Waiting for the 2018 MBP

[afir93]

how confident are we that new pros will be announced at WWDC this year?

Assuming that pros you mean MacBook Pros and not Mac Pros – pretty confident actually.

The MBPs had a very regular update cycle in the past that (bigger redesigns like the 2016 one aside) never took longer than one year, and the last MBP being released in June 2017, so June 2018 would fall perfectly in that cycle. Also, Intel's 8th gen chips with the respective TDPs for the MBP are announced and being rolled out this and last month already in many other laptops, and that the performance leap this year is much larger than usual which would put Apple way more behind the curve if they wouldn't update the MBPs anytime soon than in any of the previous years. Furthermore MacBook Pros are one of the, if not the most popular and well-sold machines in the current Mac lineup, so there's no incentive for Apple to "drop the ball" on them or just neglect them.

I'd consider all of these strong indications that new MBPs are soon to be rolled out; in fact I'd be very surprised if WWDC 2018 passes without a MBP refresh.

 

[EugW]

how confident are we that new pros will be announced at WWDC this year?

83.7% confident.

I am also 64.2% confident they will announce 4K streaming on Macs at WWDC too, with only Kaby Lake or later Macs supported.

 

[xRYD3Rx]

83.7% confident.

I am also 64.2% confident they will announce 4K streaming on Macs at WWDC too, with only Kaby Lake or later Macs supported.

I hope so I need a new mb pro

 

[kcrossley]

I hope so I need a new mb pro

Me too.

 

[simonmet]

I don't know the reasoning for the G4 cube power button specifically, but in general there are a number of good reasons to choose a physical power button over a capacitive one. The failure rate is, in general, much higher, it's harder to find them blindly just by feeling with the finger for them, gloves and sweat might prevent them from triggering and it's easier to activate them by accident than with physical buttons (think of your clothes or the fur of your cat brushing over it, etc.).

Sony's Playstation is a good example to this; Sony has experimented with capacitive power buttons multiple times over the various generations (lastly with the 2013 PS4) but still reverted back to physical buttons in the 2016 PS4 Slim and Pro, assumably because of these very issues. A capacitive power button might look better and feel cooler/more futuristic, but it's very possible that Apple contemplated the different arguments but in the end decided to go "function over form" for once with the power buttons since there are not many practical reasons to have them capacitive.

I don’t think reliability was the reason. I don’t recall broken capacitive buttons or reliability ever being an issue; on the G4 Cube at least anyway. I absolutely loved it. The way it glowed too.

I can see why Apple went for a physical button on the iMacs and trashcan Mac Pro: because they’re on the back and you have to feel for them so a more prominent tactile button is required.

That’s interesting about the PS4. I never followed them closely, not being a console person at all.

 

[TheralSadurns]

I don’t think reliability was the reason. I don’t recall broken capacitive buttons or reliability ever being an issue; on the G4 Cube at least anyway. I absolutely loved it. The way it glowed too.

I can see why Apple went for a physical button on the iMacs and trashcan Mac Pro: because they’re on the back and you have to feel for them so a more prominent tactile button is required.

That’s interesting about the PS4. I never followed them closely, not being a console person at all.

That is to say though (personal opinion) that the NEW buttons on the PS4 Pro are horrible. But this is because of their location and how they are hinged...

 

[CodeJoy]

how confident are we that new pros will be announced at WWDC this year?

They better! I've had funds set aside for a MBP since 2016. Initially for a maxed out 15", and I was not looking at alternatives. Now my mind is going more towards a 13", but I'm also investigating alternatives and they look pretty good. For a MacBook Pro I would pay 50% more and get a less serviceable machine with lower specs. Depending on what they come up with in June, that 50% apple tax may actually be a wee bit too much when it also doesn't translate into a longer lasting product or better specs.

They tend to do refreshes when they have something meaningful to refresh though, so I'm fairly confident it will come. Just not sure if it will be enough.

 

[raymanh]

Assuming that pros you mean MacBook Pros and not Mac Pros – pretty confident actually.

The MBPs had a very regular update cycle in the past that (bigger redesigns like the 2016 one aside) never took longer than one year, and the last MBP being released in June 2017, so June 2018 would fall perfectly in that cycle. Also, Intel's 8th gen chips with the respective TDPs for the MBP are announced and being rolled out this and last month already in many other laptops, and that the performance leap this year is much larger than usual which would put Apple way more behind the curve if they wouldn't update the MBPs anytime soon than in any of the previous years. Furthermore MacBook Pros are one of the, if not the most popular and well-sold machines in the current Mac lineup, so there's no incentive for Apple to "drop the ball" on them or just neglect them.

I'd consider all of these strong indications that new MBPs are soon to be rolled out; in fact I'd be very surprised if WWDC 2018 passes without a MBP refresh.

That's what I would've thought, however there's no mention that it will happen in articles I've seen. For example the WWDC page here on macrumors hints towards lots of things (iOS, macOS, cross compatibility apps etc.) but no mention of MBPs.

 

[sputnikBA]

I'm hoping that 3 models in now, they are able to lower the premium that the Touch Bar & TouchID incur, and also correct their currency conversion rates across the whole line.

That would go a long way to making MBPs more attractive price wise. That double price bump when we went from the 2015 models to the 2016 ones was not pleasant. I've mentioned this a few times but I also hope they correct all their pricing and don't try to stall it by only correcting as they refresh each product. They had no problem raising the prices for everything at once back in 2016.

EDIT: I still can't believe a 15" MBP w 512GB 16GB RAM and dGPU went from £1999 to £2699 overnight.

 

[Ener Ji]

Assuming that pros you mean MacBook Pros and not Mac Pros – pretty confident actually.

<SNIP>

I'd consider all of these strong indications that new MBPs are soon to be rolled out; in fact I'd be very surprised if WWDC 2018 passes without a MBP refresh.

They tend to do refreshes when they have something meaningful to refresh though, so I'm fairly confident it will come. Just not sure if it will be enough.

I agree that it's likely we'll see MBP refreshes at WWDC. The one possible fly in the ointment that could lead to Apple delaying the MBP refresh slightly is if Vega mobile is delayed. AMD mentioned at CES in early January that a discrete Vega mobile GPU was coming. Since then there've been no hints, leaks, or official word about it.

That said, despite there being no information, an MBP refresh could still launch with Vega mobile. If I'm not mistaken, Apple is AMD's largest discrete mobile GPU customer, so it wouldn't be surprising for Vega mobile to launch with the MBP refresh and for Apple to buy up the first few months of supply.

 

[EugW]

I agree that it's likely we'll see MBP refreshes at WWDC. The one possible fly in the ointment that could lead to Apple delaying the MBP refresh slightly is if Vega mobile is delayed. AMD mentioned at CES in early January that a discrete Vega mobile GPU was coming. Since then there've been no hints, leaks, or official word about it.

That said, despite there being no information, an MBP refresh could still launch with Vega mobile. If I'm not mistaken, Apple is AMD's largest discrete mobile GPU customer, so it wouldn't be surprising for Vega mobile to launch with the MBP refresh and for Apple to buy up the first few months of supply.

I'm pretty sure there will be no holdup from GPUs, because all the GPUs will be Polaris, not Vega.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12638/amd-releases-oem-desktop-and-mobile-radeon-rx-500x-series

 

[Falhófnir]

I'm hoping that 3 models in now, they are able to lower the premium that the Touch Bar & TouchID incur, and also correct their currency conversion rates across the whole line.

That would go a long way to making MBPs more attractive price wise. That double price bump when we went from the 2015 models to the 2016 ones was not pleasant. I've mentioned this a few times but I also hope the correct all their pricing and don't try to stall it by only correcting as they refresh each product. They had no problem rating the prices for everything at once back in 2016.

I think we might see a new SKU of the 15” take over the $1,999/£1,899 price point - not sure exactly how it will be configured though. Hopefully the 2015 15” will stick around too at a more reasonable price point ($1,699/£1,549?) as it’s a perfectly serviceable machine for general usage, just pretty overpriced at the moment.

 

[Ener Ji]

I'm pretty sure there will be no holdup from GPUs, because all the GPUs will be Polaris, not Vega.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12638/amd-releases-oem-desktop-and-mobile-radeon-rx-500x-series

You might be right, but it's going to be pretty disappointing if Apple uses re-badged GPUs which are identical to last year's models. Last year's GPUs were virtually identical to the 2016 GPUs, so we're effectively talking about 2016 GPU performance in a top-of-the-line 2018 ultrabook.

It's going to especially hurt when other manufacturers presumably(?) launch laptops with mobile Vega later this year.

 

[EugW]

You might be right, but it's going to be pretty disappointing if Apple uses re-badged GPUs which are identical to last year's models. Last year's GPUs were virtually identical to the 2016 GPUs, so we're effectively talking about 2016 GPU performance in a top-of-the-line 2018 ultrabook.

It's going to especially hurt when other manufacturers presumably(?) launch laptops with mobile Vega later this year.

Much later probably.

So hex core MBPs in 2018 and Vega MBPs in 2019.

 

[sputnikBA]

I think we might see a new SKU of the 15” take over the $1,999/£1,899 price point - not sure exactly how it will be configured though. Hopefully the 2015 15” will stick around too at a more reasonable price point ($1,699/£1,549?) as it’s a perfectly serviceable machine for general usage, just pretty overpriced at the moment.

I dunno about creating a new model. Their lineup is enough of a mess as it is imo, especially if this new MBA thing turns out to be true. Also they do love their margins, so I can only see them doing currency fixes and not much beyond that.

I do see them keeping the 2015 around for those people who absolutely need the full port selection though. I'd imagine there are still enough people who want and well performing MBP with the full port election that they decide to keep it around with a currency fix.

 

[wxkkeup]

how confident are we that new pros will be announced at WWDC this year?

super confident.
[doublepost=1525728628][/doublepost]I chose not to provide back-up information because all of the points have been discussed to death.. time and time again x.x

 

[socialwill]

So outside of the Intel chip upgrades what are some other items we might see updated or would like to see updated in the new MacBook Pros?

My thoughts:

• Intel processor upgrades + AMD graphic upgrades
• Keyboard revision (not new, just improved)
• HDR screens
• DisplayPort 1.4 support
• Apple T2 or T3 chip

 

[djdeepv]

This whole keyboard thing has me really bothered. I really hope for the 2018 they release a keyboard that has all of the kinks worked out, but a part of me is thinking it won't be very improved until the next redesigned MBP. Kind of thinking of waiting for the retina MBA instead now.

 

[CodeJoy]

I agree that it's likely we'll see MBP refreshes at WWDC. The one possible fly in the ointment that could lead to Apple delaying the MBP refresh slightly is if Vega mobile is delayed. AMD mentioned at CES in early January that a discrete Vega mobile GPU was coming. Since then there've been no hints, leaks, or official word about it.

Why would there be though? Apple's announcement (if it happens) could very well be the official announcement (or coincide with...) of availability of the chips. It's not like you buy these chips at regular computer vendors anyway, so AMD doesn't really need to tell anyone in advance. This has happened before too, as far as I recall there was no official announcement for Radeon Pro Vega before Apple announced it for the iMac Pro.

I wouldn't attribute any particular meaning to the lack of an official announcement.
[doublepost=1525732339][/doublepost]

I'm pretty sure there will be no holdup from GPUs, because all the GPUs will be Polaris, not Vega.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12638/amd-releases-oem-desktop-and-mobile-radeon-rx-500x-series

That link has no mention of Apple or MacBook products, it doesn't support your statement at all.
[doublepost=1525732784][/doublepost]

You might be right, but it's going to be pretty disappointing if Apple uses re-badged GPUs which are identical to last year's models. Last year's GPUs were virtually identical to the 2016 GPUs, so we're effectively talking about 2016 GPU performance in a top-of-the-line 2018 ultrabook.

It's going to especially hurt when other manufacturers presumably(?) launch laptops with mobile Vega later this year.

It would seem like a pretty significant missed marketing opportunity if whatever Apple announces doesn't include something that goes by the name of Vega Mobile. Doesn't even matter what's on the chips, what the performance is, or whatever, it seems like there should be something with the Vega Mobile name that goes into some MBP's.

That said, I would like to see a bit of a performance bump, but would be fine with RX 570 or 580 level performance.

 

[EugW]

That link has no mention of Apple or MacBook products, it doesn't support your statement at all.

Uh what? You need to be able to process the available information yourself, instead of relying upon some reporter to interpret it for you.

The point is AMD re-released the 5xx line yet again, and meaningful release information on mainstream Vega is extremely hard to find, and the stuff that we CAN find suggests we won't get it until very much later. Basically what this means is the mainstream MacBook Pros aren't going to get Vega any time soon.

 

[CodeJoy]

Uh what? You need to be able to process the available information yourself, instead of relying upon some reporter to interpret it for you.

The point is AMD re-released the 5xx line yet again, and meaningful release information on mainstream Vega is extremely hard to find, and the stuff that we CAN find suggests we won't get it until very much later. Basically what this means is the mainstream MacBook Pros aren't going to get Vega any time soon.

You're drawing false conclusions. It's amazing to me that you are unable to process that. If you want to speculate blindly based on nothing, then do so, but don't invent false evidence out of thin air. That's trolling.

 

[RJ2010115]

Uh what? You need to be able to process the available information yourself, instead of relying upon some reporter to interpret it for you.

The point is AMD re-released the 5xx line yet again, and meaningful release information on mainstream Vega is extremely hard to find, and the stuff that we CAN find suggests we won't get it until very much later. Basically what this means is the mainstream MacBook Pros aren't going to get Vega any time soon.

There ARE mobile vega chips - at least they're called vega - as they are a mix of polaris and vega technology.

Kaby lake R - with vega graphics:


https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/07/intel-amd-rx-vega-m/


Ryzen chip with vega graphics:

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12709/the-acer-swift-3-sf31541-review-ryzen-meets-laptop/4

Granted they are not what apple will use but nothing is stopping apple to use some adapted new Vega mobile GPU with the new coffee lake chips.

 

[John-117]

I would not expect Vega in this year's MBP refresh if it happens in June at WWDC. There aren't any announced parts that work together with Coffee Lake. Prepare for 5XXx rebadges, but be pleasantly surprised if it's anything else.

The other unfortunate news is:
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/05/07/intel-foundry-and-vulnerability-issues/

This might end up pushing LPDDR4 support (32 GB total) for Mac laptops to the end of 2019 or early 2020.

 

[adamjackson]

I amend some of my previous posts. I think personally, I'd like a UHD display more than 32GB of RAM. I know that's crazy but every other notebook has a higher resolution than the MacBook Pro 15" which has been at 2880 by 1800 pixels since June of 2012!

 

[Poki]

I amend some of my previous posts. I think personally, I'd like a UHD display more than 32GB of RAM. I know that's crazy but every other notebook has a higher resolution than the MacBook Pro 15" which has been at 2880 by 1800 pixels since June of 2012!

I don't consider UHD to be an advantage right now. The actual benefits are tiny, while the amount of additional resources you have to throw at it are tremendous in terms of battery life. A slight increase to actual pixel doubling at the standard scaled resolution of 1680 x 1050 would be nice, although it wouldn't dramatically improve the screen either.

It's kind of like the Android phones with 4k screens in a time when the iPhone was still "only" offering a 720p one. Sure, 4k sounds massively better on paper, but the actual benefits were tiny, especially compared to the sluggish performance and poor battery life some of these early 4k phones had. I think it's sensible to wait until the technology is at a point where the downsides are negligible before investing in even higher resolution screens.