Waiting for Skylake MBP thread

[cmChimera]

I find though most here seem certain Apple will put something out along with Skylake and TB3 and the questions are around when and what form factor etc. However previously I had a Mac Pro and the way Apple refused to update for years has left me with rather shaken confidence. They didn't even move beyond USB2 on that machine!

The current Mac Pro has USB 3.

So for those who have followed MBPs for years, how likely is it that Apple will come out with such a computer whether it's in February or the summer etc?

100% chance.

Or is it possible they will simply do nothing for another 12 months, charging full price for cheaper technology as they did for a few years with the Mac Pro.

No, not possible.

Their attitude to USB2 and 3 makes me think they are largely unbothered about the question of getting the latest standards.

Curious, as they were pretty close to the first manufacturer using USB type C.

Or are laptops just much more competitive than the market the Mac Pro used to be in?

Why do you keep talking about the Mac Pro as if Apple doesn't make it anymore? But the answer is yes. More people buy MacBooks than Mac Pros

 

[killawat]

Not wanting to be too pessimistic. I just have this fear that 99% of MBP buyers just walk into the shop and buy it because it looks nice, feels nice and has OS X. How many really know about Skylake? If Apple can get away with delaying the update will they do so? Or are laptops just much more competitive than the market the Mac Pro used to be in?

I firmly believe that Apple will be somewhat competitive with the new Skylake XPS with everything except graphics and touch screen. The stars have aligned and Apple hopefully can't sit on the same processor for the MBP for another year since the current one is already two years old. Also they can get rid of magsafe and other ports to reduce thickness with USB-C, i can't see them skipping these options. Perhaps we won't get a full redesign and higher specs and new ports but atleast one.

 

[shareef777]

I have been following this thread a while as I know most have. I am waiting and waiting as I don't want to buy another MBP without TB3 and as I'll be buying a 15" I don't want the old CPU it currently ships with. I hope to keep it 4 or 5 years so will max out the specs when it comes. That of course assumes that TB3/USB-C will become a new standard and given the hundreds of millions of accessories etc that rely on USB2 and USB3 and the companies making them show no sign of changing soon who can say. Years ago I stuck it out with Firewire only to find that few others did.

I find though most here seem certain Apple will put something out along with Skylake and TB3 and the questions are around when and what form factor etc. However previously I had a Mac Pro and the way Apple refused to update for years has left me with rather shaken confidence. They didn't even move beyond USB2 on that machine!

So for those who have followed MBPs for years, how likely is it that Apple will come out with such a computer whether it's in February or the summer etc? Or is it possible they will simply do nothing for another 12 months, charging full price for cheaper technology as they did for a few years with the Mac Pro. Their attitude to USB2 and 3 makes me think they are largely unbothered about the question of getting the latest standards.

Not wanting to be too pessimistic. I just have this fear that 99% of MBP buyers just walk into the shop and buy it because it looks nice, feels nice and has OS X. How many really know about Skylake? If Apple can get away with delaying the update will they do so? Or are laptops just much more competitive than the market the Mac Pro used to be in?

Having the same thoughts myself. I can see them releasing Skylake MBP without TB3. My only hope is that they released the MacBook with the USB-C connector so it would be logical to bring TB3 (same USB-C connector) to the new pros. Unfortunately, logical isn't always the factor for their decision making.

 

[manni]

CmChimera, I hope you're right that Apple will definitely update the MBPs soon. I would guess that laptops are more competitive.

For the rest I was obviously talking about the classic Mac Pro - I referenced them taking years to update it as was a very well known aspect of Apple's approach to that device sadly - I bought one of the last ones and it still had USB2 - also on other more mass produced models they took a long time to update it such as the MacBook Air. So while they have been quick to adopt USB-C in one particular device on the whole in recent years Apple has been rather slow with it especially given the prices charged for the aforementioned machines.

 

[killawat]

Having the same thoughts myself. I can see them releasing Skylake MBP without TB3.

Well, if this slide is to be believed, TB3 controller reduces power by 50%. If that nets Apple anything usable I can't imagine them not adding it in there. Longer battery life has always been the goal.

 

[bfreek]

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel). but i like to spoil you with what i'm told:

- redesign (basically the same as current mbp only thinner)
- 3 colors (macbook one colors)
- no glowing apple (due to tighter screen case)
- smaller screen bezel
- new keyboard (but not the same as with the macbook one)
- still magsafe charging
- sd card slot
- usb-c
- skylake chips with iris pro (as to be announced at ces)
- release in march (along with new macbook one, apple watch 2, new 4" iphone as well as new cinema display)

 

[Janoski]

Evening from the UK.

I need a replacement for my 13" 2011 MBP quite urgently, however with this update around the corner i'm really trying to resist buying the current spec. As I wouldn't intend to get a new MBP until roughly 2019/2020.

I also intend to max out the specs on the new MBP, are we really looking at March 2016 for a release on the new update? Also is there anything really bad about buying the current spec with the new spec qualities in consideration for someone using it for mainly work purposes? I don't intend to use it for editing or anything heavy.

Thanks in advance

 

[frosse]

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel). but i like to spoil you with what i'm told:

- redesign (basically the same as current mbp only thinner)
- 3 colors (macbook one colors)
- no glowing apple (due to tighter screen case)
- smaller screen bezel
- new keyboard (but not the same as with the macbook one)
- still magsafe charging
- sd card slot
- usb-c
- skylake chips with iris pro (as to be announced at ces)
- release in march (along with new macbook one, apple watch 2, new 4" iphone as well as new cinema display)

I'm sorry but you've lost your credibility by now. You can regain it by showing us some proof of your claims; emails, photos or any correspondence with your leak. Now you're just a new member with a bad track record.

 

[cmChimera]

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel). but i like to spoil you with what i'm told:

- redesign (basically the same as current mbp only thinner)
- 3 colors (macbook one colors)
- no glowing apple (due to tighter screen case)
- smaller screen bezel
- new keyboard (but not the same as with the macbook one)
- still magsafe charging
- sd card slot
- usb-c
- skylake chips with iris pro (as to be announced at ces)
- release in march (along with new macbook one, apple watch 2, new 4" iphone as well as new cinema display)

But you've never ever been right.

 

[manni]

Evening from the UK.

I need a replacement for my 13" 2011 MBP quite urgently, however with this update around the corner i'm really trying to resist buying the current spec. As I wouldn't intend to get a new MBP until roughly 2019/2020.

I also intend to max out the specs on the new MBP, are we really looking at March 2016 for a release on the new update? Also is there anything really bad about buying the current spec with the new spec qualities in consideration for someone using it for mainly work purposes? I don't intend to use it for editing or anything heavy.

Thanks in advance

I'm in the same boat though I'm waiting for a 15 inch. The 13" got a CPU update this year so it's a slightly better proposition than the 15".

Presuming both are updated next year with skylake chips it will mean an increase in performance. Whether that performance advantage actually matters depends how intensively you use them.

For me though the bigger concern is USB-C and TB3. The intention is I think from Intel and Apple that they will become a new standard and widely adopted. Now whether this will actually work or not is anyone's guess. USB3 is fast enough for most people and has the huge advantage of being built into every laptop and desktop sold for years. It's hard to imagine external HDD makers abandoning it any time soon. And in a few years so much of file transfers for the average user will be done wirelessly that it's questionable whether USB-c / TB3 will have the chance to really establish themselves. However even if they never manage to replace USB3 in terms of market reach they will probably be the standard for certain specific things - 4K monitors, external GPUs etc and perhaps high end external HDDs etc. So I still think it's probably worth hanging on for that reason alone.

 

[OSX7]

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel). but i like to spoil you with what i'm told:

- redesign (basically the same as current mbp only thinner)
- 3 colors (macbook one colors)
- no glowing apple (due to tighter screen case)
- smaller screen bezel
- new keyboard (but not the same as with the macbook one)
- still magsafe charging
- sd card slot
- usb-c
- skylake chips with iris pro (as to be announced at ces)
- release in march (along with new macbook one, apple watch 2, new 4" iphone as well as new cinema display)

Hey! Welcome back my trollish friend. Yes, I just signed in just to post that. So thankful that you appeared, the thread was getting boring and the quality of posts has fallen dramatically in the last few weeks (this very post is evidence of that). At least *the source* seems more in line with reality this time. Ask him/her if bundling the rMBP with unicorn fur is still planned. Oh and it wasn't: "cuz intel", it was well know in late August- Early Sept, that Iris pro chips were not going to be ready for an October release. *The source* is not trustworthy .
On another note, we can now rule out December (I mean, really?!....optimistic/delusional much), January and Feb to spare ourselves disappointment. All reports point to a spring release. March can't come soon enough.

 

[NJPT]

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel).

Your source's predictions didn't work because of Intel? Please. As late as October 7 you were still telling people updates were imminent. A legit Apple source would have known by that point that Intel chips weren't going to be available and no updates were coming.

Most posters who get revealed as complete and utter frauds slink away and only troll again under new names. Not you. You're going down with the ship. Good for you.

 

[shareef777]

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel). but i like to spoil you with what i'm told:

- redesign (basically the same as current mbp only thinner)
- 3 colors (macbook one colors)
- no glowing apple (due to tighter screen case)
- smaller screen bezel
- new keyboard (but not the same as with the macbook one)
- still magsafe charging
- sd card slot
- usb-c
- skylake chips with iris pro (as to be announced at ces)
- release in march (along with new macbook one, apple watch 2, new 4" iphone as well as new cinema display)

lol, based on your track record I can now safely say that NONE of those are happening.

 

[amartinez1660]

I like your optimism. Maybe they will come out with macbooks as powerful as current macbook pros and macbook pros with xeon and 64gb ram. That would sure stick it to the xps. I would be thrilled if they came out with a 5k display 40-50", I feel like I'm the only one tired of 27" and ready for more screen space.

Heh! Missing sarcasm tag on this one? : p
5k 40-50" screens: if not the only one, probably one of the few dozens. I use 27" TB displays and I don't think bigger size itself would help much, if it were retina maybe up to 30" would be tolerable plus a combination of smaller icons where needed (I.e software for compositing 4K videos to not have the UI take too much workspace). Then again, when using the rMBP screen at full resolution, icons become so tiny that it's unusable, but bigger screen state than 27" is a bit massive at the distance it's usually used, hard to keep the whole screen in frame with the eyes.
That being said, bring on refreshed TB displays!

 

[destroyboredom]

I'll add my support to this as this is what I'm hearing as well. Mostly from an Apple insider. As long as Intel doesn't drop the ball and actually releases the chips at CES, we can expect machines in March with a redesign.

i know my source's predictions didn't work out (because intel). but i like to spoil you with what i'm told:

- redesign (basically the same as current mbp only thinner)
- 3 colors (macbook one colors)
- no glowing apple (due to tighter screen case)
- smaller screen bezel
- new keyboard (but not the same as with the macbook one)
- still magsafe charging
- sd card slot
- usb-c
- skylake chips with iris pro (as to be announced at ces)
- release in march (along with new macbook one, apple watch 2, new 4" iphone as well as new cinema display)

 

[PTLove]

To my knowledge, the 13" will not have Iris Pro graphics. I say this for two reasons:
1. I don't believe Intel even MAKES a 28Watt GT4e Skylake CPU
2. I don't think theres a point. 28W TDP is too low to actually even be able to use that well. You would never be able to ramp up 72EU's with your CPU cores working hard.

Having said that, I DO believe the 13" will get eDRAM 28 watt parts. Id expect a 28Watt dual core, hyper threaded CPU with 48EU's and 64mb eDRAM, which would put the new 13" graphic performance very close to the current entry level 15" Macbook Pro today, which is pretty nice.

 

[joecool99]

Also they can get rid of magsafe and other ports to reduce thickness with USB-C

screw USB-C, i want MAGSAFE as power connector!

 

[killawat]

screw USB-C, i want MAGSAFE as power connector!

I want that too especially since I have so many old Magsafe Adapters but imo, the opportunity to create a single wire solution for something like a thunderbolt ACD with power via usb-c is too juicy to pass up. Retrofit the rMB with a Thunderbolt 3 controller and it is the ultimate solution. Just look at the wiring evolution

Cinema Display ---> USB, Firewire, DVI

LED Cinema Display ---> mDP, USB, Magsafe

TB Display ---> TB1, Magsafe

(Speculation) TB Display w/ 5k ---> Single wire USB-C

 

[HighRes15]

Historically, Apple has always updated MBPs when a new generation processor was available, unless an even newer generation was right around the corner (<6 months out), as in the case of Broadwell .

The arguments for Mac Pro vs MacBook Pro are not valid because they have not had analogous update cadences . MPs have had much slower cadences than MBPs.

The reason MBPs have not been updated is that the Skylake processors corresponding to them are not out . Theoretically, the 13" could be released since the 28W part with Iris 550 graphics is out . However, there is a planned 28W part with Iris Pro 580 as well - something Broadwell never had . If Apple plans to use that for the 13" then it follows that neither the 13" nor 15" have their respective Skylake parts yet .

It's commonly argued that 'sky lake is already available' . But no, Apple has for the last 5 generations always used only the highest end iGPU based processor in its MBPs - 28W for the 13" and 45W for the 15" . Neither of those with Iris Pro 580 are out. They are due for Q1 2016, possibly at CES.

 

[OSX7]

Historically, Apple has always updated MBPs when a new generation processor was available, unless an even newer generation was right around the corner (<6 months out), as in the case of Broadwell .

The arguments for Mac Pro vs MacBook Pro are not valid because they have not had analogous update cadences . MPs have had much slower cadences than MBPs.

The reason MBPs have not been updated is that the Skylake processors corresponding to them are not out . Theoretically, the 13" could be released since the 28W part with Iris 550 graphics is out . However, there is a planned 28W part with Iris Pro 580 as well - something Broadwell never had . If Apple plans to use that for the 13" then it follows that neither the 13" nor 15" have their respective Skylake parts yet .

It's commonly argued that 'sky lake is already available' . But no, Apple has for the last 5 generations always used only the highest end iGPU based processor in its MBPs - 28W for the 13" and 45W for the 15" . Neither of those with Iris Pro 580 are out. They are due for Q1 2016, possibly at CES.

Wait, Iris Pro 580 (72EUs) on a 28W part? sounds to good to be true. I had heard that the highest graphics config that would be within the 28W envelope was the GT3e (48EUs + 64MB eDRAM). I'll have to google this just to be sure.

EDIT: According to an article over at Anandtech analysing Gen9 Intel Graphics, the GT4e (Iris Pro 580) is reserved only for "H" (45W-65W)CPUs not "U" (15W-28W). So a 13" with Iris Pro 580 is not possible, Iris 550 is the most likely.
Source: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9582/intel-skylake-mobile-desktop-launch-architecture-analysis/6

 

[HighRes15]

I've quoted this a couple of weeks back (i.e. It's a much newer story than Anandtech), but the new Intel Skull Canyon NUC is slated to have an as yet unreleased 28W Skylake with Iris Pro 580 (GT4e) graphics:

http://wccftech.com/intel-skull-canyon-nuc-iris-pro-580-powerful-2016/

That would be a good choice for the 13" MBP as well .

 

[OSX7]

I've quoted this a couple of weeks back (i.e. It's a much newer story than Anandtech), but the new Intel Skull Canyon NUC is slated to have an as yet unreleased 28W Skylake with Iris Pro 580 (GT4e) graphics:

http://wccftech.com/intel-skull-canyon-nuc-iris-pro-580-powerful-2016/

That would be a good choice for the 13" MBP as well .

Ahhh WCCFTech, that explains it. They were the only ones reporting that 28W TDP (plus i think they were referring to the last NUC), no other site has reported the power envelope of Skull Canyon, just them. The very article goes against Intel's slides. No one has provided the core count of Skull Canyon, it could very well be the 4+4e (45W) config. Intel pretty much laid out the roadmap for Skylake configs back in September, and there was never a mention of GT4e making an appearance in 28W parts. Only quad cores (45W) have it, hence the 4+4e denomination.

Skylake Configurations:
2+2 4.5W, 15W
2+3e 15W, 28W
4+2 45W
4+4e, 45W
Every Skylake CPU released has followed this scheme.

 

[HighRes15]

Yes it's certainly at odds with Intels previously announced plans . I expected that the 13" would use a 28W GT3e Iris 550 part, and that remains the prime possibility . An Iris Pro 580 28W part would be quite appealing to Apple, if there's one. On the other hand there is no Iris Pro 580 part as yet released, at all.

 

[WRONG]

There's a thing I don't understand: why Apple didn't upgrade the 15" MBP in June/July with Broadwell?!
If it's true that they are going to update the MBPs in March (and at this point I can really see so), why they let for almost nine months the same old CPU, even if they could put the new one?

I know, rhetorical question: because money.

 

[hfletcher]

When they updated the 13" in March, the CPU's for the 15" hadn't been released yet.

When they eventually decided to update the 15" in May, they did it just before Broadwell was available in June (with Iris Pro parts). Maybe there were supply constraints on the Broadwell parts, so they just decided to release with the updated dGPU (M370x) rather than wait any longer with the old 750M.