Waiting for Skylake MBP thread

[SesameWasher]

I'd like to see these in the next release.
-thinner and lighter (obviously)
-odds to evens (12" 14" 16". Actually 16" will fits better in my current 17" computer bag, I'd like to see that)
-USB-C (and MagSafe can still be there)
-A gold one

I don't really worried about PPI, since current one were sharp enough to me.

also maybe they will think about how to make the glowing Apple light on the back looks matched the golden case.

About keyboard.. The bigger the key was, the thinner or thicker it will be. I've see some heavy keyboard users complaining it was a stressful once using it for too long, and Magic Keyboard didn't use that butterfly mechanism also, so I don't think we will see it in the next update.

 

[toddzrx]

Folks,
I'm starting to think that Apple's going solidly toward a 3-product matrix across all product lines:

Desktops:
Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro

Notebooks:
MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Tablets:
iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro

Phones:
4-inch model (coming soon), iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus

Watches:
They may do this here, too.

So I'm expecting the differentiator between the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro to be chipsets. The 12-inch MacBook will utilize the Skylake m3 processor, the 13- or 14-inch MacBook Air will gain retina along with new keyboard and trackpad and use the Core i5/i7 ultra low voltage model, and finally the MacBook Pro will use the Skylake quad-core i7s. Now they'll all have Thunderbolt 3/USB C ports.

As you'll note with the desktop, each type of desktop uses a different chipset (Mac mini with dual-Core i5 processors found in 13-inch MacBook Pros, iMac with desktop quad-core i5s, Mac Pros with Xeons). And starting with the iPads, they're differentiating size by processor (A8 for the mini, A8X for the Air, A9X for the Pro).

The extent of any re-design could range from minor to major. The MacBook Air has the most to gain in the re-design department. When Apple added Thunderbolt to the MacBook Pro they didn't re-design the computer. However, with Apple's new battery terracing design, and the new butterfly keyboard and force touch trackpad, they will probably re-design the computer to accommodate the MacBook's new wider, larger trackpad style. They probably didn't do it with the last revisions because of the logic board and battery designs that were already in place.

I'm wondering if Apple will ditch the 13-inch MacBook Pro with optical next go around, and surprisingly, also kill off the 13-inch MacBook Pro with retina. My rationale for this is the difference between a 13- or 14-inch retina style MacBook Air will be blurred compared to a 13-inch MacBook Pro. The only way I think Apple keeps the 13-inch MacBook Pro with retina around is if it adds quad core processors to it.

I'm thinking Apple's aiming for clean, concise product lines and 2016 and Skylake will finally let them accomplish that.

Sorry, the Air is going to die. The Air moniker, when applied to both the laptop and the iPad, was used to emphasize the product's thin and light qualities in contrast to anything that had come before. But now we have a rMB that is both thinner and lighter than the MBA. Additionally, if Apple were to upgrade the Air to a Retina screen, it'd be about the size and weight of a Pro due to the battery needed to drive that screen; Apple likes clear distinctions between their product lines and this would not be it.

My prediction: 12" and 14" rMB, including a cheaper version of the 12" (4GB RAM and 128GB SSD) at the $999 price point; then 14" and 16" rMBP. Heck, I hope they finally drop the "Retina" title as well since, with the EOL of the MBA, everything will be retina at that point. At most, the Air might get a Skylake processor upgrade, then dies a slow death like the cMBP.

 

[Yulen Darlington]

My Prediction:

2016 Jan. / Feb.

MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro update with Skylake

(A routine update and the last update of the MBA line)

2016 Mar. [Spring Event]

Apple Watch 2, iPhone 6c, iPad Air 3

2016 Sep. / Oct. [Fall Event]

iPhone 7, iPad Pro 2, MacBook 14’’ version and MacBook Pro re-designed version (14’’ 16’’)

Let's wait and see.

 

[Yulen Darlington]

Sorry guys I really shouldn't mention the Kaby Lake thing...

I made a revison. Hope you don't mind.

 

[Dead0k]

Regardless the software, I've teardowned two Dell laptops before, and it was awful experiences. Both were complicated and have a heater problem(automatically shut down after a period of time, dust won't comes out)

I've never seen something that inside was so unique like MacBooks, especially the new MacBook.

XPS's inside design isn't that bad. Remember apple make prefabs (everything is soldered or made from major unit)

One fails - replace 3 ... and so on.

 

[frosse]

even games or low tasks in terms of 3D rendering?

I don't think MB users play that many games to be honest, Sims at most.

 

[intelligence]

2016 Sep. / Oct. [Fall Event]

iPhone 7, iPad Pro 2, MacBook 14’’ version and MacBook Pro re-designed version (14’’ 16’’) with Kaby Lake

I'll bet my teeth that there won't be a MBP suitable version of Kaby Lake ready for fall next year.

 

[frosse]

By that logic, why have the iPad Air?

If you look at the iPad line, the performance increases with the screen size. More importantly, it's not just a case of a faster processor, it's a different processor in each screen size. I don't think a 14-inch model with a Core m3 is going to be desirable. I think it will use the Core i5 but use the better performing ULV Core i5 (and optional ULV Core i7). It will also have better graphics, too. Conversely, it could be a pro with 14-inch screen and the beefier Core i5. Butttt...the majority of people buying the 14-inch screen size would much rather the svelte portability of the Air over the chunkier Pro. I would hazard that a lot of 13-inch MacBook Pro buyers are getting it because they want the retina screen.

I believe that the iPad Mini is a different product, a smaller iPad. While the MB is the (future) substitute for the MBA.

14" Core M3, no. That's why they'll stick to 12".

Whatever, we should all stay on topic, the last few pages have been about the future of MBA haha. We're all after MBP, right?

 

[NJPT]

I'll bet my teeth that there won't be a MBP suitable version of Kaby Lake ready for fall next year.

It feels like literally every page of this thread there is a new post predicting a release of Kaby Lake MBPs well before the 2017 GT3 and GT4 release dates. And each page someone points out to them how the leaked Intel schedule makes this impossible. By the next page, the cycle begins anew with another new member. It's too bad this thread can't be renamed "Waiting for Skylake... hey, no, stop typing, Kaby Lake GT3/4 isn't coming out until 2017."

 

[frosse]

It feels like literally every page of this thread there is a new post predicting a release of Kaby Lake MBPs well before the 2017 GT3 and GT4 release dates. And each page someone points out to them how the leaked Intel schedule makes this impossible. By the next page, the cycle begins anew with another new member. It's too bad this thread can't be renamed "Waiting for Skylake... hey, no, stop typing, Kaby Lake GT3/4 isn't coming out until 2017."

We should have a floating sidebar that says: "Kaby Lake is out of the question!"

 

[SesameWasher]

XPS's inside design isn't that bad. Remember apple make prefabs (everything is soldered or made from major unit)

One fails - replace 3 ... and so on.

Yeah the recent Dell just got better, I had a Inspiron 11 before and it was like modern XPS neatness. Not crazy like Macs that they lay their chips in a single file line.

 

[OSX7]

My prediction:

Jan 2016:
rMB, rMBP refresh with Kaby Lake
My inside sources are sure that Intel has ,ade a special delivery to Apple 1 year ahead of schedule.

Oct 2016:
Complete redesign of the rMBP line with 10nm Cannonlake..
The R&D team at Apple and Intel have finally mastered time travel and successfully retrieved a significant supply of 10nm chips from the year 2018.

I strongly believe what i said, even though reality and info easily accessible via a simple google search doesn't go in hand with my predictions.
P.S: heard they are bundling an unicorn fur cloth to clean the diamond coated screen in the redesigned rMBP.


PS. of the PS: Stop with the Kaby Lake stuff for 2016, GT3 and GT4e parts are scheduled for 2017. Oh and guess what, it gets even more interesting. According to the leak last week the only Kaby Lake H planned till now are GT2 parts, no mention of GT4 or GT3 iGPUs for the HQ series. Know what that means? That we MAYBE be stuck with GT4e Skylake for two years like we have been stuck with Haswell. Hurray!!! With this said and till further notice, please, stop it with the Kaby Lake BS.

 

[whodatrr]

Just bought an XPS 13, yesterday. Haven't had that much time with it yet, but so far so good. It feels like a behemoth, next to may 12" rMB, but it also makes my 13" MBA look and feel like a dinosaur.

My oldest boys are out of town for a couple days, but I'll be spending some time comparing it with the 13' rMBP I just bough for them. So far, operating from what I know about the two systems:

XPS 13
- Slightly better screen (I bought the QHD model)
- Slightly smaller, with smaller/lighter accessories
- Touch!
- USB-C/TB3 - this is a mixed bag, because part of me misses the mini DP

rMBP 13
- Better battery life (as my XPS is the QHD model... HD display is much better)
- Two Mini DP ports
- Better screen cam (though I don't use my laptop for Skype/FT)
- Better trackpad (XPS is pretty good, for a Win system, but rMBP is still better)


But yes, the XPS 13 is damned good. I bought the $1,300 model with i5/8/256, but was seriously tempted to buy the low-end unit, at about $900. While the display isn't as nice, and it doesn't have touch, battery life is supposed to be 4-5 hours longer. and it's about 1/4lb lighter. Still, that screen and the touch capabilities are nice.

I bought this XPS as a replacement for my SP3. While the tablet capabilities are nice, I felt more laptop-ness was better at this point, as I'm crunching out a lot more work stuff on it. I was also seriously tempted by the XPS 15, but portability won out, at the end of the day. I'm slated for a work system refresh, in 6 or so months. Hopefully, by then, the 15" Skylake rMBP will be out.

 

[SesameWasher]

I believe that the iPad Mini is a different product, a smaller iPad. While the MB is the (future) substitute for the MBA.

14" Core M3, no. That's why they'll stick to 12".

Whatever, we should all stay on topic, the last few pages have been about the future of MBA haha. We're all after MBP, right?

yeah let's go back to the main topics.
I think we can talk about what do you want to see in the next redesign. I already said mine, and don't mind to say it again.

-16in (fits in my bag better)
-USB-C and keeping Mag Safe and SD card slot
-thinner and lighter
-better neatness inside.
-larger trackpad with a new Taptic engine
-not necessarily looking for a screen with smaller pixels and not sure about the keyboard.

 

[Yulen Darlington]

It feels like literally every page of this thread there is a new post predicting a release of Kaby Lake MBPs well before the 2017 GT3 and GT4 release dates. And each page someone points out to them how the leaked Intel schedule makes this impossible. By the next page, the cycle begins anew with another new member. It's too bad this thread can't be renamed "Waiting for Skylake... hey, no, stop typing, Kaby Lake GT3/4 isn't coming out until 2017."

Maybe I really shouldn't mention the Kaby Lake thing...
You know only RUMOR has Kaby Lake right now.
Let's still focus on Skylake and the re-design.

 

[NJPT]

Maybe I really shouldn't mention the Kaby Lake thing... You know only RUMOR has Kaby Lake right now. Let's still focus on Skylake and the re-design.

Well, to just call it rumor might be a bit of an oversimplification. There are all sorts of different levels of substantiation for Apple/Intel information, but generally a few sources clearly have good inside information, either through production leaks on the Apple side or slide leaks on the Intel side. Mark Gurman and Ming Chi Kuo are generally exceptionally trustworthy on Apple products. CPUWorld and Benchlife are usually quite accurate on the Intel side.

The leaked info regarding the Kaby Lake timetable was from Benchlife, so this is why it's getting a good deal of respect. If it was from a less reputable site, it wouldn't. That being said, I agree, let's focus on Skylake.

 

[DesertSurfer]

My Prediction:

2016 Jan. / Feb.

MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro update with Skylake

(A routine update and the last update of the MBA line)

2016 Mar. [Spring Event]

Apple Watch 2, iPhone 6c, iPad Air 3

2016 Sep. / Oct. [Fall Event]

iPhone 7, iPad Pro 2, MacBook 14’’ version and MacBook Pro re-designed version (14’’ 16’’)

Let's wait and see.

Feb. 31, 2018

Mac Mini and Mac Pro updated to Broadwell!

 

[SesameWasher]

Will the next generation pro can be thin as the air?

 

[SDAVE]

Will the next generation pro can be thin as the air?

Maybe. The rMBP is pretty damn thin already. They'll dump Display port, USB 3 (probably). They'll probably have a few USB-C ports and use that as a charging port as well. And use the new keyboard from 12" MBP.

Also newer dGPU's are way smaller/produce less heat. I think Apple will still keep dGPU in the 15" MBPs. Also they will stop calling it Retina MacBook Pro and just call it 15" MacBook Pro.

Eventually they will just have the 12" MBP, 13" MBP, and 15" MBP and they will dump the airs. The displays are terrible.

 

[SesameWasher]

Maybe. The rMBP is pretty damn thin already. They'll dump Display port, USB 3 (probably). They'll probably have a few USB-C ports and use that as a charging port as well. And use the new keyboard from 12" MBP.

Also newer dGPU's are way smaller/produce less heat. I think Apple will still keep dGPU in the 15" MBPs. Also they will stop calling it Retina MacBook Pro and just call it 15" MacBook Pro.

Eventually they will just have the 12" MBP, 13" MBP, and 15" MBP and they will dump the airs. The displays are terrible.

USB-C charging faster than the Mag Safe?
mag safe it's really nice, though

 

[doitdada]

I don't care about magsafe if the battery time is increased to 12 hours, meaning 7-8 hours hardcore usage. Then I never need to plug it in during the day. I charge my rMB like an iPhone.

MagSafe was invented in an ancient time where a power outlet was a necessity and not a complimentary.

 

[SesameWasher]

Well maybe we just cut the USB-C plug in half and build a magnet on the other side
Lol

 

[SDAVE]

USB-C charging faster than the Mag Safe?
mag safe it's really nice, though

USB-C can transfer 100watts of power. The rMBP 15" MagSafe 2 power brick is 85watts. It's pretty obvious USB-C is the future.

Thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C and drops MiniDisplay Port as it's signifier. USB-C supports charging.

Why would Apple include MagSafe again and USB-C?

12" MBP already charges via USB-C. Apple is known for making smaller products then implementing the same technology in their larger product line. Look at the Air and the unibody construction when it first came out. They used what they learned from the Air into their other products like the MBP and rMBP.

 

[CJM]

Kaby Lake might be silly talk, but what the possibility of a Pascal mobile GPU? I did a little research and I can't find anything beyond "coming in 2016". Do you think we might see one in the 15" MBP? I feel like Maxwell didn't get a look in this go around as it wasn't really a compute focused architecture. Pascal, on the other hand, is designed to fix that.

 

[toddzrx]

USB-C can transfer 100watts of power. The rMBP 15" MagSafe 2 power brick is 85watts. It's pretty obvious USB-C is the future.

Thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C and drops MiniDisplay Port as it's signifier. USB-C supports charging.

Why would Apple include MagSafe again and USB-C?

12" MBP already charges via USB-C. Apple is known for making smaller products then implementing the same technology in their larger product line. Look at the Air and the unibody construction when it first came out. They used what they learned from the Air into their other products like the MBP and rMBP.

Dude: 12' MB, not MBP.