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What to Expect at Apple's October 30th Event: New iPad Pros, Mac Mini, Low-Cost Retina Notebook and More
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swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
Is it just me or is the biggest question of all the ports on the MacBook Air replacement? I feel like that's the elephant in the room.
I know three people who bought Macs this year, all three bought MacBook Airs specifically because of the ports (they wanted USB A).
I wish it were the day where Apple could force a change on the industry like when they went all USB-A on the original iMac, but no computer maker really can now because laptops/desktops are not people's primary computers anymore (smartphones are).
Every single iPhone they sell comes with a USB-A connector at the other end of the lightning cord.
Yet the MacBook Air stands as the last mobile Mac with USB-A. Will it stand?
My feeling is that Apple takes their view of how the future should be over practicality. So I think if we get what we want (upgraded display and processor), we will lose what we (or at least I) like: compatibility with USB-A devices.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the MacBook Air is their best-selling computer, so maybe they'll just do minor spec bumps and leave the ports alone. I don't think Apple will just put a better display panel in the same chassis, though. And I think if they change the chassis, they change the ports to just USB-C. That's my guess.
I know three people who bought Macs this year, all three bought MacBook Airs specifically because of the ports (they wanted USB A).
I wish it were the day where Apple could force a change on the industry like when they went all USB-A on the original iMac, but no computer maker really can now because laptops/desktops are not people's primary computers anymore (smartphones are).
Every single iPhone they sell comes with a USB-A connector at the other end of the lightning cord.
Yet the MacBook Air stands as the last mobile Mac with USB-A. Will it stand?
My feeling is that Apple takes their view of how the future should be over practicality. So I think if we get what we want (upgraded display and processor), we will lose what we (or at least I) like: compatibility with USB-A devices.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the MacBook Air is their best-selling computer, so maybe they'll just do minor spec bumps and leave the ports alone. I don't think Apple will just put a better display panel in the same chassis, though. And I think if they change the chassis, they change the ports to just USB-C. That's my guess.
The biggest advantage for Apple is tighter integration between hardware and software. They’ve always wanted to design and control the whole device. I don’t think ARM Macs will last as long as Intel based devices, so 6 years is a stretch in my mind.
That said, I’d be shocked if Apple announces an ARM based Mac. I have no doubt that they are working on Macs powered by their own chips, but I find it very hard to believe that they are going to port MacOS X, with all of its legacy technology, to their own chips. They’re only now starting to produce chips that could deliver Mac-level performance. Porting the OS is a big job.
A Mac based on iOS makes much more sense in my mind, but I don’t think we’re close to that yet.
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If the new iMac comes with 8th gen chips instead of the new 9th gen I’ll be disappointed. Stay current, that is all I ask.
I expect the new mini to top out at an i7-8700T, which is a 6-core chip.
I expect the 21.5” iMac to ship with the new intel processors with integrated Radeon graphics, and the 27” iMac to ship with 9th gen topping out at 8-core 95W chips.
I expect the new mini to top out at an i7-8700T, which is a 6-core chip.
I expect the 21.5” iMac to ship with the new intel processors with integrated Radeon graphics, and the 27” iMac to ship with 9th gen topping out at 8-core 95W chips.
I've come to accept that these products are unergonomic without the use of third party accessories https://www.studioproper.com.au/products/hand-strap
Only the fact that Apple has been throwing around the term "Pro-focused" for a while now, in regard to what's coming.
Logic pro X for iPad Pro.
Yes, please.
If I say please, few more time, can I have it?
Please please please.
Followed by please please please for Final Cut X for iPad Pro.
Followed by more please please please, for possibly to connect external storage to iPad Pro and I am all good and happy and world can carry on spinning around
ok here's what I expect!
* The primary focus will be the iPad Pro. They'll spend almost the entire event on it.
* Some kinda MacBook Pro update. Nothing too exciting, though. Maybe they'll add gold/rose gold
* maaaaaaaaaybe an iMac speed bump. Same chassis, nothing else new.
* No mention of macbook air, imac, mac pro, or mac mini
* 1 hour later, the Macbook Air silently disappears off the apple store
* The primary focus will be the iPad Pro. They'll spend almost the entire event on it.
* Some kinda MacBook Pro update. Nothing too exciting, though. Maybe they'll add gold/rose gold
* maaaaaaaaaybe an iMac speed bump. Same chassis, nothing else new.
* No mention of macbook air, imac, mac pro, or mac mini
* 1 hour later, the Macbook Air silently disappears off the apple store
Too bad they were too lazy to learn about USB-C, and the benefits it provides (including being drop dead simple to adapt to USB-A).
Next time, maybe YOU can help educate them.
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That doesn't even make sense.
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You must be new to Apple.
They are the hands-down masters at seamless platform-switches.
Please keep headphone jack on iPad Pro and Mac Mini.
And make Mac Mini user upgradeable again.
And make Mac Mini user upgradeable again.
My iMac is really getting long on the tooth. I bought it with upgrades and I put a lot of memory, so once everything loads into memory it doesn't feel that slow. I am not sure I want to join this upgrade cycle. I am more in a let's see if the iMac fails before I upgrade mode. However, I would expect some move to USB-C, better display, probably same size, most likely not OLED, perhaps facial recognition for log in? More memory. Hopefully SSD across the board (not likely). Personally, as I support more than one account in my iMac, each one with their photos, music, iPhone backups, etc. I need quite a bit of storage. 2TB of Apple SSD is really expensive. I'll wait.
My pencil lives on the magnetic wrist rest on my SG logitech Create keyboard case (1st gen) that matches my SG iPad Pro, so upvote on the SG pencil idea. Or black if SG doesn’t work in plastic. White’s been done. Since like first iPods.
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But will you buy if it has a spinner in it??
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Soooo ready to replace my late 2009 mini, but I am trying not to get my hopes up. That way, I won't feel disappointed.
Ya, first iOS device to come with a mouse. Dem ears tho.
Same kind of design inspiration that put Steve’s profile in the Apple logo.
Nicely done.
Um, I've been an Apple customer for nearly 40 years and owned some of the early NeXT boxes...my first taste of OS X came in 1990...
I never said that Apple couldn't port MacOS to another processor, but I wouldn't be so sure that today's Apple is as capable as you think judging by the buggy software they've been producing lately. How much of the NeXT braintrust that did the original ports of NEXTSTEP to all those different architectures is left? NEXTSTEP had already been ported to Intel when Apple bought NeXT. A PowerPC port also existed, but was never commercially released. So I'd say NeXT was the master of seamless platform switches, not Apple. I certainly wouldn't call Classic mode a seamless switch.
But that's beside the point. Apple has been designing A-series chips and iOS to work closely together. Plus Apple has been doing everything possible to minimize the Unix-ness of MacOS with each new version. I just find it hard to believe that they will do a full port of today's MacOS to ARM. I have no doubt that they want to build Macs powered by they own processors, but I don't think we're there yet. I'm happy to be surprised next week though.
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I for one do not want a “budget” iPad Mini! Most people that I know what a Pro version. Many companies use the Mini and can afford to play around $2K for one. This so stupid that Apple does this budget crap!
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swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
That's now how product purchasing works. It's your money, your needs, your wishes, your product. My grandparents are in their late 80s and have used Macs the exact same way for a very long time. They still have an ink jet printer hooked up to their Mac via USB and they didn't want anything fancy or to have to change anything about their set up. So they bought a MacBook Air. My aunt bought one because the guy at the Apple Store said it was the best for her needs. My mom got one to replace a very old Mac Mini because she uses the same USB mouse she didn't want to replace. Yes, you can get adapters, but in the real world people buy things based on their specific needs and wants and not in line with what a company wants you to believe is ideal.
If I had to buy a Mac based on the current line-up, I would probably go with a MacBook Air myself. I charge my devices from my MacBook Pro constantly—it's just always there so it's faster than plugging into the wall. I keep a flush USB-A drive as a back-up drive in my MBP at all times. I still use my MBP's SD-card slot reader. It's how my CGM connects to my Mac and uploads to the cloud. I could see conforming to the changes of the all USB-C MBP (and other compromises like keyboard and glued in battery and loss of SD card reader) if the prices were more reasonable. But the entry level has a weak processor, and then the prices go up steeply on the TouchBar models. For me, the MacBook Air actually has more "pro" features for me in that it has the SD reader, two USB-A ports, and what I consider to be a better keyboard. I know the processor is weak esp compared to the new 8th generation options on the MBP. And I love a good display, so I'm not arguing that the MBA display is good. But each consumer has different wishes and needs. You could educate me all you want, and it wouldn't change that.
Sometimes like with the original iMac there are growing pains when it went all-USB. But the market was flooded with USB products very quickly after that, and the prices came down quickly. I remember going out to Costco after I bought a Bondi original iMac and could easily buy a USB printer off the shelf at Costco. With USB-C you're still limited on options and you're still paying a premium on peripherals. And no flush flash drives, either (although I know that's quite niche). Even Apple is still selling Lightning Apple pencils and sells every single iOS device (which is hundreds of millions) with USB-A ports on the other end of the Lightning cable. They have embraced USB-C quite haphazardly (by necessity no doubt due to the existence of Lightning).
Forgot to mention: All of Apple's desktop computers, including brand new models like the iMac Pro, have USB-A ports.
So Apple realizes customer needs and wants for this. On the laptops I guess it's a matter of esthetics and thinness. Plus there's some element of "purity" which I guess goes along with esthetics. I remember seeing a T-shirt over a decade ago with the USB, FireWire, and Ethernet logo. It had some caption about eschewing the legacy—I forget what it said. The point was that at that time, it was "pure" to just have those three ports. Now it's "pure" to just have one. And eventually it will be pure to have none at all.
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Whenever (if ever) Apple releases a new Mac mini and it's not user upgradeable in regards to RAM and hard drive: I'm done with Apple. The same goes with the Mac Pro. It's already shameful that you can't upgrade your own RAM on the iMac Pro. Apple clearly no longer understands what the word 'pro' means... maybe we can come up with a 'pro' emoji so they'll understand?
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$2K for a mini, really?? Considering a base iMac 5K 27" is $1,799... and that includes a monitor which Apple sells separately for $1300... IdK where you are getting your numbers from. A base price of say $799 for a new Mini makes sense, especially since I hope they do the right thing and not make it so mini that the user can't replace the RAM and HD...!
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$2K for a mini, really?? Considering a base iMac 5K 27" is $1,799... and that includes a monitor which Apple sells separately for $1300... IdK where you are getting your numbers from. A base price of say $799 for a new Mini makes sense, especially since I hope they do the right thing and not make it so mini that the user can't replace the RAM and HD...!
While the rumors sound pretty good, I'm still doubtful we'll be getting all of that. It'd be good to have a mac mini that can make use of an eGPU unit and a new Macbook Air...
Hope they’re right (on all fronts) about the iPad Mini. I still think it’s the prefect size... and I would just as soon they leave the bezels (and Touch ID! ... and the headphone jack!) alone and keep the price low.
- Typed on an iPad Mini 4
- Typed on an iPad Mini 4
I doubt it. Most of the pieces originate in China. The supply chain is there. Even if they assemble something new in Austin, it's hard to imagine them keeping everything a secret. I think the reality is, whatever Mac updates we see will be modest and evolutionary. In other words, not really worthy of rumors. I think this event will be more iPad focused. We already know Photoshop is coming, so we'll hear lots about the new iPad Pro and Pencil. I think it's possible they might preview the new Mac Pro, but there hasn't been a truly exciting Apple event in years. It's the same story every time. Everyone on the rumors sites gets all worked up and convinced that something truly amazing is coming...and the event always disappoints.
I'm guessing you're American? You wish, the "Lack of Mac rumors" means they don't exist and all we're getting is an iPad Pro.
My thought are that they retain the Air name, as its iconic and has a lot of brand equity. At $999 I don’t think it will be retina but I hope it is. Could be 1920x1200 IPS or something else short of retina.
It’s targeted at the same customer the Air has always been for: those wanting the least expensive, entry level Mac notebook. Apple will never have a $200-300 MacBook, they’re happy to leave the low margin chrome book type market to others.