the ethernet, the keyboard, the tracking device, the finger gesture device. We now may be up to 14 devices or more. But we do have a paper thin laptop. Or is that really just a display?

 

[RMo]

you can just plug in to your home ThunderBolt docking station (or Cinema Display) for all these legacy ports...

I anticipate that needing to plug into a dock/Cinema Display for that Kensington lock (as the OP mentioned) will be particularly convenient.

 

[Icaras]

If this happens, then I'm not buying a Mac laptop ever again...

Thanks for announcing something on the internet in which no one cares about.

 

[AidenShaw]

The way I see it, there's NO WAY a next gen "MacBook Air 15" would have a GPU.
Heat constraints much? Also, lack of ports that I frequently use (major one being FW800)?

you can just plug in to your home ThunderBolt docking station (or Cinema Display) for all these legacy ports...

I would hardly call FW800 a legacy port. That's like calling LaCie's latest as legacy devices. Plus, who the hell wants to pay $1000 just so they can plug in their FW800 drive?

I was going to comment about Apple being willing to sell you a $1000 FW800 dongle, but you're a step ahead.

This is as Tim Cook as it Gets!
Combine the best from all the offerings, and simplify the offered product line.

Strategic moves like such

Sounds more like a camel - an animal designed by a committee. For some people, the "best feature" of the MBP is the optical drive.

I think you are forgetting to factor in the iCloud. Why carry around a drive when you can just snatch the data out of the cloud. I'm still toting around a 2006 MBP and doing just fine...except for my developing hernia.

And you're dismissing low bandwidth connections, "no bandwidth" connections (airplane mode or in limited coverage areas), bandwidth caps, and other realities of the Internet.

Repeatedly downloading the same data from your limited/expensive connection isn't a good replacement for having your stuff on your fast hard drive.

 

[Mojo1]

Gawd, I hope Apple puts better displays in the new models.

The LED backlighting of the MBAs make them unusable for me, while the MBPs are better but not as good as the first LED-backlit MBPs.

If Apple must cut corners when it comes to hardware, I wish it didn't mess with the displays.

 

[kiljoy616]

Possible but I will wait for more confirmation, considering the 15 inch would loose a lot of what makes the 13 inch so good. Still light but I would think most people would want more CPU/GPU for their money, but hey I figure fangirls would be the exception to the rule. A 15" would be probably be higher in its resolution just like we see the difference on today's air vs pro.

Still if you are going to have that much metal why would you pay a premium for thinness and slow speed and gpu performance. Fangirls are confusing.

 

[beebler]

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These are MacBook Pros.
Apple thought about producing 15" MacBook Airs but last I heard, the canceled it.

The next MacBook Pro will be thinner, full SSD, and a brilliant screen as one of the main selling points.

 

[heisetax]

17" is almost too small

This dooms the MB Pros, as IMHO the numbers don't justify a 17" MBP

For me a 5 large display user on my Mac Pro the one little small 17" screen makes a laptop alost unusable. At home I use one of my 30" HP displays that has a displayport connector on it to make the laptop halfway useable at home/office.

I can get a minimal amount of work done for those times when the desk top can not be transported. Windows laptops solve some problems but add others, namely they're a Windows product. The main thing that I need from my laptop is to be able to run my income tax program that I have written in Excel. That means that there would be no restrictions to move to Windows.

With the loss of a17" MacBook Pro the choices after the older 17" models would not work anymore would either be a Windows laptop, with their smalleer 16:9 screens or an iMac with its larger 16:9 screen. 99% of the time that I am out I am within 10' of an AC outlet. So an iMac would win out. I used to carry a 50-55+ lb Mac desktop with 15" lcd, keyboard & trackball. So the iMac is actually lighter & a much larger screen.

Why are all of these screen going to the smaller 16:9 aspect ratio? I need a little more heisght than the 16:10 models give. This is why I will never purchase the 27" Apple display. The 27" iMac displays more than any other iMac, but could do 10% better with the correct sized screen.

We need a 19 - 21" MacBook Pro plus the 17" model, not the lack of anything bigger than the small 15" model.

 

[tbear1]

This could push me over the edge and buy a new laptop. I assume it will have the new Ivy Bridge processors when it comes out.

Glenn

 

[ChrisTX]

As much as I still use my Mac, I tend to use my iPad2, and iPhone 4 a little bit more these days. No regrets in my MBP purchase this year, but hope this redesign is a good one for those looking to upgrade.

 

[heisetax]

How is multiple drive difficult???

Dealing with multiple drives is... complicated. Plus, that would require OS-level support. The future is pure SSDs anyway.

I see the Air-style 11-15" models, and 15-17" Pro models. The 13" Pro goes by the wayside, as it doesn't offer that much to be a completely separate model. I don't think they can fit a super-beefy GPU inside an Air-like body, so we'll probably see a lower grade GPU in there. There will still be people who clamor for a true workstation replacement so the 15-17" models will remain as is.

15" Air will come with 128GB standard with high end model offering 256GB standard. Perhaps a Radeon HD 7400-7500 class GPU. Dual core CPU (as even the current MBPs barely handle the quad core CPU that well). No optical drive. Designed specifically for thinness and high battery life.

Like many MacPro Users I have 4 partitioned internal hard drives & up to a dozen or so partitioned external hard drives. This can give 30, 40, 50 or more mounted partitions. That has never been a problem. Actually if the internal dvd frive goes I'd like the option to include both up to 2 HDD & up to 2SSD. I mean and not or. SSDs do not have to be mounted in something as big as a 2.5" hdd case.

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So what you want is a downgrade in performance from current GPUs present in MBP 15"?
Lol, no way.

FW800 is too big to fit on a MBA. One of the major downfalls of this "wedge" design.
You would also lose the dedicated in/out (very useful at times), Kensington lock (very useful), and the battery indicator.
This one won't bother people much but you would also lose the Ethernet port.

Apple probably won't make these sacrifices to play the RAZR game.

They've already played this thin game, its called the "Air."

 

[leo.andres.21]

Well. I am sure there is a company that caters to whatever specs you needed, what's that company called again, hmm, DELL! That's it.
People are speculating too much with little to no business knowledge.
Removing the 15" Pro (and make it ODD-less and discrete GPU-less) is like shooting themselves in the foot for Apple.
The only product that might be removed is the 13" MBP, which is probably replaced by the 13" MBA with a reduced price to be in line with the current pros.
With this current line-up, Apple are actually gaining market shares and making big profits compare to HP or Dell, PC department alone.
Plus, didn't Tim Cook said everything will be the same without Steve?

 

[heisetax]

you can just plug in to your home ThunderBolt docking station (or Cinema Display) for all these legacy ports...

But we now have a multi unit package. Not very good for really traveling light. Sometimes a little bigger can give a smaller total package.

 

[Dreamer2go]

no macbook AIR please.
I just want a macbook PRO.

Yes.... those sturdy machines that can do wonders with a dedicated graphics solution, tons of harddrive space etc + 15-17 inch..

 

[jamesryanbell]

Airs are better. It's ALL about form factor. If you need power, get a desktop.

 

[Wattser93]

If this happens, then I'm not buying a Mac laptop ever again...
15" will not have:
GPU (Heat constraints)
35/45W CPU (Heat & power constraints)
User-upgradeable RAM (soldered on RAM)
FireWire 800 (too big)
Kensington lock (No space for such a lock)
Many, many more feature that make the MBP superior to MBAs

+1 The MBA line should become the MB line, and the MBPs shouldn't change.

 

[heisetax]

Yep, I think that the MacBook and MacBook Pro are book going thin only in the next year or two. With iCloud and some tech advances it will be possible.

But iCloud will not handle everyone. Also when one really needs to be portable they may be in an area that has no internet coverage. That is unless a direct connection counts.

 

[Thex1138]

This is as Tim Cook as it Gets!
Combine the best from all the offerings, and simplify the offered product line.

Strategic moves like such, shows how great an operational CEO Tim Cook is to become.

"Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it."

I think you misunderstand.... these things do not happen the instant they are reported...
These product evolution's are up to 18 months in the design/prototyping stage and would have been decided months ago...

Tim Cook's influences would still be the next announcement and beyond and his key influences would probably focus on operational matters and verbiage. His delivery may digress but products are pretty much set.