Waiting for the 2019 MBP [Merged]

I suspect that the 16"+ (hoping for 16.5" 4K) MBP with its brand-new keyboard is pretty close. Will it have a 13" (or 14" relative? Is it a WWDC machine? Maybe. If not, it might be a September/October type machine. Navi's not too far away (don't know about mobile, but including relatively low-power desktop versions that are related to mobile chips). Apple may want to get that in, to avoid the "release it with old Radeons, then roll out a new option three months later" that happened in 2018.

I think this one'll be about the new display, new keyboard, Intel's new CPUs (8 cores at least as a BTO option on the 16"), new cooling and maybe Navi. It'll be a relatively conservative looking machine (but not conservative inside)- it will look a lot like a current MacBook Pro, although the bezels will be smaller.

It'll probably get updated base configurations - I suspect the low-end 16" model gets a 512 GB SSD standard, and the top model might get 1 TB and/or 32 GB of RAM standard (with a 64 GB BTO RAM option?). SSD prices have fallen enough that the 2 TB option may be reasonably priced, and the 4 TB may be mildly outrageous instead of bank-breaking. I think a (bank-breaking) 8 TB option is still unlikely.

The keyboard will either be a fourth generation butterfly with a new name (Apple knows nobody wants butterfly keyboards), something related to the Magic Keyboard (again, they won't admit it because the previous laptop keyboard was related to the Magic Keyboard), or possibly an ultra-slim mechanical keyboard (they would admit that if they managed to squeeze one in).

Any MacBook upgrade this year will be a conservative one both inside and out - a new generation of CPUs (although they might be 10nm). Maybe a new BTO option or two? 1 TB maximum SSD seems logical... The top model might get 16 GB of RAM standard?

I suspect the big MacBook redesign is 2021, although it might be late 2020?

ARM
Haptic keyboard (OLED key labels change depending on application)
Well under 2 lbs
Mac App Store only
No ports at all??? If so, inductive charging and an Apple Wireless Port Expander?
 
I’m really hoping for a WWDC reveal (even if it’s not actually available until July or August). From a marketing standpoint, showing the 16” MBP along side the new Mac Pro and perhaps a refreshed iMac Pro would be a fantastic way for Apple to prove they still care about their pro users. It would bring (3) new Pro focused products (desktop, all-in-one and a laptop) all at once.

The fact is, Apple has to get something out soon. It’s already bad enough that the 2018 MBP cost more than most of its competitors but then when you add in the thermal issues, keyboard issues and screen issues, the situation just gets worse... and the Apple tax is no longer justifiable. Apple needs to get something out there sooner rather than later.
 
terminator-jq said:
I’m really hoping for a WWDC reveal (even if it’s not actually available until July or August). From a marketing standpoint, showing the 16” MBP along side the new Mac Pro and perhaps a refreshed iMac Pro would be a fantastic way for Apple to prove they still care about their pro users. It would bring (3) new Pro focused products (desktop, all-in-one and a laptop) all at once.

The fact is, Apple has to get something out soon. It’s already bad enough that the 2018 MBP cost more than most of its competitors but then when you add in the thermal issues, keyboard issues and screen issues, the situation just gets worse... and the Apple tax is no longer justifiable. Apple needs to get something out there sooner rather than later.
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I think if Apple do plan on showing off the new Macbook Pro, iMac Pro and Mac Pro, we will hear more information from Mark Gurman between now and the week leading up to WWDC. He has previously said that Apple is weighing up the decision to announce the new Mac Pro and Pro display at WWDC. There was no mention of any other product.
 
I’d be surprised if they can update the keyboard significantly in the current case given how slim it already is and the incredibly low tolerances we’re talking about here - i.e. any increase in size needed per-key for an upgraded or new mechanism, will probably require a new case.

That’s another reason I’m optimistically hoping for a redesigned Pro to be announced at WWDC. Albeit one which uses the current range of Intel chips.
 
If the new MBP has a good, not just decent or slightly improved, keyboard, I’m in. I can even overlook the lack of MagSafe charging and the silly TouchBar, but the keyboard has to return to normalcy for me to wedge money out of my (electronic) wallet. Don’t need thinness either...could purchase a MBA if I wanted that.
 
terminator-jq said:
I’m really hoping for a WWDC reveal (even if it’s not actually available until July or August). From a marketing standpoint, showing the 16” MBP along side the new Mac Pro and perhaps a refreshed iMac Pro would be a fantastic way for Apple to prove they still care about their pro users. It would bring (3) new Pro focused products (desktop, all-in-one and a laptop) all at once.

The fact is, Apple has to get something out soon. It’s already bad enough that the 2018 MBP cost more than most of its competitors but then when you add in the thermal issues, keyboard issues and screen issues, the situation just gets worse... and the Apple tax is no longer justifiable. Apple needs to get something out there sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...

I don't think 16' is gonna happen this year.
Most likely we are gonna see some spec bumps for the MBP lines and nothing more.

I'm always under the impression that iMac Pro is a temporary replacement for Mac Pro. I don't expect to see any updates as soon as the new Mac Pro is out.
 
pallymore said:
I don't think 16' is gonna happen this year.
Most likely we are gonna see some spec bumps for the MBP lines and nothing more.

I'm always under the impression that iMac Pro is a temporary replacement for Mac Pro. I don't expect to see any updates as soon as the new Mac Pro is out.
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With everything going on surrounding the 2018 MBP I would (along with others) be SHOCKED if we just get a spec bump. That would show the pro users that apple has almost completely left us in the dust and given us 1 very expensive option to stay up to date on a pro machine - the Mac Pro.

Apples not going to wait another year to catch up to the Razer blade (in respects to the screen / bezel ratio).

Its as likely that we see a 'pro segment' at WWDC as we would updates to TVos.. and in that segment, the MacBook Pro.
 
linxy33 said:
With everything going on surrounding the 2018 MBP I would (along with others) be SHOCKED if we just get a spec bump. That would show the pro users that apple has almost completely left us in the dust and given us 1 very expensive option to stay up to date on a pro machine - the Mac Pro.

Apples not going to wait another year to catch up to the Razer blade (in respects to the screen / bezel ratio).

Its as likely that we see a 'pro segment' at WWDC as we would updates to TVos.. and in that segment, the MacBook Pro.
Click to expand...

It's not uncommon to see Apple do such things.

I'd be more surprised if they actually listened to the complaints and throw their design away and rush the next design out of the door (which is just asking for more problems really). They will try to fix it (while slapping a new "4th-gen" badge on it) until it is unfixable or the newer designs are ready.

Navi is going to be ready, and maybe a worthy 10nm CPU (though not as likely) for the MBP line. Which are both fitting for being released along side with a new chassis.

I hope I'm wrong though. I really could use a new laptop.
 
pallymore said:
I'm always under the impression that iMac Pro is a temporary replacement for Mac Pro. I don't expect to see any updates as soon as the new Mac Pro is out.
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That would be a shame, since by most accounts it's a very nice machine.

Knowing modern Apple, the new MP might have a sky-high base price, leaving plenty room in the product range for the iMP to be something with ongoing updates!
 
As stop-gaps go, the iMac Pro is proving to be a brilliant machine for me. I didn't expect to warm to it but it runs everything flawlessly, silently and is just a pleasure to own and use. I finished my humble-pie some time ago.
 
I can’t see them killing off the iMac Pro. Having a high powered all in one in the lineup fills a much needed gap and helps Apple compete with things like the Surface Studio. If anything, I can actually see Apple expanding the iMac Pro lineup to offer more lower cost options (maybe a 21” version). Everyone is very excited over the new Mac Pro but let’s be honest here... that device will only appeal to a very specific audience.

Hope aside, I actually think it makes more sense for Apple to show a variety of Pro focused hardware (even if they aren’t all immediately available to buy).
 
Half of me thinks they will announce new Pro Macs at WWDC (Mac Pro, Macbook Pro and Pro display), but from what Mark Gurman has said Apple has only been thinking about showing the Mac Pro and the new Pro display.

If not at WWDC when will they show off new Macbook Pro's?, my guess is the 16" Macbook Pro would revealed at an October event. OR if it's a silent spec update, they could release them any time. However this goes against what Ming Chi Kuo has said, his report says they will reveal a 16" - 16.5" Macbook Pro with a new design.
 
terminator-jq said:
I can’t see them killing off the iMac Pro. Having a high powered all in one in the lineup fills a much needed gap and helps Apple compete with things like the Surface Studio. If anything, I can actually see Apple expanding the iMac Pro lineup to offer more lower cost options (maybe a 21” version). Everyone is very excited over the new Mac Pro but let’s be honest here... that device will only appeal to a very specific audience.

Hope aside, I actually think it makes more sense for Apple to show a variety of Pro focused hardware (even if they aren’t all immediately available to buy).
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The surface studio doesn’t even compete with the iMac so not sure why you think the pro would be competition.
But yes, hopefully this is a pro event with pro releases.
 
richinaus said:
The surface studio doesn’t even compete with the iMac so not sure why you think the pro would be competition.
But yes, hopefully this is a pro event with pro releases.
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WWDC is about software! every now and then they do announce hardware, 2017 was the last time we saw a big slew of updates to hardware at WWDC. I'm not sure its going to happen this year, IOS 13 is going to be a big update, they will want to take time to demo it's features. On top of IOS 13, there will also be the new MacOS, WatchOS and probably TVOS.
 
Dave245 said:
WWDC is about software! every now and then they do announce hardware, 2017 was the last time we saw a big slew of updates to hardware at WWDC. I'm not sure its going to happen this year, IOS 13 is going to be a big update, they will want to take time to demo it's features. On top of IOS 13, there will also be the new MacOS, WatchOS and probably TVOS.
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Maybe, but you are just guessing like everyone else. Who knows which is why we speculate. You do recall the Gurman Pro rumour?
 
richinaus said:
Maybe, but you are just guessing like everyone else. Who knows which is why we speculate. You do recall the Gurman Pro rumour?
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The one where Mark Gurman says Apple is considering the option of announcing the Mac Pro and pro display at WWDC? it may happen it may not. It doesn't mean that they will announce a new Macbook Pro as well, Gurman makes no mention of a Macbook Pro.
 
Dave245 said:
The one where Mark Gurman says Apple is considering the option of announcing the Mac Pro and pro display at WWDC? it may happen it may not. It doesn't mean that they will announce a new Macbook Pro as well, Gurman makes no mention of a Macbook Pro.
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Neither did I but I think they will. But tbh I don’t get excited about any of these events any more. So will just see what happens.
 
richinaus said:
The surface studio doesn’t even compete with the iMac so not sure why you think the pro would be competition.
But yes, hopefully this is a pro event with pro releases.
Click to expand...

Not sure why you would think that. You can even type in google “Surface Studio vs” and it will auto fill “iMac Pro”... They are both high end all-in-one machines with a target audience of professional users, specifically those in the design field. They definitely both have features that distance themselves from each other but at the end of the day, they go after very similar markets. I definitely agree that they are very different devices (surface studio is basically a giant drawing pad) but they definitely do compete for the same customers. So, I think it’s a good idea to keep the iMac Pro around and keep updating it.
 
well its been great chatting and dreaming with you all..

but its clear Apple is no longer the Pro oriented Apple I was naive enough to think they were.
 
2019 MacBook Pro’s are out.

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/21/apple-debuts-new-8-core-macbook-pro/

Also, as an owner of a 2018 MBP, I like this part:

“According to The Verge, some existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models that experience keyboard failures will have their keyboards replaced with the new 2019 keyboard that Apple has developed. Unfortunately, only MacBooks with the third-generation butterfly keyboard can get the updated 2019 keyboard, which includes the 2018 MacBook Pro and the 2018 MacBook Air.“

Looks like I’m gonna bring mine in sooner or later in hopes of getting that new keyboard on my current MBP. If the new design truly reduces keyboard issues by a significant margin (which remains to be seen, of course), then making it backwards-compatible with older MBPs seems like an excellent way to handle this.

Also, Apple just added the 2018 MBPs to the keyboard warranty program. Funny how so many people were convinced that Apple would never ever do that without another lawsuit, to me it always seemed like the logical thing to do for them.
 
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*disappointed face*

I really thought a new design was on the cards, but I guess not. Which kinda leaves the same issues for me.

  • If you want a 13" with 16GB RAM, its a BTO option so add on a couple of weeks to delivery dates.
  • Thermal issues are still a concern.
  • The keyboard is just another revision of the flawed design.
  • If you want four ports, which I know seems like a minor thing, but in reality I think is a must-have, you have to go for the TouchBar model.
  • 512GB should be the entry-level storage option IMO for that money.
 
Don't give up hope yet on the 16 inch MacBook Pro just yet. Apple might actually introduce this at a special event in October to go along with macOS 10.15 and new MacBook Air's and MacBooks.

Remember they refreshed the 2018 model with fast Vega GPU's the same year in October, but only announced it as a footnote.
 
ascender said:
*disappointed face*

I really thought a new design was on the cards, but I guess not. Which kinda leaves the same issues for me.

  • If you want a 13" with 16GB RAM, its a BTO option so add on a couple of weeks to delivery dates.
  • Thermal issues are still a concern.
  • The keyboard is just another revision of the flawed design.
  • If you want four ports, which I know seems like a minor thing, but in reality I think is a must-have, you have to go for the TouchBar model.
  • 512GB should be the entry-level storage option IMO for that money.
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To be fair, it seems Apple focused on the one thing people requested this time around: a much less failure-prone keyboard. We‘ll have to wait and see how much it has improved, of course, and if it turns out that it still fails a lot then by all means, grab your pitchfork, but until we have some better information of that, I wouldn‘t be so quick to judge.

Maybe, a different choice of materials (and whatever else may have changed that we don‘t know of) did fix the issues. Maybe it didn‘t. But if it did, then it fixed the number one flaw that the current MBPs are criticised for, which isn‘t exactly an insignificant change.
 
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