What to Expect in the Third Generation MacBook

[ascender]

The retina screens seem to be the one element which keeps the price higher than we (or Apple) would like. In the UK, with the retina screen and the exchange rates being what they are, I can't see a price drop unfortunately.

A spec-bumped 12" Macbook as detailed in the posts above with a second USB-C port (unlikely) I know would be a nice upgrade to the machine.

 

[DaMax85]

Give me 16GB, improved keyboard and 14" option and I'm probably going to buy it. (And second USB-C please. I don't even dare to ask about microSD.)

Just get the 13" Base Model Pro and bump-up the ram. You get a bigger screen and that extra port.

 

[nfl46]

My picks are:

• 2 USB ports
• improved screen (brightness/color gamut)
• 2nd generation butterfly keyboard
• 720P webcam
• KL processor
• improved battery life
• price drop (starts at $1,199 - I'd love $999 but that's definitely NOT happening!)
• 16GB ram option (priced higher, of course)

 

[Mac 128]

The retina screens seem to be the one element which keeps the price higher than we (or Apple) would like. In the UK, with the retina screen and the exchange rates being what they are, I can't see a price drop unfortunately.

A spec-bumped 12" Macbook as detailed in the posts above with a second USB-C port (unlikely) I know would be a nice upgrade to the machine.

I don't know how they don't eventually drop the price without continuing to make the MBA forever. Not that they won't -- they made the 2012 MBP for almost 5 years after it had essentially been replaced by the Retina MBP. But at some point they have to drop a notebook under the $1,000 mark with the current technology and discontinue the MBA which is just going to get more expensive to make as it's the only notebook that uses that screen, RAM, SSD, etc.

 

[maerz001]

I really don't think Apple would drop the prices and I personally don't hope they do. I'd rather they spend more money on it instead.

My guess for this years update:

- Kaby lake CPUs
- New keyboard switches
- Maybe the better color screen
- Maybe that "new battery tech" they talked about.
- Hopefully no headphone jack and instead a second USB-C.

U would rather spend more money??? For what reason?

All the points in your post do not cost more to put in. Maybe the better color screen. But not even sure about that

 

[ascender]

I don't know how they don't eventually drop the price without continuing to make the MBA forever. Not that they won't -- they made the 2012 MBP for almost 5 years after it had essentially been replaced by the Retina MBP. But at some point they have to drop a notebook under the $1,000 mark with the current technology and discontinue the MBA which is just going to get more expensive to make as it's the only notebook that uses that screen, RAM, SSD, etc.

I agree, but I think the only reason the MBA is still there is because they can't make one with a retina screen cheaply enough. I'm surprised they've not managed to get the price down by now though.

 

[ofarlig]

U would rather spend more money??? For what reason?

All the points in your post do not cost more to put in. Maybe the better color screen. But not even sure about that

Apple wants their profit, so i'd rather they put everything I want in and keep the price than to lower the prices and hold back for "upgrade incentives" next year. The battery tech for one is something they could hold off on to save cost. I'd rather see them put an a thunderbolt chip in and keep cost than to lower the price. A cheaper computer wouldn't really give me more joy but a better computer will.

 

[icymountain]

Discussions on price on a public forum are very theoretical, as you would need to factor in the R&D cost (which may be shared on the whole lineup), the fabrication cost, and the need to have coherent products at various price points, that people are ready to pay. We have no information on the first two points, and can only debate on the third, which is only part of the story.

 

[maerz001]

Discussions on price on a public forum are very theoretical, as you would need to factor in the R&D cost (which may be shared on the whole lineup), the fabrication cost, and the need to have coherent products at various price points, that people are ready to pay. We have no information on the first two points, and can only debate on the third, which is only part of the story.

I agree with you when somebody wants to claim this about a new computer. But we are talking here just on a refresh. To add a new CPU and some ports for a few cents does not increase the price as we have seen multiple times with refreshes.

Look where the Macbook Air started when it was 2008 introduced for 2700€. And than now its down to 1250€ beeing faster, more ports, more storage, just the same screen

 

[bigjnyc]

If the release is April as usual shouldn't we have seen some leaks or rumors at this point? I imagine production should have started to meet an April release.

 

[C64]

If the release is April as usual shouldn't we have seen some leaks or rumors at this point? I imagine production should have started to meet an April release.

Nothing about the case will change, the keyboard already exists for the MBP, nothing about CPUs being ordered ever gets out, so it seems like there's nothing much that even could leak. As with the iPad, availability in stores and increased shipping times are probably better indicators.

 

[Mac 128]

I agree, but I think the only reason the MBA is still there is because they can't make one with a retina screen cheaply enough. I'm surprised they've not managed to get the price down by now though.

I think that's intentional. I don't believe we'll see a price drop until they offer the next generation MB update, the one with TB3 for instance, or maybe add a touchbar. They've only just got a complete USB-C family in place, so it'll be the next substantive MB update that sees the current MB get a price drop. The MBA's days are likely low-numbered.

 

[bigjnyc]

Nothing about the case will change, the keyboard already exists for the MBP, nothing about CPUs being ordered ever gets out, so it seems like there's nothing much that even could leak. As with the iPad, availability in stores and increased shipping times are probably better indicators.

Makes sense, thanks

 

[gradiantfade]

Since price drop is mentioned, I just got the early 2016 512 gb MacBook at Best Buy because it was down to $1250... anyone think the 2016's will be even lower than that when the 2017 is released or was that a good bet?

 

[maerz001]

Since price drop is mentioned, I just got the early 2016 512 gb MacBook at Best Buy because it was down to $1250... anyone think the 2016's will be even lower than that when the 2017 is released or was that a good bet?

Maybe a bit but not substantial. The 2015 MB 512 is still sold at some places for 1000. So there is not much room.

 

[moxxey]

If the release is April as usual shouldn't we have seen some leaks or rumors at this point? I imagine production should have started to meet an April release.

That's what I'm wondering. But wasn't the 2016 model released without too much prior speculation?

Let's face it, I don't see the 2017 model being too much more than a CPU upgrade and - maybe at a push - a 16GB built-to-order version. The design, keyboard and ports won't change.

 

[James.K.Polk]

That's what I'm wondering. But wasn't the 2016 model released without too much prior speculation?

Let's face it, I don't see the 2017 model being too much more than a CPU upgrade and - maybe at a push - a 16GB built-to-order version. The design, keyboard and ports won't change.

As someone who just bought one, I'm okay with that

I wouldn't have bought it if I thought I needed a considerably better processor. A second generation keyboard would make me a little jealous but not sure that would even change my opinion ... it's so loud!

 

[fokmik]

My picks are:

• 2 USB ports
• improved screen (brightness/color gamut)
• 2nd generation butterfly keyboard
• 720P webcam
• KL processor
• improved battery life
• price drop (starts at $1,199 - I'd love $999 but that's definitely NOT happening!)
• 16GB ram option (priced higher, of course)

i think is a given the improved screen to p3 display,KL cpu,but for the rest i prefer to keep their prices but come with all of those instead of cutting the price for only 100$ and just to come with p3 and KL cpu
So i prefer to get for the same price 2 usb-c ports, p3 display, 2nd gen keyboard, 720p,KL cpu,improved battery and 16gb as option

 

[moxxey]

As someone who just bought one, I'm okay with that

I wouldn't have bought it if I thought I needed a considerably better processor. A second generation keyboard would make me a little jealous but not sure that would even change my opinion ... it's so loud!

Why? I have the new 15" MBP with 2nd gen keyboard and 2016 12" MB and still prefer the 12" keyboard! It's better and quieter.

The forthcoming 2017 MB won't be a huge upgrade. I had the 2015 12" MB and my 2016 model was significantly faster though (faster memory, faster SSD etc helped).

 

[James.K.Polk]

Why? I have the new 15" MBP with 2nd gen keyboard and 2016 12" MB and still prefer the 12" keyboard! It's better and quieter.

The forthcoming 2017 MB won't be a huge upgrade. I had the 2015 12" MB and my 2016 model was significantly faster though (faster memory, faster SSD etc helped).

I really appreciated the 'clickiness' of the Gen 2. Perhaps some of it is just being in that transition period, but this 12" keyboard feels... mushier? Quieter is certainly true, though - that 15" keyboard is so damn loud.

 

[hangkous]

It will be very interesting if they put 16GB Ram into the MacBook, i may even consider it over the MacBook Pro if they do.

I either take a MBP 15, but what I understand the battery is lacking and isn't the design Apple intended.

So a 16GB MB with preferably 1TB SSD would certainly change my mind.

 

[duervo]

If there's a refresh this year, then it likely won't be much.

Highly likely:

- Same keyboard as MBP's.
- Additional color option.

Much less likely, and probably even not likely:

- Maybe a 720p camera, but only if the camera hardware they use is thin enough to fit.
- Maybe a 756GB storage option ... big maybe.
- RAM will probably still be maxed to 8GB due to size constraints on the logic board with respect to the LPDDR3 chips. I suspect we won't likely be seeing any increase in this area until LPDDR4.

That's pretty much it. Maybe drop the price a bit too, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one.

 

[bigjnyc]

If there's a refresh this year, then it likely won't be much.

Highly likely:

- Same keyboard as MBP's.
- Additional color option.

Much less likely, and probably even not likely:

- Maybe a 720p camera, but only if the camera hardware they use is thin enough to fit.
- Maybe a 756GB storage option ... big maybe.
- RAM will probably still be maxed to 8GB due to size constraints on the logic board with respect to the LPDDR3 chips. I suspect we won't likely be seeing any increase in this area until LPDDR4.

That's pretty much it. Maybe drop the price a bit too, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one.

Agreed and maybe that new brighter screen technology that the MBP's got, I forgot the name

 

[maerz001]

- Additional color option

Like jet black? Or different to the iPhone? Hmmm. I don't believe in that. To much costs and low volume.

What about 14"

 

[Dave245]

If there's a refresh this year, then it likely won't be much.

Highly likely:

- Same keyboard as MBP's.
- Additional color option.

Much less likely, and probably even not likely:

- Maybe a 720p camera, but only if the camera hardware they use is thin enough to fit.
- Maybe a 756GB storage option ... big maybe.
- RAM will probably still be maxed to 8GB due to size constraints on the logic board with respect to the LPDDR3 chips. I suspect we won't likely be seeing any increase in this area until LPDDR4.

That's pretty much it. Maybe drop the price a bit too, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one.

There will probably be a refresh, more than likely it will be the same as last year just a spec bump and mentioned in a press release rather than at an Apple event.
The rumour is and predicted by the very reliable Ming-Chi-Ko that the MacBook will get new processors and a 16GB Ram option.
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Like jet black? Or different to the iPhone? Hmmm. I don't believe in that. To much costs and low volume.

What about 14"

I can't see them adding a new colour option, they added the Rose Gold last year.