Waiting for Broadwell MBP Thread

[sandylp]

I haven't read a rumour about the rMBPs in ages.

Just read this:

While the Retina MacBook Pro received a minor update on July 29, delivering 200 MHz faster Haswell processors and increased RAM on low-end stock models, a more substantial update is expected in 2015, when Intel's long-delayed Broadwell processors become available.

and

Skylake is the codename for a processor microarchitecture to be developed by Intel as the successor to the Broadwell architecture. Skylake will use the 14 nm manufacturing process.

So, looks like the Skylake processor might be worth waiting for, IMO, but not sure when it will be released. I was planning on buying the Broadwell, but I may just wait for the Skylake.

 

[The Leafs Fan]

Just read this:

While the Retina MacBook Pro received a minor update on July 29, delivering 200 MHz faster Haswell processors and increased RAM on low-end stock models, a more substantial update is expected in 2015, when Intel's long-delayed Broadwell processors become available.

and

Skylake is the codename for a processor microarchitecture to be developed by Intel as the successor to the Broadwell architecture. Skylake will use the 14 nm manufacturing process.

So, looks like the Skylake processor might be worth waiting for, IMO, but not sure when it will be released. I was planning on buying the Broadwell, but I may just wait for the Skylake.

Haha this is just common sense. I was talking about supply chain, analyst, blogger with "sources", etc. type of rumours.

 

[linkgx1]

I'm thinking about getting my first Mac. But do you guys think it's worth it waiting for Broadwell or going ahead and jumping ship?

 

[mafaky]

I'm thinking about getting my first Mac. But do you guys think it's worth it waiting for Broadwell or going ahead and jumping ship?

You didn't really mention if you plan to get a non-retina MacBook Air (MBA) or a retina MacBook Pro (rMBP).

If you plan for the MBA, there may not be any major updates for the next 6 months, or so. Furthermore, it's also unpredictable (even not rumored today) as when the MBA will receive Broadwell processors plus a retina display. Remember that MBA's strong point is the long (average) battery utilisation time, which is quoted as 12 hrs. for the 13".

If you're planning for the rMBP, and if you've planning for this since a long time, you might as well wait for another 6-8 months and then you can get a rMBP with Broadwells and quite possibly with an improved figure (say with an hour's time more, minimum...) for the battery utilisation.

But whatever you buy and whenever you buy keep in mind that you will not be able to upgrade the memory or the storage in the current and future models, after purchasing.

Good luck!!!

 

[ValSalva]

I'm thinking about getting my first Mac. But do you guys think it's worth it waiting for Broadwell or going ahead and jumping ship?

Jumping ship to what? It's not like any of the PC manufacturers have Broadwell now.

 

[toxicdrift]

sorry guys haveto leave this thread, cuz i got my 15 2.5Ghz shiny new Retina Pro ! and am very very happy

 

[Damtoft]

sorry guys haveto leave this thread, cuz i got my 15 2.5Ghz shiny new Retina Pro ! and am very very happy

Big mistake, new macbooks very soon that will be much better than what you bought.

 

[linkgx1]

You didn't really mention if you plan to get a non-retina MacBook Air (MBA) or a retina MacBook Pro (rMBP).

If you plan for the MBA, there may not be any major updates for the next 6 months, or so. Furthermore, it's also unpredictable (even not rumored today) as when the MBA will receive Broadwell processors plus a retina display. Remember that MBA's strong point is the long (average) battery utilisation time, which is quoted as 12 hrs. for the 13".

If you're planning for the rMBP, and if you've planning for this since a long time, you might as well wait for another 6-8 months and then you can get a rMBP with Broadwells and quite possibly with an improved figure (say with an hour's time more, minimum...) for the battery utilisation.

But whatever you buy and whenever you buy keep in mind that you will not be able to upgrade the memory or the storage in the current and future models, after purchasing.

Good luck!!!

I want the Retina pro. If they end up having a Retina Air I'd probably get that.

I think I can wait until then, its just killing me right now.

 

[toxicdrift]

Big mistake, new macbooks very soon that will be much better than what you bought.

sure they will, there will always be something better around the corner. but i needed a new laptop and just couldn't wait another 10 months.

 

[Vanilla35]

Big mistake, new macbooks very soon that will be much better than what you bought.

What do you mean right around the corner? Broadwell isn't coming out for the 15" rMBP until around Summer 2015. The Summer 2014 refresh just happened, it was the 200MHz bump. IMO, 10-12 months is not right around the corner.

 

[ABC5S]

Big mistake, new macbooks very soon that will be much better than what you bought.

Joking right ? It'll be a little bit better, but not much better that one will notice for most work the computer will be used for.

 

[Vanilla35]

Joking right ? It'll be a little bit better, but not much better that one will notice for most work the computer will be used for.

Yeah I agree. Now that Broadwell is delayed mid-way into 2015, Skylake is the better wait. The only hope for Broadwell is the chance of a redesign, but engineers will tell you that is likely to wait until Skylake too.

 

[linkgx1]

Ok if Skylake is going to be ''better'', would it be smart to get the 2014 Haswell now seeing that it's my 1st Mac. Then upgrade to Sky like in 2 years? I'm just saying as I've never had a Mac before (coming from Windows 8) and I'm wondering if it will be worth the wait per say.

 

[The Leafs Fan]

What do you mean right around the corner? Broadwell isn't coming out for the 15" rMBP until around Summer 2015. The Summer 2014 refresh just happened, it was the 200MHz bump. IMO, 10-12 months is not right around the corner.

I'm thinking more of a 6-8 month wait, but you're spot on VanillaCracker.

 

[Vanilla35]

Ok if Skylake is going to be ''better'', would it be smart to get the 2014 Haswell now seeing that it's my 1st Mac. Then upgrade to Sky like in 2 years? I'm just saying as I've never had a Mac before (coming from Windows 8) and I'm wondering if it will be worth the wait per say.

I would say you should buy now and be happy with it. Your "best" wait is no wait. The "best" wait estimation of Skylake for you is unattainable since it is 1.5-2.0 years from now, and Broadwell is not a worthy wait over the current 2014 Haswell model, if you are a new user.

----------

I'm thinking more of a 6-8 month wait, but you're spot on VanillaCracker.

You're right, 6-10* . Q3 to me means summer, and summer to me means July, in terms of a healthy estimate. I don't like hoping for May when I hear summer

 

[marcin0903]

I haven't been interested in rMBPs for quite a while so forgive me if I'm repeating the question.

How likely is a rMBP design change along with Intel Broadwell update in 2015? Is it even possible to foresee that in a way?

Currently need 13" rMBP and struggling with making appropriate decision whether to buy mid 2014 rMBP now or wait for the next update. Therefore asking if it's going to be a major update (in general, not only in terms of CPU).

 

[lordromanov01]

I haven't been interested in rMBPs for quite a while so forgive me if I'm repeating the question.

How likely is a rMBP design change along with Intel Broadwell update in 2015? Is it even possible to foresee that in a way?

Currently need 13" rMBP and struggling with making appropriate decision whether to buy mid 2014 rMBP now or wait for the next update. Therefore asking if it's going to be a major update (in general, not only in terms of CPU).

I'm no expert but I have been following this thread and people have been thinking that the Skylake update (probably mid-2016) will have a design change. By then the current design will be 4 years old.

 

[Angriff]

I'm no expert but I have been following this thread and people have been thinking that the Skylake update (probably mid-2016) will have a design change. By then the current design will be 4 years old.

It seems likely that the next chassis design change will probably come whenever Apple is confident enough in the iGPUs from Intel to drop dGPU support altogether and design the motherboard layout and thermals around just the CPU package. Skylake seems likely to be the earliest that might happen.

 

[Lukewarmwinner]

I haven't been interested in rMBPs for quite a while so forgive me if I'm repeating the question.

How likely is a rMBP design change along with Intel Broadwell update in 2015? Is it even possible to foresee that in a way?

Currently need 13" rMBP and struggling with making appropriate decision whether to buy mid 2014 rMBP now or wait for the next update. Therefore asking if it's going to be a major update (in general, not only in terms of CPU).

No one really knows. The design would properly change eventually. I don't think they'll redesign it before Skylake - why should they

 

[Vanilla Face]

How likely is a rMBP design change along with Intel Broadwell update in 2015? Is it even possible to foresee that in a way?

I think there is a pretty good possibility. The major way to slim down the rMBP is to reduce the battery size. Broadwell is significantly more energy efficient than the Ivy Bridge processor that the current design was built for. The integrated graphics will be more efficient as well. The biggest difference, I believe, will be the use of IGZO displays. Broadwell should also produce less heat allowing for a redesign of the cooling system.

 

[acuriouslad]

Quad Core 13inch

I haven't seen talk of quad core in the 13inch for a while, but with the move to 14nm is it possible that the 13inch i7 option may be a mid-spec quad core?

That would be the absolute sweet spot for me! Quad core i7 even a little throttled; with the hyperthreading would make things run like butter.

 

[Vanilla Face]

I haven't seen talk of quad core in the 13inch for a while, but with the move to 14nm is it possible that the 13inch i7 option may be a mid-spec quad core?

That would be the absolute sweet spot for me! Quad core i7 even a little throttled; with the hyperthreading would make things run like butter.

Possible, but unlikely.

 

[The Leafs Fan]

Possible, but unlikely.

If we're talking about Broadwell, then it's actually pretty likely there will be a quad core processor in the 13-inch rmbp.

 

[thagomizer]

Has Apple ever added a new GPU option to the MacBook Pro in mid-cycle?

In June they added the 2.8 GHz CPU option. What are chances that they will add an 860M or even 900-series Maxwell GPU as a BTO option to the current generation model before the overhaul for Broadwell?

NVidia 900 series mobile GPUs are due in October. So that's promising. But 800 series has been out since February and we haven't been offered them yet.

 

[The Leafs Fan]

Has Apple ever added a new GPU option to the MacBook Pro in mid-cycle?

In June they added the 2.8 GHz CPU option. What are chances that they will add an 860M or even 900-series Maxwell GPU as a BTO option to the current generation model before the overhaul for Broadwell?

NVidia 900 series mobile GPUs are due in October. So that's promising. But 800 series has been out since February and we haven't been offered them yet.

I seriously doubt that Apple would update the GPU before the Broadwell update because including an 800 or 900 series Maxwell GPU would involve as redesign of the motherboard as the pins changed in the update from Kepler to Maxwell.