I've seen a lot of Macbooks in the Apple UK refurb store but I wondered if there are other signs we'll see before the updated Macbook arrives ( I saw the mention in the OSX thing about 'Early 2016 Version')
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What are some signs Macbook April refresh is imminent?
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I don't think that anything will happen prior to WWDC, if at all. Alpine ridge controller is power hungry and needs space. Skylake is said to have some power drain problems. Not sure how Apple will find good workarounds for the upgrade.
Despite the reference to an early 2016 MacBook in OS X server software, I doubt that there will actually be a release prior to WWDC.
If there were to be a release this month, there would be signs of tightening supply in the channel for the current model. There would also be supplier rumors. There are neither of those as of now.
Who knows, though. I could be wrong.
If there were to be a release this month, there would be signs of tightening supply in the channel for the current model. There would also be supplier rumors. There are neither of those as of now.
Who knows, though. I could be wrong.
This got me wondering, and searching as well, but it looks like I cannot find any Core M-powered notebook out there that has a TB3/Alpine Ridge controller. All TB3 notebooks on the market have at least Skylake-U processors, beefier batteries and, of course, fans/ventilation.
One oddity, Acer announced a Core M laptop with TB3 at CES in January (called the Switch 12 S), but it doesn't look like it has actually shipped yet - there's last year's version, with a Broadwell-Y Core M, but no TB1/2 controller. My personal theory is that Acer put USB-C port(s) on this thing, and some folks/Acer got "hopeful" that it had TB3 going for itself.
I'm wondering if it's even possible/a good idea to stick a TB controller in a fanless Core M notebook.
Edit: I found the Acer press release for the Switch 12 S, they do indeed specifically say it has that 40 Gbps pipe (aka TB3) and a Skylake Core M processor, they also say it would start shipping in February 2016 tho - it's not actually sold anywhere yet.
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I wouldn't really call a 480P webcam "perfect."
Can't think of anything else, really, except TB3 that would probably arrive in 2017.
Thanks for the research. Apparently, this Acer has indeed TB3 built-in. I did find it in some stores, but only for pre-order.
A web shop in Austria claims it will be available on May 12th.
https://www.edustore.at/de/Artikel/Acer-Aspire-Switch-12-S-NTLB8EG003.htm
The promo video also explicitly shows a Thunderbolt 3 Port!
Yeah. maybe the sky will turn red, or a volcano will erupt somewhere. look out for these signs.
You should, because with today's technology it's the 480P webcam that enables the thin lid which allows for the ultra-thin form factor that makes the RMB an edge-cutter.
BJ
Lord, another Macbook thread boltjames runs in asserting there will be no inevitable upgrade to justify his premature purchase. WWDC will bring some excuses and potential tears.
Add Thunderbolt 3, update the webcam to HD, update to Sky/Kaby Lake for CPU and GPU boosts, update display to be P3 ready for better colour accuracy, add sensors for true tone around the bezel, increase RAM options to 16GB etc. Small updates that'll improve the user experience and future proof the device. I expect we'll see 2 or three of these this Summer.
Form-factor compromises are no reason to accept sub-par components such as the awful 480p camera in a 2015 device, the notion we should call that camera 'perfect' because of it's advantages outside of it's primary function (image quality) is ridiculous - there's a fine line balancing form and function, the camera is an example of the line being crossed.
Add Thunderbolt 3, update the webcam to HD, update to Sky/Kaby Lake for CPU and GPU boosts, update display to be P3 ready for better colour accuracy, add sensors for true tone around the bezel, increase RAM options to 16GB etc. Small updates that'll improve the user experience and future proof the device. I expect we'll see 2 or three of these this Summer.
Form-factor compromises are no reason to accept sub-par components such as the awful 480p camera in a 2015 device, the notion we should call that camera 'perfect' because of it's advantages outside of it's primary function (image quality) is ridiculous - there's a fine line balancing form and function, the camera is an example of the line being crossed.
According to this rumour (see link below) MacBook 12 with new hinge will be released in second half of 2016. Who knows how reliable this is. I'm very content with my rMB 2015 and won't be upgrading at least until my Apple Care warranty expires in February 2019.
http://www.designntrend.com/article...oks-2016-will-reportedly-new-hinge-design.htm
Edit: I actually wonder if the new hinge design is actually part of the MacBook Pro update rumoured for WWDC rather than the MacBook 12. Haven't heard of the hinge failing on any 2015 rMB's so sounds odd that they would redesign it but makes sense that they would redesign the MacBook Pro hinge.
http://www.designntrend.com/article...oks-2016-will-reportedly-new-hinge-design.htm
Edit: I actually wonder if the new hinge design is actually part of the MacBook Pro update rumoured for WWDC rather than the MacBook 12. Haven't heard of the hinge failing on any 2015 rMB's so sounds odd that they would redesign it but makes sense that they would redesign the MacBook Pro hinge.
I'm totally fine with my MacBook Pro hinge and the metallic MacBook 12" hinge. I really hope that Apple won't go south with the hinge like Microsoft did with the fugly Surface Book or worse, HP's Spectre 13.3.
It could use to tilt back a bit further.
Probably a reference to the Pro.
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Wanna bet?
Most likely, yeah. The hinge would be one of the characteristics of the existing model that would prevent them from making it thinner without some sort of change being made to it, and we all know Apple is all about the thin. I suspect that whatever they are doing with this supposed new hinge design is going to be wrapped around making things thinner for the Pro.
Body shaming is found everywhere now!
Which is awful by the way. You'd be much better off going by the historical facts leading up to an Apple computer refresh. Stockouts and labels in code are very strong indicators of what's about to happen.
A minor silent update just happened. The CPU is now a 6th gen. Skylake, anything else is still the same. 
No TB3, no HD FaceTime camera, no additional ports.
But it is also available in rose gold, so your girls and wives will be pleased.
No TB3, no HD FaceTime camera, no additional ports.
But it is also available in rose gold, so your girls and wives will be pleased.
Turns out today is 2017 or WWDC or late 2016! Take your pick!
It'd have been surprising if they'd retooled to accommodate an additional logic board chip to allow TB3 and to make space for additional ports. Someone else suggested higher res camera would require thicker screen, not sure if true or not.
Oh no, peasant. You misread all-wise boltjames. These minor changes clearly don't justify to call this an "update"
Lets see:
Faster PCIe
Faster CPU due to Skylake architecture (I guess)
Faster RAM
More battery (1 hour)
Better graphics (I guess)
Slower turbo boost
I think I will wait for benchmark reviews before I decide on this model, or rev. A.
Faster PCIe
Faster CPU due to Skylake architecture (I guess)
Faster RAM
More battery (1 hour)
Better graphics (I guess)
Slower turbo boost
I think I will wait for benchmark reviews before I decide on this model, or rev. A.