Waiting for the 2018 MBP

[Dave245]

Lets not forget that the average consumer or MacBook Pro user isn't complaining as much about the Touch Bar as the more enthusiasts on these type of forums/threads.

"KGI says that the Touch Bar MacBook Pro models are seeing a larger weighting in particular. This is good news from a financial perspective because the Touch Bar laptops are also the most expensive MacBook models in the lineup."

https://9to5mac.com/2018/03/16/macbook-sales-growth-beating-iphone-ipad-2018/

I don't see Apple removing it any time soon, as for people saying that they should put the Touch Bar above the function keys are missing the point, the function keys were useless for a lot of people where as the Touch Bar changes depending on the app you are using and therefore makes it at least useful for specific tasks such as video editing in Final Cut Pro X and so on.

 

[Ries]

I have never seen any other notebook with a Touch Bar that's as neatly integrated and customizable as the MacBook Pro's. Would you mind sharing the notebook models you think about? I'm genuinely curious here.

That people don't want to spend additional money on this feature doesn't mean it's not useful. I just don't think most naysayers have given it a fair chance and didn't even try mapping specific software functions or even macros for their most used applications to it.

Razer had keyboards and laptops.

 

[raqball]

the function keys were useless for a lot of people

Said no-one ever before 2016 and said very few even after 2016... LOL

 

[Dave245]

Said no-one ever before 2016 and said very few even after 2016... LOL

No one probably said it because it was a standard part of the laptop for many years, in all the time i've had computers (not just laptops) i've never used the function keys, neither have most people i know. The Touch Bar is better than the function keys in that it can change depending on the app you are in. Fair enough if you don't like it, not everyone will but Apple won't change it based off a few people not liking something, if your not happy you are free to buy another computer, the 13" MacBook Pro's have a version without the Touch Bar. Just my opinion.

 

[raqball]

if your not happy you are free to buy another computer, the 13" MacBook Pro's have a version without the Touch Bar. Just my opinion.

in all the time i've had computers (not just laptops) i've never used the function keys

Standard response.... Some feel the need to self-justify their purchasing decisions and that's fine BUT you are missing the point. And I find it impossible to believe you've never used function keys unless this is your 1st ever computer. The only way to get the more powerful MacBook Pro is to be stuck with that gimmick..

I do have a 2017 nTB now and for me it's fine as I do not need the additional power but those who do are stuck. More power and gimmick or less power and non-gimmicky function keys.

 

[Dave245]

Standard response.... Some feel the need to self-justify their purchasing decisions and that's fine BUT you are missing the point. And I find it impossible to believe you've never used function keys unless this is your 1st ever computer. The only way to get the more powerful MacBook Pro is to be stuck with that gimmick..

I do have a 2017 nTB now and for me it's fine as I do not need the additional power but those who do are stuck. More power and gimmick or less power and non-gimmicky function keys.

Actually you are wrong in that i don't own one so i don't need to "self-justify" anything. Also you can find it as impossible as you like in know my computer uses. It may be a gimmick in your opinion but not to many other people.

 

[Loge]

Excel is quite a popular program - uses function keys extensively. Also pretty much any IDE.

 

[raqball]

Actually you are wrong in that i don't own one so i don't need to "self-justify" anything.

Did I say that you were self-justifying a purchase decision? Nope but nice try......

 

[Dave245]

Did I say that you were self-justifying a purchase decision? Nope but nice try......

You didn't say me by name no but you did say "Standard response.... Some feel the need to self-justify their purchasing decisions and that's fine BUT you are missing the point. And I find it impossible to believe you've never used function keys unless this is your 1st ever computer. The only way to get the more powerful MacBook Pro is to be stuck with that gimmick.." seemed like an indirect way of saying it, either way it makes no difference as you are wrong BUT My overall point is that Apple won't change it just because a few people (who are not the average consumer anyway) complain on a forum thread, if your not happy you have the option to vote with your money and go elsewhere.

 

[OzyOly]

Excel is quite a popular program - uses function keys extensively. Also pretty much any IDE.

Yes I was going to say, I use them all the time in Eclipse.

 

[gobikerider]

Yes I was going to say, I use them all the time in Eclipse.

Yah I mean touchbar aside those versions are simply the definitive vision of where Apple has taken the MacBook Pro lineup.

 

[OzyOly]

Yah I mean touchbar aside those versions are simply the definitive vision of where Apple has taken the MacBook Pro lineup.

I like the touchbar, I just want support in applications I use. Adoption has been slow as the MacBook Pro is the only Apple product that has it. When it's available on the MacBook and Magic Keyboard, I'm sure they'll be better support.

 

[raqball]

either way it makes no difference as you are wrong BUT My overall point is that Apple won't change it just because a few people (who are not the average consumer anyway) complain on a forum thread, if your not happy you have the option to vote with your money and go elsewhere.

Since most either don't find value in the TB or flat out dismiss it for the gimmick it is, then I guess I am in the majority of being wrong in you opinion. Also, you can't say someone is wrong for having an opinion. Scratch that can't as you can do as you please but you shouldn't say someone is wrong for having an opinion.

Again standard response --> "if your not happy you have the option to vote with your money and go elsewhere."

Why is this always the same old and worn out response from defenders? Some want or need a Mac. Some want or need the more powerful 13" machine or the 15" machine. Some who don't need the additional power would like to have the additional ports. What is the option for them? TB or nada... Again, some need or want a MacBook. For those who don't like, want or need the TB the option is either.

1. Buy what they want / need and put up with the TB gimmick
2. But the nTB and sacrifice the additional power, ports or screen size they want / need.

I don't really see how it's that hard to understand. Some tolerate the TB because they chose power, ports or screen size. Some like the TB, some love the TB and some see it as a gimmick.

Apple really needs to offer the 13" in the higher end configuration and the 15" in nTB configuration. I wonder how many TB versions Apple would sell if they did this? No many would be my guess..

 

[afir93]

Apple just announced a new event for the 27th of March! It's supposed to be focused around education however, and not much else is known thus far. Source.

Do you guys think there's any chance left for the 2018 MBPs to be announced there aswell? MBPs are popular products in the education business, so I wouldn't rule it out, but the consensus so far seemed to be that a release at around WWDC is more likely?

 

[The Mercurian]

Apple just announced a new event for the 27th of March! It's supposed to be focused around education however, and not much else is known thus far. Source.

Do you guys think there's any chance left for the 2018 MBPs to be announced there aswell? MBPs are popular products in the education business, so I wouldn't rule it out, but the consensus so far seemed to be that a release at around WWDC is more likely?

I think only if there is a new cheap student orientated macbook of some sort

 

[raqball]

I think only if there is a new cheap student orientated macbook of some sort

Yeah.. Rumors are a cheap iPad and a cheap MacBook Air..

 

[afir93]

I think only if there is a new cheap student orientated macbook of some sort

I mean there were some rumors for a new entry-level MacBook/MacBook Air that might sell for ≤ $999 which was rumored to be announced in around this timeframe. So I could see this new student oriented entry MacBook happen at the event.

If that were to happen, is it feasible that Apple will just release new MBPs aswell, in order to present the entire MBP lineup at once? MBs/MBPs/MBAs have more often than not been released simultaneously in the past, so it would make sense right?

 

[EugW]

If they’re having an event for a new cheap laptop then that would make my prediction of a rehashed price discounted Air less likely. Perhaps an ARM chromebook competitor? Or maybe the event is more for iPads and the new laptop is just an add-on?

I don’t see a MB Pro appearing, but I won’t completely rule that out.

 

[The Mercurian]

I mean there were some rumors for a new entry-level MacBook/MacBook Air that might sell for ≤ $999 which was rumored to be announced in around this timeframe. So I could see this new student oriented entry MacBook happen at the event.

If that were to happen, is it feasible that Apple will just release new MBPs aswell, in order to present the entire MBP lineup at once? MBs/MBPs/MBAs have more often than not been released simultaneously in the past, so it would make sense right?

Honestly no idea. I think it will be interesting to see if intel release coffee lake h chips at the GDC next week however.

 

[Falhófnir]

If they’re having an event for a new cheap laptop then that would make my prediction of a rehashed price discounted Air less likely. Perhaps an ARM chromebook competitor? Or maybe the event is more for iPads and the new laptop is just an add-on?

I don’t see a MB Pro appearing, but I won’t completely rule that out.

I'm highly sceptical of new hardware at this event, probably going to be about new education programmes. If anything they might lower the price of MBAs and iPads for schools or something.

 

[afir93]

I'm highly sceptical of new hardware at this event

I mean, there have been multiple strong rumors about new (non-Pro) iPads aswell as the AirPower mat being released this month. If Apple is going to do an event at all, wouldn't it make sense to present those things (that would otherwise probably be released silently/with only a press release) at that event aswell? I mean, yes it will probably be focused on education programmes, but WWDC is strongly focused on new software and not hardware and yet we've seen many hardware releases there over the years.

I strongly suspect that we'll see new hardware in some capacity at that event. AirPower mat and new iPads are strong contenders (unless we already see them next week), and new cheap iPads would also fit well into an education event thematically since they are so popular among students/teachers/universities/etc. The more interesting question is if they'll also announce new Macs there or keep that for later.

 

[The Mercurian]

I'm highly sceptical of new hardware at this event, probably going to be about new education programmes. If anything they might lower the price of MBAs and iPads for schools or something.

Yeah but if they are doing a whole event just on education, this is not just crappy free headphones with a new macbook in august. They have something new. Whether that involves new harder or not is the question. Personaly I think that ca't meaningfully impact education being in a price range only rich people can afford however!

 

[Falhófnir]

I mean, there have been multiple strong rumors about new (non-Pro) iPads aswell as the AirPower mat being released this month. If Apple is going to do an event at all, wouldn't it make sense to present those things (that would otherwise probably be released silently/with only a press release) at that event aswell? I mean, yes it will probably be focused on education programmes, but WWDC is strongly focused on new software and not hardware and yet we've seen many hardware releases there over the years.

I strongly suspect that we'll see new hardware in some capacity at that event. AirPower mat and new iPads are strong contenders (unless we already see them next week), the more interesting question is if they'll also announce new Macs there or keep that for later.

Yeah but if they are doing a whole event just on education, this is not just crappy free headphones with a new macbook in august. They have something new. Whether that involves new harder or not is the question. Personaly I think that ca't meaningfully impact education being in a price range only rich people can afford however!

It’ll most likely be all about harvesting the education market for growing their service revenues. Generally educational hardware is very baseline, or even stripped down and locked down compared to a generally available product, so I see little scope for crossover. Not to mention it will potentially look bad - generally education is one area large companies are expected to be altruistic. If Apple are seen to be offering a service, but the catch is it’s tied in heavily to buying their hardware - especially at regular prices and at the intervals regular apple products turn over at - it’s probably not going to sit that well with the general public.

 

[Dave245]

I'm highly sceptical of new hardware at this event, probably going to be about new education programmes. If anything they might lower the price of MBAs and iPads for schools or something.

They are inviting the media and people such as Serenity Caldwell, i don’t think they would do that if it was just a short event about updating a couple of services like iBooks. I think we are likely to see new cheaper iPads and maybe the rumoured cheaper MacBook Air or MacBook with Retina display, the Air is used a lot in
eduction by students and teachers.

Edit: the editor in chief of the Verge has also had an invite to the event.

 

[Falhófnir]

They are inviting the media and people such as Serenity Caldwell, i don’t think they would do that if it was just a short event about updating a couple of services like iBooks. I think we are likely to see new cheaper iPads and maybe the rumoured cheaper MacBook Air or MacBook with Retina display, the Air is used a lot in eduction by students and teachers.

Again, most likely it’s a whole educational programme, a platform for interactive learning or something... if it is new hardware, it’s going to be a very stripped down version compared to a general-sale iPad. So I have very limited expectations for it tying into new consumer products. Cheaper education pricing is a possibility. I guess not long until we find out either way...