Waiting for the 2019 MBP [Merged]

[Mr. Dee]

If you recall, PPC was still had more powerful processing power than the then Xeon and P4 chips vs 970fx G5's when It's Tru3 was presented on WWDC stage for OSX ... Jobs stated OSX was 'singing' on Intel chipset. but the performance was less at that initial time of demo and initial roleout.

Steven Troughton-Smith for nostalgia purposes, posted a picture of his Intel Mac Developer Kit Apple loaned to developers for about $999. One of things he remembered being impressed with was how fast OS X was on it and the same for early commercial Intel Macs that came to market in 2006.

He noted this was partly due to how little the code was bloated back then. It’s a different story now, just the other day someone demoed Mojave booting on a 2018 MacBook Pro 15 inch and was disappointed with the slow boot times.

 

[d0nK]

For those waiting on the 2019 Macbook Pro, do you not think it might be better to wait until next year 2020, Apple will probably redesign the Macbook Pro. 4 years will have passed since the last redesign and that is usually when we get the bigger updates/redesigns.

Well, I've been wanting to upgrade for a few years already but, after the crazy 2016 price hike I am not going to buy a mbp with a terrible keyboard, so I am waiting to see if they fix it.
My late 2011 15" mbp is yet again on it's death bed with the discrete GFX failure. I have to keep my mbp on all the time because it can take 2+ hours to start up (gotta disable the discrete gfx after bootup). I use it in an audio studio so I can't afford to have musicians waiting around whilst I desperately try to get it booted up. I dunno what to do. There's no way I'm buying a mbp with the current unreliable keyboard.
If the next mbp still has the crappy keyboard I may well move to a Windows laptop, unless I can snag a cheap 2015 mbp.

 

[Dave245]

Well, I've been wanting to upgrade for a few years already but, after the crazy 2016 price hike I am not going to buy a mbp with a terrible keyboard, so I am waiting to see if they fix it.
My late 2011 15" mbp is yet again on it's death bed with the discrete GFX failure. I have to keep my mbp on all the time because it can take 2+ hours to start up (gotta disable the discrete gfx after bootup). I use it in an audio studio so I can't afford to have musicians waiting around whilst I desperately try to get it booted up. I dunno what to do. There's no way I'm buying a mbp with the current unreliable keyboard.
If the next mbp still has the crappy keyboard I may well move to a Windows laptop, unless I can snag a cheap 2015 mbp.

If you can wait then i would wait, there are bound to be Macbook Pro updates later this year, last year they sprung a July update out of no where. I do think there will be a redesign in 2020, it's a while off yet but Apple seem to make design changes every 4 years with the Macbook Pro. However you may not want to wait that long, so a 2015 Macbook Pro may be the best option for you.

I'm not saying don't move to Windows BUT just be careful, if you are ok with Windows and have used it then fair enough. I moved to a Surface Pro 6 (Black Friday sales drew me in and i was curious about the Surface Pro) and while it's OK, it's not as good as a Mac. I'm just happy i still have my 2012 iMac to use. When Apple finally update the iMac i will be upgrading

 

[d0nK]

If you can wait then i would wait, there are bound to be Macbook Pro updates later this year, last year they sprung a July update out of no where. I do think there will be a redesign in 2020, it's a while off yet but Apple seem to make design changes every 4 years with the Macbook Pro. However you may not want to wait that long, so a 2015 Macbook Pro may be the best option for you.

I'm not saying don't move to Windows BUT just be careful, if you are ok with Windows and have used it then fair enough. I moved to a Surface Pro 6 (Black Friday sales drew me in and i was curious about the Surface Pro) and while it's OK, it's not as good as a Mac. I'm just happy i still have my 2012 iMac to use. When Apple finally update the iMac i will be upgrading

Yeah, I can't wait till 2020.
Not used a Windows machine since around 2010.
Desparate times.
Also, we are waiting to buy the new iMac for the studio. The 6-cores will be worth the wait rather than buying the current one.
Waiting, waiting, waiting, lol.

 

[Dave245]

Yeah, I can't wait till 2020.
Not used a Windows machine since around 2010.
Desparate times.
Also, we are waiting to buy the new iMac for the studio. The 6-cores will be worth the wait rather than buying the current one.
Waiting, waiting, waiting, lol.

Yea it all seems to waiting these days i'm just hoping the iMac update is worth it. Do you think there will be a 6-core option this year? would also be nice to see a design change, i won't hold my breath on that one tho.

 

[d0nK]

Yea it all seems to waiting these days i'm just hoping the iMac update is worth it. Do you think there will be a 6-core option this year? would also be nice to see a design change, i won't hold my breath on that one tho.

6 and 9 cores must be inevitable, surely. I just assume it as a given at this point. The thing that has annoyed me for years is Apple's scrooge-like attitude to SSD's. It's 2019 and they're still using 128GB and 256GB SSD's!! I'd rather have a ten year old sata-speed 1TB SSD than a blazing fast 256GB SSD. Ten year old SSD speed is fast enough.

 

[Bob1985]

The cost difference between a 1TB MBP and 2TB is about $800. Instead, get one of these high-speed adapters for $320 and sell the 500GB 960 EVO that it comes with for $120: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KK9VLX...olid=3055ORKJNOZ2F&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Next, put in a 2TB 970 EVO for $500. Net cost is $700 for 2TB vs. $800 for 1TB.

Apple needs to reduce its SSD prices because these adapters are only going to come down in price.

And let me replace the drive easily or give me a slot on the side where I can stick in another PCIe SSD M.2 card.

 

[09872738]

Apple needs to reduce its SSD prices because these adapters are only going to come down in price.

I wonder if that is the actual reason why Apple solders on its SSDs...?

 

[tjedora]

I wonder if that is the actual reason why Apple solders on its SSDs...?

I think the main reason is that a soldered ssd allows for a smaller size of the device.

 

[09872738]

I think the main reason is that a soldered ssd allows for a smaller size of the device.

This is perhaps a claim. But actually - the M.2 interface is not exactly huge. I am inclined to call BS on that claim.

Don't get me wrong, I like it slim. Light. Silent. As long as it does not hamper functionality, which it does

 

[Ma2k5]

This is perhaps a claim. But actually - the M.2 interface is not exactly huge. I am inclined to call BS on that claim.

Don't get me wrong, I like it slim. Light. Silent. As long as it does not hamper functionality, which it does

The main reason for soldering of parts is usually

1) It saves costs
2) The laptop is more reliable (one less connection to go bad. Less QC issues in production too).

Of course, the huge negative of it is upgradability and repairability.

 

[Ploki]

don't forget that even if it wasn't soldered, it would very likely be like in the iMac Pro - dead NAND controlled by the T2.
The only benefit being replacing it if it fails - which is unlikely anyway.
[doublepost=1548622432][/doublepost]

The cost difference between a 1TB MBP and 2TB is about $800. Instead, get one of these high-speed adapters for $320 and sell the 500GB 960 EVO that it comes with for $120: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KK9VLX...olid=3055ORKJNOZ2F&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Next, put in a 2TB 970 EVO for $500. Net cost is $700 for 2TB vs. $800 for 1TB.

Apple needs to reduce its SSD prices because these adapters are only going to come down in price.

And let me replace the drive easily or give me a slot on the side where I can stick in another PCIe SSD M.2 card.

I bought a Leidian thunderbolt from Aliexpress and stuck a 1TB evo 970 inside, total cost around 350euros.
(when i bought the leidian enclosure it was 99$)

compared to upgrading mini or mbp to 1TB which is 480 euros.

i got 1tb of storage that's super fast (faster writes than the 512gb ssd in both mini and mbp) that i can use on both devices.

 

[09872738]

Of course, the huge negative of it is upgradability and repairability.

Exactly. Which is why I don't like that at all. Could accept it though were it not for the perversely inflated upgrade prices

 

[Falhófnir]

Yea it all seems to waiting these days i'm just hoping the iMac update is worth it. Do you think there will be a 6-core option this year? would also be nice to see a design change, i won't hold my breath on that one tho.

Going by Apple’s redesign record since 2015 I’d expect it to come with a hefty price increase whatever they do... shame as the current iMacs are probably the last surviving bastion of reasonable (or at least “worth it”) pricing the Mac has left!

 

[lowkey]

The current model does have a “fixed” keyboard. On top of that, as an owner of a rev1 12”MacBook with a “terrible keyboard” I can safely say the keyboard is fine. I way prefer it over my late 2103 MBP keyboard.

If you’re running a studio and charging clients, you can’t afford to look amateur imo. A half dead 8 year old laptop that can’t reboot isn’t a great advertisement.

The new 6 core i7 MBPs are freaking sweet.

Well, I've been wanting to upgrade for a few years already but, after the crazy 2016 price hike I am not going to buy a mbp with a terrible keyboard, so I am waiting to see if they fix it.
My late 2011 15" mbp is yet again on it's death bed with the discrete GFX failure. I have to keep my mbp on all the time because it can take 2+ hours to start up (gotta disable the discrete gfx after bootup). I use it in an audio studio so I can't afford to have musicians waiting around whilst I desperately try to get it booted up. I dunno what to do. There's no way I'm buying a mbp with the current unreliable keyboard.
If the next mbp still has the crappy keyboard I may well move to a Windows laptop, unless I can snag a cheap 2015 mbp.

 

[Ma2k5]

Exactly. Which is why I don't like that at all. Could accept it though were it not for the perversely inflated upgrade prices

Although true, the proportion of users who care about the ability to upgrade their system is very small. Even smaller is the proportion of users who can understand how repairable a machine is.

So let's say, if your competitor is saving $50 a machine by making it less repairable and upgradable - and you decide not to, the sad reality is you won't get a return on investment. Things being repairable or upgradable aren't very marketable to the masses.

It is why things like removal of SD-cards/replaceable batteries has become common practice. The pro's of not having them (allowing for potentially other features due to space savings or cost savings which is then redirected to elsewhere, or even being able to sell it at a cheaper cost) outweighs the potential sales due to having those features.

 

[tjedora]

Ok - so I decided to wait for the 2019 and not upgrade to the 2018 one
I hope it's more than just a small CPU boost.

 

[Dave245]

Ok - so I decided to wait for the 2019 and not upgrade to the 2018 one
I hope it's more than just a small CPU boost.

It could be a bigger update, the 2018 was a bigger update with True Tone, 3rd gen keyboard, quad core for the 13" and 6-core for the 15" it was also dropped in a surprise release in July of last year. The same could happen this year OR they may announce at an event.

 

[tjedora]

It could be a bigger update, the 2018 was a bigger update with True Tone, 3rd gen keyboard, quad core for the 13" and 6-core for the 15" it was also dropped in a surprise release in July of last year. The same could happen this year OR they may announce at an event.

If it's a low-key update, they will shadow drop it like the 2018 one probably in Q1 I'd guess. (Did the 2017 get announced at an event? Don't remember.)
Actually I would prefer a redesign already this year, as the current design surely has a lot of issues as can be seen in this very forum.

 

[Dave245]

If it's a low-key update, they will shadow drop it like the 2018 one probably in Q1 I'd guess. (Did the 2017 get announced at an event? Don't remember.)
Actually I would prefer a redesign already this year, as the current design surely has a lot of issues as can be seen in this very forum.

The redesign is likely going to be next year in 2020, the Macbook Pro usually follows a 4 year design. It is possible that they redesign it this year tho, after the problems that the Macbook Pro has seemed to have they could do with a new design and change for the Pro. The thing is i think a lot of people are expecting Apple to stop the butterfly keyboard and go back to the old one, i don't see that happening instead Apple is probably working on fixing the issues while also keeping the butterfly keyboard.

I could be wrong but i expect the redesign for the Macbook Pro to be next year, Apple have already confirmed that the Mac Pro and a new display will be this year (ie 2019) and we may see an updated iMac as well.

 

[tjedora]

The redesign is likely going to be next year in 2020, the Macbook Pro usually follows a 4 year design. It is possible that they redesign it this year tho, after the problems that the Macbook Pro has seemed to have they could do with a new design and change for the Pro. The thing is i think a lot of people are expecting Apple to stop the butterfly keyboard and go back to the old one, i don't see that happening instead Apple is probably working on fixing the issues while also keeping the butterfly keyboard.

I could be wrong but i expect the redesign for the Macbook Pro to be next year, Apple have already confirmed that the Mac Pro and a new display will be this year (ie 2019) and we may see an updated iMac as well.

Yeah I *think* as well it's coming next year and not this year as the redesign is probably catered towards 10nm CPUs which will not be ready before Q3/Q4 this year. Also the new MacPro and iMac redesigns are probably enough for one year.

 

[Dave245]

Yeah I *think* as well it's coming next year and not this year as the redesign is probably catered towards 10nm CPUs which will not be ready before Q3/Q4 this year. Also the new MacPro and iMac redesigns are probably enough for one year.

I can wait until next year to see what redesign they come out with, hopefully they are working on fixing any current issues. An iMac redesign would be great for this year tho, as i'm waiting to upgrade my old late 2012 iMac

 

[tjedora]

I can wait until next year to see what redesign they come out with, hopefully they are working on fixing any current issues. An iMac redesign would be great for this year tho, as i'm waiting to upgrade my old late 2012 iMac

I upgraded everything in 2017/2018:
- maxed iMac 5k (from an early 2009)
- iPhone 8 Plus (from an iPhone 6)
- iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd Gen (from iPad 4)
- MacBook Pro 2016 13" TB (my first MB)

The only thing I want to upgrade is the MacBook, as I really need/want a quad-core CPU.
Hoping for a 120Hz screen as well as face-id and slimmer bezels.

 

[Dave245]

I upgraded everything in 2017/2018:
- maxed iMac 5k (from an early 2009)
- iPhone 8 Plus (from an iPhone 6)
- iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd Gen (from iPad 4)
- MacBook Pro 2016 13" TB (my first MB)

The only thing I want to upgrade is the MacBook, as I really need/want a quad-core CPU.
Hoping for a 120Hz screen as well as face-id and slimmer bezels.

My plan so far is:

-iMac in 2019 (hopefully a redesign)
-iPhone 2019 (from my iPhone X)

Next year I will go with:

MacBook Air or Pro (depending on the Pro’s redesign)
iPad Pro
Apple Watch

All of this could of course change depending on what Apple announce this year, if they throw a cog in the works and redesign the MacBook Pro this year then I would likely get that this year.

 

[tjedora]

My plan so far is:

-iMac in 2019 (hopefully a redesign)
-iPhone 2019 (from my iPhone X)

Next year I will go with:

MacBook Air or Pro (depending on the Pro’s redesign)
iPad Pro
Apple Watch

All of this could of course change depending on what Apple announce this year, if they throw a cog in the works and redesign the MacBook Pro this year then I would likely get that this year.

A new iMac design is long overdue - the bezels are too thick here as well for 2019. And they will definitely get 6 or even 8 core CPUs. So it's a probably going to be a good time for a new iMac.